Can a drug help prevent trauma? Study with mice suggests so

A recent study in Munich and Stockholm suggests that a drug may be able to prevent the development of trauma. The researchers began by subjecting first-day mice to harsh conditions, including less nesting material and unpredictable environments. These mice grew up seemingly healthy but were later pushed to the lowest ranks of social hierarchies as they matured into adolescents and adults.

The key factor appeared to be the production of too much of a protein called FKBP51, which interferes with the body's ability to turn off the stress response. Researchers used a compound called SAFit2, which blocks FKBP51, and administered it to the affected mice during their stressful period via breast milk. The treated mice performed identically to those that had experienced no adversity in their social groups, erasing the social cost of a hard start.

This research demonstrates prevention rather than repair, and it only works if at-risk individuals can be identified before harm occurs. The study was led by Mathias Schmidt of the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry and Juan Pablo Lopez of the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm. While SAFit2 is effective in animals, it is not yet developed or safety-tested for human use.

However, Schmidt sees a realistic path toward clinical application within the next decade, noting that stress mechanisms are very similar in animals and humans. Existing treatments for stress-related disorders, such as PTSD and trauma-linked depression, rely on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). However, these drugs target serotonin pathways and do not fully understand their mechanism.

By targeting FKBP51, researchers aim to treat the cause rather than just the symptoms of stress-related disorders. Schmidt emphasizes that trauma is highly individual and that the rough guide is duration rather than intensity. If a stress response persists beyond the normal duration, it is advisable to speak to a doctor.