Understanding how social isolation changes health through fruit-fly models
Official title: Interdisciplinary Studies for Mechanisms Underlying Social Isolation-Induced Health Critical Behavior Changes
Funded at Texas A&m University · NIH-11380811 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study using fruit flies to uncover the brain and biology behind how long social isolation affects sleep and eating, with potential relevance to human health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $378,384 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM150832-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11380811 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals affected by social isolation-related health issues or clinicians seeking mechanistic insights into isolation-related behaviors, with no direct patient enrollment in this animal-focused project.
✕Less likely to help
People not connected to social isolation-related health concerns or those expecting direct human trials from this grant may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at Texas A&M University are studying how prolonged social isolation changes behavior and body processes by using a Drosophila model. They will examine how the brain encodes the duration of isolation and identify specific brain cells that signal chronic isolation. The project builds on prior findings that altering these cells changes how isolation is perceived and its effects on sleep and eating, aiming to map the mechanisms over three coordinated projects. This work could shed light on how social factors influence health in humans, especially during events like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal targets in the brain related to social isolation and sleep/eating regulation, potentially informing strategies to mitigate isolation-related health problems.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in model organisms shows that manipulating specific brain cells can alter isolation-related behaviors, supporting the plausibility of the approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m University
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Wanhe — Texas A&m University
- Study coordinator: Li, Wanhe
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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.