# Neural Mechanisms Involved in Contextual Processing in PTSD

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2020 · $176,958

## Abstract

Summary/Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious and debilitating condition, characterized by changes in fear
expression and modulation. The fear modulation deficits in PTSD patients likely stem, at least in part, from
difficulties using “safe” and “danger” contexts to disambiguate potentially threatening cues. A number of
cognitive deficits may underlie impaired contextual processing in PTSD, including deficits in encoding and
retrieval of contextual information. Pattern separation (ability to distinguish between similar but different
stimuli) and pattern completion (ability to identify a previously encoded stimulus based on partial information)
are believed to underlie memory encoding and retrieval, respectively. The goal of this project is to
systematically probe memory function, like pattern separation and pattern completion in PTSD patients, trauma
exposed controls (TC), and healthy controls (HC) using neurocognitive tasks and a fear learning task. We will
investigate the roles of memory for context and pattern separation/completion in the modulation of fear
expression. We aim to examine 1) Pattern Separation and Pattern Completion abilities in PTSD and the
underlying neural circuits, and 2) Relationships between Pattern Separation and Pattern Completion
abilities and context processing deficits during fear learning in PTSD. Participants will complete a fear
learning task to assess contextual processing and fear modulation. Memory for contextual information, pattern
separation, and pattern completion will be examined during MRI scanning to identify associated hippocampal
and prefrontal cortex activation patterns. Brain activation and behavioral performance will be compared
between PTSD, TC, and HC groups across all tasks to better understand contributions of these hippocampal
deficits to altered fear learning and reactivity in PTSD. In order to successfully complete the proposed project,
training objectives include 1) advanced MRI processing and analysis, 2) hippocampal mechanisms of
learning and memory, 3) neurocognitive assessment of PTSD, and 4) clinical translational
neuroscience. This proposed NIMH K23 award will provide rich pilot data for an R-level application and
protected time for the candidate to obtain advanced training in neuroimaging methods, while broadening her
expertise in neurocognitive mechanisms underlying anxiety disorder presentations. The outcome of this project
has strong potential to enhance our understanding of mechanisms involved in PTSD development and
maintenance, to eventually improve existing treatments.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9974590
- **Project number:** 5K23MH109762-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Elizabeth Duval
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $176,958
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-07-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9974590

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9974590, Neural Mechanisms Involved in Contextual Processing in PTSD (5K23MH109762-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9974590. Licensed CC0.

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