Deep Brain Stimulation for Depression in mice

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K09153
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56010:Neurosurgery-related
• Research Institution: Kurume University (2023); Saga University (2021-2022)
• Principal Investigator: Fumiaki Yoshida 久留米大学, 医学部, 教授 (60529791)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 加藤 隆弘 九州大学, 医学部, 准教授 (70546465)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: うつ病 / 光遺伝学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has been established as an effective treatment for patients with involuntary movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease. In Europe and the USA, this therapy is also recognised as having some efficacy in the treatment of depression, a psychiatric disorder. The efficacy of DBS for depression and its mechanism of action are still unclear. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the brain activity involved in depression and develop an effective treatment for depression by utilizing optogenetic brain stimulation.

Free Research Field

脳神経外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

脳深部刺激療法は脳神経外科分野の一治療法であるが、この手法により脳神経ネットワークの異常を是正することができる可能性があり、将来的な応用性の高い治療法である。この治療法を適切に、より効果的に使用するためには、神経疾患の疾患病態の把握が必要となるため、うつ病の病態解明を一つの目的とする本研究を行う必要があった。