Project Summary

Peter Olausson, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2006) of Yale University, will use proteomic approaches and an animal model to study the proteins involved in stress response and depression, and the proteins that respond to antidepressants. A strong relationship exists between stress and depression. How chronic stress contributes to depression is not entirely clear, but the process likely involves glucocorticoid hormones such as corticosterone. Dr. Olausson has studied chronic low-dose corticosterone exposure in rodents and found persistent behavioral and biochemical alterations consistent with a depressive-like state. These effects were reversed by antidepressants. In his current project, Dr. Olausson will use proteomic techniques to examine in this animal model the effects of chronic corticosterone treatment or co-treatment with corticosterone and the antidepressant fluoxetine on protein expression in the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex. How identified target proteins contribute to behavior will subsequently be tested in behavioral experiments. Results could identify proteins regulated by chronic stress and may lead to novel targets for the understanding and treatment of affective disorders

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Unipolar

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