A study by University of Utah Health scientists has uncovered the crucial role of microglia, a lesser-known brain cell type, in modulating anxiety and obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder (OCSD) behaviors. It challenges the conventional view that neurons are the primary regulators of behavior. Researchers found that certain microglia populations could either activate or inhibit anxiety and OCSD-like behaviors in laboratory mice. Specifically, they utilized optogenetics to manipulate microglia, revealing that stimulating specific populations could trigger behaviors such as excessive grooming and heightened anxiety. This interaction suggests a communication pathway exists between microglia and neurons, indicating that microglia contribute significantly to behavior modulation. The study also identified a balance between "accelerator" microglia (Hoxb8 type) and "brake" microglia (non-Hoxb8 type), which maintain normal behavior patterns under healthy conditions and can lead to dysfunction in anxiety and OCSD when disrupted. The findings, published in Molecular Psychiatry, open potential avenues for targeted therapies aimed at alleviating excessive anxiety by focusing on microglial function. As anxiety levels have surged due to the pandemic, this research provides vital insights into the biological roots of anxiety disorders and the therapeutic implications for treating them.
