Nature Communications · 5 October 2026 · From issue 47
Fear learning-induced brain dynamics predict individual extinction memory expression following transcranial magnetic stimulation
In adults, a brain activity pattern formed during fear learning predicted fear's return after brain stimulation therapy.
Kai Zhang, Lihan Cui et al.
A brain pattern formed during fear learning can predict how strongly a fear memory returns later. This only worked when brain stimulation was used to help erase the fear, not during normal recovery. Scientists tracked 87 healthy adults for three days using brain scans while they learned and then unlearned a fear response.
How well the brain pattern predicted the return of a fear memory after stimulation treatment.
87 healthy adults only, lab setting, not tested in anxiety patients.
Integrity screen: passed (3 checks) Checked 6 October 2026. Retraction record: none. DOI resolves at doi.org. Metadata record found (Nature Communications). Read the source
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