Neural circuits that mediate fear conditioning and extinction (2013)

Much is understood about the early events in sensory processing by the brain, but how learning and memory formation occur remains rudimentary. This gap in understanding arises because the circuits that mediate these actions are not well understood. This grant will use electrophysiological recordings coupled with optogenetic stimulation and molecular silencing of specific neurons to study the circuits that underpin two simple forms of learning, fear conditioning and its extinction. This project will provide the first detailed understanding of the operation of neural circuits that are involved in one type of learning and memory storage.