Topic: light-activatable 5-HT1A receptor chimera

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a prevalent psychiatric disorder, affecting approximately 280 million people worldwide (WHO, 2023). Most research on depression has focused only on neurons. However, astrocytes respond to neurotransmitter release from nearby neurons by elevating internal calcium levels and subsequent release of neuroactive transmitters, including ATP, D-serine, and GABA. These substances can then modulate synaptic activity. Although serotonin (5-HT) has been hypothesized to play a role in the development and manifestation of depression for decades, the precise mechanisms that