Neurology

Analysis of a patient adverse event database and mouse studies suggest promoting the expression of HspH1 could help treat depression. In the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database, the incidence of depression was lower among patients with various diseases who were taking the HspH1 promoter teprenone plus one of three drugs with depression as a side effect -- PegIntron peginterferon α-2b, Pegasys peginterferon α-2a and the nucleoside analog ribavirin -- than among patients taking only one of the three drugs. In a mouse model of depression, hippocampal levels of HspH1 were lower than in normal mice, and teprenone decreased social avoidance and stress-induced immobility compared with vehicle. Next steps could include testing teprenone and its analogs in other models of depression.

Generic teprenone, an acyclic polyisoprenoid, is marketed to treat gastric ulcers...