ERIC J NESTLER MD Ph D NASH FAMILY

ERIC J. NESTLER, MD, Ph. D NASH FAMILY PROFESSOR OF NEUROSCIENCE CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF NEUROSCIENCE DIRECTOR, FRIEDMAN BRAIN INSTITUTE MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE 1

HOW IS HDRF MAKING A DIFFERENCE?

STATUS OF DEPRESSION TREATMENT TODAY STAR-D, the largest depression study ever conducted, with over 2, 500 participants, found that less than 50% achieve a full, sustained remission with currently available treatments.

Commonly Used Antidepressant Medications SSRIs/ Serotonin Neurotransmitters: Trade Name Celexa Cipralex, Lexapro, Luvox Paxil, Seroxat Prozac Zoloft, Lustral Generic Name Citalopram Escitalopram Fluvoxamine Paroxetine Fluoxetine Sertraline SNRIs/Norepinephrine Neurotransmitters: Trade Name Cymbalta Effexor Ixel, Savella Pristiq Generic Name Duloxetine Venlafaxine Milnacipran Desvenlafaxine Others: Trade Name Wellbutrin Remeron Older tricyclics Generic Name Buproprion (Dopamine Neurotransmiters) Mirtazapine Many

Since the introduction of Prozac in 1986 (over 27 years ago), there have been no new categories of antidepressants. And all of today’s medications are based on mechanisms discovered by serendipity over 60 years ago

More and more pharmaceutical companies are giving up. Only a small handful of companies still have active programs looking for new antidepressant medications.

DEPRESSION TASK FORCE In 2010, HDRF launched its Depression Task Force (DTF) – an outstanding collaboration of leading neuroscience experts – each of us scientific pioneers in our own right. Thanks to your support, we have developed an unprecedented strategic plan of depression research that integrates the most advanced knowledge in genetics, epigenetics, molecular biology, electrophysiology, and brain imaging, and integrating studies in animals and humans. To accelerate breakthrough research, we are sharing ongoing results in real time at a new HDRF Data Center. 8

Depression Task Force Huda Akil, Ph. D University of Michigan, DTF Chair Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscientist, Neurogeneticist Joshua Gordon, MD, Ph. D Columbia University, NY State Psychiatric Institute & NY Presbyterian Hospital Psychiatrist, Neuroscientist, Electrophysiologist Rene Hen, Ph. D Columbia University Neuropharmacologist, Neurogeneticist Helen Mayberg, MD Emory University Neurologist, Leader in Deep Brain Stimulation

Depression Task Force Bruce Mc. Ewen, Ph. D Rockefeller University Neuroendocrinologist, Leading Neuroscientist in Stress Research Michael Meaney, Ph. D Douglas Institute & Mc. Gill University Neurologist, Epigeneticist, Neurogeneticist Eric Nestler, MD, Ph. D Mount Sinai School of Medicine Molecular Psychiatrist, Neurobiologist

THANK YOU WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO IMPLEMENT THIS UNPRECEDENTED RESEARCH PLAN TO FIND THE • ORIGINS OF DEPRESSION • MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS • NEW MEDICATIONS • OTHER NEW TREATMENTS • AND PREVENTION 11