Protocol Number: 02-M-0321

Title:

fMRI Investigation of Explicit Cue and Contextual Fear

Number:

02-M-0321

Summary:

The purpose of this study is to use brain imaging technology to investigate brain changes in people exposed to predictable versus unpredictable unpleasant stimuli. Unpleasant events that can be predicted evoke a response of fear, whereas unpredictable, unpleasant stimuli cause chronic anxiety not associated with a specific event. Information gained from this study may help in the development of more effective treatments for anxiety disorders.

When confronted with fearful events, people eventually develop fear of specific cues that were associated with these events as well as to the environmental context in which the fearful event occurred. Evidence suggests that cued fear and contextual fear model different aspects of anxiety. However, studies that examine the way the brain affects expression of contextual fear have not been conducted. This study will use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or Magneto-encephalography (MEG) to compare the brain activity underlying fear brought on by predictable and unpredictable aversive stimuli.

Sponsoring Institute:

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Recruitment Detail

Type: Active Accrual Of New Subjects

Gender: Male & Female

Referral Letter Required: Yes

Population Exclusion(s): Children

Eligibility Criteria:

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Male or female volunteers ages 18-40 years old.

Judged to be in good physical and psychiatric health on the basis of medical history, a clinical MRI scan, and physical examination.

Able to understand procedures and agree to participate in the study by giving written informed consent.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Clinically significant organ disease, e.g., cardiovascular.

Clinically significant abnormalities in physical examination.

Any medical condition that increases risk for fMRI (e.g. pacemaker, metallic foreign body in eye).

History of any disease, which in the investigators' opinion may confound the results of the study, including, but not limited to, history of organic mental disorders, seizure, or mental retardation.

Lifetime history of substance dependence, or substance abuse within past 1 year.

Current Axis I psychiatric disorders as identified with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR axis disorders, non-patient edition (SCID-np).

Psychotropic medication within 4 weeks of scanning.

Pregnancy, i.e., a positive beta-HCG urine test.

Special Instructions: Currently Not Provided

Keywords:

Anxiety

Unpredictability

Stress

Context

Fear

Normal Volunteers

Recruitment Keywords:

Healthy Volunteer

HV

Conditions:

Anxiety Disorders

Investigational Drug(s):

None

Investigational Device(s):

None

Contacts:

Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office
Building 61
10 Cloister Court
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4754
Toll Free: 1-800-411-1222
TTY: 301-594-9774 (local),1-866-411-1010 (toll free)
Fax: 301-480-9793

Electronic Mail:prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov

Citations:

Ameli R, Ip C, Grillon C; Contextual fear-potentiated startle conditioning in humans: replication and extension.

Psychophysiology. 2001 May;38(3):383-90. PMID: 11352126

Armony JL, Dolan RJ. Modulation of auditory neural responses by a visual context in human fear conditioning.

Neuroreport. 2001 Oct 29;12(15):3407-11. PMID: 11711895

Baas JM, Grillon C, Bocker KB, Brack AA, III Morgan CA, Kenemans JL, Verbaten MN. Benzodiazepines have no effect on fear-potentiated startle in humans. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2002 May;161(3):233-47. PMID: 12021826

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