Ventral hippocampal circuit regulation of stress-induced fear and anxiety
About This Grant
Project Summary / Abstract Chronic stress is a well-established contributor to neurobiological changes that influence behavioral responses to threat and uncertainty. The hippocampus plays a central role in stress-related plasticity, yet the specific circuits and molecular mechanisms through which stress alters hippocampal output remain incompletely defined. One pathway of interest is the projection from the ventral hippocampus to the medial prefrontal cortex (vHipp–mPFC), which has been implicated in modulating behavioral reactivity to aversive stimuli. My preliminary data indicate that chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) enhances activity in this circuit, coinciding with increased defensive behavioral responses. The current project aims to uncover the transcriptional mechanisms driving stress-induced hyperactivity in the vHipp–mPFC circuit and assess its causal role in stress-related behavioral adaptations. In Specific Aim 1, I will use circuit-specific labeling combined with single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNAseq) to identify stress-induced transcriptional changes in the vHipp–mPFC pathway following CUS. Then, I will assess the relevance of these changes to human pathology by comparing differentially expressed genes to single-nucleus data collected from individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using the PsychENCODE human hippocampal PTSD dataset. In Specific Aim 2, I will use chemogenetic tools to bidirectionally manipulate vHipp–mPFC pathway activity in mice exposed to CUS to determine whether hyperactivity in this pathway is necessary and/or sufficient to drive changes in defensive behavior. The proposed research will advance our understanding of how chronic stress alters hippocampal-prefrontal circuits to influence behavior, potentially identifying new biomarkers or molecular targets for therapeutic development. The project integrates transcriptomic profiling, circuit-level manipulation, and behavioral analysis, providing me with comprehensive and rigorous training in both bioinformatics and systems neuroscience and preparing me for a career that integrates these fields to elucidate the neurobiology of stress-related disorders.
Grant Summary
Ventral hippocampal circuit regulation of stress-induced fear and anxiety is a NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health grant providing up to $41K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2029-02-15 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
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Eligibility
How to Apply
Up to $41K
2029-02-15
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Ventral hippocampal circuit regulation of stress-induced fear and anxiety from NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
- 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health before the deadline.
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Ventral hippocampal circuit regulation of stress-induced fear and anxiety: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Ventral hippocampal circuit regulation of stress-induced fear and anxiety?
Ventral hippocampal circuit regulation of stress-induced fear and anxiety is offered by NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the Ventral hippocampal circuit regulation of stress-induced fear and anxiety provide?
Ventral hippocampal circuit regulation of stress-induced fear and anxiety provides up to $41K per award from NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the Ventral hippocampal circuit regulation of stress-induced fear and anxiety deadline?
Applications for Ventral hippocampal circuit regulation of stress-induced fear and anxiety are due 2029-02-15 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the Ventral hippocampal circuit regulation of stress-induced fear and anxiety?
To apply for Ventral hippocampal circuit regulation of stress-induced fear and anxiety, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health.