New York, NY — Researchers at Mount Sinai have uncovered the neural circuitry that assigns emotional value to social interactions, revealing how these processes can be disrupted in conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. This groundbreaking study, published in Nature, highlights the opposing roles of two neuromodulators—serotonin and neurotensin—in shaping whether social experiences are perceived positively or negatively.
The insights from this research hold promise for developing therapies aimed at rectifying emotional imbalances associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders. Xiaoting Wu, an assistant professor of neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine, emphasized the significance of recognizing emotional nuances in social encounters, stating, “Understanding how the brain differentiates pleasant from unpleasant interactions is vital for effective social functioning.”
At the core of this investigation lies the hippocampus, a region of the brain vital for learning and memory. The study elucidates how serotonin and neurotensin, released in the hippocampal subregion known as ventral CA1, play distinct roles in emotional processing. While serotonin contributes to positive social impressions, neurotensin evokes negative experiences, indicating a complex interplay within this neural circuitry.
Using a novel approach, the researchers exposed mice to both positive and negative social encounters to gauge how emotional responses were developed and modified. In these experiments, the subjects faced aggressive mice in negative scenarios and potential mates in positive situations. Researchers observed how the mice learned to associate each type of encounter with corresponding emotional valences, enabling them to adapt their social preferences.
The study’s findings underscore the potential for targeted interventions. By activating serotonin receptors, specifically serotonin 1B, researchers restored positive social impressions in a mouse model of ASD. Dr. Wu explained, “This approach allows us to create a more favorable emotional response to social interactions, which is often disrupted in disorders like ASD.”
The identification of distinct neuromodulator receptors provides a valuable pathway for future therapeutic strategies. With imbalances in emotional processing linked to debilitating symptoms in various neuropsychiatric conditions, these insights could pave the way for more effective treatments aimed at improving social cognition.
As research into the neural mechanisms underlying social behavior continues to evolve, the implications of these findings extend beyond rodents. They hint at broader applications for understanding and addressing emotional and social cognitive deficits in humans, which could significantly enhance the quality of life for individuals facing these challenges.
Funding for the study was supported through several prestigious grants, including the NIH K99 Career Development Award and the NIMH BRAINS R01 Award, among others. This research not only advances our academic understanding but also sets the stage for innovative therapeutic developments in mental health care.