A new target for anxiety?

Written by Lauren Pulling

Researchers from Boston Children’s Hospital (MA, USA) have identified a group of neurons in the hypothalamus that play a central, yet previously unknown, role in triggering anxiety in mice. The team suggests that the neurons could be targeted in the development of future treatments for anxiety and other psychiatric disorders, rather than targeting the whole brain, as is the case with many current therapeutics. The researchers selectively blocked the stress hormone corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) in study mice and observed a reduction in natural fear in the Gangplank experiment when compared with controls. Mice with the deletion readily explored the open...

To view this content, please register now for access

It's completely free