ObjectiveGrey matter, a crucial component of the brain, has been found altered in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) of several voxel‐based morphometry studies. The conclusive and consistent grey matter alterations in GAD have not been confirmed.MethodEleven voxel‐based morphometry studies of GAD patients were included in the current systematic review and meta‐analysis. The linear model of anxiety severity scores was applied to explore the relationship of grey matter alterations and anxiety severity. The subgroup analysis of adult GAD and adolescent GAD was also performed.ResultsSignificantly modest grey matter alterations in the left superior temporal gyrus of patients with GAD were found. The anxiety severity score was significantly correlated with grey matter alterations in the right insula, lenticular nucleus, putamen and striatum. The subgroup analysis of adult GAD and adolescent GAD all failed to show significant grey matter alterations. However, in the adult GAD subgroup, anxiety severity score was significantly correlated with grey matter alterations in the right insula.ConclusionGAD might have the modest grey matter alterations in the left superior temporal gyrus. Anxiety severity might be related to the grey matter alterations in the limbic regions, such as the right insula, lenticular nucleus, putamen and striatum. This kind of correlation might be related to the effects of adult GAD. Future studies with adequate sample sizes and sophisticated GAD categories will be needed.

中文翻译：

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广泛性焦虑症的灰质改变：基于体素的形态测量研究的体素荟萃分析

目的 多项基于体素的形态测量研究发现，灰质是大脑的重要组成部分，在广泛性焦虑症（GAD）中发生了改变。 GAD 中结论性且一致的灰质改变尚未得到证实。方法当前的系统评价和荟萃分析中纳入了 11 项针对 GAD 患者的基于体素的形态测量研究。应用焦虑严重程度评分的线性模型来探讨灰质改变与焦虑严重程度的关系。还进行了成人 GAD 和青少年 GAD 的亚组分析。结果发现 GAD 患者的左侧颞上回存在明显适度的灰质改变。焦虑严重程度评分与右侧岛叶、豆状核、壳核和纹状体灰质改变显着相关。成人 GAD 和青少年 GAD 的亚组分析均未能显示显着的灰质改变。然而，在成人GAD亚组中，焦虑严重程度评分与右侧岛叶灰质改变显着相关。结论GAD可能在左侧颞上回存在适度的灰质改变。焦虑的严重程度可能与边缘区域灰质的改变有关，例如右侧岛叶、豆状核、壳核和纹状体。这种相关性可能与成人广泛性焦虑症的影响有关。未来的研究需要足够的样本量和复杂的 GAD 类别。