Giovedì 18 Settembre 2025, ore 13
Edificio Asclepio U8-Aula 4
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Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, affecting approximately 280 million people worldwide and generating enormous social and economic costs. Risk factors for depression include biological, psychological, and social factors, as well as lifestyle, and zinc deficiency is also an important factor. Zinc plays a crucial role in the body, participating in the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins, as well as in the modulation of the nervous system. Its highest concentrations are found in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. It is estimated that half of the world's population is affected by zinc deficiency, which includes mood disorders, concentration problems, and symptoms of depression. Clinical studies have shown that reduced zinc levels correlate with the severity of depression symptoms and that zinc supplementation increases the effectiveness of treatment, especially in drug-resistant patients. Preclinical studies confirm the antidepressant properties of zinc and its ability to enhance the effects of antidepressants. Zinc transport in cells is regulated by Zip and ZnT proteins, which affect its availability in the nervous system. In studies on a rat model (olfactory bulbectomy + zinc-deficient diet), a pro-depressive effect of zinc deficiency and a reduction in the effectiveness of escitalopram and venlafaxine were observed. Behavioral analyses (OFT, FST, SIT) confirmed an increase in symptoms of anxiety, anhedonia, and reduced stress resistance in zinc-deficient animals. Biochemical measurements indicated changes in zinc transporter levels and differences in zinc concentration in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. The results suggest that zinc plays an important role in the mechanisms of depression and in response to pharmacological treatment. The studies highlight the need for further analysis of the mechanisms of drug resistance associated with zinc deficiency.
Dr Anna Rafało-Ulińska
Dr Anna Rafało-Ulińska graduated in Neurobiology from the Department of Biology of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków in 2013 and obtained her PhD from the same Institution in 2018. Since 2011, she has been affiliated with the Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, where she initially participated in research projects and carried out her doctoral studies, and currently works as a research assistant. She has been the principal investigator of the project “Zinc Deficiency: An Essential Variable for the Induction of Resistance to Antidepressants” while also collaborating in many other national and international research projects. Her research achievements include 23 peer-reviewed publications, six first-author papers, and one book chapter. She has received numerous awards and scholarships, including the 2025 Implementation Award at the Science for Society Congress and the 2024 Award of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Rafało-Ulińska gained international training experience through internships and courses in France, Germany, Portugal, and Lithuania. Her main research interests include the role of zinc in the development of depression and the mechanisms underlying treatment-resistant depression. Her work combines advanced behavioral neuroscience, molecular biology, and translational approaches to improve the understanding and treatment of depression.