Dynamics of fear-generalization processes and their predictive value for the development of anxiety-related psychopathology in adolescents and adults: role of age, life events, and (epi)genetic factors

• Applicants: Professorin Dr. Angelika Erhardt-Lehmann; Professor Dr. Andre Pittig; Professor Dr. Marcel Romanos, since 10/2024
• Subject Area: Biological Psychiatry
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 499262975

Anxiety disorders (AD) are common in the general population with a life-time prevalence up to 25% leading to tremendous individual disability and high socioeconomic costs. Most affected individuals develop pathological anxiety until their middle age, with disorder specific peaks in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. Thus, the investigation of the developmental trajectory of anxiety-related psychopathology is crucial to identify internal and external risk and resilience factors, which would allow to build prediction models and to provide preventive interventions. Bio-psycho-social models highlight the interaction of genetic vulnerability, environmental factors, and fear learning processes for the development of pathological anxiety. Yet, comprehensive evidence combining these factors in a longitudinal manner is scarce.The present project aims to investigate fear learning processes as mechanistic markers for the age-dependent developmental trajectory of pathological anxiety while accounting for additional information from (epi)genetics and life events. We will longitudinally assess previously recruited and characterized cohorts of initially healthy volunteers in Würzburg (DFG SFB-TRR 58: Project Z02, FP2-FP3). In particular, fear generalization processes will be examined for their modification over time and the associated predictive risk to develop pathological anxiety. The anxiety prediction modelling for the age spectrum of 16-40 years will further be complemented by detailed psychometric measures and (epi)genetic data. Polygenic risk scores available from anxiety Mega studies (PGC initiative) will be applied to existing genetic data of the samples to reveal their influence on dynamics of fear generalization and pathological anxiety in youth and adults.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigators: Professor Dr. Jürgen Deckert; Privatdozentin Dr. Heike Weber
• Ehemalige Antragstellerin: Dr. Julia Reinhard, until 10/2024