Anxiety (generalized anxiety disorder, GAD)

what does anxiety coexist with?

1. substance abuse

2. drug dependence

3. addiction

4. depression

5. traumatic events long or short term

what are some pathology to study anxiety?

optogenetics, fear/anxiety behavior rodent studies, MRI activity, and amygdala pathways

what is optogenetics?

OPSins proteins are used to see light-sensitive proteins

what are the types of OPSins?

channel rhodopsin (excite) and halo rhodopsin (inhibit)

what brain area pathway influence anxiety?

• (frontal lobe) PFC to ACC to amygdala

• (temporal lobe) thalamus to amygdala or hippocampus to amygdala

what does the PFC do to the amygdala in anxiety?

calms down the amygdala

what neurotransmitter does anxiety have but depression does not?

GABA

what do drugs, like benzodiazepines, do to reduce anxiety?

mimic GABA

what genes are associated with anxeity?

SERT, BDNF, GABA synthesis pathway, norepinephrine gene, dopamine receptor, and CRHR1

what is corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1)?

regulates the release of the stress hormone cortisol

the limbic system and PFC has a relationship with what?

central nervous system (CNS)

what are causes of anxiety in epigenetics?

1. BDNF modulation

2. amygdala

3. brain injury

4. changes in expression of BDNF, SERT, and oligodendrocyte genes

what is a oligodendrocyte?

one of 3 glial cells important in the transmission of electrical signals in the brain

what bacteria has a influence on the gut-brain?

Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium

how does Lactobacillus help with anxiety?

can help increase GABA signaling and reduce depression and anxiety

what are pharmacology treatments used in anxiety?

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and benzodiazepines

what are examples of benzodiazepine drugs in anxiety?

diazepam, xanax, clonazepam, valium

what is molecular changes?

changes in gene expression or pathways

what is neurogenesis?

a way for the cell to fight of inflection and provide protection

what is dendritogenesis?

formation and regulation of dendrite

what is synaptogenesis?

formation of synapse

in what ways is using psychedelics useful in treating anxiety?

in molecular changes, neurogenesis, dendritogenesis, and synaptogenesis

what is an example of a psychedelics to treat anxiety?

methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA)

what does methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) do to anxiety?

increases levels of dopamine by blocking dopamine transpoter (DAT)