Elucidation of neurobiology of anxiety disorders in children through pharmacological challenge tests and cortisol measurements: a systematic review
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are common both in adults and children. While there have been major advances in understanding the neurobiology of anxiety disorders in adults, progress has been more limited in the elucidation of the mechanisms underlying these disorders in childhood. There is a need to delineate childhood biological models, since anxiety represents a significant clinical problem in children and is a risk factor for the subsequent development of anxiety and depression in adulthood. We conducted a review of the literature regarding pharmacological challenge tests and direct hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis measurement in children with anxiety disorders, with emphasis on panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. Studies identified were contrasted with those in adult panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. Despite this broad approach few studies emerged in children, with only 22 studies meeting inclusion criteria. When contrasted with adult neurobiological models of panic disorder and social anxiety disorder, children studied showed some abnormalities which mirrored those reported in adults, such as altered baseline respiration, altered responses to CO(2) challenge tests and blunted growth hormone response to yohimbine. ...Continue Reading
References
Citations
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Anxiety Disorders
Discover the latest research on anxiety disorders including agoraphobia, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder here.