Activation of D1R/PKA/mTOR signaling cascade in medial prefrontal cortex underlying the antidepressant effects of l-SPD.

ABSTRACT: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by diverse symptoms. Although several antidepressants can influence dopamine system in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), but the role of D1R or D2R subtypes of dopamine receptor during anti-depression process is still vague in PFC region. To address this question, we investigate the antidepressant effect of levo-stepholidine (l-SPD), an antipsychotic medication with unique pharmacological profile of D1R agonism and D2R antagonism, and clarified its molecular mechanisms in the mPFC. Our results showed that l-SPD exerted antidepressant-like effects on the Sprague-Dawley rat CMS model of depression. Mechanism studies revealed that l-SPD worked as a specific D1R agonist, rather than D2 antagonist, to activat

SUBMITTER: Zhang B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5476681 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature