Caffeine acts through neuronal adenosine A 2A receptors to prevent mood and memory dysfunction triggered by chronic stress

Abstract

Epidemiological studies show that individuals exposed to repeated stress, a major trigger of depression, increase their caffeine intake, which correlates inversely with the incidence of depression. However, the mechanism underlying this protective effect is unknown. We used an animal model of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) to show that caffeine prevents the maladaptive changes caused by CUS in a manner mimicked by the selective blockade of adenosine A 2A receptors (A 2A R). CUS enhanced A 2A R in synapses, and the selective elimination of neuronal A 2A R abrogated CUS modifications. Moreover, A 2A R blockade also afforded a therapeutic benefit, paving the way to consider A 2A R blockers as a strategy to manage the negative impact of chronic stress on mood and memory.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jun 08, 2015
Source ID
10.1073/pnas.1423088112

Entities

People

  • Ana Lúcia S. Rodrigues
  • Ana Nunes
  • Ana Paula Ardais
  • Christa E. Müller
  • Henrique B. Silva
  • Jiang Fan Chen
  • Lisiane O. Porciúncula
  • Magda Santana
  • Manuella P. Kaster
  • Nuno J. Machado
  • Paula Agostinho
  • Paula M. Canas
  • Rodrigo A. Cunha
  • Younis Baqi
  • Ângelo R. Tomé

Organizations

  • Boston University
  • Brain & Behavior Research Foundation
  • Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
  • Sultan Qaboos University
  • Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
  • University of Bonn
  • University of Coimbra

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Circadian Sleep-Wake Regulation and Chronobiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Surface Engineering/Surface Coating Technology.