New research has shown promise in treating anxiety disorders, which are the most common type of mental illness in the world.
Scientists have discovered an “anxiety gene” in the brains of mice and a natural way to turn it off, which could lead to new treatments for anxiety.
The challenge is that finding the right drug or combination of drugs can be a time-consuming process of trial and error.
However, the suppression of the gene appeared to provide stress relief and reduce anxiety-related behavior.
The discovery of increased levels of five microRNAs (miRNAs) in the amygdala, the brain region implicated in anxiety, led to the identification of miR-483-5p as the molecule that suppressed the expression of the Pgap2 gene.
This suppression appeared to provide stress relief and reduce anxiety-related behavior.
If further research validates the finding in human brains, the discovery of this anxiety gene and a natural way to put the brakes on it could serve as a blueprint for treatments to help people with anxiety disorders.
This article was updated 3 months ago
