Lower Brain Choline Levels Found in Anxiety Disorders

A recent study from UC Davis Health reveals that individuals with anxiety disorders have about 8% lower levels of choline in their brains compared to those without anxiety. This finding comes from an analysis of 25 studies, which examined brain chemicals in 370 people with anxiety disorders and 342 without. The reduction in choline was especially notable in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region important for regulating emotions, behaviors, and thinking. Jason Smucny, co-author of the study published in Molecular Psychiatry, noted, “This is the first meta-analysis to show a chemical pattern in the brain in anxiety disorders. It suggests nutritional approaches—like appropriate choline supplementation—may help restore brain chemistry and improve outcomes for patients.”

Choline plays a vital role in cell membrane structure and brain functions such as memory, mood control, and muscle activity. While the body produces some choline, most comes from dietary sources. Anxiety disorders—which affect roughly 30% of U.S. adults—include conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Senior author Richard Maddock has studied brain health with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for many years. He observed that increased stress and activation of the body's fight-or-flight response in anxiety could boost choline demand, lowering its levels in the brain.

The non-invasive imaging technique used in this study, called proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), measures chemical concentrations in brain tissue and provided important insight. Although an 8% decrease may seem small, Maddock emphasized that even this amount is significant in the brain. The researchers caution that more studies are needed to understand whether increasing dietary choline could reduce anxiety symptoms. They also warn against self-medicating with high doses of choline supplements.

Diet remains an important factor for brain and overall health. Many Americans, including children, do not consume the recommended daily amount of choline. Foods rich in choline include beef liver, eggs (especially yolks), chicken, fish, soybeans, and milk, while omega-3 fatty acids, such as those in salmon, may also support choline supply to the brain.