CART performs an antidepressant effect through the regulation of certain cascades in the signal transduction pathway by modulating kinases, other neurotrophic factors and neurotransmitters such as BDNF, serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, respectively, resulting in increased neuronal survival and an alteration in the synaptic plasticity positive to a treatment of depression. The gene discussed is BDNF; the disease is depressive disorder.