How the brain processes social status signals in relationships
Official title: Neural processing of status signals in social hierarchies
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-10816552 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the brains of male and female mice understand social signals about who is in charge and who is not, which helps them build relationships, and the researchers hope to learn more about how these brain areas affect social behavior and well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $198,551 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MH132981-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10816552 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing social perception challenges or loneliness, particularly those with conditions affecting social behavior.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience social perception deficits or those with unrelated neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain interprets social cues related to status within social hierarchies, which is crucial for forming meaningful relationships. By studying male and female mice, the researchers aim to understand the neural mechanisms in the medial amygdala and ventral premammillary nucleus that respond to dominant and subordinate signals. The study combines behavioral observations with advanced molecular techniques to explore how these brain regions influence social behavior. The findings could provide insights into the neural basis of social perception and its impact on well-being.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment of social perception deficits, potentially improving social interactions and reducing loneliness.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding social behavior through similar neural mechanisms, indicating a promising avenue for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Curley, James Patrick — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Curley, James Patrick
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Microglia Help Finish Seizures and Heal the Brain
Scientists are studying how brain immune cells (microglia) help end severe seizures and repair brain damage, with potential new ideas for people who have had status epilepticus.
-
A decentralized, post-incarceration program to help people living with or at risk for HIV
A patient-facing program called DEST2nation aims to help people recently released from jail or prison stay on HIV treatment (ART) and prevention (PrEP) by coordinating care, housing, and support services through peers and community organizations.
-
Healer-initiated HIV testing to bridge gaps in South Africa
This project tests whether traditional healers can offer HIV counseling and testing to people who don’t usually get tested, to link more individuals to care.
-
How childhood nutrition affects health, thinking, and life outcomes by middle age
This project compares people who got extra nutrition as children with those who did not to understand differences in health, thinking, and life outcomes in middle age.
-
HER2 in breast cancer among diverse communities
This project looks at genetic and molecular factors linked to HER2-positive breast cancer in women from Hispanic/Latina, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Indigenous American, African, and other diverse backgrounds.
-
Diet, mating, and aging: how reproduction and eating shape aging in humans and flies
Aging and healthspan may be influenced by how diet and reproductive timing interact, and this project will explore that connection in humans and fruit flies.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.