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Treasure Box Funding for Giorgi Batsikadze (A05): Modulation of Fear

We are proud to present Giorgi Batsikadzes’ (Post-Doc A05) research proposal “Modulation of Extinction of Conditioned Fear by Non-invasive Cerebellar Electric Stimulation” tackling an issue that concerns the modulation of the learned fear by non-invasive brain stimulation. To date, only small number of studies have tried using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with fear conditioning/extinction paradigms and the results are indecisive.

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), however, has been proven to be very effective in entrainment of specific endogenous oscillations by their synchronisation with extrinsic stimuli. It has been demonstrated that gamma (30-150Hz) and theta (4-8Hz) oscillations are involved in associative learning, therefore, the treasure box candidate plans to test whether tACS technique in these frequencies can modulate extinction of fear memories by affecting the above-mentioned oscillations.

Giorgi Batsikadze plans to apply cerebellar tDCS and tACS during the extinction phase of the two-day fear conditioning/extinction paradigm (A-B-B). He expects tDCS to facilitate fear extinction and tACS to be more successful than tDCS, since it can target only specific fear conditioning and extinction-related neuronal oscillations. This approach will allow him to explore the impact of cerebellar tACS on extinction of the learned fear using the above-mentioned experimental paradigm for the first time.

The SFB 1280 has set up a budget for the realisation of the research ideas of its young scientists. With the “treasure box”, we finance convincing and independent study concepts of young scientists.

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:

  1. Saving more money (52%)
  2. Eat healthier (50%)
  3. Exercise more (48%)
  4. Lose weight (37%)
  5. 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.