Acupuncture alleviates CSDS-induced depressive-like behaviors by modulating synaptic plasticity in vCA1.

ABSTRACT: Acupuncture (Acu) has been clinically validated as an effective treatment for depression. However, the underlying mechanism of Acu treatment's antidepressant effect remains unclear. Methods: We investigate the antidepressant effects of Acu treatment at the LR3 point in mice subjected to chronic social defeat stress (CSDS). GCaMP6m-based fiber-optic photometry was employed in the ventral CA1 (vCA1) regions for the first time to monitor Ca²⁺ transients in vivo during behavioral testing. Electrophysiological recordings were used to detect the activity and synaptic function of pyramidal neurons. Golgi staining was performed to measure the density of dendritic spines in the vCA1. Western blot analysis was conducted to quantify the expression levels of phosphorylated CaM

SUBMITTER: Cong L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11984413 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature