# Neural basis of learning and response inhibition in adolescents

> **NIH NIH R01** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $530,028

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Understanding how behavioral states are encoded by the adolescent brain may be critical for detection and
prevention of brain disorders and reckless behaviors including suicide attempts that emerge in this
developmental stage. There is, however, a glaring paucity of data about the neuronal circuity of motivated
behavior in adolescent models. This may be primarily due to the technical challenge of executing methods that
are routine in adult animals, in adolescent models. We propose to exploit tools and supporting data generated
during the last funding period to address the overarching hypothesis that circuit dynamics that support
associative learning and ensuing decisions are different in adolescent and adult brains. We have observed that
reward (outcome) processing by lateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), substantia nigra (SN), and medial dorsal
striatum (DS) neurons differ between adolescent and adult rats. In contrast, more traditional “limbic” regions
such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc) have nearly identical pattern of reward encoding in adults and
adolescents. These are critical observations because appropriate response selection and inhibition toward a
desired outcome are dependent on the integrity of OFC-DS circuits. Here we aim to test the specific hypothesis
that in adolescents, action-outcome associative learning, and response inhibition and initiation after learning,
are computed differently in DS-OFC circuits, but not NAc-OFC circuits. To test this hypothesis, we have
developed an action-guided behavior task to assess associative learning and response inhibition which can be
(1) implemented during the short rodent adolescent period and (2) combined with multiregional
electrophysiology recording and local opto- or chemo-genetic circuit manipulation. We propose three aims. The
first two aims assess similarities, or differences, in neuronal processing of the same behavioral events in each
circuit in adolescents and adults. A third aim will focus on selective pathway manipulation to characterize
potential mechanisms that contribute to the different circuit dynamics observed in adolescents. Regardless of
the outcome, completion of this work will provide valuable mechanistic data about the neuronal basis of
learning and response inhibition in the adolescent brain.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10537713
- **Project number:** 2R01MH048404-29
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** BITA MOGHADDAM
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $530,028
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1992-09-15 → 2027-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10537713

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10537713, Neural basis of learning and response inhibition in adolescents (2R01MH048404-29). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10537713. Licensed CC0.

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