Acute Neurofunctional Effects of Escitalopram in Pediatric Anxiety: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Amygdala-ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) circuitry is disrupted in pediatric anxiety disorders, yet how selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) affect this circuitry is unknown. We examined the impact of the SSRI escitalopram on functional connectivity (FC) within this circuit, and whether early FC changes predicted treatment response in adolescents with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Method

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance (MR) images were acquired before and after 2 weeks of treatment in 41 adolescents with GAD (12-17 years of age) who received double-blind escitalopram or placebo for 8 weeks. Change in amygdala-based whole-brain FC and anxiety severity were analyzed.

Results

Controlling for age, sex, and pretreatment anxiet

SUBMITTER: Lu L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8333264 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature