In a groundbreaking new study published in Translational Psychiatry, researchers have unveiled a revolutionary approach to erasing fear memories from the brain, utilizing the ancient practice of electroacupuncture combined with modern neuroscience. This innovative research presents compelling evidence that electroacupuncture facilitates the degradation of perineuronal nets (PNNs), specialized extracellular matrix structures surrounding certain neurons, thereby enabling the remote erasure of fear memories. The findings present promising therapeutic implications for anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other conditions rooted in maladaptive fear memories.
Fear memories, as essential as they are for survival, can become debilitating when excessively persistent or improperly processed, manifesting as chronic anxiety or PTSD. Historically, therapies have struggled to directly target these entrenched memories without broad cognitive side effects or ethical concerns. The work led by Teng and colleagues provides a novel mechanistic insight by showing how electroacupuncture, a technique dating back millennia, harnesses neuroplasticity at the molecular and cellular level to selectively dismantle the neural substrates of fear.
At the core of this breakthrough lies the understanding of perineuronal nets—dense, lattice-like assemblies of molecules that envelop inhibitory neurons, particularly parvalbumin-expressing interneurons. These nets stabilize synaptic contacts and limit plasticity, acting as molecular “brakes” on the brain’s capacity to reorganize. While crucial for maintaining established memories and neural circuits, they may also confer rigidity to pathological fear memories. The novel contribution of this research is demonstrating that targeted degradation of perineuronal nets can reopen windows of plasticity, permitting the selective erasure of maladaptive fear memories without affecting other cognitive functions.
The study meticulously explores the effects of electroacupuncture administered at specific acupoints known for neurological benefits, revealing a cascade of molecular events that initiate perineuronal net breakdown. Using cutting-edge imaging and biochemical techniques, the investigators tracked marked reductions in net components such as chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and link proteins after treatment. This degradation was accompanied by increased activity of matrix metalloproteinases—enzymes responsible for extracellular matrix remodeling—highlighting a plausible enzymatic mechanism underlying net dissolution.
One of the most compelling aspects of this study is the demonstration that electroacupuncture-induced perineuronal net degradation occurs not only locally at stimulation sites but also remotely in brain regions critical for fear memory consolidation and retrieval, particularly the basolateral amygdala and prefrontal cortex. This broad yet selective impact suggests a systemic neurobiological response that orchestrates network-level rewiring necessary for fear erasure. Behavioral assays following electroacupuncture showed a marked reduction in conditioned fear responses, confirming the treatment’s efficacy in modifying memory expression.
Importantly, the research delineates temporal dynamics, revealing a critical window in which electroacupuncture must be administered to achieve remote memory erasure. This window coincides with the brain’s natural remodeling phases during memory reconsolidation, implicating that timing of intervention is as crucial as the molecular targets themselves. The synergy between electrophysiological modulation via acupuncture and intrinsic plasticity mechanisms thus offers a precise, controllable approach to therapeutic memory manipulation.
The implications of this study extend beyond fear memory erasure, broadening our understanding of how extracellular matrix components can serve as modulators of neural circuit plasticity and behavioral outcomes. The perineuronal net, once regarded primarily as a static stabilizer of mature circuits, is increasingly recognized as a dynamic structure whose modulation can influence recovery from neurological disorders and cognitive decline. This research adds to a growing body of evidence supporting extracellular matrix remodeling as a promising avenue for neuropsychiatric interventions.
Moreover, the integration of traditional acupuncture with modern neuroscience and molecular biology exemplifies the value of interdisciplinary approaches. Electroacupuncture, an ancient technique with a long history of use in Chinese medicine, is recontextualized here as a neurobiological tool capable of precise circuit remodeling. The mechanistic insights into how electrical stimulation modulates enzymatic activity and structural components in the brain bridge gaps between complementary and conventional medicine, potentially fostering new therapeutic paradigms.
This approach also holds promise for individualized medicine. By calibrating electroacupuncture parameters such as stimulation intensity, frequency, and acupoint selection, clinicians could tailor interventions to patients’ unique neural architectures and pathological memories. Future clinical trials will be essential to validate effectiveness, optimize protocols, and explore safety profiles across diverse patient populations. The non-invasive nature of electroacupuncture coupled with its apparent specificity makes it an attractive candidate for clinical translation.
The study further emphasizes the critical role of parvalbumin-positive interneurons enwrapped by perineuronal nets in fear memory circuits. These interneurons coordinate inhibitory control and synchrony within the amygdala-prefrontal network, integral to emotional regulation. By selectively targeting nets on these cells, electroacupuncture can potentially recalibrate inhibitory balance, suppressing pathological circuits while preserving healthy neural function. This specificity marks a considerable advancement over broad-spectrum pharmacological approaches that often cause widespread neural suppression.
A fascinating dimension of the findings is the interdisciplinary use of neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and biochemical assays to construct a comprehensive mechanistic map. High-resolution microscopy illuminated net degradation patterns, electrophysiological recordings detailed changes in synaptic plasticity and firing rates, while proteomic analyses identified metabolic shifts linked to extracellular matrix remodeling. The convergence of these data provides a robust and convincing narrative that electroacupuncture can modulate the physical scaffolding underpinning fear memories.
Beyond neural circuits, the involvement of glial cells in the observed effects merits attention. Glial cells contribute to matrix metabolism and synaptic remodeling, and the researchers propose that electroacupuncture may indirectly influence glial activity to facilitate perineuronal net degradation. This tripartite interaction among neurons, extracellular matrix, and glia introduces a deeper complexity to the understanding of memory plasticity and raises intriguing possibilities for targeting glial functions in neuropsychiatric therapies.
While the study primarily centers on fear memory, the broader implications of perineuronal net modulation suggest potential applications in other conditions involving maladaptive plasticity—such as addiction, chronic pain, and neurodegenerative diseases. By altering structural extracellular constraints, electroacupuncture could pave the way for restoring healthy plasticity in diverse neurological disorders. This paradigm shift highlights the importance of revisiting traditional therapies through the lens of contemporary neuroscience.
In conclusion, Teng and colleagues’ landmark investigation bridges centuries-old medical practices with state-of-the-art neuroscience to unlock new potentials for memory modulation. By demonstrating that electroacupuncture can selectively degrade perineuronal nets, enabling the erasure of remote fear memories, this research opens a promising frontier for the treatment of fear-related disorders. As we deepen our molecular understanding of brain plasticity, approaches that harmonize ancient wisdom with modern science may become integral to next-generation neurotherapeutics.
Subject of Research: Fear memory modulation via electroacupuncture and perineuronal net degradation
Article Title: Electroacupuncture facilitates remote fear memory erasure via promoting perineuronal net degradation
Article References:
Teng, SW., Guo, WB., Song, BF. et al. Electroacupuncture facilitates remote fear memory erasure via promoting perineuronal net degradation. Transl Psychiatry (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03789-3
Image Credits: AI Generated
