Executive functions modulate conditioned fear extinction and reinstatement: The differential roles of shifting, updating, and inhibition

Conditioned fear learning is crucial for survival, and failure of fear extinction is closely related to the development of anxiety disorders. This study explores how different executive function (EF) subcomponents—shifting, updating, and inhibition—modulate conditioned fear extinction and reinstatement at both behavioral and neural levels. A total of 88 participants (age range: 17–23 years) completed the Stroop Task, Digit Size-Parity Switching Task, and Memory Updating Task to assess their executive function abilities. Participants underwent a classical fear extinction paradigm while their shock expectancy ratings and prefrontal cortical activity were recorded using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Results indicated that individuals with higher shifting ability exhibited greater fear expectancy during fear acquisition (β = -0.406, p = 0.032) and reinstatement (β = -0.834, p = 0.004), along with higher prefrontal cortex activity (p < 0.05), suggesting heightened responses to threatening stimuli. Individuals with higher updating ability showed a slower decrease in fear expectancy during the early extinction phase (β = 0.038, p = 0.002), but maintained lower expectancy during the extinction recall phase (β = -0.769, p = 0.006), indicating poorer extinction learning but better extinction memory retention. Individuals with higher updating ability also exhibited more extinction recall in the prefrontal cortex regions (p_s < 0.045). Individuals with higher inhibitory ability showed higher expectancy for CS+ and lower expectancy for CS− during extinction learning (β = -0.409, p = 0.008), along with a slower decrease in fear expectancy (β = -0.022, p = 0.055). Furthermore, individuals with higher inhibition ability showed lower PFC activity in immediate extinction (p_s < 0.0421), suggesting slower extinction learning but better regulation of safety cues. By clarifying the roles of these executive function components, our study highlights the cognitive mechanisms that could inform interventions aimed at improving fear extinction, offering potential strategies for mitigating anxiety-related disorders.