Genes influence the feeling of fear

Genes influence the feeling of fear

04/07/2011

The susceptibility to anxiety is largely determined by a special gene, researchers at the University Hospital Münster report to the news agency „DPA“. The team led by Prof. Katharina Domschke has discovered a gene that exerts a significant influence on the sensation of fear in mice.

According to psychiatrist Prof. Katharina Domschke, the gene discovered by her team is „extremely exciting, because it seems to play a role in both animals and humans for fear“. According to the current state of research, a total of thirty to one hundred genes are decisive for the perception of anxiety, but the genes that have now been discovered appear to be one of the determining factors, the researchers at the University Hospital Münster report. The genes detected in the mice play „an essential role for the neuropeptide S receptor“ which in turn has a significant influence on the sense of fear, said Prof. Katharina Domschke.

Anxiety gene responsible for anxiety disorders and depression?
As part of their investigations in mice, researchers at the University Hospital Münster have discovered a gene that has a significant influence on the individual's sense of anxiety. The gene is responsible for the function of the neuropeptide S receptors, which in turn have a significant influence on the susceptibility to anxiety and depression, report Prof. Katharina Domschke and colleagues. The neuropeptides act as tiny neurotransmitters, which indirectly influence the interaction of several nerve messenger systems such as serotonin and epinephrine, the experts explained. If the receptors are blocked thereby affecting neuropeptide secretion, the animals are much more susceptible to anxiety according to the experts. However, the process also works in the opposite direction, so that the mice are administered by administration of neuropeptide S „much less afraid“ Prof. Domschke explained.

Function of the neuropeptide S receptors crucial for feeling of fear
In this way, the gene responsible for the function of the neuropeptide S receptors significantly controls the perception of fear, the scientists explained the effect of the discovered gene. „This seems to be one of the genes that play an essential role“, Prof. Domschke told the news agency „DPA“. In humans, too, this is one of the main influencing factors that determine susceptibility to anxiety, said the scientists at the University Hospital Münster. A functioning neuropeptide S system is a fundamental requirement, „so as not to be scared“, explained the expert Prof. Domschke. Researchers hope their findings will help develop new methods and drugs to treat anxiety and depression in the future.

Improve the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders
In addition, genetic insights could also help improve the diagnosis, as genetic factors determine the risk of depression and anxiety without taking a tissue sample from the affected person's brain. On the basis of measurable in the blood, time-stable genetic variants that exert influence on the neuropeptide S receptors, the risk of possible pathological fears can be determined relatively easy, said Prof. Domschke. In this way, thanks to genetics, in the medium term there is also the possibility of developing even more specific medicines for anxiety and depression, and of checking their effect more quickly, the researchers explained. „This will save the patient a lot of suffering“, Prof. Katharina Domschke underlined the significance of the research results.

Differences between normal and morbid anxiety
The scientists at the University Hospital Münster also explained that there is a significant difference between normal anxiety and pathological anxiety. While normal feeling of anxiety certainly brings benefits, as people react in an emergency with fight or flight, the anxiety states „pathological when the anxiety lasts too long or occurs in situations that are not actually dangerous“, explained Prof. Domschke. The pathological states of anxiety are more of a hindrance in everyday life and solve a not insignificant „distress“ according to the expert. The spectrum ranges from phobias to panic attacks and the avoidance of social contacts, emphasized the scientists of the University Hospital Münster.

Risk of anxiety disorders is in the family
According to Prof. Domschke is already „for over 50 years“ known, „that fears are in the family“. Accordingly, close family members (parents, siblings, children) of patients with anxiety disorders in this country have a three- to six-fold increased risk of disease compared to the average disease rates in the population, according to the psychiatrist of the University Hospital Münster. New to the current research results, according to the expert „that you can see exactly which mutations are significantly more common in anxiety sufferers.“ The explorers „have identified four to five genes that seem to mediate a risk“, explained Prof. Domschke. In the future, this could not only help to significantly improve the risk assessment of possible pathological anxiety states, but also the development of new treatment methods and drugs could benefit from the current study results, the expert said. (Fp)

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