University of Wisconsin, Madison and Dartmouth College researchers found that functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) results could predict whether venlafaxine (an antidepressant that also treats anxiety) would be effective in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

They found that the larger the prefrontal cortex reaction, and the smaller the amygdala reaction, the more likely it was that the patient had a positive response to the venlafaxine.

There are no current biomarkers for predicting how well a patient will respond to anti-anxiety medicines. Patients often have to go through multiple medications and dosages to find one that works.

Elsevier News Release

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