Animal Study Reveals New Target for Antidepressants University
of Michigan scientists have provided the most detailed picture
yet of a key receptor in the brain that influences the
effectiveness of serotonin-related antidepressants, such as
Prozac. The findings, which appeared online Monday ahead of
print in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences, open the door to providing a more targeted treatment
of depression and anxiety with fewer side effects. Depressive
disorders change a person's mood, emotions and physical well-
being and can co-occur with anxiety disorders and substance
abuse. "There are big drawbacks in the current therapies for
depression," says senior author John Traynor, Ph.D., professor
of pharmacology at the U-M Medical School and director of the
U-M Substance Abuse Research Center. "Therapeutic benefits are
delayed, there are unwanted side effects, and it's not unusual
for depressive symptoms to return." Authors say the high relapse
rate indicates a need for additional tre