Understanding brain circuits involved in negative emotions and behaviors
Corticolimbic Circuits in Negative Affect
This study is looking at how certain parts of the brain work together to help us enjoy good feelings and avoid bad ones, which is really important for our mental health, especially for people dealing with issues like alcohol abuse and depression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10886706 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how specific brain circuits influence our ability to seek pleasure and avoid discomfort, which is crucial for mental health. By studying the interactions between the medial prefrontal cortex and the nucleus accumbens, the research aims to uncover the neural mechanisms behind negative emotions and behaviors associated with conditions like alcohol abuse and depression. The approach includes advanced techniques such as electrophysiology and optogenetics, using animal models to explore how these brain areas communicate during both innate and learned negative experiences. The ultimate goal is to develop treatment strategies that can help restore normal emotional processing and improve recovery from mental health disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing substance use disorders, alcohol abuse, or depressive symptoms.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to affective processing or those not experiencing negative emotional states may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment strategies for individuals suffering from substance use disorders and depression.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding brain circuits related to emotional processing, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carelli, Regina M — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Carelli, Regina M
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.