Understanding how brain circuits help animals avoid threats
Official title: Role of prefrontal dopamine circuits in threat avoidance learning
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11137039 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain circuits help us learn to stay safe from dangers, using mice to find out more about why some people might avoid things too much, which can happen in conditions like anxiety and PTSD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 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 | July 11, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $610,132 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH137461-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11137039 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals suffering from anxiety disorders, PTSD, or OCD.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have anxiety-related disorders or who are not experiencing maladaptive avoidance behaviors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of dopamine circuits in the prefrontal cortex and how they influence learning to avoid threats. By studying mice, the researchers aim to uncover the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie both adaptive and maladaptive avoidance behaviors. The project will utilize advanced techniques to measure and manipulate brain activity while the animals learn to associate cues with potential dangers. This could lead to a better understanding of psychiatric disorders characterized by excessive avoidance, such as anxiety and PTSD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating anxiety and other psychiatric disorders linked to maladaptive avoidance behaviors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of dopamine in behavior, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Denardo, Laura Anne — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Denardo, Laura Anne
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how genetic changes in blood cells relate to heart disease in people with HIV
A study will look at how age-related blood cell mutations and large chromosomal changes might contribute to heart disease risk in people living with HIV.
-
Systems genetics of vascular smooth muscle phenotypes in heart disease
Aims to understand how genetic differences influence vascular smooth muscle cells to improve prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease.
-
Motivation for Alcohol Use in Humans and How It Can Be Measured
This grant explores how people are motivated to drink alcohol and tests a safe, controlled way to study that motivation to inform better treatments for alcohol use disorder.
-
Overcoming CAR T cell resistance with tumor-targeted IL-12 to boost anti-tumor immunity
Aims to make CAR T cell therapy work better for solid tumors by using tumor-focused IL-12 to boost the body’s attack on cancer.
-
PediCODE: A Biorepository and Consortium for CoDE - Congenital Diarrhea and Enteropathy
A nationwide effort to collect clinical data and patient-derived samples to uncover the genetic causes of congenital diarrhea and enteropathy and to build a resource that helps researchers study these diseases.
-
Mentor Moms+: a community-led plan to cut alcohol use and HIV risk during pregnancy in South Africa
A community-based program adapts a trusted peer-led model to help pregnant and lactating people reduce alcohol use and HIV risk in South Africa.
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.