Studying How Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Changes Brain Circuits in Adults With Anxiety Disorders

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how cognitive behavioral therapy CBT affects the brain circuits involved in anxiety disorders. This study aims to understand the neurobiological mechanisms behind CBTs effects, focusing on the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. The goal is to develop better targeted treatments for anxiety by identifying how CBT changes brain function compared to waiting list controls. This study also compares these effects to pharmacological treatments for anxiety. Participants are divided into two groups those receiving a course of CBT and those on a waiting list for CBT. The CBT group will receive 12-15 weekly therapy sessions following national guidelines, where they discuss and work on patterns of thinking and behavior. Both groups will be tested before and after the treatment or waiting period, up to 12 weeks, using brain imaging and cognitive tasks. During the study, participants will complete computer-based emotional and cognitive tasks and undergo brain scans using functional MRI. Various psychological questionnaires will assess anxiety, depression, stress, and related behaviors. Researchers will monitor brain connectivity changes and cognitive performance to understand how CBT influences anxiety. The total study duration includes assessments at the start and after the treatment or waiting period, with data compared between groups.

CBT and the Neural Circuits of Anxiety