Emotional Brain Networks & Cognitive Functioning in Depression and Anxiety

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study aims to 1) examine common and specific emotional and cognitive dysfunctions between Major Depression and generalized anxiety disorder; 2) Examine emotional and cognitive dysfunctions between the two disorders and healthy controls; 3) Examine the biomarkers predicting successful therapy or not.

Official Title
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Emotional Brain Networks & Cognitive Functioning in Depression and Anxiety

Conditions
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Major Depressive Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: fMRI


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: GAD: Diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) according to DSM V criteria in a structured clinical interview for DSM-V Axis I disorders (SCID I; APA, 2014) and a confirmatory clinical interview Duration of the current episode > 3 weeks MDD: Diagnosis of current major depressive disorder in a structured clinical interview for DSM-V Axis I disorders (SCID I; APA, 2014) and a confirmatory clinical interview Duration of the current episode > 4 weeks Exclusion Criteria: GAD: diagnosis of any other psychiatric Axis I disorder (except GAD) as a principal diagnosis within the past six months MDD: diagnosis of any other psychiatric Axis I disorder (except MDD) as a principal diagnosis within the past six months

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Depression patients (MDD)<br>Patients with diagnosis of major depression according to DSM criteria | Device: fMRI<br> <br> |
| Anxiety patients (GAD)<br>Patients with generalized anxiety disorder according to DSM criteria | Device: fMRI<br> <br> |
| Healthy controls<br>Demographically matched healthy controls. | Device: fMRI<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Brain activity in the emotional and cognitive core regions of the brain as assessed by fMRI | fMRI based indices during emotional face processing | 1 hour (assessed at study inclusion) | 
| Brain activity in the emotional and cognitive core regions of the brain as assessed by fMRI | fMRI based indices during empathy processing | 1 hour (assessed at study inclusion) | 
| Brain activity in the emotional and cognitive core regions of the brain as assessed by fMRI | fMRI based indices during working memory | 1 hour (assessed at study inclusion) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Behavioral performance during the fMRI: face processing | Accuracy during face processing | 1 hour (assessed at study inclusion) | 
| Behavioral performance during the fMRI: empathy reactivity | Empathy in response to empathy inducing pictures (rated on Likert scale) | 1 hour (assessed at study inclusion) | 
| Behavioral performance during the fMRI: working memory | Working memory performance during fMRI | 1 hour (assessed at study inclusion) | 
| Cognitive performance at study inclusion | Executive functions as assessed via computerized tests (CANTAB) | 1 hour (assessed at study inclusion) | 
| Symptom improvement after 3 months: depression | Symptoms of depression will be assessed using validated clinical scales (e.g. BDI) | 3 months | 
| Symptom improvement after 3 months: anxiety | Symptoms of generalized anxiety will be assessed using validated clinical scales (e.g. Penn State Worry Questionnaire) | 3 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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emotional impairments, cognitive impairments