ENIGMA-anxiety working group: Rationale for and organization of large-scale neuroimaging studies of anxiety disorders

Hum Brain Mapp. 2022 Jan;43(1):83-112. doi: 10.1002/hbm.25100. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and disabling but seem particularly tractable to investigation with translational neuroscience methodologies. Neuroimaging has informed our understanding of the neurobiology of anxiety disorders, but research has been limited by small sample sizes and low statistical power, as well as heterogenous imaging methodology. The ENIGMA-Anxiety Working Group has brought together researchers from around the world, in a harmonized and coordinated effort to address these challenges and generate more robust and reproducible findings. This paper elaborates on the concepts and methods informing the work of the working group to date, and describes the initial approach of the four subgroups studying generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobia. At present, the ENIGMA-Anxiety database contains information about more than 100 unique samples, from 16 countries and 59 institutes. Future directions include examining additional imaging modalities, integrating imaging and genetic data, and collaborating with other ENIGMA working groups. The ENIGMA consortium creates synergy at the intersection of global mental health and clinical neuroscience, and the ENIGMA-Anxiety Working Group extends the promise of this approach to neuroimaging research on anxiety disorders.

Keywords: amygdala; anxiety disorders; genetics; limbic system; magnetic resonance imaging; neuroimaging; prefrontal cortex.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety Disorders* / diagnostic imaging
  • Anxiety Disorders* / genetics
  • Anxiety Disorders* / pathology
  • Anxiety Disorders* / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Limbic System* / diagnostic imaging
  • Limbic System* / pathology
  • Limbic System* / physiopathology
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic
  • Neuroimaging*
  • Prefrontal Cortex* / diagnostic imaging
  • Prefrontal Cortex* / pathology
  • Prefrontal Cortex* / physiopathology