Anxiety Disorders (Adult) Research Study
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Association Between Adenosine Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Physiological Responses to Caffeine in Subjects with Panic Disorder and Healthy Controls
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Caffeine, the most widely used psychoactive drug in the world, exerts its behavioral effects by antagonizing adenosine receptors (AR). Four different human AR subtypes have been found and there is evidence that the stimulatory effect of caffeine is mainly caused by an inhibition of transmission via adenosine A(2a) receptors. A significant association has been found in healthy infrequent caffeine users between caffeine-induced anxiety and two linked polymorphisms on the A(2a) receptor gene Studies have demonstrated that individuals with panic disorder have a higher anxiety reaction to caffeine than healthy controls. Family and twin studies have shown that genetic factors may increase vulnerability to panic disorder. In one study a systematic mutation screening and association study of the A(1) and A(2a) adenosine receptor genes in panic disorder showed a significant association between the 1976T allele and 1976T/T genotype of the A(2a) receptor gene and panic disorder. As the 1976T/T genotype polymorphism of the A(2a) receptor gene has been associated with both increased caffeine-induced anxiety in healthy controls, and has been associated with increased vulnerability to panic disorder, we wish to study whether the 1976T/T genotype in panic disorder patients is associated with increased caffeine-induced anxiety. This study will study subjects with panic disorder (both current and remitted) and healthy controls. After the initial screening process which includes a psychiatric and medical evaluation, individuals participating in this study will have two 4 hour research sessions. In one session individuals will be given 480 mg of caffeine (comparable to 4 to 5 cups of coffee) in capsule form and in the other session placebo (sugar pill). During the sessions participants will be rated in terms of mood and anxiety in order to assess their reaction to caffeine and placebo. Participants will also be administered neuropsychological tests during the sessions. Subjects will be compensated for particpating in this study.
To find out if you qualify or for more information, please call (301) 496-5645 or email us at nimhcore@mail.nih.gov.
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Anxiety Disorders (Adult) Research Study
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Brain Imaging in Panic Disorder
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If you are currently experiencing panic attacks, you may be eligible to participate in a brain imaging study. This study is being conducted to try to better understand panic disorder. These are outpatient studies requiring three to four visits. Subjects should be 18 - 60 years of age, currently experiencing panic attacks or never have experienced panic attacks or depression in the past and are otherwise medically healthy and not taking any medication. These studies include medical and psychiatric evaluations, and brain imaging. Compensation is provided. To find out if you qualify please call: 301-496-4541.
To find out if you qualify or for more information, please call (301) 496-5645 or email us at nimhcore@mail.nih.gov.
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Anxiety Disorders (Adult) Research Study
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Effects of D-Cycloserine on Treatment in Social Anxiety
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This study examines whether an antibiotic, d-cycloserine (DCS), boosts the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for social anxiety. CBT has been shown to be effective for the treatment of social anxiety in children and adults, but even after treatment, approximately 40% may remain diagnosable.
All participants will receive 12 weekly CBT sessions. In addition to receiving the CBT, participants will be randomly assigned (similar to a coin toss) to receive either DCS or a placebo (sugar pill). The pill will be taken 1-2 hours prior to each of the 12 CBT sessions. The pill is taken only on the 12 therapy days. If you are ages 7-55 with a social phobia, you may be eligible for the study.
To find out if you qualify or for more information, please call (301) 496-5645 or email us at nimhcore@mail.nih.gov.
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Anxiety Disorders (Adult) Research Study
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Evaluation of Substance P Neurotransmission in Panic Disorder by PET Imaging of NK1 Receptors with [18F]SPA-RQ
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The involvement of Substance P (SP) in depression and anxiety has been credibly demonstrated in a recent clinical trial. Although the precise physiological activation mechanism of the SP system is not yet known, the likelihood of exaggerated SP pathway activity in the pathogenesis of anxiety is supported in numerous animal studies that illustrate the anxiogenic, and anxiolytic effects of SP and SP antagonists (SPAs), respectively. Studies have further shown that SP release occurs in response to noxious, or aversive stimulation. SP stimulates NK1 receptors that then undergo endocytosis (i.e., internalization) resulting in a decrease in number of NK1 receptors on the cell surface. NK1 receptor quantification before, and after an aversive event, provides a dynamic measurement of SP neurotransmission.
In this protocol, we will use a new PET ligand that has demonstrated ability to serve as an NK1 receptor antagonist, [18F]SPA-RQ ( [18F]-labeled Substance P Antagonist Receptor Quantifier). Using this tracer, we will: 1.) quantify NK1 binding parameters and determine the reliability and reproducibility of these measures in 10 healthy controls, 2.) we will look for regional differences in NK1 receptor binding in 20 patients with panic disorder (PD) versus 20 normal controls, and 3.) we will perform a single- blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate NK1 receptor binding in PD patients and controls following either room air or 7.5% CO2 inhalation. The majority of PD patients, but not controls, are expected to experience a panic attack (aversive event) following CO2 inhalation. Comparison of pre-panic and post-panic NK1 receptor binding in PD patients will provide an estimate of SP release. The goal of the present study is to demonstrate the involvement of SP in panic disorder, and thereby, further our understanding of its role in the psychopathology of this illness.
To find out if you qualify or for more information, please call (301) 496-5645 or email us at nimhcore@mail.nih.gov.
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Anxiety Disorders (Adult) Research Study
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder: Their impact on the processing of social emotional information and instrumental learning
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If you consider yourself to experience more anxiety or are shyer than those around you or have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder, you may be able to participate in this study examining how the brain responds to and analyzes emotional events. Our goal is to understand what is special about the brain response to emotional events in people with anxiety disorders. We assess brain responses with both computer tasks and brain imaging (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging; fMRI).
Healthy volunteers who have no history of psychiatric or major medical illness will also be enrolled in this study.
To find out if you qualify or for more information, please call (301) 496-5645 or email us at nimhcore@mail.nih.gov.
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Anxiety Disorders (Adult) Research Study
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NIMH FAMILY STUDY OF HEALTH AND BEHAVIOR
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The major goal of this study is to examine how mood disorders, anxiety disorders and migraine run in families. We study both genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to these conditions. We recruit people ages 21 and over with depression, manic-depression, social phobia, panic, generalized anxiety, migraine and people without any of these problems. Participants are interviewed about medical and mental symptoms and problems, their health behavior, social factors and a variety of other measures related to their health and behavior. Family members ages 8 and over will also be asked to participate. Some families will be invited to participate in further studies of biological and genetic factors.
To find out if you qualify or for more information, please call 1-877-250-1560 or email at familystudy@mail.nih.gov.
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Anxiety Disorders (Adult) Research Study
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Predictability and Aversive Expectancies in Anxiety Disorders
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If you consider yourself to experience more anxiety than those around you or have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or specific phobia, you may be able to participate in this study examining changes in the body and brain that occur during fear and fear learning. Basic research has identified biological processes that play a key role in fear and anxiety. The present study examines such processes across those with and without elevated levels of anxiety to better understand the biological basis of anxiety disorders. More specifically, we will be assessing changes in heart rate (EKG), muscle activity (EMG), sweat responses (SCR) and respiration that occur during exposure to mildly unpleasant events. Healthy volunteers who have no history of psychiatric or major medical illness will also be enrolled in this study.
To find out if you qualify or for more information, please call (301) 496-5645 or email us at nimhcore@mail.nih.gov.
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