Prefrontal pathway-related protein production in emotional memories
Official title: Prefrontal pathway-specific modulation of protein synthesis in emotional memories
Funded at State University New York Stony Brook · NIH-11468894 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant explores how brain pathways control protein building blocks during the formation of emotional memories, with the goal of understanding PTSD better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project start | December 8, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| Award (this year) | $552,613 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132795-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11468894 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to direct patients; a mouse model study to inform future human therapies for PTSD.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient involvement in this preclinical study.
What this research studies
In this project, researchers study how certain brain circuits are involved when a frightening event becomes a long-lasting memory in mice. They focus on how protein production in these circuits changes during memory consolidation, influenced by threat level and the person’s voluntary control. The work uses Pavlovian and instrumental threat conditioning to map the neural pathways and the molecular mechanisms, such as eIF2 and eIF4E-related protein production. Insights could point to new ways to target abnormal memory strengthening seen in PTSD. The study is designed to pinpoint when and where these protein-making processes occur during memory formation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new targets for therapies that prevent or lessen the harmful consolidation of traumatic memories in PTSD.
How similar studies have gone: prior work shows that manipulating memory-related protein synthesis can alter memory strength in animal models, suggesting potential therapeutic avenues.
Where this research is happening
-
State University New York Stony Brook
Stony Brook, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shrestha, Prerana — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Shrestha, Prerana
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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.