[The research network PANIC-NET: improving the treatment of panic disorder - from a better understanding of fear circuit mechanisms to more effective psychological treatment and routine care].
Panic disorder with agoraphobia (PD/AG) is one of the most costly and disabling anxiety disorders with a large range of secondary mental health problems. According to numerous clinical trials, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) represents the most effective psychotherapeutic intervention for PD/AG. Little is known about the exact mechanisms of CBT and their neurobiological effects on the fear network. Within the PANIC-NET a unique, large multilevel and multicenter research project was implemented. By carrying out a randomized controlled clinical trial, different CBT components (exposure vs. cognitive techniques) were investigated in 360 patients in order to identify the core active ingredients of CBT. Furthermore, experimental add-on therapy with D-Cycloserine was tested. In an integrated approach, fear-circuit mechanisms were investigated employing psychophysiological techniques, functional neuro-imaging using 3T-fMRI and molecular genetic approaches.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Münster. arolt@uni-muenster.de
Volker
V
Arolt
Peter
P
Zwanzger
Peter
P
Zwanziger
Andreas
A
Ströhle
Alfons
A
Hamm
Alexander
A
Gerlach
Tilo
T
Kircher
Jürgen
J
Deckert
D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003523:Cycloserine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D003523:Cycloserine