Scientists Identify Anxiety Gene and Natural Off Switch in the Brain
Scientists have discovered a brain gene, Pgap2, linked to anxiety symptoms, and found that a molecule, miR483-5p, suppresses it, suggesting a potential mechanism for anxiety relief and a new drug target. Anxiety disorders are common, but currently available anti-anxiety drugs have limited efficacy. The study identified the molecular events in the brain that underpin anxiety and found that miR-483-5p acts as a molecular brake that offsets stress-induced amygdala changes to promote anxiety relief. The discovery of a novel amygdala miR483-5p/Pgap2 pathway through which the brain regulates its response to stress is the first stepping stone towards the discovery of novel, more potent, and much-needed treatments for anxiety disorders that will enhance this pathway.