Unveiling the Brain's Key Circuitry for Social Perception

Researchers have identified a crucial brain circuit connecting the medial prefrontal cortex and the lateral hypothalamus that plays a pivotal role in socially subjective reward valuation. By temporarily blocking this circuit in monkeys, the researchers found that the monkeys became less sensitive to the prospect of others receiving rewards. This finding improves our understanding of social behaviors and may assist in diagnosing and treating injuries or alterations to these brain regions.