Xiao hu Zhao MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

We used BOLD-fMRI to explore the psychopathology of anxiety by comparing the normal subjects (control) with anxious patients when they hear emotionally neutral words and threat-related words.

A patient group(n=10) and healthy comparison group(n=10) participated. All patients met the CCMD-III criteria of generalized anxiety disorder and/or panic disorder. All subjects were without past history of neurological illness or psychiatric history that might affect auditory or language function, and they were not taking any medication. Mental scales including EPQ, SCL-90, SAS, SDS, STAI-T, HAMA, HAMD were administered to all subjects before they were underwent MRI scans. Then the subjects were underwent noninvasive functional magnetic resonance imaging while listening actively to (I): emotionally neutral words alternating with no words as the control condition, and (II): threat-related words alternating with emotionally neutral words as the experimental condition. Whole brain functional MRI was performed on 1.5T scanner with a standard head coil and echo-planar imaging,(TR:2500ms,TE:40ms,Matrix:64×64,FOV:24×24cm,16 contiguous 6-mm slices parallel to AC-PC line).The data were analyzed with statistical parametric mapping(SPM99) software from the Wellcome Department of Cognitive Neurology, London.

Our group data has indicated there are different response to neutral and threat-related words between patients and control. In the first fMRI experiment, when patients listened to neutral words alternating with no words, prefrontal cortex were activated in addition to BA(Brodmann area, BA )22 and BA 42,as for control group only BA22 and BA 42 were activated. In the second experiment, when subjects listened to threat-related words alternating with neutral words, patients show increased activity in temporal lobe, prefrontal cortex, especially orbital frontal and cingulate gyrus. But control group demonstrated no brain activity(P<0.05,uncorrected,cluster size＞5 voxels).

Dysfunctions may exist in temporal and prefrontal lobe, especially orbital frontal cortex and cingulate may constitute an important circuit in the psychopathology of anxiety disorder.

Zhao, X, A Study of the Psychopathology of Anxiety Disorder with Functional Magnetic Resonance.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4406549.html