342 | id == 342
342 | category_id == 21
342 | category_order == 18
342 | category_name == Anxiety
342 | category_color == #C47AC0
342 | slug == DSCAM-anxiety
342 | title == Can Changes in Brain Connectivity Influence Anxiety? (DSCAM)
342 | meta_description == DSCAM plays a role in forming brain cell connections. Variants of DSCAM are associated with anxiety. Read more here.
342 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>The <em>DSCAM </em>gene codes for a protein that helps form connections between brain cells. Variants of <em>DSCAM </em>have been associated with anxiety. Read more to learn about these variants, and how to mitigate their negative effects.</strong></p>
342 | overall_score_text == Your Anxiety Score (based on DSCAM gene)
342 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/DSCAM-Anxiety.jpg
342 | author_id == 14
342 | author_name == Shany Lahan
342 | author_title == MS (Neuroscience)
342 | author_order == 5
342 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Shany.webp
342 | author_intro == <p>Shany received her MSc in Neuroscience from Western University.</p>    <p>Prior to joining SelfDecode, Shany conducted research related to Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, and taught science to undergraduate students. She believes that research should be accessible to everyone, regardless of scientific background. Shany joined SelfDecode&nbsp;with a mission to help others optimize their health and wellbeing &ndash; as well as help them understand the science behind it all.</p>
342 | reviewer == None
342 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
342 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
342 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
342 | publish_date == 2020
342 | publish_date == 9
342 | publish_date == 21
342 | avg_rating == 5.0
342 | tags_id == 112
342 | tags_name == Anxiety
342 | tags_id == 729
342 | tags_name == Down Syndrome
342 | tags_id == 727
342 | tags_name == DSCAM Gene
342 | tags_id == 532
342 | tags_name == Hippocampus
342 | tags_id == 59
342 | tags_name == Learning and Memory
342 | tags_id == 728
342 | tags_name == Long-Term Potentiation
342 | tags_id == 57
342 | tags_name == Synaptic Plasticity
342 | permissions_favorite == False
342 | permissions_rate == False
342 | content_article == <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Summary</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">DSCAM is a protein that helps form connections between brain cells during brain development. Variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">DSCAM </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.&nbsp;</span></span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>DSCAM</em> and Anxiety</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="../../../gene/dscam/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">DSCAM </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">gene</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 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 [</span><a href="https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/DSCAM"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10892653/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18837673/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17482551/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">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 [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6634725/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15225971/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">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 </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/long-term-potentiation-ltp/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">long-term potentiation</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Long-term potentiation is a form of </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/synaptic-plasticity/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">synaptic plasticity</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and can be defined as the strengthening of neuronal connections [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6634725/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Apart from its characteristic features, symptoms of anxiety and anxiety disorders are common in individuals with Down syndrome. In fact, variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">DSCAM </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">have been associated with an increased propensity for anxiety [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11078217/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10899801/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although more studies need to be conducted to elucidate the mechanism behind this association, it&rsquo;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 [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24047446"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Your <em>DSCAM</em> Results for Anxiety</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">*6022741255697328*</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Primary SNP</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>DSCAM </em></strong><a href="../../../snp/rs2837693/"><strong>rs2837693</strong></a></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Increased propensity for anxiety</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = Not associated with anxiety</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Important SNPs</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>DSCAM </em></strong><a href="../../../snp/rs9980603/"><strong>rs9980603</strong></a></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Increased propensity for anxiety, relative to &lsquo;C&rsquo; allele&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Decreased propensity for anxiety, relative to &lsquo;T&rsquo; allele&nbsp;</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>DSCAM </em></strong><a href="../../../snp/rs1040315/"><strong>rs1040315</strong></a></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Increased propensity for anxiety, relative to &lsquo;G&rsquo; allele</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = Decreased propensity for anxiety, relative to &lsquo;A&rsquo; allele</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;">*4929327418595923*</p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Recommendations for Reducing Anxiety</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">*4322985480842036*</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Lifestyle</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Exercise</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Individuals who regularly take part in physical </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/top-14-proven-health-benefits-exercise-references-mechanisms/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">exercise</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 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 [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16439008"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26088005/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">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 [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25874370/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11148895"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28088704"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">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 [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27693393"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27878552/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28466271"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Exercise may reduce anxiety by increasing production of NMDA receptors and promoting long-term potentiation in the hippocampus.&nbsp;</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Diet</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Calorie Restriction</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">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 [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24097021/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6627283/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25001959/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A calorie-restricted, low-fat diet demonstrated more favorable effects on mood and anxiety than a low-carb diet without calorie restriction [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19901139/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A mouse study found that calorie restriction via </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/intermittent-fasting/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">intermittent fasting</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 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 [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17881524/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Calorie-restricted diets may reduce anxiety by increasing production of NMDA receptors and promoting long-term potentiation in the hippocampus.</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Supplements</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Ashwagandha</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://content.selfdecode.com/blog/59-proven-scientific-benefits-ashwagandha-references/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ashwagandha</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, an herb native to India, was observed to reduce mood fluctuations and anxiety in women with menopausal syndrome [</span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3665193/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Similarly, many animal studies have reported mood-stabilizing effects, as well as reductions in anxiety, after consumption of this herb [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20528765"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3252722/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22546655"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11194174"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18476388"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a study of epileptic rats, ashwagandha was observed to increase the production of NMDA receptors in the hippocampus [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22700086"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">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 [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24012642/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28253924/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Ashwagandha may reduce anxiety by increasing production of NMDA receptors and&nbsp; promoting long-term potentiation in the hippocampus.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">For a comprehensive list of ways to promote long-term potentiation, </span></em><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/long-term-potentiation-ltp-strategies/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">click here</span></em></a><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></em></p>
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342 | content_learn_more_4929327418595923_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your DSCAM gene makes you somewhat more prone to anxiety. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of anxiety; it’s just one gene related to it. Exercise, calorie restriction, and ashwagandha supplements may help. Keep scrolling to find out more.
342 | content_recommendation_4322985480842036_key == 4322985480842036
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rsIDs = rs1040315,rs2837693,rs9980603
rsStatus = rs1040315,DSCAM,chr21,40452925,A,G,,,23,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs2837693,DSCAM,chr21,40538435,G,A,,,40,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs9980603,DSCAM,chr21,40514656,T,C,,,18,3,HET
