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Ever-Happy Mouse Sheds Light on Depression

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the happy-go-lucky dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Scientists have bred a strain of mouse that's permanently cheerful, in hopes of better understanding and treating depression in people. By breeding mice lacking the TREK-1 gene, which is involved in serotonin transmission, researchers were able create a depression-resistant strain. They say it's the first time depression has been eliminated through genetic alteration of an organism."

9 of 452 comments (clear)

  1. Lets call him by mathi · · Score: 5, Funny

    Pinky

  2. May not generalize to humans by Beryllium+Sphere(tm) · · Score: 5, Funny

    Deactivate a mouse's TREK-1 and it acts like it's on antidepressants.

    Take my Trek away from me and I get depressed.

  3. Exciting Applications! by Selanit · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hey, maybe the scientists can use this to their advantage. Something like this:

    PETA spokesman: You're abusing animals in your lab, you fiend.

    Scientist: But they're happy!

    PETA spokesman: How can they be happy with you jabbing them with needles every half hour? Among OTHER things.

    Scientist: Easy - they're permanently cheerful, no matter what we do to 'em. We engineered 'em that way.

    PETA spokesman: >.

  4. Re:a similar effect in humansth by kfg · · Score: 5, Funny

    . . .just quit work and start smoking pot, eating magic mushrooms and dancing on the streets in the nude.

    Oh, wow man, you've seen me, huh?

    KFG

  5. Re:People are not Mice by kfg · · Score: 5, Funny

    Mice don't feel taunted by the universe, to figure out it's secrets.

    42, Dude. 42.

    KFG

  6. Re:Today's Philosphical question... by kfg · · Score: 5, Funny

    Have you read Interview with the Fountainhead by Ayn Rice?

    Radical capitalist vampires? No, I haven't, but I think I might like to.

    KFG

  7. Re:So let me get this straight by Stripsurge · · Score: 5, Funny

    Scientists finally clued into what you're saying and decided they sure as hell didn't want any variety those "super mice" angry. All new "super mouse" models will now be forced to comply to the new industry standard in happiness.

  8. Re:So let me get this straight by HarmlessScenery · · Score: 5, Funny
    It was on the cirriculum for my english class in high school. And I did read it.

    So, did that English course go well? ;)
  9. Re:Today's Philosphical question... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    Thank goodness I had family/friends to point me towards medical care. Lexapro changed that like a light switch, and the depression (and anti-depressants) are just a memory. But for some the depression is chronic and the treatment will probably need to be permanent.


    And Lexapro can change your life too! Call 800-678-1605 or visit lexapro.com today!

    Lexapro can cause nausea, insomnia, problems with ejaculation, somnolence, increased sweating, fatigue, decreased libido, and anorgasmia. Most of the side effects experienced by patients taking Lexapro are mild to moderate and go away with continued treatment, and usually do not cause patients to stop taking Lexapro.