title: The ages of anxiety--differences across the lifespan in the default mode network functional connectivity in generalized anxiety disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one of the most prevalent anxiety disorders, but its neural basis is relatively understudied. This study aims to characterize the functional connectivity in the default mode network (DMN) in GAD across the lifespan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging data were collected with subjects at rest. We analyzed the resting state functional connectivity patterns in the DMN for 27 GAD participants and 39 non-anxious comparison participants. Using a two-way analysis of variance, we explored the interaction between age and GAD status on functional connectivity. In GAD participants, we analyzed the correlation of functional connectivity indices with the duration of illness and worry severity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The age-by-anxiety interaction showed a greater anxiety effect on the functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate seed and the medial prefrontal cortex for the older group relative to the younger participants. Longer duration of illness was positively correlated with greater functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate cortex and the insula. Worry severity was inversely correlated with the functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate cortex seed and the medial prefrontal cortex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of GAD, longer duration of illness, and more severe worry exacerbate the effects of age on the functional connectivity in the DMN. These results support the need for tailored research and interventions in late-life anxiety.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andreescu
authors.forename: Lei K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Sheu
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tudorascu
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aizenstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: age effect; duration of illness; functional connectivity; generalized anxiety disorder; resting state; worry severity