British researchers have identified for the first time a genetic pathway in the brain that plays a key role in controlling anxiety, opening the door to the development of more effective treatments in the future.
One in four people will be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder at least once in their lifetime, often manifesting as a sudden episode of intense anxiety, fear, or fear that peaks within minutes.
Severe psychological trauma is known to cause genetic, biochemical, and structural changes in a part of the brain called the amygdala, a complex structure located in the temporal lobe. It is the area that processes fear and threatening stimuli and is involved in stress-induced anxiety that can lead to anxiety disorders such as panic attacks and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Current anti-anxiety drugs are not particularly effective, with more than half of people not achieving remission after treatment. They suggest that this is due to a lack of understanding of brain circuits and molecular interactions.
“Stress can trigger the development of many neuropsychiatric disorders rooted in an unfavorable combination of genetic and environmental factors,” said Valentina Mosienko, corresponding author of the study. “While low levels of stress are counterbalanced by the brain’s natural ability to adjust, severe or prolonged traumatic experiences can overcome protective mechanisms of stress resilience, leading to the development of pathological conditions such as depression and anxiety.” can lead to.”
The research team decided to investigate the molecular causes of these anxieties by focusing on microRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding fragments of RNA that orchestrate complex brain responses by regulating target genes. bottom.
Researchers testing in mice found that acute stress increased a specific miRNA, miR-483-5p, in the mouse amygdala.miR-483-5p subsequently repressed the gene’s function Pgap2, This alters neurons in the amygdala, triggering anxiety-related behaviors.
Briefly, researchers found that miR-483-5p acts as a cellular ‘molecular brake’. Pgap2 Alleviates changes in the amygdala caused by stress and reduces anxiety.
This is the first discovery of miR-483-5p/.Pgap2 path. A deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms of anxiety provided by this study may lead to the development of more effective treatments for this often debilitating condition.
“MiRNAs are strategically poised to control complex neuropsychiatric conditions such as anxiety,” Mosienko said. “However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms they use to regulate stress tolerance and sensitivity have been largely unknown until now. miR-483-5p/Pgap2 The pathways identified in this study, whose activation exerts anxiolytic effects, offer great potential for the development of anxiolytic therapies for complex human mental conditions. ”
The study was published in a journal Nature Communications.
Source: University of Bristol
