The
brain chemistry that underlies depression is incompletely understood,
but research suggests that aberrant signaling by a chemical called
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor through its receptor TrkB, may
contribute to anxiety and depression. Here, researchers describe a
screen for stable small molecules that could specifically inhibit TrkB
action. They identified one they dubbed ANA-12, which had potent
behavioral effects when administered to mice that suggest it will have
antidepressant and anti-anxiety activity in humans.
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An estimated 19 million Americans suffer from depression, and though
the symptoms might be recognizable, the brain chemistry that underlies
them is incompletely understood. Research suggests that aberrant
signaling by a chemical called Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)
through its receptor TrkB, may contribute to anxiety and depression, and
inhibiting this pathway in mice can reduce anxiety and
depression-related behaviors. However, translating these findings to
clinical studies will require the development of small molecule
inhibitors of the BDNF/TrkB pathway that could be used
pharmacologically.
In this paper, researchers led by Maxime Cazorla, of Columbia University in New York, and Didier Rognan, of the Université de Strasbourg in France, describe a screen for stable small molecules that could specifically inhibit TrkB action. They identified one they dubbed ANA-12, which had potent behavioral effects when administered to mice that suggest it will have antidepressant and anti-anxiety activity in humans. The researchers are hopeful that this new compound could be used to develop a new class of psychiatric drugs.
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110418122314.htm
In this paper, researchers led by Maxime Cazorla, of Columbia University in New York, and Didier Rognan, of the Université de Strasbourg in France, describe a screen for stable small molecules that could specifically inhibit TrkB action. They identified one they dubbed ANA-12, which had potent behavioral effects when administered to mice that suggest it will have antidepressant and anti-anxiety activity in humans. The researchers are hopeful that this new compound could be used to develop a new class of psychiatric drugs.
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110418122314.htm
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