Pathophysiology of childhood anxiety disorders

Prior reviews an the pathophysiology of anxiety consistently note the need for more research on biological aspects of childhood social phobia, separat ion anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. The current review summarizes biological research that is relevant to these three disorders. I n the first part of the review barriers that have prevented progress in thi s area are delineated, and recent developments are discussed that set the s tage for major advances in research on childhood anxiety disorders. In the second part of the review, studies ar-e discussed that provide insights on the pathophysiology of childhood social phobia, separation anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Research on each specific disorder illus trates the manner in which recent developments in biological research facil itate novel research approaches uniquely suited for answering essential cli nical questions in research on both childhood and adult anxiety disorders. For example, in research on social phobia, biological studies might enhance understandings of the longitudinal associations between individual childho od and adult disorders. In research on separation anxiety disorder, biologi cal studies might enhance understanding on family-genetic associations betw een childhood and adult disorders. Finally, in research on generalized anxi ety disorder, biological studies might enhance understandings of comorbidit ies among distinct childhood and adult disorders, particularly with respect to the relationship between anxiety and depressive disorders. (C) 1999 Soc iety of Biological Psychiatry.