biostudies-literatureCheng YNIMH NIH HHSNational Institute of Mental Health104031https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8844280biostudies-literatureUnknown150Distraction is typically discouraged during exposure therapy for anxiety, because it is thought to interfere with extinction learning by diverting attention away from anxiety-provoking stimuli. Working memory load is one form of distraction that might interfere with extinction learning. Alternatively, working memory load might reduce threat responding and benefit extinction learning by engaging prefrontal brain regions that have a reciprocal relationship with brain circuits involved in threat detection and processing. Prior work examining the effect of working memory load on threat extinction has been limited and has found mixed results. Here, we used the late positive potential (LPP), an event-related potential that is larger for threatening compared to non-threatening stimuli to assess tBehaviour research and therapyModulation of threat extinction by working memory load: An event-related potential study.PMC8844280K23 MH105553R01 MH125083Jackson TBCheng YMacNamara AfalseModulation of threat extinction by working memory load: An event-related potential study.Distraction is typically discouraged during exposure therapy for anxiety, because it is thought to interfere with extinction learning by diverting attention away from anxiety-provoking stimuli. Working memory load is one form of distraction that might interfere with extinction learning. Alternatively, working memory load might reduce threat responding and benefit extinction learning by engaging prefrontal brain regions that have a reciprocal relationship with brain circuits involved in threat detection and processing. Prior work examining the effect of working memory load on threat extinction has been limited and has found mixed results. Here, we used the late positive potential (LPP), an event-related potential that is larger for threatening compared to non-threatening stimuli to assess t2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Mar2025-04-04T08:52:36.661Z2025-04-04T08:52:36.661ZS-EPMC88442803503269910.1016/j.brat.2022.104031