The University of Colorado received a $919,243 Project Grant (CFDA 93.242 - Mental Health Research Grants) from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to study the neural circuits and neurotransmitters involved in how uncontrollable stress affects social behavior and anxiety. The research aims to determine which pathways and neurotransmitters of ventral tegmental area (VTA) glutamate neurons mediate the behavioral consequences of uncontrollable stress, such as social avoidance and exaggerated fear responses. Key objectives include monitoring the activity of VTA glutamate neuron projections to the nucleus accumbens and lateral habenula under stressful conditions, and identifying the neurotransmitters (glutamate, dopamine, GABA) released by these neurons that control the resulting behavioral outcomes. Findings from this 5-year research project are expected to elucidate the intersection of cell-type, neural circuit, and neurotransmitter activity underlying the impact of stress on social, fear, and anxiety-like behaviors.
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