Understanding the brain circuits involved in caring behaviors and parenting
Official title: Shared neural circuits of prosocial and parenting behaviors in the hypothalamus
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10873105 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain areas help us care for and comfort others, which could help us understand how to support people who are feeling upset or in need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $40,969 |
| NIH project number | 5F31MH134495-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10873105 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals over 21 years old who may experience difficulties with emotional regulation or social bonding, particularly those with borderline personality disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any issues related to emotional distress or social behaviors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural circuits in the hypothalamus that are responsible for prosocial behaviors, such as comforting others and parenting. By studying these circuits, the research aims to uncover how these behaviors are connected and how they can improve the well-being of individuals in distress. The approach involves examining the medial preoptic area of the brain, which is known to regulate parenting behaviors, and exploring its role in prosocial comforting. This could lead to a better understanding of how empathy and caregiving are wired in the brain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of social behaviors, potentially leading to improved interventions for mental health issues related to empathy and caregiving.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding the neural mechanisms of parenting and prosocial behaviors, indicating that this approach has a foundation in established science.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lim, Kayla Y — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Lim, Kayla Y
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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.