Depression-Resistant Mice May Hold Key to Human Happiness

Researchers at McGill University and the University of Nice, France, have created a permanently happy breed of mouse.

So-called 'knock-out' mice were bred without TREK-1, a gene blocking the transmission of serotonin in the brain. Put through a series of behavioral, electrophysiological and biochemical tests, they did not show typical signs of animal "depression."

"The results really surprised us; our 'knock-out' mice acted as if they had been treated with antidepressants for at least three weeks," said co-author Dr. Guy Debonnel.

The mice represent the first time depression has been treated through genetic alteration and may provide hope for humans suffering from depression.

"Current medications for clinical depression are ineffective for a third of patients, which is why the development of alternate treatments is so important...The discovery of a link between TREK-1 and depression could ultimately lead to the development of a new generation of antidepressant drugs," Debonnel said.

Read more: Ever-happy mice may hold key to new treatment of depression

ABSTRACT: Nature Neuroscience