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The lateral habenula in addiction and depression: an anatomical, synaptic and behavioral overview
Author(s) -
Lecca Salvatore,
Meye Frank J.,
Mameli Manuel
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1111/ejn.12480
Subject(s) - habenula , neuroscience , depression (economics) , addiction , psychology , behavioral addiction , central nervous system , economics , macroeconomics
The lateral habenula ( LH b) is an epithalamic region with a crucial role in the regulation of midbrain monoaminergic systems. Over the past few years a renewed interest in the LH b has emerged due to studies highlighting its central role in encoding rewarding and aversive aspects of stimuli. Moreover, an increasing number of functional as well as behavioral indications provide substantial evidence supporting a role of LH b in neuropsychiatric diseases, including mood disorders and drug addiction. Cellular and synaptic adaptations in the LH b may therefore represent a critical phenomenon in the etiology of these diseases. In the current review we describe the anatomical and functional connections allowing the LH b to control the dopamine and serotonin systems, as well as possible roles of these connections in motivated behaviors and neuropsychiatric disorders. Finally, we discuss how drug exposure and stressful conditions alter the cellular physiology of the LH b, highlighting a role for the LH b in the context of drug addiction and depression.