Anxiety disorders affect many people, yet scientists do not fully know how anxiety begins in the brain. A new study at the University of Utah, published in Molecular Psychiatry, examines a surprising role for microglia, the brain's immune cells.
Previous experiments found that blocking one group, called Hoxb8 microglia, made mice act anxious, while blocking all microglia left mice behaving normally. To test whether different microglia types do opposite things, researchers used mice that lacked microglia and transplanted either Hoxb8 cells, non-Hoxb8 cells, or both.
The results showed that non-Hoxb8 microglia promoted anxiety behaviours: mice groomed themselves compulsively and spent less time in open spaces. Hoxb8 microglia did not cause anxiety, and mice with both cell types behaved normally, suggesting the two populations balance each other. The team notes humans have similar microglia and suggests new treatment approaches, though therapies are not near-term.
Difficult words
- microglia — Immune cells in the brain.
- anxiety — A feeling of worry or fear.
- transplanting — Putting cells or organs into a new body.
- reducing — Making something smaller or less.
- mechanisms — Processes or techniques that cause something to happen.
- implications — Possible effects or results of something.
- therapies — Treatments to help with health issues.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How do you think this research might change treatments for anxiety?
- What are some other factors that might affect anxiety in humans?
- Why is it important to understand the roles of immune cells in the brain?
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