A new study published in Molecular Psychiatry has identified a key brain protein called vesicular nucleotide transporter (Vnut) as essential for regulating mood and motivation in mice. When Vnut was removed from brain cells called astrocytes, the mice displayed higher anxiety, depression-like behavior, and decreased motivation, especially in females.
The researchers found that Vnut plays a vital role in dopamine regulation, which is critical for motivation and emotional regulation. The study suggests that Vnut helps regulate the mesolimbic dopamine circuitry, a key pathway involved in mood disorders.
Female mice lacking Vnut had reduced motivation for rewards, a trait associated with depression. The effects were linked to lower dopamine levels, making it harder for them to work for rewards. This finding is significant because it highlights the importance of understanding how specific proteins in certain brain regions influence emotions and behavior.
The discovery of Vnut’s role in regulating mood regulation could lead to new treatments for neurological and psychiatric conditions. Weikang Cai, an associate professor at the University of Kentucky, said that this study “explores the important regulators of brain activity through various mechanisms” and could provide new approaches for future research about mood disorders.
The study used a genetic mouse model to investigate the functional significance of Vnut in regulating anxiety and depression-like behavior. The researchers found that deletion of Vnut from astrocytes led to increased anxiety, depressive-like behaviors, and decreased motivation without affecting food intake, systemic glucose metabolism, cognition, or sociability.
Overall, the discovery of Vnut’s role in regulating mood regulation highlights the importance of understanding how specific proteins in certain brain regions influence emotions and behavior. Further research could lead to new treatments for neurological and psychiatric conditions.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/vnut-mood-motivation-27847/