Novel genetic links for anxiety symptoms uncovered in largest study to date

A study led by researchers at King's College London and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute has analyzed genetic data on anxiety symptoms in 693,869 people of European ancestry, revealing new insights into the genetic pathways involved in the condition.

Published in Nature Human Behaviour, the research has found the largest number of genetic associations with anxiety to date.

By linking genetic data to the severity of symptoms rather than the yes-or-no category of a clinical diagnosis, the work brings new understanding to the biological continuum behind anxiety that can range from healthy stress responses to debilitating disorder. ...