Publication Type Academic Article
Authors Mathew S, Price R, Shungu D, Mao X, Smith E, Amiel J, Coplan J
Journal J Psychopharmacol
Volume 24
Issue 8
Pagination 1175-81
Date Published 02/09/2009
ISSN 1461-7285
Keywords Anxiety Disorders, Aspartic Acid, Hippocampus, Neurons, Paroxetine, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Abstract The neural basis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is poorly characterized. The effect of chronic administration (12 weeks) of paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, on N-acetylaspartate (NAA), a marker of neuronal viability, was evaluated in adults with GAD using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging ((1)H MRSI) at 1.5 T. We hypothesized that, pretreatment abnormalities in hippocampal NAA/creatine (NAA/Cr) would normalize with symptomatic improvement. Nine GAD patients (mean age = 41.7 year; 4 females) received 12 weeks of open-label paroxetine treatment, flexibly dosed up to 60 mg/day. Clinical outcome was assessed with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). Multislice ( 1)H MRSI scans were performed at unmedicated baseline and following 6 and 12 weeks of treatment. Ten untreated healthy volunteers (HVs) (mean age = 37.1 year; 4 females) received scans at the same intervals. All patients achieved remission (HAM-A
DOI 10.1177/0269881108101796
PubMed ID 19204062
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