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-11063490 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how losing someone we care about affects the brain and our feelings, using prairie voles to understand the changes that happen and to find ways to help people who struggle with grief.
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 | August 26, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $34,567 |
| NIH project number | 3R01MH133123-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11063490 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 symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a significant loss or those with pre-existing mental health conditions unrelated to grief may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of losing a loved one on brain function and behavior, particularly focusing on the neurobiological mechanisms involved in grief and social loss. Using an animal model of social loss, specifically the prairie vole, the study aims to explore how such loss affects the brain's reward pathways and emotional responses. The researchers will identify genetic markers that may indicate individual vulnerability or resilience to the effects of grief, with the goal of developing new therapeutic interventions for those suffering from persistent emotional symptoms following loss.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for individuals experiencing complicated grief and related psychiatric conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While research on the neurobiological effects of grief 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.