Abstract As a key adipokine that regulates vascular functions, apelin has recently been appreciated for its role in modulating brain functions, including its potential use in treating mental diseases. However, the precise mechanism has not been fully illustrated. Here, we demonstrate that the deprivation of astrocytic apelin in the medial prefrontal cortex led to anxiety-like behaviors in mice, accompanied by defects in neuronal dendritic morphology and neural activity.
