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Updated: Nov 4, 2025

Extinction Training During the Reconsolidation Window Prevents Recovery of Fear
Published on: August 24, 2012
Active suppression prevents the return of threat memory in humans
Ye Wang1, Zijian Zhu2, Jingchu Hu3
1School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
Unbidden distressing memories inflict serious damage on mental health. Extant research highlights the importance of associative learning in modulating aversive memory. We report that conscious active suppression eliminates learned fear responses independent of memory triggers and is related to individual difference in thought control ability; in contrast, thought diversion only reduces cue-specific fear response. These results suggest potential avenues for treatment of persistent maladaptive memories by engaging declarative mnemonic control mechanisms.
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