7, 8-Dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin reverses depression model-induced depression-like behaviors and alteration of dendritic spines in the mood circuits.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental disorder characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness, slow thought, impaired focus and loss of interest but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Dendritic spines play an important role in the formation and maintenance of emotional circuits in the brain. Abnormalities in this process can lead to psychiatric diseases.