The following is a brief list of our ongoing studies. Funding for these studies has been provided by the National Institute of Mental Health and Merck pharmaceuticals. In addition to these studies, we conduct comprehensive literature reviews, meta-analyses, analyses of archival data, and analyses of epidemiological databases. For specific information about any of the projects, you may contact the person listed for each study. To reach any of us by phone, please call (617) 353-9610.
D-Cycloserine to Enhance CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder
This NIMH-funded study examines the effects of d-cycloserine (DCS) to enhance the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder. This study is currently closed for recruitment, and we are in the data analysis phase of the project.
Neurobiological Correlates of Social Anxiety Disorder
In collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital (Dr. Mark Pollack) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Dr. John Gabrieli), we are currently in the analysis phase of an fMRI study examining the neurobiological correlates of social anxiety disorder and the associated changes that occur as a result of treatments.
Attention Retraining for Social Anxiety Disorder
The immediate goals of this research study are to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to gain a better understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying attentional biases in social anxiety disorder. This study examines changes in neural activation as the result of a brief attention retraining intervention. For more information, contact Ty Sawyer (asawyer@bu.edu).
Effect of Oxytocin in Social Anxiety Disorder
We are conducting a study examining the effect of intranasal oxytocin on pro-social behavior in various experimental tasks among patients with Social Anxiety Disorder. For more information, please contact Angela Fang (afang@bu.edu).
Retraining Approach and Avoidance in Social Anxiety Disorder
This multi-visit study explored the use of a computerized joystick task that trained individuals with SAD to approach positive feedback stimuli, in order to examine whether this will increase approach of socially relevant stimuli in every day life. For more information, contact Anu Asnaani (aasnaani@bu.edu).
