The Role of Neurogenesis in Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in the community; affected of about one-eighth of the world's populations. These disorders are an important area of research for psychiatrics. Neurogenesis plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of mood and anxiety disorders. Neurogenesis is the process which occurs in the adult mammals’ brains and provides the potential for brain repair. Therefore, we might gain a better understanding about the pathophysiology and treatment of anxiety disorders through study of the relationship between neurogenesis and anxiety disorders.
There is a direct relationship between neurogenesis and anxiety disorders. Reduction of neurogenesis leads to development or enhancement of anxiety disorders. The type of examined animals may influence the neurogenesis and its effect on anxiety disorders. Several internal and external factors play important roles in reduction of neurogenesis and affect the cell behaviors, especially on neurons. Stem cell therapy might be used as a strategy for treatment of anxiety disorders in the future.