Recent research into the role of neurotensin demonstrates that it encodes valence assignment in the BLA by exerting a modular influence over synaptic plasticity in a valence-dependent manner.184 Given that patients with anxiety and depression suffer from negative valence bias, neurotensin signaling may be impaired in these mood disorders.184,185 Reciprocally, neurotensin inhibits DA-mediated suppression of VTA neurons,186 suggesting that disordered neurotensin modulation could impact VTA–DA signaling to the mPFC, causing disordered DAergic firing. This evidence concerns the gene NTS and mood disorder.