A disruption in synaptic transmission could be the cause of anxiety disorders, according to a new study.
- A new study shows that dysregulation of synaptic transmission in the brain leads to certain behavioral abnormalities in mice, such as high anxiety.
- It is a protein complex, called “TrkC-PTPσ”, which is at the heart of the phenomenon.
- This discovery could open new therapeutic avenues.
According to theINSERM, 21% of adults are affected by an anxiety disorder during their lifetime. But despite this significant prevalence, the origin of these psychological difficulties remains quite mysterious. But researchers from the University of Montreal have just made interesting progress on this point.
According to them, anxiety disorders could be linked to an abnormality in the organization of synapses. That is to say the junction points between two neurons which ensure the transmission of information from one to the other.
Anxiety disorder: dysfunctions in the synapses involved
Previous work had highlighted the existence of a protein complex within synaptic transmission, called “TrkC-PTPσ”, certain genes of which are associated with anxiety disorders and autism. The Quebec team wanted to identify the mechanisms of this link.
So for this new study published in the EMBO Journalthe researchers followed mice carrying certain genetic mutations which disrupt the TrkC-PTPσ complex. They then understood that the protein complex ensures the structural and functional maturation of excitatory synapses by controlling phosphorylation. It is a biochemical process that modifies the activity of many proteins in synapses.
Second observation: mice with dysregulation of TrkC-PTPσ had different behavior from the others. These rodents showed high anxiety compared to others. For example, they were more likely to exhibit avoidance behavior in unfamiliar conditions or even social behavior problems.
High-resolution images of the brains of these animals made it possible to detect an anomaly in the organization of synapses. Further examination revealed that there were a greater number of inactive synapses that were misdirecting signals.
Synapse and anxiety disorder: a new therapeutic avenue
For researchers, the discovery of the role of TrkC-PTPσ in the organization of synapses and protein phosphorylation mechanisms, as well as its link with anxiety traits, opens the way to new therapeutic avenues.
Dr. Hideto Takahashi, director of the study, explains in a press release : “This study has two important parts. On the one hand, it reveals new molecular connection mechanisms between brain cells. On the other hand, it allows us to develop a new animal model of anxiety disorders related to panic disorder and agoraphobia, which will help us develop new therapeutic strategies.”
