How Does the Brain Control Social Recognition and Social Memory? - Incite at Columbia University

Humans rely deeply on their ability to recognize and remember others. Yet for individuals with autism, schizophrenia, or depression, social recognition and memory can be profoundly impaired, often leading to isolation. This project investigates how the brain enables recognition and social memory by turning to an unexpected model: the naked mole-rat.

Unlike standard lab animals, naked mole-rats live in large colonies for decades, maintaining stable relationships that require constant recognition and memory of dozens to hundreds of individuals. Using advanced neuroscience tools, single-cell brain recordings, genetic manipulation, and continuous monitoring, this study explores how neural circuits in the hippocampus and somatosensory system support social recognition. The project also examines the role of social touch, a dominant mode of communication for these nearly blind animals, as a key input into memory and group cohesion.

By pioneering naked mole-rats as a new model for neuroscience, the project aims to uncover mechanisms of social memory more relevant to humans than traditional mouse studies. The findings could ultimately point to new therapeutic pathways for restoring social connection in neuropsychiatric disorders, offering transformative insights into the biology of community life.