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 depressive symptom measurement.