title: Cognitive-behavioral therapy augmentation of SSRI reduces cortisol levels in older adults with generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Elevated cortisol in stress and aging, such as has been seen in late-life anxiety disorders, is postulated to accelerate cognitive and physiological decline in this large and increasing population. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are both effective treatments for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in older adults. On the other hand, there is very little research examining the effect of combining these therapies on peak cortisol levels. For the current analyses, we examined the effectiveness of CBT augmentation on peak cortisol levels in older adults diagnosed with GAD.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 42 individuals with late-life GAD who received an acute course of the SSRI escitalopram and then entered a 16-week randomized phase. Twenty-one participants were randomized to receive 16 sessions of CBT in addition to continuing escitalopram and the remaining 21 participants continued on escitalopram without CBT. Generalized estimating equations were performed to assess the effectiveness of CBT augmentation on peak cortisol levels (30 min after waking).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Older adults with GAD who received both escitalopram and CBT demonstrated a significant reduction in peak cortisol levels at posttreatment compared to the group who received escitalopram without CBT augmentation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CBT augmentation of SSRI treatment reduced peak cortisol levels for older adults with GAD. Since persistently high cortisol levels in aging are thought to increase age-related cognitive and medical problems, our findings suggest that there may be a benefit to health and cognition of CBT augmentation for late-life anxiety disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
authors.forename: Christopher B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Rosnick
authors.affiliation: VA San Diego Healthcare System.
authors.forename: Julie L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wetherell
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-St. Louis.
authors.forename: Kamila S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andreescu
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Lenze
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015283:Citalopram / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015283:Citalopram; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors