A06 –Testing for causality of fear extinction: Networks, plasticity, and beyond
Michael Nitsche, Fatemeh Yavari
In this project we will explore the specific interaction between the anterior network (hippocampus, amygdala, prefrontal cortex) and the cerebellum during extinction (study 1), develop non-invasive brain stimulation protocols suited for targeted modulation of extinction-relevant areas identified in that study (study 2), apply these to explore the causality of respective physiological interactions for extinction (study 3), and reveal cellular mechanisms of respective target structures for extinction by combining pharmacology (relevance of serotonin) and stimulation (study 4).
Guiding questions of A06:
- Does the cerebellum interact with anterior parts of the extinction network with regards to synchronization of activity, including oscillatory activity, during fear extinction?
- What is the specific role of intrinsic cerebellar versus cerebellar-anterior network interactions during fear extinction- true interaction or modulatory role of the cerebellum?
- Does intervention with non-invasive brain stimulation of respective target areas combined with serotonergic enhancement result in optimized fear extinction due to plasticity modulation?
Michael A. Nitsche
Project Lead A06mˈɪxa.ˌeːl ɑː. Nˈiːtʃɛ
IfADo
Fatemeh Yavari
Project Lead A06fatˈimeh javˈari
IfADo
Vuk Markovic
PhD Student A06vˈuk markˈovit͡ʃ
IfADo
Harleen Chhabra
Postdoc A06hɑːrˈliːn ˈtʃɑːbrɑ
IfADo
Yuanbo Ma
PhD Student A06IfADo
10 project-relevant publications
Batsikadze G, Rezaee Z, Chang DI, Gerwig M, Herlitze S, Dutta A, Nitsche MA, Timmann D (2019) Effects of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation on cerebellar-brain inhibition in humans: A systematic evaluation. Brain Stimul 12(5):1177–1186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2019.04.010
Chhabra H, Ma Y, Genç E, Nitsche MA, Yavari F (2025) The physiological foundation of extinction improvement by tDCS over the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC): An fMRI study. SSRN: abstract=5180197. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5180197
Küper M, Mallick JS, Ernst T, Kraff O, Thürling M, Stefanescu MR, Göricke S, Nitsche MA, Timmann D (2019) Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation modulates the fMRI signal in the cerebellar nuclei in a simple motor task. Brain Stimul 12:1169-1176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2019.04.002
Ma Y, Jiao F, Batsikadze G, Yavari F, Nitsche MA (2024) The impact of the left INFerior frontal gyrus on fear extinction: A transcranial direct current stimulation study. Brain Stimul 17:816-825. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2024.07.004
Ma Y, Kyuchukova D, Jiao F, Batsikadze G, Nitsche MA, Yavari F (2025) The impact of temporal distribution on fear extinction learning. Int J Clin Health Psychol 25:100536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2024.100536
Marković V, Vicario CM, Yavari F, Salehinejad MA, Nitsche MA (2021) A systematic review on the effect of transcranial direct current and magnetic stimulation on fear memory and extinction. Front Hum Neurosci 15:655947. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2021.655947
Marković V, Rizzo G, Yavari F, Vicario C, Nitsche MA (2025) Exploring the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation during REM sleep on fear extinction memory consolidation. bioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.03.31.646182
Miterko, LN, Nitsche, M. A., Timmann, D., et al. (2019) Consensus paper: Experimental neurostimulation of the cerebellum. Cerebellum 18:1064–1097. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12311-019-01041-5
Polanía R, Nitsche MA, Ruff CC (2018) Studying and modifying brain function with non-invasive brain stimulation. Nat Neurosci. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-017-0054-4
Stagg CJ, Antal A, Nitsche MA (2018) Physiology of transcranial direct current stimulation. J ECT 34:144–152. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCT.0000000000000510
Vicario CM, Makris S, Culicetto L, Lucifora C, Falzone A, Martino G, Ferraioli F, Nitsche MA, Avenanti A, Craparo G (2023) Evidence of altered fear extinction learning in individuals with high vaccine hesitancy during COVID-19 pandemic. Clin Neuropsychiatry 20:364–369. https://doi.org/10.36131/cnfioritieditore20230417
New Year, New Me: The Facts
As the calendar turns to a new year, millions of people around the world commit to New Year’s resolutions, making promises to use the new year as a fresh beginning and an opportunity for transformation. In 2024, almost three-quarters of the British population set themselves New Year’s resolutions — that’s around 40 million people (or the entire population of Canada). This tradition was particularly strong among younger generations, with 96% of Generation Z (aged 18-27) planning resolutions, compared to just 35% of the Silent Generation (aged 79+).
Most common new years resolutions:
- Saving more money (52%)
- Eat healthier (50%)
- Exercise more (48%)
- Lose weight (37%)
- Spend more time with family/friends (35%)
How long do most resolutions normally last before being broken?
- Data from America (2016) shows that 75% of individuals maintain their resolutions through the first week.
- 64% of individuals maintain their resolutions through the first month.
- 46% of individuals in America keep their resolutions past the 6-month mark.
What makes resolutions stick?
Oscarsson et al. (2020) conducted research into what makes New Year’s resolutions stick. Biggest success rates depended on how people phrased their goals. Participants who set approach-oriented goals (trying to move toward or maintain a desirable outcome or state) than those with avoidance-oriented goals (trying to move toward or maintain a desirable outcome or state) were significantly more successful (58.9% vs. 47.1%) at sticking to their goals.
The study also investigates the effects of outside support. These participants received monthly follow-ups and emails with information and exercises for coping with hurdles when striving toward personal goals, and were also encouraged to set goals using the SMART technique and to set interim goals. The group that received some support was exclusively and significantly more successful compared to the groups who received a lot of support or no support at all.
Additionally, you might feel more successful if you set goals that are measurable in numbers. While success for a person striving to quit smoking or lose weight could easily be measured in the number of cigarettes smoked or body mass index, the success for a person striving to “take better care of themselves” could be highly subjective and possibly impossible to measure.
So as we enter 2026, let’s remember to work with our brain’s natural learning system: Frame your goals positively, break them into manageable steps, and celebrate small wins along the way.