We aim to obtain a transdiagnostic mechanistic understanding of the neural and psychophysiological correlates of avoidance behaviour
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Anxiety disorders and symptoms
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
• Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
• Psychophysiological recordings (heart rate, electromyography)
• Behavioural measures of avoidance behaviour (choice: approach/avoid)
• Self-report questionnaires (treatment outcome, avoidance questionnaire)
Secondary outcome
• Resting state fMRI
• Electrodermal activity
• Breathing rate
• Questionnaires (anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, cognitive avoidance,
intolerance of uncertainty, motivational systems)
Background summary
Anxiety and depressive disorders are the most common and costly psychiatric
diseases worldwide. Strikingly, patients often benefit insufficiently from
available treatments, such as psycho- and pharmacological therapy. While these
therapies initially show strong effects, more than 50% of the patients
eventually relapse. Therefore, improving knowledge about potential underlying
causes of these diseases is of great and timely importance to improve
treatment. Excessive avoidance behaviour is a predictor of poor prognosis and a
key symptom of anxiety and depressive disorders. However, most previous
mechanistic studies of anxiety and depression did not assess behavioural
responses, such as avoidance. Therefore, it remains unclear what drives
excessive avoidance behaviour.
Study objective
We aim to obtain a transdiagnostic mechanistic understanding of the neural and
psychophysiological correlates of avoidance behaviour
Study design
Observational study
Study burden and risks
In this study, participants will undergo an established behavioural task and
MRI scans. This task involves components of fear conditioning that may cause a
moderate level of subjective stress. Our research centre has extensive previous
experience with these procedures in healthy controls and patients (see e.g.,
CMO protocol numbers 2010/257, 2011/382, 2013/553, 2013/551, 2018/091). All
procedures described in this protocol are well established, carry negligible
risk, and constitute a minimal burden for the participants. MRI is a
non-invasive imaging technique. Participation in an MRI investigation is not
associated with any risks or long-term consequences for the participant. The
potentially threatening context of an fMRI investigation itself might cause
discomfort for the participant. To minimize the discomfort, participants first
have a practice session in a dummy fMRI scanner to get accustomed to the MRI
environment. The practice session is a chance for participants to overcome
potential feelings of anxiety and discomfort in an unfamiliar environment under
guidance of a trained researcher. No pharmacological or otherwise invasive
interventions are applied.
Kapittelweg 29
Nijmegen 6525EN
NL
Kapittelweg 29
Nijmegen 6525EN
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
• Above 18 years of age
• Fluent in Dutch
• Eligible for MRI
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
• Normal uncorrected hearing
• Willingness and ability to give written informed consent and willingness and
ability to understand the nature and content, to participate and comply with
the study requirements
For patients:
• Current or recent (i.e. last year) Axis I diagnosis of anxiety (Generalized
Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia), PTSD
or OCD and/or depression) Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive
Disorder) diagnosis (assessed using the Mini-international Neuropsychiatric
Interview)
Exclusion criteria
• Insufficient comprehension of the Dutch language
• Abnormal hearing or (uncorrected) vision
• Drug or alcohol addiction in the past 6 months
• Diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder,
schizoaffective illness
• Current psychosis
• Current neurological disorder, past neurological disorder within the last
three months
• Physical, cognitive, or intellectual impairments interfering with
participation, such as deafness, blindness, or sensorimotor handicaps
• History of cardiac disease
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL75184.091.20 |