Substrates Of Anxiety Research Articles

A Higher Order Internalizing Dimension Predicts Response to Partial Hospitalization Treatment

Mental disorders may be best represented by dimensional constructs that span traditional diagnostic boundaries. There is evidence that empirically derived dimensional phenotypes improve nosology and etiological research, but less is known about their clinical utility. We compared dimensional and categorical representations of anxiety and depression as predictors of response to psychological treatment in a large patient sample ( N = 3,760). Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that an internalizing factor—hypothesized to be the substrate of anxiety and depression—explained correlations among interview-based diagnoses at treatment outset. The internalizing factor had consistent, albeit sometimes modest, prospective associations with all treatment outcome measures: global clinical improvement, anxiety and depression symptoms, and need for inpatient hospitalization (standardized effect range = .13–.43). Categorical diagnoses—except major depression—did not reliably predict treatment outcome after adjusting for the higher order internalizing dimension. We conclude that reorienting clinical assessment around transdiagnostic phenotypes might enhance prognosis and other aspects of clinical decision-making.

The Neural Basis of Anxiety Across Menstrual Cycle

The effects of estrogen on anxiety-like behaviors results are controversial. Menstrual cycle phase modulates anxiety-related neural function in women have not been sufficiently investigated. The neural base of anxiety possible incongruent across menstrual cycle was investigated in the current study. We studied the neural correlates of anxiety across menstrual cycle approach from cortical evoked magnetic field (MEF) activity under threaten cue stimulus by sLORETA in 14 healthy women. Evaluations included comparisons of the time-course, early vs. late processing (EP: 1-250ms; LP: 251-500ms after stimulus onset) during the menstrual (MC) and peri-ovulatory (OV) phases (MC vs. OV), using dynamic spatio-temporal analysis. Healthy women exhibited dissimilar anxiety–associated patterns of fear neuronal circuitry across menstrual cycle. Analyses revealed significant interaction of the time-course (EP vs. LP) and menstrual cycle phase (MC vs. OV) in the highest anxiety-associated regions. Inversely relation of the anxiety state and insular activation was revealed in the MC vs. OV phase. Results indicated that women can use different attention/cognitive resources in response to fear event across the menstrual cycle. This study presents the first evidence that menstrual cycle phase can modulates anxiety- related neural activation in women. Inconsistent anxiety subtypes may occur at different menstrual cycle. These features are an important consideration in understanding the effect of the menstrual cycle on the neural substrates of anxiety, and provide a potential contribute in pathophysiological or therapeutic implications for menstrual cycle-sensitive psychiatric conditions.

Clinical Models And Evaluation Measures In The Study Of Experimental Anxiety

Objectives: the following review aims to present accumulated evidence in the literature around the main human models for induction of anxiety and the measures frequently used for its evaluation.
 Method: It was made a bibliographic research having as source of research articles listed by Pubmed and Medline databases and research in specific books which have investigated the main human models for experimental anxiety induction and the measurements frequently used for its evaluation.
 Discussion: Both the psychological and chemical models for anxiety induction present ethical limits and are constituted of fundamental links between basic research and therapeutic tests done with the patients. The psychological and/or physiological measures for evaluating experimentally produced anxiety reflect body changes that express the level of the elicited anxiety.
 Conclusion: The use of clinical models and evaluation measures in the study of experimental anxiety makes possible, under the scientific research, understanding the neurobiological substrate of anxiety in its pathological manifestation, beyond evaluating drugs with anxyolitic potential.

Substrates of anxiety: But if the starting point is wrong?

Substrates of anxiety: But if the starting point is wrong?