Using CO2 reactivity to identify patients who may not respond to anxiety therapy

1/2: CO2 Reactivity as a Biomarker of Non-response to Exposure-based Therapy

NIH-funded research University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11058492

This study is looking at how your body's reaction to carbon dioxide can help predict if exposure therapy will work for you if you have anxiety, so we can better match you with the right treatment and make your journey to feeling better easier.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Texas at Austin NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Austin, United States)
Project IDNIH-11058492 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how CO2 reactivity can serve as a biomarker to predict whether patients will respond to exposure-based therapy for anxiety and related disorders. By assessing CO2 reactivity in 600 adults with anxiety disorders before they undergo therapy, the study aims to identify those who are likely to struggle with treatment. The approach involves a safe and simple CO2 challenge test, which measures the body's response and may indicate underlying mechanisms affecting treatment outcomes. The ultimate goal is to improve treatment selection and reduce unnecessary suffering for patients who may not benefit from standard therapy.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, or trauma-related disorders.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have anxiety-related disorders or are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized treatment options for patients with anxiety disorders, ensuring they receive the most effective therapies.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using biomarkers to predict treatment responses, making this approach a potentially valuable advancement in anxiety treatment.

Where this research is happening

Austin, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Anxiety Disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.