Molecule responsible for depression found

[rubecube]

Pretty huge news and opens up some exciting new possibilities for treatment, as well as hopefully helping to eliminate some of the stigmas associated with mental illness.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/sc...n-8724471.html

However, scientists have now discovered that the protein receptor CRF1 is responsible for releasing hormones which can cause anxiety and depression over extended periods of time. The protein receptor is found in the brain and controls our response to stress. When it detects stress molecules released by the hypothalamus, it releases these hormones.

The information gained from this study will be used to design small molecule drugs that fit into this new pocket to treat depression.

Speaking to the Sunday Times, Dr Fiona Marshall, Chief Scientific Officer at Heptares Therapeutics, said: “Now we know its shape, we can design a molecule that will lock into this crevice and block it so that CRF1 becomes inactive — ending the biochemical cascade that ends in stress.”

[CaptainCrunch]

If they could find a cure for moral responsibility and conscience I would totally buy that.

[Dion]

Where do I sign up to be a test subject?

It would be nice to not have to take my pills for depression and anxiety anymore.

[TurdFerguson]

Mental illness isn't a real illness its just an indicator of a week person, get over it already. Clearly this is just a placebo

Very important discovery!

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Dion

Where do I sign up to be a test subject?

It would be nice to not have to take my pills for depression and anxiety anymore.

You're telling me. I accidentally went off my meds about 6-8 months ago and it almost ruined me.

[Thor]

Captain you want to become Dexter on us?

[Codes]

I'm really not at all versed in hormone biology, but I am curious to know what the intended biological effect of these stressed-induced hormones are, and more curious to know what the effect might be on individuals if we do find an artificial way to modulate their release.

It would be very interesting to study individuals that deal with stress well, versus those prone to anxiety and depression. What is the underlying cause for these very different manifestations of essentially the same hormonal pathway? Do some people produce more stress-related hormones, or have more receptors? Is there a genetic mutation that has somehow allowed inappropriate interactions between hormones and receptors?

I have no idea. Maybe the answer is in the literature. I just wonder if there might be unexpected changes in human behaviour if we start to modulate the CFR1 receptor. Nevertheless, I hope this paves the way for new treatments for those that suffer from anxiety and depression.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Dion

Where do I sign up to be a test subject?

It would be nice to not have to take my pills for depression and anxiety anymore.

If you are actually wondering, I would call them (Heptares Therapeutics) and ask.

[Erick Estrada]

And here I thought my depression was brought on by the hardships of being a hardcore Flames and Raiders fan.

[Jedi Ninja]

Originally Posted by Codes

I'm really not at all versed in hormone biology, but I am curious to know what the intended biological effect of these stressed-induced hormones are, and more curious to know what the effect might be on individuals if we do find an artificial way to modulate their release.

It would be very interesting to study individuals that deal with stress well, versus those prone to anxiety and depression. What is the underlying cause for these very different manifestations of essentially the same hormonal pathway? Do some people produce more stress-related hormones, or have more receptors? Is there a genetic mutation that has somehow allowed inappropriate interactions between hormones and receptors?

I have no idea. Maybe the answer is in the literature. I just wonder if there might be unexpected changes in human behaviour if we start to modulate the CFR1 receptor. Nevertheless, I hope this paves the way for new treatments for those that suffer from anxiety and depression.

Here you go:

Depression's Evolutionary Roots

[calculoso]

Didn't read the article, but isn't some stress good? such as the pressure of a deadline?

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Jedi Ninja

Here you go:

Depression's Evolutionary Roots

That is only one of many theories in evolutionary psychology that attempts to explain the existence of depression.

Another popular one is that depression has self-preservation qualities in putting individuals in their place in the societal make-up of your culture/group/tribe in terms of getting people to back down from fights they can't win (which would have gotten you killed in more violent times in primitive societies).

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

And here I thought my depression was brought on by the hardships of being a hardcore Flames and Raiders fan.

[Street Pharmacist]

Very exciting discovery.

[Codes]

Originally Posted by Jedi Ninja

Here you go:

Depression's Evolutionary Roots

Thanks for the article. It underscores the notion that depression exists for a reason, hence the presence of biological receptors and hormones. Undoubtedly, there is a very complex network of receptors and hormones that may have synergistic or antagonistic effects on one another leading to various biological outcomes expressed as behaviour.

I'm still curious about why some individuals handle stress better than others, and as the article alluded to, if stress is an adaptation, what happens if we mess with it too much? Like calculoso said, stress is not always bad, and research suggests serves a function.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by fotze

How do you accidentally go off meds?

Miscalculate how many you have left, go out of town and run out, get back over the holidays when the doctor's office is closed and basically be without a refill for 3 weeks.