Existing knowledge determines how new experiences are encoded in the brain.

这个项目的目的是确定现有知识如何塑造新的恐惧记忆在大脑中编码和存储的方式。它试图通过使用一种动物模型--大鼠巴甫洛夫恐惧条件反射来实现这一目标。它的重要意义在于提供了第一个系统地评估恐惧记忆，这些记忆是在危险经历与现有知识一致与不一致时形成的。预期结果包括关于现有知识、恐惧记忆及其神经基础之间联系的新信息。这些信息对于开发一种全面的理论是必要的，该理论解释了恐惧记忆形成的条件如何决定了它们在大脑中的内容和连接。

The aim of this project is to identify how existing knowledge shapes the way that new fear memories are encoded and stored in the brain. It seeks to achieve this aim through the use of an animal model, Pavlovian fear conditioning in rats. It is significant in providing the first systematic assessment of fear memories that form when dangerous experiences are consistent versus inconsistent with existing knowledge. The expected outcomes include new information regarding the links between existing knowledge, fear memories and their neural substrates. This information is needed for the development of a comprehensive theory that explains how the conditions under which fear memories form determines their content and wiring in the brain.