Cholinergic signaling in the hippocampus regulates social stress resilience and anxiety- and depression-like behavior.

ABSTRACT: Symptoms of depression can be induced in humans through blockade of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) whereas antidepressant-like effects can be produced in animal models and some clinical trials by limiting activity of acetylcholine (ACh) receptors. Thus, ACh signaling could contribute to the etiology of mood regulation. To test this hypothesis, we administered the AChE inhibitor physostigmine to mice and demonstrated an increase in anxiety- and depression-like behaviors that was reversed by administration of nicotinic or muscarinic antagonists. The behavioral effects of physostigmine were also reversed by administration of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine. Administration of fluoxetine also increased AChE activity throughout the brain, with the greatest change in the hippoc

SUBMITTER: Mineur YS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3587265 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature