Understanding how the brain represents feelings of loneliness and connection to others
Using the Brain to Reveal Mental Representations of Subjective Connection
This study is looking at how feeling lonely changes the way our brains think about our relationships with others, and it's for anyone who wants to understand more about loneliness and how to feel more connected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia Univ New York Morningside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11034058 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how loneliness affects the brain's representation of our connections to others. By using functional MRI (fMRI), participants will engage in tasks that explore their feelings of closeness and familiarity with different individuals. The study aims to identify specific brain regions involved in these processes, particularly the medial prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulate, and how loneliness alters these mental representations. The ultimate goal is to find new ways to reduce feelings of loneliness through targeted interventions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who experience feelings of loneliness or subjective isolation.
Not a fit: Patients who do not experience loneliness or have no interest in understanding their social connections may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative strategies for alleviating loneliness and improving mental health.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neurobiological aspects of loneliness, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia Univ New York Morningside — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meyer, Meghan Leigh — Columbia Univ New York Morningside
- Study coordinator: Meyer, Meghan Leigh
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 below.