A new study by Thomas Ågren, a doctoral candidate at the Department of Psychology, under the observation of Professors Mats Fredrikson and Tomas Furmark, has indicated that it is possible to erase newly formed emotional memories from the brain.

The finding that was published in Science brings scientists a huge step forward in future research on memory and fear. The results of this study coincide with previous research that suggested that memories of fear can be substantially modified into benign memories when they are ripe for change, and can be kept that way.

The participants in the study were shown a neutral picture, while given an electric shock at the same time. This was done so that the picture came to elicit fear, meaning the subjects formed a fear memory. The picture was then displayed without any shock in order to activate the fear memory. 

The reconsolidation process was disrupted in one experimental group by repeatedly showing presentations of the image. A control group was also observed, where the reconsolidation process was finished before the volunteers were shown the same repeated presentations of the picture. In turn, the experimental group was not able to reconsolidate the fear memory, the fear they had previously connected with the picture dissipated. The findings suggest that by disrupting the reconsolidation process, the memory was made neutral and no longer associated with fear.