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Neuroimaging Cholinergic Mechanisms of Fear Extinction in PTSD

Award Number: R01MH131551
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 10/01/2024

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Neuroimaging Cholinergic Mechanisms of Fear Extinction in PTSD - PROJECT SUMMARY Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a deeply debilitating disorder with severe public health burden. Yet, current pharmacological treatments are glaringly suboptimal. The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a salient molecular target for PTSD therapeutics. Acetylcholine regulates fear learning and memory processes that are impaired in people with PTSD, and α7 nAChR density is reduced by chronic stress in preclinical models. Despite this compelling evidence, the role of α7 nAChRs in the pathophysiology of PTSD in humans is not fully understood. To address this gap, this proposal will characterize α7 nAChR contributions to behavioral and neural markers of fear learning in trauma-exposed participants representing the full spectrum of PTSD severity. Using [18F]ASEM, a positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand specific to α7 nAChRs, we obtained exciting preliminary data indicating lower α7 nAChR availability in people with PTSD that is associated with the severity of PTSD symptom clusters. Further, lower α7 nAChR availability in amygdala corresponded to weakened functional connectivity of the amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which is a key circuit that underpins fear learning processes. Motivated by these exciting data, the primary objective of this project is to characterize α7 nAChR contributions to fear extinction learning and circuitry in PTSD. To achieve this goal, we will recruit 80 participants with trauma exposure sampled across the full dimensional spectrum of PTSD symptoms. All participants will be scanned with [18F]ASEM PET and participate in an established fear reversal task with concurrent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The acquired data will be used to address three Specific Aims. AIM 1 will determine if people with PTSD have lower α7 nAChR availability than trauma exposed controls, and which PTSD symptom cluster severities correspond to lower α7 nAChR availability. AIM 2 will determine if lower α7 nAChR availability in amygdala predicts impaired learning rates during fear extinction. AIM 3 will determine if lower α7 nAChR availability in amygdala predicts weaker vmPFC-amygdala connectivity during fear extinction. A final analysis will determine if amygdala α7 nAChR availability mediates the relationship of amygdala-vmPFC connectivity with fear extinction learning rates, assessing these receptors a mechanism underlying disrupted fear extinction circuits in PTSD. The findings will determine α7 nAChR roles in the pathophysiology of fear extinction and its brain circuits in living people, informing future therapeutic development to address fear extinction impairments that underlie chronic PTSD symptoms.


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 = $29,626 )
2025	2024	REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN	1109 GEDDES AVE STE 3300	ANN ARBOR	MI	48109	WASHTENAW	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	001	3	7/18/2025	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$761,809
2025	2024	YALE UNIV	150 MUNSON ST	NEW HAVEN	CT	06511	SOUTH CENTRAL CT	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	002	2	7/29/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$732,183
2025	2024	YALE UNIV	150 MUNSON ST	NEW HAVEN	CT	06511	SOUTH CENTRAL CT	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	2	7/18/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $29,626

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $826,344 )
2024	2024	YALE UNIV	150 MUNSON ST	NEW HAVEN	CT	06511	SOUTH CENTRAL CT	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	2	4/30/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$826,344
														Subtotal = $826,344

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $835,523 )
2023	2023	YALE UNIVERSITY	105 WALL ST	NEW HAVEN	CT	06511	SOUTH CENTRAL CT	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	5/12/2023	NEW	$835,523
														Subtotal = $835,523

Grand Total All Awards = $1,691,493

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Neuroimaging Cholinergic Mechanisms of Fear Extinction in PTSD

Award Number: R01MH131551

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 10/01/2024

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