Repeated Nitrous Oxide Exposure Exerts Antidepressant-Like Effects Through Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Activation in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex.

ABSTRACT: Clinical studies have demonstrated that exposure to the inhalational general anesthetic nitrous oxide (N₂O) produces antidepressant effects in depressed patients. However, the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of N₂O remain largely unknown. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-mediated nitric oxide (NO) synthesis is essential for brain function and underlies the molecular mechanisms of many neuromodulators. We hypothesized that activation of the nNOS/NO pathway in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) might mediate the antidepressant effects of N₂O. In this study, we revealed that repeated N₂O exposure produced antidepressant-like responses in mice. Our mechanistic exploration showed that repeated N₂O exposure increased b

SUBMITTER: Liu W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7495238 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature