Understanding how eye gaze perception relates to social difficulties in mental health disorders

Disrupted eye gaze perception as a biobehavioral marker of social dysfunction: An RDoC investigation

NIH-funded research Ohio State University · NIH-10850241

This study is looking at how well young people with different mental health conditions can understand where others are looking, to see if this can help us understand their social challenges better and find ways to improve their social skills and quality of life.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionOhio State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10850241 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the ability to perceive eye gaze direction may serve as a marker for social dysfunction in various psychiatric disorders. By examining a large group of adolescent and young adult patients with different mental health conditions, the study aims to identify commonalities in social impairment and its underlying mechanisms. Participants will undergo assessments of their gaze perception, cognitive abilities, and social functioning to better understand the relationship between these factors. The findings could lead to targeted treatments that improve social skills and overall quality of life for individuals with mental health challenges.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults aged 14-30 who experience social dysfunction due to various psychiatric conditions.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have any psychiatric disorders or those outside the age range of 14-30 may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments that enhance social functioning for patients with psychiatric disorders.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that gaze perception is a critical component of social communication, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights into social dysfunction across psychiatric disorders.

Where this research is happening

Columbus, 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.
Conditions Mental health disordersPsychiatric DiseasePsychiatric Disorderpsychological disorderMental disorders
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.