Project Summary

Amelia J. Eisch, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2002) of University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, believes that much can be learned about depression by studying brain areas closely linked to reward, such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA).  Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the VTA-NAC pathway has profound effects on reward-associated behaviors, such as appetite.  Dr. Eisch's preliminary data suggests that BDNF in the VTA-NAc is also involved with depressive-related behaviors.  She will therefore investigate whether BDNF in the VTA-NAc pathway exacerbates the developments of depression-related behaviors, and if interference with BDNF signaling will prevent development of depressive-related behaviors.  The study may open new lines of research on the cellular and anatomical basis of depression and may lead to anatomical and pharmacological targets for antidepressant drugs.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Depression (Unipolar)

Search Again