Molecular Mechanisms of Exercise-induced Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Antidepressant Effects

Approximately 280 million people worldwide suffer from depression, many of whom do not respond to existing antidepressants like SSRIs. This research investigates the role of serotonin and its type 3 receptors (5-HT3) in exercise-induced antidepressant effects using gene knockout mice. The study reveals that 5-HT3 receptors are crucial for exercise's antidepressant effects by promoting the release of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the hippocampus, thus increasing hippocampal neurogenesis. This 5-HT3 receptor-IGF-1 mechanism represents a novel therapeutic pathway distinct from existing antidepressants, suggesting potential for developing new drugs for treatment-resistant depression.

Makoto Kondo