A new study has said that a compound currently being developed for human use may be able to treat psychiatric diseases such as autism, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and ADHD.
The news comes after scientists at the University of Iowa in the USA discovered a link between the death of new-born brain cells and up to five psychiatric diseases – cells which could be protected and restored by a compound called P7C3-A20, which is currently under development as a potential therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.
A lack of this compound and a low survival rate in new-born brain cells was found to be linked with mutations in one common gene – CACNA1C.
A lack of the CACNA1C gene has time and again been proven to be a ‘risk factor’ for high-anxiety based psychiatric illnesses, including autism, bipolar and schizophrenia.
The University’s study, recently published in online journal eNeuro, shows successful results in trials performed on mice – where scientists managed to effectively protect new-born neurons in the hippocampus using the compound.
Study co-author, Anjali Rajadhyaksha, said: “Genetic risk factors that can disrupt the development and function of brain circuits are believed to contribute to multiple neuropsychiatric disorders.
“Adult newborn neurons may serve a role in fine-tuning rewarding and environmental experiences, including social cognition, which are disrupted in disorders such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders.
“The findings of this study provide a direct link between the CACNA1C risk gene and a key cellular deficit, providing a clue into the potential neurobiological basis of CACNA1C-linked disease symptoms”.