ADORA2A and major depressive disorder: The involvement of the α2-AR in mood dysregulation is also indicated by its upregulation in several brain areas in patients with depression,9 as well as by preclinical data showing α2-AR gene knockout mice to show depression-like behavior that is not sensitive to tricyclic antidepressants.24 This finding is further supported by the data in the present study showing that α2-AR activation by dexmedetomidine in the early postpartum period decreased the presence of functional and mood deficits among patients with prenatal depression who were susceptible to PPD.