Chronic treatment with DXT increases the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43), a crucial component of astrocyte gap junctions, in the rat PFC, preventing chronic unpredictable stress-induced dysfunction of astrocyte gap junctions and reversing the depressive-like behaviors caused by gap junction inhibition.71 A novel therapeutic target for MDD is transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), the expression of which is controlled by antidepressants. This evidence concerns the gene GJA1 and major depressive disorder.