How the brain processes visual information during social interactions
Official title: Active Social Vision: How the Brain Processes Visual Information During Natural Social Perception
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11017620 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how our brains pick up on social cues when we interact with others, like friends and family, by tracking our eye and head movements, and it aims to help us understand how people with autism see and understand these social situations better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | February 17, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $586,330 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132225-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11017620 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with epilepsy who are undergoing surgical treatment and may have social perception challenges.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without epilepsy or those who do not experience social perception difficulties may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how our brains actively gather visual information during social interactions, rather than just passively observing static images. It focuses on understanding how eye and head movements help us perceive social cues in dynamic environments, such as when interacting with friends or family. By using advanced techniques like direct brain recordings from patients with epilepsy, the study aims to uncover the neurobiological mechanisms behind social vision. This approach could provide insights into how individuals with conditions like autism process social information.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions for individuals with social perception difficulties, such as those with autism spectrum disorder.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using active vision in social neuroscience is relatively novel, similar studies have shown promise in understanding brain functions related to social interactions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ghuman, Avniel S — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Ghuman, Avniel S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Elastomeric membranes for safer pelvic organ prolapse repair
A new 3D-printed elastomeric membrane made from polycarbonate urethane is being tested to replace stiff polypropylene meshes for pelvic organ prolapse in women, aiming to reduce complications.
-
Role of hyaluronan in egg development and ovarian reserve
This grant studies how the hyaluronan matrix in the ovary affects the aging of the female reproductive system and the pool of eggs available.
-
Regulatory switches that control imprinting in early human development
This grant studies how certain genes stay “one-copy” active in early development and what goes wrong in assisted reproduction, with a focus on imprinting disorders.
-
Identifying molecular signs of imprinting errors linked to fertility treatments
This grant studies how assisted reproductive technologies may cause imprinting errors in embryos and how these errors relate to certain birth conditions, with implications for families using infertility treatments.
-
Bioadhesive vaginal film for 7-day protection against HIV, HSV, and pregnancy
A vaginal film that slowly releases antibodies to prevent HIV, HSV, and unintended pregnancy for about a week from a single use.
-
Spermatogonial stem cell transplantation and culture in patients
Researchers are testing a way to transplant or grow sperm-producing cells back in boys and men who stored tissue before cancer treatment, to help them have biological children in the future.
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.