A new study suggests that brain support cells called astrocytes may play a key role in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The research, led by scientists at the Institute for Basic Science and Ewha Womans University, shows that targeting these cells could lead to better treatment options.
The findings were published in the journal Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy.
Why PTSD Is Hard to Treat
PTSD is a serious mental health condition that can happen after trauma. People with PTSD often struggle with fear that won’t go away, even when they are no longer in danger. Many current treatments, like serotonin-based medications, don’t work well for everyone.
One major problem in PTSD is that the brain fails to “turn off” fear. Scientists have long known that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)—a part of the brain that helps control fear—is involved. But exactly how it stops working in PTSD wasn’t clear.
The Role of GABA and Astrocytes
The brain chemical GABA helps calm down brain activity. Too much GABA in the mPFC can stop the brain from turning off fear properly. Until now, researchers didn’t know where this extra GABA was coming from.
Astrocytes, which support and protect brain cells, are now known to do more than just help neurons. They also release GABA. This new study found that in both humans and mice with PTSD symptoms, astrocytes were making too much GABA.
What the Researchers Did
The research team used brain scans, human brain tissue, mouse models, and drug testing to study PTSD. They found:
People with PTSD had higher GABA levels and lower blood flow in the mPFC.
Those who recovered from PTSD had lower GABA levels over time.
Brain tissue from people with PTSD showed astrocytes with high levels of an enzyme called MAOB, which makes GABA.
Mice with PTSD-like symptoms had the same problems. Their astrocytes made too much GABA, and their brains could not turn off fear.
Testing a New Drug: KDS2010
The scientists tested a drug called KDS2010, which blocks MAOB, the enzyme that produces GABA in astrocytes. In mice, the drug:
- Restored normal GABA levels
- Improved blood flow in the brain
- Helped mice stop responding with fear
- Fixed memory problems
- Boosted dopamine, another brain chemical important for mood and motivation
KDS2010 has already passed early safety trials in humans and is now being tested as a possible PTSD treatment.
What This Means for the Future
“This is the first study to show that astrocyte-derived GABA causes problems in fear processing in PTSD,” said Dr. Won Woojin, one of the lead authors.
The team is now studying how this new treatment approach might help with other conditions like panic disorder, depression, and schizophrenia.
Dr. Changjoon Justin Lee, co-leader of the study, called it a strong example of “reverse translation”—where studies in humans help scientists find causes and treatments in lab models.
By focusing on astrocytes instead of neurons, the researchers have opened the door to a new way of treating PTSD and other brain disorders.
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