Indiana University scientist developing anti-suicide nasal spray

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INDIANAPOLIS — An Indiana University School of Medicine scientist has been awarded $3 million to develop a nasal spray intended to combat suicidal thoughts among soldiers.

The U.S. Army awarded the research grant to associate professor of anatomy and cell biology and of neurobiology Michael Kubek, He works with thyrotropin-releasing hormone, or TRH, a neurochemical he helped discover in the human brain.

IU says TRH is known to have antidepressant and anti-suicidal effects, but isn't suitable for injection or oral use. So Kubek and other scientists at Purdue and at Hebrew University in Jerusalem are developing a nasal spray designed to deliver appropriate doses of the drug to the brain over time.

The project is part of a national effort designed to combat suicides in the nation's military.