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

Under the leadership of Naomi M. Simon, MD, we focus our research on the optimization of treatment outcomes. This includes the development of new treatments, as well as better understanding 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.

Clinical Studies for Anxiety Disorders

The following anxiety disorder studies are currently enrolling patients.

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Stress Education Mechanisms in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

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 are completed, eligible participants are randomly assigned (that is, by chance) to one of two treatment regimens which will last approximately eight weeks: MBSR or SE. Full participation includes several study visits as well as fMRI neuroimaging scans before and after treatment. Eligible participants will receive compensation for the time they spend completing study assessments.

Key Eligibility Criteria: Right-handed adults ages 18-50 who have generalized anxiety disorder.

For more information about this study, please contact Nikki Kaiser, research coordinator, at 212-404-3478 or Nechama.kaiser@nyulangone.org.

Optimizing Exercise for the Treatment of Anxiety

The purpose of this research study is to learn about the effects of different exercise regimens on anxiety and exercise engagement and adherence. If you are eligible for this study, you will complete a two-month exercise intervention and two follow-up assessments (total duration five to six months). The exercise intervention will either include low-intensity exercise only or a titration program in which you will start at low-intensity exercise and work your way up to high-intensity exercise. We also provide treatment referrals.

Key eligibility criteria: Adults ages 18 to 65 who have generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and/or panic disorder who are currently sedentary.

Your information will remain private, and you will receive compensation for your time.

For more information about this study, please contact Margot Steinberg, research coordinator, at 646-754-4773 or margot.steinberg@nyulangone.org.

Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial to Determine the Biological Signature of Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder

The purpose of this research study is to determine whether cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive part of cannabis, is an effective treatment for social anxiety disorder (SAD), and to better understand how CBD might improve SAD symptoms. After medical and psychiatric evaluations are completed, eligible participants are randomly assigned (that is, by chance) to one of two treatment regimens which will last approximately three weeks: CBD or placebo. The study will last about one to two months and full participation includes six study visits, fMRI neuroimaging scans, a public speaking exercise, and blood tests. Eligible participants will receive compensation for the time they spend completing study assessments.

Key eligibility criteria: Right-handed adults ages 18-45 who have social anxiety disorder.

For more information about this study, please contact Haley Ward, research coordinator, at 646-754-4507 or haley.ward@nyulangone.org.

Experimental Studies for Anxiety Disorders

The Role of Exercise in the Consolidation of Fear Extinction Learning in Adults with High Anxiety Sensitivity

The purpose of this study is to investigate differences in extinction learning measured by skin conductance and heart rate following exercise or sitting in adults with high anxiety sensitivity and anxiety disorders. If you are eligible for this study after one in-person screening, you will complete a three-day emotional learning experiment. You will be randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) to either exercise at moderate intensity or sit for 20 minutes after the emotional learning experiment on day two. This is a research study, not a treatment study.

Key eligibility criteria: Adults ages 18 to 60 who have generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and/or panic disorder.

Your information will remain private and you will receive compensation for your time.

For more information about this study, please contact Margot Steinberg, research coordinator, at 646-754-4773 or margot.steinberg@nyulangone.org.

Clinical Studies for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

The following post-traumatic stress disorder study is currently enrolling patients.

Estradiol as a Cognitive Enhancer for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Women

Our researchers are examining whether estradiol (a form of estrogen) plus prolonged exposure (PE) therapy can improve outcomes for women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who are currently using an oral contraceptive.

Key eligibility criteria: Women ages 18 to 45 who are currently taking an oral contraceptive or using a vaginal birth control ring (e.g., NuvaRing) or the transdermal patch, and have at least one month of symptoms of PTSD following exposure to a traumatic event, such as physical or sexual abuse, combat, a natural disaster, or a car accident.

Participants receive compensation for their time.

For more information about this study, please email behavioralneuroscience@nyulangone.org or call 646-754-7327.

Clinical Studies for Prolonged Grief

Our study on prolonged grief uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to enhance evaluation of potential suicide risk factors following loss.

Computational Markers of Suicidal Ideation from Loss Narrative Recordings: A Proof of Concept Study

The loss of a spouse is among life’s most painful experiences, associated with significant distress, grief, and elevated risk for suicide. To improve assessment of potential suicide risk factors following loss, machine learning and artificial intelligence methods are used to examine indicators of stress in speech and language from interviews with bereaved individuals. Using these stress indicators, a model will be developed and tested to predict future suicidal ideation and long-term adjustment following the loss of a spouse.

Research Funding

Our studies are funded by government agencies and not-for-profit research institutes.

Patient-Centered Outcome Research Institute

Comparative Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Pharmacotherapy for Anxiety.

National Institutes of Health

Optimizing Exercise for the Treatment of Anxiety (principal investigator: Kristin L. Szuhany, PhD)

Estradiol as a Cognitive Enhancer for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Women (principal investigator: Mohammed R. Milad, MD)

Capnography-Assisted Learned, Monitored (CALM) Breathing Therapy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (principal investigators: Anna Maria R. Norweg, PhD, and Naomi M. Simon, MD)

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Stress Education Mechanisms in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (principal investigators: Naomi M. Simon, MD, and Mohammed R. Milad, MD)

Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial to Determine the Biological Signature of Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder (principal investigators: Naomi M. Simon, MD, and Esther Blessing, MD, PhD)

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Computational Markers of Suicidal Ideation from Loss Narrative Recordings: A Proof of Concept Study (principal investigator: Matteo Malgaroli, PhD)

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

The Role of Exercise in the Consolidation of Fear Extinction Learning in Adults with High Anxiety Sensitivity (principal investigator: Kristin L. Szuhany, PhD)

Research Training

Postdoctoral fellows and resident psychiatrists have opportunities to conduct research with our faculty in anxiety and complex grief.

Program Researchers

Our program researchers are experts in the field of anxiety, stress, and grief. We conduct research on the phenomenology, comorbidity, biological correlates, and treatment of anxiety disorders, grief, and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as exercise interventions for mental health.

Naomi M. Simon, MD

Kristin L. Szuhany, PhD

Matteo Malgaroli, PhD

Samrachana Adhikari, PhD

Benjamin Feldman, PsyD

Rachel Eakley, MA MSN, PMHNP
rachel.eakley@nyulangone.org

Michele Santacatterina, PhD

Research Staff

Emma Jennings
Program Coordinator
emma.jennings@nyulangone.org
646-754-7035

Margot Steinberg
Research Data Associate
margot.steinberg@nyulangone.org
646-754-4773

Nikki Kaiser
Research Data Associate
nechama.kaiser@nyulangone.org
212-404-3478

Haley Ward
Research Data Associate
haley.ward@nyulangone.org
646-754-4507

Yan Zhang
Assistant Research Scientist
yan.zhang2@nyulangone.org

Research Volunteers

Shannon Gerdts
shannon.gerdts@nyulangone.org

Lynn Korsun
lynn.korsun@nyulangone.org

Pia Morton
pia.morton@nyulangone.org

Contact Us

If you have questions about our research program, you can reach us at 888-449-6779 (888-44-WORRY) or at anxietystudy@nyulangone.org. For more information about research opportunities such as postdoctoral fellowships, research coordinator, or volunteering with our group, please email Emma Jennings, program coordinator, at emma.jennings@nyulangone.org.

We begin recruiting for research coordinator positions in January each year to begin the following June.

Recent Publications

Our faculty regularly publish on anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and complicated grief in peer-reviewed journals. Here is a selection of our recent publications.