Is neurotrophin-3 (NT-3): a potential therapeutic target for depression and anxiety?

• Published in: Expert opinion on therapeutic targets Vol. 24; no. 12; p. 1225
• Main Authors: de Miranda, A S, de Barros, J L V M, Teixeira, Antonio Lucio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.12.2020
• Subjects: Animals; Anxiety Disorders - drug therapy; Anxiety Disorders - physiopathology; Depressive Disorder, Major - drug therapy; Depressive Disorder, Major - physiopathology; Humans; MicroRNAs - genetics; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Mood Disorders - drug therapy; Mood Disorders - physiopathology; Neurotrophin 3 - metabolism; Receptor, trkC - genetics; BDNF; Trk-C; mood disorders; neurotrophic factors; NT-3; Anxiety; noradrenaline; depression; dopamine; neurotrophin-3
• ISSN: 1744-7631
• DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1846720

: Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) is thought to play a role in the neurobiological processes implicated in mood and anxiety disorders. NT-3 is a potential pharmacological target for mood disorders because of its effects on monoamine neurotransmitters, regulation of synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling boosting, and modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The mechanisms underlying NT-3 anxiolytic properties are less clear and require further exploration and definition. : The evidence that supports NT-3 as a pharmacological target for anxiety and mood disorders is presented and this is followed by a reflection on the quandaries, stumbling blocks, and future perspectives for this novel target. : There is evidence for miRNAs being key post-transcriptional regulators of neurotrophin-3 receptor gene (NTRK3) in anxiety disorders; however, the anxiolytic properties of NT-3 need further examination and delineation. Moreover, NT-3 expression by non-neuronal cells and its role in brain circuits that participate in anxiety and mood disorders require further scrutiny. Further work is vital before progression into clinical trials can be realized.