Translational epigenetics in anxiety disorders

Understanding Anxiety Disorders and the Role of our Biology: Anxiety disorders are caused by a combination of factors, including our genetic predispositions, the immune system, life experiences, or mental stress. Recent research suggests that epigeneticsa process that changes the way genes work without altering the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid: human genetic code)may help explain how these factors interact to cause anxiety. One part of epigenetics, called "histone acetylation", may be particularly important, but it has not been studied much in anxiety disorders yet. What This Study Aims to Do: This study will explore whether unusual patterns of histone acetylation are found in people with anxiety disorders and in animals exhibiting high levels of anxiety. Researchers will also examine whether successful treatments for anxiety, including innovative treatments such as therapeutic climbing for patients, return these patterns to normal. The ultimate goal is to understand whether these biological changes could serve as a markeror "molecular fingerprint"for anxiety. This translational approach bridges laboratory research and real-world clinical care by applying biological insights to improve treatments for patients. How the Study Works: The study will compare histone acetylation in three groups: 1. Mice exhibiting high anxiety, treated with anti-anxiety drugs and encouraged to engage in anxiolytic activities (such as exercise). 2. Individuals diagnosed with anxiety disorders, treated with standard therapy as well as an innovative therapy consisting of therapeutic climbing. 3. Healthy mice and humans, who will serve as control groups. Blood samples and in mice also samples from the brain will be examined for changes in histone acetylation. Researchers will investigate whether anxiety treatments affect histone acetylation patterns and if the changes last over timethree months for humans and four weeks for mice. Why This Research Is Unique: This is the first study to investigate whether histone acetylation can act as a measurable biological marker for anxiety. By studying both animals and humans and analysing the results in a combined statistical approach, the researchers can connect changes symptoms to biological changes in blood to corresponding changes in the brain. The findings could pave the way for more personalized and effective treatments for anxiety disorders, ensuring people receive the care that works best for their unique biology. Whos Conducting the Research: This project is initialized by the neurologist and psychiatrist K. Hüfner and B. Sperner-Unterweger, the neuroscientists A. Sah, N. Singewald, S.B.Sartori, the biochemist B. Sarg, the psychologists M. Kopp and C. Bichler, and the sociologist R.Ehlers.