Neuroimaging studies of psychological interventions for mood and anxiety disorders: empirical and methodological review

Clin Psychol Rev. 2008 Feb;28(2):228-46. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2007.05.002. Epub 2007 May 23.

Abstract

This article reviews the methods and results of published neuroimaging studies of the effects of structured psychological interventions for mood and anxiety disorders. The results are consistent with neural models of improved affective- and self-regulation, as evidenced by psychotherapeutic modulation of brain metabolic activity within the dorsolateral, ventrolateral, and medial prefrontal cortices, the anterior cingulate, the posterior cingulate/precuneus, and the insular cortices. Specific recommendations for future studies are outlined, and the clinical and theoretical significance of this research is discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Affect / physiology
  • Anxiety Disorders / physiopathology
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy*
  • Arousal / physiology
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / physiopathology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Nerve Net / physiopathology
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*