New study reveals potential means of treating anxiety symptoms

New research into the brains of mice has uncovered new insights that could lead to the development of treatments for controlling how the brain reacts to anxiety and feelings of threat.

Scientists from Ohio State University have analysed the brain activity of animal test subjects when exposed to conflict and defeat by aggressors, finding that social stress can trigger an immune response.

This release of myeloid progenitor cells to the brain leads to inflammation and other negative symptoms, which persist after the source of stress is removed.

By using beta blocker treatments, researchers were able to block this reaction, leading to a curtailment of long-lasting anxiety behaviour.

According to researchers, this could provide a new target in developing treatments for conditions such as depression.

Jonathan Godbout, an assistant professor of molecular virology, immunology and medical genetics at the university, said: "Since that cell (the MPCs travelling from the bone marrow) is coming from the periphery of the body, we might not need to resort to psychoactive drugs that can have adverse effects on the brain."

Last month, research was published by the University of Rochester Medical Center showing that antidepressant drugs can help patients with head injuries to regrow brain cells.