Chinese researchers make breakthrough in study for depression treatment

STORY: Chinese researchers make breakthrough in study for depression treatment DATELINE: Nov. 4, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:25 LOCATION: NANJING, China CATEGORY: SCIENCE SHOTLIST: 1. various of Nanjing Medical University 2. various of a team of Chinese researchers from Nanjing Medical University 3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): ZHOU QIGANG, Professor, Nanjing Medical University STORYLINE: A team of Chinese researchers from Nanjing Medical University have discovered a new antidepressant target and developed a lead compound, laying the groundwork for developing fast-onset antidepressants. The findings were published online recently in the journal Science. According to Zhou Qigang, the study's principal researcher, the serotonin transporter (SERT) is presently the primary target for anti-depressants. However, SERT inhibitors have serious limitations: they take at least 3 to 4 weeks to take effect, and they have extensive side effects. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): ZHOU QIGANG, Professor, Nanjing Medical University "We analyzed the