Gene Therapy Unlocks Some Mysteries of Depression

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College are breaking new ground in gene therapy to treat depression and to understand more of the neurobiology behind depression. Using mouse models that produce lower levels of a specific preotein p11 which promotes similar activity to that of commonly used SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) that treat depression, they were able to apply gene therapy. Introducing a small-interfering RNA (siRNA) into a specific region of the brain, the mouse was infected to produce less p11 protein. These depressed mice when treated with anti depressants did not improve. This lead to further conclusions that can help us understand why certain human patients do not respond to antidepressants, possibly caused by varying p11 levels. This new information about the p11 protein and its role in depression and the effect it has on patient response to antidepressants is applicable to today's growing influx of antidepressant research.

This article is personally interesting as I have had family members struggle with severe clinical depression and learning more about the cause and implications of not only the syndrome but also the response to antidepressants is fascinating. The new information of the p11 protein and its link with depression helps could lead us to more breakthroughs for patients that find no improvement with current antidepressants.

Link :http://www.biomedicalblog.com/gene-therapy-unlocks-some-mysteries-of-depression/40500/