# Using Genetic Tools to Dissect Neural Circuits for Social Communication

> **NIH NIH R01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $513,860

## Abstract

Project Summary
An inability to form and maintain social bonds typifies a wide range of neuropsychiatric and
neurodevelopmental disorders. These social deficits stem in large part from impaired expressive and receptive
vocal communication skills. Surprisingly, exactly how vocal communication promotes social affiliation is not
well understood, in part because the underlying neural circuits remain poorly described. Here we propose the
use of a novel genetic approach to selectively tag neurons that are active during social encounters that elicit
vocalizations. We will combine this innovative method with in vivo imaging, electrophysiology, chemical and
optogenetic perturbations of neural activity, and behavioral measurements to identify neural circuits that
facilitate expressive and receptive aspects of vocal communication in the service of social affiliation. In Aim 1,
we will test the idea that a specific subpopulation of neurons in the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) is
required for male and female mice to produce vocalizations used during their social interactions. In Aim 2, we
will manipulate the activity of these PAG neurons to suppress or augment vocalization, allowing us to test the
idea that these vocalizations promote social affiliation. In Aim 3, we will test the idea that prefrontal cortical
(PFC) neurons that provide input to PAG vocalization neurons are important in regulating vocalization as a
function of social context. In Aim 4, we will either reversibly silence or image PFC neurons that provide input to
the PAG to test the idea that they play a role in generating affiliative social responses in males and females
listening to a vocalizing individual. These studies will identify the neurons and circuits that gate vocalization
during social encounters and promote social affiliation in response to these acoustic signals. This research will
also build the foundation for future studies that explore how these circuits are affected in mouse models of
neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by social communication and affiliation deficits, such as autism
spectrum disorder and schizophrenia.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10152701
- **Project number:** 5R01MH117778-04
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Richard D Mooney
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $513,860
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-11 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10152701

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10152701, Using Genetic Tools to Dissect Neural Circuits for Social Communication (5R01MH117778-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10152701. Licensed CC0.

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