Social Cognition: From Brain to Society

Social aspects are at the heart of our daily lives. Whether it is seeing friends, going to the dentist, selling an item online, or simply sharing a moment at the movies, the social dimension is omnipresent.

Yet, how these abilities function remains poorly understood. Our capacity to identify social contexts, understand implicit rules, trust others, or recognize their emotions remains largely unknown.

Which brain networks support these functions? Which anomalies allow for the earlier detection of certain neurodegenerative diseases, such as frontotemporal dementia? What are the risk factors and consequences of social cognition disorders for the individuals affected?

The SOCIALIZE project aims to provide answers to these questions. Conducted at the Lille University Hospital Memory Center, it seeks to better understand the links between the brain, cognitive functioning, and the social factors involved in "social cognition"—that is, our ability to interact with others and live in society.

Resulting from a close dialogue between researchers, clinicians, and patients, SOCIALIZE aspires to improve knowledge of social cognition and the various capacities that comprise it. The project also aims to develop new clinical tools to improve the diagnosis, monitoring, and support of individuals, while taking their social environment into account.