Understanding and treating fear responses in the brain
Official title: Intracranial Recording and Stimulation of the Human Hippocampal-Amygdala Circuit During Virtual Reality Fear Conditioning
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11034017 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain handles fear and anxiety, especially in people with anxiety disorders, by using virtual reality and special brain techniques to see if they can help reduce overwhelming fear responses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $211,248 |
| NIH project number | 1K08MH138741-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11034017 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who experience anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have anxiety disorders or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain processes fear and anxiety, focusing on the interaction between the amygdala and hippocampus. By using advanced techniques like intracranial recording and stimulation, the study aims to identify the neural mechanisms that contribute to excessive fear responses in individuals with anxiety disorders. Participants will be involved in virtual reality scenarios to help researchers understand how fear is acquired, extinguished, and renewed, and whether targeted stimulation can help reduce maladaptive fear responses. The goal is to develop more effective therapies for conditions like generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating anxiety disorders, improving the quality of life for many patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using similar approaches to understand and treat anxiety, but this specific application in humans is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jang, Anthony I — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Jang, Anthony I
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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.