Mechanism discovered for inhibiting unwanted thoughts

Scientists have identified a key chemical in the brain that could be used to help people to inhibit unwanted thoughts.

A University of Cambridge team made the discovery after carrying out brain scans to observe what happens in key regions of the brain among people trying to inhibit specific thoughts.

It was shown that the ability to block unwanted thoughts relies on a neurotransmitter called GABA, which can suppress active nerve cells. GABA concentrations within the hippocampus were effective in predicting people's ability to halt the memory retrieval process and prevent thoughts and memories from returning.

The finding offers a key insight into how conditions such as schizophrenia – which is characterised by hyperactivity in the hippocampus – function, while also suggesting a new pathway for helping people with anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

Professor Michael Anderson, from the Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit at the University of Cambridge, said: "Most of the focus has been on improving functioning of the prefrontal cortex, but our study suggests that if you could improve GABA activity within the hippocampus, this may help people to stop unwanted and intrusive thoughts."

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