BreathinG-induced Myocardial and Cerebral Perfusion in Anxiety Disorders

BreathinG-induced Myocardial and Cerebral Perfusion in Anxiety Disorders (B-GLAD)

This study aims to view variations in MRI measurements of the heart and the brain in people with anxiety versus healthy volunteers. The MRI measurements used will be Oxygenation-Sensitive Cardiac MRI (OS-CMR), a recent type of MRI which is safe, fast, and non-invasive.

The investigators will prospectively analyze OS-CMR data from patients with a generalized anxiety disorder from one site. The investigators will observe how an anxiety disorder affects the OS-CMR data. In a follow-up MRI scan, the investigators will look at the OS-CMR of a subgroup who have anxiety disorder and are also undertaking cognitive behavioural therapy to asses how and if this therapy affects the OS-CMR data.

Inclusion Criteria:

Patient population:

Age 18-55,

• Confirmation of an anxiety disorder as identified by the PSWQ,
• No known, current or history, of significant medical conditions that may affect or directly involve the neurological, cardiovascular or respiratory system (except anxiety and depression)
• Non-smoker

Healthy Volunteers:

• Age 18-55
• No known, current or history, of significant medical conditions that may affect or directly involve the neurological, cardiovascular or respiratory system
• Non-smoker

Exclusion Criteria:

• General MRI contraindications: pacemakers, defibrillating wires, implanted defibrillators, intracranial aneurysm clips, metallic foreign bodies in the eyes, pregnancy
• History of significant neurological disease or illness that is not anxiety (e.g. Dementia, stroke)
• Hemodynamically unstable conditions
• Significant or uncontrolled arrhythmias
• Severe pulmonary disease
• Recent (<90 days) myocardial infarction
• Recent (<90 days) surgery or coronary intervention
• Consumption of caffeine (caffeinated beverages, coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate) within 12h of the exam
• Use of benzodiazepines or other short-acting anxiety medications (<1 day)