Stimulating an "exercise" gene has a profound therapeutic effect on mice, raising the likelihood that a new drug that can trigger the same effect in humans could work as a blockbuster antidepressant [1]. By tracking which genes in the hippocampus region of the brain became active during exercise, the investigators at Yale School of Medicine narrowed their search to the VGF gene, which plays a role in developing nerve cells. A chemical used to stimulate the gene in mice changed their behavior in a manner consistent with antidepressants.

"The VGF exercise-related gene and target for drug development could be even better than chemical antidepressants because it is already present in the brain," said Ronald Duman, professor of psychiatry.

- and here's the release [2] for more info
- here's the report [3] from the BBC