TRPC5 Gene Linked to Obesity, Postnatal Depression, and Infants' Mental Health

Jul 2, 2024, 06:57 PM

Recent research has highlighted the role of the TRPC5 gene in obesity and postnatal depression. Scientists from the University of Cambridge and Baylor College of Medicine have discovered that impairments in the TRPC5 gene can disrupt oxytocin neurons, which are crucial for regulating behaviors related to food seeking and maternal care. Follow-up studies in mice suggest that oxytocin, often referred to as the 'love hormone,' may help alleviate symptoms of postnatal depression and obesity. Additionally, hormones associated with body composition during pregnancy have been linked to infants' mental health. This discovery opens new avenues for potential treatments targeting the TRPC5 gene and oxytocin pathways.