As early as about 20 years ago, Eero Castrén’s research group demonstrated that antidepressants significantly increase brain plasticity. They revert cerebral neurons to their juvenile state, a period during which the cells are at their most plastic.
A more recent study showed that psychedelic substances, such as LSD and magic mushrooms, have a similar capability to enhance brain plasticity, but are effective at much smaller doses than antidepressants.
However, because of their hallucinogenic properties and other adverse effects, psychedelics are ill-suited for use as antidepressants, at least at present. In addition, they are prohibited in many countries.
Today, experts agree that depression is best treated through a combination of drugs affecting the nervous system and non-pharmacological therapies such as psychotherapy.
“I’ve talked on several occasions about the interaction of medication and therapy to doctors, medical students, psychiatrists and psychologists, and received an enthusiastic response,” says Research Director Castrén.
The problem is that the number of patients with depression far exceeds the supply of psychotherapy services. Not all patients have access to therapy. Castrén believes that drug development may help resolve this problem.
“More effective drugs could enable patients to influence their own situation to at least some extent, perhaps with the support of online services. We should also keep in mind the research-proven effectiveness of alternatives such as physical exercise for influencing brain plasticity similarly to antidepressants.”
A company developing future pharmaceuticals
Castrén’s group is now attempting to resolve the problems of psychedelics by studying whether drugs could be developed that retaining the positive properties that enhance brain plasticity, but without the hallucinogenic effects.
In the best case, such drugs could be used to treat patients with depression five to 10 years from now, but even this estimate may be too optimistic.
“The research process is both slow and expensive. Only time will tell what we can achieve.”
To develop the new drugs, Castrén and his coworkers have established a company called Kasvu Therapeutics. He has received financial support from University of Helsinki Funds, which has also helped him develop the company.
Castrén encourages other researchers to start their own companies.
“If a researcher makes an invention with commercial potential, they should definitely aim to establish a company. It doesn’t compete with academic research, but enables things that would be difficult to do in an academic setting.”