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Author Spotlight: Therapeutic Benefit of Closed-Loop Deep Brain Stimulation in Depression Treatment
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[Gap junctions: A new therapeutic target in major depressive disorder?]
1Laboratoire de physiologie humaine, faculté de médecine et pharmacie, université de Poitiers, 6, rue de la Milétrie, bâtiment D1, TSA 51115, 86073 Poitiers cedex 9, France.
Revue Neurologique
|August 31, 2015
Summary
Major depressive disorder may be treated by targeting brain astrocyte gap junctions. Enhancing communication between these cells could offer a novel therapeutic approach for depression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Psychiatry
Context:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent, chronic mood disorder linked to increased mortality.
- Current MDD treatments, including TCAs and MAOIs, have poor tolerability, while SSRIs/SNRIs are not universally effective, necessitating novel therapeutic targets.
Purpose:
- To investigate the role of astrocytic gap junctions in MDD pathophysiology.
- To explore the potential of modulating astrocytic gap junction communication as a therapeutic strategy for MDD.
Summary:
- Post-mortem studies reveal reduced expression of connexins 30 and 43 in MDD brains.
- Rodent models indicate astrocytic gap junction dysfunction contributes to MDD.
- Antidepressant treatments may upregulate astrocytic gap junction communication, suggesting a novel therapeutic mechanism.
Impact:
- Astrocytic gap junctions represent a promising new therapeutic target for MDD.
- Understanding astrocytic communication could lead to more effective depression treatments.
- This research opens avenues for developing targeted therapies for mood disorders.
Keywords:
Antidepressive agentsAntidépresseursAstrocytesCortex préfrontalDepressive disorderGap junctionsJonctions gapPrefrontal cortexTroubles dépressifsMore Related Videos
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