Understanding how internal feelings influence social attention and perception

Neural Bases of Internal States Driving Social Attention and Perception

NIH-funded research Yale University · NIH-10973694

This study looks at how feelings and energy levels affect how monkeys interact with each other, helping us understand the brain activity behind their social behaviors like where they look and who they prefer to be with.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project IDNIH-10973694 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the neural mechanisms that underlie social behavior, focusing on how internal states related to motivation and arousal affect social interactions. By studying nonhuman primates, specifically macaques, the research aims to identify neural activity patterns that predict social behaviors such as gaze direction and social preferences. The approach involves monitoring brain activity during social interactions to understand how external factors influence these internal states. This could provide insights into the complexities of social cognition in higher-order species.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation would include individuals with conditions affecting social cognition or those interested in the biological basis of social behavior.

Not a fit: Patients with no interest in social cognition or those not affected by social behavior disorders may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of social behavior and its neural underpinnings, potentially informing treatments for social cognition disorders.

How similar studies have performed: While similar studies have shown promise in simpler organisms, this research aims to explore these concepts in more complex social behaviors of primates, making it a novel approach.

Where this research is happening

New Haven, 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.