Monday, April 22: Memory Architecture: A New View of Fear in the Brain

Lindsay Halladay, Ph.D: Assistant Professor, Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona

Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 3:00-4:00 pm, Koffler Great Room at ASA and Zoom

 

In her presentation, Dr. Lindsay Halladay explores a surprising shift in how we understand the brain: the discovery that astrocytes—cells long thought to play only a supportive role—actively participate in shaping memory and emotion. Focusing on recent findings published in Nature (journal), we will examine how these cells interact with neurons in the amygdala to influence fear learning and memory expression. By integrating cutting-edge neuroscience with broader questions about how the brain encodes experience, this presentation offers a new perspective on the cellular basis of behavior and its relevance for understanding conditions such as anxiety and PTSD.