Impact of NPSR1 gene variation on the neural correlates of phasic and sustained fear in spider phobia-an imaging genetics and independent replication approach.

The functional neuropeptide S receptor 1 (NPSR1) gene A/T variant (rs324981) is associated with fear processing. We investigated the impact of NPSR1 genotype on fear processing and on symptom reduction following treatment in individuals with spider phobia. A replication approach was applied [discovery sample: Münster (MS) nMS = 104; replication sample Würzburg (WZ) nWZ = 81].

Lack of evidence for predictive utility from resting state fMRI data for individual exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy outcomes: A machine learning study in two large multi-site samples in anxiety disorders.

Data-based predictions of individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) treatment response are a fundamental step towards precision medicine. Past studies demonstrated only moderate prediction accuracy (i.e.

Association between resting-state connectivity patterns in the defensive system network and treatment response in spider phobia-a replication approach.

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.

Mechanisms of action underlying virtual reality exposure treatment in spider phobia: Pivotal role of within-session fear reduction.

Although virtual-reality exposure treatment (VRET) for anxiety disorders is an efficient treatment option for specific phobia, mechanisms of action for immediate and sustained treatment response need to be elucidated. Towards this aim, core therapy process variables were assessed as predictors for short- and long-term VR treatment outcomes. In a bi-centric study, n = 186 patients with spider phobia completed a baseline-assessment, a one-session VRET, a post-therapy assessment, and a 6-month-follow-up assessment (ClinicalTrials.

Neural correlates of fear conditioning are associated with treatment-outcomes to behavioral exposure in spider phobia - Evidence from magnetoencephalography.

Background: Models of anxiety disorders and the rationale of exposure therapy (ET) are grounded on classical fear conditioning. Yet, it is unclear whether lower fear ratings of conditioned safety versus threat cues and corresponding neural markers of safety-learning and/or fear inhibition assessed before treatment would predict better outcomes of behavioral exposure.

Methods: Sixty-six patients with spider phobia completed pre-treatment clinical and experimental fear conditioning assessments, one session of virtual reality ET, a post-treatment clinical assessment, and a 6-month follow-up assessment.

Behavioral and Magnetoencephalographic Correlates of Fear Generalization Are Associated With Responses to Later Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in Spider Phobia.

Background: Because overgeneralization of fear is a pathogenic marker of anxiety disorders, we investigated whether pretreatment levels of fear generalization in spider-phobic patients are related to their response to exposure-based treatment to identify pretreatment moderators of treatment success.

Methods: A total of 90 patients with spider phobia completed pretreatment clinical and magnetoencephalography assessments, one session of virtual reality exposure therapy, and a posttreatment clinical assessment. Based on the primary outcome (30% symptom reduction in self-reported symptoms), they were categorized as responders or nonresponders.

Clinical predictors of treatment response towards exposure therapy in virtuo in spider phobia: A machine learning and external cross-validation approach.

While being highly effective on average, exposure-based treatments are not equally effective in all patients. The a priori identification of patients with a poor prognosis may enable the application of more personalized psychotherapeutic interventions. We aimed at identifying sociodemographic and clinical pre-treatment predictors for treatment response in spider phobia (SP).

Theranostic markers for personalized therapy of spider phobia: Methods of a bicentric external cross-validation machine learning approach.

Objectives: Embedded in the Collaborative Research Center "Fear, Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders" (CRC-TRR58), this bicentric clinical study aims at identifying biobehavioral markers of treatment (non-)response by applying machine learning methodology with an external cross-validation protocol. We hypothesize that a priori prediction of treatment (non-)response is possible in a second, independent sample based on multimodal markers.

Methods: One-session virtual reality exposure treatment (VRET) with patients with spider phobia was conducted on two sites.