Northwestern University researchers have discovered that acute sleep deprivation can lead to increased dopamine release in the brain, resulting in temporary mood elevation. This finding provides potential insight into a new target for antidepressants. The study, which was recently published in the journal neuron, found that sleep deprivation rewires the brain and causes changes in mood states. The research involved inducing mild, acute sleep deprivation in mice and examining their behavior and brain activity. The study revealed increased dopamine release and enhanced synaptic plasticity, leading to a cheerful mood for several days. This research sheds light on how mood states transition and could help in the development of new antidepressants. Researchers believe that these findings are important for matching patients with the right antidepressant. The study was supported by BD’s One Mind Nick LeDeit Rising Star Research Award, the National Institutes of Health, and the Rita Allen Foundation Scholar Award.
Source: scitechdaily.com
