Understanding brain responses to improve social connections in schizophrenia

Disrupted neural synchrony during naturalistic perception in schizophrenia: Toward a new biomarker of social dysfunction

NIH-funded research University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10909053

This study is looking at how the way your brain reacts while watching videos might be linked to feeling socially disconnected if you have schizophrenia, with the hope of finding new ways to help improve social interactions for people in your situation.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-10909053 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how differences in brain activity during naturalistic perception, such as watching videos, relate to social disconnection in individuals with schizophrenia. By using advanced imaging techniques like functional MRI, the study aims to identify a new biomarker that could indicate social dysfunction. The goal is to enhance our understanding of how brain responses affect social interactions, which could lead to better interventions for improving social connections among patients. Participants may undergo brain imaging while engaging with dynamic stimuli to assess their neural synchrony.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia who experience social disconnection.

Not a fit: Patients without a diagnosis of schizophrenia or those who do not experience social disconnection may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for improving social connections and overall quality of life for individuals with schizophrenia.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research in social neuroscience has shown promising results in understanding social dysfunction, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.