Understanding how oxytocin affects social bonding in prairie voles
Official title: Oxytocin receptor signaling modulates social attachment via hippocampal CA2/3 function
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11000827 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain signals help prairie voles form strong social bonds, which might help us understand how social connections work in people, especially kids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $121,499 |
| NIH project number | 5K99MH135061-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11000827 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would be children aged 0-11 years who may experience difficulties with social attachment or related behavioral issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not within the age range of 0-11 years or do not exhibit social attachment challenges may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of oxytocin receptor signaling in the brain regions associated with social attachment, particularly in prairie voles, which are known for their strong pair bonds. By examining the hippocampus, specifically areas CA2 and CA3, the study aims to uncover how these brain regions contribute to social memory and attachment behaviors. The research will involve identifying the distribution of specific cell types and receptors in the voles, providing insights into the biological mechanisms underlying social relationships. This could lead to a better understanding of social behaviors in humans, especially in children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of social attachment mechanisms, potentially informing interventions for social behavior disorders in children.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding social bonding mechanisms in animal models, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Long, Kimberly Lorraine Page — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Long, Kimberly Lorraine Page
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.