Understanding social motivation challenges in Veterans with schizophrenia
Official title: Approaches to Studying Social Motivation in Schizophrenia
Funded at VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System · NIH-10930812 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how veterans with schizophrenia connect with others and remember social interactions, hoping to find ways to help them improve their social skills and overall quality of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2CX002202-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930812 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans diagnosed with schizophrenia who experience difficulties in social motivation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of schizophrenia or those who do not experience social motivation impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how social motivation, the drive to engage with others, is affected in Veterans with schizophrenia. It focuses on two key components: social attention, which is how we focus on social cues, and social memory, which is how we remember our interactions with others. By using innovative experimental methods, the study aims to identify when and how these impairments occur, which could lead to better treatment strategies. The goal is to enhance social functioning and improve the quality of life for affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly improve social interactions and relationships for Veterans with schizophrenia.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of this research is novel, previous studies have shown that understanding social cognition can lead to improvements in treatment for similar conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Catalano, Lauren Theresa — VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Catalano, Lauren Theresa
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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.