How stress hormones affect fear memory and its accuracy.
Official title: Circuit versus stress hormonal influences in consolidation of fear memory strength and precision.
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11047744 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how our brains remember fear and tell the difference between safe and scary situations, with the goal of finding better ways to help people who struggle with anxiety.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $376,535 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132223-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11047744 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing anxiety disorders or those who have been exposed to traumatic stressors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-stress-related psychiatric conditions may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain processes fear memories and distinguishes between safe and threatening situations. It focuses on understanding the role of specific brain circuits and hormones in strengthening these memories and preventing over-generalization, which can lead to anxiety disorders. By examining the interactions between different brain regions, the study aims to uncover mechanisms that could help improve treatments for stress-related psychiatric conditions. Patients may benefit from insights gained about how fear memories are formed and maintained.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better treatments for anxiety and stress-related disorders by improving our understanding of fear memory processing.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding memory consolidation and fear responses, indicating that this approach has potential for significant findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Radley, Jason J — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Radley, Jason J
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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.