Targeting LHb-VTA Brain Reward Circuitry Using Novel Anti-Depressants to Ameliorate the Effects of Early Life Stress
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, more than 300 million people have been diagnosed with depression making this a serious global healthcare concern. Dysregulation of dopamine (DA) from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders including depression and addiction. However, research has now identified that the lateral habenula (LHb), a negative regulator of DA signaling, is also involved. Hyperexcitability of LHb neurons have been observed in depression. Although the complete pathophysiology of depression is unknown, early life stress (ELS)predisposes individuals to depression by impacting processes such as histone acetylation. How ELS dysregulates the VTA and LHb in depression is under investigation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 26, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1128106
Entities
People
- Ryan D. Shepard
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences