mental health

ADORA2A

What Role Does This Adenosine Receptor Play In Anxiety? (ADORA2A)

Written by John Williams, B.Sc on September 15th, 2020

The ADORA2A gene encodes an adenosine receptor in the brain. Variants seem to be associated with anxiety, especially in response to caffeine intake. Read on to learn more!

Summary

ADORA2A encodes the Adenosine 2A receptor. ADORA2A causes dopamine levels to go up by opposing the DRD2 gene, which codes for the receptor that dopamine binds to in order to turn off.

Variants of ADORA2A play a role in anxiety through decreased production of Adenosine 2A receptors, which leads to decreased adenosine and dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is associated with anxiety.

Lifestyle, diet, and supplement modifications can counteract the effects of these variants by increasing either adenosine or dopamine levels in the brain.

ADORA2A and Anxiety

ADORA2A encodes the adenosine A2A receptor. These receptors are mainly located in the nucleus accumbens of the brain, which is the same place where dopamine is produced [R, R].

The DRD2 gene encodes D2 dopamine receptors — these receptors are inhibitory and will cause dopamine levels to go down [R].

When adenosine binds the A2A receptor, dopamine becomes less able to bind to its D2 receptor. As a result, an active ADORA2A gene results in higher dopamine production [R, R].

Some variants of ADORA2A will produce fewer receptors and therefore less dopamine. Low dopamine levels are associated with anxiety [R, R].

Your ADORA2A Results for Anxiety

SNP Table

variant	genotype	frequency	risk allele
rs5751876
rs3761422
rs5751862
rs2298383

NOTE: All of these SNPs are linked. This means that if you have a 'negative' allele for one of them, you have a higher chance of having the others as well.

Primary SNP:

ADORA2A rs5751876

‘T’ = associated with panic disorder, anxiety and caffeine-induced anxiety
‘C’ = not associated with anxiety

Other Important SNPs:

ADORA2A rs3761422

‘T’ = increased association with anxiety
‘C’ = not associated with anxiety

ADORA2A rs5751862

‘G’ = increased association with anxiety
‘A’ = not associated with anxiety

ADORA2A rs2298383

‘C’ = increased association with anxiety and caffeine-related anxiety
‘T’ = not associated with anxiety

Based on computer experimentation, this is the SNP that may actually 'cause' the increased anxiety [R].

Recommendations

Lifestyle

Physical Exercise

Exercise increases the amount of adenosine in your brain. This is because most adenosine in your body comes from the breakdown of ATP — and ATP is broken down when you use energy [R].

Like the ADORA2A gene, exercise also helps with anxiety by increasing dopamine levels in the brain [R, R].

Physical exercise should be performed on a regular basis for the maximum benefit [R].

Regular physical exercise may help with anxiety by boosting dopamine levels.

Diet

Reduce Caffeine Intake

Certain ADORA2A variants are more at risk of developing caffeine-induced anxiety. This effect appears to be much stronger in those who do not drink caffeine regularly [R, R].

Caffeine blocks the A2A receptors and decreases adenosine’s effect in the brain by competing with it. This is because caffeine and adenosine molecules look very similar. Therefore, reducing caffeine intake may allow adenosine to function normally again [R].

If you are a heavy coffee drinker, you may experience caffeine withdrawal symptoms. It is best to reduce caffeine intake slowly [R].

Caffeine directly competes with adenosine on the A2A receptor and prevents it from doing its job. Slowly reducing caffeine intake may help with anxiety.

John Williams

B.Sc

John received his BSc from the University of Toronto. John has spent the last several years teaching high school science and math to English-language learners, which has forced him to learn how to simplify difficult concepts as much as possible. He has also worked in two different research labs and has experience as a student intern working and studying under doctors in hospitals and clinics to help diagnose and treat patients, interpret lab results and fill out mountains of paperwork.

Disclaimer

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other official medical body. This information is presented for educational purposes only, and may not be used to diagnose or treat any illness or disease.

Also keep in mind that the “Risk Score” presented in this post is based only on a select number of SNPs, and therefore only represents a small portion of your total risk as an individual. Furthermore, these analyses are based primarily on associational studies, which do not necessarily imply causation. Finally, many other (non-genetic) factors can also play a significant role in the development of a disease or health condition — therefore, carrying any of the risk-associated genotypes discussed in this post does not necessarily mean you are at increased risk of developing a major health condition.

Always consult your doctor before acting on any information or recommendations discussed in this post — especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have been officially diagnosed with a medical condition.

More mental health blogs

How to Be a Better Dater (HTR2A) How to Increase Your Chances of a Romantic Relationship (5HT1A) Are You Genetically Vulnerable to High Brain Histamine, Migraines, or ADHD? (HNMT) Protect Yourself Against Stress and Mood Problems with the Oxytocin (OXTR) Gene Beat “Brain Fog” With The Cannabinoid System (CNR1) Boost Your Cognitive Ability By Protecting Your Dopamine Neurons (LMX1A) How Emotionally Self-Aware Are You? (5HT1A) The Gene That Increases Cognitive Processing Speed by Inhibiting Inflammation (NFKBIL1) The Key Dopamine Receptor Gene That Influences Your Intelligence And Creativity (DRD2) How to Increase Intelligence and Enhance Learning (BDNF)

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Summary ADORA2A and Anxiety Your ADORA2A Results for Anxiety

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