Understanding how the brain remembers social interactions
Official title: Investigating the neural mechanisms of social memory in the hippocampal-cortical network
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11000846 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our brains remember social interactions, which is really important for people with conditions like autism and schizophrenia, to help us understand their social behavior better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $123,715 |
| NIH project number | 5K99MH135166-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11000846 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or schizophrenia who experience challenges with social memory and cognition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any psychiatric disorders or those who do not experience social cognition deficits may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural mechanisms behind social memory, which is crucial for understanding social behavior in individuals with psychiatric disorders like autism and schizophrenia. By examining the hippocampal-cortical network, the study aims to uncover how the brain processes familiarity and recollection during social interactions. The approach involves using artificial neural networks and neural recordings from both mice and human subjects exposed to social stimuli, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of social cognition. The findings could provide insights into the underlying neural processes that contribute to social memory.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment strategies for social cognition deficits in psychiatric disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding social cognition through neural mechanisms, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Posani, Lorenzo — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Posani, Lorenzo
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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.