Improvement of meningeal lymphatics by intracisternal delivery of AAV overexpressing VEGFC alleviates stress-induced depression- and anxiety-like behaviors, as well as alterations in the mPFC and VTA in female mice, whereas impairment of meningeal lymphatics by intracisternal injection of AAV overexpressing VEGFR3d1-4 or reduction of drainage through meningeal lymphatics by ligation of afferent vessels to the dCLNs increases the susceptibility of male mice to SCVS. This evidence concerns the gene VEGFC and major depressive disorder.