Understanding how a brain visual pathway linked to social cues goes wrong in schizophrenia
Official title: Sensory contributions to third visual pathway dysfunction in schizophrenia: correlation and causation
Funded at Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psych Res · NIH-11418894 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aiming to map and understand how a special brain visual pathway that helps read social cues may be disrupted in people with schizophrenia, to identify potential targets for future treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psych Res NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Orangeburg, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $684,935 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH138939-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418894 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with schizophrenia or related social cognitive impairments who can undergo MRI/ERP procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without schizophrenia or those unable to participate in MRI/ERP studies may not benefit from this project.
What this research studies
This project looks at a rare brain pathway involved in processing social information, and how its signals differ in people with schizophrenia. Researchers will use brain imaging and electrophysiology to link TVP dysfunction to difficulties recognizing facial emotions and processing social scenes. The work builds on prior findings showing altered activity in MT+, pSTS, and pulvinar during social perception, and uses advanced methods like naturalistic viewing fMRI and co-activation pattern analysis. The goal is to map the causal relationships so future therapies could restore social functioning.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could point to new neural targets and strategies to improve social perception and day-to-day functioning in schizophrenia.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier work has linked TVP dysfunction to social cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, with promising neuroimaging biomarkers guiding the approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psych Res
Orangeburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Javitt, Daniel C. — Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psych Res
- Study coordinator: Javitt, Daniel C.
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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.