| First Author | Zhang SR | Year | 2020 |
| Journal | Neuropsychopharmacology | Volume | 45 |
| Issue | 10 | Pages | 1698-1706 |
| PubMed ID | 31905370 | Mgi Jnum | J:361299 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:7857060 | Doi | 10.1038/s41386-020-0601-7 |
| Citation | Zhang SR, et al. (2020) ErbB4 knockdown in serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe induces anxiety-like behaviors. Neuropsychopharmacology 45(10):1698-1706 |
| abstractText | There is a close relationship between serotonergic (5-HT) activity and anxiety. ErbB4, a receptor tyrosine kinase, is expressed in 5-HT neurons. However, whether ErbB4 regulates 5-HT neuronal function and anxiety-related behaviors is unclear. Here, using transgenic and viral approaches, we show that mice with ErbB4 deficiency in 5-HT neurons exhibit heightened anxiety-like behavior and impaired fear extinction, possibly due to an increased excitability of 5-HT neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). Notably, the chemogenetic inhibition of 5-HT neurons in the DRN of ErbB4 mutant mice rescues anxiety-like behaviors. Altogether, our results unravel a previously unknown role of ErbB4 signaling in the regulation of DRN 5-HT neuronal function and anxiety-like behaviors, providing novel insights into the treatment of anxiety disorders. |
