Worry is a cognitive characteristic of anxiety disorders such as
generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Decoupling of executive control (ECN)
and default mode networks (DMN) has been observed in individuals with GAD
(Xu et al., 2019) and proposed as a mechanism contributing to impaired
cognitive control (Sylvester et al., 2012). Abnormal connectivity between
ECN and DMN may support cognitive dysfunction in trait worry (Berggren &
Derakshan, 2013). Using fMRI data, the present study will evaluate a
top-down mechanism wherein trait worry predicts functional connectivity
between ECN and DMN such that worriers exhibit decreased ECN-DMN
connectivity, which in turn predicts executive dysfunction assessed via
performance in a cognitive control task. Decoupling of ECN and DMN is
hypothesized to predict worse performance (longer reaction times) on the
color-word Stroop task, reflecting dysfunction in this mechanism of
inhibitory control. Characterization of these functional networks and their
role in worry-related dysfunction will bridge gaps in our understanding of
worry and associated disorders to inform targeted interventions that work
upon this neural mechanism to treat anxiety.