Oxytocin's effect on social brain function in autistic adults
Official title: Oxytocin Modulation of Neural Circuit Function and Behavior
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11618974 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A group at NYU School of Medicine studies how oxytocin affects social thinking and brain activity in adults with autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2018 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $34,470 |
| NIH project number | 3U19NS107616-09S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11618974 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ with autistic disorder who may participate in brain and behavioral studies related to oxytocin signaling.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without autism or those not participating in brain-imaging or related studies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant aims to understand how oxytocin changes social attention and neural processing in autistic adults. Researchers will study the hormone’s signaling across molecular and brain-system levels to identify when it helps or hinders social behavior. The work will use interdisciplinary approaches to map oxytocin pathways and their impact on social cues, emotion, and behavior. The goal is to reveal how endogenous oxytocin acts in real-world social situations to inform potential therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could guide more effective, brain-based approaches to improve social functioning in autism.
How similar studies have gone: Previous oxytocin studies show mixed results; this project aims to clarify when and how it helps social behavior.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tsien, Richard W — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Tsien, Richard W
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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.