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. The gene discussed is VEGFC; the disease is depressive symptom measurement.