FC16-01 - Efficacy of cognitive therapy in the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity in patients with generalized anxiety disorder

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1904-1904 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.E. Tafet ◽  
D.J. Feder

Hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, with the consequent hypercortisolism, is one of the most consistent findings in chronic stress and depression. The stress response will depend on characteristics of stressors, their subjective appraisal and the resulting coping strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of cognitive therapy (CT) in the treatment of a chronic stress condition, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), as it would be reflected through both psychological and biological parameters. For this purpose, a group of outpatients with GAD were treated with CT for up to a maximum of 24 sessions. In order to assess psychological and biological changes, anxiety-related symptoms were evaluated according to the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and the HPA function was determined through assessment of circulating cortisol levels.Upon completion of the treatment, a significant decrease in HAM-A scores, along with significant changes in plasma cortisol levels, were observed in treated subjects. These observations contribute to demonstrate that CT may be effective to treat a chronic stress disorder, such as GAD, as it was observed at both psychological and biological levels, and moreover, this could represent an effective approach to treat hypercortisolism due to hyperactivity of the HPA axis. Therapeutic and preventive strategies will also be discussed.

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 461-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sallie J Hadley ◽  
Francine S Mandel ◽  
Edward Schweizer

To evaluate the efficacy of pregabalin in facilitating taper off chronic benzodiazepines, outpatients ( N = 106) with a lifetime diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (current diagnosis could be subthreshold) who had been treated with a benzodiazepine for 8–52 weeks were stabilized for 2–4 weeks on alprazolam in the range of 1–4 mg/day. Patients were then randomized to 12 weeks of double-blind treatment with either pregabalin 300–600 mg/day or placebo while undergoing a gradual benzodiazepine taper at a rate of 25% per week, followed by a 6-week benzodiazepine-free phase during which they continued double-blind study treatment. Outcome measures included ability to remain benzodiazepine-free (primary) as well as changes in Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM)-A and Physician Withdrawal Checklist (PWC). At endpoint, a non-significant higher proportion of patients remained benzodiazepine-free receiving pregabalin compared with placebo (51.4% vs 37.0%). Treatment with pregabalin was associated with significantly greater endpoint reduction in the HAM-A total score versus placebo (−2.5 vs +1.3; p < 0.001), and lower endpoint mean PWC scores (6.5 vs 10.3; p = 0.012). Thirty patients (53%) in the pregabalin group and 19 patients (37%) in the placebo group completed the study, reducing the power to detect a significant difference on the primary outcome. The results on the anxiety and withdrawal severity measures suggest that switching to pregabalin may be a safe and effective method for discontinuing long-term benzodiazepine therapy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongxia Shen ◽  
Lijun Cui ◽  
Lie Ren ◽  
Mincai Qian ◽  
Yonggui Yuan ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: S100B is a neurotrophic factor regulates neuronal growth and plasticity via activating astrocytes and microglia through production of neuro-inflammatory molecules like interleukin (IL)-1β involved in many mental disorders, few studies have combined S100B and cytokines to explore their roles as neuro-inflammatory biomarkers in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Methods: Serum S100B and cytokines (IL-1β , IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10) of 108 untreated GAD cases and 123 healthy controls were determined by enzyme linked-immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) and then compared, while Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) scores were measured to evaluate anxiety severity. Results: The serum S100B and IL-1β, IL-2 levels of GAD cases were lower than HC significantly (P<0.001), the IL-4 level of GAD were higher than HC (P<0.001), while IL-10 had no significant difference between two groups (P=0.215). The ROC area of S100B, IL-1β, IL-2 and IL-4 in diagnosis of GAD was (0.740 ± 0.032) , (0.900 ± 0.021) , (0.920 ± 0.018) and (0.696 ± 0.037) , all of them suggested a good predicting value (P < 0.001) , while the ROC area of IL-10 was (0.544 ± 0.038) (P = 0.251). The sensitivity of S-100B, IL-1β, IL-2 in diagnosis of GAD was 73.1%, 80.6%, 85.2%, while the specificity was 61.0%, 86.2%, 80.5%. The combination ROC area of S100B, IL-1β , IL-2 and IL-4 was (0.985 ± 0.006)(P < 0.001). Serum S100B was positively correlated with IL-2 and IL-4 (P <0.05)., while was negatively with HAMA scores (P <0.001). Conclusion: The serum S-100B, IL-1β, IL-2 levels of GAD were down-regulated while IL-4 was up-regulated, both IL-2 and IL-4 had a good diagnosis value in GAD separately while the combination of S100B and cytokines had a better diagnosis value which means the neuro-inflammation in GAD is a network regulated by many factors.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongxia Shen ◽  
Lijun Cui ◽  
Lie Ren ◽  
Yonggui Yuan ◽  
Xinhua Shen

Abstract Introduction: S100B is a neurotrophic factor regulates neuronal growth and plasticity via activating astrocytes and microglia through production of neuro-inflammatory molecules like interleukin (IL)-1β involved in many mental disorders, few studies have combined S100B and cytokines to explore their roles as neuro-inflammatory biomarkers in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Methods: Serum S100B and cytokines (IL-1β , IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10) of 108 untreated GAD cases and 123 healthy controls were determined by enzyme linked-immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) and then compared, while Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) scores were measured to evaluate anxiety severity. Results: The serum S100B and IL-1β, IL-2 levels of GAD cases were lower than HC significantly (P<0.001), the IL-4 level of GAD were higher than HC (P<0.001), while IL-10 had no significant difference between two groups (P=0.215). The ROC area of S100B, IL-1β, IL-2 and IL-4 in diagnosis of GAD was (0.740 ± 0.032) , (0.900 ± 0.021) , (0.920 ± 0.018) and (0.696 ± 0.037) , all of them suggested a good predicting value (P < 0.001) , while the ROC area of IL-10 was (0.544 ± 0.038) (P = 0.251). The sensitivity of S-100B, IL-1β, IL-2 in diagnosis of GAD was 73.1%, 80.6%, 85.2%, while the specificity was 61.0%, 86.2%, 80.5%. The combination ROC area of S100B, IL-1β , IL-2 and IL-4 was (0.985 ± 0.006)(P < 0.001). Serum S100B was positively correlated with IL-2 and IL-4 (P <0.05)., while was negatively with HAMA scores (P <0.001). Conclusion: The serum S-100B, IL-1β, IL-2 levels of GAD were down-regulated while IL-4 was up-regulated, both IL-2 and IL-4 had a good diagnosis value in GAD separately while the combination of S100B and cytokines had a better diagnosis value which means the neuro-inflammation in GAD is a network regulated by many factors.


2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 951-957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan W. Reeves ◽  
Aaron J. Fisher ◽  
Michelle G. Newman ◽  
Douglas A. Granger

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 716-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Evans ◽  
Stephen Ferrando ◽  
Marianne Findler ◽  
Charles Stowell ◽  
Colette Smart ◽  
...  

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