The human brain is an intricate machine that weighs every social experience, from the warmth of a kind word to the sting of a harsh criticism. Researchers at Mount Sinai have made a groundbreaking discovery about how our brains process positive and negative interactions, shedding light on the underlying neural mechanisms behind common neuropsychiatric disorders like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia.

For the first time, scientists have identified the specific neural pathways that regulate both positive and negative impressions of social encounters. The study, published in Nature, reveals how an imbalance between these opposing forces can lead to debilitating symptoms in ASD and schizophrenia.

“The ability to recognize and distinguish unpleasant from pleasant interactions is essential for humans to navigate their social environment,” explains Xiaoting Wu, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “Until now, it has been unclear how the brain assigns positivity or negativity – ‘valence’ – to social experiences, and how that information can be flexibly updated in a constantly changing environment.”
At the heart of this complex neural circuitry is the hippocampus, a region deep in the temporal lobe responsible for forming new memories, learning, and emotions. Researchers found that two neuromodulators – serotonin and neurotensin – are released into the hippocampal subregion known as ventral CA1, where they control opposing social valence assignment.
While deficits in social valence are prevalent in many neuropsychiatric disorders, their underlying neural mechanisms and pathophysiology have remained elusive. “Through our work we’ve provided the first foundational insights into the neural basis of social valence,” notes Dr. Wu. “We have demonstrated that the neuromodulators serotonin and neurotensin signal opposing valence, revealing a fundamental principle of brain function in the form of a neuromodulatory switch that allows behavioral adaptation based on social history.”

In a novel social cognitive paradigm, researchers exposed mice to negative and positive social encounters. The test mouse was then given the choice between the two, learning to associate one with a positive or negative valence. By activating a specific serotonin receptor in the brain of a mouse model of ASD, researchers were able to restore a positive impression associated with rewarding social experiences.

This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of future therapies targeting common neuropsychiatric disorders. “We identified a specific neuromodulator receptor which we then targeted to rescue social cognitive deficits in a mouse model of ASD,” Dr. Wu explains. “On a broader scale, our work provides critical insights into complex social behaviors while revealing potential therapeutic targets that can be leveraged to improve social cognitive deficits in common neuropsychiatric disorders.”
This research was supported by funding from the NIH K99 Career Development Award, NIMH BRAINS R01 Award, Alkermes Pathways Award, NARSAD Young Investigator Award, and Friedman Brain Institute Scholar Award.

The excessive consumption of alcohol among young adults, particularly college students, poses significant health risks and social consequences. Heavy drinking can lead to blackouts, academic underperformance, interpersonal problems, and secondhand consequences for those who don’t drink, such as interrupted study sessions or having to care for intoxicated peers.

Recently, researchers from Brown University School of Public Health developed an innovative intervention called Counter-Attitudinal Advocacy (CAA). This approach involves advocating for a position that contradicts a personally held attitude or behavior. In the context of college drinking, CAA targets positive perceptions of heavy drinking and the belief that alcohol is an essential part of college life.

A randomized controlled trial at two sites involving 585 college students compared CAA to Personalized Normative Feedback (PNF), a well-established intervention. Researchers focused on drinks per week, a standard measure given the irregular drinking patterns of college students.

The results showed that participants who received PNF reported significantly fewer drinks per week than the control group, while those who received CAA reported significantly fewer consequences related to drinking. Notably, CAA had a harm reduction effect on consequences but not on consumption of alcohol, which it did not target.

According to co-lead investigator Kate Carey, “Both interventions take just 5-10 minutes, making them ideal for broad prevention efforts.” Carey emphasized that PNFs show participants how their drinking habits stack up against those of their peers, often exposing a common misconception that others drink more than they actually do. In contrast, CAA encourages participants to reflect on why it is a good idea to avoid alcohol-related problems and identify specific actions to minimize these risks.

CAA’s personalized approach frames the discussion broadly, focusing on why young people should avoid problems rather than directly telling them what to do. This makes the intervention more engaging and less confrontational. As participants respond to prompts, a research assistant or peer asks them to explain their written responses, which likely strengthens the intervention’s effect.

The researchers stress that having multiple brief interventions is essential since no single approach works for everyone. Offering evidence-based options increases the chances of reaching more people who are undergoing a period of heightened risk. With CAA providing another effective tool, especially for those who may not respond to PNF, this new approach holds promise in reducing college-aged drinking harms.