# Neuromodulation of affective valence in humans by amygdala stimulation

> **NIH NIH R21** · DARTMOUTH-HITCHCOCK CLINIC · 2022 · $194,797

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY: Neuromodulation of affective valence in humans by amygdala stimulation
Studies investigating global burden of disease have shown that a significant proportion of all disability-
adjusted life years are lost due to uncontrolled mental health disorders. For patients with mental illness
who have not benefited from conventional psychiatric interventions, neuromodulation via deep brain
stimulation (DBS) is an emerging treatment option. Multiple lines of evidence show that dysfunction of
the human amygdala plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of many psychiatric disorders The long-
term goal is to determine if the human amygdala can be a suitable DBS target to treat psychiatric
disorders. The main objective for this application is to take advantage of opportunity in patients who
have intracranial electrodes for epilepsy to investigate how the amygdala processes affective valence
and to determine if electrical stimulation targeted to the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala can be safely
used to induce a change in neural network for valence perception and on judgment of affective valence.
Our central hypothesis is that electrical stimulation of the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala during
performance of an affective valence perception task will change the oscillatory properties of the valence
network and in turn change how patients perceive affective valence in pictures without causing the
undesirable side effects of stimulation. We propose that the induction of this effect on cognition will have
future implications for the treatment of specific psychiatric disorders that are known to involve the
amygdala. The central hypothesis will be tested by pursuing two specific aims: (1) Characterize
oscillations of the valence network during judgment of valence; (2A) measure the effect of stimulation of
the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala on the oscillatory properties of the valence network; and (2B)
measure the effect of basolateral nucleus of the amygdala stimulation on perception of affective valence.
For Aim 1, we record and analyze intracranial EEG during perception of the Judgment of Valence and
Arousal Task to gain better understanding of the oscillatory markers of affective valence. For the Aim
2A, we will use inhibitory stimulation parameters and intracranial EEG to understand how stimulation of
the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala affects the oscillatory properties of neural networks for
representation of valence. For Aim 2B, we will determine how stimulation affects perception and judgment
of valence. The research is innovative because it uses intracranial EEG to gain understanding of neural
representation of valence and how stimulation effects neural networks and behavior. The proposed
research is significant because it will improve our understanding of neural representation of valence and
effect of stimulation parameters on neural network. The research will provide a strong foundation for
future development of amygdal...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10427427
- **Project number:** 5R21MH124674-02
- **Recipient organization:** DARTMOUTH-HITCHCOCK CLINIC
- **Principal Investigator:** Krzysztof Bujarski
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $194,797
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-06-11 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10427427

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10427427, Neuromodulation of affective valence in humans by amygdala stimulation (5R21MH124674-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10427427. Licensed CC0.

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