Evidence suggests that previously consolidated memories may enter a malleable state upon retrieval. This phenomenon, which has been termed reconsolidation,is marked by a round of protein synthesis independent of initial memory consolidation. During this period of dynamic reorganization, the memory trace may be especially susceptible to disruption or modification. It has been recently shown that extinction training introduced during the reconsolidation window results in more persistent attenuation of fear expression. Methylene blue is a redox agent that preferentially optimizes metabolic activity in active areas of the brain. Methylene blue has been shown to facilitate extinction training by bolstering the prefrontal inhibitory mechanisms characteristic of successful extinction training. Previous studies have demonstrated both methylene blue and reconsolidation‐based approaches to be effective, in facilitating the extinction of conditioned fear memories when used independently. However, no study has investigated the interaction between the two. In the present study, I will investigate the potential to use methylene blue to selectively augment reconsolidation‐ extinction processes.

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