Different Biological Mechanisms of Anxiety Phenotypes: Genetic Associations of the BDNF and AMPD1 Genes with State and Trait Anxiety

Abstract

This article delves into the genetic underpinnings of anxiety, indicating that both state and trait anxiety have heritable components. However, there is no consensus on the degree of heritability, and much remains to be understood about the specific genetic variants involved and their mechanisms of action. The study explores the role of the BDNF gene, which is involved in the synthesis and transportation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein, and the AMPD1 gene, which facilitates the conversion of inosine monophosphate to adenosine monophosphate, the intracellular precursor for adenosine in the pathophysiology of anxiety. The methodology of this study involved a combination of genetic testing, psychological assessments, and statistical analysis. Participants were recruited from diverse demographic groups to ensure the findings were broadly applicable. DNA samples were collected for genetic testing, and participants completed the STAI questionnaire to measure their state and trait anxiety levels. The genetic data were analyzed to identify associations between variants in the BDNF and AMPD1 genes and levels of anxiety; specifically, the frequency of these variants in participants with high anxiety scores was compared to those with low anxiety scores. The study provided evidence of the association between BDNF variants and levels of trait anxiety and AMPD1 variants with levels of state anxiety, implicating different biological mechanisms underlying these components of anxiety.