Project Summary

Michal Schwartz, Ph.D. (Distinguished Investigator 2007) of Weizmann Institute of Science, is studying depression and the underlying physiological mechanisms which may cause it using a rodent model. He has demonstrated that cognitive ability, neurogenesis (or the re-growth of brain cells), and the ability to withstand mental and physical stress are impaired in immune-deficient animals or in animals lacking certain T cells specific to central nervous system (CNS) antigens. He now hypothesizes that autoimmunity (as opposed to autoimmune disease) is the ‘default’ arm of the adaptive immune system, and that its constitutive function is related to CNS maintenance and repair. He has found that boosting CNS-specific T cells can improve psychotic conditions caused by neurotransmitter imbalance or traumatic physical or mental stress and that physiological and pathological conditions controlled by adaptive immune cells have certain features in common, such as the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Combined with other research showing that boosting of BDNF expression in the hippocampus by antidepressant drugs and reduction of hippocampal BDNF in an animal model of chronic mild stress correlates with behavioral outcomes, Dr. Schwartz is now suggesting that because T cells recognize brain antigens, by activation of BDNF and stimulation of neurogenesis, this may indicate a novel approach to treatment of depression. He will now examine the adaptive role of immune cells in animal models of depression and will study the involvement of T cells specific to myelin antigens (autoimmune T cells) in the ability to fight off depression resulting from chronic mild stress. The introduction of peripheral immune cells as novel players in coping with depression would be groundbreaking if proven true, and could result in a vaccination against depression.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Unipolar

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