Molecular and brain circuits linked to anxiety disorders
Official title: Elucidating the molecular and neural components of the C1PAG and its contribution to Anxiety Disorders
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-11598006 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher is studying a specific brain circuit to understand what drives anxiety and how it could be treated for people with anxiety disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $270,881 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM130447-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11598006 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with anxiety disorders who may benefit from future therapies derived from this circuit research.
✕Less likely to help
Current patients will not directly receive a new treatment during this grant period.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a particular group of brain cells in the brainstem that seem to trigger anxiety when activated. Using advanced genetic and imaging techniques in mice, researchers will map how these cells communicate with other brain regions and how internal body signals influence anxiety states. The work combines cutting-edge tools like single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial mapping, and calcium imaging to create a detailed map of the C1PAG circuit and its role in anxiety. The goal is to uncover targets for new treatments that could lessen anxiety and prevent its progression from acute to chronic.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to new approaches for reducing anxiety symptoms by targeting specific brain circuits.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that manipulating specific brain circuits can alter anxiety-related behaviors in animals, supporting the potential for translation to humans.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fernández-Peña Acuña, Carlos — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Fernández-Peña Acuña, Carlos
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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.