Abstract
Specific phobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by irrational fear and avoidance of specific things or situations, interfering significantly with the patients’ daily life. Treatment for the disorder consists of both pharmacological and psychological approaches, mainly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Neuroimaging techniques have been used in an attempt to improve our understanding of the neurobiology of SP and of the effects of treatment options available. This review describes the design and results of eight articles investigating the neuroimaging correlates of pharmacological and psychological treatments for SP. The studies show that CBT is effective in SP, leading to a reduction of anxiety symptoms that is accompanied by functional alterations in the brain. The results of pharmacological interventions for SP are less uniform, but suggest that the partial agonist of the NMDA (N-methyl D-aspartate) receptor DCS (D-cycloserine) can be used in combination with psychotherapy techniques for the achievement of quicker treatment response and that DCS modulates the function of structures implicated in the neurobiology of SP. Further research should explore the augmentation of CBT treatment with DCS in controlled trials.
Keywords: Anxiety disorder, neuroimaging, pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, specific phobia, treatment.
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets
Title:Neuroimaging Correlates of Pharmacological and Psychological Treatments for Specific Phobia
Volume: 13 Issue: 6
Author(s): Ila M. Linares, Marcos H.N. Chags, Joao P. Machado-de-Sousa, Jose A.S. Crippa and Jaime E.C. Hallak
Affiliation:
Keywords: Anxiety disorder, neuroimaging, pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, specific phobia, treatment.
Abstract: Specific phobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by irrational fear and avoidance of specific things or situations, interfering significantly with the patients’ daily life. Treatment for the disorder consists of both pharmacological and psychological approaches, mainly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Neuroimaging techniques have been used in an attempt to improve our understanding of the neurobiology of SP and of the effects of treatment options available. This review describes the design and results of eight articles investigating the neuroimaging correlates of pharmacological and psychological treatments for SP. The studies show that CBT is effective in SP, leading to a reduction of anxiety symptoms that is accompanied by functional alterations in the brain. The results of pharmacological interventions for SP are less uniform, but suggest that the partial agonist of the NMDA (N-methyl D-aspartate) receptor DCS (D-cycloserine) can be used in combination with psychotherapy techniques for the achievement of quicker treatment response and that DCS modulates the function of structures implicated in the neurobiology of SP. Further research should explore the augmentation of CBT treatment with DCS in controlled trials.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Linares M. Ila, Chags H.N. Marcos, Machado-de-Sousa P. Joao, Crippa A.S. Jose and Hallak E.C. Jaime, Neuroimaging Correlates of Pharmacological and Psychological Treatments for Specific Phobia, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2014; 13 (6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871527313666140612130223
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871527313666140612130223 |
Print ISSN 1871-5273 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1996-3181 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system infectious diseases
Infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) can be divided into bacterial, tuberculous, viral, fungal, parasitic infections, etc. Early etiological treatment is often the most crucial means to reduce the mortality rate of patients with central nervous system infections, reduce complications and sequelae, and improve prognosis. The initial clinical ...read more
Techniques of Drug Repurposing: Delivering a new life to Herbs & Drugs
Of late, with the adaptation of innovative approaches and integration of advancements made towards medical sciences as well as the availability of a wide range of tools; several therapeutic challenges are being translated into viable clinical solutions, with a high degree of efficacy, safety, and selectivity. With a better understanding ...read more
Trends and perspectives in the rational management of CNS disorders
Central nervous system (CNS) diseases enforce a significant global health burden, driving ongoing efforts to improve our understanding and effectiveness of therapy. This issue investigates current advances in the discipline, focusing on the understanding as well as therapeutic handling of various CNS diseases. The issue covers a variety of diseases, ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Prevention of Macrovascular Disease in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: Blockade of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System
Current Diabetes Reviews An Efficient and Environmentally Benign Access Towards Synthesis of Novel 1,2,3-Triazolyl-pyrazoline Hybrids
Letters in Organic Chemistry Pregnancy and Sleep Apnea
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Multi-Target Directed Drugs as a Modern Approach for Drug Design Towards Alzheimer’s Disease: An Update
Current Medicinal Chemistry G Protein-Coupled Receptor Transmembrane Binding Pockets and their Applications in GPCR Research and Drug Discovery: A Survey
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Quantification of Glycyrrhetic Acid in Human Plasma by LC–MS/MS: Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study
Current Pharmaceutical Analysis CACNB2: An Emerging Pharmacological Target for Hypertension, Heart Failure, Arrhythmia and Mental Disorders
Current Molecular Pharmacology Editorial [Hot Topic: Neurotransmitter Transporters Guest Editor: Dr. Anders A. Jensen ]
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Photoactivatable Platinum Complexes
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Inflammatory and Cell Death Pathways in Brain and Peripheral Blood in Parkinson’s Disease
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Peptide Metabolism and the Control of Body Fluid Homeostasis
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents CGRP-Receptor Antagonism in Migraine Treatment
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2 - Related Factor 2 Signaling in Parkinson Disease: A Promising Multi Therapeutic Target Against Oxidative Stress, Neuroinflammation and Cell Death
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Synthesis and Anthelmintic Evaluation of Novel Valerolactam- Benzimidazole Hybrids
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Development and Applications of Non-HIV-Based Lentiviral Vectors in Neurological Disorders
Current Gene Therapy Potential of Natural Products of Herbal Origin as Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
Current Pharmaceutical Design Molecular Regulation and Pharmacology of Pacemaker Channels
Current Pharmaceutical Design Design and Development of Nanovehicle-Based Delivery Systems for Preventive or Therapeutic Supplementation with Flavonoids
Current Medicinal Chemistry Novel Strategies for the Treatment of Asthma
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery Thalidomide and Analogs as Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulator Drug Candidates
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry