Fear is a vital survival mechanism, but when overactive it can cause anxiety and PTSD. With a Wellcome Discovery Award, Professor Tiago Branco at UCL’s Sainsbury Wellcome Centre will lead a seven-year study on how genetics and experience shape the brain’s sensitivity to threat. Using different mouse species with varied evolutionary exposure to humans, his team will investigate how neurons compute escape behaviours and how genetic differences influence fear responses.
“I’m very excited that this award will enable us to do comparative neuroscience. We are going to compare different species of mice by recording brain activity, studying brain anatomy and looking at their genes. We hope this will allow us to identify genetic components to threat sensitivity that may also be present in humans,” Prof Branco told the Sainsbury wellcome centre.
By recording brain activity, analysing anatomy, and comparing genes, the researchers aim to identify biological factors behind threat sensitivity that may also apply to humans. The project will use the Aeon platform to study mice in controlled but naturalistic settings. Ultimately, this work could uncover new therapeutic targets and lead to treatments for anxiety and PTSD that go beyond current serotonin-based approaches.
Credit: Mia Rozenbaum