Connective Tissue Growth Factor Is a Novel Prodepressant.

ABSTRACT:

Background

While downregulation of several growth factors in major depressive disorder is well established, less attention has been paid to the upregulation of other growth factors. Yet, upregulated growth factors may offer better therapeutic targets. We show that connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) represents a target based on its upregulation in major depressive disorder and studies in animal models implicating it in negative affect.

Methods

CTGF gene expression was first evaluated in the postmortem human amygdala. The findings were followed up in outbred rats and in two rat lines that were selectively bred for differences in novelty-seeking and anxiety behavior (bred low responders and bred high responders). We studied the impact of social defeat and early-life treatme

SUBMITTER: Turner CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6249676 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature