NEUROCIRCUITRY OF GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER IN ADOLESCENTS: A PILOT FUNCTIONAL NEUROIMAGING AND FUNCTIONAL CONNECTIVITY STUDY

Abstract

In addition to increased activation of the medial prefrontal cortex and right VLPFC, we observed altered connectivity between the amygdala or VLPFC and regions, which subserve mentalization (e.g. posterior cingulate cortex, precuneus, and medial prefrontal cortex). This suggests that structures that regulate emotion and affect interact abnormally with key structures that are involved in mentalization, a process known to be disrupted in GAD.