Abstract
Both preclinical and clinical studies demonstrate that depression is strongly associated with reduced light availability, which in turn contributes to decreased function of brain regions that control mood. Here, we review findings that support a critical pathway for the control of mood that depends upon ambient light. We put forward a novel hypothesis, functionally linking retina to locus coeruleus (LC) in depression, and discuss the role of norepinephrine in affective disease. Finally, we discuss how utilizing the chemogenetic tool Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) to precisely control this retina–LC circuit may be used as a novel therapeutic to treat depression.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 588-595 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Depression and Anxiety |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jul 2017 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
Keywords
- antidepressants
- anxiety/anxiety disorders
- depression
- mood disorders
- pharmacotherapy
- seasonal affective disorder
- sleep disorders
- stress
- treatment