Attention Bias Modification for Transdiagnostic Anxiety

Neural Dimensions of Attention Bias Modification for Transdiagnostic Anxiety

This project seeks to identify neural mechanisms underlying the tendency for anxious individuals to pay more attention to threatening information than to other types of information. A computerized treatment designed to train individuals to reduce their attention towards threat will be tested, with a focus on understanding the aspects of brain function that predict response to the treatment. This work could ultimately lead to the ability to treat anxiety more effectively by directly targeting the aspects of brain function that are altered in a given patient.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants will:

  1. be between the ages of 18 and 55 years,
  2. score >45 on the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-trait form.
  3. score >=75th percentile on the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Current medication or Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for anxiety or depression;
2. Failure to meet standard Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) inclusion criteria: those who have cardiac pacemakers, neural pacemakers, surgical clips in the brain or blood vessels, surgically implanted metal plates, screws or pins, cochlear implants, Intrauterine Devices, metal braces, or other metal objects in their body, especially in the eye. If the subject has any metal or implants in the body they must be deemed safe by the MRI Research Center's safety screening procedure prior to enrollment. Dental fillings do not present a problem. Plastic or removable dental appliances do not require exclusion. Pregnancy, determined by pregnancy tests on females.
3. currently suicidal or at risk for harm to self or others,
4. visual disturbance (<20/40 as per the Snellen test, corrective lenses allowed)
5. <6th grade reading level as per the Wide Range Achievement Test
6. presence of bipolar, psychotic, autism spectrum, substance dependence, or primary depressive disorder
7. positive urine drug test