Understanding how oxytocin affects social behavior in Alzheimer's patients
Official title: Decoding the Mechanisms of Oxytocinergic Regulation in the Hippocamposeptal Circuit: Implications for Social Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-10865991 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how Alzheimer's disease affects the brain and causes some people to act aggressively, with the hope of finding ways to help improve social interactions and reduce these behaviors for both patients and their caregivers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $129,168 |
| NIH project number | 1K01AG086573-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10865991 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and exhibit signs of social aggression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Alzheimer's disease or those without any behavioral symptoms related to aggression may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neurobiological mechanisms behind social aggression in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). It aims to understand how the brain circuits, particularly those involving oxytocin, are disrupted in AD, leading to aggressive behaviors that affect both patients and caregivers. By studying these mechanisms, the research seeks to identify potential therapeutic targets to improve social functioning and reduce aggression in AD patients. The approach includes advanced neurophysiological techniques to map the brain circuits involved in these behaviors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve social behavior and quality of life for Alzheimer's patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the role of brain circuits in social behavior, but this specific approach focusing on Alzheimer's-related aggression is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Jingjing — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Liu, Jingjing
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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.