Untangling Depression and Anxiety: Clinical Challenges

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Martin B. Keller, M.D., began by stating that the goals of the program included providing an update on current knowledge about and clinical findings on anxiety and depression, with an emphasis on trying to distinguish between these disorders. Discussions among the speakers on neuroanatomical pathways, genetic models, and serotonergic targets of anxiety and depression were followed by commentaries on the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of anxiety and depression.

John H. Krystal, M.D., introduced the brain neural circuitry of mood and anxiety disorders by highlighting the regions of the brain that work together to regulate emotion: the ventral prefrontal cortex, the cingulate cortex, the amygdala, and the hippocampus (Figure 1).