Overview
- Published in Molecular Psychiatry, the study pooled 25 proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy reports covering 370 people with anxiety disorders and 342 controls.
- Choline-containing compounds were about 8% lower on average in those with anxiety, with the most consistent difference in the cortex, especially the prefrontal region.
- The reduction appeared across diagnoses such as generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorder, and was strongest in studies with the most precise measurements.
- After removing outliers, the analysis also found a small but significant decrease in N-acetylaspartate, a marker linked to neuronal integrity.
- The authors emphasize that the findings are correlational, caution against unsupervised high-dose supplementation, and note that many U.S. adults do not meet recommended choline intake.