A step towards defeating depression: BSMU scientists have moved to a new stage of research in the development of an antidepressant

Scientists of the laboratory for the search for small targeted molecules of BSMU at the Interuniversity Campus are taking an important step towards creating a new antidepressant, moving on to the stage of testing the drug on biological models. Medical researchers observe the behavior of Danio rerio fish and rats to evaluate the effectiveness of new compounds in combating depression.

"By observing the behavior of laboratory animals in special labyrinth installations, we can assess how our substances affect the brain - primarily the emotional state and cognitive functions (attention, memory, learning) of models. As a rule, under the influence of antidepressants, animals adapt better to stressful conditions, find a way out of uncomfortable conditions (such as swimming, for example) faster and despair less compared to those laboratory animals that did not receive the compound," candidate of medical sciences Gulnara Gaisina said.

Researchers are studying the effect of psychotropic molecules on fish: a solution of compounds is added to the aquarium and the behavior of aquatic life is observed. If fish experience fear and anxiety, they lie at the bottom. With a positive antidepressant effect, fish swim in the upper part of the aquarium.

Chemists of the Bashkir State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia synthesize unique thiethane-containing compounds that did not previously exist and were not studied. These substances can become the basis for the creation of original, fundamentally new in structure and mechanism of action of domestic antidepressants. It is expected that scientists of the BSMU will be able to increase the effectiveness of the treatment of depressive disorders.

Currently, there are more than 5 million people with depressive disorders in Russia, and, according to doctors, their number will only increase. Scientists from other universities and pharmacological companies are already interested in the research.

Scientific work in the laboratory for the search for small targeted molecules in the Interuniversity Campus of the Eurasian REC is carried out as part of the Priority-2030 development program.