Neurofeedback to reduce return of learned threat expectations
Reducing Spontaneous Recovery Using Functional Connectivity Based Real-time Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Neurofeedback Targeting the Memory Control Network
This trial tests whether real-time fMRI neurofeedback of a prefrontal–hippocampal connection can help healthy adults reduce the return of learned threat expectations after extinction.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 50 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Trustees of Princeton University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Princeton, New Jersey) |
| Trial ID | NCT07122739 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The study delivers real-time fMRI neurofeedback based on a functional connection between the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus during tasks that model Pavlovian conditioning, extinction, and spontaneous recovery. Healthy adults who demonstrate spontaneous recovery behavior in a prescreen session will be randomized to active or sham neurofeedback. The intervention aims to strengthen inhibitory control over reinstated threat memories by modifying circuit-level connectivity implicated in latent-cause inference and memory suppression. Outcomes include behavioral measures of spontaneous recovery and neuroimaging markers of prefrontal–hippocampal connectivity.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are right-handed healthy adults aged 18–50 who are MRI-eligible, have normal color vision and full English reading/writing ability, are not taking psychoactive drugs, and who demonstrate spontaneous recovery behavior on prescreening.
Not a fit: People with psychiatric or neurological disorders, current psychoactive medication use or drug abuse, pregnancy, left-handedness, color blindness, insufficient English comprehension, or who do not show the spontaneous recovery phenotype are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce the return of fear after exposure and guide new methods to make exposure therapy more durable.
How similar studies have performed: Pilot data and other fMRI neurofeedback studies show preliminary promise, but applying connectivity-based real-time feedback to this specific prefrontal–hippocampal circuit and behavioral phenotype is novel and not yet proven.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18-50 * No history of psychiatric disorders or neurological disorders affecting the central nervous system. * Are not currently taking psychoactive medication or drugs of abuse. * Must be eligible to enter an MRI (i.e., no permanent metal or medical implants) * Normal color vision * Right-handed * Full reading and writing English comprehension * Must exhibit spontaneous recovery behavior as determined by an experimenter in a prescreening experimental session * Must be able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy (female participants) * Outside of age range * History of psychiatric or neurological disease * Currently taking psychoactive medication or drugs of abuse * Color blindness * Primary left-handedness * Less than full reading and writing English comprehension * Do not exhibit spontaneous recovery behavior as determined by an experimenter in a prescreening experimental session * Refusing to provide informed consent
Where this trial is running
Princeton, New Jersey
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute — Princeton, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kenneth A. Norman, Ph.D. — Princeton University
- Study coordinator: Augustin C. Hennings, Ph.D.
- Email: gus.hennings@princeton.edu
- Phone: 609-258-5032
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.