Brain Immune Cells Found to Regulate Anxiety and Grooming Behaviors

Brain immune cells found to regulate anxiety and grooming behaviors

A study led by a University of Louisville School of Medicine pediatrics and child neurology researcher reveals how a specific signaling mechanism in microglia, the brain's immune cell, can regulate anxiety and grooming behaviors. These behaviors are core symptoms of autism and obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders.

Brain Immune Cells Drive Compulsive Behavior

Is anxiety an immune response? New research reveals that Hoxb8 microglia, specialized immune cells in the brain, use calcium signaling to switch anxiety and grooming behaviors on and off.