Occasionally a study will combine these factors, as is the case with some research examining neurotrophin nerve growth factor (NGF) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
What is NGF?
NGF is a protein released by nerve cells that is part of the brain's complex reaction to stress. The specific role it plays is still being understood, but it appears that it helps preserve the cells. Theoretically, NGF plays a role in GAD because people with the condition are considered to be chronically stressed, both mentally and physically.The CBT Effect
In a German clinical trial, researchers gave CBT treatments to a sample of adults with GAD. A large majority of the participants responded favorably to the treatment and showed significant improvement on two major anxiety scales, though the sample was small. Furthermore, the NGF levels increased for people who improved with the therapy, indicating a possible connection between NGF and successful treatment.What This Means
The authors of the study said, “…the results of the present study suggest that a rise in serum NGF after cognitive-behavioral treatment in GAD patients is an indicator of good treatment outcome, possibly due to an altered reaction to chronic psychological and physical stress.”Essentially, this means two things. First, future research on GAD may be able to use an actual biological indicator to detect improvement in the disorder. Second, and something perhaps a little more significant, is that this demonstrates a possible brain chemistry change as a result of CBT treatment.
For people who view GAD as being more biologically based, this may come as an exciting development (although not entirely unprecedented) about the effectiveness of a talking cure.
Jockers-Scherubl, M.C. et al. (2007). "Nerve growth factor serum concentrations rise after successful cognitive-behavioral therapy for generalized anxiety disorder." Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 31, 200-204.
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