Glutamatergic drive of the dorsal raphe nucleus

► Glutamatergic neurotransmission in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) regulates the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) neurotransmission, both are linked to pathophysiology of affective disorders. ► Glutamate-axons arising from different brain areas heavily express one of three types of vesicular glutamate transporter: VGLUT1, VGLUT2 or VGLUT3. ► We discuss how these glutamate excitatory inputs may regulate DR circuits and their implications in emotional processing.