Knockdown of miR‐204‐5p in the vmPFC of normal rats results in depression and anxiety‐like behaviors accompanied with the activation of microglia, elevated levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and increased numbers of neural apoptotic cells, effects which appear to be mediated by activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. The gene discussed is JAK2; the disease is major depressive disorder.