Understanding how stress affects fear learning in the brain
Official title: Neural Circuits for Stress-Impaired Extinction Learning
Funded at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-11097344 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stress makes it harder for people to learn to manage their fears, especially by exploring how certain brain cells work together, and it hopes to find better ways to help those with anxiety disorders feel better even when they're stressed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project start | August 16, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $614,142 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH117852-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11097344 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with anxiety disorders or trauma-related conditions who experience difficulties with fear extinction during stressful situations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have anxiety disorders or trauma-related conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural mechanisms that impair the ability to learn to overcome fear when under stress. It focuses on how stress affects specific brain circuits, particularly the role of noradrenergic neurons and corticotropin-releasing factor neurons in the amygdala. By studying these interactions, the research aims to uncover why traditional therapies for anxiety and trauma-related disorders may fail under high-stress conditions. The findings could lead to new strategies for improving treatment outcomes for patients with anxiety disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective therapies for individuals suffering from anxiety and trauma-related disorders, particularly in stressful situations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the neural circuits involved in fear and anxiety, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maren, Stephen — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Maren, Stephen
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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.