# Regulation of fear conditioning by subicular inputs to the BNST

> **NIH NIH R15** · BARNARD COLLEGE · 2020 · $411,173

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY:
The major aim of this proposal is to investigate the interactions between two brain regions
involved in fearful and anxious behaviors. The ventral subiculum (vSUB), the main output of the
ventral hippocampus, has been implicated in both anxiety-like behaviors and fear expression.
The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) processes both adaptive and pathological
anxiety. The vSUB contributes a significant input to the BNST, yet the interaction between
these two structures is poorly understood. We propose to examine the vSUB-BNST pathway
using multiple complementary methods. We will first characterize the neurons in the vSUB that
project to the BNST by retrogradely labeling vSUB neurons and using immunofluorescent
analysis of neuropeptide markers. We will then determine whether the vSUB-BNST pathway
contributes to context fear conditioning, fear reinstatement and anxiety behaviors: three
behaviors which are well-known to be involve the BNST. We will use FOS
immunohistochemistry to characterize the contribution of this pathway to these three behaviors.
We will then use optogenetic techniques to examine the behavioral effects of modulating
neuronal activity in this pathway. Our results will reveal which behaviors recruit the vSUB-BNST
pathway, and how modulation of this pathway can affect fear- and anxiety-like behaviors.
Finally, we will use in vivo electrophysiology to record from vSUB neurons during context and
cued fear conditioning, fear reinstatement, and anxiety tasks. The use of optogenetic tools will
allow us to specifically identify and record from neurons within the vSUB which project to the
BNST. Together, the experiments in this proposal represent an important step in understanding
the functional significance of the vSUB-BNST pathway. Our working hypothesis is that activity
in the vSUB-BNST is reduced in threatening contexts. Many anxiety disorders in humans can
be characterized by an inability to reduce fear responses in a non-threatening environment.
Thus, understanding how anxiety and fear learning are mediated by specific neuronal circuits
has clear translational significance.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9965285
- **Project number:** 1R15MH122969-01
- **Recipient organization:** BARNARD COLLEGE
- **Principal Investigator:** ELIZABETH P BAUER
- **Activity code:** R15 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $411,173
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-04-15 → 2024-04-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9965285

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9965285, Regulation of fear conditioning by subicular inputs to the BNST (1R15MH122969-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9965285. Licensed CC0.

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