NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Understanding how brain rhythms influence social interactions

Official title: Harnessing biological rhythms for a resilient social motif generator

Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11079628 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is exploring how our brains help us interact with others by looking at how things like breathing and heart rate connect to different social behaviors, using smart technology to analyze videos and other data, so we can better understand how we socialize in different situations.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Florida
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Gainesville, United States)
Project startMay 1, 2024
Project endApril 30, 2026
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$337,875
NIH project number5R34DA059718-02
Project IDNIH-11079628 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with social behavior challenges or disorders.

Less likely to help

Patients who do not have social behavior challenges or are not interested in the underlying biological mechanisms of social interactions may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how the brain enables social interactions by analyzing the neural mechanisms that support different types of social behavior in animals. Using advanced artificial intelligence tools, the study aims to integrate various behavioral data sources to identify patterns or 'motifs' of social behavior, particularly focusing on how breathing and heart rate rhythms correlate with these behaviors. By examining these physiological signals in conjunction with video data, the research seeks to provide a more nuanced understanding of social interactions under varying contexts.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of social behavior, potentially leading to improved interventions for social disorders.

How similar studies have gone: While the integration of autonomic rhythms with social behavior analysis is a novel approach, previous studies have shown success in understanding social behavior through isolated metrics, indicating potential for this innovative methodology.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Florida
    Gainesville, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Padilla Coreano, Nancy — University of Florida
  • Study coordinator: Padilla Coreano, Nancy

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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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.