Fig. 2. Outline of key CART-containing neural circuits underlying the pathogenesis of depression. The role of CART in the brain regions such as frontal cortex, striatum, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and hypothalmus are involved in the development of neuro-pathogenesis. DA and CART peptide could increase the hippocampal BDNF secretion, which may rescue the disrupted function of hippocampus. Additionally, GABAergic and glutaminergic pathways are also associated with reward process, anxiety and dysphoria. The stress-depressed interaction between the amygdala and hippocampus was also augmented by CART peptide, which may play an important role in the modulation of the anxious and depressive-like behaviors.
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