Genetik der Angsterkrankungen

Abstract

The authors give an overview of the present state of knowledge on the genetics of anxiety disorders. According to ICD-10 or DSM III/IV classification, anxiety disorders comprise panic disorder, generalized anxiety, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In the context of the conceptual change from psychodynamic anxiety neuroses to complex, multifactorial anxiety disorders, a summary of biological hypotheses of the pathogenesis of anxiety derived from pharmacotherapy, challenge tests, and animal model disorders is provided. The relevant findings from clinical genetic studies (twin and family) and molecular genetic studies (linkage and association) are presented in detail. The most data now available are on panic disorder, though with regard to molecular genetics these are still preliminary. In addition, genetic findings on anxiety as a personality dimension are reviewed, taking into account the present phenotype discussion (category vs dimension). Finally, ethical and therapeutic implications of genetic research on complex, polygenic disorders are discussed.

Neurobiologie der bipolaren Störungen

“…60%. Die Chromosomen 4, 12, 18, 21 und 22 scheinen dabei vielversprechende Genloki zu sein, die für die Entstehung der bipolaren Störung bedeutsam sein könnten (41). Die Heritabilität von über 80% ist eine der höchsten im Bereich der psychischen Erkrankungen.…”

Anxiety disorders: causes, diagnosis and treatment

“…3) What could be the actual significance of the historical fact that Nietzsche and in his footsteps Max Weber were taking deep influence on psychiatric thinking around 1900? Introduction: A hundred years ago when Karl Jaspers was introducing psychological understanding to psychiatry the founder of the school of Heidelberg spoke of Friedrich Nietzsche as one of the ''greatest'' psychologists (1,2). Especially his theory of resentment with its core thesis unconscious prejudices were influencing our thoughts, feelings and acts was able to illuminate the complex structure of human will.…”