Understanding how MDMA affects social behavior in the brain
Official title: Mapping Neural Circuit Activity Mediating MDMA's Prosocial Effect
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11064688 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how MDMA, or ecstasy, affects social behaviors and brain activity in mice to help us understand how it might boost feelings of empathy and trust, which could lead to new ways to improve social connections in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | March 2, 2023 |
| Project end | April 25, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $125,580 |
| NIH project number | 3R01MH130591-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11064688 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with severe PTSD who may benefit from enhanced social connections and therapeutic interventions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have PTSD or those with a history of substance abuse may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, on social behaviors and connections in the brain. By using mouse models, the study aims to map brain activity during different experiences with MDMA, which may reveal how this drug fosters feelings of empathy and trust. The approach focuses on understanding the underlying mechanisms of MDMA's effects without preconceived notions about specific brain areas or pharmacological interactions. This could lead to new therapeutic strategies for enhancing social reward sensitivity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments for conditions like PTSD by harnessing the prosocial effects of MDMA.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with MDMA in therapeutic settings, particularly for PTSD, indicating that this approach may build on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heifets, Boris Dov — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Heifets, Boris Dov
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Multimodal AI to predict CAR-T patient response and guide safer, smarter cell design
A Stanford team is building AI tools that use patient and CAR-T cell data to predict how well a CAR-T therapy will work and what design changes might boost effectiveness and safety for people with cancer.
-
Community-driven model to reduce overdose deaths through smarter resource use
A Stanford-led project uses a data-driven model to help counties pick the best ways to prevent opioid and stimulant overdoses and save lives.
-
Center for Dissemination and Implementation at Stanford: Research Core
A Stanford-based program is advancing how evidence-based addiction treatments are implemented across settings to help people with substance use disorders receive better care.
-
Center for Dissemination and Implementation At Stanford (C-DIAS)
A center-based program at Stanford aims to speed people who need addiction treatments to get evidence-based care.
-
Mitochondrial structure and neuron health in Alzheimer's and ALS
This grant studies how mitochondrial cristae structure in neurons is controlled and how its disruption may contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS.
-
Pediatric EMS seizures: simpler age-based midazolam dosing
A nationwide trial at EMS agencies tests whether using fixed, age-based dosing of midazolam for seizures in children improves treatment speed and safety.
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.