Roaccutane, a drug commonly used to treat severe acne, can lead to depressive behavior in mice, according to a new research.

In a new independent research, British scientists gave Roaccutane to mice, over a period of six weeks, and found that administration of Roaccutane increases depression-related behavior in mice, said a report on the science website of AlphaGalileo on Tuesday.

"Without more research, it is difficult to say for sure whether the same link applies to people taking the drug," Sarah Bailey from the Bath University, UK was quoted as saying.

However, establishing a link between the active molecules within the drug and a change in depression-related behavior, albeit in mice, is an important step forward, in understanding the effects of this drug in the wider context of brain function, the scientist said.

"This laboratory evidence provides a useful model for future research into Roaccutane and understanding how this family of compounds affects the brain," Bailey said.

Roaccutane belongs to a group of medicines called retinoids, the vitamin A-related compounds known to affect development of the nervous system. And for this reason Roaccutane is not prescribed to pregnant women.

"While our research is the first to demonstrate that retinoids are capable of influencing depression-related behaviors, these compounds may also play a role in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia," he said.

Roaccutane was introduced in the early 1980s, and since then there have been controversial reports about depression and suicidal behavior within people who have taken the drug. As a result, the drug's manufacturers, Roche, posted a warning in the product information that taking the medication may cause depression, psychosis and suicidal behavior.

Source: Xinhua