This R13 application requests support for the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) annual conference. The theme, Anxiety and Related Disorders: Efficacy, Effectiveness and Dissemination, speaks to the need to synthesize cutting-edge research, accelerate dissemination, and translate evidence-based treatments (EBT). The early diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and cure of anxiety and related disorders will have an enormous impact on public mental health and the 40 million adults diagnosed. ADAA's five objectives for its Annual Conference align closely with the NIMH strategic objectives. Provide a forum for dissemination and discussion of neurobiological, pathophysiological, and behavioral research to foster an environment needed for robust scientific advances. Translate the latest research on anxiety, depression and anxiety-related disorders and increase the implementation of this knowledge to improve clinical care. Encourage innovative and collaborative approaches to research on anxiety and related disorders to identify early interventions and personalized treatment approaches. Engage early-career scientists, students, and trainees to learn about research to cultivate interest in the development of new knowledge while closing the gap between treatment development and routine application by clinicians. Inform the public about new scientific advances and evidence based treatments. This conference is unique in that it's extraordinarily diverse, multidisciplinary attendees who are basic and clinical researchers with interests in neurobiology, epidemiology, developmental pathophysiology, genetics and translational science and clinicians in psychiatry, psychology, social work, nursing, counseling and behavioral health. Funding would allow ADAA to bring in experts from related fields to increase learning experience and exchange of research information and provide awards to early-career investigators, students, trainees and postdocs to present their research and interest with senior-level scientists thus seeding the field for future innovations and advance in anxiety disorders.
An estimated 40 million U.S. adults have an anxiety disorder and high co-occurrence with depression, substance abuse and somatic illnesses and makes the treatment of these disorders difficult. Anxiety disorders affect people of all ages, with changing age-related manifestations.
