Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the ventral midbrain–nucleus accumbens pathway: a role in depression
BACKGROUND: Previous work has shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
and its receptor, tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB), are involved in appetitive behavior. Here
we show that BDNF in the ventral tegmental area–nucleus accumbens (VTA–NAc) pathway
is also involved in the development of a depression-like phenotype. METHODS: Brain-
derived neurotrophic factor signaling in the VTA–NAc pathway was altered in two
complementary ways. One group of rats received intra-VTA infusion of vehicle or BDNF for 1 …
and its receptor, tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB), are involved in appetitive behavior. Here
we show that BDNF in the ventral tegmental area–nucleus accumbens (VTA–NAc) pathway
is also involved in the development of a depression-like phenotype. METHODS: Brain-
derived neurotrophic factor signaling in the VTA–NAc pathway was altered in two
complementary ways. One group of rats received intra-VTA infusion of vehicle or BDNF for 1 …