Reelin Concentration-Dependently Rescues Protein Expression Markers of Synaptic-Strength

The pharmacological treatment of depression is difficult due to lack of knowledge regarding underlying pathology. Recently, ketamine has been shown to have rapid-acting antidepressant effects mediated through the activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). This leads to an upregulation of synapse-associated proteins that contribute to synaptic strengthening. However, ketamine’s undesirable side effects necessitate investigations into molecules that work similarly without secondary impacts. Reelin, a glycoprotein, rapidly improves behavioural measures and activates mTOR, but its synaptic-level impact in disease states is yet unknown.