New Insights into How the Brain Evaluates Social Experiences

Researchers at Mount Sinai have uncovered the neural mechanisms that determine how our brains assign positive or negative valence to social interactions. This groundbreaking study reveals how specific neurotransmitters—serotonin and neurotensin—affect distinct neural populations within the hippocampus, particularly the ventral CA1 region, to influence social perception. The release of serotonin promotes a positive evaluation of social encounters, while neurotensin is associated with negative impressions. These findings help explain how an imbalance in processing social information may contribute to neuropsychiatric conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia.

The study, published in Nature, also demonstrates that activating a serotonin receptor can restore positive social feelings in a mouse model of ASD, opening potential avenues for therapeutic intervention. The research team developed a behavioral paradigm exposing mice to positive (potential mate) and negative (aggressive mouse) social encounters, observing that prior experiences shape subsequent social preferences and avoidance behaviors. Importantly, they identified drug targets—such as the serotonin 1B receptor and neurotensin 1 receptor—that modulate social valence.

This discovery provides a fundamental understanding of the neural circuitry underlying social behavior and highlights potential targets for treating social deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders. By manipulating these neuromodulatory pathways, future therapies may better address the complex emotional processing associated with social experiences.