Possible association between the lrrk2 gene and anxiety behavior: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Alterations to the LRRK2 gene have been associated with Parkinson’s disease and alcohol consumption in animals and humans. Furthermore, these disorders are strongly related to anxiety disorders (ADs). Thus, we investigated how the LRRK2 gene might influence anxiety in humans and mice. We elaborated a systematic review based on the PRISMA Statement of studies that investigated levels of anxiety in animal or human models with alterations in the LRRK2 gene. The search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, and in reference lists with descriptors related to ADs and the LRRK2. From the 62 articles assessed for eligibility, 16 were included: 11 conducted in humans and seven, in mice. Lrrk2 KO mice and the LRRK2 G2019S, LRRK2 R1441G, and LRRK2 R1441C variants were addressed. Five articles reported an increase in anxiety levels concerning the LRRK2 variants. Decreased anxiety levels were observed in two articles, one focusing on the LRRK2 G2019S and the other, on the Lrrk2 KO mice. Eight other articles reported no differences in anxiety levels in individuals with Lrrk2 alterations compared to their healthy controls. This study discusses a possible influence between the LRRK2 gene and anxiety, adding information to the existing knowledge respecting the influence of genetics on anxiety.

Keywords:

• Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2 (LRRK-2)
• anxiety
• behavior

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Renato Elias Moreira-Júnior received a doctoral fellowship from the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brazil (CAPES, Ministry of Education, Brazil). Raquel Medeiros de Souza and Jeanne Patrice Bergamini received a grant from the Programa Institucional de Bolsas de Iniciação Cientifica (PIBIC) and Programa Institucional de Bolsas de Iniciação Cientifica – Ensino Médio (PIBIC-EM), respectively, from the Pro-Rectory of Research (PRPq) – UFMG. This work was supported by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG), APQ-01213–21, Pro-Rectory of Research (PRPq), and Post-graduation in Genetics from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil.