New research reveals a promising nasal spray treatment that can help reduce anxiety and improve memory. Posted in translational psychiatryThe study was led by Troy Rohn of Cognigenics Inc. and colleagues. This innovative approach uses specially designed viral particles – tiny biological vectors commonly used in gene therapy – to transport a small piece of genetic material called a short hairpin RNA. The molecule silences specific genes, thereby reducing the activity of specific brain receptors involved in anxiety and memory function.
Professor Rohn and colleagues focused on High temperature TR2A gene, which provides the instructions for making the serotonin receptor 5HT-2A. This receptor is a protein found in brain cells that helps regulate mood and memory and is a key player in these functions. By reducing its activity, the treatment aims to address issues such as chronic anxiety and age-related memory loss. In preclinical studies, researchers showed that the treatment successfully reduced receptor activity in brain cells, while tests in rodents showed significant improvements in memory and anxiety-related behavior.
“By looking at behavioral changes and effects on brain activity, we have shown that this therapy has the potential to significantly improve mental health and memory,” explains Ron. “It also highlights the effectiveness of our non-invasive delivery method, meaning it does not require surgery or injections, which is a major advance and provides a simpler and safer alternative to treatments requiring direct brain intervention. plan.
To test this therapy, scientists conducted numerous experiments. For anxiety, they used the light-dark box test, a behavioral test in which rodents naturally avoid bright areas due to their instinctive fear. After treatment, the animals spent significantly more time in the illuminated area, showing reduced anxiety. For memory, they used maze tests and tasks involving identifying objects. In these tests, rodents must remember the layout of a maze or distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar objects. In both cases, treated animals significantly outperformed untreated animals, showing sharper memories and faster problem-solving abilities.
The results suggest that this therapy could be a game-changer for individuals with conditions such as anxiety disorders and memory loss. The intranasal delivery system is particularly noteworthy because it avoids invasive procedures while effectively targeting the brain directly through the nasal passages, which are connected to the brain through a thin barrier. “This approach represents not just a treatment, but a completely new approach to treating brain disease,” said Ron. “Its ease of use could make it available to many patients.”
In addition to its effectiveness, the study highlights the potential of precision medicine, an approach that tailors treatments to an individual’s unique genetic and biological characteristics. Co-founder Dean Radin is optimistic about the future of the therapy, emphasizing its ability to address multiple mental health issues simultaneously. “We are now designing further studies to explore the long-term effects of this therapy and options for conducting clinical trials,” he said.
Ron emphasized the importance of innovative approaches to brain science. By developing a nasal spray that reduces the activity of specific brain receptors, scientists have taken a major step towards safer and more effective treatments for mental health and cognitive disorders. Future research will focus on refining this approach and ensuring its benefits are sustainable and broadly applicable.
Journal reference
Troy T. Rohn et al., “Intranasal delivery of shRNA to knock down 5HT-2A receptors enhances memory and reduces anxiety,” Translational Psychiatry, 2024. -02879- y
Picture reference
Troy T. Rowan and Dean R. Radin (2024). “Durable Gene Therapies for Neurodegenerative Diseases.” natural biopharmaceuticalsMarch 2024.
About the author
Dr. Troy Rowan Obtain a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Washington in 1994 and completed postdoctoral research at INSERM (Paris, France), Montana State University, and the Institute of Memory Disorders and Neurological Disorders at the University of California, Irvine.
Dr. Ron is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Boise State University. He has been teaching and researching for the past two decades and has published more than 80 peer-reviewed articles. His research focuses on the role of specific proteases in promoting pathology associated with different neurodegenerative diseases. Most recently, his research has focused on how the APOE4 gene affects late-onset AD risk.
Director of Preclinical Research, [email protected]
Dean Latin He is the co-founder and chairman of Cognigenics, chief scientist of the Institute for Mind Sciences, and associate distinguished professor at the California Institute for Integrative Studies. He received his master’s degree (electrical engineering) and doctorate (psychology) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and previously held appointments at Princeton University and the University of Edinburgh.
