Activation of a gene known as SIRT1 in the prefrontal cortex can reduce the symptoms of Depression in male mice, a new study shows.

In the absence of this gene, the excitatory neurons in the prefrontal cortex have less mitochondria, the energy generators of the cell, and the mice show depressive behavior. SIRT1 is thus necessary to energize the excitatory neurons to prevent depression.

While the SIRT1 gene had been found to be related to depression previously in women, modulating the amount of SIRT1 in female mice was without effect. Thus, SIRT1 has anti-depressive activity, but more research is needed to translate this finding to the clinic.

Read the full story: Augusta University
Scientific publication: Molecular Psychiatry