Tracking Down the Molecular Substrates of Stress: New Roles for p38α MAPK and Kappa-Opioid Receptors

In this issue, Bruchas et al. (2011) uncover a novel stress-induced p38α MAPK signaling cascade within serotonergic neurons of the dorsal raphe nucleus that mediates depressive and drug-seeking behaviors. Their findings have potentially important implications for medication development