Abstract | OBJECTIVE: METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept study, n=58 arachnophobic patients underwent an fMRI scan while looking at phobia-related and neutral stimuli. Subjective anxiety was evaluated retrospectively in questionnaires. RESULTS: The functional imaging data revealed that patients showed stronger amygdala activation to phobia-related than to neutral stimuli. However, no effect of quetiapine on fear network activity was detected. Further, on questionnaire measures, quetiapine significantly reduced somatic anxiety symptoms, but had no effect on general psychological anxiety. CONCLUSION: Viewing phobic pictures resulted in a robust amygdala activation in arachnophobic patients. Quetiapine seems to have no influence on activation in anxiety-related brain areas but appears to reduce acute somatic anxiety symptoms in patients with specific phobia. The central nervous correlates of the anxiolytic effects of quetiapine remain to be clarified in future studies.
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Authors | J Diemer, P Zwanzger, I Fohrbeck, M Zavorotnyy, S Notzon, K Silling, V Arolt, K Domschke, B Pfleiderer |
Journal | Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry
(Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry)
Vol. 76
Pg. 80-87
(06 02 2017)
ISSN: 1878-4216 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 28259723
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. |
Chemical References |
- Anti-Anxiety Agents
- Antipsychotic Agents
- Quetiapine Fumarate
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Topics |
- Adult
- Amygdala
(diagnostic imaging, drug effects, physiopathology)
- Anti-Anxiety Agents
(administration & dosage, pharmacology)
- Antipsychotic Agents
(administration & dosage, pharmacology)
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Humans
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Male
- Phobic Disorders
(diagnostic imaging, drug therapy, physiopathology)
- Proof of Concept Study
- Quetiapine Fumarate
(administration & dosage, pharmacology)
- Young Adult
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