Purpose: Depression is one of the most prevalent, recurrent and life-threatening mental
illnesses. However, the precise mechanism underlying the disorder is not yet clearly …

Despite intense ongoing research efforts, the etiology of psychiatric disorders remains
incompletely understood. Among biological factors playing a role in Major Depressive …

Exacerbation of pain by chronic stress and comorbidity of pain with stress-related psychiatric
disorders, including anxiety and depression, represent significant clinical challenges …

Apelin is the endogenous ligand for the G-protein-coupled receptor (APJ). The localization
of APJ in limbic structures suggests a potential role for apelin in emotional processes …

Early life adversity, such as social isolation, causes a variety of changes to the development
of cognitive abilities and the nervous system. Increasing evidence has shown that epigenetic …

The many functions of astrocytes, such as glutamate recycling and morphological plasticity,
enable them to stabilize synapses environment and protect neurons. Little is known about …

Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle reflex serves as a pre‐cognitive marker of
sensorimotor gating, and its deficit may predict cognitive impairments. Startle reflex is …

Neurotrophins play a crucial role in neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, and neuroprotection in
the central nervous system. Aerobic exercise is known to increase the expression of BDNF …

Evidence of changes in central noradrenergic activity has been reported in schizophrenic
patients and studies indicate that activation of the α 2-adrenoceptor improves memory and …

Immobility time in the forced swimming has been described as analogous to emotional
blunting or apathy and has been used for characterizing schizophrenia animal models …