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Chakraborty S, Lennon JC, Malkaram SA, Zeng Y, Fisher DW, Dong H. Serotonergic system, cognition, and BPSD in Alzheimer's disease. Neurosci Lett 2019; 704:36-44. [PMID: 30946928 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.03.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD), present in almost 90% of patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD), cause extensive impairment leading to reduced independence and inability to complete activities of daily living. Though BPSD includes a wide range of symptoms, such as agitation, aggression, disinhibition, anxiety, depression, apathy, delusions, and hallucinations. Certain BPSD in AD co-present and can be clustered into distinct domains based on their frequency of co-occurrence. As these BPSD are so pervasive in any stages of AD, the disease may be better characterized as a disorder of heterogeneous degenerative symptoms across a number of symptom domains, with the most prominent domain comprising memory and cognitive deficits. Importantly, there are no FDA-approved drugs to treat these BPSD, and new approaches must be considered to develop effective treatments for AD patients. The biogenic monoamine 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), or serotonin, works as both a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator, which has been tied to cognitive decline and multiple BPSD domains. This review summarizes the evidence for specific serotonergic system alterations across some of the well-studied cognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric domains. Though differences in overall serotonergic transmission occur in AD, circuit-specific alterations in individual 5-HT receptors (5-HTRs) are likely linked to the heterogeneous presentation of BPSD in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saikat Chakraborty
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Jack C Lennon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Sridhar A Malkaram
- Department of Biology, West Virginia State University Institute, WV-25112, USA
| | - Yan Zeng
- Brain and Cognition Research Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, China
| | - Daniel W Fisher
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Hongxin Dong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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Bird CW, Baculis BC, Mayfield JJ, Chavez GJ, Ontiveros T, Paine DJ, Marks AJ, Gonzales AL, Ron D, Valenzuela CF. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor VAL68MET polymorphism modulates how developmental ethanol exposure impacts the hippocampus. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 18:e12484. [PMID: 29691979 PMCID: PMC6291361 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to alcohol causes a wide range of deficits known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Many factors determine vulnerability to developmental alcohol exposure including timing and pattern of exposure, nutrition and genetics. Here, we characterized how a prevalent single nucleotide polymorphism in the human brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene (val66met) modulates FASDs severity. This polymorphism disrupts BDNF's intracellular trafficking and activity-dependent secretion, and has been linked to increased incidence of neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. We hypothesized that developmental ethanol (EtOH) exposure more severely affects mice carrying this polymorphism. We used transgenic mice homozygous for either valine (BDNFval/val ) or methionine (BDNFmet/met ) in residue 68, equivalent to residue 66 in humans. To model EtOH exposure during the second and third trimesters of human pregnancy, we exposed mice to EtOH in vapor chambers during gestational days 12 to 19 and postnatal days 2 to 9. We found that EtOH exposure reduces cell layer volume in the dentate gyrus and the CA1 hippocampal regions of BDNFmet/met but not BDNFval/val mice during the juvenile period (postnatal day 15). During adulthood, EtOH exposure reduced anxiety-like behavior and disrupted trace fear conditioning in BDNFmet/met mice, with most effects observed in males. EtOH exposure reduced adult neurogenesis only in the ventral hippocampus of BDNFval/val male mice. These studies show that the BDNF val66met polymorphism modulates, in a complex manner, the effects of developmental EtOH exposure, and identify a novel genetic risk factor that may regulate FASDs severity in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clark W. Bird
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A
| | - Brian C. Baculis
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A
| | - Jacob J. Mayfield
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A
| | - Glenna J. Chavez
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A
| | - Tiahna Ontiveros
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A
| | - Dana J. Paine
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A
| | - Aaron J. Marks
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A
| | - Alicia L. Gonzales
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A
| | - Dorit Ron
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, U.S.A
| | - C. Fernando Valenzuela
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A
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Influence of pharmacological and epigenetic factors to suppress neurotrophic factors and enhance neural plasticity in stress and mood disorders. Cogn Neurodyn 2019; 13:219-237. [PMID: 31168328 DOI: 10.1007/s11571-019-09522-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress-induced major depression and mood disorders are characterized by behavioural abnormalities and psychiatric illness, leading to disability and immature mortality worldwide. Neurobiological mechanisms of stress and mood disorders are discussed considering recent findings, and challenges to enhance pharmacological effects of antidepressant, and mood stabilizers. Pharmacological enhancement of ketamine and scopolamine regulates depression at the molecular level, increasing synaptic plasticity in prefrontal regions. Blood-derived neurotrophic factors facilitate mood-deficit symptoms. Epigenetic factors maintain stress-resilience in hippocampal region. Regulation of neurotrophic factors blockades stress, and enhances neuronal survival though it paralyzes limbic regions. Molecular agents and neurotrophic factors also control behavioral and synaptic plasticity in addiction and stress disorders. Future research on neuronal dynamics and cellular actions can be directed to obtain the etiology of synaptic dysregulation in mood disorder and stress. For the first time, the current review contributes to the literature of synaptic plasticity representing the role of epigenetic mechanisms and glucocorticoid receptors to predict depression and anxiety in clinical conditions.
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Pitts BL, Whealin JM, Harpaz-Rotem I, Duman RS, Krystal JH, Southwick SM, Pietrzak RH. BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and posttraumatic stress symptoms in U.S. military veterans: Protective effect of physical exercise. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 100:198-202. [PMID: 30388593 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 10/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The Met allele of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism is associated with reduced levels of BDNF release, heightened hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis reactivity, and impaired fear extinction. As a result, Met allele carriers may be at risk for greater severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. In this study, we examined the relationship between the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and PTSD symptoms in two nationally representative samples of European American U.S. military veterans (main sample, n = 1386; replication sample, n = 509). Results revealed that, relative to Val/Val homozygotes, Met allele carriers reported greater severity of lifetime and current PTSD symptoms, specifically re-experiencing symptoms. Met allele carriers with high trauma burden also reported greater severity of lifetime and past-month PTSD symptoms. Greater engagement in physical exercise moderated this gene-by-environment interaction. Specifically, among veterans with high lifetime trauma burden, Met allele carriers who exercised had significantly lower severity of PTSD symptoms compared to those who did not exercise. These findings suggest that interventions designed to bolster engagement in physical exercise may help mitigate PTSD symptoms in veterans who are Met allele carriers and highly exposed to trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara L Pitts
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VA Pacific Islands Healthcare System, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Julia M Whealin
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VA Pacific Islands Healthcare System, Honolulu, HI, USA; University of Hawaii School of Medicine, Manoa, HI, USA
| | - Ilan Harpaz-Rotem
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Clinical Neurosciences Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ronald S Duman
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - John H Krystal
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Clinical Neurosciences Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Steven M Southwick
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Clinical Neurosciences Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Robert H Pietrzak
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Clinical Neurosciences Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Jiang W, King TZ, Turner JA. Imaging Genetics Towards a Refined Diagnosis of Schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:494. [PMID: 31354550 PMCID: PMC6639711 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Current diagnoses of schizophrenia and related psychiatric disorders are classified by phenomenological principles and clinical descriptions while ruling out other symptoms and conditions. Specific biomarkers are needed to assist the current diagnostic system. However, complicated gene and environment interactions induce great disease heterogeneity. This unclear etiology and heterogeneity raise difficulties in distinguishing schizophrenia-related effects. Simultaneously, the overlap in symptoms, genetic variations, and brain alterations in schizophrenia and related psychiatric disorders raises similar difficulties in determining disease-specific effects. Imaging genetics is a unique methodology to assess the impact of genetic factors on both brain structure and function. More importantly, imaging genetics builds a bridge to understand the behavioral and clinical implications of genetics and neuroimaging. By characterizing and quantifying the brain measures affected in psychiatric disorders, imaging genetics is contributing to identifying potential biomarkers for schizophrenia and related disorders. To date, candidate gene analysis, genome-wide association studies, polygenetic risk score analysis, and large-scale collaborative studies have made contributions to the understanding of schizophrenia with the potential to serve as biomarkers. Despite limitations, imaging genetics remains promising as more aggregative, clustering methods and imaging genetics-compatible clinical assessments are employed in future studies. We review imaging genetics' contribution to our understanding of the heterogeneity within schizophrenia and the commonalities across schizophrenia and other diagnostic borders, and we will discuss whether imaging genetics is ready to form its own diagnostic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Jiang
- Department of Psychology and the Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Tricia Z King
- Department of Psychology and the Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jessica A Turner
- Department of Psychology and the Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Mind Research Network, Albuquerque, NM, United States
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56
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Baird JF, Gaughan ME, Saffer HM, Sarzynski MA, Herter TM, Fritz SL, den Ouden DB, Stewart JC. The effect of energy-matched exercise intensity on brain-derived neurotrophic factor and motor learning. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2018; 156:33-44. [PMID: 30359727 PMCID: PMC6498427 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pairing a bout of high-intensity exercise with motor task practice can enhance motor learning beyond task practice alone, which is thought, in part, to be facilitated by an exercise-related increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of different exercise intensities on BDNF levels and motor learning while controlling for exercise-related energy expenditure. METHODS Forty-eight young, healthy participants were assigned to one of three groups: high-intensity exercise [High], low-intensity exercise [Low], or quiet rest [Rest]. The duration of the exercise bouts were individually adjusted so that each participant expended 200 kcals regardless of exercise intensity. BDNF was measured before and after exercise or rest. After exercise or rest, all participants practiced a 3-dimensional motor learning task, which involved reach movements made to sequentially presented targets. Retention was tested after 24-h. BDNF genotype was determined for each participant to explore its effects on BDNF and motor learning. RESULTS All participants equally improved performance, indicated by a reduction in time to complete the task. However, the kinematic profile used to control the reach movement differed by group. The Rest group travelled the shortest distance between the targets, the High group had higher reach speed (peak velocity), and the Low group had earlier peak velocities. The rise in BDNF post-exercise was not significant, regardless of exercise intensity, and the change in BDNF was not associated with motor learning. The BDNF response to exercise did not differ by genotype. However, performance differed between those with the polymorphism (Met carriers) and those without (Val/Val). Compared to the Val/Val genotype, Met carriers had faster response times throughout task practice, which was supported by higher reach speeds and earlier peak velocities. CONCLUSION Results indicated that both low and high-intensity exercise can alter the kinematic approach used to complete a reach task, and these changes appear unrelated to a change in BDNF. In addition, the BDNF genotype did not influence BDNF concentration, but it did have an effect on motor performance of a sequential target reach task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica F Baird
- Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Mary E Gaughan
- Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Heath M Saffer
- Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Mark A Sarzynski
- Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Troy M Herter
- Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Stacy L Fritz
- Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Dirk B den Ouden
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene St, Columbia, SC 29208, United States
| | - Jill Campbell Stewart
- Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29208, United States.
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57
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Wang R, Holsinger RMD. Exercise-induced brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression: Therapeutic implications for Alzheimer's dementia. Ageing Res Rev 2018; 48:109-121. [PMID: 30326283 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Emerging evidence indicates that moderate intensity aerobic exercise is positively correlated with cognitive function and memory. However, the exact mechanisms underlying such improvements remain unclear. Recent research in animal models allows proposition of a pathway in which brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a key mediator. This perspective draws upon evidence from animal and human studies to highlight such a mechanism whereby exercise drives synthesis and accumulation of neuroactive metabolites such as myokines and ketone bodies in the periphery and in the hippocampus to enhance BDNF expression. BDNF is a neurotrophin with well-established properties of promoting neuronal survival and synaptic integrity, while its influence on energy transduction may provide the crucial link between inherent vascular and metabolic benefits of exercise with enhanced brain function. Indeed, BDNF mRNA and protein is robustly elevated in rats following periods of voluntary exercise. This was also correlated with improved spatial memory, while such benefits were abolished upon inhibition of BDNF signaling. Similarly, both BDNF and cardiovascular fitness arising from aerobic exercise have been positively associated with hippocampal volume and function in humans. We postulate that exercise will attenuate cortical atrophy and synaptic loss inherent to neurodegenerative disorders - many of which also exhibit aberrant down-regulation of BDNF. Thus, the proposed link between BDNF, exercise and cognition may have critical therapeutic implications for the prevention and amelioration of memory loss and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease and associated dementias.
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58
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Notaras M, van den Buuse M. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF): Novel Insights into Regulation and Genetic Variation. Neuroscientist 2018; 25:434-454. [DOI: 10.1177/1073858418810142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Since its discovery, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has spawned a literature that now spans 35 years of research. While all neurotrophins share considerable overlap in sequence homology and their processing, BDNF has become the most widely studied neurotrophin because of its broad roles in brain homeostasis, health, and disease. Although research on BDNF has produced thousands of articles, there remain numerous long-standing questions on aspects of BDNF molecular biology and signaling. Here we provide a comprehensive review, including both a historical narrative and a forward-looking perspective on advances in the actions of BDNF within the brain. We specifically review BDNF’s gene structure, peptide composition (including domains, posttranslational modifications and putative motif sites), mechanisms of transport, signaling pathway recruitment, and other recent developments including the functional effects of genetic variation and the discovery of a new BDNF prodomain ligand. This body of knowledge illustrates a highly conserved and complex role for BDNF within the brain, that promotes the idea that the neurotrophin biology of BDNF is diverse and that any disease involvement is likely to be equally multifarious.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Notaras
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maarten van den Buuse
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Balkaya M, Cho S. Genetics of stroke recovery: BDNF val66met polymorphism in stroke recovery and its interaction with aging. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 126:36-46. [PMID: 30118755 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stroke leads to long term sensory, motor and cognitive impairments. Most patients experience some degree of spontaneous recovery which is mostly incomplete and varying greatly among individuals. The variation in recovery outcomes has been attributed to numerous factors including lesion size, corticospinal tract integrity, age, gender and race. It is well accepted that genetics play a crucial role in stroke incidence and accumulating evidence suggests that it is also a significant determinant in recovery. Among the number of genes and variations implicated in stroke recovery the val66met single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the BDNF gene influences post-stroke plasticity in the most significant ways. Val66met is the most well characterized BDNF SNP and is common (40-50 % in Asian and 25-32% in Caucasian populations) in humans. It reduces activity-dependent BDNF release, dampens cortical plasticity and is implicated in numerous diseases. Earlier studies on the effects of val66met on stroke outcome and recovery presented primarily a maladaptive role. Novel findings however indicate a much more intricate interaction between val66met and stroke recovery which appears to be influenced by lesion location, post-stroke stage and age. This review will focus on the role of BDNF and val66met SNP in relation to stroke recovery and try to identify potential pathophysiologic mechanisms involved. The effects of age on val66met associated alterations in plasticity and potential consequences in terms of stroke are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Balkaya
- Burke-Cornell Medical Research Institute, 785 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains, NY 10605, USA; Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine at Burke Medical Research Institute, 785 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains, NY 10605, USA
| | - Sunghee Cho
- Burke-Cornell Medical Research Institute, 785 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains, NY 10605, USA; Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine at Burke Medical Research Institute, 785 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains, NY 10605, USA.
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60
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Shen T, You Y, Joseph C, Mirzaei M, Klistorner A, Graham SL, Gupta V. BDNF Polymorphism: A Review of Its Diagnostic and Clinical Relevance in Neurodegenerative Disorders. Aging Dis 2018; 9:523-536. [PMID: 29896439 PMCID: PMC5988606 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2017.0717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has a unique role in the neuronal development, differentiation, and survival in the developing and adult nervous system. A common single-nucleotide polymorphism in the pro-region of the human BDNF gene, resulting in a valine to methionine substitution (Val66Met), has been associated with the susceptibility, incidence, and clinical features of several neurodegenerative disorders. Much research has been dedicated to evaluating the effects of polymorphism in the past decade, and functional effects of this genetic variation. A better understanding of how this naturally occurring polymorphism associates with or influences physiology, anatomy, and cognition in both healthy and diseased adults in neurodegenerative conditions will help understand neurochemical mechanisms and definable clinical outcomes in humans. Here we review the role and relevance of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism in neurodegenerative diseases, with particular emphasis on glaucoma, multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Several controversies and unresolved issues, including small effect sizes, possible ethnicity, gender, and age effects of the BDNF Val66Met are also discussed with respect to future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Shen
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Australia
| | - Yuyi You
- 2Save Sight Institute, Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Chitra Joseph
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Australia
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- 3Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Australia
| | - Alexander Klistorner
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Australia.,2Save Sight Institute, Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Stuart L Graham
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Australia.,2Save Sight Institute, Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Vivek Gupta
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Australia
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Bonath B, Tegelbeckers J, Wilke M, Flechtner HH, Krauel K. Regional Gray Matter Volume Differences Between Adolescents With ADHD and Typically Developing Controls: Further Evidence for Anterior Cingulate Involvement. J Atten Disord 2018; 22:627-638. [PMID: 26748338 DOI: 10.1177/1087054715619682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study investigated structural brain differences between adolescents with ADHD and matched control participants. METHOD Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) using the DARTEL approach was performed to assess regional gray matter (GM) volumes. Additionally, individual performance on tests of attention was recorded to correlate ADHD related cognitive impairments with regional gray matter abnormalities. RESULTS We found significantly smaller GM volume in subjects with ADHD compared to their matched controls within the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the occipital cortex, bilateral hippocampus/amygdala and in widespread cerebellar regions. Further, reductions of the ACC gray matter volume were found to correlate with scores of selective inattention. CONCLUSION These findings underline that structural alterations in a widespread cortico-subcortical network seem to underlie the observable attention problems in patients with ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Bonath
- 1 Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany
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62
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Goff DC, Zeng B, Ardekani BA, Diminich ED, Tang Y, Fan X, Galatzer-Levy I, Li C, Troxel AB, Wang J. Association of Hippocampal Atrophy With Duration of Untreated Psychosis and Molecular Biomarkers During Initial Antipsychotic Treatment of First-Episode Psychosis. JAMA Psychiatry 2018; 75:370-378. [PMID: 29466532 PMCID: PMC5875378 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.4595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) has been associated with poor outcomes in schizophrenia, but the mechanism responsible for this association is not known. OBJECTIVES To determine whether hippocampal volume loss occurs during the initial 8 weeks of antipsychotic treatment and whether it is associated with DUP, and to examine molecular biomarkers in association with hippocampal volume loss and DUP. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A naturalistic longitudinal study with matched healthy controls was conducted at Shanghai Mental Health Center. Between March 5, 2013, and October 8, 2014, 71 medication-naive individuals with nonaffective first-episode psychosis (FEP) and 73 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited. After approximately 8 weeks, 31 participants with FEP and 32 controls were reassessed. EXPOSURES The participants with FEP were treated according to standard clinical practice with second-generation antipsychotics. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Hippocampal volumetric integrity (HVI) (an automated estimate of the parenchymal fraction in a standardized hippocampal volume of interest), DUP, 13 peripheral molecular biomarkers, and 14 single-nucleotide polymorphisms from 12 candidate genes were determined. RESULTS The full sample consisted of 71 individuals with FEP (39 women and 32 men; mean [SD] age, 25.2 [7.7] years) and 73 healthy controls (40 women and 33 men; mean [SD] age, 23.9 [6.4] years). Baseline median left HVI was lower in the FEP group (n = 57) compared with the controls (n = 54) (0.9275 vs 0.9512; difference in point estimate, -0.020 [95% CI, -0.029 to -0.010]; P = .001). During approximately 8 weeks of antipsychotic treatment, left HVI decreased in 24 participants with FEP at a median annualized rate of -.03791 (-4.1% annualized change from baseline) compared with an increase of 0.00115 (0.13% annualized change from baseline) in 31 controls (difference in point estimate, -0.0424 [95% CI, -0.0707 to -0.0164]; P = .001). The change in left HVI was inversely associated with DUP (r = -0.61; P = .002). Similar results were found for right HVI, although the association between change in right HVI and DUP did not achieve statistical significance (r = -0.35; P = .10). Exploratory analyses restricted to the left HVI revealed an association between left HVI and markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glial injury, and markers reflecting dopaminergic and glutamatergic transmission. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE An association between longer DUP and accelerated hippocampal atrophy during initial treatment suggests that psychosis may have persistent, possibly deleterious, effects on brain structure. Additional studies are needed to replicate these exploratory findings of molecular mechanisms by which untreated psychosis may affect hippocampal volume and to determine whether these effects account for the known association between longer DUP and poor outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald C. Goff
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York,Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York
| | - Botao Zeng
- Department of Psychiatry, Qingdao Mental Health Center, Qingdao, China
| | - Babak A. Ardekani
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York,Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York
| | - Erica D. Diminich
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Yingying Tang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoduo Fan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester
| | | | - Chenxiang Li
- Department of Population Health, Division of Biostatistics, New York University School of Medicine, New York
| | - Andrea B. Troxel
- Department of Population Health, Division of Biostatistics, New York University School of Medicine, New York
| | - Jijun Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Vandermeer MRJ, Sheikh HI, Singh SS, Klein DN, Olino TM, Dyson MW, Bufferd SJ, Hayden EP. The BDNF gene val66met polymorphism and behavioral inhibition in early childhood. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 2018; 27:543-554. [PMID: 30245555 DOI: 10.1111/sode.12292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Stably elevated behavioural inhibition (BI) is an established risk factor for internalizing disorders. This stability may be related to genetic factors, including a valine-to-methionine substitution on codon 66 (val66met) of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene. Past work on the BDNF met variant has inconsistently linked it to vulnerability to internalizing problems; some of this inconsistency may stem from the failure to consider gene-trait interactions in shaping the course of early BI. Toward elucidating early pathways to anxiety vulnerability, we examined gene-by-trait interactions in predicting the course of BI over time in 476 children, assessed for BI using standardized laboratory methods. We found that children with the met allele showed lower stability of BI between ages 3 and 6 than those without this allele. While the mechanisms that underlie this effect are unclear, our findings are consistent with the notion that the met variant, in the context of early BI, influences the stability of this trait in early development.
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Yang CP, Li X, Wu Y, Shen Q, Zeng Y, Xiong Q, Wei M, Chen C, Liu J, Huo Y, Li K, Xue G, Yao YG, Zhang C, Li M, Chen Y, Luo XJ. Comprehensive integrative analyses identify GLT8D1 and CSNK2B as schizophrenia risk genes. Nat Commun 2018; 9:838. [PMID: 29483533 PMCID: PMC5826945 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03247-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified multiple risk loci that show strong associations with schizophrenia. However, pinpointing the potential causal genes at the reported loci remains a major challenge. Here we identify candidate causal genes for schizophrenia using an integrative genomic approach. Sherlock integrative analysis shows that ALMS1, GLT8D1, and CSNK2B are schizophrenia risk genes, which are validated using independent brain expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data and integrative analysis method (SMR). Consistently, gene expression analysis in schizophrenia cases and controls further supports the potential role of these three genes in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Finally, we show that GLT8D1 and CSNK2B knockdown promote the proliferation and inhibit the differentiation abilities of neural stem cells, and alter morphology and synaptic transmission of neurons. These convergent lines of evidence suggest that the ALMS1, CSNK2B, and GLT8D1 genes may be involved in pathophysiology of schizophrenia. More than 100 risk loci for schizophrenia have been identified by genome-wide association studies. Here, the authors apply an integrative genomic approach to prioritize risk genes and validate GLT8D1 and CSNK2B as candidate causal genes by in vitro studies in neural stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui-Ping Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China
| | - Yong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China
| | - Qiushuo Shen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China.,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650204, China
| | - Yong Zeng
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, 650031, China
| | - Qiuxia Xiong
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, 650031, China
| | - Mengping Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Chunhui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Jiewei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China
| | - Yongxia Huo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China
| | - Kaiqin Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China
| | - Gui Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yong-Gang Yao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Ming Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yongbin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China. .,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnna, 650223, China.
| | - Xiong-Jian Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China. .,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnna, 650223, China.
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Kennedy G, Hardman RJ, Macpherson H, Scholey AB, Pipingas A. How Does Exercise Reduce the Rate of Age-Associated Cognitive Decline? A Review of Potential Mechanisms. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 55:1-18. [PMID: 27636853 DOI: 10.3233/jad-160665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The rate of age-associated cognitive decline varies considerably between individuals. It is important, both on a societal and individual level, to investigate factors that underlie these differences in order to identify those which might realistically slow cognitive decline. Physical activity is one such factor with substantial support in the literature. Regular exercise can positively influence cognitive ability, reduce the rate of cognitive aging, and even reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias. However, while there is substantial evidence in the extant literature for the effect of exercise on cognition, the processes that mediate this relationship are less clear. This review examines cardiovascular health, production of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin sensitivity, stress, and inflammation as potential pathways, via which exercise may maintain or improve cognitive functioning, and may be particularly pertinent in the context of the aging brain. A greater understanding of these mechanisms and their potential relationships with exercise and cognition will be invaluable in providing biomarkers for investigating the efficacy of differing exercise regimes on cognitive outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg Kennedy
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Roy J Hardman
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Helen Macpherson
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew B Scholey
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew Pipingas
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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66
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Lin PH, Tsai SJ, Huang CW, Mu-En L, Hsu SW, Lee CC, Chen NC, Chang YT, Lan MY, Chang CC. Dose-dependent genotype effects of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on default mode network in early stage Alzheimer's disease. Oncotarget 2018; 7:54200-54214. [PMID: 27494844 PMCID: PMC5342335 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In humans, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been shown to play a pivotal role in neurocognition, and its gene contains a functional polymorphism (Val66Met) that may explain individual differences in brain volume and memory-related activity.In this study, we enrolled 186 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients who underwent 3D T1 magnetic resonance imaging, and explored the gray matter (GM) structural covariance networks (SCN). The patients were divided into three groups according to their genotype: Met/Met (n = 45), Val/Met (n = 86) and Val/Val (n = 55). Seed-based analysis was performed focusing on four SCN networks. Neurobehavioral scores served as the major outcome factor.Only peak cluster volumes of default mode medial temporal lobe network showed significant genotype interactions, of which the interconnected peak clusters showed dose-dependent genotype effects. There were also significant correlations between the cognitive test scores and interconnected-cluster volumes, especially in the orbitofrontal cortex.These findings support the hypothesis that BDNF rs6265 polymorphisms modulate entorhinal cortex-interconnected clusters and the valine allele was associated with stronger structural covariance patterns that determined the cognitive outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pin-Hsuan Lin
- Department of Health and Beauty, Shu-Zen College of Medicine and Management, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Jen Tsai
- Psychiatric Department of Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Psychiatric Division, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Wei Huang
- Department of Health and Beauty, Shu-Zen College of Medicine and Management, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Neurology, Cognition and Aging Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Liu Mu-En
- Psychiatric Division, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Wei Hsu
- Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Chang Lee
- Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Nai-Ching Chen
- Department of Health and Beauty, Shu-Zen College of Medicine and Management, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Neurology, Cognition and Aging Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Ting Chang
- Department of Health and Beauty, Shu-Zen College of Medicine and Management, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Neurology, Cognition and Aging Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Min-Yu Lan
- Department of Neurology, Cognition and Aging Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Chih Chang
- Department of Neurology, Cognition and Aging Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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67
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Shirata T, Suzuki A, Matsumoto Y, Takahashi N, Noto K, Goto K, Otani K. Relation of high neuroticism with increased methylation of the BDNF gene. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2018; 14:1787-1793. [PMID: 30022827 PMCID: PMC6042484 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s169787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin that has an important function in neuroplasticity and neuronal development. It is suggested that increased methylation of the BDNF gene resulting in decreased BDNF activity is associated with depression. Meanwhile, neuroticism is a well-known risk factor for developing depression. In the present study, the relationship between methylation of the BDNF gene and personality traits including neuroticism was examined. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The subjects were 98 healthy Japanese. Methylation levels of the BDNF gene were determined by the bisulfite-pyrosequencing method. Personality traits including neuroticism were assessed by the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised. RESULTS There was a positive correlation between neuroticism scores and methylation levels of the BDNF gene. The subjects with higher neuroticism scores had higher levels of BDNF gene methylation compared with those with lower neuroticism scores. Meanwhile, other personality traits were not associated with BDNF gene methylation. CONCLUSION The present study suggests that high neuroticism is related to increased methylation of the BDNF gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshinori Shirata
- Department of Psychiatry, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan,
| | - Akihito Suzuki
- Department of Psychiatry, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan,
| | - Yoshihiko Matsumoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan,
| | - Nana Takahashi
- Department of Psychiatry, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan,
| | - Keisuke Noto
- Department of Psychiatry, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan,
| | - Kaoru Goto
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Koichi Otani
- Department of Psychiatry, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan,
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68
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Stephani C, Shoukier M, Ahmed R, Wolff-Menzler C. Polymorphism of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor and dynamics of the seizure threshold of electroconvulsive therapy. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2017; 267:787-794. [PMID: 27787610 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-016-0744-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
During a course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), the level of currency necessary to induce an epileptic seizure in a patient may either remain relatively stable or-more often-may require repeated upward adjustment over time due to a constantly increasing seizure threshold. We aimed to determine whether a common polymorphism of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which constitutes an important and ubiquitously expressed neurotrophine in the brain, affects the stimulation threshold of ECTs required to induce an epileptic seizure over time. Twenty-seven adult patients who underwent at least 12 consecutive ECT sessions were analyzed for the stimulation intensities required during the course of the stimulation as well as their BDNF gene status. We could not find a relation between the Val/Met polymorphism of the BDNF and the development of the seizure threshold during the course of the ECT sessions. Mechanisms and predispositions other than the BDNF polymorphism investigated in this study are responsible for the change in seizure thresholds over the course of ECT.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Stephani
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - M Shoukier
- Department of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Heinrich-Düker-Weg 12, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - R Ahmed
- Institute for Research and Clinical Studies, Von-Bar-Straße 2/4, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - C Wolff-Menzler
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Göttingen, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.,Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Alexianer-Krankenhaus Aachen GmbH, Alexianergraben 33, 52062, Aachen, Germany
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69
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Meng J, Hao L, Wei D, Sun J, Li Y, Qiu J. BDNF Val66Met polymorphism modulates the effect of loneliness on white matter microstructure in young adults. Biol Psychol 2017; 130:41-49. [PMID: 28988974 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Loneliness is a common experience. Susceptibility to loneliness is a stable trait and is heritable. Previous studies have suggested that loneliness may impact regional gray matter density and brain activation to social stimuli, but its relation to white matter structure and how it may interact with genetic factors remains unclear. In this study, we investigated whether and how a common polymorphism (Val66Met) in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene modulated the association between loneliness and white matter microstructure in 162 young adults. The tract-based spatial statistics analyses revealed that the relationships between loneliness and white matter microstructures were significantly different between Val/Met heterozygotes and Val/Val homozygotes. Specifically, loneliness was significantly correlated with reduced fractional anisotropy and increased radial diffusivity in widespread white matter fibers within Val/Met heterozygotes. It was also significantly correlated with increased radial diffusivity in Met/Met genotypes but showed no significant association with white matter measures in Val/Val genotypes. Furthermore, the associations between loneliness and fractional anisotropy (or radial diffusivity) in Val/Met heterozygotes turned out to be global effects. These results provide evidence that loneliness may interact with the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism to shape the microstructures of white matter, and the Val/Met heterozygotes may be more susceptible to social environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Meng
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; Department of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Lei Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Department of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Dongtao Wei
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; Department of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jiangzhou Sun
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; Department of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yu Li
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; Department of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jiang Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; Department of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
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70
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Rabinowitz JA, Drabick DA. Do children fare for better and for worse? Associations among child features and parenting with child competence and symptoms. DEVELOPMENTAL REVIEW 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dr.2017.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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71
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Phillips C. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Depression, and Physical Activity: Making the Neuroplastic Connection. Neural Plast 2017; 2017:7260130. [PMID: 28928987 PMCID: PMC5591905 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7260130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin that is vital to the survival, growth, and maintenance of neurons in key brain circuits involved in emotional and cognitive function. Convergent evidence indicates that neuroplastic mechanisms involving BDNF are deleteriously altered in major depressive disorder (MDD) and animal models of stress. Herein, clinical and preclinical evidence provided that stress-induced depressive pathology contributes to altered BDNF level and function in persons with MDD and, thereby, disruptions in neuroplasticity at the regional and circuit level. Conversely, effective therapeutics that mitigate depressive-related symptoms (e.g., antidepressants and physical activity) optimize BDNF in key brain regions, promote neuronal health and recovery of function in MDD-related circuits, and enhance pharmacotherapeutic response. A greater knowledge of the interrelationship between BDNF, depression, therapeutic mechanisms of action, and neuroplasticity is important as it necessarily precedes the derivation and deployment of more efficacious treatments.
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72
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Chen K, Wang N, Zhang J, Hong X, Xu H, Zhao X, Huang Q. Is the Val66Met polymorphism of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene associated with panic disorder? A meta-analysis. Asia Pac Psychiatry 2017; 9. [PMID: 26687639 DOI: 10.1111/appy.12228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Although emerging evidence has suggested an association between the Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphisms in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene and the panic disorder, the conclusion is inclusive given the mixed results. This meta-analysis reviewed and analyzed the recent studies addressing the potential association between the Val66Met polymorphisms and panic disorder susceptibility. Related case-control studies were retrieved by database searching and selected according to established inclusion criteria. Six articles were identified, which explored the association between the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and panic disorder. Statistical analyses revealed no association for the allele contrast and the dominant model. However, the recessive model showed a significant association between the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and panic disorder (odds ratio = 1.26, 95% confidence interval = 1.04-1.52, z = 2.39, P = 0.02). Despite of some limitations, this meta-analysis suggests that the Val66Met polymorphism of BDNF gene is a susceptibility factor for panic disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyuan Chen
- Mental Health Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Na Wang
- Mental Health Center, Zhengzhou Ninth People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Mental Health Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiaohong Hong
- Mental Health Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Haiyun Xu
- Mental Health Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhao
- Clinical Pharmacology Base, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Qingjun Huang
- Mental Health Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, China
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73
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Bettio LEB, Rajendran L, Gil-Mohapel J. The effects of aging in the hippocampus and cognitive decline. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 79:66-86. [PMID: 28476525 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 346] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Aging is a natural process that is associated with cognitive decline as well as functional and social impairments. One structure of particular interest when considering aging and cognitive decline is the hippocampus, a brain region known to play an important role in learning and memory consolidation as well as in affective behaviours and mood regulation, and where both functional and structural plasticity (e.g., neurogenesis) occur well into adulthood. Neurobiological alterations seen in the aging hippocampus including increased oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, altered intracellular signalling and gene expression, as well as reduced neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity, are thought to be associated with age-related cognitive decline. Non-invasive strategies such as caloric restriction, physical exercise, and environmental enrichment have been shown to counteract many of the age-induced alterations in hippocampal signalling, structure, and function. Thus, such approaches may have therapeutic value in counteracting the deleterious effects of aging and protecting the brain against age-associated neurodegenerative processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E B Bettio
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Luckshi Rajendran
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Joana Gil-Mohapel
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada; UBC Island Medical program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
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74
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Notaras MJ, Hill RA, Gogos JA, van den Buuse M. BDNF Val66Met Genotype Interacts With a History of Simulated Stress Exposure to Regulate Sensorimotor Gating and Startle Reactivity. Schizophr Bull 2017; 43:665-672. [PMID: 27262112 PMCID: PMC5464110 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbw077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Reduced expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, which results in deficient activity-dependent secretion of BDNF, is associated with clinical features of schizophrenia. We investigated the effect of this polymorphism on Prepulse Inhibition (PPI), a translational model of sensorimotor gating which is disrupted in schizophrenia. We utilized humanized BDNFVal66Met (hBDNFVal66Met) mice which have been modified to carry the Val66Met polymorphism, as well as express humanized BDNF in vivo. We also studied the long-term effect of chronic corticosterone (CORT) exposure in these animals as a model of history of stress. PPI was assessed at 30ms and 100ms interstimulus intervals (ISI). Analysis of PPI at the commonly used 100ms ISI identified that, irrespective of CORT treatment, the hBDNFVal/Met genotype was associated with significantly reduced PPI. In contrast, PPI was not different between hBDNFMet/Met and hBDNFVal/Val genotype mice. At the 30ms ISI, CORT treatment selectively disrupted sensorimotor gating of hBDNFVal/Met heterozygote mice but not hBDNFVal/Val or hBDNFMet/Met mice. Analysis of startle reactivity revealed that chronic CORT reduced startle reactivity of hBDNFVal/Val male mice by 51%. However, this was independent of the effect of CORT on PPI. In summary, we provide evidence of a distinct BDNFVal66Met heterozygote-specific phenotype using the sensorimotor gating endophenotype of schizophrenia. These data have important implications for clinical studies where, if possible, the BDNFVal/Met heterozygote genotype should be distinguished from the BDNFMet/Met genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Notaras
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia;,Psychoneuroendocrinology Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rachel A. Hill
- Psychoneuroendocrinology Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joseph A. Gogos
- Departments of Biophysics and Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Maarten van den Buuse
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia;,School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia;,The College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia
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75
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Mak E, Gabel S, Mirette H, Su L, Williams GB, Waldman A, Wells K, Ritchie K, Ritchie C, O’Brien J. Structural neuroimaging in preclinical dementia: From microstructural deficits and grey matter atrophy to macroscale connectomic changes. Ageing Res Rev 2017; 35:250-264. [PMID: 27777039 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The last decade has witnessed a proliferation of neuroimaging studies characterising brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), where both widespread atrophy and 'signature' brain regions have been implicated. In parallel, a prolonged latency period has been established in AD, with abnormal cerebral changes beginning many years before symptom onset. This raises the possibility of early therapeutic intervention, even before symptoms, when treatments could have the greatest effect on disease-course modification. Two important prerequisites of this endeavour are (1) accurate characterisation or risk stratification and (2) monitoring of progression using neuroimaging outcomes as a surrogate biomarker in those without symptoms but who will develop AD, here referred to as preclinical AD. Structural neuroimaging modalities have been used to identify brain changes related to risk factors for AD, such as familial genetic mutations, risk genes (for example apolipoprotein epsilon-4 allele), and/or family history. In this review, we summarise structural imaging findings in preclinical AD. Overall, the literature suggests early vulnerability in characteristic regions, such as the medial temporal lobe structures and the precuneus, as well as white matter tracts in the fornix, cingulum and corpus callosum. We conclude that while structural markers are promising, more research and validation studies are needed before future secondary prevention trials can adopt structural imaging biomarkers as either stratification or surrogate biomarkers.
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76
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Kotlęga D, Peda B, Zembroń-Łacny A, Gołąb-Janowska M, Nowacki P. The role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its single nucleotide polymorphisms in stroke patients. Neurol Neurochir Pol 2017; 51:240-246. [PMID: 28291539 DOI: 10.1016/j.pjnns.2017.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Stroke is the main cause of motoric and neuropsychological disability in adults. Recent advances in research into the role of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in neuroplasticity, neuroprotection and neurogenesis might provide important information for the development of new poststroke-rehabilitation strategies. It plays a role as a mediator in motor learning and rehabilitation after stroke. Concentrations of BDNF are lower in acute ischemic-stroke patients compared to controls. Lower levels of BDNF are correlated with an increased risk of stroke, worse functional outcomes and higher mortality. BDNF signalling is dependent on the genetic variation which could affect an individual's response to recovery after stroke. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms of the BDNF gene have been studied with regard to stroke patients, but most papers analyse the rs6265 which results in a change from valine to methionine in the precursor protein. Subsequently a reduction in BDNF activity is observed. There are studies indicating the role of this polymorphism in brain plasticity, functional and morphological changes in the brain. It may affect the risk of ischemic stroke, post-stroke outcomes and the efficacy of the rehabilitation process within physical exercise and transcranial magnetic stimulation. There is a consistent trend of Met alleles' being connected with worse outcomes and prognoses after stroke. However, there is no satisfactory data confirming the importance of Met allele in stroke epidemiology and the post-stroke rehabilitation process. We present the current data on the role of BDNF and polymorphisms of the BDNF gene in stroke patients, concentrating on human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Kotlęga
- Department of Neurology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland; Department of Neurology, District Hospital, Głogów, Poland.
| | - Barbara Peda
- Department of Neurology, District Hospital, Głogów, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Zembroń-Łacny
- Department of Applied and Clinical Physiology, University of Zielona Góra, Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Monika Gołąb-Janowska
- Department of Neurology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Przemysław Nowacki
- Department of Neurology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
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77
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Keyan D, Bryant RA. Role of BDNF val66met polymorphism in modulating exercised-induced emotional memories. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 77:150-157. [PMID: 28056410 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 12/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Brief physical exercise enhances memories for neutral events, and modulates fear learning in animals. Exercise-induced arousal induces the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which may moderate memory-enhancing effects. This study investigated the effect of exercise, and the extent to which the BDNF val66met polymorphism (which limits BDNF activity-dependent secretion) influenced emotional memories. Sixty-two healthy participants were randomly assigned to either 10min of intense exercise (n=31) or slow walking (control condition; n=31), and then immediately viewed positive and negative images. Saliva samples were collected to index salivary cortisol, and to determine BDNF val66met genotype. Participants completed memory questionnaires two days later. Participants in the exercise had a significant increase in cortisol, and recalled more emotional images relative to the walking condition. Regression analyses indicated that the interaction between the BDNF val/val allele and cortisol response predicted stronger emotional memory in the exercise condition. These findings are consistent with evidence of acute exercise-induced emotional learning in animals, and suggests that a genetic predisposition involving BDNF may be important in determining the impact of acute exercise on emotional memory formation.
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78
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Banerjee SB, Morrison FG, Ressler KJ. Genetic approaches for the study of PTSD: Advances and challenges. Neurosci Lett 2017; 649:139-146. [PMID: 28242325 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.02.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly debilitating stress and anxiety-related disorder that occurs in response to specific trauma or abuse. Genetic risk factors may account for up to 30-40% of the heritability of PTSD. Understanding the gene pathways that are associated with PTSD, and how those genes interact with the fear and stress circuitry to mediate risk and resilience for PTSD will enable the development of targeted therapies to prevent the occurrence of or decrease the severity of this complex multi-gene disorder. This review will summarize recent research on genetic approaches to understanding PTSD risk and resilience in human populations, including candidate genes and their epigenetic modifications, genome-wide association studies and neural imaging genetics approaches. Despite challenges faced within this field of study such as inconsistent results and replications, genetic approaches still offer exciting opportunities for the identification and development of novel therapeutic targets and therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunayana B Banerjee
- Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Filomene G Morrison
- Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA.
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79
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Li GD, Bi R, Zhang DF, Xu M, Luo R, Wang D, Fang Y, Li T, Zhang C, Yao YG. Female-specific effect of the BDNF gene on Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging 2017; 53:192.e11-192.e19. [PMID: 28202203 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/24/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in the progression of AD, but the genetic association between BDNF and AD remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential association between genetic variants in BDNF and AD in Han Chinese and to investigate whether the association is affected by gender. A 3-stage study was conducted to evaluate the genetic association between BDNF and AD. Data mining of the reported expression data, brain-imaging data, and biomarker data in AD patients was also performed to further validate the results. We found a female-specific genetic association of rs6265 with AD and a gender-related messenger RNA expression of BDNF in brain tissues of AD patients. In addition, we observed a clear female-specific risk trend for the effect of rs6265 on AD endophenotypes. Our results clarified the available controversies regarding the role of rs6265 in AD and indicated that BDNF may be a female-specific risk gene for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Dong Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Rui Bi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Deng-Feng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Min Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Rongcan Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | | | - Yiru Fang
- Division of Mood Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Li
- The Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Division of Mood Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Gang Yao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
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80
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Azeredo LAD, De Nardi T, Levandowski ML, Tractenberg SG, Kommers-Molina J, Wieck A, Irigaray TQ, Silva IGD, Grassi-Oliveira R. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene Val66Met polymorphism affects memory performance in older adults. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 39:90-94. [PMID: 28099630 PMCID: PMC7111449 DOI: 10.1590/1516-4446-2016-1980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Memory impairment is an important contributor to the reduction in quality of life experienced by older adults, and genetic risk factors seem to contribute to variance in age-related cognitive decline. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important nerve growth factor linked with development and neural plasticity. The Val66Met polymorphism in the BDNF gene has been associated with impaired episodic memory in adults, but whether this functional variant plays a role in cognitive aging remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on memory performance in a sample of elderly adults. Methods: Eighty-seven subjects aged > 55 years were recruited using a community-based convenience sampling strategy in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The logical memory subset of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised was used to assess immediate verbal recall (IVR), delayed verbal recall (DVR), and memory retention rate. Results: BDNF Met allele carriers had lower DVR scores (p = 0.004) and a decline in memory retention (p = 0.017) when compared to Val/Val homozygotes. However, we found no significant differences in IVR between the two groups (p = 0.088). Conclusion: These results support the hypothesis of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism as a risk factor associated with cognitive impairment, corroborating previous findings in young and older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas A de Azeredo
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (DCNL), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Tatiana De Nardi
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (DCNL), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Mateus L Levandowski
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (DCNL), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Saulo G Tractenberg
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (DCNL), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Julia Kommers-Molina
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (DCNL), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Andrea Wieck
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (DCNL), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gerontologia Biomédica, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Q Irigaray
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Irênio G da Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gerontologia Biomédica, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (DCNL), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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81
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Borba EM, Duarte JA, Bristot G, Scotton E, Camozzato AL, Chaves MLF. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Serum Levels and Hippocampal Volume in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia due to Alzheimer Disease. Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra 2016; 6:559-567. [PMID: 28101102 PMCID: PMC5216193 DOI: 10.1159/000450601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims Hippocampal atrophy is a recognized biomarker of Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) reduction has been associated with neurodegeneration. We aimed to evaluate BDNF serum levels and hippocampal volume in clinical AD (dementia and mild cognitive impairment [MCI]). Methods Participants were 10 patients with MCI and 13 with dementia due to AD as well as 10 healthy controls. BDNF serum levels were determined by ELISA and volumetric measures with NeuroQuant®. Results MCI and dementia patients presented lower BDNF serum levels than healthy participants; dementia patients presented a smaller hippocampal volume than MCI patients and healthy participants. Discussion The findings support that the decrease in BDNF might start before the establishment of neuronal injury expressed by the hippocampal reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ericksen Mielle Borba
- Dementia Clinic, Neurology Service, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Juliana Avila Duarte
- Radiology Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Giovana Bristot
- Bipolar Disorder Program, Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ellen Scotton
- Bipolar Disorder Program, Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Márcia Lorena Fagundes Chaves
- Dementia Clinic, Neurology Service, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Internal Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
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82
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Barha CK, Galea LA, Nagamatsu LS, Erickson KI, Liu-Ambrose T. Personalising exercise recommendations for brain health: considerations and future directions. Br J Sports Med 2016; 51:636-639. [DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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83
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Pramanik S, Sulistio YA, Heese K. Neurotrophin Signaling and Stem Cells-Implications for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Stem Cell Therapy. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:7401-7459. [PMID: 27815842 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0214-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Neurotrophins (NTs) are members of a neuronal growth factor protein family whose action is mediated by the tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) receptor family receptors and the p75 NT receptor (p75NTR), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family. Although NTs were first discovered in neurons, recent studies have suggested that NTs and their receptors are expressed in various types of stem cells mediating pivotal signaling events in stem cell biology. The concept of stem cell therapy has already attracted much attention as a potential strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Strikingly, NTs, proNTs, and their receptors are gaining interest as key regulators of stem cells differentiation, survival, self-renewal, plasticity, and migration. In this review, we elaborate the recent progress in understanding of NTs and their action on various stem cells. First, we provide current knowledge of NTs, proNTs, and their receptor isoforms and signaling pathways. Subsequently, we describe recent advances in the understanding of NT activities in various stem cells and their role in NDs, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Finally, we compile the implications of NTs and stem cells from a clinical perspective and discuss the challenges with regard to transplantation therapy for treatment of AD and PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subrata Pramanik
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea
| | - Yanuar Alan Sulistio
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea
| | - Klaus Heese
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea.
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84
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Qi X, Zhang K, Xu T, Yamaki VN, Wei Z, Huang M, Rose GM, Cai X. Sex Differences in Long-Term Potentiation at Temporoammonic-CA1 Synapses: Potential Implications for Memory Consolidation. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165891. [PMID: 27806108 PMCID: PMC5091894 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex differences in spatial memory have long been observed in humans, non-human primates and rodents, but the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for these differences remain obscure. In the present study we found that adolescent male rats outperformed female rats in 7 d and 28 d retention probes, but not in learning trials and immediate probes, in the Morris water maze task. Male rats also had larger long-term potentiation (LTP) at hippocampal temproammonic-CA1 (TA-CA1) synapses, which have been implicated to play a key role in place field and memory consolidation, when protocols designed to elicit late-stage LTP (LLTP) were used. Interestingly, the ratio of evoked AMPA/NMDA currents was found to be smaller at TA-CA1 synapses in male rats compared to female rats. Protein biotinylation experiments showed that male rats expressed more surface GluN1 receptors in hippocampal CA1 stratum lacunosum-moleculare (SLM) than female rats, although GluA1 expression was also slightly higher in male rats. Taken together, our results suggest that differences in the expression of AMPA and NMDA receptors may affect LTP expression at TA-CA1 synapses in adolescent male and female rats, and thus possibly contribute to the observed sex difference in spatial memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqiang Qi
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, United States of America
| | - Ke Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, United States of America
| | - Ting Xu
- The Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Vitor Nagai Yamaki
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, United States of America
| | - Zhisheng Wei
- The Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Mingfa Huang
- The Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Gregory M. Rose
- Department of Anatomy, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, United States of America
- Neuroscience Research Center, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, United States of America
| | - Xiang Cai
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, United States of America
- The Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Neuroscience Research Center, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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85
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van Velzen LS, Schmaal L, Jansen R, Milaneschi Y, Opmeer EM, Elzinga BM, van der Wee NJA, Veltman DJ, Penninx BWJH. Effect of childhood maltreatment and brain-derived neurotrophic factor on brain morphology. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2016; 11:1841-1852. [PMID: 27405617 PMCID: PMC5091678 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsw086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment (CM) has been associated with altered brain morphology, which may partly be due to a direct impact on neural growth, e.g. through the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathway. Findings on CM, BDNF and brain volume are inconsistent and have never accounted for the entire BDNF pathway. We examined the effects of CM, BDNF (genotype, gene expression and protein level) and their interactions on hippocampus, amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) morphology. Data were collected from patients with depression and/or an anxiety disorder and healthy subjects within the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA) (N = 289). CM was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Interview. BDNF Val66Met genotype, gene expression and serum protein levels were determined in blood and T1 MRI scans were acquired at 3T. Regional brain morphology was assessed using FreeSurfer. Covariate-adjusted linear regression analyses were performed. Amygdala volume was lower in maltreated individuals. This was more pronounced in maltreated met-allele carriers. The expected positive relationship between BDNF gene expression and volume of the amygdala is attenuated in maltreated subjects. Finally, decreased cortical thickness of the ACC was identified in maltreated subjects with the val/val genotype. CM was associated with altered brain morphology, partly in interaction with multiple levels of the BNDF pathway. Our results suggest that CM has different effects on brain morphology in met-carriers and val-homozygotes and that CM may disrupt the neuroprotective effect of BDNF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura S van Velzen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center and GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lianne Schmaal
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center and GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rick Jansen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center and GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Yuri Milaneschi
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center and GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Esther M Opmeer
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Groningen, NeuroImaging Center, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Bernet M Elzinga
- Institute of Psychology and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Nic J A van der Wee
- Institute of Psychiatry and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Dick J Veltman
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center and GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Brenda W J H Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center and GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry and the EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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86
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Wegman J, Tyborowska A, Hoogman M, Arias Vásquez A, Janzen G. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism affects encoding of object locations during active navigation. Eur J Neurosci 2016; 45:1501-1511. [PMID: 27717213 PMCID: PMC5484279 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was shown to be involved in spatial memory and spatial strategy preference. A naturally occurring single nucleotide polymorphism of the BDNF gene (Val66Met) affects activity‐dependent secretion of BDNF. The current event‐related fMRI study on preselected groups of ‘Met’ carriers and homozygotes of the ‘Val’ allele investigated the role of this polymorphism on encoding and retrieval in a virtual navigation task in 37 healthy volunteers. In each trial, participants navigated toward a target object. During encoding, three positional cues (columns) with directional cues (shadows) were available. During retrieval, the invisible target had to be replaced while either two objects without shadows (objects trial) or one object with a shadow (shadow trial) were available. The experiment consisted of blocks, informing participants of which trial type would be most likely to occur during retrieval. We observed no differences between genetic groups in task performance or time to complete the navigation tasks. The imaging results show that Met carriers compared to Val homozygotes activate the left hippocampus more during successful object location memory encoding. The observed effects were independent of non‐significant performance differences or volumetric differences in the hippocampus. These results indicate that variations of the BDNF gene affect memory encoding during spatial navigation, suggesting that lower levels of BDNF in the hippocampus results in less efficient spatial memory processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joost Wegman
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Postbus 9104, Nijmegen, 6500 HE, The Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, PO Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Tyborowska
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Postbus 9104, Nijmegen, 6500 HE, The Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, PO Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, The Netherlands
| | - Martine Hoogman
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Language and Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alejandro Arias Vásquez
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gabriele Janzen
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Postbus 9104, Nijmegen, 6500 HE, The Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, PO Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, The Netherlands
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87
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A Novel Interaction between Tryptophan Hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) Gene Polymorphism (rs4570625) and BDNF Val66Met Predicts a High-Risk Emotional Phenotype in Healthy Subjects. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162585. [PMID: 27695066 PMCID: PMC5047464 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Poor inhibitory processing of negative emotional content is central to many psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. Moreover, increasing evidence suggests that core aspects of emotion-inhibitory processing are largely inherited and as such may represent a key intermediate or risk-related phenotype for common affective diseases (e.g., unipolar depressive, anxiety disorders). The current study employed a candidate-gene approach in order to most effectively examine this complex behavioral phenotype. We examined the novel interaction between BDNF (Val66Met) and TPH2 (rs4570625) polymorphisms and their influence on behavioral inhibition of negative emotion in two independent investigations of healthy adults. BDNF Met carriers consistently report greater symptoms of affective disease and display corresponding behavioral rigidity, while TPH2 T carriers display poor inhibitory processing. These genotypes are traditionally perceived as ‘risk’ genotypes when compared to their respective major Val and G homozygous genotypes, but evidence is mixed. Recent studies in humans and mutant mouse models suggest biological epistasis between BDNF and genes involved in serotonin regulation. Moreover, polymorphisms in the TPH2 gene may have greater influence on serotonergic function than other more commonly studied polymorphisms (e.g., 5-HTTLPR). We observed consistent evidence across two different emotion-inhibition paradigms, one with high internal validity (Study 1, n = 119) and one with high ecological validity (Study 2, n = 115) that the combination of Val/Val and G/G genotypes was clearly associated with impaired inhibition of negative emotional content. This was followed by individuals carrying the BDNF—Met allele (including Met/Val and Met/Met) when combined with the TPH2—T allele (including T/G and T/T combinations). The consistency of these results across tasks and studies suggests that these two groups may be particularly vulnerable to the most common psychiatric disorders and should be targets for future clinical investigation.
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88
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Kim SW, Lee JY, Kang HJ, Kim SY, Bae KY, Kim JM, Shin IS, Yoon JS. Gender-specific Associations of the Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Val66Met Polymorphism with Neurocognitive and Clinical Features in Schizophrenia. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE 2016; 14:270-8. [PMID: 27489381 PMCID: PMC4977808 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2016.14.3.270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Revised: 01/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective To explore associations of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism with cognitive functioning and psychopathology in patients with schizophrenia. Methods We included 133 subjects meeting the DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia who were in the post-acute stage of the disease. BDNF Val66Met genotypes were identified via polymerase chain reaction. The computerized neurocognitive function battery, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), Social and Occupational Functioning Scale (SOFAS), and the Subjective Well-being under Neuroleptic Treatment (SWN-K) were administered. Gender-stratified sub-analysis was also conducted to identify gender-specific patterns in the findings. Results In male patients, no significant difference in any measure by BDNF genotype was evident. In female patients, scores on the CDSS and total PANSS and all subscales were significantly higher in valine (Val) carriers. In addition, scores on the SOFAS and SWN-K were significantly lower in Val carriers. In terms of neurocognitive measures, female patients with the Val allele had significantly poorer reaction times and fewer correct responses on the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and the Trail Making Test (Parts A and B). After adjustment of PANSS total scores and log-transformed CDSS scores, CPT outcomes were significantly poorer in female patients with than in those without the Val allele. Conclusion Gender-specific associations of the Val allele with poor neurocognitive function and more severe psychopathology were evident. Further studies are required to explore the mechanisms of these differences and the potential utility of the BDNF genotype as a predictor of outcome in patients with schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Wan Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Ju-Yeon Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Hee-Ju Kang
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Seon-Young Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Kyung-Yeol Bae
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Jae-Min Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Il-Seon Shin
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Jin-Sang Yoon
- Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
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89
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Cao B, Bauer IE, Sharma AN, Mwangi B, Frazier T, Lavagnino L, Zunta-Soares GB, Walss-Bass C, Glahn DC, Kapczinski F, Nielsen DA, Soares JC. Reduced hippocampus volume and memory performance in bipolar disorder patients carrying the BDNF val66met met allele. J Affect Disord 2016; 198:198-205. [PMID: 27018938 PMCID: PMC5214589 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2016.03.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies investigated the impact of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) val66met (rs6265) on hippocampus volumes and neurocognition in bipolar disorders (BD), but the results were not consistent. This study aimed to investigate the effect of BDNF polymorphism on hippocampus volumes and memory performance in well-characterized adult populations diagnosed with type I BD (BD-I) and major depressive disorder (MDD) compared with healthy controls (HC). METHODS 48 BD-I patients, 33 MDD patients and 60 HC were genotyped for BDNF rs6265 using DNA isolated from white blood cells. Individuals with val/met and met/met genotypes were grouped as met carriers and compared to those with the val/val. Brain segmentations were obtained from structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using the Freesurfer. Memory performance was assessed with the California Verbal Learning Task (CVLT). RESULTS We found a significant diagnosis effect and marginal interaction between diagnosis and BDNF genotype group for both hippocampus volumes and memory performance. BDNF met allele carrier BD patients had smaller hippocampus volumes and reduced performance on multiple CVLT scores compared to MDD patients and HC. CONCLUSIONS We provide strong evidence for the BDNF val66met polymorphism as a putative biological signature for the neuroanatomical and cognitive abnormalities commonly observed in BD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Cao
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States.
| | | | | | - Benson Mwangi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Thomas Frazier
- The Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health and Center for Autism, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Luca Lavagnino
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Giovana B. Zunta-Soares
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Consuelo Walss-Bass
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - David C. Glahn
- The Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, Institute of Living, and Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, CT, United States
| | - Flavio Kapczinski
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - David A. Nielsen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Michael E. DeBakey V.A. Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jair C. Soares
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
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90
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Hamson DK, Roes MM, Galea LAM. Sex Hormones and Cognition: Neuroendocrine Influences on Memory and Learning. Compr Physiol 2016; 6:1295-337. [DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c150031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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91
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Wilkosc M, Markowska A, Zajac-Lamparska L, Skibinska M, Szalkowska A, Araszkiewicz A. A Lack of Correlation between Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Serum Level and Verbal Memory Performance in Healthy Polish Population. Front Neural Circuits 2016; 10:39. [PMID: 27242447 PMCID: PMC4876124 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2016.00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is considered to be connected with memory and learning through the processes of long term synaptic potentiation and synaptic plasticity. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between precursor BDNF (proBNDF) and mature BDNF (mBDNF) serum levels and performance on Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) in 150 healthy volunteers. In addition, we have verified the relationships between serum concentration of both forms of BDNF and RAVLT with sociodemographic and lifestyle factors.We found no strong evidence for the correlation of proBDNF and mBDNF serum levels with performance on RAVLT in healthy Polish population in early and middle adulthood. We observed the mBDNF serum concentration to be higher in women compared with men. Moreover, we revealed higher mBDNF level to be connected with lower body mass index (BMI). In turn, the results of RAVLT correlated with sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, such as: age, education, gender, BMI and smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Wilkosc
- Institute of Psychology, Kazimierz Wielki University Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Anita Markowska
- Department of Psychiatry Nursing, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University Torun, Poland
| | | | - Maria Skibinska
- Psychiatry Genetics Unit, Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poznan, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Szalkowska
- Department of Psychiatry, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University Torun, Poland
| | - Aleksander Araszkiewicz
- Department of Psychiatry, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University Torun, Poland
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92
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Lack of an association of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and plasma BDNF with hippocampal volume and memory. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2016; 15:625-43. [PMID: 25784293 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-015-0343-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been shown to be important for neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus in nonhuman animals. The Val66Met polymorphism in the BDNF gene, involving a valine (Val) to methionine (Met) substitution at codon 66, has been associated with lower BDNF secretion in vitro. However, there have been mixed results regarding associations between either circulating BDNF or the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism with hippocampal volume and memory in humans. The current study examined the association of BDNF genotype and plasma BDNF with hippocampal volume and memory in two large independent cohorts of middle-aged and older adults (both cognitively normal and early-stage dementia). Sample sizes ranged from 123 to 649. Measures of the BDNF genotype, plasma BDNF, MRI-based hippocampal volume, and memory performance were obtained from the Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center (ADRC) and the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). There were no significant differences between BDNF Met+ and Met- groups on either hippocampal volume or memory in either cohort. In addition, plasma BDNF was not significantly associated with either hippocampal volume or memory in either cohort. Neither age, cognitive status, nor gender moderated any of the relationships. Overall, current findings suggest that BDNF genotype and plasma BDNF may not be robust predictors for variance in hippocampal volume and memory in middle age and older adult cohorts.
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93
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Zhang L, Li XX, Hu XZ. Post-traumatic stress disorder risk and brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met. World J Psychiatry 2016; 6:1-6. [PMID: 27014593 PMCID: PMC4804258 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v6.i1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Revised: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which regulates neuronal survival, growth differentiation, and synapse formation, is known to be associated with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the molecular mechanism for those mental disorders remains unknown. Studies have shown that BDNF is associated with PTSD risk and exaggerated startle reaction (a major arousal manifestation of PTSD) in United States military service members who were deployed during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The frequency of the Met/Met in BDNF gene was greater among those with PTSD than those without PTSD. Among individuals who experienced fewer lifetime stressful events, the Met carriers have significantly higher total and startle scores on the PTSD Checklist than the Val/Val carriers. In addition, subjects with PTSD showed higher levels of BDNF in their peripheral blood plasma than the non-probable-PTSD controls. Increased BDNF levels and startle response were observed in both blood plasma and brain hippocampus by inescapable tail shock in rats. In this paper, we reviewed these data to discuss BDNF as a potential biomarker for PTSD risk and its possible roles in the onset of PTSD.
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94
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Li M, Huang L, Wang J, Su B, Luo XJ. No association between schizophrenia susceptibility variants and macroscopic structural brain volume variation in healthy subjects. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2016; 171B:160-8. [PMID: 26437209 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have suggested that genetic variants for schizophrenia susceptibility might contribute to structural brain volume variations in schizophrenia patients, including total brain volume, hippocampal volume, and amygdalar volume. However, whether these schizophrenia susceptibility variants are associated with macroscopic structural brain volume (i.e., intracranial volume, total brain volume, and hippocampal volume) in healthy subjects is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the associations between 47 schizophrenia susceptibility variants (from 25 well-characterized schizophrenia susceptibility genes) and cranial volume variation in a healthy Chinese sample (N = 1,013). We also extracted the association between these 47 schizophrenia risk variants and the macroscopic structural brain volume (intracranial volume, total brain volume and hippocampal volume) in a large healthy sample of European ancestry (ENIGMA sample, N = 5,775). We identified several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) nominally associated with intracranial volume, total brain volume, and hippocampal volume at P < 0.05 (uncorrected). However, after Bonferroni corrections for multiple testing, no SNP showed significant association. Hence, our results do not support previous observations that schizophrenia susceptibility variants are associated with brain structure (e.g., hippocampal volume) in healthy individuals, and indicate that single schizophrenia risk variant may not contribute significantly to macroscopic brain structure (e.g., intracranial volume or hippocampal volume) variation in healthy subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Liang Huang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jinkai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Bing Su
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiong-Jian Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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95
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Emerging treatment mechanisms for depression: focus on glutamate and synaptic plasticity. Drug Discov Today 2016; 21:454-64. [PMID: 26854424 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2016.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Major depression is a chronic and debilitating illness that effects approximately 1 in 5 people, but currently available treatments are limited by low rates of efficacy, therapeutic time lag, and undesirable side effects. Recent efforts have been directed towards investigating rapid-acting agents that reverse the behavioral and neuronal deficits of chronic stress and depression, notably the glutamate NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine. The cellular mechanisms underlying the rapid antidepressant actions of ketamine and related agents are discussed, as well as novel, selective glutamatergic receptor targets that are safer and have fewer side effects.
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96
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Hashimoto T, Fukui K, Takeuchi H, Yokota S, Kikuchi Y, Tomita H, Taki Y, Kawashima R. Effects of the BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism on Gray Matter Volume in Typically Developing Children and Adolescents. Cereb Cortex 2016; 26:1795-803. [PMID: 26830347 PMCID: PMC4785961 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhw020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Val66Met polymorphism of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with psychiatric disorders and regional gray matter volume (rGMV) in adults. However, the relationship between BDNF and rGMV in children has not been clarified. In this 3-year cross-sectional/longitudinal (2 time points) study, we investigated the effects of BDNF genotypes on rGMV in 185 healthy Japanese children aged 5.7-18.4 using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analyses. We found that the volume of the right cuneus in Met homozygotes (Met/Met) was greater than in Val homozygotes (Val/Val) in both exams, and the left insula and left ventromedial prefrontal cortex volumes were greater in Val homozygotes versus Met homozygotes in Exam l. In addition, Met homozygous subjects exhibited higher processing speed in intelligence indices than Val homozygotes and Val/Met heterozygotes at both time points. Longitudinal analysis showed that the left temporoparietal junction volume of Val/Met heterozygotes increased more substantially over the 3-year study period than in Val homozygotes, and age-related changes were observed for the Val/Met genotype. Our findings suggest that the presence of 2 Met alleles may have a positive effect on rGMV at the developmental stages analyzed in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kento Fukui
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Radiology, Division of Medical Neuroimaging Analysis, Institute Development, Aging and Cancer
| | | | | | - Yoshie Kikuchi
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, International Research Institute of Disaster Science
| | - Hiroaki Tomita
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, International Research Institute of Disaster Science
| | - Yasuyuki Taki
- Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Department of Nuclear Medicine and Radiology, Division of Medical Neuroimaging Analysis, Institute Development, Aging and Cancer Department of Community Medical Supports, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, 980-8575 Sendai, Japan
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97
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Auer MK, Hellweg R, Briken P, Stalla GK, T'Sjoen G, Fuss J. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is not regulated by testosterone in transmen. Biol Sex Differ 2016; 7:1. [PMID: 26753091 PMCID: PMC4705590 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-015-0055-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain morphology significantly differs between the sexes. It has been shown before that some of these differences are attributable to the sex-specific hormonal milieu. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in myriads of neuroplastic processes and shows a sexual dimorphism. Transsexual persons may serve as a model to study sex steroid-mediated effects on brain plasticity. We have recently demonstrated that serum levels of BDNF are reduced in transwomen following 12 months of cross-sex hormone treatment. We now wanted to look at the effects of testosterone treatment on BDNF in transmen. In contrast to our initial hypothesis, BDNF levels did not significantly change, despite dramatic changes in the sex-hormonal milieu. Our data indicate that testosterone does not seem to play a major role in the regulation of BDNF in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias K Auer
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Internal Medicine, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Rainer Hellweg
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine of Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte, Bonhoefferweg 3, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Peer Briken
- Institute for Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martininstr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Günter K Stalla
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Internal Medicine, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Guy T'Sjoen
- Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Johannes Fuss
- Institute for Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martininstr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
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98
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Interaction between BDNF rs6265 Met allele and low family cohesion is associated with smaller left hippocampal volume in pediatric bipolar disorder. J Affect Disord 2016; 189:94-7. [PMID: 26432032 PMCID: PMC4733573 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2015.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Revised: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic and environmental factors are implicated in the onset and evolution of pediatric bipolar disorder, and may be associated to structural brain abnormalities. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of the interaction between the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) rs6265 polymorphism and family functioning on hippocampal volumes of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder, and typically-developing controls. METHODS We evaluated the family functioning cohesion subscale using the Family Environment Scale-Revised, genotyped the BDNF rs6265 polymorphism, and performed structural brain imaging in 29 children and adolescents with bipolar disorder, and 22 healthy controls. RESULTS We did not find significant differences between patients with BD or controls in left or right hippocampus volume (p=0.44, and p=0.71, respectively). However, we detected a significant interaction between low scores on the cohesion subscale and the presence of the Met allele at BNDF on left hippocampal volume of patients with bipolar disorder (F=3.4, p=0.043). None of the factors independently (BDNF Val66Met, cohesion scores) was significantly associated with hippocampal volume differences. LIMITATIONS small sample size, cross-sectional study. CONCLUSIONS These results may lead to a better understanding of the impact of the interaction between genes and environment factors on brain structures associated to bipolar disorder and its manifestations.
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99
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Effects of BDNF polymorphism and physical activity on episodic memory in the elderly: a cross sectional study. Eur Rev Aging Phys Act 2015; 12:15. [PMID: 26865879 PMCID: PMC4748321 DOI: 10.1186/s11556-015-0159-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration is highest in the hippocampus compared with that in other brain structures and affects episodic memory, a cognitive function that is impaired in older adults. According to the neurotrophic hypothesis, BDNF released during physical activity enhances brain plasticity and consequently brain health. However, even if the physical activity level is involved in the secretion of neurotrophin, this protein is also under the control of a specific gene. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of the interaction between physical activity and BDNF Val66Met (rs6265), a genetic polymorphism, on episodic memory. METHODS Two hundred and five volunteers aged 55 and older with a Mini Mental State Examination score ≥ 24 participated in this study. Four groups of participants were established according to their physical activity level and polymorphism BDNF profile (Active Val homozygous, Inactive Val homozygous, Active Met carriers, Inactive Met carriers). Episodic memory was evaluated based on the delayed recall of the Logical Memory test of the MEM III battery. RESULTS As expected, the physical activity level interacted with BDNF polymorphism to affect episodic memory performance (p < .05). The active Val homozygous participants significantly outperformed the active Met carriers and inactive Val homozygous participants. CONCLUSION This study clearly demonstrates an interaction between physical activity and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism that affects episodic memory in the elderly and confirms that physical activity contributes to the neurotrophic mechanism implicated in cognitive health. The interaction shows that only participants with Val/Val polymorphism benefited from physical activity.
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100
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Predicting change in symptoms of depression during the transition to university: the roles of BDNF and working memory capacity. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2015; 15:95-103. [PMID: 24920443 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-014-0305-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Studies on depression risk emphasize the importance of both cognitive and genetic vulnerability factors. The present study has provided the first examination of whether working memory capacity, the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, and their interaction predict changes in symptoms of depression during the transition to university. Early in the semester, students completed a self-report measure of depressive symptoms and a modified version of the reading span task to assess working memory capacity in the presence of both neutral and negative distractors. Whole blood was genotyped for the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism. Students returned at the end of the semester to complete additional self-report questionnaires. Neither working memory capacity nor the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism predicted change in depressive symptoms either independently or in interaction with self-reported semester difficulty. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, however, moderated the association between working memory capacity and symptom change. Among met carriers, lower working memory capacity in the presence of negative-but not neutral-distractors was associated with increased symptoms of depression over the semester. For the val/val group, working memory capacity did not predict symptom change. These findings contribute directly to biological and cognitive models of depression and highlight the importance of examining Gene × Cognition interactions when investigating risk for depression.
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