Understanding Brain Activity in Overcoming Fear
Neural Substrates of Contextual Memory in Fear Extinction
This project explores how our brains learn to overcome fear, especially when fear returns in different situations, to help people with anxiety disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11091465 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people with anxiety disorders find relief from fear through therapies like exposure therapy, but sometimes their fear comes back, especially in new places. This happens because the brain creates a "safety memory" that is tied to the place where therapy happened, rather than completely erasing the original fear. This project aims to understand the specific brain areas and connections involved in why fear returns and how we can make fear reduction last longer. Researchers are looking at how different parts of the brain, like the hippocampus and amygdala, work together to control fear memories.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit individuals living with anxiety disorders who experience fear relapse after therapy.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatment or direct participation in a human clinical trial would not find direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new and more effective treatments for anxiety disorders that help people maintain their progress and prevent fear from returning.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific mechanisms are still being uncovered, previous research has shown that brain regions like the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex play a role in fear and extinction memory.
Where this research is happening
Champaign, United States
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign — Champaign, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maren, Stephen — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Maren, Stephen
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.