Overview
This study aims to view variations in MRI measurements of the heart and the brain in people with anxiety versus healthy volunteers. The MRI measurements used will be Oxygenation-Sensitive Cardiac MRI (OS-CMR), a recent type of MRI which is safe, fast, and non-invasive.
Description
The investigators will prospectively analyze OS-CMR data from patients with a generalized anxiety disorder from one site. The investigators will observe how an anxiety disorder affects the OS-CMR data. In a follow-up MRI scan, the investigators will look at the OS-CMR of a subgroup who have anxiety disorder and are also undertaking cognitive behavioural therapy to asses how and if this therapy affects the OS-CMR data.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
Patient population:
Age 18-55,
- Confirmation of an anxiety disorder as identified by the PSWQ,
- No known, current or history, of significant medical conditions that may affect or directly involve the neurological, cardiovascular or respiratory system (except anxiety and depression)
- Non-smoker
Healthy Volunteers:
- Age 18-55
- No known, current or history, of significant medical conditions that may affect or directly involve the neurological, cardiovascular or respiratory system
- Non-smoker
Exclusion Criteria:
- General MRI contraindications: pacemakers, defibrillating wires, implanted defibrillators, intracranial aneurysm clips, metallic foreign bodies in the eyes, pregnancy
- History of significant neurological disease or illness that is not anxiety (e.g. Dementia, stroke)
- Hemodynamically unstable conditions
- Significant or uncontrolled arrhythmias
- Severe pulmonary disease
- Recent (<90 days) myocardial infarction
- Recent (<90 days) surgery or coronary intervention
- Consumption of caffeine (caffeinated beverages, coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate) within 12h of the exam
- Use of benzodiazepines or other short-acting anxiety medications (<1 day)