Project Description

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), a disabling condition characterized by chronic and pervasive worry, affects 1 in 20 people in the UK each year. Half of those affected report severe impairments in daily activities, with individuals experiencing a 2-4 times higher risk of unemployment and social difficulties compared to those without GAD. Explanations for GAD span physiological (e.g., sympathetic-parasympathetic nervous system and stress hormone imbalance), neurological (e.g., altered default mode network connectivity, increased re-activity of bed nucleus of stria terminalis), and psychological (e.g., meta-worry and intolerance of uncertainty), levels.

Ultrasound vagus nerve stimulation (uVNS) offers a promising, non-invasive, treatment for GAD. uVNS uses high-frequency sound waves to stimulate a branch of the vagus nerve, a key component of the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) nervous system. There is initial evidence for efficacy for a headset-mounted device that can be used at home, potentially providing a convenient treatment option. This project will investigate the mechanisms of action of uVNS in people with GAD, seeking to relate physiological, neurological, and psychological perspectives to form a unified model. Methodologies will include electroencephalography (EEG), functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as psychological tasks and questionnaires.

The PhD candidate will work closely with people with lived experience of GAD, to understand experiences of uVNS and to guide interpretation and development of a unified model of uVNS action. This will advance understanding of GAD treatment, and support development of clinical applications.