Overview

• University of Victoria researchers report that chronic stress lowered intestinal Reelin in animal models and that a single 3 µg intravenous dose restored levels.
• The work, published in the journal Chronic Stress, is experimental and conducted in animals, and it has not been tested in humans.
• Earlier studies cited by the team found reduced Reelin in the brains of people with major depressive disorder and stressed rodents, and a 3 µg IV dose produced antidepressant-like effects in rodents.
• The authors suggest Reelin may support renewal of the gut lining, potentially limiting increased intestinal permeability and inflammatory responses linked to worsening depression symptoms.
• The study was funded by Canada’s CIHR and NSERC, and the researchers emphasize that mechanism, safety, dosing and efficacy require further investigation before clinical use.