# Circuit versus stress hormonal influences in consolidation of fear memory strength and precision.

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · 2024 · $442,981

## Abstract

Project Summary
Discrimination between threatening and non-threatening contexts is an adaptive neurobiological process,
whereas traumatic stressors may shift responses toward generalization. From a translational perspective, the
loss of discrimination, or over-generalization, from a stressful to neutral context is one of the core features of
stress-related psychiatric diseases. To date, many studies have made inroads in understanding memory
consolidation processes in terms of overall memory strength, yet the post-learning processes that underlie
discrimination vs. generalization remain poorly understood. New data from our research team suggests that
limbic forebrain influences over the anteroventral bed nuclei of the stria terminalis (avBST) are poised to
differentially regulate memory strength and discrimination following an aversive learning paradigm. Interestingly,
these data further suggest a role for the basomedial amygdala (BMA) and rostral prelimbic (rPL) subdivision of
the medial prefrontal cortex in modulating memory strength and generalization, respectively, via direct influences
through avBST. Notably, activation of limbic cortical inputs to avBST supports different aspects of memory
modulation, whereas the disengagement of each input may exaggerate fear memory and generalization via
diminished activation over distinct circuits within avBST. This proposed work will address the hypothesis that
activity in BMA/rPL–avBST circuits play distinct roles over memory strength and discrimination with both
glucocorticoid-dependent and independent components. Aim 1 will address the roles of the rPL–avBST and
BMA–avBST pathways and the avBST itself in modulating precision and memory strength following inhibitory
avoidance learning. Aim 2 will assess whether the effects of avBST and BMA-avBST inhibition on memory
consolidation depends on their effects on circulating glucocorticoids in the posttraining period. Aim 3 will focus
on the sites of action within specific circuits in which glucocorticoids are having their effects on memory strength
and/or precision. These findings will be instrumental for improving our understanding of how these circuits
influence memory strength vs. precision in the period following an aversive learning experience and determine
the degree to which these effects depend on alterations in glucocorticoids vs. direct influences on neuronal
processes within the brain.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10849848
- **Project number:** 5R01MH132223-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- **Principal Investigator:** RYAN T LALUMIERE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $442,981
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-06-01 → 2028-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10849848

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10849848, Circuit versus stress hormonal influences in consolidation of fear memory strength and precision. (5R01MH132223-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10849848. Licensed CC0.

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