Researchers in the Anxiety, Stress, and Prolonged Grief Disorders Program in NYU Langone’s Department of Psychiatry study conditions related to anxiety and grief, seeking to better understand their key characteristics and improve outcomes.

Under the leadership of Naomi M. Simon, MD, the program focuses on optimizing treatment outcomes. This includes developing new treatments and gaining a better understanding of the presentation and biological impact of trauma, loss, and anxiety disorders.

We conduct clinical and translational research on panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and prolonged grief disorder.

Research Faculty

Among the topics we study are phenomenology, comorbidity, and biological correlates, as well as exercise interventions for mental health.

• Matteo Malgaroli, PhD
• Naomi M. Simon, MD
• Kristin L. Szuhany, PhD

Clinical Studies

Clinical studies through the Anxiety, Stress, and Prolonged Grief Disorders Program help us better understand what causes these conditions, with a focus on developing more effective treatments through precision medicine, which matches individual patients to the optimal treatment for their unique condition.

The following study, funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, is currently enrolling participants.

Elucidating Neural Mechanisms and Sex Differences in Response to Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (R01AT011257; PI: Naomi M. Simon)

The purpose of this research study is to understand how mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) compares to a stress education (SE) class in the brain of patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). After medical and psychiatric evaluations, eligible participants are randomly assigned to one of two treatment regimens, MBSR or SE.

To be eligible for this study, which lasts about eight weeks, participants must be right-handed adults between the ages of 18 and 50 who have been diagnosed with GAD. Full participation includes several study visits as well as fMRI neuroimaging scans before and after treatment. Participants will receive compensation for the time they spend completing study assessments.

For more information about this study, please contact Leo Almada-Makebish, research coordinator, at 646-754-7035 or Leo.Almada-Makebish@NYULangone.org.

The following study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, is currently enrolling participants.

Deep Learning Based Natural Language Processing Markers of Anxiety and Depression (K23MH134068; PI: Matteo Malgaroli)

The purpose of this study is to develop a way to use a computer algorithm to identify signs of depression and anxiety. The algorithm will examine anonymized interview transcripts and other data to detect symptoms of depression and anxiety.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be ages 18 to 65 and have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder or major depressive disorder or both. In-person screening is required to confirm eligibility, and participants need to complete an interview and a series of computer tasks. The visit will last about three hours.

For more information about this study, please contact Zoë Mermin, research data associate, at 646-754-4773 or Zoe.Mermin@NYULangone.org.

The following study, funded by the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, is currently enrolling participants.

Examining Novel Biomarkers of Neuroplasticity Associated with Exercise in Adults with Anxiety Disorders (33297; PI: Kristin L. Szuhany)

The purpose of this research study is to understand differences between the biomarkers (levels of certain markers of inflammation and metabolism that can be detected from the blood) found in people with anxiety disorders and the biomarkers found in people without anxiety disorders or other mental health conditions. Participation is voluntary, and you will be compensated for your time. There will be one or two screening visits to see if you are eligible to be in the study, which will last roughly four to eight weeks. Study participation includes the following activities:

• completing a four-week exercise intervention: 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise at home each week
• meeting weekly with the study clinician for four weeks
• wearing a Fitbit activity tracker to track your exercise
• filling out questionnaires about mental health symptoms and exercise habits at the start of the study and at weeks two and four
• providing a blood sample (about six teaspoons) before and after each exercise intervention

These are some of the eligibility requirements for the study:

• be between the ages of 18 and 50
• have either no mental health disorders or at least one of the following: generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, or panic disorder
• currently have low exercise levels

For more information about this study, please contact Dr. Szuhany at Kristin.Szuhany@NYULangone.org.

Contact Us

If you have questions about our research program, you can contact us at 888-44-WORRY (888-449-6779) or at AnxietyStudy@NYULangone.org.