Extinktion: Neurowissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse zur Frage, wie Menschen sich ändern

Abstract

The current review first presents evidence for the notion that extinction learning is one of the central mechanisms of action in exposure therapy. After describing the theoretical underpinnings of extinction from the learning theory perspective, a model of extinction is presented that describes the foundations of the 3 different processes of formation, consolidation, and retrieval of extinction memory. This model provides the basis for a discussion of the current findings in neuroscience research on extinction. Recent evidence from research on both animals and humans allows for a detailed description of the neural network involved in extinction. The review presents some findings regarding the neurotransmitters within this network and how they are involved in facilitating extinction learning by pharmacological support. At the end of this review, we propose an integrative model on how to optimize extinction learning during exposure therapy. A case study marks the end of this review, in which we present an example of an exposure therapy of a patient with emetophobia, demonstrating the strategies for optimizing extinction learning in the clinical practice.