Novel mode of antidepressant action may help patients unresponsive to SSRIs

Scientists have identified a novel mode of action for a potential antidepressant that also leads to nerve cell growth in the mouse hippocampus. The activator of a serotonin receptor uses a different mechanism to the most commonly used antidepressants, SSRIs. This is a promising finding for the millions of patients who do not respond well to current treatments.