Reduced Threat-Related Neural Efficiency: A Possible Biomarker for Pediatric Anxiety Disorders.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Pediatric anxiety disorders are common and predict adult psychopathology, yet current treatments, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), produce lasting remission in less than 50% of affected youths. To support the search for improved, mechanistically grounded interventions, this study evaluated neural efficiency, defined as similarity in functional connectivity between a threat task and rest, as a potential biomarker. The study evaluated neural efficiency in relation to anxiety diagnosis and treatment response.

Methods

The authors compared 103 youths with an anxiety disorder diagnosis (mean age, 12.5 years [SD=2.91], 62% female) to 103 youths with no psychiatric diagnosis (mean age, 13.4 years [SD=2.58], 53% female). Participants completed functional MRI whil

SUBMITTER: Linke JO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12614269 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature