Researchers identify amygdala cell clusters to treat anxiety and depression

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have identified distinct cell types within the amygdala that could potentially revolutionize the treatment of anxiety, depression and other emotional disorders. This discovery could pave the way for more targeted therapies targeting the specific cells responsible for anxiety-related conditions, a major advance in the understanding and management of these complex disorders. The findings were detailed in the October 30 American Journal of Psychiatry, highlighting the role of the amygdala as a critical structure in emotion regulation and its potential as a focal point for therapeutic advances.

Exploring the role of the amygdala in emotional disorders

THE report was published on Psychiatry Online. According to the research, Drew Fox, associate professor in the psychology department at UC Davis, explained the fundamental role of the amygdala in processing emotions like fear and anxiety, emphasizing that these conditions affect millions of people in the world. Despite long-standing interest in whether amygdala size or structure is linked to emotional disorders, Fox noted that previous studies showed a limited correlation between overall amygdala size and anxiety or depression. Instead, attention is now shifting to the cellular composition of the amygdala, where certain groups may serve distinct emotional functions and could be directly involved in the onset of anxiety and related disorders.

Advanced techniques reveal cellular information

The UC Davis team, led by graduate student Shawn Kamboj in collaboration with Professor Cynthia Schumann of the UC Davis School of Medicine, used single-cell RNA sequencing to isolate specific groups of cells in human and non-human primates. This advanced approach allowed researchers to sort cells based on their gene expression patterns, thereby identifying cells that may contribute to emotional dysregulation. By isolating the actively expressed genes in each cell, the team mapped a comprehensive cellular profile that could help translate findings from animal models into human applications.

FOXP2 and potential targets of anti-anxiety drugs

Among their discoveries, researchers have demonstrated cells expressing the FOXP2 gene, which, according to them, plays a “guardian” role within the amygdala. Located at the edges of the amygdala, these FOXP2-positive cells regulate signals associated with anxiety. In rodent models, this group of cells appears to act as a checkpoint, controlling the flow of information related to fear responses. The team also identified neuropeptide FF receptor 2 (NPFFR2) in these cells, providing a promising target for future drug therapies.

Implications for treatments of anxiety

This research could offer advanced treatment options by showing how specific cell types contribute to anxiety, potentially enabling therapies targeting “choke points” in emotional processing. According to Fox, the goal is to develop interventions that specifically target the cells that influence anxiety, paving the way for highly targeted and effective treatments.