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

> **NIH NIH R21** · RBHS-ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON MEDICAL SCHOOL · 2020 · $217,108

## 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 organization:** RBHS-ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON MEDICAL SCHOOL
- **Principal Investigator:** Gary S. Aston-Jones
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $217,108
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-01-01 → 2021-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10123720

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10123720, Retinal Regulation of Locus Coeruleus and Mood: A Chemogenetic Approach to Treat Depression (3R21MH121723-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10123720. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*