Understanding social behavior and its dysfunction in primates
Official title: A formal group theory-based model in primates for studying interactive social behavior and its dysfunction
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11014980 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how primates interact with each other and what happens when those interactions go wrong, which could help us understand social challenges in people with autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $408,299 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH131664-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11014980 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with autism spectrum disorder or related social behavior dysfunctions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to social behavior dysfunction may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural basis of interactive social behavior in primates, focusing on how these behaviors can become dysfunctional. By utilizing a formal group theory-based model, the study aims to analyze real-time interactions between primates and identify the neuronal components that encode these behaviors. The approach combines advanced techniques such as multi-site neuronal recordings and neuromodulation to explore the dynamics of social interactions over different time scales. This research could provide insights into conditions like autism spectrum disorder, where social behavior is significantly impacted.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a better understanding of social behavior dysfunctions, potentially informing treatments for conditions like autism spectrum disorder.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on solitary behaviors in animal models, this approach to studying interactive social behavior in primates is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Williams, Ziv — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Williams, Ziv
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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.