New molecule offers potential for treating depression

US scientists have highlighted the possible role that a newly-discovered molecule could play in the onset of depression, opening the door for the creation of new therapies.

A team from McGill University and the Douglas Institute have identified a microRNA known as miR-1202, which is only found in humans and primates. It was found to regulate an important receptor of the neurotransmitter glutamate, with lower levels of the molecule observed in depressed individuals than those without depression.

Moreover, in clinical trials with depressed individuals treated with the commonly prescribed antidepressant citalopram, miR-1202 was seen to increase as the treatment worked and individuals no longer felt depressed.

It is thought that this molecule could now be used as a means of determining which patients are most likely to respond to treatment.

Dr Gustavo Turecki, professor for the faculty of medicine at McGill's department of psychiatry, said the discovery may provide "a potential target for the development of new and more effective antidepressant treatments".

Depression is a fairly common condition, affecting about one in ten people at some point during their lives.