TREK-ing after a new antidepressant

French researchers have developed a peptide inhibitor of TREK-1 that they think produces antidepressant effects much faster than marketed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.¹ NeuroSearch A/S is now considering moving into lead optimization with an internal effort to identify small molecule TREK-1 inhibitors.

Approved selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) typically have a four- to six-week wash-in period, during which the drug shows minimal efficacy. In addition, the drugs only work in 40-50% of patients and can elicit resistance over time.²...