New hope for anxiety and depression sufferers?

New study reveals potential means of treating anxiety symptoms

By Liz Lockhart

New studies at the Ohio State University could have found a new means of treating anxiety symptoms and depression.

This could bring potential relief to sufferers from all types of anxiety and some forms of depression throughout the world.

Scientists from OSU have analysed the brain activity of mice test subjects when exposed to conflict, finding that an immune response can be triggered by this social stress, the effects of which can be felt even after the stressor is gone. The release of myeloid progenitor cells to the brain leads to inflammation and other negative symptoms, which persist even after the initial anxiety has passed.

Researchers were able to block this reaction by using beta-blocker treatments, which reduced longer lasting symptoms and behaviours associated with anxiety. According to this researcher, it could provide a new target in developing treatments for conditions such as depression.

Jonathan Godbout, an assistant professor of molecular virology, immunology and medical genetics at the university, said ‘ Since that cell (the MPCs travelling from the bone marrow) is coming from the periphery of the body, we might not need to resort to psychoactive drugs that can have adverse effects on the brain’.

Let’s hope that this new research leads to the improved treatment for anxiety and depression.

Related products

A life free of fear and anxiety is possible through therapy and self-help. Regardless of how you long you have felt this way and how deep your fears and anxieties, you do not have to feel this way forever – help for a happier future is available.