Stress Recovery

Severe stress can be a risk factor for anxiety disorders, but there are currently no effective treatment options for these disorders. Although many studies have elucidated the mechanisms of stress-induced anxiety, little is yet known about the mechanisms of stress recovery.

Our bodies have an inherent self-recovery function that allows us to reverse malfunctions and quickly adapt to the environment. For example, immediately after exposure to an acute stressor, we are anxious, but over time, the depressed mood self-recovers. However, if the altered mood does not recover, we develop a stress disorder. We aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the stress self-recovery function by using optogenetics, fiber photometry, the patch clamp technique, the DREADD system, conditional gene knockdown, microdialysis, fluorescent in situ hybridization, and animal behavior analysis. Just as cancer treatment has undergone a paradigm shift by utilizing the immune, inherent recovery system, we will also develop novel treatment strategies for stress-induced anxiety disorders that can enhance the stress self-recovery function.