Topic: excitatory synapse density

The prefrontal cortex is one of the most commonly studied structures in depression. Synaptic loss and prefrontal circuits deficits have been widely described in depression physiopathology, and their restoration by antidepressant drugs is at the center of their therapeutic effect. Aims: This project aims to test the antidepressant potential of a specific manipulation of prefrontal circuits. Methods: Using the Chronic Despair Model (CDM) of depression, and the DREADDs chemogenetic technique, we counteracted the hypofrontality characteristic of a depressive-like state, and assessed the behavioura

Modification of the olfactory system can dramatically influence emotion and it is well accepted that mice with olfactory impairments develop pseudo-depressive symptoms (Yuan. M. et al, 2020) and microbiota dysregulation (Shuai-Ming Zhu et al, 2024). On this backdrop, our research is currently focusing on the therapeutic potential of exploiting the olfactory system in mood-related disorders. Different odors can exert anxiolytic and/or antidepressant-like effects in several depression models. To better understand the functional relationships between odors, emotion, microbiota and gut physiology