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DSCAM

Can Changes in Brain Connectivity Influence Anxiety? (DSCAM)

Written by Shany Lahan, MS (Neuroscience) on September 21st, 2020

The DSCAM gene codes for a protein that helps form connections between brain cells. Variants of DSCAM have been associated with anxiety. Read more to learn about these variants, and how to mitigate their negative effects.

Summary

DSCAM is a protein that helps form connections between brain cells during brain development. Variants of DSCAM may play a role in anxiety by preventing normal brain cell connections from forming. Lifestyle, diet, and supplement modifications can counteract the effects of these variants by strengthening brain cell connections.

DSCAM and Anxiety

The DSCAM gene codes for the Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (DSCAM), a protein that is important for the expansion of brain cells (neurons) during brain development. This protein plays an essential role in regulating the formation of connections between neurons by preventing self-connections from forming [R, R, R, R].

DSCAM is named as such because its production has been observed to significantly increase in Down syndrome. In a study of a Down syndrome mouse model, increased production of DSCAM prevented the expansion of neurons in the hippocampus, a brain region that has been implicated in memory consolidation and more recently, in anxiety [R, R].

Interestingly, the same study found increased production of DSCAM to be mediated by impairment in the activity of NMDA receptors, which play an important role in long-term potentiation. Long-term potentiation is a form of synaptic plasticity, and can be defined as the strengthening of neuronal connections [R].

Apart from its characteristic features, symptoms of anxiety and anxiety disorders are common in individuals with Down syndrome. In fact, variants of DSCAM have been associated with an increased propensity for anxiety [R, R].

Although more studies need to be conducted to elucidate the mechanism behind this association, it’s possible that these variants may increase the production of DSCAM in the hippocampus, which may result in dysregulation of neuronal connection formation and consequent symptoms of anxiety [R].

Your DSCAM Results for Anxiety

SNP Table

variant	genotype	frequency	risk allele
rs2837693
rs9980603
rs1040315

Primary SNP

DSCAM rs2837693

‘A’ = Increased propensity for anxiety
‘G’ = Not associated with anxiety

Other Important SNPs

DSCAM rs9980603

‘T’ = Increased propensity for anxiety, relative to ‘C’ allele
‘C’ = Decreased propensity for anxiety, relative to ‘T’ allele

DSCAM rs1040315

‘A’ = Increased propensity for anxiety, relative to ‘G’ allele
‘G’ = Decreased propensity for anxiety, relative to ‘A’ allele

Recommendations

Lifestyle

Exercise

Individuals who regularly take part in physical exercise have been observed to experience lower levels of neuroticism, anxiety, and depression. Conversely, a number of studies have shown that individuals who do not exercise regularly may be at increased risk of anxiety [R, R].

Aerobic exercise, as opposed to strengthening or stretching exercise, may be most effective at reducing anxiety in both healthy people and those diagnosed with anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and PTSD [R, R, R].

Animal studies have provided evidence that exercise may increase production of NMDA receptors in the hippocampus and significantly enhance long-term potentiation in this brain region. However, long-term potentiation may require consistent exercise in order to be maintained, as this effect has been observed to disappear when animals stop exercising regularly [R, R, R].

Exercise may reduce anxiety by increasing production of NMDA receptors and promoting long-term potentiation in the hippocampus.

Diet

Calorie Restriction

Restricting caloric intake, as well as the subsequent weight loss, lowered anxiety and improved mood in several clinical trials focused on aging and overweight individuals [R, R, R].

A calorie-restricted, low-fat diet demonstrated more favorable effects on mood and anxiety than a low-carb diet without calorie restriction [R].

A mouse study found that calorie restriction via intermittent fasting may increase the production of NMDA receptors in certain brain regions. This same study also observed enhanced long-term potentiation in the hippocampi of mice following a calorie-restricted, intermittent fasting regimen [R].

Calorie-restricted diets may reduce anxiety by increasing production of NMDA receptors and promoting long-term potentiation in the hippocampus.

Supplements

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha, an herb native to India, was observed to reduce mood fluctuations and anxiety in women with menopausal syndrome [R].

Similarly, many animal studies have reported mood-stabilizing effects, as well as reductions in anxiety, after consumption of this herb [R, R, R, R, R].

In a study of epileptic rats, ashwagandha was observed to increase the production of NMDA receptors in the hippocampus [R].

Although researchers have yet to provide clear evidence of long-term potentiation in response to ashwagandha supplementation, the beneficial effects of ashwagandha on synaptic plasticity in general suggest that ashwagandha may similarly promote long-term potentiation [R, R].

Ashwagandha may reduce anxiety by increasing production of NMDA receptors and promoting long-term potentiation in the hippocampus.

For a comprehensive list of ways to promote long-term potentiation, click here.

Shany Lahan

MS (Neuroscience)

Shany received her MSc in Neuroscience from Western University.

Prior to joining SelfDecode, Shany conducted research related to Alzheimer’s disease, and taught science to undergraduate students. She believes that research should be accessible to everyone, regardless of scientific background. Shany joined SelfDecode with a mission to help others optimize their health and wellbeing – as well as help them understand the science behind it all.

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.

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Can Changes in Brain Connectivity Influence Anxiety? (DSCAM)

Summary

DSCAM and Anxiety

Your DSCAM Results for Anxiety

SNP Table

Recommendations

Lifestyle

Exercise

Diet

Calorie Restriction

Supplements

Ashwagandha

Disclaimer

More mental health blogs

Content

Unlock Personalized Results And So Much More!

Essential Bundle

Essential

Bundle

Ultimate Bundle

Limited Time Offer 25% Off

Individual DNA Reports

Methylation Pathway - MTHFR Test

Histamine Intolerance DNA Pathway Report

Gut Health, Digestion & IBS DNA Report

Autoimmune Disease Risk & Prevention DNA Report

See all reports

Policies

About

Navigation

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