Actively Recruiting
Forgetting Fear: A Novel Non-invasive Approach to Disrupt Fear-based Sensory Memory Consolidation in Humans
Led by Emory University · Updated on 2025-10-29
66
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to explore a new non-invasive method to reduce the fear response that can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It focuses on disrupting the sensory memory consolidation shortly after an emotional event to lower the risk of developing PTSD. The study seeks to understand how sensory and emotional memories interact and to translate this knowledge into a precise, individualized treatment. Participants will undergo a functional MRI scan while completing a fear conditioning and extinction task. After the scan, they will be randomly assigned to receive either active or sham continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) targeting the sensory cortex to temporarily disrupt neural activity during the memory consolidation window. This stimulation is delivered using real-time neuronavigation and follows established safety guidelines. During the study, participants will be assessed on changes in brain network connectivity and regional brain activation on Days 30 and 31. Additional evaluations include skin conductance response, ECG, acoustic startle response, and performance on the fear conditioning and extinction task. The study is double-blinded and randomized, and participants will be monitored throughout to measure the effects on fear memory and related neural activity.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Disrupting Fear-based Memory Consolidation
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Ability to provide informed consent
- Willingness to participate in study
- Clinical diagnosis of PTSD for individuals in the PTSD group
- No history of musculoskeletal impairment or neurological disease
- Adults aged 18 to 65 years
You will not qualify if you...
- Age outside the range of 18 to 65 years
- Signs of dementia (score less than 20 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment)
- History of major head trauma, neurodegenerative disorder, or recent substance abuse within 6 months
- Recent use of Central Nervous System active drugs affecting cortical excitability or learning
- Contraindications to TMS or MRI if participating in related experiments
- Current use of psychoactive medications
- Current symptoms of psychosis or bipolar disorder
- Unable to provide informed consent
- Pregnant women and prisoners
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 day
Participants undergo an fMRI scan while performing a fear conditioning/extinction task, followed by randomized assignment to receive either active or sham continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) targeting sensory cortex to disrupt fear-based sensory memory consolidation.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 2 days
Participants return for assessments of neural connectivity, skin conductance response, ECG, acoustic startle response, and fear conditioning/extinction task performance to evaluate the effects of the intervention.
2 visits (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
Emory Rehabilitation Hospital
Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30322
Actively Recruiting
2
Emory University Hospital
Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30322
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Michael Borich, PhD
J
Jennifer Stevens, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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