Brain Mechanism Linked to Anxiety Discovered in University Study

A study conducted by University of Utah Health scientists discovered that a specific brain cell called microglia can control anxiety-related behaviors. The scientists employed optogenetics to stimulate microglia cells in mice test subjects and recorded how they reacted. By understanding how the microglia could control neural activity, the scientists could then look into how controlling the microglia functions and potentially manage anxiety. The scientists will need to look into the types of chemicals the microglia release and how it triggers neurological behaviors to determine the root causes of anxiety and figure out a way to best treat the disorder.