Scientists find that a specific cholesterol regulator could help treat depression and anxiety by improving brain function. New York: Scientists on Friday revealed that a cholesterol regulator can become a surprising player in mental health research, helping treat depression and anxiety. Called LXRβ, the nuclear receptor is known for its role in cholesterol metabolism and inflammation.
It is now emerging as a crucial player in neuroscience and psychiatry. In a review, published in the journal Brain Medicine, researchers Dr Xiaoyu Song and Professor Jan-Ake Gustafsson from the University of Houston and Karolinska Institutet (Sweden) shed light on the therapeutic potential of liver X receptor beta (LXRβ) in treating depression and anxiety. This comprehensive analysis marks a significant step forward in understanding the molecular underpinnings of mental health disorders and potentially revolutionizing their treatment.
"Our analysis reveals that the receptor plays a pivotal role in preventing central nervous system disease in experimental rodent models," said Dr Song. If these observations translate to humans, it could emerge as a novel therapeutic target for treating neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly depression and anxiety. According to the findings, the receptor’s deficiency in female mice leads to anxiety-like behaviour and impaired behavioural responses.
The activation of the regulator in the amygdala exerts anxiolytic effects by rebalancing excitatory and inhibito.