Researchers from Yale University have uncovered more than 100 genes linked to anxiety, shedding new light on the genetic factors that make some people more prone to anxiety disorders.
The findings come from an extensive study of over 1 million participants across multiple global datasets and were published in Nature Genetics.
Anxiety disorders affect millions of people worldwide, significantly impacting their quality of life.
By identifying the genetic factors that contribute to anxiety, scientists hope to pave the way for more effective treatments and therapies.
“This study shows the power of large-scale genetic research in uncovering the complex causes of anxiety,” said Dr. Renato Polimanti, senior author of the study and associate professor of psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine.
“We now know that multiple genes, acting on different areas of the brain, play a role in determining an individual’s genetic risk for anxiety.”
The research revealed that many of the genes associated with anxiety are also linked to other mental health conditions, such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
This highlights the close relationship between these disorders and suggests that understanding the genetic basis of anxiety could help explain why people with anxiety often experience other mental health challenges.
In addition to mental health, the study found that genetic predisposition to anxiety is also connected to physical health issues. Specifically, the researchers discovered a strong link between anxiety and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as pain-related conditions.
This suggests that anxiety may not only affect mental well-being but also physical health, reinforcing the idea that treating anxiety effectively could have widespread benefits for overall health.
One important aspect of the study was its focus on genetic data from diverse populations. The researchers studied participants from five different ancestries, allowing them to better understand how anxiety genes vary across populations.
“This was the first time we’ve studied anxiety across such a wide range of ancestries, giving us more power to discover genetic links to the disorder,” said Dr. Eleni Friligkou, first author of the study and a psychiatry resident at Yale.
“By increasing diversity in genetic research, we can better understand the unique genetic factors that contribute to anxiety in different populations.”
The researchers hope that their findings will lead to new ways of treating anxiety by targeting the specific genetic factors that increase risk.
Understanding the genetic basis of anxiety opens up new possibilities for developing treatments that could improve the lives of millions of people living with anxiety disorders.
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