Mechanisms of interpretation biases in anxiety – bridging experimental investigation and clinical translation.

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Marcella Woud
• Subject Area: Personality Psychology, Clinical and Medical Psychology, Methodology
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 442163275

Negative biases in the interpretation of ambiguous information are a hallmark feature of anxiety disorders. However, despite considerable advances in research, a number of significant challenges remain. In particular, the role and underlying mechanisms of interpretation biases remain elusive. Here, a central question is whether interpretation biases are a causal risk factor for the development of anxiety disorders, and if so, via what mechanisms. The proposed project will provide answers to these questions and will do so using a mechanistically-focused and interdisciplinary approach, combining paradigms from basic and clinical translational science: Via experimental research in at-risk and clinical samples, interpretation biases will be assessed and manipulated via a computerized interpretation training, and the effect of the manipulation on both symptoms of anxiety and treatment outcome will be examined. In parallel, mechanisms underlying (changes in) interpretation biases will be investigated. Specifically, the role of reconsolidation, cortisol, and context effects as well as neural correlates will be examined. The primary aim of the present proposal is thus to bridge the gap between lab-based and clinical research, in order to test and refine theoretical models of anxiety disorders, and to accelerate and improve their treatment. Given the experimental, clinical, and multimodal approach, the present studies are both unique and innovative, systematically combining two research fields and methodologies that most often proceed in isolation. This scientific fusion brings with it the potential to produce more meaningful and significant results in the context of interpretation biases in anxiety disorders, therefore enabling a step-change in this area of research. Because of the fundamental character of the planned studies and the focus on a cognitive bias that is common across emotional psychopathology, conclusions from the present research will be generalizable to other areas of psychopathology and have the potential to stimulate a broad range of follow-up work.

• DFG Programme: Independent Junior Research Groups
• International Connection: Netherlands
• Cooperation Partner: Dr. Elske Salemink