therapeutic action: enhancement of synaptic plasticity

New perspective on sustained antidepressant effect: focus on neurexins regulating synaptic plasticity

This review explores how hallucinogens like ketamine and psilocybin produce long-lasting antidepressant effects by changing how brain cells communicate. The key mechanism involves special molecules called neurexins that sit at the connections between neurons and control whether those connections strengthen or weaken. By understanding and potentially targeting neurexins, scientists hope to develop new depression treatments that work longer and more effectively than current medications.

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Molecular Mechanisms of Emerging Antidepressant Strategies: From Ketamine to Neuromodulation

Depression is a serious mental health condition affecting over 300 million people worldwide, with many patients not responding well to standard antidepressants. This review examines both traditional antidepressants like SSRIs and exciting new treatments including ketamine and psilocybin, as well as brain stimulation techniques. The key finding is that different treatments work through similar mechanisms—all ultimately enhancing brain cell connections and reducing inflammation—suggesting that combining different approaches might work better than single therapies.

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Neuronal TIMP2 regulates hippocampus-dependent plasticity and extracellular matrix complexity

Scientists discovered that a protein called TIMP2, which is naturally higher in young blood, plays a crucial role in maintaining brain memory and learning ability. Using laboratory mice, they found that TIMP2 helps keep the brain’s cellular environment flexible by controlling the buildup of structural proteins around nerve connections. Without adequate TIMP2, the brain develops more rigid connections that interfere with forming new memories and creating new brain cells, mimicking changes seen in aging and cognitive decline.

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ELAV/Hu RNA-binding protein family: key regulators in neurological disorders, cancer, and other diseases

ELAV/Hu proteins are molecular machines that control how cells read and use genetic instructions. Found mostly in the brain and nervous system, these proteins help manage which genes get turned on or off, which is crucial for proper brain development and function. When these proteins go wrong, they can contribute to serious diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, and autism, making them promising targets for new treatments.

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