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Related Experiment Video

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The Tap-to-Safety Task: A Novel fMRI Paradigm Assessing Repetitive Threat-Neutralization.

Hannah Berg1, Riley Rozniarek1, Aardron Robinson1

  • 1Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.

Human Brain Mapping
|February 16, 2026
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces the Tap-to-Safety (TTS) Task to measure repetitive threat-neutralization behavior. The novel task successfully elicited and quantified this behavior, showing its persistence even after threat reduction.

Keywords:
OCDanxietyavoidancedecision‐makingfMRIfear conditioningthreat

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Existing threat-related research often overlooks repetitive, effortful actions for threat neutralization.
  • There is a need for experimental paradigms that model this common behavioral pattern.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce and validate the novel Tap-to-Safety (TTS) Task.
  • To experimentally elicit and quantify repetitive threat-neutralization behavior using fMRI.

Main Methods:

  • Adult participants completed the TTS Task, involving passive viewing and choice trials with threat cues (CS+) and safety cues (CS-).
  • Repetitive threat-neutralization was measured by button taps to gain protection from an aversive stimulus.
  • Behavioral and neural responses were assessed using linear mixed-effects models (LMEs) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Main Results:

  • The TTS Task elicited increased threat expectancy, anxiety, and repetitive threat-neutralization behavior towards threat cues, generalizing to similar stimuli.
  • Neutralization behavior persisted during extinction, even as risk and anxiety ratings decreased.
  • Neural activity in the anterior insula, dACC, and dorsal striatum correlated with threat relevance and neutralization magnitude.

Conclusions:

  • The TTS Task is a validated paradigm for quantifying behavioral and neural mechanisms of repetitive threat-neutralization.
  • Findings highlight the roles of the salience network and dorsal striatum in threat neutralization.
  • Further research in clinical populations is recommended.