Neurobehavioral Correlates of Caffeine on Anxiety, Avoidance and Interoception in Healthy Individuals and Panic Disorder.

Launched by UPPSALA UNIVERSITY · Nov 17, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how caffeine affects people with Panic Disorder and healthy individuals. Researchers want to understand how caffeine influences emotions, decision-making, and the ability to sense bodily feelings (like heart rate and breathing). By comparing the experiences of those with Panic Disorder to healthy participants, the study aims to see how caffeine might change their reactions and behavior. Participants will undergo various tasks in a special MRI scanner while researchers monitor their brain activity and physical responses, including anxiety levels and panic attacks.

To participate, individuals with Panic Disorder need to have a primary diagnosis of this condition, while healthy participants should have no history of psychiatric disorders. All participants must consume no more than 300 mg of caffeine each week. Throughout the study, participants will engage in tasks designed to elicit emotional responses and measure their awareness of body sensations. The trial is currently recruiting participants aged 18-75, and it’s important to note that some medical conditions or treatments may exclude individuals from participating.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Panic Disorder group (PD): Primary diagnosis of Panic Disorder.
• • Healthy control group (HCs): No current or history of psychiatric disorders.
• • All participants (PD and HCs): Weekly caffeine consumption ≤ 300 mg.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Weekly caffeine consumption ≥ 300 mg.
• • Thoracic or head surgery, or any other surgery or metallic implanted devices not compatible with the safety standards for 7T MR scanner.
• • History of severe psychiatric disorder (e.g., schizophrenia).
• • Somatic or neurological conditions (e.g., hypertension and heart condition).
• • Ongoing treatment with psychotropic medication or treatment with psychotropic medication which has been discontinued within 2 months.
• • Other ongoing treatments that may confound the results.
• • Current drug or alcohol abuse/dependency.
• • Habitual nicotine use.
• • Uncorrected visual or hearing impairment.
• • Pregnancy.