Understanding how the brain manages conflicting memories of fear and safety
Official title: Microcircuits governing conflicting memories of threat and safety
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11044196 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our brains remember scary and safe experiences, especially focusing on certain brain cells that help us switch between feeling afraid and feeling safe, which could help us understand why some people have a hard time with fear memories.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $520,544 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132224-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11044196 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing anxiety or trauma-related disorders who may benefit from new therapeutic approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without anxiety or trauma-related conditions are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain processes and differentiates between memories of fear and safety, particularly focusing on the role of specific brain cells in the hippocampus. By examining how these cells are activated during fear extinction, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that allow the brain to switch between remembering a threat and recognizing safety. The approach combines advanced techniques like genetics and optogenetics to manipulate and observe brain activity in real-time. This could lead to insights into why some individuals struggle with fear memories, especially in the context of psychiatric disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for anxiety and trauma-related disorders by enhancing our understanding of memory processing.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding memory processing and fear extinction, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clem, Roger L — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Clem, Roger L
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.