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Leehr EJ, Seeger FR, Böhnlein J, Gathmann B, Straube T, Roesmann K, Junghöfer M, Schwarzmeier H, Siminski N, Herrmann MJ, Langhammer T, Goltermann J, Grotegerd D, Meinert S, Winter NR, Dannlowski U, Lueken U. Association between resting-state connectivity patterns in the defensive system network and treatment response in spider phobia-a replication approach. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:137. [PMID: 38453896 PMCID: PMC10920691 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02799-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Although highly effective on average, exposure-based treatments do not work equally well for all patients with anxiety disorders. The identification of pre-treatment response-predicting patient characteristics may enable patient stratification. Preliminary research highlights the relevance of inhibitory fronto-limbic networks as such. We aimed to identify pre-treatment neural signatures differing between exposure treatment responders and non-responders in spider phobia and to validate results through rigorous replication. Data of a bi-centric intervention study comprised clinical phenotyping and pre-treatment resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) data of n = 79 patients with spider phobia (discovery sample) and n = 69 patients (replication sample). RsFC data analyses were accomplished using the Matlab-based CONN-toolbox with harmonized analyses protocols at both sites. Treatment response was defined by a reduction of >30% symptom severity from pre- to post-treatment (Spider Phobia Questionnaire Score, primary outcome). Secondary outcome was defined by a reduction of >50% in a Behavioral Avoidance Test (BAT). Mean within-session fear reduction functioned as a process measure for exposure. Compared to non-responders and pre-treatment, results in the discovery sample seemed to indicate that responders exhibited stronger negative connectivity between frontal and limbic structures and were characterized by heightened connectivity between the amygdala and ventral visual pathway regions. Patients exhibiting high within-session fear reduction showed stronger excitatory connectivity within the prefrontal cortex than patients with low within-session fear reduction. Whereas these results could be replicated by another team using the same data (cross-team replication), cross-site replication of the discovery sample findings in the independent replication sample was unsuccessful. Results seem to support negative fronto-limbic connectivity as promising ingredient to enhance response rates in specific phobia but lack sufficient replication. Further research is needed to obtain a valid basis for clinical decision-making and the development of individually tailored treatment options. Notably, future studies should regularly include replication approaches in their protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth J Leehr
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
| | - Fabian R Seeger
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Center for Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of General Psychiatry, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joscha Böhnlein
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Bettina Gathmann
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Thomas Straube
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Otto-Creutzfeld Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Kati Roesmann
- Otto-Creutzfeld Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Institute of Psychology, Unit of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy in Childhood and Adolescence, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Markus Junghöfer
- Otto-Creutzfeld Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignalanalysis, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Hanna Schwarzmeier
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Center for Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Niklas Siminski
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Center for Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Martin J Herrmann
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Center for Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Till Langhammer
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janik Goltermann
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Dominik Grotegerd
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Susanne Meinert
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nils R Winter
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Udo Dannlowski
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Ulrike Lueken
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Center for Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), partner site Berlin/Potsdam, Berlin, Germany
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Bas‐Hoogendam JM, Groenewold NA, Aghajani M, Freitag GF, Harrewijn A, Hilbert K, Jahanshad N, Thomopoulos SI, Thompson PM, Veltman DJ, Winkler AM, Lueken U, Pine DS, Wee NJA, Stein DJ, Agosta F, Åhs F, An I, Alberton BAV, Andreescu C, Asami T, Assaf M, Avery SN, Nicholas L, Balderston, Barber JP, Battaglia M, Bayram A, Beesdo‐Baum K, Benedetti F, Berta R, Björkstrand J, Blackford JU, Blair JR, Karina S, Blair, Boehme S, Brambilla P, Burkhouse K, Cano M, Canu E, Cardinale EM, Cardoner N, Clauss JA, Cividini C, Critchley HD, Udo, Dannlowski, Deckert J, Demiralp T, Diefenbach GJ, Domschke K, Doruyter A, Dresler T, Erhardt A, Fallgatter AJ, Fañanás L, Brandee, Feola, Filippi CA, Filippi M, Fonzo GA, Forbes EE, Fox NA, Fredrikson M, Furmark T, Ge T, Gerber AJ, Gosnell SN, Grabe HJ, Grotegerd D, Gur RE, Gur RC, Harmer CJ, Harper J, Heeren A, Hettema J, Hofmann D, Hofmann SG, Jackowski AP, Andreas, Jansen, Kaczkurkin AN, Kingsley E, Kircher T, Kosti c M, Kreifelts B, Krug A, Larsen B, Lee S, Leehr EJ, Leibenluft E, Lochner C, Maggioni E, Makovac E, Mancini M, Manfro GG, Månsson KNT, Meeten F, Michałowski J, Milrod BL, Mühlberger A, Lilianne R, Mujica‐Parodi, Munjiza A, Mwangi B, Myers M, Igor Nenadi C, Neufang S, Nielsen JA, Oh H, Ottaviani C, Pan PM, Pantazatos SP, Martin P, Paulus, Perez‐Edgar K, Peñate W, Perino MT, Peterburs J, Pfleiderer B, Phan KL, Poletti S, Porta‐Casteràs D, Price RB, Pujol J, Andrea, Reinecke, Rivero F, Roelofs K, Rosso I, Saemann P, Salas R, Salum GA, Satterthwaite TD, Schneier F, Schruers KRJ, Schulz SM, Schwarzmeier H, Seeger FR, Smoller JW, Soares JC, Stark R, Stein MB, Straube B, Straube T, Strawn JR, Suarez‐Jimenez B, Boris, Suchan, Sylvester CM, Talati A, Tamburo E, Tükel R, Heuvel OA, Van der Auwera S, Nieuwenhuizen H, Tol M, van Velzen LS, Bort CV, Vermeiren RRJM, Visser RM, Volman I, Wannemüller A, Wendt J, Werwath KE, Westenberg PM, Wiemer J, Katharina, Wittfeld, Wu M, Yang Y, Zilverstand A, Zugman A, Zwiebel HL. ENIGMA-anxiety working group: Rationale for and organization of large-scale neuroimaging studies of anxiety disorders. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 43:83-112. [PMID: 32618421 PMCID: PMC8805695 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and disabling but seem particularly tractable to investigation with translational neuroscience methodologies. Neuroimaging has informed our understanding of the neurobiology of anxiety disorders, but research has been limited by small sample sizes and low statistical power, as well as heterogenous imaging methodology. The ENIGMA-Anxiety Working Group has brought together researchers from around the world, in a harmonized and coordinated effort to address these challenges and generate more robust and reproducible findings. This paper elaborates on the concepts and methods informing the work of the working group to date, and describes the initial approach of the four subgroups studying generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobia. At present, the ENIGMA-Anxiety database contains information about more than 100 unique samples, from 16 countries and 59 institutes. Future directions include examining additional imaging modalities, integrating imaging and genetic data, and collaborating with other ENIGMA working groups. The ENIGMA consortium creates synergy at the intersection of global mental health and clinical neuroscience, and the ENIGMA-Anxiety Working Group extends the promise of this approach to neuroimaging research on anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna Marie Bas‐Hoogendam
- Department of Developmental and Educational PsychologyLeiden University, Institute of Psychology Leiden The Netherlands
- Department of PsychiatryLeiden University Medical Center Leiden The Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Nynke A. Groenewold
- Department of Psychiatry & Mental HealthUniversity of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
| | - Moji Aghajani
- Department of PsychiatryAmsterdam UMC / VUMC Amsterdam The Netherlands
- Department of Research & InnovationGGZ inGeest Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Gabrielle F. Freitag
- National Institute of Mental Health, Emotion and Development Branch Bethesda Maryland USA
| | - Anita Harrewijn
- National Institute of Mental Health, Emotion and Development Branch Bethesda Maryland USA
| | - Kevin Hilbert
- Department of PsychologyHumboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Neda Jahanshad
- University of Southern California Keck School of MedicineImaging Genetics Center, Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute Los Angeles California USA
| | - Sophia I. Thomopoulos
- University of Southern California Keck School of MedicineImaging Genetics Center, Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute Los Angeles California USA
| | - Paul M. Thompson
- University of Southern California Keck School of MedicineImaging Genetics Center, Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute Los Angeles California USA
| | - Dick J. Veltman
- Department of PsychiatryAmsterdam UMC / VUMC Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Anderson M. Winkler
- National Institute of Mental Health, Emotion and Development Branch Bethesda Maryland USA
| | - Ulrike Lueken
- Department of PsychologyHumboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Daniel S. Pine
- National Institute of Mental Health, Emotion and Development Branch Bethesda Maryland USA
| | - Nic J. A. Wee
- Department of PsychiatryLeiden University Medical Center Leiden The Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Dan J. Stein
- Department of Psychiatry & Mental HealthUniversity of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
- University of Cape TownSouth African MRC Unit on Risk & Resilience in Mental Disorders Cape Town South Africa
- University of Cape TownNeuroscience Institute Cape Town South Africa
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Fumero A, Marrero RJ, Rivero F, Alvarez-Pérez Y, Bethencourt JM, González M, Peñate W. Neuronal Correlates of Small Animal Phobia in Human Subjects through fMRI: The Role of the Number and Proximity of Stimuli. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11040275. [PMID: 33810230 PMCID: PMC8065419 DOI: 10.3390/life11040275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain regions involved in small-animal phobia include subcortical and cortical areas. The present study explored the neuronal correlates of small-animal phobia through fMRI data to determine whether a manipulation of number and proximity parameters affects the neurobiology of the processing of feared stimuli. The participants were 40 individuals with phobia and 40 individuals without phobia (28.7% male and 71.3% female). They watched videos of real and virtual images of spiders, cockroaches and lizards in motion presented more or less nearby with one or three stimuli in the different conditions. The results suggested a differential brain activity between participants with and without phobia depending on the proximity and number of phobic stimuli. Proximity activated the motor response marked by the precentral gyrus and the cingulate gyrus. By contrast, the number of stimuli was associated with significant sensory activity in the postcentral gyrus and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. We also observed a greater activity in the occipital cortex when exploring the number compared to the proximity factor. Threatening stimuli presented nearby and those presented in greater numbers generated an intense phobic response, suggesting a different emotion regulation strategy. Based on these findings, exposure therapies might consider including proximity to the threat and number of stimuli as key factors in treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ascensión Fumero
- Departamento de Psicología Clínica, Psicobiología y Metodología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (R.J.M.); (F.R.); (J.M.B.); (M.G.); (W.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Rosario J. Marrero
- Departamento de Psicología Clínica, Psicobiología y Metodología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (R.J.M.); (F.R.); (J.M.B.); (M.G.); (W.P.)
| | - Francisco Rivero
- Departamento de Psicología Clínica, Psicobiología y Metodología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (R.J.M.); (F.R.); (J.M.B.); (M.G.); (W.P.)
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Europea de Canarias, 38300 La Orotava, Tenerife, Spain
| | | | - Juan Manuel Bethencourt
- Departamento de Psicología Clínica, Psicobiología y Metodología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (R.J.M.); (F.R.); (J.M.B.); (M.G.); (W.P.)
| | - Manuel González
- Departamento de Psicología Clínica, Psicobiología y Metodología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (R.J.M.); (F.R.); (J.M.B.); (M.G.); (W.P.)
| | - Wenceslao Peñate
- Departamento de Psicología Clínica, Psicobiología y Metodología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; (R.J.M.); (F.R.); (J.M.B.); (M.G.); (W.P.)
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Hinze J, Röder A, Menzie N, Müller U, Domschke K, Riemenschneider M, Noll-Hussong M. Spider Phobia: Neural Networks Informing Diagnosis and (Virtual/Augmented Reality-Based) Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy-A Narrative Review. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:704174. [PMID: 34504447 PMCID: PMC8421596 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.704174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent fMRI studies on specific animal phobias, particularly spider phobia (arachnophobia), have identified a large variety of specific brain regions involved in normal and disturbed fear processing. Both functional and structural brain abnormalities have been identified among phobic patients. Current research suggests that both conscious and subconscious fear processing play a crucial role in phobic disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been identified as an effective treatment for specific phobias and has been associated with neuroplastic effects which can be evaluated using current neuroimaging techniques. Recent research suggests that new approaches using virtual (VR) or augmented reality (AR) tend to be similarly effective as traditional "in vivo" therapy methods and could expand treatment options for different medical or individual scenarios. This narrative review elaborates on neural structures and particularities of arachnophobia. Current treatment options are discussed and future research questions are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Hinze
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany.,Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Anne Röder
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany.,Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Menzie
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Ulf Müller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Center for Basics in NeuroModulation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Riemenschneider
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany.,Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Michael Noll-Hussong
- Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
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Rosenbaum D, Leehr EJ, Kroczek A, Rubel JA, Int-Veen I, Deutsch K, Maier MJ, Hudak J, Fallgatter AJ, Ehlis AC. Neuronal correlates of spider phobia in a combined fNIRS-EEG study. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12597. [PMID: 32724128 PMCID: PMC7387441 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69127-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Specific phobia is associated with aberrant brain activation in confrontation paradigms with phobic stimuli. In previous EEG research enhanced event-related potentials (ERPs) in the late-positive potential (LPP) window have been observed. Further, studies with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and fMRI suggest that spider phobia is associated with enhanced activation within cortical and subcortical areas. In the current study we investigated the neuronal correlates of spider phobia in a combined fNIRS-EEG study. To this end, 37 spider phobic patients (PP) and 32 healthy controls (HC) underwent a symptom provocation paradigm during which subjects watched video clips of spiders and domestic animals (confrontation phase) after being primed on the content of the video (anticipation phase). Simultaneously, fNIRS, EEG, electromyography (EMG), electrocardiography and behavioral measures were assessed. Results showed increased LPP amplitudes, increased hemodynamic responses in the cognitive control network, and increased EMG activity and heart rate during spider conditions in PP in comparison to HC. Furthermore, in behavioral ratings PP showed higher emotional distress and avoidance. Behavioral ratings, fNIRS and EEG data showed positive correlations on a between-subject as well as on a within-subject level. Our results merge the existing data on neurophysiological correlates of phobic stimulus processing in hemodynamic and electrophysiological research and extend those of static visual material (pictures) to dynamic visual material (videos).
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Affiliation(s)
- David Rosenbaum
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | | | - Agnes Kroczek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Julian A Rubel
- Department of Psychotherapy Research, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Isabell Int-Veen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Kira Deutsch
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Moritz J Maier
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Justin Hudak
- Center on Mindfulness and Integrative Health Intervention Development, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Andreas J Fallgatter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- LEAD Graduate School and Research Network, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ann-Christine Ehlis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- LEAD Graduate School and Research Network, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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Rosenbaum D, Leehr EJ, Rubel J, Maier MJ, Pagliaro V, Deutsch K, Hudak J, Metzger FG, Fallgatter AJ, Ehlis AC. Cortical oxygenation during exposure therapy - in situ fNIRS measurements in arachnophobia. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2020; 26:102219. [PMID: 32135488 PMCID: PMC7052440 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This is the first study that assessed cortical hemodynamic reactions during exposure therapy in situ. During exposure patients showed increased activity in the cognitive control network (CCN) compared to a control condition. CCN activity deceased during the session. Further, CCN activity was associated with fear ratings at the beginning of the session and this relationship decreased from session to session.
Exposure therapy is a well-studied and highly efficacious treatment for phobic disorders. Although the neurobiological model of fear is well underpinned by various studies, the mechanisms of exposure therapy are still under discussion. Partly, this is due to the fact that most neurophysiological methods like fMRI are not able to be used in the natural therapeutic settings. The current study used in situ measurements of cortical blood oxygenation (O2Hb) during exposure therapy by means of functional near-infrared spectroscopy. 37 subjects (N = 30 completers) underwent exposure therapy during 5 adapted sessions in which subjects were exposed to Tegenaria Domestica (domestic house spider – experimental condition) and Dendrobaena Veneta/ Eisenaia hortensis (red earthworm – control condition). Compared to the control condition, patients showed higher O2Hb levels in the anticipation and exposure phase of spider exposure in areas of the cognitive control network (CCN). Further, significant decreases in O2Hb were observed during the session accompanied by reductions in fear related symptoms. However, while symptoms decreased in a linear quadratic manner, with higher reductions in the beginning of the session, CCN activity decreased linearly. Further, higher anxiety at the beginning of session one was associated with increased O2Hb in the CCN. This association decreased within the following sessions. The current study sheds light on the neuronal mechanisms of exposure therapy. The results are discussed in light of a phase model of exposure therapy that posits a role of cognitive control in the beginning and routine learning at the end of the therapy session.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Rosenbaum
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | | | - Julian Rubel
- Psychotherapy Research Lab, Psychology and Sport Sciences, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Moritz J Maier
- Fraunhofer IAO
- Center for Responsible Research and Innovation, Berlin, Germany
| | - Valeria Pagliaro
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Kira Deutsch
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Justin Hudak
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; Center on Mindfulness and Integrative Health Intervention Development, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States
| | - Florian G Metzger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Andreas J Fallgatter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; LEAD Graduate School & Research Network, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ann-Christine Ehlis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; LEAD Graduate School & Research Network, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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Gentili C, Messerotti Benvenuti S, Lettieri G, Costa C, Cecchetti L. ROI and phobias: The effect of ROI approach on an ALE meta-analysis of specific phobias. Hum Brain Mapp 2019; 40:1814-1828. [PMID: 30548734 PMCID: PMC6865604 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
About 90% of fMRI findings on specific phobias (SP) include analysis of region of interest (ROI). This approach characterized by higher sensitivity may produce inflated results, particularly when findings are aggregated in meta-analytic maps. Here, we conducted a systematic review and activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis on SP, testing the impact of the inclusion of ROI-based studies. ALE meta-analyses were carried out either including ROI-based results or focusing on whole-brain voxelwise studies exclusively. To assess the risk of bias in the neuroimaging field, we modified the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and measured the reliability of fMRI findings. Of the 31 selected investigations (564 patients and 485 controls) one-third did not motivate ROI selection: five studies did not report an explicit rationale, whereas four did not cite any specific reference in this regard. Analyses including ROI-based studies revealed differences between phobics and healthy subjects in several regions of the limbic circuit. However, when focusing on whole-brain analysis, only the anterior midcingulate cortex differentiated SP from controls. Notably, 13 studies were labeled with low risk of bias according to the adapted NOS. The inclusion of ROI-based results artificially inflates group differences in fMRI meta-analyses. Moreover, a priori, well-motivated selection of ROIs is desirable to improve quality and reproducibility in SP neuroimaging studies. Lastly, the use of modified NOS may represent a valuable way to assess and evaluate biases in fMRI studies: "low risk" of bias was reported for less than half of the included studies, indicating the need for better practices in fMRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Gentili
- Department of General PsychologyUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
| | | | | | - Cristiano Costa
- Department of General PsychologyUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
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Garcia R. Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 24:462-471. [PMID: 28814472 PMCID: PMC5580526 DOI: 10.1101/lm.044115.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Fear, which can be expressed innately or after conditioning, is triggered when a danger or a stimulus predicting immediate danger is perceived. Its role is to prepare the body to face this danger. However, dysfunction in fear processing can lead to psychiatric disorders in which fear outweighs the danger or possibility of harm. Although recognized as highly debilitating, pathological fear remains insufficiently treated, indicating the importance of research on fear processing. The neurobiological basis of normal and pathological fear reactions is reviewed in this article. Innate and learned fear mechanisms, particularly those involving the amygdala, are considered. These fear mechanisms are also distinguished in specific phobias, which can indeed be nonexperiential (implicating innate, learning-independent mechanisms) or experiential (implicating learning-dependent mechanisms). Poor habituation and poor extinction are presented as dysfunctional mechanisms contributing to persistence of nonexperiential and experiential phobias, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Garcia
- Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, UMR7289, Aix Marseille Université & Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 13385 Marseille, France
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