Anxiety disorders (AnxDs) are highly prevalent throughout the lifespan, with detrimental effects on daily-life functioning, somatic health, and quality of life. An emerging perspective suggested that AnxDs may be associated with accelerated aging. In this paper, we explored the association between AnxDs and hallmarks of accelerated aging, with a specific focus on neuroprogression. We reviewed animal and human findings that suggest an overlap between processes of impaired neurogenesis, neurodegeneration, structural, functional, molecular, and cellular modifications in AnxDs, and aging. Although this research is at an early stage, our review suggests a link between anxiety and accelerated aging across multiple processes involved in neuroprogression. Brain structural and functional changes that accompany normal aging were more pronounced in subjects with AnxDs than in coevals without AnxDs, including reduced grey matter density, white matter alterations, impaired functional connectivity of large-scale brain networks, and poorer cognitive performance. Similarly, molecular correlates of brain aging, including telomere shortening, Aβ accumulation, and immune-inflammatory and oxidative/nitrosative stress, were overrepresented in anxious subjects. No conclusions about causality or directionality between anxiety and accelerated aging can be drawn. Potential mechanisms of this association, limitations of the current research, and implications for treatments and future studies are discussed.

Background The application of experience sampling method/ecological momentary assessment (ESM/EMA) methods to individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) seems promising, but evidence about their acceptability is still unclear. The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis (registration number CRD42017060438) was to investigate the acceptability of ESM/EMA techniques for health monitoring in patients with MDD, by examining the dropout rate and related‐reasons, and to explore the effects of individual, methodological, and technical features on dropping out. Method According to PRISMA guidelines, after leading a systematic search on major electronic databases, a structured process for selecting and collecting data was followed. Results A total of 19 studies were included in the analyses. From results, it emerged a dropout rate of 3.6%. Our findings showed that the use of paper and pencil tools in combination with electronic devices, the time‐based sampling method, and not providing monetary incentives significantly increase the dropout rate of patients with MDD during ESM/EMA monitoring. Age, gender, depression severity, duration of monitoring, number of assessments each day, and number of questions did not affect dropout rate. Conclusions The results of this systematic review may assist clinicians and researchers in planning, implementing, or evaluating the use of ESM/EMA to assess the health status of community‐based individuals with MDD.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract