Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 7, 2026
05:05
The Successive Alleys Test of Anxiety in Mice and Rats
Published on: June 17, 2013
22.6K
Anxiety genetics: Dispatches from the frontier
Jordan W Smoller1,2,3
1Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
Summary
Genetic research on anxiety disorders lags due to insufficient genomic studies. New strategies are emerging to explore the complex genetic basis of pathological anxiety.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Genetics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Anxiety disorders represent a significant public health challenge, characterized by high heritability but limited genetic discoveries.
- Progress in understanding the genetic underpinnings of anxiety has lagged behind other psychiatric disorders, primarily due to a lack of well-powered genomic studies.
Discussion:
- This Special Issue explores diverse strategies to advance anxiety disorder genetics.
- Approaches include genome-wide association studies, exome sequencing, and genetic prediction of treatment response.
Key Insights:
- The genetic basis of pathological anxiety is complex and multifaceted.
- Current genomic studies lack the power to fully elucidate these genetic contributions.
Outlook:
- Future research requires more powerful and comprehensive analyses to unravel the genetic architecture of anxiety disorders.
- Integrating frameworks like the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) may help dissect underlying anxiety domains.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Human Genetics
1.8K
Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
1.8K
01:28Social Anxiety Disorder
652
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.
652
01:30Generalized Anxiety Disorder
917
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry that persists for at least six months, significantly interfering with daily functioning. Unlike situational anxiety, which arises in response to specific stressors, GAD often occurs without a clear cause. Individuals may experience disproportionate worry about work, health, or relationships. For instance, a person might continuously fear poor health despite normal medical evaluations or...
917
01:18Anxiety: Overview
1.2K
Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
1.2K
01:27Panic Disorder
953
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and sudden minutes-long episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. These attacks may feel like heart attacks and often happen without warning or a specific cause. They can include symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and a sense of helplessness. During a panic attack, individuals may feel as though they are experiencing a heart attack or are in a...
953
01:23Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs
1.2K
Behavior genetics explores how genetic inheritance influences human behavior. It focuses on how genes, passed from parents to offspring, contribute to the development of behavioral traits and tendencies. This branch of genetics seeks to understand the complex interplay between inherited genetic factors and environmental influences in shaping our behaviors.
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
1.2K