The main objective of the current project is to characterize hippocampal neural (dys)function in the process pattern separation by comparing subjects along their performance on a behavioural pattern separation task.
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Anxiety disorders and symptoms
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
The primary study parameters are the BOLD signal and the hippocampal subfield
measures.
Secondary outcome
Secondary study parameters are anxiety and depression levels.
Background summary
A prominent and invalidating feature of anxiety disorders is the expansion of
symptoms over stimuli and settings. This expansion is known as
overgeneralization. When fear overgeneralizes, its impact on daily life can be
devastating. Therefore, overgeneralization of fear is thought to constitute a
central mechanism in the development of anxiety disorders. Recent studies have
shown that the degree of generalization depends on perceptual similarity
between stimuli and settings. Therefore, a specific mechanism called pattern
separation is thought to underlie overgeneralization in anxiety disorders. The
process of pattern separation refers to the ability to correctly discriminate
between similar stimuli. Guiding behaviour by comparing new sensory input to
stored representations is regulated by the hippocampus. The hippocampus is
however not a uniform structure, but rather a hippocampal formation consistsing
of several morphologically and functionally different subregions
Study objective
The main objective of the current project is to characterize hippocampal neural
(dys)function in the process pattern separation by comparing subjects along
their performance on a behavioural pattern separation task.
Study design
The current project is set up as an experimental study.
Once included in the study, participants will be invited to the test day, which
includes filling in several anxiety and depression questionnaires, a computer
task measuring pattern separation, and undergoing structural and functional
MRI-scans. No health risks are involved in participating in the study and it is
unlikely that participants will directly benefit from their participation. The
main burden for participants is their investment in time (2 visits, 3 hours in
total) and the possible transient side-effects, such as vertigo and dizziness,
associated with high magnetic fields.
Study burden and risks
No health risks are involved in participating in the study and it is unlikely
that participants will directly benefit from their participation. The main
burden for participants is their investment in time (2 visits, 3 hours in
total) and the possible transient side-effects, such as vertigo and dizziness,
associated with high magnetic fields.
Vijverdalseweg 1
Maastricht 6226 NB
NL
Vijverdalseweg 1
Maastricht 6226 NB
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
- age 18 up to 25 (<26);
- right-handed
- native Dutch speaker;
Exclusion criteria
- previous or current diagnosis or treatment for psychiatric disorder
- current psychotropic drug use
- major neurological disease
- Metal implants
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 | NL50254.068.14 |