CARIPLO SILVA 2020-3632 - Tracing the brain circuits underlying traumatic memory attenuation (DSB.AD004.344)

Thematic area

Biomedical sciences

Project area

Structure responsible for the research project

Institute of neuroscience (IN)

Project manager

BIANCAAMBROGINA SILVA
Phone number: 0282245254
Email: bianca.silva@in.cnr.it

Abstract

How can long-lasting traumatic memories be overcome? In this project, I propose to unravel the neural circuits underlying the attenuation of remote memories of traumatic events. To address this issue, I will undertake an innovative approach based on recently developed tools for the identification and manipulation of specific neuronal ensembles, which will allow us to analyze the cellular mechanisms as well as the brain functional connectivity at the basis of the attenuation of remote fear memories in a mouse model of post traumatic stress disorder.
Fear is an essential emotion for survival that can generate some of the most robust forms of memory. Because of this characteristic, fear can also generate some of the most harmful memories, namely when fear is experienced excessively and repeatedly. Then, fearful memories become maladaptive, resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder. Remarkably, despite the growing prevalence of such disorders, identifying effective treatments against traumatic memories has proven difficult. This discrepancy is particularly evident for remote forms of traumata, which arise when the traumatic insult cannot be promptly addressed.

Start date of activity

01/09/2021

Keywords

post-traumatic stress, memory, fear

Last update: 22/05/2025