Dorsal raphe dopaminergic neurons target CaMKII⁺ neurons in dorsal bed nucleus of the stria terminalis for mediating depression-related behaviors.

ABSTRACT: Dopamine (DA) neurons play a crucial role in the development and manifestation of depression, as well as in response to antidepressant treatments. While the function of the predominantly distributed DA neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is well established, the contribution of a small fraction of DA neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) during depression remains unclear. In this study, we found that chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) induces depression-related behaviors and decreases spontaneous firing rates, excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents of DA neurons in the DRN associated with reduced excitatory synaptic transmission in male and female mice. The chemogenetic inhibition of DA neurons in the DRN produces depressive phenotypes. Conversely, their activation com

SUBMITTER: Wang W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11447211 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature