How a specific brain rhythm between the amygdala and hippocampus shapes mood and anxiety
Mechanisms and functions of amygdala-hippocampus beta synchrony
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · NIH-11238990
This research looks at whether brief bursts of a particular brain rhythm linking the amygdala and hippocampus relate to mood and anxiety in people and how those bursts work at the cell level.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11238990 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From the patient's perspective, researchers will use recordings made from people with implanted intracranial electrodes (iEEG) to track a beta-frequency brain rhythm that changes with mood and anxiety. They will map the precise connections between the basolateral amygdala and ventral hippocampus that generate these beta bursts. In parallel, they will use mouse experiments with cell-type-specific sensors and optogenetics to see how those bursts reorganize activity among named neuron types and change anxiety-like behaviors. Combining human recordings and mechanistic mouse work aims to connect a human biomarker to the underlying circuits that could be targeted later.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults undergoing clinical intracranial EEG monitoring (epilepsy patients with implanted electrodes) who can report mood or anxiety during monitoring.
Not a fit: People without implanted electrodes or those not receiving invasive monitoring (including most people with anxiety who are not epilepsy patients) are unlikely to be eligible or benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to better biomarkers and more precise brain-targeted treatments for mood and anxiety disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work by the team found this beta coherence biomarker in human iEEG and showed in mice that manipulating the same rhythm changes avoidance and risk-related behavior, but translating this into patient therapies remains novel.
Where this research is happening
SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO — SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SOHAL, VIKAAS SINGH — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- Study coordinator: SOHAL, VIKAAS SINGH
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.