Prozac's neurogenesis target revealed

[Ai]

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island have
identified which among several different kinds of cells in the brain
is the chief target of the widely prescribed antidepressant Prozac
(fluoxetine). This discovery might enable a new generation of more
specific treatments for anxiety and depression, with fewer side
effects, to be developed.

The findings also lay the foundation for many studies of the factors
that control how, when, and where new neurons are generated from stem
cells in the brain. Such work could eventually lead to cell
replacement therapies for neurodegenerative and other brain disorders
including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

It has been known for some years that antidepressants are likely to
relieve the symptoms of depression by somehow causing more neurons to
be present in a particular region of the brain (the "Dentate gyrus").
But the origins of these neurons, and how Prozac promotes their
existence, have been a mystery until now.

More:
http://www.anxietyinsights.info/prozacs_neurogenesis_target_revealed.htm

[humble.life]

Post by Ai
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island have
identified which among several different kinds of cells in the brain
is the chief target of the widely prescribed antidepressant Prozac
(fluoxetine). This discovery might enable a new generation of more
specific treatments for anxiety and depression, with fewer side
effects, to be developed.
The findings also lay the foundation for many studies of the factors
that control how, when, and where new neurons are generated from stem
cells in the brain. Such work could eventually lead to cell
replacement therapies for neurodegenerative and other brain disorders
including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
It has been known for some years that antidepressants are likely to
relieve the symptoms of depression by somehow causing more neurons to
be present in a particular region of the brain (the "Dentate gyrus").
But the origins of these neurons, and how Prozac promotes their
existence, have been a mystery until now.
http://www.anxietyinsights.info/prozacs_neurogenesis_target_revealed.htm

i just love modern science, use what seems to work and we'll do the rest
later. always bloody accidental discoveries too.

[CyberDroog]

Post by humble.life
i just love modern science, use what seems to work and we'll do the rest
later. always bloody accidental discoveries too.

That's not modern science, it most of the history of science. I think
Issac Asimov said something to the effect that most scientific discoveries
don't happen by someone shouting "Eureka!", but are much more likely to
happen with someone saying "Hmm, that's funny..."

For what it's worth, as far as meds are concerned, they still don't quite
know how aspirin works.

[Michael Hopcroft]

There is a line from Doctor who that seems appropriate: "Eureka! That's
Greek for "This bath is too hot!" "

sometimes "This seems to work -- hmm, I wonder WHy this seems to
work...." is the only way to make any real progress. A couple of
hundred years from now psychiatrists 9or whatever disciplie succeeds
them) may view the use of chemicals in treatment as quaint and
antiquated, or even with the disgusted disdain with which we currently
view electro-shock therapy, permanent instituionalization, or burning
mentally ill people at the stake to drive the Devil out of them (didn't
do the patients much good, but somehow those treating them found it at
least temporarily amusing...