New finding suggests a way to block stress' damage

New finding suggests a way to block stress’ damage
Stress can trigger depression by destroying synaptic connections between brain cells, as seen in second panel. However, when single gene called REDD1 is deleted in mice, these synaptic spines are restored. Credit: Duman Lab

Ketamine, an anesthetic sometimes abused as a street drug, increases the synaptic connections between brain cells and in low doses acts as a powerful antidepressant, Yale researchers have found. However, stress has the opposite effect, shrinking the number of synaptic spines, triggering depression.

In the April 13 online issue of the journal Nature Medicine, Yale researchers found that expression of single gene called REDD1 enables stress to damage and cause depressive behavior.

"We found if we delete REDD1, we can block the effects of stress in mice," said Ron Duman, the Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry and professor of neurobiology.

In recent studies, the Yale team showed that ketamine activates the mTORC1 pathway, which in turn spurs synthesis of and connections. In the new study, they show that the REDD1 blocks mTORC1 activity and decreases the number of . The new study by Duman and lead author Kristie Ota showed that mice without the REDD1 gene were impervious to the synaptic and behavioral deficits caused by stress. By contrast, when the gene was over-expressed, mice exhibited loss of synaptic connections and increased depression and anxiety behaviors.

In addition, post-mortem examinations of people who had suffered from depression showed high levels of REDD1 in cortical regions associated with depression.

Yale's work with ketamine has already led to development of new classes of antidepressants, which are currently in clinical trials. Duman said these new findings may provide a new drug target that directly blunts the negative impacts of .

More information: REDD1 is essential for stress-induced synaptic loss and depressive behavior, DOI: 10.1038/nm.3513

Journal information: Nature Medicine
Provided by Yale University
Citation: New finding suggests a way to block stress' damage (2014, April 14) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-04-block-stress.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Scientists explain how ketamine vanquishes depression within hours

 shares

Feedback to editors