A discrete serotonergic circuit regulates vulnerability to social stress

Exposure to social stress and dysregulated serotonergic neurotransmission have both been implicated in the etiology of psychiatric disorders. This research explored whether a serotonergic input from the dorsal raphe (DR) to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) influences vulnerability to social stress. A distinct serotonergic sub-population in the DR projecting to the VTA (5-HTDR→VTA neurons) was identified, and its activity was found to be decreased by susceptibility to social stress. Bidirectional manipulation of 5-HTDR→VTA neurons modulated susceptibility to social stress, suggesting these neurons are an essential factor in determining individual stress susceptibility and highlighting their potential as therapeutic targets for stress-related disorders.

Wen-Jun Zou, Yun-Long Song, Min-Yi Wu, Xiang-Tian Chen, Qiang-Long You, Qian Yang, Zheng-Yi Luo, Lang Huang, Yin Kong, Jing Feng, Dong-Xiang Fang, Xiao-Wen Li, Jian-Ming Yang, Lin Mei, Tian-Ming Gao