VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc. announced data from nonclinical studies indicating that its orally available CNS drug candidate, AV-101 (4-chlorokynurenine), promotes hippocampal neurogenesis, the process by which new neurons are formed in a region of the brain that involves high-level functions such as emotions, memory, and spatial navigation and exploration. Robert Schwarcz, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, and Gloria Hoffman, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, conducted the rodent studies, which showed increased neurogenesis in the hippocampus following oral daily dosing of AV-101 for 14 -16 days. Neurogenesis was demonstrated by detecting an increased number of cells containing Ki67, a marker of dividing cells, scored by scientists blinded to the treatment groups. These results are consistent with recent observations that sustaining the therapeutic activity of other new generation fast-acting antidepressants, such as ketamine, is dependent on a neurogenic effect. The detailed results of these studies will be presented at an upcoming psychiatry conference.