Understanding how brain regions communicate during emotional experiences
Official title: Mechanisms and functions of amygdala-hippocampus beta synchrony
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11072804 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how two important parts of the brain, the amygdala and hippocampus, talk to each other to help us understand our feelings and anxiety, using special recordings from patients with epilepsy to find patterns that could improve how we manage emotions and mental health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $649,965 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH139220-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11072804 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with epilepsy who also experience mood and anxiety fluctuations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without epilepsy or those who do not experience mood or anxiety disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the communication between the amygdala and hippocampus, two critical brain regions involved in mood and anxiety regulation. By using advanced techniques like intracranial EEG recordings from epilepsy patients, the study aims to identify specific patterns of brain activity that correlate with emotional states. The researchers will explore how these patterns influence behaviors related to anxiety and risk assessment, potentially leading to new insights into emotional regulation. The ultimate goal is to understand the mechanisms behind these brain interactions and their impact on mental health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new biomarkers for diagnosing and treating anxiety and mood disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success in using similar approaches to understand brain activity related to emotional states, indicating a promising avenue for further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sohal, Vikaas Singh — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Sohal, Vikaas Singh
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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.