BioCentury
ARTICLE | Targets & Mechanisms

Steroids not so depressing

February 16, 2012 8:00 AM UTC

Mapreg S.A.S. researchers have shown for the first time in vivo that targeting microtubule-associated protein 2 with steroid derivatives can have an antidepressant effect in mouse models of depression.1 Indeed, in some of those models, the company's MAP4343 had an onset of action that was faster than that for Prozac fluoxetine.

Mapreg founder, president and CEO Etienne Baulieu identified 3-methoxy-pregnenolone (MAP4343) in a screen for steroid derivatives that altered the function of microtubules in neurons. In 2006, Mapreg published data showing that the compound bound microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) in vitro and improved recovery of locomotor function in rat models of spinal cord injury (SCI).2,3...