# Feed Forward Visual System Function in High Trait Anxiety

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2021 · $169,207

## Abstract

Project Abstract
High trait anxiety (HTA) is associated with increased risk for mood and anxiety disorders. Individuals with HTA
show elevated fear responses to threatening situations, and react with fear to situations that are not threatening.
Individuals with HTA generalize threat, such that neutral or familiar visual stimuli are processed as though they
are threatening or potentially threatening. The persistence of such processing differences across a broad range
of visual stimuli suggests dysfunction in a basic visual mechanism. Indeed, there is evidence from the anxiety
disorders literature for increased blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal in visual cortex among those with
higher anxiety. Despite evidence for elevated visual activity, the dominant model for the pathophysiology of
anxiety posits aberrant top-down or effortful processing, mediated by prefrontal projections to the amygdala.
However, this model cannot account for findings of elevated visual cortex activity that occur in response to a
range of stimuli and at an early latency. This early latency indicates a preattentive mechanism that precedes
prefrontal involvement. A feed forward model emphasizing the role of implicit processing in visual cortices better
explains the literature than the traditional top-down model. This project employs functional magnetic resonance
imaging (fMRI) methods in a sample of young adults ranging continuously trait anxiety. Aim 1 characterizes
visual system function in HTA across a range of stimuli, while Aim 2 determines the relative contributions of both
the proposed bottom-up model and the traditional, top-down model to trait anxiety, symptom severity, and quality
of life both concurrently and at follow up. This project tests a novel neural target (visual cortex) associated with
a trans-diagnostic risk factor (HTA), to inform new approaches to intervention.
The training aims for this award dovetail with the research aims, and emphasize mentored and didactic training
crucial to the success of this project. The principle investigator (PI) has assembled a team of experts to provide
mentorship and advanced training in 1) the functional neuroanatomy of implicit visual perception in health and
in mood and anxiety disorders, 2) advanced methods training, including dynamic causal modeling and statistical
analysis, and 3) the conduct of clinical anxiety disorders research. The PI has outlined a detailed training plan to
accomplish these aims, to include workshops, formal collaborations with expert consultants, and coursework.
His co-mentors, Dr. Mary Phillips and Dr. Jay Fournier, have established track records in psychiatric
neuroimaging research. Research and training activities will take place at the University of Pittsburgh. The
University of Pittsburgh is committed to the career development of junior faculty and the Department of Psychiatry
and has a longstanding record of excellence in psychiatric neuroimaging and affective neuroscience research....

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10130630
- **Project number:** 5K01MH117290-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Elliot Kale Edmiston
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $169,207
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-15 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10130630

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10130630, Feed Forward Visual System Function in High Trait Anxiety (5K01MH117290-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10130630. Licensed CC0.

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