Lena Ernst
Dr. Lena Ernst, Dipl.-Psych.
Associated member: November 2009 - April 2010
Dissertation title: The role of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) in panic disorder:
Relations between anticipatory anxiety and processes of decision-making
Abstract: Previous research in decision-making could show that panic patients are more likely than healthy persons to change their behavioural strategy after the occurrence of an error. Such a pattern was interpreted as a permanent search for an optimal decision-making strategy due to a hypersensitivity for errors. The assumed anatomical basis of this process is a dysfunctional interaction between the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) – as a monitoring system for errors – and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) – as the main regulation instance in decision-making. The first aim of the planned experiments is the closer investigation of these regulative decision-making processes in the dlPFC after the occurrence of errors in panic patients. Furthermore, it is intended to explore if this uncertain behaviour after the occurrence of errors is linked to anticipatory anxiety, one of the main clinical symptoms of panic disorder. This state is characterized by a continuous fear of signs for the next panic attack and the PFC as well as the ACC are known to be part of its underlying cerebral substrates. These questions will be clarified by means of functional imaging methods. Brain activity will be measured with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), respectively. Results are expected to enhance the comprehension of the neuronal components underlying the sustaining mechanisms of anticipatory anxiety.
Principal investigator:
Publications:
Hahn, T., Dresler, T., Ehlis, A.-C., Ernst, L.H., Markulin, F., Polak, T., Blaimer, M., Lesch, K.-P., Jakob, P.M., & Fallgatter, A.J. (under review):
Functional amygdala-hippocampus connectivity during anticipation of punishment is associated with Gray’s Anxiety.
Current position:
Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Osianderstr. 24, 72076 Tübingen
