A University of California, San Francisco study has identified certain brain characteristics that may explain why some people recover from trauma while others develop long-term depression. The study, conducted in mice, reveals how the brain’s neural circuits respond differently to stress and suggests a potential new approach to treating severe depression. There is.
Published in nature |Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
From resilience to recovery: Mapping the brain’s response to trauma
In a fascinating study of the brain’s response to trauma, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco have uncovered the neural mechanisms that distinguish resilient people from those who struggle to recover. The study, led by Dr. Mazen Kheirbek, associate professor of psychiatry at the UCSF Weill Institute for Neuroscience, focused on two major brain regions: the amygdala and the hippocampus.
A research team that included UCSF’s Dr. Francis Xia and co-investigators Valeria Faccianelli, Ph.D., and Stefano Fusi, Ph.D., of Columbia University, observed distinct patterns of brain activity in mice experiencing stress. They found that stress altered activity in the amygdala, an area that assesses risk seeking for reward, to a greater extent in less resilient mice than in more adaptable mice.
In a revealing experiment, researchers presented mice with a choice between plain water and water with added sugar. The more resilient mice quickly chose the sweet reward, while the less resilient mice showed signs of indecision and often chose plain water. Brain recordings revealed that this behavioral difference corresponds to distinct communication patterns between the amygdala and hippocampus.
“The fact that we can restore these brain signals to normal in mice suggests that doing the same in humans could act as an antidepressant,” Kheirbek said. The potential therapeutic implications of the study results were highlighted.
The breakthrough came when the team employed chemical genetics, a technique that uses artificial molecules to control neural activity. By stimulating specific neurons in mice with low resilience, they were able to change their behavior. Xia said: “The whole thing seemed like such a far-fetched idea that I could hardly believe it would work. This process actually completely wiped out indecision and turned them into resilient rats. I changed it to .
Looking ahead, the team is collaborating with the Dolby Family Mood Disorders Center to explore potential human applications. Their goal is to develop non-invasive treatments for depression based on these findings.
important terms
- chemical genetics
- A technology that uses artificial molecules to interact within the body and control neural activity.
- amygdala
- Brain area that evaluates potential risks and benefits in decision-making processes.
- Hippocampus
- Brain regions involved in forming memories and predicting future outcomes.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
What were the main behavioral differences between resilient and less resilient mice in this study?
The more resilient mice quickly chose sugar-sweetened water, while the less resilient mice showed indecision and often chose plain water.
Which two brain regions were the main focus of this study?
The amygdala and hippocampus were the main brain regions studied in this study.
How did researchers use chemical genetics to change the behavior of mice?
They attached receptor molecules to hippocampal neurons and then injected a second molecule that binds to these receptors, causing the neurons to fire more often.
What are the specific changes in brain activity that distinguish resilient mice from non-resilient mice?
Stress caused significant changes in amygdala activity in less resilient mice, and amygdala-hippocampal communication patterns were disrupted compared to resilient mice.
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