University of Helsinki · Faculty of Pharmacy
University of Helsinki · Faculty of Pharmacy
The Laboratory of Neurotherapeutics is part of the Regenerative Pharmacology Unit at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Pharmacy. Our work is dedicated to understanding and harnessing the neuroplastic properties of the brain to develop better treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Brain and nervous system disorders affect over two billion people worldwide and carry an annual economic burden exceeding $2 trillion. Despite decades of research, many patients remain inadequately treated. We believe that a deeper understanding of neuroplasticity — the brain's capacity to reorganise and rewire itself — holds the key to a new generation of effective therapies.
The laboratory was established following a Fellowship grant awarded to Professor Tomi Rantamäki by the Academy of Finland in 2014. Professor Rantamäki holds a PhD in pharmacology and neuroscience (2006) and has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed articles. He is an active member of the Brain Research Society Finland and several international neuroscience organisations.
A central question driving our work is why antidepressants work at all — and why they work so slowly. We have found that all major classes of antidepressants rapidly activate the TrkB neurotrophin receptor, preceding any rise in BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). This common mechanism suggests a shared, previously unrecognised pathway that could be targeted directly.
A major focus is ketamine, a dissociative anaesthetic that produces rapid and robust relief from depression. Unlike conventional antidepressants that require weeks to act, ketamine works within hours. We study the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect — including mTOR and GSK3β signalling and rapid synaptogenesis — to identify how its benefits can be retained while minimising side-effects.
We also investigate electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), exploring the neuroplastic mechanisms that make seizure-based treatment effective in otherwise treatment-resistant depression.
A full list of publications is available on Tomi Rantamäki's Google Scholar profile.
Mapping how antidepressants and anaesthetics activate TrkB and promote neuronal rewiring in the adult brain.
Investigating ketamine and nitrous oxide as templates for next-generation fast-onset therapies for treatment-resistant depression.
Understanding seizure-induced neuroplasticity and its role in the therapeutic efficacy of ECT.
Combining phosphoproteomics, electroencephalography, and in vivo pharmacology to resolve intracellular signalling networks.
Our group brings together researchers from pharmaceutical sciences, biology, and neuroscience. We combine in vivo behavioural experiments, electrophysiology, advanced proteomics, and EEG analysis to bridge molecular mechanisms and clinically relevant outcomes.
Alumni
Laboratory of Neurotherapeutics
Faculty of Pharmacy, Biokeskus 2
Viikinkaari 5 (PL 65), 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
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