MBCT may be effective at relieving anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients with panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. However, well-designed, randomized controlled trials are needed.

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A chronic inflammatory process has been implicated in the neuropathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The present review focuses on the current knowledge of circulating serum and plasma biomarkers of AD that are linked to inflammatory reactions. There is abundant evidence that inflammatory mechanisms within the central nervous system contribute to cognitive impairment via cytokine-mediated interactions between neurons and glial cells. Interleukins 1, 4, 6, 10, 12, 16, and 18, tumour necrosis factor, and several chemokines have been suggested as biomarkers of AD. Nonetheless, data on circulating cytokine levels are somewhat inconsistent with regard to peripheral cytokine dysregulation in AD. In summary, definite statements concerning differences in inflammatory biomarkers between controls and AD patients will require the use of sensitive multiplex assays in large patient groups in conjunction with measures of disease severity.

The objective of this study was to examine the usefulness of a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for treating insomnia symptoms in patients with anxiety disorder. Nineteen patients with anxiety disorder were assigned to an 8-week MBCT clinical trial. Participants showed significant improvement in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (Z = -3.46, p = 0.00), Penn State Worry Questionnaire (Z = -3.83, p = 0.00), Ruminative Response Scale (Z = -3.83, p = 0.00), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (Z = -3.73, p = 0.00), and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores (Z = -3.06, p = 0.00) at the end of the 8-week program as compared with baseline. Multiple regression analysis showed that baseline Penn State Worry Questionnaire scores were associated with baseline Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores. These findings suggest that MBCT can be effective at relieving insomnia symptoms by reducing worry associated sleep disturbances in patients with anxiety disorder. However, well-designed, randomized, controlled trials are needed to confirm our findings.

No abstract