Structural evidence for involvement of a left amygdala-orbitofrontal network in subclinical anxiety.
Psychiatry Res
; 194(3): 296-303, 2011 Dec 30.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21803551
ABSTRACT
Functional neuroimaging implicates hyperactivity of amygdala-orbitofrontal circuitry as a common neurobiological mechanism underlying the development of anxiety. Less is known about anxiety-related structural differences in this network. In this study, a sample of healthy adults with no history of anxiety disorders completed a 3T MRI scan and self-report mood inventories. Post-processing quantitative MRI image analysis included segmentation and volume estimation of subcortical structures, which were regressed on anxiety inventory scores, with depression scores used to establish discriminant validity. We then used a quantitative vertex-based post-processing method to correlate (1) anxiety scores and (2) left amygdala volumes with cortical thickness across the whole cortical mantle. Left amygdala volumes predicted anxiety, with decreased amygdala volume associated with higher anxiety on both state and trait anxiety measures. A negative correlation between left amygdala volume and cortical thickness overlapped with a positive correlation between anxiety and cortical thickness in left lateral orbitofrontal cortex. These results suggest a structural anxiety network that corresponds with a large body of evidence from functional neuroimaging. Such findings raise the possibility that structural abnormalities may result in a greater vulnerability to anxiety or conversely that elevated anxiety symptoms may result in focal structural changes.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Ansiedade
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Mapeamento Encefálico
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Córtex Pré-Frontal
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Tonsila do Cerebelo
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Lateralidade Funcional
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Psychiatry Res
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos