In a new\u00a0JNeurosci\u00a0paper,\u00a0Tian-Ming\u00a0Gao\u00a0and colleagues, from Southern Medical University,\u00a0explored\u00a0how adenosine triphosphate\u00a0(ATP)\u00a0signaling\u00a0relates to depression and anxiety\u00a0using male mice.\u00a0ATP is a molecule\u00a0that not only\u00a0provides\u00a0energy but\u00a0also supports communication between\u00a0neurons.\u00a0The researchers focused on\u00a0ATP signaling in\u00a0a brain region implicated in depression called the hippocampus.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Male mice\u00a0that were\u00a0more likely to\u00a0acquire\u00a0depressive- and anxiety-like symptoms following\u00a0long-term stress\u00a0had\u00a0less\u00a0ATP levels and reduced expression of a\u00a0protein\u00a0involved in ATP release\u00a0(connexin 43).\u00a0When the research\u00a0team\u00a0genetically dampened\u00a0or deleted\u00a0connexin 43\u00a0in\u00a0cells that release ATP\u00a0in another group of mice,\u00a0this alone led to\u00a0depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors\u00a0and\u00a0lowered\u00a0ATP levels.\u00a0Bridging the findings together, in distressed mice, restoring connexin 43 in the hippocampus\u00a0brought\u00a0ATP levels\u00a0up to normal\u00a0and\u00a0improved\u00a0behavioral outcomes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
This is the first direct evidence that deficient ATP release in [a region of the] hippocampus drives both depressive-\u00a0and anxiety-like behaviors, revealing a shared molecular pathway\u00a0[for these\u00a0conditions].”<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Tian-Ming\u00a0Gao, Southern Medical University<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Gao\u00a0also\u00a0emphasizes that\u00a0the findings linking\u00a0connexin 43\u00a0to\u00a0this mechanism point to a potential\u00a0treatment target for treating depression and anxiety\u00a0when they occur at the same time.\u00a0Of note, the researchers\u00a0plan to assess both sexes in future studies.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Source:<\/p>\n
Journal reference:<\/p>\n