Depression and Neurodegenerative diseases May Be Treated By Tetanus Toxin

Non-toxic derivative of the tetanus neurotoxin (which causes tetanus infections) may improve depression symptoms, Parkinson's disease, and ALS as per a study at the Universitat Autonoma De Barcelona, published in the journal Molecules. A growing body of evidence suggests that the drugs used for depression (inhibitors of serotonin reuptake in the brain) has lots of side effects, thereby mandating the need for better and new therapies.

Efficacy of Tetanus

The earlier study in 2019 by Dr. Yousef Tizabe and his team revealed that a single dose of tetanus (Hc-TeTx) helped evade depression symptoms in less than 24 hours in the mice model.

Based on the promising results, the present study showed that Hc-TeTx is capable of inhibiting the transport of serotonin (a type of neurotransmitter) by binding to neurotrophin receptors, proteins that induce the survival of neurons. This suggests that that the drug may not only serve in treating depression but is also useful in treating neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

This recombinant product would meet the drug safety and just a biweekly or monthly dose would help control the progress of the diseases. Amidst the pandemic, with an increased incidence of depression and mental alterations as a result of COVID-19, the study establishes an important advance in science. The team awaits their successful trial to be now conducted for clinical trials on humans.

Source-Medindia