Research Reveals How Prozac Triggers New Brain Cel
Research Reveals How Prozac Triggers New Brain Cel
By scott
[CaRP] Can't open remote newsfeed [403].
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Newsfeed display by CaRP Experts have long suspected that one way antidepressants such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft dispel depression is by stimulating the growth of new brain cells.
Now, researchers say they've zeroed in on just how that happens.
"It was clear that this generation of new neurons is important for the action of antidepressants," explained lead researcher Grigori Enikolopov, an associate professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.
His team report the findings in this week's online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The researchers decided to look at how the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants -- the widely used class of drugs that includes Celexa, Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft -- might spur brain cell growth. To do so, they tracked the way in which stem cells -- undifferentiated cells that can grow into specialized cells -- became neurons in a special mouse model given the antidepressant Prozac (fluoxetine).
"Stem cells in the brain go through several steps before they become neurons," Enikolopov said. Examining the cascade of events, his team found that "cells which are born from the stem cells, called amplifying progenitors, are the cells being targeted by Prozac," he said. According to Enikolopov, Prozac zeroes in on these amplifying progenitors and increases their numbers. Within three to four weeks, his team noticed an increased number of mature neurons.
The Cold Spring researchers noted that about four years ago, other researchers found that animals that received Prozac showed a rise in neuron growth. Then, about two years ago, other experts found that this generation of new neurons is necessary for the drug to achieve its behavioral effect of lifting depression, Enikolopov said.
He believes the latest finding is another piece to add to the puzzle of how SSRI antidepressants work. However, it does not provide the entire answer. "What happens between having more neurons and decreasing depression, the changing of mood -- that is unanswered," he said.
His team used a new mouse strain that made it easy to identify and track these early progenitor cells. The work "defines a cellular target for antidepressants," Enikolopov said. "What has been known for 20, 30 years is that Prozac increases the level of serotonin [a neurotransmitter associated with good mood.]" But what wasn't known was why Prozac takes three or four weeks to start working.
"Alcohol, Valium, they work immediately," he says. "But these selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, they need three or four weeks."
"Three to four weeks is basically comparable, in our schedule, of the 28 to 30 days it takes to go from a stem cell to a neuron," he pointed out.
Prozac first went on the market in 1987 in the United States as the first SSRI. These medications selectively target serotonin, inhibiting its reabsorption into the cell so there is more available.
Dennis Steindler, executive director of the McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Florida, Gainesville, applauded the Cold Spring work.
"The beauty of this study is, a new model has been generated," he said.
"This study is in essence a 'readout,' a neurogenic readout, whereby using this [mouse] model, the Enikolopov group found exactly the cell that increases its rate of proliferation," he said. "That leads to generating more neurons as a result of taking this drug."
"It could have been the stem cell, progenitor or a young neuron. They found it was the progenitor cell," Steindler said.
More information
To learn more about depression, visit the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/200605...triggersnewbraincellgrowth
By Kathleen Doheny
HealthDay ReporterTue May 16, 7:09 PM ET
0/5 based on 0 votes. The median rating is 0.
By scott
[CaRP] Can't open remote newsfeed [403].
Older adults who drink tea are less likely to be depressed
19 Jan 2020 at 8:00am
A new study examines the link between drinking tea and lower rates of depression in older Chinese adults, revealing the characteristics of tea drinkers.
The surprising link between depression and the pursuit of happiness
16 Jan 2020 at 3:00pm
According to new research, placing too much emphasis on happiness can actually give rise to depressive symptoms, especially in the Western world.
Depression during period: Everything you need to know
15 Jan 2020 at 6:00pm
Depression is a common symptom before and during a period. Find out why hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle can contribute to depression and learn what to do.
What to know about alcohol and depression
10 Jan 2020 at 8:00pm
Alcohol is a depressant and can amplify or trigger depression symptoms in some people. Learn more about the links between depression and alcohol in this article.
Newsfeed display by CaRP Experts have long suspected that one way antidepressants such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft dispel depression is by stimulating the growth of new brain cells.
Print
ReportNow, researchers say they've zeroed in on just how that happens.
"It was clear that this generation of new neurons is important for the action of antidepressants," explained lead researcher Grigori Enikolopov, an associate professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.
His team report the findings in this week's online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The researchers decided to look at how the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants -- the widely used class of drugs that includes Celexa, Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft -- might spur brain cell growth. To do so, they tracked the way in which stem cells -- undifferentiated cells that can grow into specialized cells -- became neurons in a special mouse model given the antidepressant Prozac (fluoxetine).
"Stem cells in the brain go through several steps before they become neurons," Enikolopov said. Examining the cascade of events, his team found that "cells which are born from the stem cells, called amplifying progenitors, are the cells being targeted by Prozac," he said. According to Enikolopov, Prozac zeroes in on these amplifying progenitors and increases their numbers. Within three to four weeks, his team noticed an increased number of mature neurons.
The Cold Spring researchers noted that about four years ago, other researchers found that animals that received Prozac showed a rise in neuron growth. Then, about two years ago, other experts found that this generation of new neurons is necessary for the drug to achieve its behavioral effect of lifting depression, Enikolopov said.
He believes the latest finding is another piece to add to the puzzle of how SSRI antidepressants work. However, it does not provide the entire answer. "What happens between having more neurons and decreasing depression, the changing of mood -- that is unanswered," he said.
His team used a new mouse strain that made it easy to identify and track these early progenitor cells. The work "defines a cellular target for antidepressants," Enikolopov said. "What has been known for 20, 30 years is that Prozac increases the level of serotonin [a neurotransmitter associated with good mood.]" But what wasn't known was why Prozac takes three or four weeks to start working.
"Alcohol, Valium, they work immediately," he says. "But these selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, they need three or four weeks."
"Three to four weeks is basically comparable, in our schedule, of the 28 to 30 days it takes to go from a stem cell to a neuron," he pointed out.
Prozac first went on the market in 1987 in the United States as the first SSRI. These medications selectively target serotonin, inhibiting its reabsorption into the cell so there is more available.
Dennis Steindler, executive director of the McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Florida, Gainesville, applauded the Cold Spring work.
"The beauty of this study is, a new model has been generated," he said.
"This study is in essence a 'readout,' a neurogenic readout, whereby using this [mouse] model, the Enikolopov group found exactly the cell that increases its rate of proliferation," he said. "That leads to generating more neurons as a result of taking this drug."
"It could have been the stem cell, progenitor or a young neuron. They found it was the progenitor cell," Steindler said.
More information
To learn more about depression, visit the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/200605...triggersnewbraincellgrowth
By Kathleen Doheny
HealthDay ReporterTue May 16, 7:09 PM ET
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Description: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, the widely used class of drugs that includes Celexa, Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft, causes the growth of new brain cells.
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