Understanding how brain circuits affect fear responses in PTSD
Official title: Neural substrates of extinction deficits in pathological fear
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11007198 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells in the amygdala, which help control fear, work in mice to understand why some people with PTSD continue to feel fear and anxiety after trauma, with hopes of finding new treatments for humans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | January 15, 2024 |
| Project end | January 14, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $74,284 |
| NIH project number | 5F32MH135620-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11007198 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with PTSD who experience persistent fear and anxiety related to traumatic events.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of PTSD or those whose symptoms are not related to traumatic experiences may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of specific neurons in the amygdala, a brain region involved in fear regulation, to understand how traumatic experiences can lead to persistent fear and anxiety in individuals with PTSD. By studying mice, the researchers aim to identify how these neurons function and how they are affected by trauma. The ultimate goal is to translate these findings to humans, potentially leading to new treatments for PTSD that target these neural circuits. This research combines animal models with insights into human brain function to bridge the gap in understanding fear regulation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to novel therapies that improve treatment outcomes for patients suffering from PTSD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of amygdala circuits in fear regulation, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Totty, Michael — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Totty, Michael
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Ketamine to boost fear extinction and memory on PTSD patients
A study testing whether ketamine can help people with PTSD better relearn and forget fear when given in a guided treatment plan.
-
Metabolic effects of PFAS exposure in the Cape Fear Basin (GenX Exposure Study)
This NIH grant studies how PFAS chemicals in drinking water may affect metabolism and weight-related health in adults and children living along the Cape Fear River.
-
Inflammation and fear learning in PTSD
This study looks at how a temporary inflammatory challenge affects fear extinction in people with and without PTSD to better understand how PTSD could be treated.
-
Sleep-based brain wiring of fear memory in the amygdala
A study in people or animals will look at how sleep helps the amygdala store fear memories by using advanced brain imaging and genetic tools to understand memory changes.
-
Spatial circuits in the prefrontal cortex that control fear and discrimination
Researchers are exploring how different parts of the prefrontal cortex help decide when to feel fear or not, with the goal of better understanding anxiety-related conditions.
-
Understanding and improving fear and safety learning in OCD
A study at Yale will test brain-based methods to help adults with OCD improve safety learning and fear extinction during therapy.
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.