Scientists revealed Friday that a cholesterol regulator may become a surprising player in mental health research, helping to treat depression and anxiety.
Called LXRβ, the nuclear receptor is known for its role in cholesterol metabolism and inflammation. It is now emerging as a crucial player in neuroscience and psychiatry.
In a review published in the journal Brain Medicine, researchers Dr. Xiaoyu Song and Professor Jan-Ake Gustafsson from the University of Houston and the Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, shed light on the therapeutic potential of liver X receptor beta (LXRβ). in the treatment of depression and anxiety.
This comprehensive analysis marks an important step forward in understanding the molecular underpinnings of mental health disorders and potentially revolutionizes their treatment.
“Our analysis reveals that the receptor plays a critical role in preventing central nervous system diseases in experimental rodent models,” said Dr. Song. If these observations translate to humans, they could emerge as a new therapeutic target for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly depression and anxiety.
According to the findings, receptor deficiency in female mice leads to anxiety-like behaviors and impaired behavioral responses.
Activation of the regulator in the amygdala exerts anxiolytic effects by rebalancing excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, he added.
Its signaling also regulates neurogenesis and improves cognitive function, which may have implications for the treatment of depression.
The review also explores its role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), suggesting possible connections between cholesterol metabolism, brain development and ASD symptoms.
Professor Gustafsson said the connection between the receptor, traditionally associated with metabolic functions, and complex psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety, underlines the interconnectedness of biological systems.
It challenges us to think more holistically about mental health and its underlying molecular mechanisms, the professor added.
While the findings are promising, the authors caution that additional basic research and clinical trials are needed to determine whether new receptor-targeted drugs can be used effectively in the treatment of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases.
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