In a state-of-the-art Bench to Bedside review published in the journal Brain Medicine (Genomic Press), researchers Dr. Xiaoyu Song and Professor Jan-Åke 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.
LXRβ, a nuclear receptor initially known for its role in cholesterol metabolism and inflammation, is now emerging as a crucial player in neuroscience and psychiatry . The review synthesizes recent breakthroughs in understanding LXRβ's regulation and function in behaviors relevant to depression and anxiety, derived from studies using animal models that capture specific features of these disorders. Our analysis reveals that LXRβ plays a pivotal role in preventing central nervous system disease in experimental rodent models.
If these observations translate to humans, LXRβ could emerge as a novel therapeutic target for treating neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly depression and anxiety." Dr. Xiaoyu Song, University of Houston The researchers highlight several key findings: 1.
LXRβ deficiency in female mice leads to anxiety-like behavior and impaired behavioral responses. 2. Activation of LXRβ in the amygdala exerts anxiolytic effects by rebalancing excitat.