(901.9) Examining Vascular Function and Oxidative Stress in Young Individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Poster Board Number: E436

Jake Richardson (Virginia Commonwealth University), Jennifer Weggen (Virginia Commonwealth University), Ashley Darling (The University of Texas at Arlington), Alex Chiu (Virginia Commonwealth University), Kevin Decker (University of Delaware), Ryan Garten (Virginia Commonwealth University)

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a disabling psychiatric condition that can result in physiological manifestations linked to a greater risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Peripheral vascular dysfunction may be one mechanism augmenting CVD risk as GAD is linked to an overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system, a phenomenon that can result in excessive vasoconstriction and increases in oxidant production in the vasculature and bloodstream. Excessive oxidant production can overpower the body’s endogenous antioxidant defense system resulting in oxidative stress, a known modulator of peripheral vascular function.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate peripheral vascular function and oxidant production in young individuals with GAD. We hypothesized that young individuals with GAD would exhibit blunted vascular function and greater oxidant production when compared to age- and sex-matched individuals without GAD.

Methods: Fifteen individuals with GAD (11 females, 4 males; age 22 ± 2 years), and 13 healthy controls (CTRL; 9 females, 4 males, 23 ± 4 years), participated in the study. The 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) self-report scale was utilized to screen for GAD with a GAD-7 score of ≥ 10 used as the cut-off point for the GAD group and a score of ≤ 5 used as the cut-off point for the control group. Arm vascular function was assessed via the reactive hyperemia-induced flow mediated dilation of the brachial artery (BAFMD) technique and evaluated with Doppler ultrasonography. Brachial artery and arm microvascular function were determined by percent change of diameter from baseline normalized for BA shear rate (BAD/Shear) and blood flow area under the curve (BF AUC), respectively. Whole blood superoxide concentration was assessed via electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) to determine potential differences in oxidant production. 

Results: Young individuals with GAD had greater GAD-7 scores (p lt; 0.001) when compared to controls (GAD: 15 ± 3; range 12 – 21; CTRL: 2 ± 2; range 0 – 5). BAD/Shear (GAD: 0.11 ± 0.06; CTRL: 0.10 ± 0.05 %/sec; p = 0.6), BF AUC (GAD: 21029 ± 11320; CTRL: 21727 ± 14493 milliliters; p = 0.9), and oxidant production (GAD: 52463 ± 72474; CTRL: 83472 ± 185805; p = 0.6) were not significantly different between groups. 

Conclusion: Contrary to our hypothesis, young individuals with GAD demonstrated similar macro- and microvascular function as well as similar whole blood oxidant production when compared to age- and sex-matched individuals without GAD. This may highlight preserved cardiovascular health in young individuals with GAD.