King's College London scientists uncover new genetic clues to anxiety

June 11, 2026

South London News Smart London Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

Feeling the pressure? Scientists at King's College London have made a significant breakthrough in understanding anxiety, uncovering new genetic links in the largest study of its kind. This could be a vital step towards better support for millions.

Unlocking Anxiety's Genetic Code

Researchers at King's College London, working with the QIMR Berghofer medical research institute, analysed genetic data from nearly 700,000 people. They discovered the most extensive set of genetic associations with anxiety symptoms ever found.

This groundbreaking research, published in Nature Human Behaviour, looked at the severity of symptoms rather than just a yes/no diagnosis. This offers a fresh perspective on the biological spectrum of anxiety. It ranges from normal stress responses to more severe, debilitating conditions.

Professor Thalia Eley, a lead author from King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), highlighted the urgency. "Despite the public health impact of anxiety, progress in the understanding of its genetics lags behind other major mental health conditions," she stated. "Given the high and rising rates of anxiety, especially in young adults, it is more important than ever to improve our ability to identify and understand sources of risk."

New Genetic Pathways Revealed

The study pinpointed 74 locations in the genome linked to anxiety symptoms. A significant portion of these, 39, are entirely new discoveries. These findings support the role of specific genes, like PCLO and SORCS3, which are active in brain tissue and involved in nerve cell communication.

Dr Megan Skelton, a research fellow at IoPPN and first author, expressed her excitement. "This is an exciting step forward in understanding how anxiety risk can be influenced by biological processes," she said. "It's important to highlight that genetics interplay with life experiences, social contexts, and psychological factors to shape individual risk."

She added that genetics don't change much across generations. Therefore, addressing environmental factors is key to reducing anxiety rates in the population.

Interconnected Health

The research also revealed significant genetic links between anxiety and various physical health conditions. These include depression, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pain, and migraines.

Dr Brittany Mitchell from QIMR Berghofer noted the interconnectedness. "These correlations highlight the interconnection between mental and physical health," she explained. "Importantly, while some shared genetic variants may increase risk for both a physical health condition and more severe anxiety symptoms, it’s also true that living with chronic pain or illness can contribute to anxiety symptoms."

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South London News Smart London Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

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