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Cortical Networks Encoding Higher-Order Memories that Elicit Fear

Award Number: R01MH134787
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/08/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2029

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Cortical Networks Encoding Higher-Order Memories that Elicit Fear - Project Summary Exposure to traumatic events can result in intrusive fear memories that can be evoked not only by stimuli that were present during the event, but also by stimuli that have gained the ability to activate fear through higher- order process despite never being directly paired with trauma. Such fear memories are adaptive but can also contribute to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with patients often experiencing flashbacks and/or reoccurring memories related to the traumatic event. While a large body of research has focused on identifying the neural substrates responsible for fear memories retrieved by stimuli that were present and directly associated with trauma, much less is known about encoding and retrieval of higher-order conditioning, which allows stimuli not present at the time of trauma to evoke fear responses. It is therefore important to understand the neural substrates that support the encoding and retrieval of higher-order fear memories. Without this knowledge, determining the precise relationship between intrusive memories and PTSD is unlikely. To address this, the proposed research will use chemogenetic and in vivo electrophysiological recording methods in freely moving rats to investigate the necessity of network signal properties underlying the encoding and retrieval of higher-order conditioning, and their coordination across cortical regions. This contribution is expected to be significant because it will yield a detailed understanding of the neural substrates of adaptive higher-order fear memories, which may inform the link between intrusive maladaptive memories and PTSD. Such findings also have the potential to inform treatments for PTSD, especially trauma-focused therapies, in which patients specifically focus on the memory of the trauma or other trauma reminders.


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: 2026 ( Subtotal = $377,221 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE	85 S PROSPECT STREET	BURLINGTON	VT	05405	CHITTENDEN	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	3	2/6/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$377,221
														Subtotal = $377,221

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $320,638 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE	85 S PROSPECT STREET	BURLINGTON	VT	05405	CHITTENDEN	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	2	1/7/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$320,638
														Subtotal = $320,638

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $376,032 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE	85 S PROSPECT STREET	BURLINGTON	VT	05405	CHITTENDEN	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	7/8/2024	NEW	$376,032
														Subtotal = $376,032

Grand Total All Awards = $1,073,891

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Cortical Networks Encoding Higher-Order Memories that Elicit Fear

Award Number: R01MH134787

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/08/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2029

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