GENE- EDITING TOOL COULD TREAT DEPRESSION

Washington, Aug. 20: Scientists have used a gene- editing tool to target the natural moodboosting receptors in the brain, an advance that may help alleviate depression in patients who don't find relief with existing drugs.

Most antidepressant drugs target serotonin receptors, aiming to boost serotonin, a chemical thought to regulate mood and social behaviour.

Researchers at Washington University in the US used CRISPR technology to target an altogether different type of receptor called deltatype GABA receptors.

They think that natural mood- boosting substances in the brain can target these receptors.

“There's a real need to develop more effective antidepressants,” said Steven Mennerick, principal investigator of the research published in The Journal of Neuroscience.

“The most commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs — such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft — were approved by the FDA more than 30 years ago, and there's been a dearth of new antidepressants since then. A completely new approach is warranted,” said Mennerick.

The approach involves targeting GABA receptors with substances called neurosteroids.

“Neurosteroids are thought to interact with delta- type receptors,” said Mennerick.