What Happened:
- Researchers with National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) have discovered a potentially groundbreaking way to treat anxiety.
- The discovery focuses on a brain protein called Src kinase, which plays a crucial role in signaling pathways associated with anxiety.
Why This Matters:
- Current treatments for anxiety, such as therapy and medication, are not effective for everyone, leaving many people with persistent symptoms.
- This new approach targets a different mechanism in the brain, offering hope for those who don’t respond to traditional treatments.
How It Works:
- The researchers experimented on mice, where they inhibited the Src kinase protein.
- Inhibition of Src kinase led to an increase in another protein called Neuroligin2, which is involved in calming brain activity.
- Neuroligin2 helps stabilize the connections between neurons, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety-like behaviors.
- This mechanism addresses anxiety by directly modifying the brain’s chemical balance, offering a new method to manage the condition.
How It Will Benefit Humanity:
- The potential new class of medications could offer more effective treatment options for anxiety sufferers, especially those who haven’t found relief from current treatments.
- By offering a new therapeutic target, this discovery could reduce the prevalence of chronic anxiety disorders and improve the quality of life for millions of people.
- The broader impact includes reducing the burden on healthcare systems and improving productivity and mental well-being on a societal level.
When It Will Be Available:
- Although the initial results in animal models are promising, significant research is still needed.
- The next steps involve conducting human trials to determine safety and effectiveness in people.
- If successful, it could be several years before this treatment is available to the public, as it will need to pass through regulatory approvals and clinical testing stages.
Disclaimer: This content was simplified and condensed using AI technology to enhance readability and brevity.
Article derived from: Pomeroy, R. (2024, August 14). Researchers discover an entirely new way to treat anxiety. Big Think. https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/new-way-to-treat-anxiety/
