Advisor(s)

Manoranjan S. D'Souza, Ph. D
Ohio Northern University
Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences
m-dsouza@onu.edu

Document Type

Poster

Start Date

24-4-2020 9:00 AM

Abstract

High rates of tobacco smoking are observed in individuals suffering from depression. Nicotine is a major psychoactive component of tobacco smoke and previous work has shown that nicotine can produce antidepressant-like effects. Thus, the high rates of smoking amongst depressed patients could possibly be an attempt at self-medication by depressed patients. Smokers with depression may find it more difficult to quit smoking. It is also important to identify substrates that may play role in both depression and increase susceptibility to smoking. Both anxiety and depression are observed in human subjects having polymorphism of regulators of G protein signalling 2 (RGS2) proteins. RGS2 proteins mediate actions of several neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline that play a role in depression. However, the effects of nicotine on depression-like behavior has not been assessed. The objective of the research was to determine the role of the RGS2 proteins in the antidepressant effects of nicotine. In addition, we will assess effects of conventional antidepressants such as fluoxetine, bupropion and desipramine in both RGS2 knockout and wildtype mice. Depression-like behavior will be assessed using the tail suspension model. The data are currently being analyzed.

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Apr 24th, 9:00 AM

Role of Regulator of G-protein Signaling 2 Proteins in Depression-like Behavior in Mice

High rates of tobacco smoking are observed in individuals suffering from depression. Nicotine is a major psychoactive component of tobacco smoke and previous work has shown that nicotine can produce antidepressant-like effects. Thus, the high rates of smoking amongst depressed patients could possibly be an attempt at self-medication by depressed patients. Smokers with depression may find it more difficult to quit smoking. It is also important to identify substrates that may play role in both depression and increase susceptibility to smoking. Both anxiety and depression are observed in human subjects having polymorphism of regulators of G protein signalling 2 (RGS2) proteins. RGS2 proteins mediate actions of several neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline that play a role in depression. However, the effects of nicotine on depression-like behavior has not been assessed. The objective of the research was to determine the role of the RGS2 proteins in the antidepressant effects of nicotine. In addition, we will assess effects of conventional antidepressants such as fluoxetine, bupropion and desipramine in both RGS2 knockout and wildtype mice. Depression-like behavior will be assessed using the tail suspension model. The data are currently being analyzed.