Affecting roughly one in four people over thier lifetime, anxiety disorders represent a significant public health challenge [[1]]. Now, the largest genetic study of its kind, published this month in *Nature Genetics*, has identified 58 genetic variants linked to anxiety, offering new clues to the biological underpinnings of these complex conditions and potentially paving the way for more targeted prevention and treatment strategies . The international research effort,involving over 120,000 individuals with anxiety disorders,underscores the condition’s genetic basis and its similarities to other mental health illnesses.
A new study published in February 2026 in Nature Genetics reveals that anxiety disorders have a genetic basis comparable to other mental health conditions. By identifying robust genetic signals that offer new insights into the biological underpinnings of these prevalent conditions, this international research effort aims to pave the way for more precise and effective prevention and treatment strategies. Approximately one in four people will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime, making this research particularly relevant to public health.
Anxiety disorders encompass a range of conditions, including panic disorder – characterized by sudden, intense anxiety attacks – generalized anxiety disorder, where individuals experience excessive worry about everyday things over a prolonged period, and phobias, which involve strong fears of specific objects or situations. Despite their widespread impact, the biological mechanisms driving anxiety have remained largely unclear.
Now, the largest genetic study of anxiety disorders to date, published in Nature Genetics, has analyzed genetic data from over 120,000 individuals diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and nearly 730,000 people without such a diagnosis. The international team, led by researchers from Texas A&M University (USA), Dalhousie University (Canada), King’s College London (UK), and the University Hospital Würzburg (Germany), identified 58 genetic variants associated with anxiety, most of which had not been previously recognized.
“Anxiety disorders and their underlying genetic risk factors have been understudied compared to other psychiatric illnesses, making this study a significant contribution to understanding these important conditions,” said Professor John Hettema of Texas A&M University.
A Polygenic Risk Similar to Other Mental Health Conditions
The research indicates that anxiety disorders aren’t caused by a single “anxiety gene,” but rather are influenced by numerous genetic variants across the genome, each contributing a small effect. This pattern – known as polygenic risk – mirrors what’s observed in other complex mental health conditions like depression. The findings suggest a shared biological vulnerability across a spectrum of mental health challenges.
Researchers also found strong genetic overlaps between anxiety disorders and related conditions and traits, including depression, neuroticism, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal ideation. This overlap may explain why these conditions frequently occur together.
“This is an exciting advance in anxiety genetics,” said Professor Thalia Eley of King’s College London. “At a time when anxiety is rapidly increasing among young people, it’s crucial to deepen our understanding of what makes individuals biologically vulnerable. I hope that data like these will eventually help identify particularly vulnerable individuals for early intervention.”
Genes Involved in GABAergic Pathways, Plus New Signals
The study confirmed the involvement of genes related to GABAergic signaling, a key system that regulates brain activity. GABA is already the target of several existing anti-anxiety medications, providing further evidence for the brain circuits and neurotransmitter systems long suspected to play a role in anxiety.
While the results don’t support the use of genetic testing to diagnose anxiety, identifying specific genes and biological pathways involved in mental health problems could improve understanding of how anxiety develops and potentially lead to new treatments or improved therapies.
“The study’s findings provide clues about the role of a number of previously unknown molecular signaling pathways in the etiology of anxiety, beyond the GABAergic signaling pathway,” explained Professor Jürgen Deckert of the University Hospital Würzburg. “They lay the foundation for future studies in cell cultures, animal models, and humans, which will contribute to a better understanding of the neurobiology of anxiety and thus to innovative and individualized therapies.”
Professor Deckert served as Director of the Clinic and Polyclinic of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy at the University Hospital Würzburg from 2006 to 2024 and is now a Senior Professor at the Chair of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry at the Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg. He shares last authorship of the Nature Genetics publication with Thalia C. Eley, Manuel Mattheisen, and John M. Hettema.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration Drives New Insights
The University Hospital Würzburg has maintained a research focus on fear, anxiety, and anxiety disorders for the past 20 years. This research has been supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research through the Psychotherapy Networks and by the German Research Foundation through the Collaborative Research Centre TRR 58, with follow-up projects continuing to receive support. These collaborations bring together scientists from human medicine (psychiatry and neurobiology) and the humanities (psychology) to investigate the causes and develop new therapies for anxiety disorders.
“The research on anxiety disorders is a beacon of research at the University Hospital and the University,” said Professor Paul Pauli, President of the Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg. “It exemplifies how interdisciplinary collaboration is practiced here in many areas, regionally, nationally, and internationally, leading to excellence.”
Contact:
Professor Dr. Jürgen Deckert [email protected]
Original Publication:
Strom, N.I., Verhulst, B., Bacanu, SA. et al. Genome-wide association study of major anxiety disorders in 122,341 European-ancestry cases identifies 58 loci and highlights GABAergic signaling. Nat Genet (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-025-02485-8
