Scientists Identify Brain Circuit to Reverse Anxiety in Mice
Researchers at the Synaptic Physiology laboratory at the Institute for Neurosciences have discovered a specific brain circuit in mice that plays a significant role in anxiety, depression-like behaviors, and social withdrawal. Led by Juan Lerma, the team found that restoring balance within this circuit can reverse these behaviors. The study, published in iScience, focused on the amygdala, a brain region involved in regulating emotions. By normalizing Grik4 gene activity in the basolateral amygdala, researchers restored communication with inhibitory neurons, reversing anxiety-related behaviors. The findings suggest that targeting specific neural circuits could be an effective strategy for treating affective disorders. 
