Investigating how social motivation is affected in a rat model of autism.
Official title: Behavioral and neural mechanisms mediating social motivation in a rat model for ASD
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-10954266 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how social interactions can motivate behavior in rats with autism, which might help us find better treatments for people with autism by understanding the brain and genes involved.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | December 16, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $436,018 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH129310-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10954266 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who experience challenges in social communication and motivation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have autism spectrum disorder or those whose social motivation issues are not related to neurobiological mechanisms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the behavioral and neural mechanisms that influence social motivation in a rat model for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By developing a novel operant model, the study examines how social interactions can serve as rewards, potentially preventing addictive behaviors. The research employs advanced machine learning techniques to analyze social behaviors and aims to understand the neurobiological underpinnings of social motivation, particularly focusing on the effects of specific genetic mutations associated with ASD. This approach could lead to insights that improve treatment options for individuals with ASD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of social motivation in autism, leading to better therapeutic strategies for improving social interactions in affected individuals.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been research on social motivation and addiction, this specific approach using a rat model for ASD is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Venniro, Marco — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Venniro, Marco
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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.