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Dienel SJ, Enwright JF, Hoftman GD, Lewis DA. Markers of glutamate and GABA neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenia subjects: Disease effects differ across anatomical levels of resolution. Schizophr Res 2020; 217:86-94. [PMID: 31296415 PMCID: PMC6946893 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive dysfunction in individuals with schizophrenia is thought to reflect, at least in part, altered levels of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Studies of the postmortem human brain allow for interrogation of the disease-related alterations in markers of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission at different levels of anatomical resolution. Here, we re-analyzed six published datasets from postmortem studies of schizophrenia to assess molecular markers of glutamate and GABA neurotransmission in the DLPFC at three levels of anatomical resolution: 1) total cortical gray matter, 2) gray matter restricted to layer 3, and 3) a layer 3 local circuit composed of excitatory pyramidal cells and inhibitory, parvalbumin-containing, GABA neurons. We formulated composite measures of glutamate and GABA neurotransmission from z-scores of key transcripts that regulate these functions. Relative to unaffected comparison subjects, the composite glutamate measure was higher in schizophrenia subjects in total gray matter homogenates but lower in samples restricted to layer 3 or the layer 3 local circuit. The composite index of GABA neurotransmission did not differ between subject groups in total gray matter homogenates but was lower in schizophrenia subjects in layer 3 and lower still in the local layer 3 circuit. These findings suggest that the balance of excitation and inhibition in the DLPFC of schizophrenia subjects differs depending on the level of anatomical resolution studied, highlighting the importance of layer- and cell type-specific studies to understand disease-related alterations in cortical circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Dienel
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh, United States of America; Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, United States of America; Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, United States of America; Department of Neuroscience, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, United States of America
| | - John F Enwright
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, United States of America
| | - Gil D Hoftman
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, United States of America
| | - David A Lewis
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, United States of America; Department of Neuroscience, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, United States of America.
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Abstract
The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a secretory growth factor that promotes neuronal proliferation and survival, synaptic plasticity and long-term potentiation in the central nervous system. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor biosynthesis and secretion are chrono-topically regulated processes at the cellular level, accounting for specific localizations and functions. Given its role in regulating brain development and activity, BDNF represents a potentially relevant gene for schizophrenia, and indeed BDNF and its non-synonymous functional variant, rs6265 (C → T, Val → Met) have been widely studied in psychiatric genetics. Human and animal studies have indicated that brain-derived neurotrophic factor is relevant for schizophrenia-related phenotypes, and that: (1) fine-tuned regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor secretion and activity is necessary to guarantee brain optimal development and functioning; (2) the Val → Met substitution is associated with impaired activity-dependent secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor; (3) disruption of brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling is associated with altered synaptic plasticity and neurodevelopment. However, genome-wide association studies failed to associate the BDNF locus with schizophrenia, even though a sub-threshold association exists. Here, we will review studies focused on the relationship between the genetic variation of BDNF and schizophrenia, trying to fill the gap between genetic risk per se and insights from molecular biology. A deeper understanding of brain-derived neurotrophic factor biology and of the epigenetic regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its interactome during development may help clarifying the potential role of this gene in schizophrenia, thus informing development of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-based strategies of prevention and treatment of this disorder.
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Hamamoto O, Tirapelli DPDC, Lizarte Neto FS, Freitas-Lima P, Saggioro FP, Cirino MLDA, Assirati JA, Serafini LN, Velasco TR, Sakamoto AC, Carlotti CG. Modulation of NMDA receptor by miR-219 in the amygdala and hippocampus of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. J Clin Neurosci 2020; 74:180-186. [PMID: 32111564 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2020.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis is the most frequent form of focal epilepsy in adults, and it is often refractory to drug treatment. Regardless of the efforts on developing new antiepileptic drugs for refractory cases, studies suggest a need for better understanding the molecular bases of epilepsy. The microRNAs have been progressively investigated as potential targets for both epilepsy mechanisms elucidation and treatment. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate the differential expression of miR-219, miR-181b, and miR-195, previously described as regulators of the excitatory neurotransmitter receptors NMDA-R1 and AMPA-GluR2 and inhibitory neurotransmitter GABAA (α2, β3, and γ2 subunits) in the amygdala and hippocampus of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Based on genes and miRNAs' quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) from 18 patients with epilepsy, our results showed an inverse relationship between miR-219 and NMDA-NR1 expression in both the amygdala and hippocampus in comparison to their expression in controls. NR1 and GluR2 were upregulated in the amygdala of epileptic patients. Low miR-195 expression was observed in the amygdala of patients with epilepsy. Our findings indicate that miR-219 has a possible regulatory role in excitatory neurotransmission in patients with epilepsy, contributing to the new avenue of miRNA biology in drug-resistant epilepsy, reserving huge potential for future applications and clinical interventions in conjunction with existing therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osmi Hamamoto
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Fermino Sanches Lizarte Neto
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Priscila Freitas-Lima
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil; Barao de Maua University Center, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Fabiano Pinto Saggioro
- Department of Pathology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Mucio Luiz de Assis Cirino
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - João Alberto Assirati
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciano Neder Serafini
- Department of Pathology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Tonicarlo Rodrigues Velasco
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Américo Ceiki Sakamoto
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos Gilberto Carlotti
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil
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SNPs associated with Schizophrenia: Evidence from Iranian patients. Meta Gene 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mgene.2019.100633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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55
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MicroRNAs and Child Neuropsychiatric Disorders: A Brief Review. Neurochem Res 2019; 45:232-240. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-019-02917-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Zhao Z, Jinde S, Koike S, Tada M, Satomura Y, Yoshikawa A, Nishimura Y, Takizawa R, Kinoshita A, Sakakibara E, Sakurada H, Yamagishi M, Nishimura F, Inai A, Nishioka M, Eriguchi Y, Araki T, Takaya A, Kan C, Umeda M, Shimazu A, Hashimoto H, Bundo M, Iwamoto K, Kakiuchi C, Kasai K. Altered expression of microRNA-223 in the plasma of patients with first-episode schizophrenia and its possible relation to neuronal migration-related genes. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:289. [PMID: 31712567 PMCID: PMC6848172 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0609-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a role as regulators of neurodevelopment by modulating gene expression. Altered miRNA expression has been reported in various psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. However, the changes in the miRNA expression profile that occur during the initial stage of schizophrenia have not been fully investigated. To explore the global alterations in miRNA expression profiles that may be associated with the onset of schizophrenia, we first profiled miRNA expression in plasma from 17 patients with first-episode schizophrenia and 17 healthy controls using microarray analysis. Among the miRNAs that showed robust changes, the elevated expression of has-miR-223-3p (miR-223) was validated via quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) using another independent sample set of 21 schizophrenia patients and 21 controls. To identify the putative targets of miR-223, we conducted a genome-wide gene expression analysis in neuronally differentiated SK-N-SH cells with stable miR-223 overexpression and an in silico analysis. We found that the mRNA expression levels of four genes related to the cytoskeleton or cell migration were significantly downregulated in miR-223-overexpressing cells, possibly due to interactions with miR-223. The in silico analysis suggested the presence of miR-223 target sites in these four genes. Lastly, a luciferase assay confirmed that miR-223 directly interacted with the 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of all four genes. Our results reveal an increase in miR-223 in plasma during both the first episode and the later stage of schizophrenia, which may affect the expression of cell migration-related genes targeted by miR-223.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhilei Zhao
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan ,0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dInternational Research Center for Neurointelligence, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033 Japan
| | - Seiichiro Jinde
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Shinsuke Koike
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan
| | - Mariko Tada
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Satomura
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan
| | - Akane Yoshikawa
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan
| | - Yukika Nishimura
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan
| | - Ryu Takizawa
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan
| | - Akihide Kinoshita
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan
| | - Eisuke Sakakibara
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan
| | - Hanako Sakurada
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan
| | - Mika Yamagishi
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan
| | - Fumichika Nishimura
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan
| | - Aya Inai
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Child Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan
| | - Masaki Nishioka
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan
| | - Yosuke Eriguchi
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Child Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Araki
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan
| | - Atsuhiko Takaya
- Department of Psychiatry, Fukui Kinen Hospital, Miura City, Kanagawa 238-0115 Japan
| | - Chiemi Kan
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Mental Health, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033 Japan
| | - Maki Umeda
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Mental Health, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033 Japan ,0000 0001 0318 6320grid.419588.9Department of Public Health Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing Science, St. Luke’s International University, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0044 Japan
| | - Akihito Shimazu
- 0000 0000 9206 2938grid.410786.cCenter for Human and Social Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa 252-0373 Japan
| | - Hideki Hashimoto
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Health Economics and Epidemiology Research, School of Public Health, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033 Japan
| | - Miki Bundo
- 0000 0001 0660 6749grid.274841.cDepartment of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto, 860-8556 Japan
| | - Kazuya Iwamoto
- 0000 0001 0660 6749grid.274841.cDepartment of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto, 860-8556 Japan
| | - Chihiro Kakiuchi
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan
| | - Kiyoto Kasai
- 0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dDepartment of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan ,0000 0001 2151 536Xgrid.26999.3dInternational Research Center for Neurointelligence, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033 Japan
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Erzin G, Topçuoğlu C, Bayram Ş, Karadağ H, Ozkaya G, Turhan T, Göka E. Secretagogin may not be a new neuroendocrine biomarker in schizophrenia while levels may reflect clinical severity. PSYCHIAT CLIN PSYCH 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/24750573.2019.1589175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gamze Erzin
- Ankara Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Psychiatry Department, Ankara, Turkey
- Present/permanent work address: Ankara Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Psychiatry Department, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Canan Topçuoğlu
- Biochemistry Department, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Şenol Bayram
- Ankara Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Psychiatry Department, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Hasan Karadağ
- Ankara Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Psychiatry Department, Ankara, Turkey
- Present/permanent work address: Ankara Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Psychiatry Department, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Güven Ozkaya
- Faculty of Medicine, Biostatistic Department, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Turan Turhan
- Biochemistry Department, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Erol Göka
- Ankara Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Psychiatry Department, Ankara, Turkey
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Pre-frontal parvalbumin interneurons in schizophrenia: a meta-analysis of post-mortem studies. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2019; 126:1637-1651. [PMID: 31529297 PMCID: PMC6856257 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-019-02080-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Parvalbumin interneurons are fast-spiking GABAergic neurons that provide inhibitory control of cortical and subcortical circuits and are thought to be a key locus of the pathophysiology underlying schizophrenia. In view of the contradictory results regarding the nature of parvalbumin post-mortem findings in schizophrenia, we conducted a quantitative meta-analysis of the data on parvalbumin cell density and parvalbumin mRNA levels in pre-frontal regions in the brains of patients with schizophrenia (n = 274) compared with healthy controls (n = 275). The results suggest that parvalbumin interneurons are reduced in density in the frontal cortex of patients with schizophrenia (Hedges’ g = − 0.27; p = 0.03) and there is a non-significant reduction in parvalbumin mRNA levels (g = − 0.44; p = 0.12). However, certain methodological issues need to be considered in interpreting such results and are discussed in more detail. A meta-regression was conducted for post-mortem interval and year of publication as covariates which were both non-significant, except in the mRNA meta-analysis where post-mortem interval was found to be significant. Overall our findings provide tentative support for the hypothesis that the GABAergic system is deficient in schizophrenia and that parvalbumin-containing interneurons offer a potential target for treatment. However, further well-controlled studies that examine multiple regions and layers are warranted to determine whether parvalbumin alterations are region or layer specific and to test the robustness of the findings further.
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Tan T, Wang W, Williams J, Ma K, Cao Q, Yan Z. Stress Exposure in Dopamine D4 Receptor Knockout Mice Induces Schizophrenia-Like Behaviors via Disruption of GABAergic Transmission. Schizophr Bull 2019; 45:1012-1023. [PMID: 30476265 PMCID: PMC6737476 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sby163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
A combination of genetic and environmental risk factors has been considered as the pathogenic cause for mental disorders including schizophrenia. Here, we sought to find out whether the abnormality of the dopamine system, coupled with the exposure to modest stress, is sufficient to trigger the manifestation of schizophrenia-like behaviors. We found that exposing dopamine D4 receptor knockout (D4KO) mice with 1-week restraint stress (2 h/d) induced significant deficits in sensorimotor gating, cognitive processes, social engagement, as well as the elevated exploratory behaviors, which are reminiscent to schizophrenia phenotypes. Electrophysiological studies found that GABAergic transmission was significantly reduced in prefrontal cortical neurons from stressed D4KO mice. Additionally, administration of diazepam, a GABA enhancer, restored GABAergic synaptic responses and ameliorated some behavioral abnormalities in stressed D4KO mice. These results have revealed that the combination of 2 key genetic and environmental susceptibility factors, dopamine dysfunction and stress, is a crucial trigger for schizophrenia-like phenotypes, and GABA system in the prefrontal cortex is a downstream convergent target that mediates some behavioral outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Tan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY,Sichuan Provincial Hospital for Women and Children, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY
| | - Jamal Williams
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY
| | - Kaijie Ma
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY
| | - Qing Cao
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY
| | - Zhen Yan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY,To whom correspondence should be addressed; tel: 716-829-3058, fax: 716-829-2344, e-mail:
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Krajcovic B, Fajnerova I, Horacek J, Kelemen E, Kubik S, Svoboda J, Stuchlik A. Neural and neuronal discoordination in schizophrenia: From ensembles through networks to symptoms. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2019; 226:e13282. [PMID: 31002202 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Despite the substantial knowledge accumulated by past research, the exact mechanisms of the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and causal treatments still remain unclear. Deficits of cognition and information processing in schizophrenia are today often viewed as the primary and core symptoms of this devastating disorder. These deficits likely result from disruptions in the coordination of neuronal and neural activity. The aim of this review is to bring together convergent evidence of discoordinated brain circuits in schizophrenia at multiple levels of resolution, ranging from principal cells and interneurons, neuronal ensembles and local circuits, to large-scale brain networks. We show how these aberrations could underlie deficits in cognitive control and other higher order cognitive-behavioural functions. Converging evidence from both animal models and patients with schizophrenia is presented in an effort to gain insight into common features of deficits in the brain information processing in this disorder, marked by disruption of several neurotransmitter and signalling systems and severe behavioural outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Branislav Krajcovic
- Department of Neurophysiology of Memory Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague Czech Republic
| | - Iveta Fajnerova
- Department of Neurophysiology of Memory Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic
- Research Programme 3 - Applied Neurosciences and Brain Imaging National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Horacek
- Third Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague Czech Republic
- Research Programme 3 - Applied Neurosciences and Brain Imaging National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czech Republic
| | - Eduard Kelemen
- Research Programme 1 - Experimental Neurobiology National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czech Republic
| | - Stepan Kubik
- Department of Neurophysiology of Memory Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic
| | - Jan Svoboda
- Department of Neurophysiology of Memory Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic
| | - Ales Stuchlik
- Department of Neurophysiology of Memory Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic
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Kaar SJ, Natesan S, McCutcheon R, Howes OD. Antipsychotics: Mechanisms underlying clinical response and side-effects and novel treatment approaches based on pathophysiology. Neuropharmacology 2019; 172:107704. [PMID: 31299229 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Antipsychotic drugs are central to the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders but are ineffective for some patients and associated with side-effects and nonadherence in others. We review the in vitro, pre-clinical, clinical and molecular imaging evidence on the mode of action of antipsychotics and their side-effects. This identifies the key role of striatal dopamine D2 receptor blockade for clinical response, but also for endocrine and motor side-effects, indicating a therapeutic window for D2 blockade. We consider how partial D2/3 receptor agonists fit within this framework, and the role of off-target effects of antipsychotics, particularly at serotonergic, histaminergic, cholinergic, and adrenergic receptors for efficacy and side-effects such as weight gain, sedation and dysphoria. We review the neurobiology of schizophrenia relevant to the mode of action of antipsychotics, and for the identification of new treatment targets. This shows elevated striatal dopamine synthesis and release capacity in dorsal regions of the striatum underlies the positive symptoms of psychosis and suggests reduced dopamine release in cortical regions contributes to cognitive and negative symptoms. Current drugs act downstream of the major dopamine abnormalities in schizophrenia, and potentially worsen cortical dopamine function. We consider new approaches including targeting dopamine synthesis and storage, autoreceptors, and trace amine receptors, and the cannabinoid, muscarinic, GABAergic and glutamatergic regulation of dopamine neurons, as well as post-synaptic modulation through phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Finally, we consider treatments for cognitive and negative symptoms such dopamine agonists, nicotinic agents and AMPA modulators before discussing immunological approaches which may be disease modifying. This article is part of the issue entitled 'Special Issue on Antipsychotics'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Kaar
- Department of Psychosis Studies, 5th Floor, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, PO63 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, United Kingdom.
| | - Sridhar Natesan
- Department of Psychosis Studies, 5th Floor, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, PO63 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - Robert McCutcheon
- Department of Psychosis Studies, 5th Floor, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, PO63 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver D Howes
- Department of Psychosis Studies, 5th Floor, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, PO63 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, United Kingdom.
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Postmortem transcriptional profiling reveals widespread increase in inflammation in schizophrenia: a comparison of prefrontal cortex, striatum, and hippocampus among matched tetrads of controls with subjects diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar or major depressive disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:151. [PMID: 31123247 PMCID: PMC6533277 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0492-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia (SCZ), bipolar disorder (BD), and major depressive disorder (MDD) arise from complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Common genetic variants associated with multiple psychiatric disorders suggest that shared genetic architecture could contribute to divergent clinical syndromes. To evaluate shared transcriptional alterations across connected brain regions, Affymetrix microarrays were used to profile postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), hippocampus, and associative striatum from 19 well-matched tetrads of subjects with SCZ, BD, MDD, or unaffected controls. SCZ subjects showed a substantial burden of differentially expressed genes across all examined brain regions with the greatest effects in hippocampus, whereas BD and MDD showed less robust alterations. Pathway analysis of transcriptional profiles compared across diagnoses demonstrated commonly enriched pathways between all three disorders in hippocampus, significant overlap between SCZ and BD in DLPFC, but no significant overlap of enriched pathways between disorders in striatum. SCZ samples showed increased expression of transcripts associated with inflammation across all brain regions examined, which was not evident in BD or MDD, or in rat brain following chronic dosing with antipsychotic drugs. Several markers of inflammation were confirmed by RT-PCR in hippocampus, including S100A8/9, IL-6, MAFF, APOLD1, IFITM3, and BAG3. A cytokine ELISA panel showed significant increases in IL-2 and IL-12p70 protein content in hippocampal tissue collected from same SCZ subjects when compared to matched control subjects. These data suggest an overlapping subset of dysregulated pathways across psychiatric disorders; however, a widespread increase in inflammation appears to be a specific feature of the SCZ brain and is not likely to be attributable to chronic antipsychotic drug treatment.
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63
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Voss P, Thomas ME, Guercio GD, de Villers-Sidani E. Dysregulation of auditory neuroplasticity in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2019; 207:3-11. [PMID: 29703662 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2018.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex brain syndrome characterized by an array of positive symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech), negative symptoms (alogia, apathy, avolition) and cognitive impairments (memory, executive functions). Although investigations of the cognitive deficits in schizophrenia have primarily concentrated on disturbances affecting higher-order cognitive processes, there is an increasing realization that schizophrenia also affects early sensory processing, which might, in fact, play a significant role in the development of higher-order cognitive impairments. Recent evidence suggests that many of these early sensory processing impairments possibly arise from a dysregulation of plasticity regulators in schizophrenia, resulting in either reduced plasticity or excessive unregulated plasticity. The purpose of the present manuscript is to provide a concise overview of how the dysregulation of cortical plasticity mechanisms contributes to schizophrenia symptoms with an emphasis on auditory dysplasticity and to discuss its relevance for treatment outcomes. The idea that plasticity mechanisms are not constrained only within sensitive periods suggests that many functional properties of sensory neurons can be altered throughout the lifetime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrice Voss
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada.
| | - Maryse E Thomas
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Gerson D Guercio
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Etienne de Villers-Sidani
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada.
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64
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Hsieh MT, Lin CC, Lee CT, Huang TL. Abnormal Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Exon IX Promoter Methylation, Protein, and mRNA Levels in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8050568. [PMID: 31027379 PMCID: PMC6571872 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8050568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) exon IX promoter methylation levels, serum BDNF protein levels, and serum mRNA levels were investigated in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy controls. Over two years, 51 patients with MDD and 62 healthy controls were recruited. Peripheral blood was drawn from all participants to analyze the BDNF exon IX promoter methylation levels as well as serum BDNF protein and mRNA levels, at baseline and after four weeks of antidepressant treatment. Methylation sequential analysis showed that patients with MDD (n = 39) had a higher methylation level at CpG site 217 and lower methylation levels at CpG site 327 and CpG site 362. Drug responders (n = 25) had a higher methylation level at CpG site 24 and CpG site 324 than the non-responders (n = 11). Patients with MDD had a lower serum BDNF protein and mRNA levels than the healthy controls. In conclusion, these results showed that BDNF exon IX promoter methylation levels, serum BDNF protein level, and serum BDNF mRNA level could contribute to the pathophysiology of a major depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Men-Ting Hsieh
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan.
| | - Chin-Chuen Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan.
| | - Chien-Te Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan.
| | - Tiao-Lai Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan.
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65
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Impaired Interneuron Development in a Novel Model of Neonatal Brain Injury. eNeuro 2019; 6:eN-NWR-0300-18. [PMID: 30809588 PMCID: PMC6390196 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0300-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Prematurity is associated with significantly increased risk of neurobehavioral pathologies, including autism and schizophrenia. A common feature of these psychiatric disorders is prefrontal cortex (PFC) inhibitory circuit disruption due to GABAergic interneuron alteration. Cortical interneurons are generated and migrate throughout late gestation and early infancy, making them highly susceptible to perinatal insults such as preterm birth. Term and preterm PFC pathology specimens were assessed using immunohistochemical markers for interneurons. Based on the changes seen, a new preterm encephalopathy mouse model was developed to produce similar PFC interneuron loss. Maternal immune activation (MIA; modeling chorioamnionitis, associated with 85% of extremely preterm births) was combined with chronic sublethal hypoxia (CSH; modeling preterm respiratory failure), with offspring of both sexes assessed anatomically, molecularly and neurobehaviorally. In the PFC examined from the human preterm samples compared to matched term samples at corrected age, a decrease in somatostatin (SST) and calbindin (CLB) interneurons was seen in upper cortical layers. This pattern of interneuron loss in upper cortical layers was mimicked in the mouse PFC following the combination of MIA and CSH, but not after either insult alone. This persistent interneuron loss is associated with postnatal microglial activation that occurs during CSH only after MIA. The combined insults lead to long-term neurobehavioral deficits which parallel human psychopathologies that may be seen after extremely preterm birth. This new preclinical model supports a paradigm in which specific cellular alterations seen in preterm encephalopathy can be linked with a risk of neuropsychiatric sequela. Specific interneuron subtypes may provide therapeutic targets to prevent or ameliorate these neurodevelopmental risks.
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66
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Ueno H, Suemitsu S, Murakami S, Kitamura N, Wani K, Matsumoto Y, Okamoto M, Ishihara T. Region-specific reduction of parvalbumin neurons and behavioral changes in adult mice following single exposure to cranial irradiation. Int J Radiat Biol 2019; 95:611-625. [PMID: 30601685 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2019.1564081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ionizing irradiation has several long-term effects including progressive cognitive impairment. Cognitive deterioration generally appears to be caused by abnormalities in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, with abnormal function of parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PV neurons) in the cerebral cortex. PV neurons are vulnerable to oxidative stress, which can be caused by ionizing irradiation. We speculated that selective impairment of specific brain regions due to ionizing irradiation may alter the degree of cognitive impairment. METHODS We irradiated mature mouse brains with 20 Gy-ionizing irradiation. Subsequently, we analyzed behavioral abnormalities and changes in the number of PV neurons. RESULTS PV neuron density was significantly lower in some cortical regions of irradiated mice than in control mice. Within 1 week of irradiation, both body weight and temperature of irradiated mice decreased. In the forced swim test, irradiated mice spent significantly less time immobile than did control mice. However, irradiated mice did not display any abnormalities in the elevated plus maze test, Y-maze test, tail suspension test, and social interaction test between 3 to 6 days after irradiation. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that high-dose irradiation is less likely to cause brain dysfunction in the subacute phase. Moreover, the vulnerability of PV neurons appears to be brain-region specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Ueno
- a Department of Medical Technology , Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare , Okayama , Japan.,b Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences , Okayama University , Okayama , Japan
| | - Shunsuke Suemitsu
- c Department of Psychiatry , Kawasaki Medical School , Kurashiki , Japan
| | - Shinji Murakami
- c Department of Psychiatry , Kawasaki Medical School , Kurashiki , Japan
| | - Naoya Kitamura
- c Department of Psychiatry , Kawasaki Medical School , Kurashiki , Japan
| | - Kenta Wani
- c Department of Psychiatry , Kawasaki Medical School , Kurashiki , Japan
| | - Yosuke Matsumoto
- d Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Okayama University , Okayama , Japan
| | - Motoi Okamoto
- b Department of Medical Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences , Okayama University , Okayama , Japan
| | - Takeshi Ishihara
- c Department of Psychiatry , Kawasaki Medical School , Kurashiki , Japan
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Transcriptomic immaturity inducible by neural hyperexcitation is shared by multiple neuropsychiatric disorders. Commun Biol 2019; 2:32. [PMID: 30675529 PMCID: PMC6342824 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-018-0277-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers are needed to improve the diagnosis of neuropsychiatric disorders, which are often associated to excitatory/inhibitory imbalances in neural transmission and abnormal maturation. Here, we characterized different disease conditions by mapping changes in the expression patterns of maturation-related genes whose expression was altered by experimental neural hyperexcitation in published studies. This analysis revealed two gene expression patterns: decreases in maturity markers and increases in immaturity markers. These two groups of genes were characterized by the over-representation of genes related to synaptic function and chromosomal modification, respectively. Using these two groups in a transdiagnostic analysis of 87 disease datasets for eight neuropsychiatric disorders and 12 datasets from corresponding animal models, we found that transcriptomic pseudoimmaturity inducible by neural hyperexcitation is shared by multiple neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer disorders, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Our results indicate that this endophenotype serves as a basis for the transdiagnostic characterization of these disorders. Tomoyuki Murano et al. showed that neural hyperexcitation increases the expression of immaturity related genes. These changes in gene expression are shared among different neuropsychiatric and neurological conditions, hinting at their potential role as biomarkers.
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68
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Du X, Choa FS, Chiappelli J, Wisner KM, Wittenberg G, Adhikari B, Bruce H, Rowland LM, Kochunov P, Hong LE. Aberrant Middle Prefrontal-Motor Cortex Connectivity Mediates Motor Inhibitory Biomarker in Schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2019; 85:49-59. [PMID: 30126607 PMCID: PMC6289820 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inhibitory deficits in motor cortex in schizophrenia have been well demonstrated using short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) by transcranial magnetic stimulation. However, it remains unknown whether these deficits originate from dysfunction of motor cortex itself or reflect abnormal modulations of motor cortex by other schizophrenia-related brain areas. METHODS The study was completed by 24 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and 30 healthy control subjects. SICI was obtained by delivering transcranial magnetic stimulation over the left motor cortex. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging fractional anisotropy were used to measure functional connectivity (FC) and white matter microstructures, respectively. Stimulation sites for SICI at motor cortex were used as the seeds to obtain whole-brain FC maps. Clinical symptoms were assessed with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. RESULTS In schizophrenia, left prefrontal cortex-motor cortex FC was inversely associated with SICI but positively associated with the underlying white matter microstructure at the left corona radiata and also associated with overall symptoms (all corrected p < .05). Mediation analysis showed that the prefrontal-motor cortex FC significantly mediated the corona radiata white matter effects on SICI (p = .007). CONCLUSIONS Higher resting-state left prefrontal-motor cortex FC, accompanied by a higher fractional anisotropy of left corona radiata, predicted fewer inhibitory deficits, suggesting that the inhibitory deficits in motor cortex in schizophrenia may in part be mediated by a top-down prefrontal influence. SICI may serve as a robust biomarker indexing inhibitory dysfunction at anatomic as well as circuitry levels in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Du
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Fow-Sen Choa
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Joshua Chiappelli
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Krista M Wisner
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - George Wittenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Bhim Adhikari
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Heather Bruce
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Laura M Rowland
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Peter Kochunov
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - L Elliot Hong
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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69
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Chung DW, Chung Y, Bazmi HH, Lewis DA. Altered ErbB4 splicing and cortical parvalbumin interneuron dysfunction in schizophrenia and mood disorders. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:2478-2486. [PMID: 30120408 PMCID: PMC6180093 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0169-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Working memory requires the activity of parvalbumin (PV) interneurons in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Impaired working memory and lower PV expression in the DLPFC are reported in schizophrenia and to a lesser degree in mood disorders. We previously proposed that activity-dependent PV expression is lower in schizophrenia due to a shift in the splicing of erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 4 (ErbB4) transcripts from major to inactive minor variants that reduces excitatory drive to PV interneurons. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the degree of major-to-minor shift in ErbB4 splicing predicts the level of PV expression across schizophrenia and mood disorders. Levels of ErbB4 splice variants and PV mRNA were quantified by PCR in the DLPFC from 40 matched tetrads (N = 160 subjects) of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (BD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and unaffected comparison subjects. Relative to unaffected comparison subjects, the magnitude of increases in minor variant levels and decreases in major variant levels was greatest in schizophrenia, intermediate in BD, and least in MDD. The same rank order was present for the magnitude of increases in the composite splicing score, which reflects the degree of major-to-minor shift across all ErbB4 splice loci, and for the magnitude of deficient PV expression. Finally, the composite splicing score negatively predicted PV expression across all subject groups. Together, these findings demonstrate a shared relationship between ErbB4 splicing and PV expression and suggest that scaling of the major-to-minor shift in ErbB4 splicing may influence the severity of deficient PV interneuron activity across diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W Chung
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Youjin Chung
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Science, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - H Holly Bazmi
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - David A Lewis
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
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70
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van Lier B, Hierlemann A, Knoflach F. Parvalbumin expression and gamma oscillation occurrence increase over time in a neurodevelopmental model of NMDA receptor dysfunction. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5543. [PMID: 30258707 PMCID: PMC6151115 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is thought to play a role in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental diseases like schizophrenia. To study the effects of NMDAR dysfunction on synaptic transmission and network oscillations, we used hippocampal tissue of NMDAR subunit GluN2A knockout (KO) mice. Field excitatory postsynaptic potentials were recorded in acute hippocampal slices of adult animals. Synaptic transmission was impaired in GluN2A KO slices compared to wild-type (WT) slices. Further, to investigate whether NMDAR dysfunction would alter neurodevelopment in vitro, we used organotypic hippocampal slice cultures of WT and GluN2A KO mice. Immunostaining performed with cultures kept two, seven, 14, 25 days in vitro (DIV) revealed an increasing expression of parvalbumin (PV) over time. As a functional readout, oscillatory activity induced by the cholinergic agonist carbachol was recorded in cultures kept seven, 13, and 26 DIV using microelectrode arrays. Initial analysis focused on the occurrence of delta, theta, beta and gamma oscillations over genotype, DIV and hippocampal area (CA1, CA3, dentate gyrus (DG)). In a follow-up analysis, we studied the peak frequency and the peak power of each of the four oscillation bands per condition. The occurrence of gamma oscillations displayed an increase by DIV similar to the PV immunostaining. Unlike gamma occurrence, delta, theta, and beta occurrence did not change over time in culture. The peak frequency and peak power in the different bands of the oscillations were not different in slices of WT and GluN2A KO mice. However, the level of PV expression was lower in GluN2A KO compared to WT mice. Given the role of PV-containing fast-spiking basket cells in generation of oscillations and the decreased PV expression in subjects with schizophrenia, the study of gamma oscillations in organotypic hippocampal slices represents a potentially valuable tool for the characterization of novel therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben van Lier
- Neuroscience Discovery, Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Hierlemann
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frédéric Knoflach
- Neuroscience Discovery, Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
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71
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Wen TH, Binder DK, Ethell IM, Razak KA. The Perineuronal 'Safety' Net? Perineuronal Net Abnormalities in Neurological Disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:270. [PMID: 30123106 PMCID: PMC6085424 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Perineuronal nets (PNN) are extracellular matrix (ECM) assemblies that preferentially ensheath parvalbumin (PV) expressing interneurons. Converging evidence indicates that PV cells and PNN are impaired in a variety of neurological disorders. PNN development and maintenance is necessary for a number of processes within the CNS, including regulation of GABAergic cell function, protection of neurons from oxidative stress, and closure of developmental critical period plasticity windows. Understanding PNN functions may be essential for characterizing the mechanisms of altered cortical excitability observed in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. Indeed, PNN abnormalities have been observed in post-mortem brain tissues of patients with schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. There is impaired development of PNNs and enhanced activity of its key regulator matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in Fragile X Syndrome, a common genetic cause of autism. MMP-9, a protease that cleaves ECM, is differentially regulated in a number of these disorders. Despite this, few studies have addressed the interactions between PNN expression, MMP-9 activity and neuronal excitability. In this review, we highlight the current evidence for PNN abnormalities in CNS disorders associated with altered network function and MMP-9 levels, emphasizing the need for future work targeting PNNs in pathophysiology and therapeutic treatment of neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa H Wen
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Devin K Binder
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States.,Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Iryna M Ethell
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States.,Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Khaleel A Razak
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States.,Psychology Graduate Program, Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
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72
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Jazmati D, Neubacher U, Funke K. Neuropeptide Y as a possible homeostatic element for changes in cortical excitability induced by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. Brain Stimul 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2018.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
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73
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Interactome analysis reveals ZNF804A, a schizophrenia risk gene, as a novel component of protein translational machinery critical for embryonic neurodevelopment. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:952-962. [PMID: 28924186 PMCID: PMC5868632 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Recent genome-wide association studies identified over 100 genetic loci that significantly associate with schizophrenia (SZ). A top candidate gene, ZNF804A, was robustly replicated in different populations. However, its neural functions are largely unknown. Here we show in mouse that ZFP804A, the homolog of ZNF804A, is required for normal progenitor proliferation and neuronal migration. Using a yeast two-hybrid genome-wide screen, we identified novel interacting proteins of ZNF804A. Rather than transcriptional factors, genes involved in mRNA translation are highly represented in our interactome result. ZNF804A co-fractionates with translational machinery and modulates the translational efficiency as well as the mTOR pathway. The ribosomal protein RPSA interacts with ZNF804A and rescues the migration and translational defects caused by ZNF804A knockdown. RNA immunoprecipitation-RNAseq (RIP-Seq) identified transcripts bound to ZFP804A. Consistently, ZFP804A associates with many short transcripts involved in translational and mitochondrial regulation. Moreover, among the transcripts associated with ZFP804A, a SZ risk gene, neurogranin (NRGN), is one of ZFP804A targets. Interestingly, downregulation of ZFP804A decreases NRGN expression and overexpression of NRGN can ameliorate ZFP804A-mediated migration defect. To verify the downstream targets of ZNF804A, a Duolink in situ interaction assay confirmed genes from our RIP-Seq data as the ZNF804A targets. Thus, our work uncovered a novel mechanistic link of a SZ risk gene to neurodevelopment and translational control. The interactome-driven approach here is an effective way for translating genome-wide association findings into novel biological insights of human diseases.
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74
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Du X, Serena K, Hwang WJ, Grech A, Wu Y, Schroeder A, Hill R. Prefrontal cortical parvalbumin and somatostatin expression and cell density increase during adolescence and are modified by BDNF and sex. Mol Cell Neurosci 2018; 88:177-188. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
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75
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Cao T, Zhen XC. Dysregulation of miRNA and its potential therapeutic application in schizophrenia. CNS Neurosci Ther 2018. [PMID: 29529357 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Although it is generally believed that genetic and developmental factors play critical roles in pathogenesis of schizophrenia, however, the precise etiological mechanism of schizophrenia remains largely unknown. Over past decades, miRNAs have emerged as an essential post-transcriptional regulator in gene expression regulation. The importance of miRNA in brain development and neuroplasticity has been well-established. Abnormal expression and dysfunction of miRNAs are known to involve in the pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric diseases including schizophrenia. In this review, we summarized the recent findings in the schizophrenia-associated dysregulation of miRNA and functional roles in the development and pathogenesis of schizophrenia. We also discussed the potential therapeutic implications of miRNA regulation in the illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Cao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,The Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xue-Chu Zhen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,The Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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76
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Luoni A, Gass P, Brambilla P, Ruggeri M, Riva MA, Inta D. Altered expression of schizophrenia-related genes in mice lacking mGlu5 receptors. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2018; 268:77-87. [PMID: 27581816 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-016-0728-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The evidence underlying the so-called glutamatergic hypothesis ranges from NMDA receptor hypofunction to an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory circuits in specific brain structures. Among all glutamatergic system components, metabotropic receptors play a main role in regulating neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity. Here, we investigated, using qRT-PCR and western blot, consequences in the hippocampus and prefrontal/frontal cortex (PFC/FC) of mice with a genetic deletion of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5), addressing key components of the GABAergic and glutamatergic systems. We found that mGlu5 knockout (KO) mice showed a significant reduction of reelin, GAD65, GAD67 and parvalbumin mRNA levels, which is specific for the PFC/FC, and that is paralleled by a significant reduction of protein levels in male KO mice. We next analyzed the main NMDA and AMPA receptor subunits, namely GluN1, GluN2A, GluN2B and GluA1, and we found that mGlu5 deletion determined a significant reduction of their mRNA levels, also within the hippocampus, with differences between the two genders. Our data suggest that neurochemical abnormalities impinging the glutamatergic and GABAergic systems may be responsible for the behavioral phenotype associated with mGlu5 KO animals and point to the close interaction of these molecular players for the development of neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. These data could contribute to a better understanding of the involvement of mGlu5 alterations in the molecular imbalance between excitation and inhibition underlying the emergence of a schizophrenic-like phenotype and to understand the potential of mGlu5 modulators in reversing the deficits characterizing the schizophrenic pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Luoni
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Center of Neuropharmacology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Peter Gass
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, J 5, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Paolo Brambilla
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Mirella Ruggeri
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neurological, Biomedical and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Marco A Riva
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Center of Neuropharmacology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Dragos Inta
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, J 5, 68159, Mannheim, Germany. .,Department of Psychiatry (UPK), University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Str. 27, 4012, Basel, Switzerland.
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77
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Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex disorder lacking an effective treatment option for the pervasive and debilitating cognitive impairments experienced by patients. Working memory is a core cognitive function impaired in schizophrenia that depends upon activation of distributed neural network, including the circuitry of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Accordingly, individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia show reduced DLPFC activation while performing working-memory tasks. This lower DLPFC activation appears to be an integral part of the disease pathophysiology, and not simply a reflection of poor performance. Thus, the cellular and circuitry alterations that underlie lower DLPFC neuronal activity in schizophrenia must be determined in order to identify appropriate therapeutic targets. Studies using human postmortem brain tissue provide a robust way to investigate and characterize these cellular and circuitry alterations at multiple levels of resolution, and such studies provide essential information that cannot be obtained either through in vivo studies in humans or through experimental animal models. Studies examining neuronal morphology, protein expression and localization, and transcript levels indicate that a microcircuit composed of excitatory pyramidal cells and inhibitory interneurons containing the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin is altered in the DLPFC of subjects with schizophrenia and likely contributes to DLPFC dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill R Glausier
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - David A Lewis
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
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78
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Diagnostic value of blood-derived microRNAs for schizophrenia: results of a meta-analysis and validation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:15328. [PMID: 29127368 PMCID: PMC5681644 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15751-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an increasing interest in searching biomarkers for schizophrenia (SZ) diagnosis, which overcomes the drawbacks inherent with the subjective diagnostic methods. MicroRNA (miRNA) fingerprints have been explored for disease diagnosis. We performed a meta-analysis to examine miRNA diagnostic value for SZ and further validated the meta-analysis results. Using following terms: schizophrenia/SZ, microRNA/miRNA, diagnosis, sensitivity and specificity, we searched databases restricted to English language and reviewed all articles published from January 1990 to October 2016. All extracted data were statistically analyzed and the results were further validated with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) isolated from patients and healthy controls using RT-qPCR and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. A total of 6 studies involving 330 patients and 202 healthy controls were included for meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio were 0.81 (95% CI: 0.75-0.86), 0.81 (95% CI: 0.72-0.88) and 18 (95% CI: 9-34), respectively; the positive and negative likelihood ratio was 4.3 and 0.24 respectively; the area under the curve in summary ROC was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.84-0.90). Validation revealed that miR-181b-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-137, miR-346 and miR-34a-5p in PBMNCs had high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in the context of schizophrenia. In conclusion, blood-derived miRNAs might be promising biomarkers for SZ diagnosis.
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79
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80
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He K, Guo C, He L, Shi Y. MiRNAs of peripheral blood as the biomarker of schizophrenia. Hereditas 2017; 155:9. [PMID: 28860957 PMCID: PMC5575894 DOI: 10.1186/s41065-017-0044-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The diagnosis of schizophrenia is currently based on the symptoms and bodily signs rather than on the pathological and physiological markers of the patient. In the search for new molecular targeted therapy medicines, and recurrence of early-warning indicators have become the major focus of contemporary research, because they improve diagnostic accuracy. Biomarkers reflect the physiological, physical and biochemical status of the body, and so have extensive applicability and practical significance. The ascertainment of schizophrenia biomarkers will help diagnose, stratify of disease, and treat of schizophrenia patients. The detection of biomarkers from blood has become a promising area of schizophrenia research. Recently, a series of studies revealed that, MiRNAs play an important role in the genesis of schizophrenia, and their abnormal expressions have the potential to be used as biomarkers of schizophrenia. This article presents and summarizes the value of peripheral blood miRNAs with abnormal expression as the biomarker of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuanjun He
- College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia 028043 People’s Republic of China
| | - Chuang Guo
- College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia 028043 People’s Republic of China
| | - Lin He
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030 People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030 People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Neuropsychiatric Science and Systems Biological Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200042 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yongyong Shi
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030 People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030 People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Neuropsychiatric Science and Systems Biological Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200042 People’s Republic of China
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81
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Chang X, Liu Y, Hahn CG, Gur RE, Sleiman PMA, Hakonarson H. RNA-seq analysis of amygdala tissue reveals characteristic expression profiles in schizophrenia. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1203. [PMID: 28809853 PMCID: PMC5611723 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The amygdala brain region has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia through emotion processing. However, transcriptome messages in the amygdala of schizophrenia patients have not been well studied. We used RNA sequencing to investigate gene-expression profiling in the amygdala tissues, and identified 569 upregulated and 192 downregulated genes from 22 schizophrenia patients and 24 non-psychiatric controls. Gene functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that the downregulated genes were enriched in pathways such as 'synaptic transmission' and 'behavior', whereas the upregulated genes were significantly over-represented in gene ontology pathways such as 'immune response' and 'blood vessel development'. Co-expression-based gene network analysis identified seven modules including four modules significantly associated with 'synaptic transmission', 'blood vessel development' or 'immune responses'. Taken together, our study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanism of schizophrenia, suggesting that precision-tailored therapeutic approaches aimed at normalizing the expression/function of specific gene networks could be a promising option in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Chang
- Center for Applied Genomics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Y Liu
- Center for Applied Genomics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - C-G Hahn
- Neuropsychiatric Signaling Program, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - R E Gur
- Neuropsychiatry Section, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - P M A Sleiman
- Center for Applied Genomics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - H Hakonarson
- Center for Applied Genomics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Leonard Madlyn Abramson Research Center, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Room 1216E, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4318, USA. E-mail:
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82
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Region-specific impairments in parvalbumin interneurons in social isolation-reared mice. Neuroscience 2017; 359:196-208. [PMID: 28723388 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.07.016] [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: 02/19/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Many neuropsychiatric disorders show localized dysfunction in specific cortical regions. The mechanisms underlying such region-specific vulnerabilities are unknown. Post-mortem analyses have demonstrated a selective reduction in the expression of parvalbumin (PV) in GABAergic interneurons in the frontal rather than the sensory cortex of patients with neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, and bipolar disorders. PV neurons are surrounded by perineuronal nets (PNNs), and are protected from oxidative stress. Previous studies have shown that the characteristics of PNNs are brain region-specific. Therefore, we hypothesized that PV neurons and PNNs may be targeted in region-specific lesions in the brain. Oxidative stress was induced in mice by rearing them in socially isolated conditions. We systemically examined the distribution of PV neurons and PNNs in the brains of these mice as well as a control group. Our results show that the regions frequently affected in neuropsychiatric disorders show significantly lower PV expression and a lower percentage of PV neurons surrounded by PNNs in the brains of socially isolated mice. These results indicate that PV neurons and PNNs exhibit region-specific vulnerabilities. Our findings may be useful for elucidating the mechanisms underlying region-specific disruption of the brain in neuropsychiatric disorders.
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83
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Rocco BR, DeDionisio AM, Lewis DA, Fish KN. Alterations in a Unique Class of Cortical Chandelier Cell Axon Cartridges in Schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2017; 82:40-48. [PMID: 27884423 PMCID: PMC5374057 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2016] [Revised: 09/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The axons of chandelier cells (ChCs) target the axon initial segment of pyramidal neurons, forming an array of boutons termed a cartridge. In schizophrenia, the density of cartridges detectable by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) membrane transporter 1 immunoreactivity is lower, whereas the density of axon initial segments detectable by immunoreactivity for the α2 subunit of the GABAA receptor is higher in layers 2/superficial 3 of the prefrontal cortex. These findings were interpreted as compensatory responses to lower GABA levels in ChCs. However, we recently found that in schizophrenia, ChC cartridge boutons contain normal levels of the 67 kDa isoform of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67) protein, the enzyme responsible for GABA synthesis in these boutons. To understand these findings we quantified the densities of ChC cartridges immunoreactive for vesicular GABA transporter (vGAT+), which is present in all cartridge boutons, and the subset of cartridges that contain calbindin (CB+). METHODS Prefrontal cortex tissue sections from 20 matched pairs of schizophrenia and unaffected comparison subjects were immunolabeled for vGAT, GAD67, and CB. RESULTS The mean density of vGAT+/CB+ cartridges was 2.7-fold higher, exclusively in layer 2 of schizophrenia subjects, whereas the density of vGAT+/CB- cartridges did not differ between subject groups. Neither vGAT, CB, or GAD67 protein levels per ChC bouton nor the number of boutons per cartridge differed between subject groups. CONCLUSIONS Our findings of a greater density of CB+ ChC cartridges in prefrontal cortex layer 2 from schizophrenia subjects suggests that the normal developmental pruning of these cartridges is blunted in the illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brad R Rocco
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Adam M DeDionisio
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - David A Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Kenneth N Fish
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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84
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Noli B, Sanna F, Brancia C, D'Amato F, Manconi B, Vincenzoni F, Messana I, Melis MR, Argiolas A, Ferri GL, Cocco C. Profiles of VGF Peptides in the Rat Brain and Their Modulations after Phencyclidine Treatment. Front Cell Neurosci 2017. [PMID: 28626390 PMCID: PMC5454051 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
From the VGF precursor protein originate several low molecular weight peptides, whose distribution in the brain and blood circulation is not entirely known. Among the VGF peptides, those containing the N-terminus portion were altered in the cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) and hypothalamus of schizophrenia patients. "Hence, we aimed to better investigate the involvement of the VGF peptides in schizophrenia by studying their localization in the brain regions relevant for the disease, and revealing their possible modulations in response to certain neuronal alterations occurring in schizophrenia". We produced antibodies against different VGF peptides encompassing the N-terminus, but also C-terminus-, TLQP-, GGGE- peptide sequences, and the so named NERP-3 and -4. These antibodies were used to carry out specific ELISA and immunolocalization studies while mass spectrometry (MS) analysis was also performed to recognize the intact brain VGF fragments. We used a schizophrenia rat model, in which alterations in the prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response occurred after PCP treatment. In normal rats, all the VGF peptides studied were distributed in the brain areas examined including hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, accumbens and amygdaloid nuclei and also in the plasma. By liquid chromatography-high resolution mass, we identified different intact VGF peptide fragments, including those encompassing the N-terminus and the NERPs. PCP treatment caused behavioral changes that closely mimic schizophrenia, estimated by us as a disruption of PPI of the acoustic startle response. The PCP treatment also induced selective changes in the VGF peptide levels within certain brain areas. Indeed, an increase in VGF C-terminus and TLQP peptides was revealed in the prefrontal cortex (p < 0.01) where they were localized within parvoalbumin and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) containing neurons, respectively. Conversely, in the nucleus accumbens, PCP treatment produced a down-regulation in the levels of VGF C-terminus-, N-terminus- and GGGE- peptides (p < 0.01), expressed in GABAergic- (C-terminus/GGGE) and somatostatin- (N-terminus) neurons. These results confirm that VGF peptides are widely distributed in the brain and modulated in specific areas involved in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Noli
- Neuro-Endocrine-Fluorecence (NEF) Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of CagliariMonserrato, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Sanna
- Neuropsychobiology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of CagliariMonserrato, Italy
| | - Carla Brancia
- Neuro-Endocrine-Fluorecence (NEF) Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of CagliariMonserrato, Italy
| | - Filomena D'Amato
- Neuro-Endocrine-Fluorecence (NEF) Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of CagliariMonserrato, Italy
| | - Barbara Manconi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of CagliariMonserrato, Italy
| | - Federica Vincenzoni
- Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic UniversityRome, Italy
| | - Irene Messana
- Institute of Chemistry of the Molecular Recognition, National Research Council (CNR)Rome, Italy
| | - Maria R Melis
- Neuropsychobiology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of CagliariMonserrato, Italy
| | - Antonio Argiolas
- Neuropsychobiology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of CagliariMonserrato, Italy
| | - Gian-Luca Ferri
- Neuro-Endocrine-Fluorecence (NEF) Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of CagliariMonserrato, Italy
| | - Cristina Cocco
- Neuro-Endocrine-Fluorecence (NEF) Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of CagliariMonserrato, Italy
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85
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Abstract
Schizophrenia is a devastating disease that arises on the background of genetic predisposition and environmental risk factors, such as early life stress (ELS). In this study, we show that ELS-induced schizophrenia-like phenotypes in mice correlate with a widespread increase of histone-deacetylase 1 (Hdac1) expression that is linked to altered DNA methylation. Hdac1 overexpression in neurons of the medial prefrontal cortex, but not in the dorsal or ventral hippocampus, mimics schizophrenia-like phenotypes induced by ELS. Systemic administration of an HDAC inhibitor rescues the detrimental effects of ELS when applied after the manifestation of disease phenotypes. In addition to the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, mice subjected to ELS exhibit increased Hdac1 expression in blood. Moreover, Hdac1 levels are increased in blood samples from patients with schizophrenia who had encountered ELS, compared with patients without ELS experience. Our data suggest that HDAC1 inhibition should be considered as a therapeutic approach to treat schizophrenia.
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86
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Ragan C, Patel K, Edson J, Zhang ZH, Gratten J, Mowry B. Small non-coding RNA expression from anterior cingulate cortex in schizophrenia shows sex specific regulation. Schizophr Res 2017; 183:82-87. [PMID: 27916288 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2016.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Revised: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to regulate the expression of genes that are important for brain development and function, but the roles of other classes of small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) are less well understood. Additionally, although miRNA expression studies have been conducted in post-mortem brain samples from schizophrenia (SCZ) patients, other classes of sncRNAs are yet to be investigated in SCZ. We profiled the expression of miRNAs, piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) and small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) in SCZ by applying small RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to sncRNA isolated from post-mortem anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of SCZ-affected individuals (n=22) and matched controls (n=22). We identified about one-third of annotated miRNAs, one-quarter of snoRNAs and a small proportion of piRNAs and snRNAs. No sncRNAs were significantly differentially expressed between SCZ and controls, but there was evidence for an interaction between disease status and sex on the expression level of a number of miRNAs and snoRNAs. Many of these transcripts exhibited differential expression between male and female cases, and/or between female cases and controls, suggesting sex based dysregulation in ACC of SCZ. These findings require replication in an independent sample, but our study provides further insights into the potential involvement of sncRNAs in brain function and SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chikako Ragan
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kalpana Patel
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Janette Edson
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; The Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Zong-Hong Zhang
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jacob Gratten
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Bryan Mowry
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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87
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Swathy B, Banerjee M. Understanding epigenetics of schizophrenia in the backdrop of its antipsychotic drug therapy. Epigenomics 2017; 9:721-736. [DOI: 10.2217/epi-2016-0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The diatheses of gene and environment interaction in schizophrenia (SCZ) are becoming increasingly evident. Genetic and epigenetic backgrounds are being considered in stratifying and addressing phenotypic variation and drug response in SCZ. But how much of these epigenetic alterations are the primary contributing factor, toward disease pathogenesis and drug response, needs further clarity. Evidence indicates that antipsychotic drugs can also alter the epigenetic homeostasis thereby inducing pharmacoepigenomic effects. We re-examine the context of epigenetics in disease pathogenesis and antipsychotic drug therapy in SCZ to understand how much of these observations act as real indicators of the disease or therapeutic response. We propose that epigenetic viewpoint in SCZ needs to be critically examined under the genetic, epigenetic and pharmacoepigenetic background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babu Swathy
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Rajiv Gandhi Center for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Moinak Banerjee
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Rajiv Gandhi Center for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
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88
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Lee B, Zhang Y, Kim Y, Kim S, Lee Y, Han K. Age-dependent decrease of GAD65/67 mRNAs but normal densities of GABAergic interneurons in the brain regions of Shank3-overexpressing manic mouse model. Neurosci Lett 2017; 649:48-54. [PMID: 28400125 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Dysfunction of inhibitory GABAergic interneurons is considered a major pathophysiological feature of various neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. The variants of SHANK3 gene, encoding a core scaffold protein of the excitatory postsynapse, have been associated with numerous brain disorders. It has been suggested that abnormalities of GABAergic interneurons could contribute to the SHANK3-related disorders, but the limitation of these studies is that they used mainly Shank3 knock-out mice. Notably, Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice, modeling human hyperkinetic disorders, also show reduced inhibitory synaptic transmission, abnormal electroencephalography, and spontaneous seizures. However, it has not been investigated whether these phenotypes of Shank3 transgenic mice are associated with GABAergic interneuron dysfunction, or solely due to the cell-autonomous postsynaptic changes of principal neurons. To address this issue, we investigated the densities of parvalbumin- and somatostatin-positive interneurons, and the mRNA and protein levels of GAD65/67 GABA-synthesizing enzymes in the medial prefrontal cortex, striatum, and hippocampus of adult Shank3 transgenic mice. We found no significant difference in the measurements performed on wild-type versus Shank3 transgenic mice, except for the decreased GAD65 or GAD67 mRNAs in these brain regions. Interestingly, only GAD65 mRNA was decreased in the hippocampus, but not mPFC and striatum, of juvenile Shank3 transgenic mice which, unlike the adult mice, did not show behavioral hyperactivity. Together, our results suggest age-dependent decrease of GAD65/67 mRNAs but normal densities of certain GABAergic interneurons in the Shank3 transgenic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bokyoung Lee
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Yinhua Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Yoonhee Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Shinhyun Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Yeunkum Lee
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Kihoon Han
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea.
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89
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Wei S, Womer F, Geng H, Jiang X, Zhou Q, Chang M, Zhou Y, Tang Y, Wang F. Similarities and differences of functional connectivity in drug-naïve, first-episode adolescent and young adult with major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44316. [PMID: 28287187 PMCID: PMC5347082 DOI: 10.1038/srep44316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia (SZ) are considered two distinct psychiatric disorders. Yet, they have considerable overlap in symptomatology and clinical features, particularly in the initial phases of illness. The amygdala and prefrontal cortex (PFC) appear to have critical roles in these disorders; however, abnormalities appear to manifest differently. In our study forty-nine drug-naïve, first-episode MDD, 45 drug-naïve, first-episode SZ, and 50 healthy control (HC) participants from 13 to 30 years old underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Functional connectivity (FC) between the amygdala and PFC was compared among the three groups. Significant differences in FC were observed between the amygdala and ventral PFC (VPFC), dorsolateral PFC (DLPFC), and dorsal anterior cingulated cortex (dACC) among the three groups. Further analyses demonstrated that MDD showed decreased amygdala-VPFC FC and SZ had reductions in amygdala-dACC FC. Both the diagnostic groups had significantly decreased amygdala-DLPFC FC. These indicate abnormalities in amygdala-PFC FC and further support the importance of the interaction between the amygdala and PFC in adolescents and young adults with these disorders. Additionally, the alterations in amygdala-PFC FC may underlie the initial similarities observed between MDD and SZ and suggest potential markers of differentiation between the disorders at first onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Wei
- Brain Function Research Section, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China.,Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Fay Womer
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Haiyang Geng
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Xiaowei Jiang
- Brain Function Research Section, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China.,Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Qian Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Miao Chang
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Yifang Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China.,Department of Geriatric Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Yanqing Tang
- Brain Function Research Section, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China.,Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China.,Department of Geriatric Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Fei Wang
- Brain Function Research Section, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China.,Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China.,Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China.,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn., USA
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90
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Stedehouder J, Kushner SA. Myelination of parvalbumin interneurons: a parsimonious locus of pathophysiological convergence in schizophrenia. Mol Psychiatry 2017; 22:4-12. [PMID: 27646261 PMCID: PMC5414080 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2015] [Revised: 07/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric disorder characterized by positive, negative and cognitive symptoms. Despite more than a century of research, the neurobiological mechanism underlying schizophrenia remains elusive. White matter abnormalities and interneuron dysfunction are the most widely replicated cellular neuropathological alterations in patients with schizophrenia. However, a unifying model incorporating these findings has not yet been established. Here, we propose that myelination of fast-spiking parvalbumin (PV) interneurons could be an important locus of pathophysiological convergence in schizophrenia. Myelination of interneurons has been demonstrated across a wide diversity of brain regions and appears highly specific for the PV interneuron subclass. Given the critical influence of fast-spiking PV interneurons for mediating oscillations in the gamma frequency range (~30-120 Hz), PV myelination is well positioned to optimize action potential fidelity and metabolic homeostasis. We discuss this hypothesis with consideration of data from human postmortem studies, in vivo brain imaging and electrophysiology, and molecular genetics, as well as fundamental and translational studies in rodent models. Together, the parvalbumin interneuron myelination hypothesis provides a falsifiable model for guiding future studies of schizophrenia pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Stedehouder
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - S A Kushner
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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91
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Volk DW. Role of microglia disturbances and immune-related marker abnormalities in cortical circuitry dysfunction in schizophrenia. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 99:58-65. [PMID: 28007586 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies of genetics, serum cytokines, and autoimmune illnesses suggest that immune-related abnormalities are involved in the disease process of schizophrenia. Furthermore, direct evidence of cortical immune activation, including markedly elevated levels of many immune-related markers, have been reported in the prefrontal cortex in multiple cohorts of schizophrenia subjects. Within the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia, deficits in the basilar dendritic spines of layer 3 pyramidal neurons and disturbances in inhibitory inputs to pyramidal neurons have also been commonly reported. Interestingly, microglia, the resident immune-related cells of the brain, also regulate excitatory and inhibitory input to pyramidal neurons. Consequently, in this review, we describe the cytological and molecular evidence of immune activation that has been reported in the brains of individuals with schizophrenia and the potential links between these immune-related disturbances with previously reported disturbances in pyramidal and inhibitory neurons in the disorder. Finally, we discuss the role that activated microglia may play in connecting these observations and as potential therapeutic treatment targets in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Volk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, W1655 BST, 3811 O'Hara St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States.
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92
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The NMDA receptor GluN2C subunit controls cortical excitatory-inhibitory balance, neuronal oscillations and cognitive function. Sci Rep 2016; 6:38321. [PMID: 27922130 PMCID: PMC5138829 DOI: 10.1038/srep38321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite strong evidence for NMDA receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction as an underlying factor for cognitive disorders, the precise roles of various NMDAR subtypes remains unknown. The GluN2C-containing NMDARs exhibit unique biophysical properties and expression pattern, and lower expression of GluN2C subunit has been reported in postmortem brains from schizophrenia patients. We found that loss of GluN2C subunit leads to a shift in cortical excitatory-inhibitory balance towards greater inhibition. Specifically, pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of GluN2C knockout mice have reduced mEPSC frequency and dendritic spine density and a contrasting higher frequency of mIPSCs. In addition a greater number of perisomatic GAD67 puncta was observed suggesting a potential increase in parvalbumin interneuron inputs. At a network level the GluN2C knockout mice were found to have a more robust increase in power of oscillations in response to NMDAR blocker MK-801. Furthermore, GluN2C heterozygous and knockout mice exhibited abnormalities in cognition and sensorimotor gating. Our results demonstrate that loss of GluN2C subunit leads to cortical excitatory-inhibitory imbalance and abnormal neuronal oscillations associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.
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93
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Alacam H, Akgun S, Akca H, Ozturk O, Kabukcu BB, Herken H. miR-181b-5p, miR-195-5p and miR-301a-3p are related with treatment resistance in schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res 2016; 245:200-206. [PMID: 27552670 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2016] [Revised: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the differences between expression levels of certain miRNAs, as their association with schizophrenia has been well presented in the literature, and to investigate their relation to treatment resistance in schizophrenic patients. Three groups were formed: 1) treatment-resistant group, 2) treatment responsive group and 3) healthy control group. Expression levels of miRNAs from peripheric blood samples were determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). We investigated the roles of 29 schizophrenia-related miRNAs in schizophrenia treatment and their potentials to be considered as indicators. Among these miRNAs, only miR-181b-5p, miR-195-5p and miR-301a-3p expressions were found to be significantly different between the treatment-resistant group and the group responding well to the treatment. miRNAs may cause resistance by silencing the receptor genes of the drugs used for schizophrenia treatment. miR-181b-5p, miR-195-5p and miR-301a-3p may be candidate indicators that can be used to reveal resistance against schizophrenia treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huseyin Alacam
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
| | - Sakir Akgun
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Hakan Akca
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Onder Ozturk
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Burge Basay Kabukcu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Hasan Herken
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
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94
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Paylor JW, Lins BR, Greba Q, Moen N, de Moraes RS, Howland JG, Winship IR. Developmental disruption of perineuronal nets in the medial prefrontal cortex after maternal immune activation. Sci Rep 2016; 6:37580. [PMID: 27876866 PMCID: PMC5120325 DOI: 10.1038/srep37580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal infection during pregnancy increases the risk of offspring developing schizophrenia later in life. Similarly, animal models of maternal immune activation (MIA) induce behavioural and anatomical disturbances consistent with a schizophrenia-like phenotype in offspring. Notably, cognitive impairments in tasks dependent on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) are observed in humans with schizophrenia and in offspring after MIA during pregnancy. Recent studies of post-mortem tissue from individuals with schizophrenia revealed deficits in extracellular matrix structures called perineuronal nets (PNNs), particularly in PFC. Given these findings, we examined PNNs over the course of development in a well-characterized rat model of MIA using polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyI:C). We found selective reductions of PNNs in the PFC of polyI:C offspring which did not manifest until early adulthood. These deficits were not associated with changes in parvalbumin cell density, but a decrease in the percentage of parvalbumin cells surrounded by a PNN. Developmental expression of PNNs was also significantly altered in the amygdala of polyI:C offspring. Our results indicate MIA causes region specific developmental abnormalities in PNNs in the PFC of offspring. These findings confirm the polyI:C model replicates neuropathological alterations associated with schizophrenia and may identify novel mechanisms for cognitive and emotional dysfunction in the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Paylor
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2E1, AB, Canada.,Neurochemical Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2B7, AB, Canada
| | - Brittney R Lins
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7N 5E5, SK, Canada
| | - Quentin Greba
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7N 5E5, SK, Canada
| | - Nicholas Moen
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2E1, AB, Canada
| | | | - John G Howland
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7N 5E5, SK, Canada
| | - Ian R Winship
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2E1, AB, Canada.,Neurochemical Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2B7, AB, Canada
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95
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Volk DW, Edelson JR, Lewis DA. Altered expression of developmental regulators of parvalbumin and somatostatin neurons in the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2016; 177:3-9. [PMID: 26972474 PMCID: PMC5018248 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2016.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Dysfunction of prefrontal cortex (PFC) inhibitory neurons that express the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin or the neuropeptide somatostatin in schizophrenia may be related to disturbances in the migration, phenotypic specification, and/or maturation of these neurons. These pre- and postnatal developmental stages are regulated in a cell type-specific manner by various transcription factors and co-activators, fibroblast growth factor receptors (FgfR), and other molecular markers. Consequently, we used quantitative PCR to quantify mRNA levels for these developmental regulators in the PFC of 62 schizophrenia subjects in whom parvalbumin and somatostatin neuron disturbances were previously reported, and in antipsychotic-exposed monkeys. Relative to unaffected comparison subjects, subjects with schizophrenia exhibited elevated mRNA levels for 1) the transcription factor MafB, which is expressed by parvalbumin and somatostatin neurons as they migrate from the medial ganglionic eminence to the cortex, 2) the transcriptional coactivator PGC-1α, which is expressed postnatally by parvalbumin neurons to maintain parvalbumin levels and inhibitory function, and 3) FgfR1, which is required for the migration and phenotypic specification of parvalbumin and somatostatin neurons. Elevations in these markers were most prominent in younger schizophrenia subjects and were not present in antipsychotic-exposed monkeys. Finally, expression levels of other important developmental regulators (i.e. Dlx1, Dlx5, Dlx6, SATB1, Sip1/Zeb2, ST8SIA4, cMaf, Nkx6.2, and Arx) were not altered in schizophrenia. The over-expression of a subset of molecular markers with distinct roles in the pre- and postnatal development of parvalbumin and somatostatin neurons might reflect compensatory mechanisms to sustain the development of these neurons in the face of other insults.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W. Volk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213,Corresponding Author: David W. Volk, MD, PhD, W1655 BST, 3811 O'Hara St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Tel: 412-648-9617,
| | - Jessica R. Edelson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - David A. Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213,Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
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96
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The human BDNF gene: peripheral gene expression and protein levels as biomarkers for psychiatric disorders. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e958. [PMID: 27874848 PMCID: PMC5314126 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates the survival and growth of neurons, and influences synaptic efficiency and plasticity. The human BDNF gene consists of 11 exons, and distinct BDNF transcripts are produced through the use of alternative promoters and splicing events. The majority of the BDNF transcripts can be detected not only in the brain but also in the blood cells, although no study has yet investigated the differential expression of BDNF transcripts at the peripheral level. This review provides a description of the human BDNF gene structure as well as a summary of clinical and preclinical evidence supporting the role of BDNF in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. We will discuss several mechanisms as possibly underlying BDNF modulation, including epigenetic mechanisms. We will also discuss the potential use of peripheral BDNF as a biomarker for psychiatric disorders, focusing on the factors that can influence BDNF gene expression and protein levels. Within this context, we have also characterized, for we believe the first time, the expression of BDNF transcripts in the blood, with the aim to provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms and signaling that may regulate peripheral BDNF gene expression levels.
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97
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Hagihara H, Shoji H, Miyakawa T. Immaturity of brain as an endophenotype of neuropsychiatric disorders. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi 2016; 148:168-175. [PMID: 27725563 DOI: 10.1254/fpj.148.168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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98
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Volk DW, Sampson AR, Zhang Y, Edelson JR, Lewis DA. Cortical GABA markers identify a molecular subtype of psychotic and bipolar disorders. Psychol Med 2016; 46:2501-12. [PMID: 27328999 PMCID: PMC5584051 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291716001446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deficits in gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) neuron-related markers, including the GABA-synthesizing enzyme GAD67, the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin, the neuropeptide somatostatin, and the transcription factor Lhx6, are most pronounced in a subset of schizophrenia subjects identified as having a 'low GABA marker' (LGM) molecular phenotype. Furthermore, schizophrenia shares degrees of genetic liability, clinical features and cortical circuitry abnormalities with schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder. Therefore, we determined the extent to which a similar LGM molecular phenotype may also exist in subjects with these disorders. METHOD Transcript levels for GAD67, parvalbumin, somatostatin, and Lhx6 were quantified using quantitative PCR in prefrontal cortex area 9 of 184 subjects with a diagnosis of schizophrenia (n = 39), schizoaffective disorder (n = 23) or bipolar disorder (n = 35), or with a confirmed absence of any psychiatric diagnoses (n = 87). A blinded clustering approach was employed to determine the presence of a LGM molecular phenotype across all subjects. RESULTS Approximately 49% of the subjects with schizophrenia, 48% of the subjects with schizoaffective disorder, and 29% of the subjects with bipolar disorder, but only 5% of unaffected subjects, clustered in the cortical LGM molecular phenotype. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the characterization of psychotic and bipolar disorders by cortical molecular phenotype which may help elucidate more pathophysiologically informed and personalized medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W. Volk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Allan R. Sampson
- Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Yun Zhang
- Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Jessica R. Edelson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - David A. Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
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99
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Georgiev D, Yoshihara T, Kawabata R, Matsubara T, Tsubomoto M, Minabe Y, Lewis DA, Hashimoto T. Cortical Gene Expression After a Conditional Knockout of 67 kDa Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase in Parvalbumin Neurons. Schizophr Bull 2016; 42:992-1002. [PMID: 26980143 PMCID: PMC4903066 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbw022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In the cortex of subjects with schizophrenia, expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67), the enzyme primarily responsible for cortical GABA synthesis, is reduced in the subset of GABA neurons that express parvalbumin (PV). This GAD67 deficit is accompanied by lower cortical levels of other GABA-associated transcripts, including GABA transporter-1, PV, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin receptor kinase B, somatostatin, GABAA receptor α1 subunit, and KCNS3 potassium channel subunit mRNAs. In contrast, messenger RNA (mRNA) levels for glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65), another enzyme for GABA synthesis, are not altered. We tested the hypothesis that this pattern of GABA-associated transcript levels is secondary to the GAD67 deficit in PV neurons by analyzing cortical levels of these GABA-associated mRNAs in mice with a PV neuron-specific GAD67 knockout. Using in situ hybridization, we found that none of the examined GABA-associated transcripts had lower cortical expression in the knockout mice. In contrast, PV, BDNF, KCNS3, and GAD65 mRNA levels were higher in the homozygous mice. In addition, our behavioral test battery failed to detect a change in sensorimotor gating or working memory, although the homozygous mice exhibited increased spontaneous activities. These findings suggest that reduced GAD67 expression in PV neurons is not an upstream cause of the lower levels of GABA-associated transcripts, or of the characteristic behaviors, in schizophrenia. In PV neuron-specific GAD67 knockout mice, increased levels of PV, BDNF, and KCNS3 mRNAs might be the consequence of increased neuronal activity secondary to lower GABA synthesis, whereas increased GAD65 mRNA might represent a compensatory response to increase GABA synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danko Georgiev
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Toru Yoshihara
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Rika Kawabata
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Takurou Matsubara
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Makoto Tsubomoto
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yoshio Minabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan;,Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - David A. Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA;,Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Takanori Hashimoto
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA;
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100
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Markedly Lower Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase 67 Protein Levels in a Subset of Boutons in Schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2016; 79:1006-15. [PMID: 26364548 PMCID: PMC4744808 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.07.022] [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: 04/22/2015] [Revised: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Convergent findings indicate that cortical gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic circuitry is altered in schizophrenia. Postmortem studies have consistently found lower levels of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) messenger RNA (mRNA) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of subjects with schizophrenia. At the cellular level, the density of GABA neurons with detectable levels of GAD67 mRNA is ~30% lower across cortical layers. Knowing how this transcript deficit translates to GAD67 protein levels in axonal boutons is important for understanding the impact it might have on GABA synthesis. In addition, because reductions in GAD67 expression before, but not after, the maturation of GABAergic boutons results in a lower density of GABAergic boutons in mouse cortical cultures, knowing if GABAergic bouton density is altered in schizophrenia would provide insight into the timing of the GAD67 deficit. METHODS PFC tissue sections from 20 matched pairs of schizophrenia and comparison subjects were immunolabeled for the vesicular GABA transporter (vGAT) and GAD67. RESULTS vGAT+ bouton density did not differ between subject groups, consistent with findings that vGAT mRNA levels are unaltered in the illness and confirming that the number of cortical GABAergic boutons is not lower in schizophrenia. In contrast, in schizophrenia subjects, the proportion of vGAT+ boutons with detectable GAD67 levels (vGAT+/GAD67+ boutons) was 16% lower and mean GAD67 levels were 14% lower in the remaining vGAT+/GAD67+ boutons. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that GABA production is markedly reduced in a subset of boutons in the PFC of schizophrenia subjects and that this reduction likely occurs after the maturation of GABAergic boutons.
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