Microglia's Role in Anxiety and OCD Unveiled

University of Utah Health scientists have discovered that microglia, a minor cell type in the brain, play a significant role in controlling anxiety-related behaviors and obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder (OCSD) behaviors. The study found that specific populations of microglia can trigger or inhibit these behaviors, challenging the belief that neurons are the sole controllers of behavior. The findings offer a promising avenue for anxiety treatment therapies and could eventually lead to new approaches for targeted therapies.