Detailed contribution information
| Contribution title | Investigation of Heat Shock Proteins in Children and Adolescents Diagnosed with Anxiety Disorder and Their Effects on Psychiatric Symptom Severity |
|---|---|
| Contribution code | D3.106 |
| Authors | |
| Form of presentation | Poster |
| Topic |
|
| Abstract |
Aim: To compare the levels of Hsp70 and Hsp90, members of the heat shock protein family known for their cell-protective effects against the effects of stress at the molecular level, in children and adolescents diagnosed with anxiety disorders, with a healthy control group. Additionally, the relationship between the applied clinical assessment scale scores and Hsp70 and Hsp90 levels was examined. This study is the first to investigate the levels of heat shock proteins in children and adolescents diagnosed with anxiety disorders. Method: Children and adolescents aged 8-18 who applied to the child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic and were diagnosed with anxiety disorders, as well as a healthy control group of similar age and gender, were included in the study. The Sociodemographic and Clinical Data Form, Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders, Children's Depression Inventory, and Clinical Global Impressions Scale were used. Venous blood samples collected from the participants, and serum Hsp70 and Hsp90 levels were measured using the ELISA method. Results and Conclusion: Hsp70 and Hsp90 levels were significantly lower in the group diagnosed with AD compared to the healthy control group. No relationship was found between disease severity and Hsp levels. Early life stress exposure led to a significant elevation in Hsp70 levels in both individuals with anxiety disorders and those without. However, this increase was less pronounced in the anxiety disorder group compared to the control group.The findings of our study have shown that the psychological stress seen in anxiety disorders has effects at the cellular level. The decreased levels of heat shock proteins, which are responsible for maintaining cellular homeostasis in response to stress, in anxiety disorders may be effective in the development and continuation of the disease. |