Scientists led by UC Davis have identified new cell clusters in the amygdala, revealing potential pathways for more targeted treatments of anxiety and depression, according to a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
In a decisive leap towards unraveling the mysteries of the brain’s involvement in emotional disorders, scientists led by the University of California, Davis have discovered new cell clusters within the amygdala. Their findings, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, could pave the way for more precise treatments for anxiety and depression, conditions impacting millions globally.
“The amygdala is central to emotion processing in the brain, and is known to contribute to fear and anxiety,” senior author Drew Fox, an associate professor in the UC Davis Department of Psychology, said in a news release.
The research team, led by graduate student Shawn Kamboj, focused on the gene expression patterns within these newly identified cell clusters in both human and rhesus macaque amygdalae. Their innovative approach involved single-cell RNA sequencing, which allowed them to isolate individual cells and analyze their active genes, grouping them based on gene expression profiles.
“We can cluster cells based on their gene expression, identify cell types and their developmental origin,” Fox added.
Understanding the intricate cellular makeup of the amygdala marks a significant advancement, especially since previous studies indicated that the overall size and structure of the amygdala do not reliably predict emotional disorders. This finer resolution of its cellular landscape could lead to identifying specific cell types that play critical roles in such disorders.
For instance, the study discovered cells expressing the gene FOXP2 in both humans and macaques. These cells, located on the edges of the amygdala, act as “gatekeepers,” managing the flow of signals in and out, a role previously demonstrated in rodents. This discovery highlights intercalated cells as pivotal targets for therapeutic intervention.
The team also pinpointed cells that express anxiety-related genes alongside a receptor called Neuropeptide FF Receptor 2 (NPFFR2), which can be targeted by medications. This particular insight lays the groundwork for new treatment strategies that could target the NPFFR2 pathway to alleviate anxiety symptoms.
“Put simply, if we’re developing a drug to target the amygdala, we want to know which cell type we are targeting,” Fox added.
The collaboration involved experts from the UC Davis School of Medicine, the UC Davis MIND Institute, the California National Primate Research Center and the University of Rochester.
This groundbreaking research not only enhances the fundamental understanding of the amygdala but also bridges the gap between animal models and human conditions, offering hope for more effective treatments for anxiety and related disorders in the near future.