Exploring how brain activity affects emotional responses and differences between individuals and sexes

Determining the contribution of pathway-specific neural activity to individual and sex differences in the attribution of salience to emotional cues

['FUNDING_FELLOWSHIP'] · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · NIH-11040978

This study is looking at how certain brain pathways affect how people, especially men and women, react to emotions, which can help us understand addiction and PTSD better.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_FELLOWSHIP']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR (nih funded)
Locations1 site (ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11040978 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates how specific neural pathways influence the way individuals and different sexes respond to emotional cues, particularly in the context of addiction and PTSD. The project involves training a graduate student in advanced behavioral neuroscience techniques, including chemogenetics and fiber photometry, to study these effects in animal models. By understanding these mechanisms, the research aims to shed light on the underlying factors that contribute to psychiatric disorders. The work will be conducted at the University of Michigan, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities for behavioral testing and analysis.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing addiction or PTSD, particularly those interested in the biological and psychological factors influencing their conditions.

Not a fit: Patients not experiencing addiction or PTSD, or those with unrelated psychiatric conditions, may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment strategies for psychiatric disorders like addiction and PTSD.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the neural mechanisms of emotional responses, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: addictive disorder

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.