Understanding how social interactions shape reward choices and brain development
Understanding how social interactions influence reward-seeking behaviors: Developmental mechanisms
This research explores how social experiences during development influence our choices and brain function, especially in ways that might relate to Alzheimer's disease risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11086780 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our everyday decisions are often influenced by past social interactions, even when we don't realize it. This project uses a new method in mice to understand how earlier social experiences can make certain rewards more appealing later on. We are particularly interested in how a specific brain region, the medial orbitofrontal cortex, and a protein called BDNF, are involved in this process during development. By understanding these brain mechanisms, we hope to learn more about how social factors might contribute to conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research in animal models is not currently recruiting patients, but future studies stemming from this work may be relevant for adolescents and young adults concerned about Alzheimer's disease risk.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention for Alzheimer's disease will not receive direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us understand how early life social experiences affect brain development and decision-making, potentially identifying new ways to address risk factors for Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: This project uses a newly developed task to explore how social experiences influence future choices, offering a novel approach to understanding these complex brain mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gourley, Shannon Leigh — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Gourley, Shannon Leigh
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 below.