title: New research on anxiety disorders in the elderly and an update on evidence-based treatments.
abstract: Anxiety disorders are frequently encountered in the elderly, but they are largely undetected and untreated. Epidemiological studies indicate a prevalence ranging from 1.2 to 15 %. With the exception of generalized anxiety disorder and agoraphobia, which can often start in late life, most anxiety disorders in older patients are chronic and have their onset earlier in life. Anxiety disorders are an often unrecognized cause of distress, disability, and mortality risk in older adults, and they have been associated with cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cognitive decline. The mechanisms of anxiety in older adults differ from that in younger adults due to age-related neuropathology, as well as the loss and isolation so prominent in late life. Our review intends to provide a comprehensive summary of the most recent research done in the field of anxiety disorders in the elderly. Recent findings in clinical research, neuroimaging, neuroendocrinology, and neuropsychology are covered. An update on treatment options is discussed, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological alternatives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, Andreescuc@upmc.edu.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andreescu
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Varon
mesh_terms: D064869:Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D064866:Mindfulness; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D059906:Neuroimaging; D015995:Prevalence; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors