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. 2017 Jan-Dec:1:2470547017703993.
doi: 10.1177/2470547017703993. Epub 2017 Jun 8.

The Neurobiological Mechanisms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Chronic Stress

Michelle A Patriquin  1   2 , Sanjay J Mathew  1   3
Affiliations

The Neurobiological Mechanisms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Chronic Stress

Michelle A Patriquin et al. Chronic Stress (Thousand Oaks). 2017 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Two classification systems are now at the forefront of clinical psychiatric research: (1) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition and (2) the National Institutes of Mental Health Research Domain Criteria. Herein, we propose that these two classification systems are complementary rather than mutually exclusive, and when combined provide important information for understanding aspects of the pathophysiology related to Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The neurobiological literature for GAD and one relevant research domain criteria component, sustained threat, are reviewed from multiple units of analysis (genetic, neuroimaging, neuroendocrine, and psychophysiological). It is hypothesized that generating a comprehensive, biologically based understanding of the relationship between GAD, sustained threat, and the measureable units of analysis will provide information critical to design the most effective treatments.

Keywords: anxiety; biological markers; brain imaging/neuroimaging; genetics; stress.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Dr Mathew has received consulting fees from Acadia, Alkermes, Cerecor, Otsuka, and Valeant, and serves on an Advisory Board for VistaGen Therapeutics. He has received research support from Janssen Research & Development. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the U.S. Government.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
RDoC sustained threat and GAD conceptual model.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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