Anxiety
Conditions
Brief summary
The current study aims to deepen understanding of the symptom dimension of negative overgeneralization in anxiety. Specifically, the study examines the malleability of memory processes that are known to occur during sleep that may underlie negative overgeneralization.
Detailed description
Up to 50% of peripubertal youth with anxiety have unmet clinical needs, leaving these youth at high risk for suicide, depression and substance abuse across adolescence. In accord with the NIMH strategic plan, the proposal aims to deepen mechanistic understanding of anxiety during the sensitive period of peripuberty to inform novel treatments and reduce health risks. The focus is on negative overgeneralization, which is a core dimension of anxiety that is poorly understood, and refers to the tendency to generalize aversive responses from one context (house fire) to other contexts (camp-fire) that share features. Amygdala activity, induced by heightened emotional arousal, enhances plasticity in associative learning mechanisms, facilitating the binding of contextual features in memory that are only loosely related. The proposal posits that sleep plays a critical role in negative overgeneralization. Specifically, the proposal draws from basic neuroscience to posit a model by which heightened amygdala reactivity during wakefulness, induced by increased emotional arousal, facilitates replay of negative memories during sleep. This facilitated replay leads to the stabilization and integration (consolidation) of negative memories into long-term memory networks via slow wave oscillatory events during NREM sleep. The proposal further posits that facilitated replay of negative memories during sleep promotes generalization by influencing underlying neurocomputational mechanisms (i.e., pattern completion - a computational process that makes neural representations similar). Finally, the proposal posits that sleep-dependent consolidation is malleable, such that Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR) of positive memories during sleep can competitively displace consolidation of negative memories. This model is tested using a novel multi-method approach combining neuroimaging, polysomnography, and a memory task that captures behavioral generalization and its underlying neural mechanisms (i.e. pattern completion). Aims 1 and 2 do not involve a clinical trial. Aim 1 examines 200 peripubertal youth (ages 10-13 years) across a full continuum of anxious symptoms in a randomized sleep (n=140) versus wake (n=60) design to demonstrate sleep-dependent effects on behavioral and neural mechanisms of negative overgeneralization. Aim 2 focuses on the 140 youth in the sleep condition to evaluate amygdala reactivity at encoding and sleep neurophysiology during post-encoding sleep as mediators between anxiety and negative overgeneralization. Aim 3 is the clinical trial to which this registration refers. In Aim 3, the same design as the sleep condition (above) is used, but a new sample of youth with elevated anxiety (n=60) is recruited to enroll in a randomized trial in which neutral memories are cued during sleep (TMR, n=30), or sham cues are presented during sleep (n=30), to examine malleability of sleep-dependent mechanisms of negative overgeneralization. This project will set the stage for the long-term goal of developing novel interventions that manipulate sleep (e.g. via TMR) not only to improve existing symptoms, but also to positively shape neurodevelopment and reduce risk in the sensitive period of peripuberty.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALSleep with Sound Cues
Experimental manipulation to observe effects on memory for learned material.
BEHAVIORALSleep with Sham Cues
Sham manipulation
Sponsors
Florida International University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Double blind (participant, outcome assessor) for Aim 3 (sham versus target sounds)
Intervention model description
Per NIMH policy at the time of funding, the current trial is considered a clinical trial due to prospective, randomized assignment to an intervention to observe effects on behavioral or health related outcomes. The intervention for Aim 3 (n=60) includes randomized assignment to sham sounds (sounds unrelated to the memory task) or target sounds (sounds that were played during the time of the memory task) that are played during sleep to cue memory processing.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
10 Years to 13 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* 10-13 years old * Able to understand and communicate in English and have a parent who is able to understand and communicate in English or Spanish * included across any range of symptoms of anxiety, and may meet full diagnostic criteria for Social Phobia, Generalized Anxiety and Separation Anxiety. * be right-handed.
Exclusion criteria
* For youth to be excluded from participation, they must: (A) meet diagnostic criteria for Organic Mental Disorders, Psychotic Disorders, Pervasive Developmental Disorders (including autism spectrum disorders), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Tic disorder, Impulse Control Disorder, or Intellectual Disability. However, to improve generalizability, if Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Mood Disorders (including past or present episodes of Major Depressive Disorder and/or dysthymia) or Posttraumatic stress Disorder co-occurs with an anxiety disorder (see Inclusion Criteria above) participants may be included. (B) Children complete the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, Second Edition (WASI-II). Scores below 80 (i.e., two standard deviations below normed mean) are considered exclusionary for this study. (C) show high likelihood and/or serious intent of hurting themselves or others. (D) have not been living with a primary caregiver for at least 6 months who is legally able to give consent for the child's participation. (E) be a victim of previously undisclosed abuse requiring investigation or ongoing supervision by the Department of Children and Families; (F) have a serious vision problem that is not corrected with prescription lenses, or have prescription glasses outside of the range of -5.00 to +3.00 (contact lenses are ok). (G) have a physical disability that interferes with their ability to lie in scanner and/or click a mouse button rapidly; (H) have a serious hearing problem; (I) have a history of neurological or other major medical conditions affecting brain function. (J) current or past history of sleep disorder, as assessed during the screening; exclusionary sleep disorders will include sleep apnea, and circadian rhythm disturbances (i.e., advanced or delayed sleep-phase) (K) self-reported average sleep duration \< 6 hours or \> 11 hours across weekday and weekend nights, or normal bedtime later than 1:00 am; . (L) Are not suitable to undergo MRI scanning due to claustrophobia, certain implanted devices/metal (e.g., cardiac pacemaker, neurostimulator, some artificial joints, metal pins, surgical/aneurysm clips, heart valves, cochlear implants, retinal implants, shrapnel in eye, non-removable body piercing or other non-MRI compatible metal/device. (M) Are pregnant. (N) Some Color Tattoos. (O) Color Contacts. (P) Currently sick or recovering from illness. (Q) Currently taking non-stimulant psychotropic medications. However, participants who have been off non- stimulant medication for at least 2 weeks (the typical washout period) may be included. Participants currently taking stimulant medications may be included, as long as medication was not taken within 24 hours of scans (at the discretion of the parent/legal guardian and prescribing physician).
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scores on the Lure Generalization Index (a Behavioral Measure of Generalization) | Delayed recall, 1 week | Emotional Mnemonic Similarity Task. Participants view pictures depicting negative or neutral objects/scenes. After a delay period (1 week) they are presented with a second set of pictures that are the same (targets), slightly different (lures), or completely different (foils) from the first series of pictures. They are told to indicate by button press if images they are currently viewing are old or new. Responding to the lures as old (false alarms) provides a signature of generalization for each participant. To correct for response biases (i.e., a tendency to label items as old) a Lure Generalization Index (LGI) is calculated which reflects corrected memory generalization by subtracting false alarm rates to foils from false alarm rates to lures. Larger LGI values indicate greater generalization (i.e., greater tendency to misidentify similar items as previously seen, accounting for overall biases to identify any items as previously seen). Minimum value -1 and maximum value =1 |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scores on the Lure Generalization Index (a Behavioral Measure of Generalization) | Recall, 12 hours | Emotional Mnemonic Similarity Task. Participants view pictures depicting negative or neutral objects/scenes. After a delay period (12 hours) they are presented with a second set of pictures that are the same (targets), slightly different (lures), or completely different (foils) from the first series of pictures. They are told to indicate by button press if images they are currently viewing are old or new. Responding to the lures as old (false alarms) provides a signature of generalization for each participant. To correct for response biases (i.e., a tendency to label items as old) a Lure Generalization Index (LGI) is calculated which reflects corrected memory generalization by subtracting false alarm rates to foils from false alarm rates to lures. Larger LGI values indicate greater generalization (i.e., greater tendency to misidentify similar items as previously seen, accounting for overall biases to identify any items as previously seen). Minimum value -1 and maximum value =1 |
Countries
United States
Participant flow
Recruitment details
recruitment from community and outpatient mental health clinics for children
Participants by arm
| Arm | Count |
|---|---|
| Sleep With Sound Cues Sounds played at time of memory encoding will be replayed during sleep to cue memory processing.
Sleep with Sound Cues: Experimental manipulation to observe effects on memory for learned material. | 29 |
| Sleep With Sham Cues Sounds that were not played at time of memory encoding will be played during sleep as a sham comparison
Sleep with Sham Cues: Sham manipulation | 29 |
| Total | 58 |
Baseline characteristics
| Characteristic | Sleep With Sound Cues | Sleep With Sham Cues | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, Categorical <=18 years | 29 Participants | 29 Participants | 58 Participants |
| Age, Categorical >=65 years | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants |
| Age, Categorical Between 18 and 65 years | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants |
| Age, Continuous | 11.4 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.1 | 11.4 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.1 | 11.4 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.1 |
| Anxiety Severity Composite | 1.4 units on a scale (standardized factor) STANDARD_DEVIATION 1 | 1.3 units on a scale (standardized factor) STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.2 | 1.4 units on a scale (standardized factor) STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.1 |
| Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) Hispanic or Latino | 21 Participants | 22 Participants | 43 Participants |
| Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) Not Hispanic or Latino | 8 Participants | 7 Participants | 15 Participants |
| Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) Unknown or Not Reported | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) American Indian or Alaska Native | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Asian | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Black or African American | 4 Participants | 5 Participants | 9 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) More than one race | 4 Participants | 1 Participants | 5 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Unknown or Not Reported | 0 Participants | 1 Participants | 1 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) White | 21 Participants | 22 Participants | 43 Participants |
| Sex: Female, Male Female | 18 Participants | 20 Participants | 38 Participants |
| Sex: Female, Male Male | 11 Participants | 9 Participants | 20 Participants |
Adverse events
| Event type | EG000 affected / at risk | EG001 affected / at risk |
|---|---|---|
| deaths Total, all-cause mortality | 0 / 29 | 0 / 29 |
| other Total, other adverse events | 0 / 29 | 0 / 29 |
| serious Total, serious adverse events | 0 / 29 | 0 / 29 |
Outcome results
Primary
Scores on the Lure Generalization Index (a Behavioral Measure of Generalization)
Emotional Mnemonic Similarity Task. Participants view pictures depicting negative or neutral objects/scenes. After a delay period (1 week) they are presented with a second set of pictures that are the same (targets), slightly different (lures), or completely different (foils) from the first series of pictures. They are told to indicate by button press if images they are currently viewing are old or new. Responding to the lures as old (false alarms) provides a signature of generalization for each participant. To correct for response biases (i.e., a tendency to label items as old) a Lure Generalization Index (LGI) is calculated which reflects corrected memory generalization by subtracting false alarm rates to foils from false alarm rates to lures. Larger LGI values indicate greater generalization (i.e., greater tendency to misidentify similar items as previously seen, accounting for overall biases to identify any items as previously seen). Minimum value -1 and maximum value =1
Time frame: Delayed recall, 1 week
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep With Sound Cues (Targeted Memory Reactivation [TMR]) | Scores on the Lure Generalization Index (a Behavioral Measure of Generalization) | Lure Generalization Index for Neutral Stimuli | .14 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 0.15 |
| Sleep With Sound Cues (Targeted Memory Reactivation [TMR]) | Scores on the Lure Generalization Index (a Behavioral Measure of Generalization) | Lure Generalization Index for Negatively Valenced Stimuli | .24 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 0.16 |
| Sleep With Sham Cues (Sham) | Scores on the Lure Generalization Index (a Behavioral Measure of Generalization) | Lure Generalization Index for Neutral Stimuli | .10 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 0.11 |
| Sleep With Sham Cues (Sham) | Scores on the Lure Generalization Index (a Behavioral Measure of Generalization) | Lure Generalization Index for Negatively Valenced Stimuli | .26 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 0.12 |
Comparison: Condition (TMR, Sham) x Valence (Negative, Neutral) predicting Lure Generalization Index at 1 week. We hypothesized a significant interaction, with a reduction in negative generalization and an increase in neutral generalization in the TMR condition.p-value: <0.046Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary
Scores on the Lure Generalization Index (a Behavioral Measure of Generalization)
Emotional Mnemonic Similarity Task. Participants view pictures depicting negative or neutral objects/scenes. After a delay period (12 hours) they are presented with a second set of pictures that are the same (targets), slightly different (lures), or completely different (foils) from the first series of pictures. They are told to indicate by button press if images they are currently viewing are old or new. Responding to the lures as old (false alarms) provides a signature of generalization for each participant. To correct for response biases (i.e., a tendency to label items as old) a Lure Generalization Index (LGI) is calculated which reflects corrected memory generalization by subtracting false alarm rates to foils from false alarm rates to lures. Larger LGI values indicate greater generalization (i.e., greater tendency to misidentify similar items as previously seen, accounting for overall biases to identify any items as previously seen). Minimum value -1 and maximum value =1
Time frame: Recall, 12 hours
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep With Sound Cues (Targeted Memory Reactivation [TMR]) | Scores on the Lure Generalization Index (a Behavioral Measure of Generalization) | Lure Generalization Index for Negatively Valenced Stimuli | .40 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 0.19 |
| Sleep With Sound Cues (Targeted Memory Reactivation [TMR]) | Scores on the Lure Generalization Index (a Behavioral Measure of Generalization) | Lure Generalization Index for Neutral Stimuli | .26 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 0.19 |
| Sleep With Sham Cues (Sham) | Scores on the Lure Generalization Index (a Behavioral Measure of Generalization) | Lure Generalization Index for Neutral Stimuli | .30 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 0.16 |
| Sleep With Sham Cues (Sham) | Scores on the Lure Generalization Index (a Behavioral Measure of Generalization) | Lure Generalization Index for Negatively Valenced Stimuli | .40 units on a scale | Standard Deviation 0.21 |
Comparison: Condition (TMR, Sham) x Valence (Negative, Neutral) predicting Lure Generalization Index at 12 hour test. We hypothesized a significant interaction, with a reduction in negative generalization and an increase in neutral generalization in the TMR condition.p-value: =0.61Mixed Models Analysis