Generalized Anxiety Disorder Papers
Light
Visual Abstract
Cognitive impairment in late-life generalized anxiety disorder
Cognitive impairment in late-life GAD
November 25, 2024
author
Mantella RC, Butters MA, Dew MA, Mulsant BH, Begley AE, Tracey B, Shear MK, Reynolds CF 3rd, Lenze EJ
journal
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry
Date Published
2007 Aug
Why link to a visual abstract?
What is a visual abstract?
Visual Original
Study Summary
🔬
What They Studied
They studied cognitive functioning in elderly patients with generalized anxiety disorder compared to those with major depression and healthy individuals.
💡
What They Found
They found that elderly patients with generalized anxiety disorder had impairments in short-term and delayed memory compared to healthy individuals. Those with major depression showed difficulties in delayed memory and naming tasks.
📚
What This Means
These findings suggest that cognitive impairments in memory are present in elderly individuals with generalized anxiety disorder, aligning with what is known about cognitive issues in such disorders.
Study Summary
Study Overview
This study aimed to characterize cognitive function in elderly individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The results suggest that GAD can lead to specific memory impairments, impacting how these individuals process information. Overall, the research highlights the need to understand better how anxiety affects cognitive abilities, especially in older adults who may face numerous health challenges.
Understanding the cognitive impacts of GAD can inform future studies on treatment and support for elderly patients experiencing anxiety.
Understanding the cognitive impacts of GAD can inform future studies on treatment and support for elderly patients experiencing anxiety.
Abstract: background
This study sought to characterize cognitive functioning in elderly patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), as compared with normal comparison subjects and patients with major depression.
Uniqueness of the Study
"To our knowledge, this is the first report characterizing cognitive functioning in late-life generalized anxiety disorder."
Memory Impairments
"Thus, our data support the hypothesis that elderly persons with generalized anxiety disorder have decrements in specific domains of cognitive functioning."
Need for Further Research
"Late-life generalized anxiety disorder is understudied, particularly its long-term health effects which are not well-characterized."
Study Summary
Methods
Researchers evaluated cognitive abilities in older adults diagnosed with GAD using the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale. This involved assessing areas such as naming, executive skills, and memory. They compared the results with those of older adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) and a control group without psychiatric issues.
The study involved 19 participants with GAD, 68 with depression, and 40 with neither condition, ensuring a diverse sample for comparison.
The study involved 19 participants with GAD, 68 with depression, and 40 with neither condition, ensuring a diverse sample for comparison.
Abstract: methods
The cognitive functioning in GAD (N=19) was assessed with the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale and across specific domains of naming, executive ability, and memory, in comparison with late-life major depressive disorder (MDD; N=68) and versus no psychiat...more
Study Summary
Results
The study discovered that those with anxiety struggled with both short-term and delayed memory tasks relative to their healthy counterparts. Those with depression also had difficulties with memory and struggled in naming tasks.
Interestingly, there was no major difference between the anxious and depressed groups in terms of cognitive performance, suggesting overlapping effects on cognitive skills.
Interestingly, there was no major difference between the anxious and depressed groups in terms of cognitive performance, suggesting overlapping effects on cognitive skills.
Abstract: results
In comparison to healthy normal comparison subjects, anxious subjects were impaired on measures of short-term and delayed memory. Depressed subjects also performed worse than normal comparison subjects on delayed memory, as well as in naming. Anxious...more
Study Summary
Conclusions
Anxious seniors displayed noticeable memory issues, while depressed subjects showed additional cognitive difficulties like problems with organizational tasks. These findings point to different mental effects of anxiety and depression.
Future research might build on these differences, helping to craft treatments that address such cognitive issues, and could shed light on the brain mechanisms and progressions of these conditions.
Future research might build on these differences, helping to craft treatments that address such cognitive issues, and could shed light on the brain mechanisms and progressions of these conditions.
Abstract: conclusions
In this preliminary study, anxious subjects displayed cognitive impairments in short-term memory; while depressed patients compared to normal comparison subjects showed executive dysfunction and more general cognitive impairments not evident in anxio...more
Background Information
Patient Guide
🧠
GAD and Cognitive Challenges
Anxiety in GAD often leads to issues like difficulty concentrating, impacting cognitive tasks.
🔗
GAD Comorbidity with Depression
GAD frequently coexists with disorders like depression, complicating cognitive assessments.
💭
Role of CBT in GAD
CBT helps manage GAD by changing thought patterns, indirectly supporting cognitive function.
🔄
MDD Related Cognitive Distortions
Depression leads to poor concentration and decision-making, similar to cognitive issues in GAD.
🧬
Neurological Underpinnings
Imbalances in neurotransmitters affect both GAD and MDD, associating with cognitive impairment.
Professional Guide
Expert Opinion: Cognitive impairment in late-life GAD
The findings highlight impairments in cognitive function among elderly patients with generalized anxiety disorder.
Current professional guidelines note the frequent comorbidity of GAD with major depressive disorder, reinforcing the study's comparative analyses.
Furthermore, SSRIs and SNRIs stand as the preferred initial pharmacotherapy for GAD, complementing cognitive impairments management.
Evidence of neurotransmitter disruptions, such as elevated norepinephrine metabolites, underscores the biochemical complexity of GAD.
Current professional guidelines note the frequent comorbidity of GAD with major depressive disorder, reinforcing the study's comparative analyses.
Furthermore, SSRIs and SNRIs stand as the preferred initial pharmacotherapy for GAD, complementing cognitive impairments management.
Evidence of neurotransmitter disruptions, such as elevated norepinephrine metabolites, underscores the biochemical complexity of GAD.
Evidence Summary
The Role of Emotional Regulation in Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders often go hand in hand with difficulties in managing emotions. These emotional struggles can intensify symptoms, adding to the overall distress felt by those with anxiety.
Problems with emotional regulation are not just side effects but deeply intertwined with the experience of anxiety. Addressing these challenges has the potential to bring relief and improve quality of life for those affected.
Problems with emotional regulation are not just side effects but deeply intertwined with the experience of anxiety. Addressing these challenges has the potential to bring relief and improve quality of life for those affected.
Evidence Summary
How GAD Impacts Daily Life and Happiness
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) can deeply affect daily life, limiting a person’s ability to find joy in their usual activities. Those with GAD often experience difficulty in managing responsibilities and engaging in enjoyable pursuits.
The strain of GAD extends into personal and social realms, making even regular tasks challenging and diminishing overall happiness. Addressing these impacts is key to helping individuals with GAD improve their daily experiences.
The strain of GAD extends into personal and social realms, making even regular tasks challenging and diminishing overall happiness. Addressing these impacts is key to helping individuals with GAD improve their daily experiences.
Evidence Summary
Repetitive Negative Thinking in Anxiety and Depression
People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) often experience repetitive negative thinking, known as perseverative thought. This type of thinking is marked by a cycle of dwelling on distressing thoughts or events, which can heighten anxiety and deepen depressive feelings.
Research reveals that those diagnosed with GAD or MDD tend to engage in these thought patterns more frequently, suggesting a link between perseverative thought and these mental health conditions.
Research reveals that those diagnosed with GAD or MDD tend to engage in these thought patterns more frequently, suggesting a link between perseverative thought and these mental health conditions.
