Project Summary

Turhan Canli, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2001) of Stanford University, is using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to test whether a brain structure called the amygdala is dysfunctional in patients with social phobia.  The hallmark of social phobia is fear of social interactions.  The fMRI method quantifies changes in blood flow to the affected area, which is correlated with alterations in neuronal activity.  The amygdala appears to be important in social phobia, as it is involved in the ability to habituate to fearful stimuli.  This work may therefore lead to a better understanding of abnormal brain physiology that could contribute to this disorder.

Program Area: ANXIETY DISORDERS\Social Phobia

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