biostudies-literatureSambolin-Escobales LNIGMS NIH HHS899627https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9449580biostudies-literatureUnknown16Increased long-chain C20:0 ceramides have been found in the serum of patients with depression. Moreover, ceramides are linked with increased microglia reactivity and inflammatory cytokine production, which are associated with depression. Since ceramides can readily cross the blood brain barrier, peripheral C20:0 ceramides could enter the brain, activate microglia, and induce depressive-like behavior. In this study, we determined whether localized infusion of C20:0 ceramides into the ventral hippocampus (VH) of rats is sufficient to activate microglia and induce depressive-like behaviors. Adult male and female rats received infusions of C20:0 ceramides or vehicle solution every other day for 2 weeks. After the third infusion, C20:0-infused animals showed reduced sucrose preference suggestinFrontiers in behavioral neuroscienceInfusion of C20:0 ceramide into ventral hippocampus triggers anhedonia-like behavior in female and male rats.PMC9449580R25 GM082406Tirado-Castro LSambolin-Escobales LPacheco-Cruz DHernandez-Lopez AFeliciano-Quinones AColon-Romero MFonseca-Ferrer WSuarez CPorter JTIrizarry-Mendez NfalseInfusion of C20:0 ceramide into ventral hippocampus triggers anhedonia-like behavior in female and male rats.Increased long-chain C20:0 ceramides have been found in the serum of patients with depression. Moreover, ceramides are linked with increased microglia reactivity and inflammatory cytokine production, which are associated with depression. Since ceramides can readily cross the blood brain barrier, peripheral C20:0 ceramides could enter the brain, activate microglia, and induce depressive-like behavior. In this study, we determined whether localized infusion of C20:0 ceramides into the ventral hippocampus (VH) of rats is sufficient to activate microglia and induce depressive-like behaviors. Adult male and female rats received infusions of C20:0 ceramides or vehicle solution every other day for 2 weeks. After the third infusion, C20:0-infused animals showed reduced sucrose preference suggestin2022-01-01T00:00:00Z20222025-04-19T21:52:48.142Z2025-04-19T21:52:48.142ZS-EPMC94495803609065310.3389/fnbeh.2022.899627