BioCentury
ARTICLE | Distillery Therapeutics

Therapeutics: Potassium channel Kv7.3 (KCNQ3)

June 9, 2016 7:00 AM UTC

Mouse studies suggest promoting KCNQ3 expression or opening potassium channels could help treat major depressive disorder (MDD). In a mouse model of chronic depression, expression of KCNQ3 in ventral tegmental area dopaminergic neurons increased social interactions and decreased antisocial behaviors compared with unmodified KCNQ3 expression. Also in the model, systemic injection of the potassium channel opener Trobalt retigabine or direct infusion into the ventral tegmental area of Trobalt or the potassium channel opener flupirtine increased social interactions and decreased antisocial behaviors compared with vehicle, without causing locomotion deficits or other observable toxicities associated with marketed antidepressants. Next steps include testing and optimizing KCNQ3 promoters in the mouse model of chronic depression.

The generic flupirtine is a non-opioid analgesic marketed to treat chronic pain and orthopedic pain. ...