Understanding how fear can return after treatment for anxiety

Using latent cause modeling and neurofeedback to understand fear relapse and its relationship to anxiety

NIH-funded research Princeton University · NIH-11165469

This study is looking at why some people feel anxious again after treatment for anxiety and aims to help improve therapy by understanding how different people react to fear and safety signals.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPrinceton University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Princeton, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11165469 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates why some individuals experience a return of fear after undergoing exposure therapy for anxiety disorders. By using advanced techniques like latent cause modeling and neurofeedback, the study aims to identify individual differences in how people process fear and safety associations. Participants will engage in tasks designed to reveal their responses to fear and safety cues, helping researchers understand the neural mechanisms behind these responses. The ultimate goal is to improve treatment outcomes for anxiety by addressing the reasons behind fear relapse.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with anxiety disorders who have undergone exposure therapy and are experiencing fear relapse.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have anxiety disorders or those who have not participated in exposure therapy may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for anxiety disorders by reducing the likelihood of fear relapse.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding fear responses and treatment outcomes, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Princeton, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Anxiety Disordersanxiety-related disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.