Understanding how the brain processes social interactions
Official title: Organizing Principles of the Neural Circuits for Social Interaction
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11083741 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brains of rhesus macaques work when they play a game about making social decisions, which could help us understand how people with social interaction challenges think and behave in similar situations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | May 3, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $548,050 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH136304-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11083741 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with autism spectrum disorder or those experiencing challenges in social interactions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have social interaction difficulties or those without autism spectrum disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural circuits involved in social cooperation and interaction by studying rhesus macaques playing a game that simulates social decision-making. The researchers aim to understand how the brain forms, maintains, and updates representations of social experiences, which are crucial for cooperative behavior. By recording neural activity in the prefrontal cortex, they will explore how different neural populations respond to both personal and others' actions in social contexts. This study could provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of social behavior, particularly in individuals with social interaction challenges.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and interventions for individuals with social interaction difficulties, such as those with autism spectrum disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully identified neural circuits related to social behavior, suggesting that this approach has the potential for meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haroush, Keren — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Haroush, Keren
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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.