Major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric conditions in Europe, affecting roughly 4–6% of the population.

These conditions take a heavy toll on patients’ daily lives and represent a substantial societal burden. Cognitive symptoms—such as memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and negative thinking patterns—often persist even when patients receive standard drug treatments, highlighting the urgent need for more effective therapies.

Too many patients fail to achieve sufficient relief
Currently, most treatments rely on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including widely used medications like fluoxetine and escitalopram. While effective for many, up to 30–40% of patients fail to achieve sufficient relief, and those who do often experience a delayed therapeutic effect of three to four weeks.

Anders Nykjær and his team aim to change that. With a new Distinguished Innovator Grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, this goal is now within reach.

Controlling the balance at synapses
The project at DANDRITE will explore a novel pharmacological approach that could provide faster and more effective relief for depression, anxiety, and their associated cognitive symptoms. The researchers are investigating the receptor sortilin, which plays a key role in regulating communication between neurons. By controlling the balance between the proteins proBDNF and BDNF at synapses, sortilin helps maintain healthy neuronal function.

“Current treatments primarily focus on strengthening synapses,” explains Professor Anders Nykjær. “Targeting sortilin could allow us to restore the natural balance between synaptic strengthening and weakening, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes.”

This research could pave the way for a new generation of antidepressants that not only act more quickly but also address cognitive challenges often left untreated by current therapies.

• Read more about Anders Nykjærs research