Molecular Psy: persistent anxiety may be linked to testosterone deficiency

Researchers from Ben-Gurion University in Israel have found a link between low testosterone levels and the risk of developing an anxiety disorder. The results were published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry (Molecular Psy).

The results of an experiment involving laboratory mice showed that male animals exhibiting increased anxiety had markedly reduced levels of a specific receptor called TACR3 in the hippocampus. This is a region of the brain closely associated with learning and memory processes.

Earlier studies have shown that mutations in genes related to TACR3 lead to congenital hypogonadism. This is a pathological condition that develops when physical activity is significantly restricted. Hypodynamia is often the cause of decreased production of sex hormones such as testosterone. It is noted that young men with low testosterone levels often have delayed sexual development, accompanied by depression and increased anxiety.

Using the method of mutual correlation (a method of calculation based on the assessment of the dependence of one trait on another), the scientists found that the decrease in the activity of TACR3 leads to a sharp increase in the number of these receptors on the surface layers of cells. This leads to a decrease in synaptic plasticity - the ability of connections between brain cells to change their strength and effectively rearrange neural circuits to adapt to the environment. Such pathology may be responsible for the development of anxiety disorder.

The researchers also found that the effects of insufficient TACR receptor activity can be mitigated by testosterone injections. They expressed hope that testosterone injection could be a promising therapy for anxiety disorder.

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