How is Social Connection Represented in the Brain?
Using the Brain to Reveal Mental Representations of Subjective Connection
2 other identifiers
observational
248
1 country
1
Brief Summary
Nearly half of the U.S. population sometimes or always experiences loneliness, which is alarming given that loneliness confers risk for negative mental and physical health outcomes. Extensive research suggests loneliness is characterized by subjective isolation: many lonely individuals maintain a number of relationships but still report feeling lonely. The goal of this proposal is to use functional magnetic resonance imaging to reveal how the brain represents our subjective connection to and isolation from other people, which will ultimately inform optimal ways to intervene to reduce loneliness.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for all trials
Started Apr 2021
Longer than P75 for all trials
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
September 30, 2020
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
October 8, 2020
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
April 1, 2021
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
November 1, 2026
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
November 1, 2026
December 16, 2025
December 1, 2025
5.6 years
September 30, 2020
December 11, 2025
Conditions
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Blood Oxygenated-Level Dependent (BOLD) Response
2 hours
Interventions
participants complete cognitive tasks while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
Eligibility Criteria
Participants will be between the ages of 18 and 65
You may qualify if:
- safe for MRI scanning
- not taking psychiatric medication
You may not qualify if:
- not safe for MRI scanning
- taking psychiatric medication
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- Columbia Universitylead
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)collaborator
Study Sites (1)
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
New York, New York, 10032, United States
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Meghan Meyer, PhD
Columbia University
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- observational
- Observational Model
- OTHER
- Time Perspective
- CROSS SECTIONAL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- SPONSOR
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
September 30, 2020
First Posted
October 8, 2020
Study Start
April 1, 2021
Primary Completion (Estimated)
November 1, 2026
Study Completion (Estimated)
November 1, 2026
Last Updated
December 16, 2025
Record last verified: 2025-12