Understanding how to remove emotional thoughts from memory

Neural and Cognitive Mechanisms for Removing Emotional Information from Working Memory

NIH-funded research University of Colorado · NIH-10922857

This study is looking at how we can help people with mental health issues get rid of negative thoughts from their minds, using brain scans and technology to see how well this works.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Colorado NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boulder, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10922857 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the mechanisms behind removing emotional thoughts from working memory, particularly focusing on negative and intrusive thoughts that often accompany psychiatric disorders. The team will utilize advanced brain imaging techniques and machine learning to objectively measure whether a thought has been successfully purged from the mind, moving beyond traditional self-report methods. By examining how emotional content influences the brain's ability to clear thoughts, the research aims to uncover the neural processes involved in this cognitive function.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing anxiety or other psychiatric conditions characterized by intrusive emotional thoughts.

Not a fit: Patients who do not experience intrusive emotional thoughts or who have conditions unrelated to emotional regulation may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for individuals struggling with anxiety and other psychiatric disorders by improving their ability to manage intrusive thoughts.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has successfully utilized similar brain imaging and machine learning techniques to study cognitive processes, indicating a promising approach for this investigation.

Where this research is happening

Boulder, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.