Clearing upsetting thoughts from the mind
Neural and Cognitive Mechanisms for Removing Emotional Information from Working Memory
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO · NIH-11176252
This project uses brain scans and computer learning to spot when people can clear upsetting thoughts from their minds, which may help people with anxiety or trauma-related memories.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Boulder, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11176252 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would be asked to remember or focus on emotional and neutral items and then try to clear those thoughts while undergoing brain imaging. The team will use MRI scans and pattern-detecting computer methods to find consistent brain signals that show when a thought has been removed. They will compare how the brain handles positive, negative, and neutral content and whether clearing thoughts affects taking in new information. The work builds on earlier findings about neutral memories and extends those methods to emotional material.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults who experience intrusive negative thoughts or have anxiety or trauma-related memories and who can safely undergo MRI scanning.
Not a fit: People who cannot have MRI scans (for example, due to metal implants or severe claustrophobia) or who do not experience intrusive emotional thoughts are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce objective brain markers that help guide treatments to reduce intrusive negative thoughts.
How similar studies have performed: Previous brain-imaging plus machine-learning work has successfully detected removal of neutral thoughts, but applying these methods to emotional memories is newer.
Where this research is happening
Boulder, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO — Boulder, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BANICH, MARIE T — UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
- Study coordinator: BANICH, MARIE T
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.