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A role for α7 nicotinic receptors in promoting stress resilience in female mice

Neuropsychopharmacology volume 47, pages 1585–1586 (2022)Cite this article

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Despite the higher prevalence of depression in women than men, most studies involving animal models of depression have used only male subjects [1]. This clear disconnect between clinical and preclinical research has almost certainly hampered our understanding of the distinct neuronal mechanisms associated with depression in women, potentially limiting the development of novel therapeutic strategies aimed at ameliorating depression in this population. This gap in our knowledge highlights the critical importance of conducting preclinical studies in both male and female subjects to better understand common and divergent mechanisms of complex neurobiological disorders.

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Fig. 1: Chronic social defeat stress in female mice leads to enhanced cholinergic (ACh) signaling from the LDTg→VTA.

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Acknowledgements

AFH is supported by the Intramural Research Program of NIH, NIDA. Thanks to Dr Carl R. Lupica for providing helpful editorial comments.

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  1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Cellular and Neurocomputational Systems Branch, Electrophysiology Research Section, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA

    Alexander F. Hoffman

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  1. Alexander F. Hoffman
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Correspondence to Alexander F. Hoffman.

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Hoffman, A.F. A role for α7 nicotinic receptors in promoting stress resilience in female mice. Neuropsychopharmacol. 47, 1585–1586 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-022-01330-4

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