The lateral habenula is a well-known regulator of monaminergic areas in the brain. It is activated by negatively-valenced events and its hyperactivity is associated with depression. In this study, Shabel and colleagues report that GABA is co-released in the lateral habenula with its functional opponent, glutamate, from specific basal ganglia inputs which signal negative events. In their animal model of depression, the balance of GABA/glutamate signaling is shifted towards reduced GABA (and consequently habenular hyperactivity). Conversely, elevations in GABA (and functional inhibition of the lateral habenula) are associated with antidepressant treatment. Their data reveal an unusual synaptic mechanism that affects lateral habenula activity and which they note may be important for determining the effect of negative life events on depressed mood and behavior.
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Shabel SJ, Proulx CD, Piriz J, Malinow R: GABA/glutamate co-release controls habenula output and is modified by antidepressant treatment. Science 345(6203):1494-1498 (2014).
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http://www.sciencemag.org/content/345/6203/1494.short

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