Inhibition of Glycine Transporter-I as a Novel Mechanism for the Treatment of Depression

doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.02.020

機構典藏 > College of Sciences > Graduate Institute & Department of Mathematics > Journal Article > Item 987654321/93104

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://tkuir.lib.tku.edu.tw/dspace/handle/987654321/93104

Title:	Inhibition of Glycine Transporter-I as a Novel Mechanism for the Treatment of Depression
Authors:	Huang, Chih-Chia;Wei, I-Hua;Huang, Chieh-Liang;Chen, Kuang-Ti;Tsai, Mang-Hung;Tsai, Priscilla;Tun, Rene;Huang, Kuo-Hao;Chang, Yue-Cune;Lane, Hsien-Yuan;Tsai, Guochuan Emil
Contributors:	淡江大學數學學系
Keywords:	Anxiety;elevated plus maze;forced swimming test;glutamate;N-methyl-D-aspartate;sarcosine
Date:	2013-11-01
Issue Date:	2013-11-21 13:57:08 (UTC+8)
Publisher:	Philadelphia: Elsevier Inc.
Abstract:	Background Antidepressants, aiming at monoaminergic neurotransmission, exhibit delayed onset of action, limited efficacy, and poor compliance. Glutamatergic neurotransmission is involved in depression. However, it is unclear whether enhancement of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype glutamate receptor can be a treatment for depression. Methods We studied sarcosine, a glycine transporter-I inhibitor that potentiates NMDA function, in animal models and in depressed patients. We investigated its effects in forced swim test, tail suspension test, elevated plus maze test, novelty-suppressed feeding test, and chronic unpredictable stress test in rats and conducted a 6-week randomized, double-blinded, citalopram-controlled trial in 40 patients with major depressive disorder. Clinical efficacy and side effects were assessed biweekly, with the main outcomes of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Global Assessment of Function, and remission rate. The time course of response and dropout rates was also compared. Results Sarcosine decreased immobility in the forced swim test and tail suspension test, reduced the latency to feed in the novelty-suppressed feeding test, and reversed behavioral deficits caused by chronic unpredictable stress test, which are characteristics for an antidepressant. In the clinical study, sarcosine substantially improved scores of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression, and Global Assessment of Function more than citalopram treatment. Sarcosine-treated patients were much more likely and quicker to remit and less likely to drop out. Sarcosine was well tolerated without significant side effects. Conclusions Our preliminary findings suggest that enhancing NMDA function can improve depression-like behaviors in rodent models and in human depression. Establishment of glycine transporter-I inhibition as a novel treatment for depression waits for confirmation by further proof-of-principle studies.
Relation:	Biological Psychiatry 74(10), pp.734-741
DOI:	10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.02.020
Appears in Collections:	[Graduate Institute & Department of Mathematics] Journal Article

Files in This Item:

File	Description	Size	Format
index.html		0Kb	HTML	372	View/Open
index.html		0Kb	HTML	76	View/Open

Loading...