Understanding how the brain learns about safety signals
Official title: Neural circuit basis of safety learning
Funded at Boston College · NIH-10987376 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain parts of the brain help us learn about safety signals, which are important for our well-being, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding how our brains process feelings of safety and fear.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chestnut Hill, United States) |
| Project start | July 10, 2024 |
| Project end | July 9, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $426,250 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH135410-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10987376 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing anxiety or fear-related disorders who may benefit from improved safety learning mechanisms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no history of anxiety or fear-related disorders may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural circuits in the brain that are involved in learning about safety signals, which are crucial for survival and mental health. It focuses on specific brain regions, including the basolateral amygdala, insular cortex, and infralimbic prefrontal cortex, to understand how they work together to process these signals. The study will involve testing hypotheses about how these brain areas communicate and contribute to safety learning and fear inhibition. By examining these mechanisms, the research aims to shed light on abnormal behaviors related to safety in various psychological conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment of anxiety and fear-related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding neural mechanisms related to fear and safety, making this approach promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Christianson, John Paul — Boston College
- Study coordinator: Christianson, John Paul
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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.