# Modification of Threat Interpretation Bias to Reduce Anxiety in Neurodegenerative Movement Disorders

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · 2024 · $152,517

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY: The proposed K23 award will prepare Dr. Jessie Gibson, PhD, RN, AGPCNP-BC to
become an independent investigator developing interventions for neuropsychiatric symptom management in
neurodegenerative disease. Dr. Gibson’s clinical and research experiences have provided a foundation in
identification, measurement, and effects of neuropsychiatric symptoms in Huntington’s disease (HD) and
Parkinson’s disease (PD). The proposed research plan will prepare Dr. Gibson to take the next steps toward
investigating treatment for these symptoms in independent clinical trials. Anxiety symptoms are extremely
prevalent in HD and PD, causing significant burden for patients and caregivers. Unfortunately, there is limited
evidence for how to treat these symptoms. Experts recommend use of psychological interventions to treat
anxiety symptoms in HD and PD, but there have been few rigorous studies to support these recommendations.
Cognitive bias modification for interpretation bias (CBM-I) paradigms address negative interpretation biases by
training participants to (re)interpret ambiguous, potentially threatening situations in more benign ways to make
anxious thinking more flexible. Our preliminary work has demonstrated feasibility of web-based CBM-I in this
population and identified the need to adapt CBM-I programs to meet the needs of individuals with movement
disorders. Our current objective is to determine whether a web-based cognitive bias modification for
interpretation bias (CBM-I) intervention can reduce anxiety in PD and HD. Thus, we aim to: 1) gather
stakeholder perspectives and 2) develop a web-based CBM-I intervention tailored to individuals with
neurodegenerative movement disorders (MindTrails-Movement), then 3) evaluate target engagement and
preliminary efficacy of MindTrails-Movement for reducing interpretation bias and anxiety symptoms in HD and
PD. To carry out these aims and prepare Dr. Gibson to become a national leader in developing interventions
for neuropsychiatric symptom management in neurodegenerative disease, she will work with an expert
mentoring team led by Dr. Bethany Teachman, and including co-mentors Drs. Madaline Harrison, Carol
Manning, Jeanne Alhusen, and Guofen Yan. Training experiences will support Dr. Gibson’s career
development goals to: 1) cultivate skills to develop behavioral interventions using human-centered design; 2)
develop expertise in clinical trial design and implementation; 3) establish advanced knowledge of mechanisms
that maintain mood and anxiety disorders; and 4) develop leadership and grantsmanship skills and establish
collaborations to prepare for a successful career as an independent nurse scientist. University of Virginia
provides the ideal environment to achieve these research and career development goals, as home to a world-
class nursing school, Huntington’s Disease Center of Excellence, American Parkinson’s Disease Association
Advanced Center for Research, and the Program for Anxiety, Cognit...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10932105
- **Project number:** 5K23NR020210-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Jessie Sellers Gibson
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $152,517
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-20 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10932105

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10932105, Modification of Threat Interpretation Bias to Reduce Anxiety in Neurodegenerative Movement Disorders (5K23NR020210-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10932105. Licensed CC0.

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