Studies conducted on mice have yielded encouraging results

Mar 25, 2014 15:42 GMT  ·  By
A simple nasal spray could soon address mild to moderate forms of depression
   A simple nasal spray could soon address mild to moderate forms of depression

According to the conclusions of a new study by researchers at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), in Canada, it would appear that mild to moderate forms of depression may be successfully addressed through a regular nasal spray. The substance is currently yielding promising results in tests conducted on mouse models. 

This type of alternative therapy for depression care was proposed long ago, but scientists needed some time to tweak and test the formula before trials could commence. The main active ingredient in the spray is a special peptide that targets the root chemical causes of depression in the brain. Molecular Neuroscientist Fang Liu, PhD, has been working with this protein for several years.

Liu says that her previous work with this molecule has produced few to no side-effects, boosting hopes that a widespread antidote against the most common form of depression may soon become available. The peptide in the spray is able to address this disorder by interacting with dopamine receptors in the brain, allowing neural chemistry to return to normal.

At this point, it is still unclear whether depression-related symptoms disappear only for a short period after the nasal spray is used, or if the beneficial effects are longer lasting. However, in the new animal studies, it was revealed that the new approach is more effective in suppressing symptoms than conventional antidepressant medication, PsychCentral reports.

In past experiments, the peptide had to be injected directly into the brains of mice, since the chemical could not pass the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that filters the blood flowing into the brain. In the new work, researchers were able to find a way of delivering the chemical nasally, without the need for shots.

“Clinically, we needed to find a non-invasive, convenient method to deliver this peptide treatment,” explains Liu, a senior scientist at CAMH, who conducted her research with grant money from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Details of the research were published in the latest online issue of the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

Impel NeuroPharma, a company based in the United States, is responsible for developing the nasal delivery system, which boosts the peptide directly into the right part of the brain. “This study marks the first time a peptide treatment has been delivered through nasal passageways to treat depression,” Liu adds. She also holds an appointment with the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.

The D1 and D2 dopamine receptor complexes are the main targets for the peptide, the expert adds. This approach is different from that used by other antidepressants, which usually seek to block either serotonin, or norepinephrine transporters in the brain.

Liu is hopeful that the new results will bring the nasal spray one step closer to clinical trials on humans.