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Villa C, Combi R. Epigenetics in Alzheimer's Disease: A Critical Overview. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5970. [PMID: 38892155 PMCID: PMC11173284 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications have been implicated in a number of complex diseases as well as being a hallmark of organismal aging. Several reports have indicated an involvement of these changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk and progression, most likely contributing to the dysregulation of AD-related gene expression measured by DNA methylation studies. Given that DNA methylation is tissue-specific and that AD is a brain disorder, the limitation of these studies is the ability to identify clinically useful biomarkers in a proxy tissue, reflective of the tissue of interest, that would be less invasive, more cost-effective, and easily obtainable. The age-related DNA methylation changes have also been used to develop different generations of epigenetic clocks devoted to measuring the aging in different tissues that sometimes suggests an age acceleration in AD patients. This review critically discusses epigenetic changes and aging measures as potential biomarkers for AD detection, prognosis, and progression. Given that epigenetic alterations are chemically reversible, treatments aiming at reversing these modifications will be also discussed as promising therapeutic strategies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Romina Combi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy;
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2
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Xu X, Niu M, Lamberty BG, Emanuel K, Trease AJ, Tabassum M, Lifson JD, Fox HS. Microglia and macrophages alterations in the CNS during acute SIV infection: a single-cell analysis in rhesus macaques. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.04.588047. [PMID: 38617282 PMCID: PMC11014596 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.04.588047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is widely acknowledged for its profound impact on the immune system. Although HIV primarily affects peripheral CD4 T cells, its influence on the central nervous system (CNS) cannot be overlooked. Within the brain, microglia and CNS-associated macrophages (CAMs) serve as the primary targets for HIV, as well as for the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in nonhuman primates. This infection can lead to neurological effects and the establishment of a viral reservoir. Given the gaps in our understanding of how these cells respond in vivo to acute CNS infection, we conducted single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on myeloid cells from the brains of three rhesus macaques 12-days after SIV infection, along with three uninfected controls. Our analysis revealed six distinct microglial clusters including homeostatic microglia, preactivated microglia, and activated microglia expressing high levels of inflammatory and disease-related molecules. In response to acute SIV infection, the population of homeostatic and preactivated microglia decreased, while the activated and disease-related microglia increased. All microglial clusters exhibited upregulation of MHC class I molecules and interferon-related genes, indicating their crucial roles in defending against SIV during the acute phase. All microglia clusters also upregulated genes linked to cellular senescence. Additionally, we identified two distinct CAM populations: CD14lowCD16hi and CD14hiCD16low CAMs. Interestingly, during acute SIV infection, the dominant CAM population changed to one with an inflammatory phenotype. Notably, specific upregulated genes within one microglia and one macrophage cluster were associated with neurodegenerative pathways, suggesting potential links to neurocognitive disorders. This research sheds light on the intricate interactions between viral infection, innate immune responses, and the CNS, providing valuable insights for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoke Xu
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Meng Niu
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Benjamin G. Lamberty
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Katy Emanuel
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Andrew J. Trease
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Mehnaz Tabassum
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Jeffrey D. Lifson
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Howard S. Fox
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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3
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Whitman ET, Ryan CP, Abraham WC, Addae A, Corcoran DL, Elliott ML, Hogan S, Ireland D, Keenan R, Knodt AR, Melzer TR, Poulton R, Ramrakha S, Sugden K, Williams BS, Zhou J, Hariri AR, Belsky DW, Moffitt TE, Caspi A. A blood biomarker of the pace of aging is associated with brain structure: replication across three cohorts. Neurobiol Aging 2024; 136:23-33. [PMID: 38301452 PMCID: PMC11017787 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2024.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Biological aging is the correlated decline of multi-organ system integrity central to the etiology of many age-related diseases. A novel epigenetic measure of biological aging, DunedinPACE, is associated with cognitive dysfunction, incident dementia, and mortality. Here, we tested for associations between DunedinPACE and structural MRI phenotypes in three datasets spanning midlife to advanced age: the Dunedin Study (age=45 years), the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort (mean age=63 years), and the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (mean age=75 years). We also tested four additional epigenetic measures of aging: the Horvath clock, the Hannum clock, PhenoAge, and GrimAge. Across all datasets (total N observations=3380; total N individuals=2322), faster DunedinPACE was associated with lower total brain volume, lower hippocampal volume, greater burden of white matter microlesions, and thinner cortex. Across all measures, DunedinPACE and GrimAge had the strongest and most consistent associations with brain phenotypes. Our findings suggest that single timepoint measures of multi-organ decline such as DunedinPACE could be useful for gauging nervous system health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan T Whitman
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Calen P Ryan
- Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, USA
| | | | - Angela Addae
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David L Corcoran
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Maxwell L Elliott
- Department of Psychology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sean Hogan
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - David Ireland
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ross Keenan
- Brain Research New Zealand-Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, Centre of Research Excellence, Universities of Auckland and Otago, New Zealand; Christchurch Radiology Group, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Annchen R Knodt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Tracy R Melzer
- Brain Research New Zealand-Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, Centre of Research Excellence, Universities of Auckland and Otago, New Zealand; Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Richie Poulton
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sandhya Ramrakha
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Karen Sugden
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Jiayi Zhou
- Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, USA
| | - Ahmad R Hariri
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Daniel W Belsky
- Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, USA
| | - Terrie E Moffitt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; King's College London, Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, & Neuroscience, London, UK; PROMENTA, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Avshalom Caspi
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; King's College London, Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, & Neuroscience, London, UK; PROMENTA, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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4
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Wang X, Chen Q, Liu Y, Sun J, Li J, Zhao P, Cai L, Liu W, Yang Z, Wang Z, Lv H. Causal relationship between multiparameter brain MRI phenotypes and age: evidence from Mendelian randomization. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae077. [PMID: 38529357 PMCID: PMC10963122 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
To explore the causal relationship between age and brain health (cortical atrophy, white matter integrity, white matter hyperintensities and cerebral microbleeds in various brain regions) related multiparameter imaging features using two-sample Mendelian randomization. Age was determined as chronological age of the subject. Cortical volume, white matter micro-integrity, white matter hyperintensity volume and cerebral microbleeds of each brain region were included as phenotypes for brain health. Age and imaging of brain health related genetic data were analysed to determine the causal relationship using inverse-variance weighted model, validated by heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy variables. Age is causally related to increased volumes of white matter hyperintensities (β = 0.151). For white matter micro-integrity, fibres of the inferior cerebellar peduncle (axial diffusivity β = -0.128, orientation dispersion index β = 0.173), cerebral peduncle (axial diffusivity β = -0.136), superior fronto-occipital fasciculus (isotropic volume fraction β = 0.163) and fibres within the limbic system were causally deteriorated. We also detected decreased cortical thickness of multiple frontal and temporal regions (P < 0.05). Microbleeds were not related with aging (P > 0.05). Aging is a threat of brain health, leading to cortical atrophy mainly in the frontal lobes, as well as the white matter degeneration especially abnormal hyperintensity and deteriorated white matter integrity around the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinghao Wang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yawen Liu
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jia Li
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Pengfei Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Linkun Cai
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wenjuan Liu
- Department of Radiology, Aerospace Center Hospital, Beijing 100089, China
- Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing 100089, China
| | - Zhenghan Yang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Zhenchang Wang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Han Lv
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
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Kubant R, Cho CE, Pannia E, Hammoud R, Yang NV, Simonian R, Anderson GH. Methyl donor micronutrients, hypothalamic development and programming for metabolic disease. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 157:105512. [PMID: 38128771 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Nutriture in utero is essential for fetal brain development through the regulation of neural stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, and has a long-lasting impact on risk of disease in offspring. This review examines the role of maternal methyl donor micronutrients in neuronal development and programming of physiological functions of the hypothalamus, with a focus on later-life metabolic outcomes. Although evidence is mainly derived from preclinical studies, recent research shows that methyl donor micronutrients (e.g., folic acid and choline) are critical for neuronal development of energy homeostatic pathways and the programming of characteristics of the metabolic syndrome in mothers and their children. Both folic acid and choline are active in one-carbon metabolism with their impact on epigenetic modification of gene expression. We conclude that an imbalance of folic acid and choline intake during gestation disrupts DNA methylation patterns affecting mechanisms of hypothalamic development, and thus elevates metabolic disease risk. Further investigation, including studies to determine translatability to humans, is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruslan Kubant
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Clara E Cho
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Emanuela Pannia
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rola Hammoud
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Neil Victor Yang
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rebecca Simonian
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - G Harvey Anderson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Wu Y, Chen Y, Yang Y, Lin C, Su S, Zhao J, Wu S, Wu G, Liu H, Liu X, Yang Z, Zhang J, Huang B. Predicting brain age using partition modeling strategy and atlas-based attentional enhancement in the Chinese population. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae030. [PMID: 38342684 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024] Open
Abstract
As a biomarker of human brain health during development, brain age is estimated based on subtle differences in brain structure from those under typical developmental. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a routine diagnostic method in neuroimaging. Brain age prediction based on MRI has been widely studied. However, few studies based on Chinese population have been reported. This study aimed to construct a brain age predictive model for the Chinese population across its lifespan. We developed a partition prediction method based on transfer learning and atlas attention enhancement. The participants were separated into four age groups, and a deep learning model was trained for each group to identify the brain regions most critical for brain age prediction. The Atlas attention-enhancement method was also used to help the models focus only on critical brain regions. The proposed method was validated using 354 participants from domestic datasets. For prediction performance in the testing sets, the mean absolute error was 2.218 ± 1.801 years, and the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was 0.969, exceeding previous results for wide-range brain age prediction. In conclusion, the proposed method could provide brain age estimation to assist in assessing the status of brain health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingtong Wu
- Medical AI Lab, School of Biomedical Engineering, Medical School, Shenzhen University, 1066 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, 1066 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong Province, China
- Paul C Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for MRI, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yingqian Chen
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Radiology, Suining Central Hospital, 127 Desheng West Road, Suining 629099, Sichuan Province, China
- Medical Imaging Center of Guizhou Province, Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, 149 Dalian Road, Zunyi 563000, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Chuxuan Lin
- Medical AI Lab, School of Biomedical Engineering, Medical School, Shenzhen University, 1066 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, 1066 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Shu Su
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Songxiong Wu
- Radiology Department, Shenzhen University General Hospital and Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen University, 1066 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Guangyao Wu
- Radiology Department, Shenzhen University General Hospital and Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen University, 1066 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Heng Liu
- Medical Imaging Center of Guizhou Province, Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, 149 Dalian Road, Zunyi 563000, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, 1080 Cuizhu Road, Shenzhen 518118, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhiyun Yang
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Second Road, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong Province, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical School, Shenzhen University, 1066 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Bingsheng Huang
- Medical AI Lab, School of Biomedical Engineering, Medical School, Shenzhen University, 1066 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, 1066 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong Province, China
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Christian LM, Wilson SJ, Madison AA, Prakash RS, Burd CE, Rosko AE, Kiecolt-Glaser JK. Understanding the health effects of caregiving stress: New directions in molecular aging. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 92:102096. [PMID: 37898293 PMCID: PMC10824392 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Dementia caregiving has been linked to multiple health risks, including infectious illness, depression, anxiety, immune dysregulation, weakened vaccine responses, slow wound healing, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, frailty, cognitive decline, and reduced structural and functional integrity of the brain. The sustained overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines is a key pathway behind many of these risks. However, contrasting findings suggest that some forms of caregiving may have beneficial effects, such as maintaining caregivers' health and providing a sense of meaning and purpose which, in turn, may contribute to lower rates of functional decline and mortality. The current review synthesizes these disparate literatures, identifies methodological sources of discrepancy, and integrates caregiver research with work on aging biomarkers to propose a research agenda that traces the mechanistic pathways of caregivers' health trajectories with a focus on the unique stressors facing spousal caregivers as compared to other informal caregivers. Combined with a focus on psychosocial moderators and mechanisms, studies using state-of-the-art molecular aging biomarkers such as telomere length, p16INK4a, and epigenetic age could help to reconcile mixed literature on caregiving's sequelae by determining whether and under what conditions caregiving-related experiences contribute to faster aging, in part through inflammatory biology. The biomarkers predict morbidity and mortality, and each contributes non-redundant information about age-related molecular changes -together painting a more complete picture of biological aging. Indeed, assessing changes in these biopsychosocial mechanisms over time would help to clarify the dynamic relationships between caregiving experiences, psychological states, immune function, and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Christian
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; The Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Stephanie J Wilson
- Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, University Park, TX, USA
| | - Annelise A Madison
- The Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ruchika S Prakash
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Brain Imaging, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Christin E Burd
- Departments of Molecular Genetics, Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ashley E Rosko
- Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Janice K Kiecolt-Glaser
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; The Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
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Nehar-Belaid D, Sokolowski M, Ravichandran S, Banchereau J, Chaussabel D, Ucar D. Baseline immune states (BIS) associated with vaccine responsiveness and factors that shape the BIS. Semin Immunol 2023; 70:101842. [PMID: 37717525 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Vaccines are among the greatest inventions in medicine, leading to the elimination or control of numerous diseases, including smallpox, polio, measles, rubella, and, most recently, COVID-19. Yet, the effectiveness of vaccines varies among individuals. In fact, while some recipients mount a robust response to vaccination that protects them from the disease, others fail to respond. Multiple clinical and epidemiological factors contribute to this heterogeneity in responsiveness. Systems immunology studies fueled by advances in single-cell biology have been instrumental in uncovering pre-vaccination immune cell types and genomic features (i.e., the baseline immune state, BIS) that have been associated with vaccine responsiveness. Here, we review clinical factors that shape the BIS, and the characteristics of the BIS associated with responsiveness to frequently studied vaccines (i.e., influenza, COVID-19, bacterial pneumonia, malaria). Finally, we discuss potential strategies to enhance vaccine responsiveness in high-risk groups, focusing specifically on older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark Sokolowski
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | | | | | - Damien Chaussabel
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Duygu Ucar
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA.
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Jeremic D, Jiménez-Díaz L, Navarro-López JD. Targeting epigenetics: A novel promise for Alzheimer's disease treatment. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 90:102003. [PMID: 37422087 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
So far, the search for a cure for Alzheimer Disease (AD) has been unsuccessful. The only approved drugs attenuate some symptoms, but do not halt the progress of this disease, which affects 50 million people worldwide and will increase its incidence in the coming decades. Such scenario demands new therapeutic approaches to fight against this devastating dementia. In recent years, multi-omics research and the analysis of differential epigenetic marks in AD subjects have contributed to our understanding of AD; however, the impact of epigenetic research is yet to be seen. This review integrates the most recent data on pathological processes and epigenetic changes relevant for aging and AD, as well as current therapies targeting epigenetic machinery in clinical trials. Evidence shows that epigenetic modifications play a key role in gene expression, which could provide multi-target preventative and therapeutic approaches in AD. Both novel and repurposed drugs are employed in AD clinical trials due to their epigenetic effects, as well as increasing number of natural compounds. Given the reversible nature of epigenetic modifications and the complexity of gene-environment interactions, the combination of epigenetic-based therapies with environmental strategies and drugs with multiple targets might be needed to properly help AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danko Jeremic
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Lab, Biomedical Research Center (CRIB), School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Lydia Jiménez-Díaz
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Lab, Biomedical Research Center (CRIB), School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Juan D Navarro-López
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Lab, Biomedical Research Center (CRIB), School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Spain.
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10
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Jensen D, Chen J, Turner JA, Stephen JM, Wang YP, Wilson TW, Calhoun VD, Liu J. Epigenetic associations with adolescent grey matter maturation and cognitive development. Front Genet 2023; 14:1222619. [PMID: 37529779 PMCID: PMC10390095 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1222619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Adolescence, a critical phase of human neurodevelopment, is marked by a tremendous reorganization of the brain and accompanied by improved cognitive performance. This development is driven in part by gene expression, which in turn is partly regulated by DNA methylation (DNAm). Methods: We collected brain imaging, cognitive assessments, and DNAm in a longitudinal cohort of approximately 200 typically developing participants, aged 9-14. This data, from three time points roughly 1 year apart, was used to explore the relationships between seven cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites in genes highly expressed in brain tissues (GRIN2D, GABRB3, KCNC1, SLC12A9, CHD5, STXBP5, and NFASC), seven networks of grey matter (GM) volume change, and scores from seven cognitive tests. Results: The demethylation of the CpGs as well as the rates of change in DNAm were significantly related to improvements in total, crystalized, and fluid cognition scores, executive function, episodic memory, and processing speed, as well as several networks of GM volume increases and decreases that highlight typical patterns of brain maturation. Discussion: Our study provides a first look at the DNAm of genes involved in myelination, excitatory and inhibitory receptors, and connectivity, how they are related to the large-scale changes occurring in the brain structure as well as cognition during adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Jensen
- Tri-Institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS), Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jiayu Chen
- Tri-Institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS), Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Computer Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jessica A. Turner
- Tri-Institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS), Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Wexnar Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | | | - Yu-Ping Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Tony W. Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Vince D. Calhoun
- Tri-Institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS), Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Computer Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- The Mind Research Network, Albuquerque, NM, United States
- Psychology Department and Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jingyu Liu
- Tri-Institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS), Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Computer Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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11
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Spartano NL, Wang R, Yang Q, Chernofsky A, Murabito JM, Levy D, Vasan RS, DeCarli C, Maillard P, Seshadri S, Beiser AS. Association of Physical Inactivity with MRI Markers of Brain Aging: Assessing Mediation by Cardiometabolic and Epigenetic Factors. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 95:561-572. [PMID: 37574733 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cardiometabolic risk factors and epigenetic patterns, increased in physically inactive individuals, are associated with an accelerated brain aging process. OBJECTIVE To determine whether cardiometabolic risk factors and epigenetic patterns mediate the association of physical inactivity with unfavorable brain morphology. METHODS We included dementia and stroke free participants from the Framingham Heart Study Third Generation and Offspring cohorts who had accelerometery and brain MRI data (n = 2,507, 53.9% women, mean age 53.9 years). We examined mediation by the 2017-revised Framingham Stroke Risk Profile (FSRP, using weights for age, cardiovascular disease, atrial fibrillation, diabetes and smoking status, antihypertension medications, and systolic blood pressure) and the homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in models of the association of physical inactivity with brain aging, adjusting for age, age-squared, sex, accelerometer wear time, cohort, time from exam-to-MRI, and season. We similarly assessed mediation by an epigenetic age-prediction algorithm, GrimAge, in a smaller sample of participants who had DNA methylation data (n = 1,418). RESULTS FSRP and HOMA-IR explained 8.3-20.5% of associations of higher moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), higher steps, and lower sedentary time with higher brain volume. Additionally, FSRP and GrimAge explained 10.3-22.0% of associations of physical inactivity with lower white matter diffusivity and FSRP explained 19.7% of the association of MVPA with lower free water accumulation. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that cardiometabolic risk factors and epigenetic patterns partially mediate the associations of physical inactivity with lower brain volume, higher white matter diffusivity, and aggregation of free water in the extracellular compartments of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Spartano
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition, and Weight Management, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (BUCASM), Boston, MA, USA
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's and Boston University's Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA
| | - Ruiqi Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH), Boston, MA, USA
| | - Qiong Yang
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH), Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ariel Chernofsky
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH), Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joanne M Murabito
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's and Boston University's Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, BUCASM, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Levy
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's and Boston University's Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA
- Population Sciences Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ramachandran S Vasan
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's and Boston University's Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA
- Section of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Evans Department of Medicine, BUSM, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, BUSPH, Boston, MA, USA
- UT School of Public Health in San Antonio, TX, and UT Health Sciences Center in San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Charles DeCarli
- Department of Neurology University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Pauline Maillard
- Department of Neurology University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Sudha Seshadri
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's and Boston University's Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, BUSM, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Alexa S Beiser
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's and Boston University's Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH), Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, BUSM, Boston, MA, USA
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12
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Cheong Y, Nishitani S, Yu J, Habata K, Kamiya T, Shiotsu D, Omori IM, Okazawa H, Tomoda A, Kosaka H, Jung M. The effects of epigenetic age and its acceleration on surface area, cortical thickness, and volume in young adults. Cereb Cortex 2022; 32:5654-5663. [PMID: 35196707 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation age has been used in recent studies as an epigenetic marker of accelerated cellular aging, whose contribution to the brain structural changes was lately acknowledged. We aimed to characterize the association of epigenetic age (i.e. estimated DNA methylation age) and its acceleration with surface area, cortical thickness, and volume in healthy young adults. Using the multi-tissue method (Horvath S. DNA methylation age of human tissues and cell types. 2013. Genome Biol 14), epigenetic age was computed with saliva sample. Epigenetic age acceleration was derived from residuals after adjusting epigenetic age for chronological age. Multiple regression models were computed for 148 brain regions for surface area, cortical thickness, and volume using epigenetic age or accelerated epigenetic age as a predictor and controlling for sex. Epigenetic age was associated with surface area reduction of the left insula. It was also associated with cortical thinning and volume reduction in multiple regions, with prominent changes of cortical thickness in the left temporal regions and of volume in the bilateral orbital gyri. Finally, accelerated epigenetic age was negatively associated with right cuneus gyrus volume. Our findings suggest that understanding the mechanisms of epigenetic age acceleration in young individuals may yield valuable insights into the relationship between epigenetic aging and the cortical change and on the early development of neurocognitive pathology among young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjeon Cheong
- Cognitive Science Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, South Korea
| | - Shota Nishitani
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan.,Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Jinyoung Yu
- Cognitive Science Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, South Korea
| | - Kaie Habata
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
| | - Taku Kamiya
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
| | - Daichi Shiotsu
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
| | - Ichiro M Omori
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
| | - Hidehiko Okazawa
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan.,Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
| | - Akemi Tomoda
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan.,Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Kosaka
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan.,Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.,Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuokashimoaizuki, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
| | - Minyoung Jung
- Cognitive Science Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, South Korea
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13
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Miller JG, López V, Buthmann JL, Garcia JM, Gotlib IH. A Social Gradient of Cortical Thickness in Adolescence: Relations With Neighborhood Socioeconomic Disadvantage, Family Socioeconomic Status, and Depressive Symptoms. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 2:253-262. [PMID: 36032055 PMCID: PMC9410503 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2022.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas G. Miller
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
- Address correspondence to Jonas G. Miller, Ph.D.
| | - Vanessa López
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | | | - Jordan M. Garcia
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Ian H. Gotlib
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
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14
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Gene expression correlates of advanced epigenetic age and psychopathology in postmortem cortical tissue. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 15:100371. [PMID: 34458511 PMCID: PMC8377489 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric stress has been associated with accelerated epigenetic aging (i.e., when estimates of cellular age based on DNA methylation exceed chronological age) in both blood and brain tissue. Little is known about the downstream biological effects of accelerated epigenetic age on gene expression. In this study we examined associations between DNA methylation-derived estimates of cellular age that range from decelerated to accelerated relative to chronological age (“DNAm age residuals”) and transcriptome-wide gene expression. This was examined using tissue from three post-mortem cortical regions (ventromedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and motor cortex, n = 97) from the VA National PTSD Brain Bank. In addition, we examined how posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol-use disorders (AUD) moderated the association between DNAm age residuals and gene expression. Transcriptome-wide results across brain regions, psychiatric diagnoses, and cohorts (full sample and male and female subsets) revealed experiment-wide differential expression of 11 genes in association with PTSD or AUD in interaction with DNAm age residuals. This included the inflammation-related genes IL1B, RCOR2, and GCNT1. Candidate gene class analyses and gene network enrichment analyses further supported differential expression of inflammation/immune gene networks as well as glucocorticoid, circadian, and oxidative stress-related genes. Gene co-expression network modules suggested enrichment of myelination related processes and oligodendrocyte enrichment in association with DNAm age residuals in the presence of psychopathology. Collectively, results suggest that psychiatric stress accentuates the association between advanced epigenetic age and expression of inflammation genes in the brain. This highlights the role of inflammatory processes in the pathophysiology of accelerated cellular aging and suggests that inflammatory pathways may link accelerated cellular aging to premature disease onset and neurodegeneration, particularly in stressed populations. This suggests that anti-inflammatory interventions may be an important direction to pursue in evaluating ways to prevent or delay cellular aging and increase resilience to diseases of aging.
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15
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Spooner RK, Taylor BK, L'Heureux E, Schantell M, Arif Y, May PE, Morsey B, Wang T, Ideker T, Fox HS, Wilson TW. Stress-induced aberrations in sensory processing predict worse cognitive outcomes in healthy aging adults. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:19996-20015. [PMID: 34410999 PMCID: PMC8436901 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
It is well recognized that not all individuals age equivalently, with functional dependence attributable, at least in part, to stress accumulated across the lifespan. Amongst these dependencies are age-related declines in cognitive function, which may be the result of impaired inhibitory processing (e.g., sensory gating). Herein, we examined the unique roles of life and biological stress on somatosensory gating dynamics in 74 adults (22-72 years old). Participants completed a sensory gating paired-pulse electrical stimulation paradigm of the right median nerve during magnetoencephalography (MEG) and data were subjected to advanced oscillatory and time-domain analysis methods. We observed separable mechanisms by which increasing levels of life and biological stress predicted higher oscillatory gating ratios, indicative of age-related impairments in inhibitory function. Specifically, elevations in life stress significantly modulated the neural response to the first stimulation in the pair, while elevations in biological stress significantly modulated the neural response to the second stimulation in the pair. In contrast, neither elevations in life nor biological stress significantly predicted the gating of time-domain neural activity in the somatosensory cortex. Finally, our study is the first to link stress-induced decline in sensory gating to cognitive dysfunction, suggesting that gating paradigms may hold promise for detecting discrepant functional trajectories in age-related pathologies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel K Spooner
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE 68010, USA.,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Brittany K Taylor
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE 68010, USA
| | - Emma L'Heureux
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Mikki Schantell
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE 68010, USA.,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Yasra Arif
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE 68010, USA.,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Pamela E May
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Brenda Morsey
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Tina Wang
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92161, USA
| | - Trey Ideker
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92161, USA
| | - Howard S Fox
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Tony W Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE 68010, USA.,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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16
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Higgins-Chen AT, Thrush KL, Levine ME. Aging biomarkers and the brain. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 116:180-193. [PMID: 33509689 PMCID: PMC8292153 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Quantifying biological aging is critical for understanding why aging is the primary driver of morbidity and mortality and for assessing novel therapies to counter pathological aging. In the past decade, many biomarkers relevant to brain aging have been developed using various data types and modeling techniques. Aging involves numerous interconnected processes, and thus many complementary biomarkers are needed, each capturing a different slice of aging biology. Here we present a hierarchical framework highlighting how these biomarkers are related to each other and the underlying biological processes. We review those measures most studied in the context of brain aging: epigenetic clocks, proteomic clocks, and neuroimaging age predictors. Many studies have linked these biomarkers to cognition, mental health, brain structure, and pathology during aging. We also delve into the challenges and complexities in interpreting these biomarkers and suggest areas for further innovation. Ultimately, a robust mechanistic understanding of these biomarkers will be needed to effectively intervene in the aging process to prevent and treat age-related disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert T Higgins-Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 George St, Suite 901, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
| | - Kyra L Thrush
- Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Yale University, 300 George St, Suite 501, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
| | - Morgan E Levine
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, 310 Cedar Street, Suite LH 315A, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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17
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Podgórski P, Bladowska J, Sasiadek M, Zimny A. Novel Volumetric and Surface-Based Magnetic Resonance Indices of the Aging Brain - Does Male and Female Brain Age in the Same Way? Front Neurol 2021; 12:645729. [PMID: 34163419 PMCID: PMC8216769 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.645729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Novel post-processing methods allow not only for assessment of brain volumetry or cortical thickness based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but also for more detailed analysis of cortical shape and complexity using parameters such as sulcal depth, gyrification index, or fractal dimension. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in brain volumetry and other cortical indices during aging in men and women. Material and Methods: Material consisted of 697 healthy volunteers (aged 38–80 years; M/F, 264/443) who underwent brain MRI using a 1.5-T scanner. Voxel-based volumetry of total gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was performed followed by assessment of cortical parameters [cortical thickness (CT), sulcal depth (SD), gyrification index (GI), and fractal dimension (FD)] in 150 atlas locations using surface-based morphometry with a region-based approach. All parameters were compared among seven age groups (grouped every 5 years) separately for men and women. Additionally, percentile curves for men and women were provided for total volumes of GM, WM, and CSF. Results: In men and women, a decrease in GM and WM volumes and an increase in CSF volume seem to progress slowly since the age of 45. In men, significant GM and WM loss as well as CSF increase start above 55 years of age, while in women, significant GM loss starts above 50 and significant WM loss as well as CSF increase above 60. CT was found to significantly decrease with aging in 39% of locations in women and in 36% of locations in men, SD was found to increase in 13.5% of locations in women and in 1.3% of locations in men, GI was decreased in 3.4% of locations in women and in 2.0% of locations in men, and FD was changed in 2.7% of locations in women compared to 2.0% in men. Conclusions: Male and female brains start aging at the similar age of 45. Compared to men, in women, the cortex is affected earlier and in the more complex pattern regarding not only cortical loss but also other alterations within the cortical shape, with relatively longer sparing of WM volume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemysław Podgórski
- Department of General and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Joanna Bladowska
- Department of General and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Marek Sasiadek
- Department of General and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Anna Zimny
- Department of General and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
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18
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Casagrande CC, Lew BJ, Taylor BK, Schantell M, O'Neill J, May PE, Swindells S, Wilson TW. Impact of HIV-infection on human somatosensory processing, spontaneous cortical activity, and cortical thickness: A multimodal neuroimaging approach. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:2851-2861. [PMID: 33738895 PMCID: PMC8127147 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-infection has been associated with widespread alterations in brain structure and function, although few studies have examined whether such aberrations are co-localized and the degree to which clinical and cognitive metrics are related. We examine this question in the somatosensory system using high-resolution structural MRI (sMRI) and magnetoencephalographic (MEG) imaging of neural oscillatory activity. Forty-four participants with HIV (PWH) and 55 demographically-matched uninfected controls completed a paired-pulse somatosensory stimulation paradigm during MEG and underwent 3T sMRI. MEG data were transformed into the time-frequency domain; significant sensor level responses were imaged using a beamformer. Virtual sensor time series were derived from the peak responses. These data were used to compute response amplitude, sensory gating metrics, and spontaneous cortical activity power. The T1-weighted sMRI data were processed using morphological methods to derive cortical thickness values across the brain. From these, the cortical thickness of the tissue coinciding with the peak response was estimated. Our findings indicated both PWH and control exhibit somatosensory gating, and that spontaneous cortical activity was significantly stronger in PWH within the left postcentral gyrus. Interestingly, within the same tissue, PWH also had significantly reduced cortical thickness relative to controls. Follow-up analyses indicated that the reduction in cortical thickness was significantly correlated with CD4 nadir and mediated the relationship between HIV and spontaneous cortical activity within the left postcentral gyrus. These data indicate that PWH have abnormally strong spontaneous cortical activity in the left postcentral gyrus and such elevated activity is driven by locally reduced cortical gray matter thickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe C Casagrande
- Boys Town National Research Hospital, Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
| | - Brandon J Lew
- Boys Town National Research Hospital, Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA.,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Brittany K Taylor
- Boys Town National Research Hospital, Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA
| | - Mikki Schantell
- Boys Town National Research Hospital, Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA.,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Jennifer O'Neill
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Pamela E May
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Susan Swindells
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Tony W Wilson
- Boys Town National Research Hospital, Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town, Nebraska, USA.,College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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