New Study Links Low Choline Levels to Anxiety Disorders
Full Transcript
Scientists at UC Davis Health have found that individuals with anxiety disorders have reduced levels of choline in their brains. This finding, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, was based on a meta-analysis of 25 studies involving 370 individuals with anxiety disorders and 342 without.
The analysis revealed that choline levels were approximately 8% lower in those with anxiety, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, which is crucial for emotional regulation and decision-making. Jason Smucny, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, stated that this is the first meta-analysis to identify a chemical pattern associated with anxiety disorders.
The study's senior author, Richard Maddock, noted that anxiety disorders affect about 30% of adults in the U.S. These disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and phobias.
Changes in brain circuits and chemicals influence how individuals process stress, with the amygdala and prefrontal cortex responding differently in those with anxiety. Chronic anxiety can lead to an imbalance in chemicals like norepinephrine, which is involved in the 'fight-or-flight' response.
Maddock and Smucny utilized a non-invasive imaging method called proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure brain chemicals, confirming their previous findings of reduced choline levels in patients with panic disorder.
While the researchers believe that increased demand for choline in the brain might be linked to heightened anxiety, they caution against self-supplementation, emphasizing the importance of a well-balanced diet that includes choline-rich foods such as beef liver, egg yolks, and fish.
Most people in the U.S. do not meet the recommended daily intake of choline, which is vital for various brain functions including memory and mood regulation. The researchers stress the need for further research to understand whether dietary changes can effectively reduce anxiety symptoms.