Scientists find hidden brain nutrient deficit that may fuel anxiety

People with anxiety disorders may share a measurable change in brain chemistry involving choline, an essential nutrient tied to memory, mood, cell structure, and nerve signaling. Research from UC Davis Health found that people diagnosed with anxiety disorders had lower levels of choline in the brain than people without anxiety. The finding comes from a study published in Molecular Psychiatry , a Nature journal, and offers a rare look at the chemistry that may be connected to anxiety across sever

The researchers reviewed data from 25 previous studies that measured neurometabolites, the chemicals involved in brain metabolism. Altogether, the analysis included 370 people with anxiety disorders and 342 people without anxiety. The standout finding was choline. People with anxiety disorders had about 8% lower levels of this nutrient in the brain compared with those in the control groups. The pattern was especially clear in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region that helps regulate thought, emotion, decision making, and behavior. "This is the first meta-analysis to show a chemical pattern in the brain in anxiety disorders," said Jason Smucny, co-author and an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. "It suggests nutritional approaches -- like appropriate choline supplementation -- may help restore brain chemistry and improve outcomes for patients." Choline (pronounced kō-lēn) plays several important roles in the body. It helps form cell membranes and supports brain functions involved in memory, mood regulation, and muscle control. Although the body can make a small amount on its own, most choline must come from food. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in the United States. Richard Maddock, senior author of the study, is a psychiatrist and research professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. He is also a researcher at the UC Davis Imaging Research Center, where scientists use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods to study brain health.

Key points

• The researchers reviewed data from 25 previous studies that measured neurometabolites, the chemicals involved in brain metabolism.
• Altogether, the analysis included 370 people with anxiety disorders and 342 people without anxiety.
• The standout finding was choline.
• People with anxiety disorders had about 8% lower levels of this nutrient in the brain compared with those in the control groups.
• The pattern was especially clear in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region that helps regulate thought, emotion, decision making, and behavior.