An adjusted fear response is at the core of organisms’ survival and seems to be dependent on the engagement of memory reconsolidation mechanisms. Reconsolidation is the process by which memories are updated according to environmental demands. In order to induce reconsolidation, researchers have been exploring post-reactivation extinction (PR-ext). Classical fear extinction (C-ext) seems to result in a temporary fear response inhibition, whereas PR-ext extinction seems to lead to elimination of fear. This revising process has been a target of interest for innovative treatments for anxiety disorders.
However, researchers face reconsolidation boundary conditions. Namely, C-ext seems to block simultaneous reconsolidation processes, inhibiting fear memory erasure. This project main goal is to use neuromodulation to surpass this limitation. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) will be complementary techniques to behavioral PR-ext, to trigger reconsolidation, and eliminate fear memories, considered to be at the etiology of anxiety disorders.
