Understanding how the brain helps animals recognize themselves in mirrors
Official title: Neural circuit mechanisms for a mirror-induced self-directed behavior
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10941900 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how mice recognize themselves in a mirror and what happens in their brains when they do, which could help us understand more about self-recognition in animals and even humans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $518,907 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS138075-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10941900 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with cognitive impairments or conditions affecting self-recognition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cognitive impairments or those not interested in self-recognition studies may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural mechanisms behind self-recognition in animals, specifically focusing on how mice remember their own features and recognize themselves in a mirror. By using advanced techniques like brain imaging and electrophysiology, the study aims to identify the brain regions involved in this process, such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. The research will utilize a mouse model to explore how these neural circuits function during mirror-induced self-recognition tasks. This could provide insights into the cognitive abilities of various species, including humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of self-recognition, potentially leading to improved treatments for cognitive impairments.
How similar studies have gone: While studies on self-recognition have been conducted in various species, this specific approach using a mouse model to explore neural circuits is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kitamura, Takashi — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Kitamura, Takashi
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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.