Anxiety

HEALTH INFORMATION

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Identifying the gene-brain mechanisms that contribute to anxiety

WHAT WE KNOW

Anxiety disorder is a general term for frequent bouts of nervousness, fear, apprehension, or worrying, which appear without a reasonable cause. They can cause real, physical symptoms and affect how a person behaves. Anxiety can range from mild, which is vague and unsettling, to severe, which can be extremely debilitating and have a serious impact on daily life. Anxiety is considered a problem when the reaction that occurs is out of proportion to what my normally be expected.

Physical signs sometimes also include:

  • A pounding heart, tight chest or chest pain
  • Feeling short of breath
  • Dizzy, headache, sweaty, tingly, numb
  • Dry mouth, stomach pain
More information

OUR LATEST RESEARCH

Unravelling the link between chronic pain and mental health disorders


ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SYLVIA GUSTIN, BROOKE NAYLOR, DAVID KANG, ANTON PAULSON, DANIEL HULTBERG, DR NEGIN HESAM-SHARIATI

Chronic pain is a significant problem worldwide that results in enormous suffering and costs to affected individuals, their loved ones, and society. The experience of chronic pain is so much more than a sensation. Chronic pain impacts our emotions, cognition and social life.

Role of genetics and stressful trauma in anxiety and depression in various participant groups from the BRID (Brain Resource International Database) (2006-)


PROFESSOR PETER SCHOFIELD AO, DR JUSTINE M GATT

Using various cognitive, psychological and neuroimaging measures, they have investigated the role of several genes known to be involved in brain disorders.

Heritability of brain functioning across resting, emotional and cognitive tasks in the TWIN-E Study (2009-)


PROFESSOR PETER SCHOFIELD AO, DR JUSTINE M GATT

The TWIN-E Emotional Wellbeing study is a large prospective study of over 1,600 monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) adult twins from Twins Research Australia (Gatt et al., 2012, Twin Res Hum Gen).

TEAM LEADERS IN ANXIETY

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SYLVIA GUSTIN Associate Professor, NeuRA & UNSW Rebecca L. Cooper Medical Research Fellow, NeuRA & UNSW Registered Psychologist, AHPRA

DR JUSTINE M GATT Group Leader and Senior Research Scientist, NeuRA Senior Research Fellow, School of Psychology, UNSW Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Sydney

What else is happening in Anxiety research at NeuRA?

FEEL THE BUZZ IN THE AIR? US TOO.

The importance of medical research - Professor Peter Schofield AO

The 2019 Federal Budget has delivered a win for people living with brain disorders in Australia, with a $7million funding boost for research aimed at developing improved models of care. The clinical and research translation program, led by the Mindgardens Neuroscience Network (Mindgardens), will build new models of care to address the staggering burden of brain disorders in Australia. The disease burden associated […]

Gabrielle Hunter
NeuRA BLOG: Budget win for brain disorders

Ten siblings. One third live (or have passed away) with dementia.

The scourge of dementia runs deep in Lorna Clement's family. Of the eleven children her dear parents raised, four live (or have passed away) with complications of the disease. Her mother also died of Alzheimer's disease, bringing the family total to five. This is the mystery of dementia - One family, with two very different ageing outcomes. You will have read that lifestyle is an important factor in reducing the risk of dementia. We also know diet is a key factor, and an aspect that Dr Ruth Peter's is exploring at NeuRA. Along with leading teams delivering high profile evidence synthesis work in the area of dementia risk reduction, Dr Peters has a particular interest in hypertension (that is, high blood pressure) and in the treatment of hypertension in older adults. “We have known for a while that treating high blood pressure reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, but it is becoming clearer that controlling blood pressure may also help to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Now we need to know what the best blood pressure is to protect brain health.” You are invited to read more about Lorna's story and Dr Peter's work, by clicking 'Read the full story' below. Please support dementia research at NeuRA Will you consider a gift today to help Dr Peter's unlock the secrets of healthy ageing and reduce the risk of dementia? Research into ageing and dementia at NeuRA will arm doctors and other medical professionals with the tools they need to help prevent dementia in our communities. Thank you for your support.
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NSW Falls Prevention Network Forum 2019
NeuRA hosts Mental Health Week breakfast at Parliament House

Unravelling the link between chronic pain and mental health disorders

Chronic pain is a significant problem worldwide that results in enormous suffering and costs to affected individuals, their loved ones, and society. The experience of chronic pain is so much more than a sensation. Chronic pain impacts our emotions, cognition and social life.
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