Understanding how brain circuits process and store information about stimuli and their outcomes

Dissecting the circuits and population dynamics that represent unconditioned and conditioned stimuli in the ventral hippocampus

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11129474

This study is looking at how certain brain cells in a part of the hippocampus react to different experiences and how these reactions change as we learn, which could help us understand more about how our brains remember things, especially in relation to emotional and thinking challenges.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-11129474 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how specific neurons in the ventral hippocampus respond to different stimuli and how these responses change with learning. By using advanced techniques like large-scale population recording and targeted manipulation of neuron types, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind how the brain encodes and updates information related to both conditioned and unconditioned stimuli. The findings could provide insights into the neural basis of learning and memory, particularly in relation to emotional and cognitive disorders.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with affective or cognitive disorders who may benefit from improved understanding and treatment of their conditions.

Not a fit: Patients with neurological conditions unrelated to learning or memory processes may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for cognitive and emotional disorders by enhancing our understanding of memory and learning processes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding neural circuits related to learning and memory, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Affective Disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.