The brain’s ability to cope effectively with stress and be less susceptible to depression is given by a single type of protein , according to a new study carried out at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (USA). .
In their research, published in the journal Nature , experts indicate that this protein is beta-catenin , which is expressed in the brain and has many important biological functions. The scientists conducted an experiment with mice that were exposed to chronic social stress , discovering that the activity of this protein in D2 neurons in the nucleus accumbens (motivational system) triggered resistance. That is, the mice that had the b-catenin protein activated were protected against stress, while those with the inactive protein developed signs of depression in their behavior. After activating b-catenin in stressed mice, they found that this change strengthened their ability to resist stress .
“Our results are different with respect to serotonin and other neurotransmitters previously implicated in depression or the ability to resist against it. These data provide a new way to find new antidepressants potentially more effective ”, clarifies, Eric J. Nestler, leader of the study.
This research opens a new way to understand in depth the keys to depression and develop therapies aimed at strengthening the ability to recover from stress as a way to protect against depression.
“While most previous antidepressant drug discovery efforts have focused on how to undo the bad effects of stress, our results provide a pathway to generate new antidepressants that activate natural resistance mechanisms, ” says Nestler.
