Understanding how brain circuits influence fear and anxiety responses
Official title: Neuronal circuits regulating aversive salience, defensive behavior, and hyperarousal
Funded at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care · NIH-10927680 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain circuits help us react to fear and threats, which could lead to better treatments for anxiety and similar conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2024 |
| Project end | September 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 1I01BX006434-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10927680 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing anxiety disorders or related mental health issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-psychiatric conditions or those not experiencing anxiety-related symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural circuits that regulate emotional behaviors, particularly how the brain processes threats and controls defensive responses. By focusing on cholinergic inputs from the Basal Forebrain to the Basolateral Amygdala and Medial Prefrontal Cortex, the study aims to uncover how these circuits assign significance to fearful stimuli. The research employs advanced techniques to map these neuronal pathways and their roles in fear learning and memory. Patients may benefit from insights gained that could lead to improved treatments for anxiety and related disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective therapies for anxiety and other mental health conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the role of brain circuits in emotional regulation, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care
New Orleans, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fadok, Jonathan P — Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care
- Study coordinator: Fadok, Jonathan P
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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.