August 12, 2024
Dr. Rixing Lin, from Dr. Gustavo Turecki‘s team, recently obtained the Brain Star Award for his contributions to research on the mechanisms of depression. He was involved in the conception, execution, and coordination of all aspects of the research, including data interpretation and manuscript preparation.
Antidepressants are the cornerstone of treatment for major depressive disorder. While these medications are widely prescribed, their exact mechanisms of action remain partly mysterious. Most of them work by targeting serotonin receptors, a key neurotransmitter in mood regulation. However, work conducted by Dr. Rixing Lin, under the supervision of Dr. Turecki, reveals an unprecedented molecular link that could transform our understanding of these treatments.
The unexpected role of SNORD90
In this study, Dr. Lin and his colleagues focused on SNORD90, a small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) whose function was previously little known. Their findings show that SNORD90 plays a crucial role in facilitating glutamatergic signaling, a neurotransmission system that acts faster than serotonin. This result suggests that antidepressants, while primarily acting on serotonin, can also influence other brain systems, such as glutamate, through complex molecular mechanisms involving RNA.
A discovery with major implications
These results are particularly promising as they pave the way for a better understanding of the molecular basis of depression treatment. They also highlight the importance of snoRNAs, molecules that are still little studied but potentially key in treating neuropsychiatric disorders.
Congratulations Dr. Lin!