Sexually dimorphic vasopressin circuits and social interest in ASD
Official title: Sexually Dimorphic Vasopressin Circuits in the Control of Social Interest
Funded at Georgia State University · NIH-11355673 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study exploring how brain signals involving vasopressin differ by sex and may influence social interest in adults with autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 3, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $731,379 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH135553-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11355673 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with autistic disorder or related social-behavior differences who could contribute to translational or biomarker research in this area.
✕Less likely to help
This research is primarily mechanistic and may not directly benefit every participant in the short term.
What this research studies
Researchers at Georgia State University will examine how arginine vasopressin pathways in specific brain regions affect social interest, using optogenetic and genetic techniques in adult models. The project focuses on how BNST AVP cells and the LS V1aR receptor interact to shape social behavior, aiming to translate findings to understanding social difficulties in autism. By testing specific neural circuits in vivo and ex vivo, the study seeks to map a potential neural pathway that could be targeted in the future to improve social engagement for adults with ASD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could inform future therapies aimed at improving social interest in adults with autism by targeting specific vasopressin-related brain circuits.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked AVP systems to social behavior, but this project tests specific circuit interactions in adults, which is a novel extension.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia State University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Petrulis, Aras T — Georgia State University
- Study coordinator: Petrulis, Aras T
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.