Scientists discover anti-anxiety circuit in brain region considered the seat of fear

[The Straight Story]

Scientists discover anti-anxiety circuit in brain region considered the seat of fear

Stimulation of a distinct brain circuit that lies within a brain structure typically associated with fearfulness produces the opposite effect: Its activity, instead of triggering or increasing anxiety, counters it.

That's the finding in a paper by Stanford University School of Medicine researchers to be published online March 9 in Nature. In the study, Karl Deisseroth, MD, PhD, and his colleagues employed a mouse model to show that stimulating activity exclusively in this circuit enhances animals' willingness to take risks, while inhibiting its activity renders them more risk-averse. This discovery could lead to new treatments for anxiety disorders, said Deisseroth, an associate professor of bioengineering and of psychiatry and behavioral science.

The investigators were able to pinpoint this particular circuit only by working with a state-of-the-art technology called optogenetics, pioneered by Deisseroth at Stanford, which allows brain scientists to tease apart the complex circuits that compose the brain so these can be studied one by one.

"Anxiety is a poorly understood but common psychiatric disease," said Deisseroth, who is also a practicing psychiatrist. More than one in four people, in the course of their lives, experience bouts of anxiety symptoms sufficiently enduring and intense to be classified as a full-blown psychiatric disorder. In addition, anxiety is a significant contributing factor in other major psychiatric disorders from depression to alcohol dependence, Deisseroth said.

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-03-scientists-anti-anxiety-circuit-brain-region.html

[opihimoimoi]

1. Might be an explanation for GOPer Disease

[aquart]

2. I dunno. I have dreadful anxiety but still won't vote Republican.

[Kadie]

4. A lot of anxiety is caused by republicans.

:scared:

[Boswell]

3. a genetic brain defect...

yup, that sounds right

[mwooldri]

6. Anxiety != GOP Disease.

But GOP Disease can cause Anxiety.

[mwooldri]

5. Fantastic! I *want* whatever those mice were on!!

I have pills for my anxiety but if there's a real treatment for anxiety that does *not* cause me to fall asleep all the time then I *want* it.

Please, scientists please continue your work.

Mark.

[WingDinger]

7. The military will replace their crank with electrodes. Likely build it into helmets.

and will use the ruse of eliminating PTSD.

[Initech]

8. The guys from Jackass definitely lack that circuit.

[Ratty]

9. I for one welcome our new super soldier overlords

Well, I don't actually, but that's how the phrase goes.