| Budget Amount *help |
¥4,290,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥990,000)
Fiscal Year 2012: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000)
Fiscal Year 2011: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000)
Fiscal Year 2010: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000)
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| Research Abstract |
Although major depression is one of the leading causes of morbidity, its mechanisms are not well understood. Here we identified a Wnt signaling inhibitor, secreted frizzled-related protein 3 (sFRP3), as a molecular target of antidepressant treatments in rodent models. Neuronal activity decreases the expression of secreted sFRP3, and sFRP3 deletion activates various step of neurogenesis in the adult mouse hippocampus. Furthermore, in tail-suspension and forced-swimming tests, which are reliable predictors of antidepressant potential, sFRP3 knockout mice showed significantly reduced levels of immobility compared to WT animals. Our studies identify a novel function of sFRP3 as an essential mediator of antidepressant actions in animal models. Targeting of sFRP3 may represent a novel therapeutic approach for depression treatment.
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