Retinal Regulation of Locus Coeruleus and Mood: A Chemogenetic Approach to Treat Depression

NIH RePORTER · NIH · R21 · $217,108 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

Abstract/Summary In addition to loss of memory, symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) include apathy and circadian dysregulation. We identified a critical pathway from the retina to the brain that regulates locus coeruleus (LC), a key brain system for memory, motivation and circadian rhythms. Notably, LC degeneration is one of the first indicators of AD pathologies. We propose to use the chemogenetic tool Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) to regulate this retina-LC circuit and test its efficacy as a novel therapy to treat AD.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10123720
Project number
3R21MH121723-01S1
Recipient
RBHS-ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON MEDICAL SCHOOL
Principal Investigator
Gary S. Aston-Jones
Activity code
R21
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2020
Award amount
$217,108
Award type
3
Project period
2020-01-01 → 2021-06-30