Hundreds of Genes Linked to Anxious Feelings Uncovered in New Study

In a major step towards understanding the biological underpinnings of anxiety, scientists have identified a host of genes linked to feelings of worry. The research aimed to uncover the genetic variations that contribute to anxiety, a prevalent mental health condition, across diverse ancestral populations.

The team analysed vast datasets by integrating two powerful techniques. First, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) scanned for genetic variations, and then transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) connected these variations to gene activity in the brain. This combined approach pinpointed 683 significantly associated genes in a large, mixed-ancestry population, and one specific gene, SMAGP, in a focused analysis of individuals of African ancestry.

Intriguingly, the organisation of these anxiety-related genes showed significant overlap with genes implicated in autism, neuroticism, and schizophrenia. This suggests a shared genetic architecture among these neuropsychiatric conditions, presenting researchers with many new potential targets for future investigation.