A team from the Institute of Neurosciences in Alicante (CSIC - UMH) has developed and patented a treatment for social disorders, such as anxiety or extreme introversion. It is based on the use of hormones that the brain naturally produces and which, as they have discovered, can regulate behavioral responses related to social interaction.
This research has demonstrated that using hormones, it is possible to modulate socialization preferences and promote interaction with new individuals, thereby facilitating the creation of new social bonds. This response is of particular interest for treating disorders related to apathy, phobia, or anxiety that some people may develop in unfamiliar social environments. Image: Ahmed Nishaath on Unsplash
What happens in the brain of a person who suffers from social anxiety? Why do some individuals navigate new relationships with perfect ease while others face them with concern and the anticipatory fear of separating from their parents?
It is known that individuals naturally have a social preference for familiar figures. However, at some point during growth, this preference reverses, and children seek new social interactions. Nevertheless, in some cases, this change does not occur naturally, leading to the development of social disorders and avoidant behaviors, which can result in more serious problems. Is there a physiological basis to explain this?
A team led by Félix Leroy, a neuroscientist at the Institute of Neurosciences in Alicante, a joint centre of the CSIC and the Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, has investigated this using animal models and found an answer in a hormone naturally produced by the brain, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH).
In a study published last year in the journal Cell, they demonstrated that CRH, produced by infralimbic neurons, sends a signal to the rostral region of the lateral septum, which suppresses social interactions with familiar mice.
This circuit, the scientists explain, contributes to reduce the preference for familial relationships and increases the preference for social novelty observed in adult mice. Furthermore, the scientists observed that when the mice were two weeks old, there was an increase in the density of infralimbic neurons releasing CRH, which was directly related to a change in the development of social preference in young mice, shifting from a preference for familiar companions to new mates.
It could be an initial step toward developing treatments based on this natural molecule, an alternative that they have begun testing in phase 1 preclinical trials
Using a combination of electrophysiological, chemogenetic, optogenetic, calcium recording, and gene silencing techniques, the team has demonstrated that this hormone modulates socialization preferences. As Félix Leroy explains, “our team has observed that using hormones can modulate socialization preferences and promote interaction with new individuals, thereby facilitating the creation of new social bonds." This response is of particular interest for treating disorders related to apathy, phobia, or anxiety that some people may develop in unfamiliar social environments.
The discovery could be an initial step toward developing treatments based on this natural molecule, an alternative that they have begun testing in phase 1 preclinical trials. To date, no side effects have been detected, and the results are promising. They are currently negotiating with pharmaceutical companies interested in licensing the patent for the development of treatments based on this technology. This would be the first specific molecule for treating social anxiety disorders, avoiding the use of non-specific synthetic drugs and their adverse effects.
Currently, the treatment for social anxiety disorder or avoidant personality disorder relies on behavioral therapy alone or combined with antidepressants or anxiolytics, which only partially improve symptoms and may cause adverse side effects. At present, there is no medication for social anxiety disorder (SAD) recommended by the FDA or EMA, the US and European drug agencies, respectively.
Contact:
Marc Escamilla
CSIC - Vicepresidencia de Innovación
y Transferencia- CSIC