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Quantifying Multi-step Avoidance in Anxiety
Sponsor: Emory University
Summary
This study aims to learn more about avoidance behavior in people with anxiety, using mathematical models of decision-making processes and decoded neural signals of threat imminence. Researchers are investigating anxiety-related behavior and brain function in people with and without anxiety. Investigators are also looking at how behavior and brain function during tasks in the lab relate to avoidance in their daily lives. The investigators will also test whether changing how people avoid things in a behavioral task affects how people avoid things in their everyday life.
Official title: Quantifying Neural Signatures of Multi-step Avoidance Behavior in Anxiety
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
22 Years - 55 Years
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
163
Start Date
2027-01
Completion Date
2030-06
Last Updated
2025-10-02
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Behavioral Tasks with imaging
Participants will complete the MDP task only during 3 separate fMRI scanning sessions. After each session, they will complete one week of ambulatory assessment of real-world avoidance behavior (self-reported avoidance behavior) via Emory Qualtrics surveys. In a fourth scanning session, the brain signature of threat imminence constructed in the first set of participants (Aim 1) will be used to predict and modify avoidance behavior (on the task and in a further week of ambulatory assessment of avoidance) in these participants. During their last visit, the behavioral task will be modified to decrease the availability of avoidance choices; subsequent effects on EMA and passive sensing measures will be assessed.
Locations (2)
Emory College
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Facility for Education and Research in Neuroscience (FERN)
Atlanta, Georgia, United States