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Influence of the biological clock on the development and treatment of depression demonstrated in mice / Antidepressant ketamine influences the biological clock in the brain / Potential for new, targeted therapeutic approaches

Severe depression is one of the most common mental illnesses worldwide. Despite the numerous antidepressants available, many patients take a long time to find a suitable therapy. Physicians and researchers at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg and the Institute of Neurosciences (INCI) Strasbourg have shown in an animal model that disruptions to the biological clock are linked to the development of depressive symptoms and could also be an effective starting point for new therapies. The study was published on August 23, 2024 in the journal Nature Communications .

"Our research results suggest that the biological clock in the brain plays a key role in the development and treatment of depression," explains PD Dr. Tsvetan Serchov, head of the study, research group leader at the Institute of Neurosciences (INCI) Strasbourg and research associate at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. "It is particularly interesting that the pharmacological modulation of the biological clock can open up new and targeted paths for therapies."

Influence of circadian rhythms on depression and new therapeutic approaches

Circadian rhythms, i.e. biological cycles of around 24 hours - the so-called biological clock - influence many bodily functions. In the current study, a mouse model for stress-induced depression was examined. The researchers showed a change in the biological clock in the medial prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain that is important for mood regulation. Interestingly, ketamine, a fast-acting antidepressant, was able to correct these disorders. In particular, such treatment could affect glutamatergic plasticity in the brain, which is associated with learning and depression.

"These results underline the potential for new drug therapy approaches that target the biological clock," said Prof. Dr. Claus Normann, Head of the Section of Psychopharmacology at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. "With ketamine, we already have a fast-acting drug whose effects we now understand even better. With the new findings, we can further develop the therapy and use it in an even more targeted manner." Further studies must now test the transferability of the results to humans.

Original title of the publication: "Prefrontal cortex molecular clock modulates development of depression-like phenotype and rapid antidepressant response in mice."
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51716-9
Link zur Studie:www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51716-9?utm_source=rct_congratemailt&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=oa_20240823&utm_content=10.1038/s41467-024-51716-9