Genome-Wide Study Finds 80 Anxiety Variants in 693,869 People, Expanding Risk Map to 74 Loci
Updated
Updated · Nature.com · Jun 10
Genome-Wide Study Finds 80 Anxiety Variants in 693,869 People, Expanding Risk Map to 74 Loci
2 articles · Updated · Nature.com · Jun 10
Summary
A meta-analysis of 693,869 people of European ancestry identified 80 independent genome-wide significant variants tied to generalized anxiety symptom severity across 74 loci, including 39 loci not previously linked to anxiety.
The larger discovery count came from analyzing anxiety as a quantitative symptom continuum rather than a case-control diagnosis, with SNP-based heritability estimated at 5.9% and many previously known anxiety signals showing the same direction of effect.
Polygenic scores built from the findings predicted anxiety symptoms and disorder across ancestries, explaining 2.9% of variance in Europeans, 1.4% in Africans and 1.2% in South Asians.
Genetic overlap was strongest with neuroticism, depression and anxiety diagnoses, and also appeared with irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pain, coronary artery disease, endometriosis and migraine.
Gene and pathway analyses pointed to brain-enriched synaptic and axonal processes—highlighting genes such as PCLO and SORCS3—while the authors said broader non-European datasets are still needed.
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Anxiety’s Genetic Blueprint in 2026: Key Discoveries, Brain-Gut Connections, and the Path to Equitable Care
Overview
This report highlights a major 2026 study published in Nature Human Behaviour that marks a breakthrough in understanding the genetics of anxiety. Historically, anxiety genetics lagged behind other mental health research, but this study, led by Professor Thalia Eley, addresses that gap by identifying key genes linked to anxiety risk. The research aims to improve how we identify and understand anxiety’s causes, paving the way for large-scale genetic analyses. By mapping anxiety’s genetic architecture, the study sets the stage for future discoveries and more targeted prevention and treatment strategies for those affected by anxiety.