How internal states affect learning and memory in animals
Official title: State-dependent modulation of learning
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11076220 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how animals, including people, remember things differently when they're in certain states, like being drunk, using tiny worms to help understand the science behind it, and the results could help us learn more about how our memories work in different situations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | April 18, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $420,027 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA031471-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11076220 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would be individuals who have experienced alcohol intoxication and are interested in understanding its effects on learning and memory.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or have no interest in the effects of intoxication on learning may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how animals, including humans, learn and recall information based on their internal states, such as being intoxicated. By using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, the study aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms that facilitate state-dependent learning (SDL). The researchers will explore how learning occurs in the presence of specific cues and how this learning is affected by the animal's intoxicated state. The findings could provide insights into the biological processes that govern memory and behavior in varying conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a better understanding of how memory works in different states, potentially informing treatments for conditions related to alcohol use and memory impairment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding state-dependent learning in various animal models, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bettinger, Jill C — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Bettinger, Jill C
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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.