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Two types of microglia control anxiety in mice (Level A1) — A star-shaped object rests on a cracked surface.

Two types of microglia control anxiety in miceCEFR A1

25 Nov 2025

Adapted from Sophia Friesen - University of Utah, Futurity CC BY 4.0

Photo by Logan Voss, Unsplash

Level A1 – Beginner
2 min
69 words
  • Anxiety affects one in five people in the United States.
  • Researchers at the University of Utah study mouse brains.
  • Microglia are immune cells in the brain.
  • There are two microglia types in this study.
  • Blocking Hoxb8 microglia made mice act anxious.
  • Blocking all microglia left mice behaving normally.
  • Non-Hoxb8 microglia caused more anxious mouse behaviour.
  • Hoxb8 microglia prevented anxiety in mice.
  • Humans also have two similar microglia populations.

Difficult words

  • anxietyA feeling of worry or fear.
    anxiety.
  • researchStudying to find new information.
  • cellsSmall building blocks of living things.
  • controlTo manage or direct something.
  • strongerMore powerful or intense.
    stronger.

Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.

Discussion questions

  • Why do you think anxiety is common?
  • How can you control your anxiety?
  • What helps you feel better when you are anxious?

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