In a promising scientific breakthrough, researchers announced the discovery of a natural mechanism that can disable the so-called “anxiety gene” in the brain, potentially paving the way for innovative treatments offering hope to millions worldwide suffering from anxiety disorders.

Anxiety: The Most Common Mental Disorder

According to a study published in the journal Nature Communications, anxiety disorders are the most common among mental disorders, affecting about 25% of people at least once in their lifetime. These disorders include generalized anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Limited Effectiveness of Current Medications

The study indicates that currently available anti-anxiety medications provide limited results, with less than half of patients showing significant improvement after treatment. This has driven scientists to explore the molecular and genetic mechanisms caused by anxiety in the brain, hoping to find new ways to alleviate its severity, according to The Daily Digest.

The Role of the Amygdala

The study showed that psychological stress causes significant changes in gene expression patterns in several brain regions, most notably the amygdalae, two small almond-shaped areas deep in the brain that control the body’s response to threats, known as the “fight or flight” response, closely linked to feelings of anxiety.

Mouse Experiment Reveals the Secret of Micro Molecules

A team of British researchers conducted an experiment placing mice under severe stress by restricting their movement for six hours, then analyzed their brains at the molecular level. They found increased levels of five microRNAs (miRNAs), small molecules that regulate the activity of essential proteins within the amygdalae, also present in humans.

A Molecule Acting as a Natural Stress Brake

The researchers focused on a specific molecule called miR-483-5p and discovered that it inhibits the activity of another gene known as Pgap2, leading to an anxiety-reducing effect. Scientists describe this molecule as a “molecular brake” capable of limiting stress-induced changes in the brain.

New Horizons for Anxiety Treatment

The research team believes this discovery could be a starting point for developing innovative and effective treatments for anxiety disorders, especially since the role of this molecule in the nervous system was previously unknown. They also note that the lack of understanding of the neurological and molecular mechanisms associated with anxiety was a major obstacle to producing more effective drugs.

The researchers concluded that they identified “previously undiscovered molecular events” in the amygdalae of mice that are sufficient to produce an anti-anxiety effect, opening promising prospects for treating one of the most common mental disorders.