Figure 4.

VP^Vglut2 neurons exhibit activity-dependent regulation of depressive-like behaviors

(A) Chemogenetic activation of VP^Vglut2 neurons did not affect locomotion, but decreased time spent in the center of the open field test. Time of immobility was increased after chemogenetic activation of VP^Vglut2 neurons in both forced swimming (B) and TS (C) tests. (D) Chemogenetic activation of VP^Vglut2 neurons decreased time spent and entries in the open arms of the EPM test. (E) Chemogenetic activation of VP^Vglut2 neurons decreased time spent and entries in the white box of the black-white box test. n = 8 mice per group, ∗∗p < 0.01, unpaired t-test.

(F–J) Chemogenetic inhibition of VP glutamatergic neurons attenuated depressive-like behaviors. The following behavioral tests were used: open field (F), forced swimming (G), TS (H), EPM (I), and black-white box (J). n = 8 mice per group, ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, unpaired t-test.