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Updated: May 22, 2026
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Altered amygdala resting-state functional connectivity in anxiety disorders: a coordinate-based meta-analysis.
Lu Lu1,2, Haoran Xu1,2,3, Rui Wang1,4
1Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Institute of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Psychoradiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Psychological Medicine
|May 21, 2026
Summary
Anxiety disorders show reduced connectivity between the left amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). This finding, consistent across studies, highlights a key neuroimaging marker for anxiety and potential intervention targets.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Anxiety disorders are linked to altered amygdala connectivity, but findings vary.
- Previous resting-state functional MRI studies yielded inconsistent results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify inconsistencies in amygdala connectivity in anxiety disorders.
- To identify robust neuroimaging markers for anxiety disorders through meta-analysis.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science.
- Meta-analysis of resting-state functional connectivity using Seed-based d Mapping with Permutation of Subject Images (SDM-PSI).
- Included 15 datasets (378 patients, 405 controls) comparing anxiety patients and healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Patients with anxiety disorders showed decreased amygdala-anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) connectivity.
- Increased connectivity was observed with the superior temporal gyrus and cuneus, but these did not remain significant after correction.
- Reduced amygdala-ACC connectivity was primarily driven by adult patients and the left amygdala.
Conclusions:
- Reduced left amygdala-ACC connectivity is a robust neuroimaging marker for anxiety disorders.
- This suggests a lateralized neural vulnerability in anxiety.
- Findings offer potential targets for biomarker development and novel therapeutic interventions.
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