Locating Regions of Interest in Generalized Anxiety Disorder Using fMRI

This study consists of 2 visits: an intake assessment and an MRI visit. Participants will complete 4 tasks in the scanner in order to locate areas of the brain associated with anxiety and worry. Participants are paid for the MRI visit.

Organization:

Hartford Hospital’s Institute of Living, Yale University School of Medicine

Principal Investigator:

Gretchen Diefenbach, PhD

Eligibility Criteria:

Individuals with the following will be considered for this study:

Diagnosed with GAD as the principal or co-principal disorder
Clinical Global Impression Score ≥ 4
Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale ≥ 18
Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression ≤ 17
Fluency in English
Capacity to understand the nature of the study and willingness to sign informed consent form

A control group of participants will also be enrolled who have no current (past 3 months) psychiatric disorders and no current or past psychiatric treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

Individuals with the following will not be considered for the study:

History of epilepsy or head trauma (LOC > 5 minutes) within the past 6 months. Lifetime history of increased intracranial pressure, seizure disorder, stroke, brain tumor, multiple sclerosis, or brain surgery
A review of patient medications by the study physician indicates an increased risk of seizure
An active autoimmune, endocrine, viral, or vascular disorder affecting the brain; any unstable cardiac disease; hypertension; or severe renal or liver insufficiency
Substance use disorder or post traumatic stress disorder within the past 6 months. Lifetime obsessive-compulsive disorder,bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, mental retardation, or pervasive developmental disorder. Any psychotic features, including dementia or delirium
Concurrent psychotherapy and unwillingness to discontinue
Medication change within past 3 months
Current serious suicidal or homicidal ideation, and/or serious suicidal attempt within past 6 months
Serious, unstable, or terminal medical condition or clinically judged too psychiatrically unstable to participate in the study
Any contraindication for participation in MRI scan