Context and explicit threat cue modulation of the startle reflex: preliminary evidence of distinctions between adolescents with principal fear disorders versus distress disorders

Abstract

Anxiety and depression are prevalent, impairing disorders. High comorbidity has raised questions about how to define and classify them. Structural models emphasise distinctions between "fear" and "distress" disorders while other initiatives propose they be defined by neurobiological indicators that cut across disorders. This study examined startle reflex (SR) modulation in adolescents with principal fear disorders (specific phobia; social phobia) (n=20), distress disorders (unipolar depressive disorders, dysthymia, generalised anxiety disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder) (n=9), and controls (n=29) during (a) baseline conditions, (b) threat context conditions (presence of contraction pads over the biceps muscle), and (c) an explicit threat cue paradigm involving phases that signalled safety from aversive stimuli (early and late stages of safe phases; early stages of danger phases) and phases that signalled immediate danger of an aversive stimulus (late stages of danger phases). Adolescents with principal fear disorders showed larger SRs than other groups throughout safe phases and early stages of danger phases. SRs did not differ between groups during late danger phases. Adolescents with principal distress disorders showed attenuated SRs during baseline and context conditions compared to other groups. Preliminary findings support initiatives to redefine emotional disorders based on neurobiological functioning.

Keywords: Adolescents; Distress disorders; Fear disorders; Startle reflexes.

Fig. 1

Startle reflex magnitude during baseline and context phases prior to (left panel) during (middle panel) and after (right panel) the explicit threat cue paradigm as a function of diagnostic category (^ = significant Group main effect (collapsed across Block and Condition); * = significant Group main effect at Early Probe Times (collapsed across Safe and Threat Phases); # = significant interaction at Late Probe Times due to significant Group differences during Late Probe Times within Safe Phases).