None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Anxiety disorders” are the commonest mental disorders in New Zealand; but their diagnosis is still based on clinical symptom check lists not biological markers of specific causes. In our well-established neuropsychological theory, anxiety involves threat-approach controlled by specific brain structures in which hypersensitivity to input generates specific clinical syndromes. We have developed a specific non-invasive biomarker for threat-approach system activation in humans that shows hyperactivity in some clinical cases with source localisation to right inferior frontal regions. Our project will test this with fMRI and test for the involvement, predicted by our theory, of hippocampus, insula and amygdala. This should provide better understanding of the underlying causes of anxiety and ultimately provide targeted treatments; greatly improving treatment outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
Interventions
Benzodiazepine (Triazolam):
-The administered doses (0.25 mg),
-once only,
-Oral tablet,
Buspirone:
-the administered doses (10 mg)
-once only
-Oral tablet
Pregabalin:
- the administered doses (75 mg)
- once only
- Oral tablet
Prozac/Fluoxetine:
- the administered doses (20 mg)
- once only
- Oral tablet
Each participant will receive one of these drug or placebo. We will obtain questionnaire measures of current mood and personality; Administer blinded study treatment; Wait 0.5 hour; Recor
Benzodiazepine (Triazolam): -The administered doses (0.25 mg), -once only, -Oral tablet, Buspirone: -the administered doses (10 mg) -once only -Oral tablet Pregabalin: - the administered doses (75 mg) - once only - Oral tablet Prozac/Fluoxetine: - the administered doses (20 mg) - once only - Oral tablet Each participant will receive one of these drug or placebo. We will obtain questionnaire measures of current mood and personality; Administer blinded study treatment; Wait 0.5 hour; Record fMRI in the SST or in the AACT; Repeat questionnaire measures of current mood (to assess mood changes); Ask participant to remain until it is safe to leave. Each cohort will complete their allocated task either SST or AACT. We will recruit healthy volunteers (who have not received any medical or psychological treatment for anxiety, depression or emotional disorder within the last 12 months) and will follow the same procedure described in item 3 above. Patients with DSM-5 generalized anxiety (GAD); and social anxiety disorder (SAD) will be recruited and will follow the same procedure described above.
Sponsors
University of Otago
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Diagnosis
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
We will recruit healthy participants. Inclusion Criteria: 1. Capable of understanding and signing an informed consent 2. Aged 18-40 years on the day of consent. 3. Volunteers with no major illness in the previous 30 days 4. With no regular use of psychotropic medication in the last 12 months 5. No use of alcohol in the 24 hours before testing For the clinical comparison, patients with DSM-5 generalized anxiety (GAD); and social anxiety disorder (SAD) will be recruited for our project Inclusion Criteria: 1. 18-40 years old 2. suffering from ongoing symptoms of anxiety, fear, or panic and who are intending to seek treatment for this 3. otherwise be healthy (with no major illness in the previous 30 days) 4. with no regular use of psychotropic medication in the last 6 months and 5. no use of alcohol in the 24 hours before testing.
Exclusion criteria
Healthy Volunteers: Exclusion Criteria: - Susceptibility to photosensitivity - A history of seizure - Any metal in your body, e.g., cardiac pacemaker, cochlea implant, intracranial vessel clips, artificial heart valve or vascular stent; a history of metal fragments in the eye; shrapnel within the body - Are either pregnant or think you might be - A history of claustrophobia - Have received any medical or psychological treatment for anxiety, depression or emotional disorder within the last 12 months. - Have a prior history of drug abuse - Are suffering from acute or chronic physical disease such as heart and lung disease, influenza, diabetes, acute infections - Are recovering from an accident, injury or operation. Patient Volunteers (GAD and SAD) Exclusion Criteria: - Susceptibility to photosensitivity - A history of seizure - Any metal in your body, e.g., cardiac pacemaker, cochlea implant, intracranial vessel clips, artificial heart valve or vascular stent; a history of metal fragments in the eye; shrapnel within the body - Are either pregnant or think you might be - A history of claustrophobia - Have a prior history of drug abuse - Are suffering from acute or chronic physical disease such as heart and lung disease, influenza, diabetes, acute infections - Are recovering from an accident, injury or operation.
Outcome results
None listed