Media release

MEDICAL MEDIA RELEASE

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

AUS researchers seeking 5,000 volunteers for
genetic investigation into anxiety disorders

Study to glean insights into genetic factors influencing
response to common treatments

QIMR Berghofer researchers are seeking 5,000 adult volunteers diagnosed with or treated for an anxiety disorder – the most common mental health condition affecting 3.4 million Australians1 – for a study designed to improve diagnosis, management and treatment.

The QIMR Berghofer Living with Anxiety (LwA) study aims to pinpoint the genes influencing a person’s risk of developing and recovering from these complex, and often devastating conditions.2, 3

Unlocking the genetic code of anxiety disorders has the potential to revolutionise future research into causes, treatment, and prevention. It can also lead to more effective, personalised treatments for the condition that profoundly compromises quality of life, including the ability to work, maintain relationships, and engage socially.1, 2

According to Lead Study Investigator, and Head of the Psychiatric Genetics Group at QIMR Berghofer, Professor Sarah Medland OAM, Brisbane, the LwA study is striving to deliver practical insights into the genetic or environmental factors that may predict individual responses to common treatment interventions, including benefits or side-effects.

“Around one-in-six (17.2%) Australians aged 16 – 85 years will experience an anxiety disorder in any given year.1 While anxiety disorders are often initially, and effectively, treated with psychological therapies, antidepressants are also commonly prescribed as a second line, or concurrent treatment strategy.

“Genetic variations influence our ability to metabolise, and respond to medicines,4 which can take time, and may involve ‘trial and error’, to determine the optimal treatment/antidepressant for an individual. During this period, a patient often experiences adverse reactions, and side-effects before the ‘right’ treatment is ascertained,” said Prof Medland.

“In fact, an estimated one-in-five individuals using antidepressants will experience at least one distressing side-effect5 – a major cause of medication discontinuation.6

“Large-scale investigations, such as the LwA study, can potentially contribute to minimising adverse reactions to medication through advancing pharmacogenomic testing,” Prof Medland said.

Pharmacogenomics assesses the type of response a patient may have to a particular drug, based on common gene variants,4 and enables a more personalised treatment approach, by identifying the most efficacious medications with the lowest chance of adverse drug reactions for certain individuals.4

“Data from previous pharmacogenomic studies with small sample sizes fail to reflect Australia’s diverse population. In addition, many of the genetic variants included in these studies are seen in less than 5% of the population,7” said co-Study Investigator and Head, Genetic Epidemiology, QIMR Berghofer, Professor Nick Martin, Brisbane.

“It is imperative we conduct larger studies, including participants with common patterns of
co-occurring conditions, to better reflect the broader Australian population – the driver behind the LwA study.”

LwA study Co-Investigator, Professor of Psychiatry, and Co-Director of Health & Policy,
The University of Sydney Brain and Mind Centre, Prof Ian Hickie AO, Sydney, said the study acknowledges the complexity of mental health challenges.

“Given anxiety often co-exists with other mental health issues, such as depression,1, 3, 8, 9 we encourage those living with co-occurring mental health conditions, to also volunteer for the LwA study.

“Study participants need to simply complete an online questionnaire focusing on their personal experience, including treatment benefits, medication types and side-effects, as well as their current circumstances and other health and lifestyle factors that may influence their response to psychological or medicinal interventions,” Prof Hickie said.

“Eligible participants who complete the LwA survey will then be asked to provide a saliva sample,
the DNA from which will be collected and analysed to find genetic variants associated with anxiety disorders.

“This genome-wide association study (GWAS) involves comparing the genotypes of people with experience of an anxiety disorder against controls,” said Prof Hickie.

“Ultimately, participating in the LwA study could make a genuine contribution towards finding more effective, personalised treatments for anxiety disorders, and co-occurring mental health conditions.”

To volunteer for the (LwA) study, head to livingwithanxiety.org.au or email lwa@qimrb.edu.au.

Study participants must be aged 18 years and over. Participation is strictly confidential, and in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) ethical guidelines and the Privacy Act. Researchers will send a saliva collection kit together with a pre-paid return envelope, to eligible participants who have given informed consent and completed the initial questionnaire.

About QIMR Berghofer

QIMR Berghofer is a world-leading translational research institute, renowned for its efforts in both discovery and real patient outcomes, specialising in mental health, cancer, infectious diseases, and a range of chronic diseases. With the vision to lead the way to significant innovation in health – nationally and globally – QIMR Berghofer aims to improve health by developing new diagnostics, better treatments and prevention strategies. To learn more, head to qimrb.edu.au.10

ends#

Issued by VIVA! Communications on behalf of QIMR Berghofer.

MEDIA INTERVIEWS & CONTACTS

To coordinate an interview with Professor Sarah Medland OAM, QIMR Berghofer, Professor Nick Martin, QIMR Berghofer and/or Professor Ian Hickie AO, The University of Sydney Brain and Mind Centre, please contact:

Kirsten Bruce & Sam Jacobs, VIVA! Communications

M 0401 717 566 | 0402 654 521

T 02 9968 3741 | 02 9968 1604

E kirstenbruce@vivacommunications.com.au | sam@vivacommunications.com.au

References

1. National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing [Internet]. Canberra: ABS: Australian Bureau of Statistics; 2023 [Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/latest-release].

2. Anxiety disorders: World Health Organization; 2023 [Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anxiety-disorders].

3. Anxiety: healthdirect; 2024 [Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/anxiety].

4. RACGP. Pharmacogenomics 2025 [Available from: https://www.racgp.org.au/clinical-resources/clinical-guidelines/key-racgp-guidelines/view-all-racgp-guidelines/genomics-in-general-practice/genetic-tests-and-technologies/pharmacogenomics].

5. Whooley MA, Simon GE. Managing Depression in Medical Outpatients. New England Journal of Medicine. 2000;343(26):1942-50.

6. Kopcalic K, Arcaro J, Pinto A, Ali S, Barbui C, Curatoli C, et al. Antidepressants versus placebo for generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2025(1).

7. Mostafa S, Kirkpatrick CMJ, Byron K, Sheffield L. An analysis of allele, genotype and phenotype frequencies, actionable pharmacogenomic (PGx) variants and phenoconversion in 5408 Australian patients genotyped for CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genes. Journal of Neural Transmission. 2019;126(1):5-18.

8. Kvaal K, McDougall FA, Brayne C, Matthews FE, Dewey ME. Co-occurrence of anxiety and depressive disorders in a community sample of older people: results from the MRC CFAS (Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study). Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2008;23(3):229-37.

9. American Psychiatric A. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5-TR. Fifth edition, text revision. ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022.

10. QIMR Berghofer. About QIMR Berghofer 2024 [Available from: https://www.qimrb.edu.au/about].