Project Summary

William A. Carlezon, Jr., Ph.D. (Independent Investigator 2007) of Harvard Medical School, is studying the role of a protein called sprouty (SPRY2) in depression. In laboratory animals, antidepressant treatments promote neurogenesis, the growth of new nerve cells, in the hippocampus region of the brain. By contrast, stressors that trigger depression decrease hippocampal neurogenesis. Dr. Carlezon’s recent research suggests that the SPRY2 protein is important in regulating neurogenesis. He now wants to determine if stress increases SPRY2 expression and if reduction of SPRY2 function enhances the ability of antidepressants to increase hippocampal neurogenesis. His results may lead to the development of drugs that act directly at SPRY2 binding sites.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Unipolar/Bipolar

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