Trends in Anesthesiology

NIH-funded researchers discovered that unmedicated children with anxiety disorders exhibited overactivation in various brain regions, including the frontal and parietal lobes, and the amygdala. A study revealed that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) led to both clinical symptom improvements and changes in brain functioning in these children. CBT involves altering dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors through gradual exposure to anxiety-provoking stimuli and is the gold standard for treating anxiety disorders in children. The study involved 69 children undergoing 12 weeks of CBT, resulting in reduced anxiety symptoms and improved functioning. While brain regions related to cognitive control normalized after treatment, some limbic areas, particularly the right amygdala, continued to show heightened activity. The persistence of enhanced activation suggests that certain brain regions may be less responsive to the acute effects of CBT, possibly requiring longer or different forms of treatment. The findings contribute to the understanding of the brain circuitry associated with anxiety treatment and could inform more effective interventions for children with anxiety disorders.

Source: asamonitor.pub/42rbstb