Understanding how specific brain cells influence social behavior and anxiety
Official title: Cell types controlling social behavior in extended amygdala and nucleus accumbens
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-10975323 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells affect social behavior and anxiety, especially in areas of the brain linked to these feelings, to help us understand more about anxiety disorders and find new ways to treat them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | July 3, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $442,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH135349-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10975323 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, particularly those who have not responded to existing treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with anxiety disorders that do not involve social behaviors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of different types of brain cells in controlling social behaviors and anxiety, particularly focusing on the extended amygdala and nucleus accumbens. By utilizing a novel tagging system called FLiCRE, researchers aim to identify and analyze the activity of these cells during specific social interactions. The study will involve advanced techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing to understand how these cells contribute to behaviors related to social anxiety. This research could lead to new insights into the neural circuits involved in anxiety disorders, potentially paving the way for innovative treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective therapies for individuals suffering from social anxiety disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using similar tagging methods has shown promise in understanding neural circuits, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Trainor, Brian C — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Trainor, Brian C
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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.