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Brainstem-forebrain networks and threat computation

Award Number: R01MH117791
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2018
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2028

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Brainstem-forebrain networks and threat computation - Project Summary A cardinal feature of anxiety disorders is exaggerated fear to cues signaling threat. The prevailing view of the neural circuit for fear learning is a division of labor in which the amygdala and associated forebrain regions signal threat probability, and brainstem regions organize fear output. This view is the intellectual foundation for proposals that forebrain threat dysfunction drives exaggerated fear in anxiety disorders. Much more than organizing fear output, my laboratory is showing brainstem networks compute prediction error – a learning signal to drive fear learning. Further, brainstem networks signal threat – a function purported to be specific to the forebrain. This proposal will reveal brainstem networks that signal threat probability, compute prediction error, and organize fear output. Aim 1 will detail the emergence of brainstem threat and behavior signaling dynamics. Female and male rats will receive Neuropixels implant through a complete dorsal-ventral brainstem axis. Thousands of single units will be recorded from 20+ brainstem regions during a fear discrimination procedure that produces selective learning to a threat cue. Firing analyses during the cue period will reveal the emergence of brainstem network threat signaling and tracking of diverse behaviors over fear learning. Aim 2 will establish a framework for brainstem prediction error dynamics. Firing analyses during the outcome period will link brainstem network firing dynamics for prediction error that precede the emergence of fear learning. Aim 3 will reveal forebrain inputs shaping brainstem firing dynamics and fear learning. Rats will receive brainstem Neuropixels implant. AAV2-retro in a brainstem region and cre-casp3 in a forebrain region will be used to delete specific inputs to the brainstem (e.g. prelimibic cortex neurons projecting to the periaqueductal gray). Firing analyses comparing casp3 and control rats will reveal the dependence of brainstem firing dynamics (threat, behavior, and prediction error) on forebrain inputs. Aim 4 will chemogenetically manipulate brainstem firing to diminish prediction error computation and fear learning. Rats will receive brainstem Neuropixels implant. Half will then receive excitatory DREADD infusions in regions flanking the periaqueductal gray – sources of a tonic prediction error organized by firing inhibition. Actuator injections (JH60), but not saline injection, will excite brainstem firing – blocking the tonic prediction error network. Firing analyses will reveal the effects of network interruption on brainstem firing dynamics for threat, behavior, and prediction error. This proposal will extend scientific knowledge by uncovering core threat functions of brainstem networks. The proposal will further reveal how forebrain inputs shape brainstem firing dynamics that signal threat, compute prediction error and organize specific fear behaviors. This knowledge is essential to developing effective anxiety disorder treatments aimed to reduce fear.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $578,694 )
2025	2025	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON COLLEGE	140 COMMONWEALTH AVE	CHESTNUT HILL	MA	02467	MIDDLESEX	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	8	4/17/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$578,694
														Subtotal = $578,694

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $674,382 )
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON COLLEGE	140 COMMONWEALTH AVE	CHESTNUT HILL	MA	02467	MIDDLESEX	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	002	7	4/25/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$674,382
2024	2023	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON COLLEGE	140 COMMONWEALTH AVE	CHESTNUT HILL	MA	02467	MIDDLESEX	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	001	6	4/17/2024	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$137,012
2024	2022	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON COLLEGE	140 COMMONWEALTH AVE	CHESTNUT HILL	MA	02467	MIDDLESEX	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	5	4/17/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$137,012
														Subtotal = $674,382

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $650,541 )
2023	2023	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON COLLEGE	140 COMMONWEALTH AVE	CHESTNUT HILL	MA	02467	MIDDLESEX	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	6	6/23/2023	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$650,541
														Subtotal = $650,541

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $391,250 )
2022	2022	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON COLLEGE	140 COMMONWEALTH AVE	CHESTNUT HILL	MA	02467	MIDDLESEX	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	5	5/23/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$391,250
														Subtotal = $391,250

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $391,250 )
2021	2021	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON COLLEGE	140 COMMONWEALTH AVE	CHESTNUT HILL	MA	02467	MIDDLESEX	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	4	5/14/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$391,250
														Subtotal = $391,250

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $391,250 )
2020	2020	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON COLLEGE	140 COMMONWEALTH AVE	CHESTNUT HILL	MA	02467	MIDDLESEX	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	3	6/9/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$391,250
														Subtotal = $391,250

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $391,250 )
2019	2019	BOSTON COLLEGE, TRUSTEES OF	140 COMMONWEALTH AVE	CHESTNUT HILL	MA	02467	MIDDLESEX	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	2	5/17/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$391,250
														Subtotal = $391,250

Issue Date FY: 2018 ( Subtotal = $391,250 )
2018	2018	BOSTON COLLEGE, TRUSTEES OF	140 COMMONWEALTH AVE	CHESTNUT HILL	MA	02467	MIDDLESEX	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	7/10/2018	NEW	$391,250
														Subtotal = $391,250

Grand Total All Awards = $3,859,867

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Brainstem-forebrain networks and threat computation

Award Number: R01MH117791

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2018

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2028

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