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Updated: Nov 15, 2025

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model CDM
Published on: September 23, 2021
A Novel Role for Hypothalamic AgRP Neurons in Mediating Depressive Behavior
Sherod E Haynes1, Ming-Hu Han2
1Division of Behavioral Neuroscience & Psychiatric Disorders, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School fo Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Abstract:
A recent paper by Fang et al. examined the role of Agouti-Related Peptide (AgRP)-expressing neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus in mediating depressive-like behavior in mice. Chronic, but not acute stress, led to changes in neuronal excitability in AgRP neurons concomitant with the display of depressive-like behaviors, which were bidirectionally modulated using AgRP-selective chemogenetic manipulations. Together, these findings broaden our understanding of the diverse roles AgRP neurons play in driving motivational states, aside from their influence on hunger and feeding behaviors.
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