Understanding how brains synchronize during social interactions
Official title: Dynamic entanglements: the functional role and mechanistic basis of inter-individual neural synchrony
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-10867473 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how animals' brains work together when they interact socially, helping us understand how social behaviors and emotional connections develop, which could also shed light on similar issues in humans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,320,154 |
| NIH project number | 5U01NS131406-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10867473 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals interested in the biological basis of social behavior and those affected by social cognitive disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to social behavior or neural synchrony may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brains of animals synchronize their neural activity during social interactions, which is crucial for understanding complex social behaviors. Using advanced molecular-genetic and optical tools, the study will record and manipulate neural activity in multiple interacting animals, particularly focusing on different rodent species. By analyzing the synchronization of brain activity, the research aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms that drive social behaviors and emotional attachments. This work could provide insights into the neural basis of human sociality and related mental health conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of social behavior and inform treatments for mental health disorders related to social functioning.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding neural synchrony in social contexts, indicating that this approach has potential for significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kozorovitskiy, Yevgenia — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Kozorovitskiy, Yevgenia
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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.