Understanding how losing a loved one affects the brain and behavior
Official title: Neurocircuit of Partner-seeking Following Social Loss
Funded at University of Kansas Lawrence · NIH-11039831 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how losing someone we care about affects the brain and behavior, using prairie voles to help us understand grief better, with the hope of finding new ways to help people who are struggling with their feelings after a loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Lawrence NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lawrence, United States) |
| Project start | March 10, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $551,618 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH133123-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11039831 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have recently experienced the death of a loved one and are struggling with emotional or psychological distress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced significant social loss or those with pre-existing severe psychiatric conditions unrelated to grief may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of social loss, such as the death of a loved one, on brain function and behavior. Using an animal model of prairie voles, which exhibit similar emotional responses to humans, the study aims to explore the neurobiological mechanisms involved in grief and related psychiatric conditions. The researchers will focus on the brain's reward pathways and identify genetic factors that influence individual responses to social loss. By understanding these processes, the research seeks to develop new therapeutic interventions for those affected by grief.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, and other disorders following the loss of a loved one.
How similar studies have gone: While research on the neurobiological effects of social loss is limited, similar studies using animal models have shown promise in understanding emotional responses and developing therapeutic strategies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Lawrence
Lawrence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Adam Steven — University of Kansas Lawrence
- Study coordinator: Smith, Adam Steven
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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.