Скачать или смотреть The Connection between Inflammation and Anxiety. Walsh & Beck Scholar Amabelle Voice-Powell

Shining a Light on the Connection between Inflammation and Anxiety

A new research tool called optogenetics may shine a light (literally) on the role of inflammation in development of anxiety disorders.

Anxiety disorders are linked to higher levels of inflammation in the brain however, the mechanism by which inflammatory molecules alter brain circuitry to trigger anxiety is unclear. Cytokines are one such inflammatory molecule that alters neural function to promote anxious states and may be a promising target for treatment. The cache? We don’t yet understand the connection between inflammation and anxiety.

Optogenetics is a new research tool which shines light into specific brain regions allowing brain pathways to be turned on/off much like a light switch controls the light bulb in your living room. Serotonin is a ‘happy chemical’ so, less serotonin in the brain will make us feel symptoms of anxiety such as worry and nervousness. Using optogenetics, we will be able to see if cytokines are modulating the serotonin system to promote anxiety. This will shine light on the biological link between inflammation and anxiety, which in turn will help identify new therapeutic targets for anxiety disorders.