Research comms 4: A GLIAL MECHANISM OF ANTIDEPRESSANT ACTION: FLUOXETINE POTENTIATES ATP-DRIVEN CAMP SIGNALLING IN ASTROCYTES by Catriona Marston

3.05pm – 3.30pm BST, 22 April 2026 ‐ 25 mins

Afternoon Session

We investigated how the SSRI fluoxetine affects intracellular signalling in astrocytes. Fluoxetine increases astrocytic cAMP through coordinated activation of 5-HT2B and adenosine A2B receptors by enhancing ATP release, which microglia convert to adenosine. These findings reveal a glia-mediated mechanism of antidepressant action involving astrocyte–microglia signalling.