Prefrontal cortical organization of executive function in depression and comorbid anxiety

Warren, Stacie

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/34570 Copy

Description

Title

Prefrontal cortical organization of executive function in depression and comorbid anxiety

Author(s)

Warren, Stacie

Issue Date

2012-09-18T21:26:03Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Miller, Gregory A.

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Heller, Wendy

Committee Member(s)

• Miller, Gregory A.
• Berenbaum, Howard
• Kramer, Arthur F.
• Fabiani, Monica

Department of Study

Psychology

Discipline

Psychology

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• executive function
• depression
• anxiety
• factor analysis
• structural equation modeling (SEM)
• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Abstract

Anxiety and depression are prevalent forms of psychopathology and are associated with significant impairment in multiple areas of life, including occupational, educational, and social functioning. In addition to their affective symptoms, anxiety and depression are associated with significant cognitive disruptions, yet our understanding of these impairments and their mechanisms is very limited. In particular, such cognitive deficits could be accounted for by fundamental deficits in specific aspects of executive function (EF), processes that are imperative for adaptive emotion regulation. Determining specific EF impairments in anxiety and depression has the potential to provide a mechanistic account of the development and maintenance of these highly comorbid disorders. Thus, understanding EF in an integrated manner across psychological and neurobiological levels is extremely relevant to mental health. The present dissertation aims to advance these literatures by identifying a behavioral model of EF impairment in anxiety and depression, and its associated neural correlates. Brain regions associated with implementing inhibition, a specific EF component of this model, are identified. The moderating effects of anxiety and depression on brain activity associated with inhibition-related functions are examined.

Graduation Semester

2012-08

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/34570

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2012 Stacie Warren

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