Investigation of the thrombospondin-1 as a novel therapeutic target molecule for depression.

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24790106
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Biological pharmacy
• Research Institution: Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Kure Medical Center
• Principal Investigator: OKADA-TSUCHIOKA Mami 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 (30517280)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-02-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: シナプス新生 / 電気けいれん療法 / アストロサイト / thrombospondin-1

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, I have focused on thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), an astrocyte-derived synaptogenic factor, as a novel therapeutic target for depression. I have investigated the effects of electroconvulsive seizure (ECS), an animal model of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and chronic treatment with antidepressants on the expression of TSP-1 in the adult rat hippocampus. I have revealed that repeated ECS, but not chronic treatment with antidepressants, induced TSP-1 expression partially via the activation of astrocytes. Therefore, TSP-1 is possibly involved in the effects of ECT (Okada-Tsuchioka M et al., 2014).

Free Research Field

生物系薬学