Abstract
Light is a powerful modulator of higher-order cognitive processes such as mood but it remains unclear which neural circuits mediate the impact of light on affective behavior. We found that light deprivation produces a depressive-like behavioral state that is reversed by activation of direct retinal signals to the serotonergic dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) in a manner equivalent to treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine. Surprisingly, the DRN-projecting retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are indistinguishable from the classic alpha/Y-like RGC type that contributes to image-forming visual pathways. Silencing RGC firing or specific immunotoxin ablation of DRN-projecting RGCs increased depressive-like behavior and reduced serotonin levels in the DRN. Serotonin has a key role in the pathophysiology of depression, and these results demonstrate that retino-raphe signals modulate DRN serotonergic tone and affective behavior.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1163-1175 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Neuropsychopharmacology |
Volume | 38 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- affective visual information
- depression
- dorsal raphe nucleus
- retinal ganglion cell
- SSRI
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology
- Psychiatry and Mental health