# Contributions of hippocampal oxytocin receptors to social recognition

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2021 · $422,530

## Abstract

Project Summary
Social recognition in mammals is a complex biological process that necessitates communication between
neural circuits mediating cognitive processes such as discrimination of social stimuli and those underlying
expression of affiliation or avoidance behaviors. Circuit alterations that impair social discrimination, social
interaction or linkage of social discrimination with social interaction may underlie social recognition deficits
seen in autism spectrum disorders and other psychiatric disorders. One general mechanism by which distinct
behaviors such as reward seeking, social exploration and discrimination of social stimuli are orchestrated is
through the actions of neuromodulators such as oxytocin (OT). Although a growing number of studies have
begun to shed light on oxytocin receptor (Oxtr) signaling in the nucleus accumbens, lateral septum and
prefrontal cortex in social interaction, the contribution of Oxtrs in the hippocampus to social memory is not
known. This proposal seeks to identify (i) fundamental circuit mechanisms by which hippocampal Oxtr
signaling promotes discrimination of social stimuli and, (ii) the neural pathways that link these computations
with circuits that subserve social interaction. Towards these goals, we will harness viral and mouse conditional
genetic tools, optogenetics, cellular ensemble imaging and behavior to precisely manipulate hippocampal Oxtr
signaling with unprecedented spatial and temporal control and determine its contributions to social
recognition. Insights gleaned from the proposed studies will shed light on how an ancient neuromodulator like
OT has evolved to utilize basic memory-processing circuit mechanisms to perform discrimination of social
stimuli. The significance of the studies lies in its potential to illuminate fundamental neural mechanisms
underlying previously unrecognized roles of hippocampal Oxtr signaling in social recognition. Ultimately,
these mechanisms may guide novel therapeutic strategies for promoting social recognition in disorders in
which it is impaired.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10056173
- **Project number:** 5R01MH111729-04
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Amar Sahay
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $422,530
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-11-15 → 2022-10-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10056173

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10056173, Contributions of hippocampal oxytocin receptors to social recognition (5R01MH111729-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10056173. Licensed CC0.

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