About the LwA study | Anxiety media kit

ABOUT THE LIVING WITH ANXIETY (LWA) STUDY

EMBARGOED: 12:01AM AEDT, TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2025

About the Living with Anxiety (LwA) study

The Living with Anxiety (LwA) study aims to identify genes influencing a person’s risk of developing anxiety and how well treatments work.
Identification of these genes will revolutionise future research into causes, treatment and prevention of the illness.
QIMR Berghofer in Brisbane is leading the LwA study.
Professor Sarah Medland OAM, Head of the Psychiatric Genetics group at QIMR Berghofer, is Lead Investigator for the LwA study. She is being supported on the study by Geneticist and Head of the Genetic Epidemiology Research Group at QIMR Berghofer, Professor Nick Martin, Professor Ian Hickie AO, Co-Director, Health and Policy, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney and Professor Elizabeth Scott, Principal Research Fellow & Academic Lead, Brain & Mind Centre, The University of Sydney.
The Australian researchers aim to recruit 5,000 Australians who have been diagnosed with or treated for an anxiety disorder.
Cracking the genetic code of anxiety disorders will allow the development of new, and more effective, personalised treatments able to target the problem directly.
Many international studies to date have explored an individual’s genetic predisposition to anxiety. However, only a handful of the specific predisposing genes have been identified, and there are many more to be found.
Study researchers will analyse DNA from saliva samples collected through the study to find genetic variants associated with anxiety disorders.
Before analysis can begin, DNA will be extracted from each saliva sample and genotyped to provide a ‘read out’ of each participant’s genetic code.
The analysis process, known as a ‘genome-wide association study (GWAS), involves comparing the genotypes of people with experience of an anxiety disorder, to the genotype of those who haven’t experienced an anxiety disorder.
The study will enable the researchers to identify genetic factors that determine why some people experience anxiety, while others do not, and why some people living with anxiety respond to certain treatments, while others do not.

Study participation

Participating in this study could make a genuine contribution to the future diagnosis, management, and treatment of anxiety.
All participants need to be aged 18 years and over and
Have been diagnosed with or treated for an anxiety disorder.
Study participation is strictly confidential. All participant information provided will be maintained in accordance with the Commonwealth Privacy Act (1988) and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) ethical guidelines, and is stored securely on secure, encrypted servers.
Provide online consent to participate in the study

Complete a 30 minute core online survey about your experiences of anxiety and treatment
Optional: Complete a number of short, additional survey modules about your relationships, family background, health, and medical history
Researchers will send a saliva collection kit together with a pre-paid return envelope to eligible participants who have completed the survey.
The LwA study researchers will then extract DNA from saliva samples to identify specific genes associated with anxiety.

To volunteer for, or learn more about the LwA study:

Head to: livingwithanxiety.org.au OR email: lwa@qimrb.edu.au

Should you suspect that you, or a loved one, may be living with anxiety, speak to your local healthcare practitioner without delay.

Australian professional patient support services offering 24/7 helpline services include:

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Lifeline: 13 11 14
MensLine: 1300 78 9978
MindSpot Clinic: 1800 61 4434
SANE Australia: 1800 18 7263
Headspace on 1800 650 890

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