Prefrontal cortical mechanisms for fear learning [ 2011 - 2013 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Gavan Mcnally (Principal investigator)

Brief description Disorders of fear and anxiety impose significant burdens on individual sufferers, their families, and communities. This project studies the brain mechanisms of fear and anxiety, with special focus on the role of the prefrontal cortex. It tests the novel hypothesis that prefrontal cortex is part of a neural pathway critical for regulating fear learning and ensuring that fear learning is adaptively guided by past experience. In the absence of this pathway, fear learning is maladaptive and excessive relative to the danger posed by a situation.

Funding Amount $AUD 287,445.24

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant