Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2026

Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat
Published on: September 12, 2014
[A comparative psychophysiological analysis of anxiety disorders of a permanent and paroxysmal nature]
Abstract:
Observation of patients with panic disorders (PD) and generalized anxious disturbances (GAD) by means of contingent negative variation (CNV) revealed that they significantly differ from healthy individuals. Anxiety, depression and autonomic dysfunction were more pronounced in such patients. Both high amplitude of early CNV component and alteration of its habituation were quite typical for patients with PA in contrast to GAD patients and healthy individuals. There were no differences in CNV indices between the healthy group and the patients with GAD. PA patients differed from GAD ones by smaller manifestation of depression, shorter duration of the disease, shorter time of reaction. The data obtained have demonstrated qualitative psychophysiologic differences between PA and GAD groups of patients. They were mostly pronounced in both amplitude of early CNV and alteration of its habituation. PA patients were characterized by an increase of excitability in brain cortex and by surplus orientation activity. The authors suppose that specific CNV pattern reflects neurodynamics of "paroxysmal brain".
Related Concept Videos
Anxiety: Overview
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Altered States of Awareness
The ingestion of substances like stimulants or hallucinogens leads to chemical alterations in the brain that...
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Panic Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
Behavior Therapy
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...

