Study focusing on astrocyte-derived GDNF as a molecular basis of treatment-resistant depression.

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K19796
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Psychiatric science
• Research Institution: Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Kure Medical Center
• Principal Investigator: Kajitani Naoto 独立行政法人国立病院機構(呉医療センター臨床研究部), その他部局等, 研究員(移行) (60755742)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: GDNF / 抗うつ薬 / うつ病

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, I examined the hypothesis that glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in brain astrocytes plays a role as one of the molecular basis of refractory of major depressive disorder. In vitro study, I identified lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA1) as an important receptor for the antidepressant-induced GDNF production in astrocytes. In vivo study, I revealed that chronic antidepressant treatment-induced behavioral effect was blocked by co-administration with LPA1 inhibitor and its effect was not observed in LPA1 hetero KO mice. I also found that expression of GDNF in the striatum and hippocampus might be important for the behavioral effect of antidepressant.

Free Research Field

精神神経科学