Glucocorticoid receptor deletion from locus coeruleus norepinephrine neurons promotes depression-like social withdrawal in female but not male mice

Institution:

Albany Medical College

Researchers:

Lauren Jacobson, Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics

Impact:

This study shows that glucocorticoid receptors in locus coeruleus norepinephrine neurons prevent depression-like behavior in female but not male mice. In combination with observations that the locus coeruleus is more strongly activated by emotional cues in women, and findings that women are more likely to suffer from depression in which glucocorticoid secretion may be lower than normal, these results also suggest that locus coeruleus glucocorticoid receptors, or downstream molecules may be targets to treat depression, particularly in women.

Timeline:

Submitted for publication in Brain Research, 2018