Investigating how dopamine affects fear responses in anxiety disorders
An A8 dopamine-ventral pallidum threat circuit
This study is looking at how certain brain cells that use dopamine help manage fear in people with anxiety disorders, and by understanding this, researchers hope to find new ways to help treat anxiety.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chestnut Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10771290 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research explores the role of A8 dopamine neurons in regulating fear responses to threat cues in individuals with anxiety disorders. By using a unique experimental setup, the researchers will manipulate dopamine activity to observe its effects on fear learning and behavior. The study involves advanced techniques such as chemogenetic manipulation and neural recordings to understand how these dopamine neurons influence fear responses. Patients may benefit from insights gained that could lead to new treatment options targeting dopamine pathways.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing anxiety disorders characterized by exaggerated fear responses.
Not a fit: Patients with anxiety disorders that do not exhibit exaggerated fear responses may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative dopamine-focused therapies for treating anxiety disorders.
How similar studies have performed: While dopamine's role in anxiety is recognized, this specific approach is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior research.
Where this research is happening
Chestnut Hill, United States
- Boston College — Chestnut Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdannald, Michael a — Boston College
- Study coordinator: Mcdannald, Michael a
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.