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Khosroshahi PA, Ghanbari M. MicroRNA dysregulation in glutamate and dopamine pathways of schizophrenia: From molecular pathways to diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 135:111081. [PMID: 39002925 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder, and genetic and environmental factors have been implicated in its development. Dysregulated glutamatergic and dopaminergic transmission pathways are involved in schizophrenia development. Besides genetic mutations, epigenetic dysregulation has a considerable role in dysregulating molecular pathways involved in schizophrenia. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that target specific mRNAs and inhibit their translation into proteins. As epigenetic factors, miRNAs regulate many genes involved in glutamate and dopamine signaling pathways; thereby, their dysregulation can contribute to the development of schizophrenia. Secretion of specific miRNAs from damaged cells into body fluids can make them one of the ideal non-invasive biomarkers in the early diagnosis of schizophrenia. Also, understanding the molecular mechanisms of miRNAs in schizophrenia pathogenesis can pave the way for developing novel treatments for patients with schizophrenia. In this study, we reviewed the glutamatergic and dopaminergic pathophysiology and highlighted the role of miRNA dysregulation in schizophrenia development. Besides, we shed light on the significance of circulating miRNAs for schizophrenia diagnosis and the recent findings on the miRNA-based treatment for schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammad Ghanbari
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
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2
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Maximo JO, Briend F, Armstrong WP, Kraguljac NV, Lahti AC. Higher-order functional brain networks and anterior cingulate glutamate + glutamine (Glx) in antipsychotic-naïve first episode psychosis patients. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:183. [PMID: 38600117 PMCID: PMC11006887 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02854-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Human connectome studies have provided abundant data consistent with the hypothesis that functional dysconnectivity is predominant in psychosis spectrum disorders. Converging lines of evidence also suggest an interaction between dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) cortical glutamate with higher-order functional brain networks (FC) such as the default mode (DMN), dorsal attention (DAN), and executive control networks (ECN) in healthy controls (HC) and this mechanism may be impaired in psychosis. Data from 70 antipsychotic-medication naïve first-episode psychosis (FEP) and 52 HC were analyzed. 3T Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) data were acquired from a voxel in the dACC and assessed correlations (positive FC) and anticorrelations (negative FC) of the DMN, DAN, and ECN. We then performed regressions to assess associations between glutamate + glutamine (Glx) with positive and negative FC of these same networks and compared them between groups. We found alterations in positive and negative FC in all networks (HC > FEP). A relationship between dACC Glx and positive and negative FC was found in both groups, but when comparing these relationships between groups, we found contrasting associations between these variables in FEP patients compared to HC. We demonstrated that both positive and negative FC in three higher-order resting state networks are already altered in antipsychotic-naïve FEP, underscoring the importance of also considering anticorrelations for optimal characterization of large-scale functional brain networks as these represent biological processes as well. Our data also adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the role of dACC cortical Glx as a mechanism underlying alterations in functional brain network connectivity. Overall, the implications for these findings are imperative as this particular mechanism may differ in untreated or chronic psychotic patients; therefore, understanding this mechanism prior to treatment could better inform clinicians.Clinical trial registration: Trajectories of Treatment Response as Window into the Heterogeneity of Psychosis: A Longitudinal Multimodal Imaging Study, NCT03442101 . Glutamate, Brain Connectivity and Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP), NCT02034253 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose O Maximo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Frederic Briend
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- UMR1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
| | - William P Armstrong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Nina V Kraguljac
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Adrienne C Lahti
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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3
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McHugo M, Roeske MJ, Vandekar SN, Armstrong K, Avery SN, Heckers S. Smaller anterior hippocampal subfields in the early stage of psychosis. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:69. [PMID: 38296964 PMCID: PMC10830481 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02719-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Hippocampal volume is smaller in schizophrenia, but it is unclear when in the illness the changes appear and whether specific regions (anterior, posterior) and subfields (CA1, CA2/3, dentate gyrus, subiculum) are affected. Here, we used a high-resolution T2-weighted sequence specialized for imaging hippocampal subfields to test the hypothesis that anterior CA1 volume is lower in early psychosis. We measured subfield volumes across hippocampal regions in a group of 90 individuals in the early stage of a non-affective psychotic disorder and 70 demographically similar healthy individuals. We observed smaller volume in the anterior CA1 and dentate gyrus subfields in the early psychosis group. Our findings support models that implicate anterior CA1 and dentate gyrus subfield deficits in the mechanism of psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen McHugo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Maxwell J Roeske
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Simon N Vandekar
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kristan Armstrong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Suzanne N Avery
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Stephan Heckers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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Preller KH, Scholpp J, Wunder A, Rosenbrock H. Neuroimaging Biomarkers for Drug Discovery and Development in Schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)00036-2. [PMID: 38272287 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness that affects up to 1% of the population. While efficacious therapies are available for positive symptoms, effective treatment of cognitive and negative symptoms remains an unmet need after decades of research. New developments in the field of neuroimaging are accelerating our knowledge gain regarding the underlying pathophysiology of symptoms in schizophrenia and psychosis spectrum disorders, inspiring new targets for drug development. However, no validated and qualified biomarkers are currently available to support the development of new therapeutics. This review summarizes the current use of neuroimaging technology in clinical drug development for psychotic disorders. As exemplified by drug development programs that target NMDA receptor hypofunction, neuroimaging results play a critical role in target discovery and establishing target engagement and dose selection. Furthermore, pharmacological neuroimaging may provide response biomarkers that allow for early decision making in proof-of-concept studies that leverage pharmacological challenge models in healthy volunteers. That said, while response and predictive biomarkers are starting to be evaluated in patient populations, they continue to play a limited role. Novel approaches to neuroimaging data acquisition and analysis may aid the establishment of biomarkers that are predictive at the individual level in the future. Nevertheless, various gaps in knowledge need to be addressed and biomarkers need to be validated to establish them as "fit for purpose" in drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin H Preller
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany; Boehringer Ingelheim (Schweiz) GmbH, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Joachim Scholpp
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Andreas Wunder
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Holger Rosenbrock
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
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Nenadić I, Meller T, Evermann U, Pfarr JK, Federspiel A, Walther S, Grezellschak S, Abu-Akel A. Modelling the overlap and divergence of autistic and schizotypal traits on hippocampal subfield volumes and regional cerebral blood flow. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:74-84. [PMID: 37891246 PMCID: PMC11078729 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02302-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders show high co-morbidity, including co-morbid expressions of subclinical psychopathology across multiple disease spectra. Given the limitations of classical case-control designs in elucidating this overlap, new approaches are needed to identify biological underpinnings of spectra and their interaction. We assessed autistic-like traits (using the Autism Quotient, AQ) and schizotypy - as models of subclinical expressions of disease phenotypes and examined their association with volumes and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) of anterior, mid- and posterior hippocampus segments from structural MRI scans in 318 and arterial spin labelling (ASL) in 346 nonclinical subjects, which overlapped with the structural imaging sample (N = 298). We demonstrate significant interactive effects of positive schizotypy and AQ social skills as well as of positive schizotypy and AQ imagination on hippocampal subfield volume variation. Moreover, we show that AQ attention switching modulated hippocampal head rCBF, while positive schizotypy by AQ attention to detail interactions modulated hippocampal tail rCBF. In addition, we show significant correlation of hippocampal volume and rCBF in both region-of-interest and voxel-wise analyses, which were robust after removal of variance related to schizotypy and autistic traits. These findings provide empirical evidence for both the modulation of hippocampal subfield structure and function through subclinical traits, and in particular how only the interaction of phenotype facets leads to significant reductions or variations in these parameters. This makes a case for considering the synergistic impact of different (subclinical) disease spectra on transdiagnostic biological parameters in psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Nenadić
- Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Marburg, Germany.
- Marburg University Hospital - UKGM, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Tina Meller
- Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ulrika Evermann
- Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Marburg, Germany
| | - Julia-Katharina Pfarr
- Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Marburg, Germany
| | - Andrea Federspiel
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Walther
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Grezellschak
- Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Marburg, Germany
- Marburg University Hospital - UKGM, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ahmad Abu-Akel
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel
- The Haifa Brain and Behavior Hub, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel
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Zeng Z, Dong Y, Zou L, Xu D, Luo X, Chu T, Wang J, Ren Q, Liu Q, Li X. GluCEST Imaging and Structural Alterations of the Bilateral Hippocampus in First-Episode and Early-Onset Major Depression Disorder. J Magn Reson Imaging 2023; 58:1431-1440. [PMID: 36808678 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.28651] [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: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glutamate dysregulation is one of the key pathogenic mechanisms of major depressive disorder (MDD), and glutamate chemical exchange saturation transfer (GluCEST) has been used for glutamate measurement in some brain diseases but rarely in depression. PURPOSE To investigate the GluCEST changes in hippocampus in MDD and the relationship between glutamate and hippocampal subregional volumes. STUDY TYPE Cross-sectional. SUBJECTS Thirty-two MDD patients (34% males; 22.03 ± 7.21 years) and 47 healthy controls (HCs) (43% males; 22.00 ± 3.28 years). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE 3.0 T; magnetization prepared rapid gradient echo (MPRAGE) for three-dimensional T1-weighted images, two-dimensional turbo spin echo GluCEST, and multivoxel chemical shift imaging (CSI) for proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H MRS). ASSESSMENT GluCEST data were quantified by magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry (MTRasym ) analysis and assessed by the relative concentration of 1 H MRS-measured glutamate. FreeSurfer was used for hippocampus segmentation. STATISTICAL TESTS The independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman's correlation, and partial correlation analysis were used. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS In the left hippocampus, GluCEST values were significantly decreased in MDD (2.00 ± 1.08 [MDD] vs. 2.62 ± 1.41 [HCs]) and showed a significantly positive correlation with Glx/Cr (r = 0.37). GluCEST values were significantly positively correlated with the volumes of CA1 (r = 0.40), subiculum (r = 0.40) in the left hippocampus and CA1 (r = 0.51), molecular_layer_HP (r = 0.50), GC-ML-DG (r = 0.42), CA3 (r = 0.44), CA4 (r = 0.44), hippocampus-amygdala-transition-area (r = 0.46), and the whole hippocampus (r = 0.47) in the right hippocampus. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores showed significantly negative correlations with the volumes of the left presubiculum (r = -0.40), left parasubiculum (r = -0.47), and right presubiculum (r = -0.41). DATA CONCLUSION GluCEST can be used to measure glutamate changes and help to understand the mechanism of hippocampal volume loss in MDD. Hippocampal volume changes are associated with disease severity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zeng
- School of Medical Imaging, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Yingying Dong
- Department of Psychology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Linxuan Zou
- School of Medical Imaging, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Donghao Xu
- School of Medical Imaging, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Xunrong Luo
- Department of Radiology, Cancer Hospital of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tongpeng Chu
- Department of Radiology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Radiology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Qingfa Ren
- School of Medical Imaging, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Quanyuan Liu
- Department of Radiology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Xianglin Li
- School of Medical Imaging, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
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Steinfeld MR, Torregrossa MM. Consequences of adolescent drug use. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:313. [PMID: 37802983 PMCID: PMC10558564 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02590-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Substance use in adolescence is a known risk factor for the development of neuropsychiatric and substance use disorders in adulthood. This is in part due to the fact that critical aspects of brain development occur during adolescence, which can be altered by drug use. Despite concerted efforts to educate youth about the potential negative consequences of substance use, initiation remains common amongst adolescents world-wide. Additionally, though there has been substantial research on the topic, many questions remain about the predictors and the consequences of adolescent drug use. In the following review, we will highlight some of the most recent literature on the neurobiological and behavioral effects of adolescent drug use in rodents, non-human primates, and humans, with a specific focus on alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, and the interactions between these substances. Overall, consumption of these substances during adolescence can produce long-lasting changes across a variety of structures and networks which can have enduring effects on behavior, emotion, and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Steinfeld
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA.
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
| | - Mary M Torregrossa
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
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Mancini V, Saleh MG, Delavari F, Bagautdinova J, Eliez S. Excitatory/Inhibitory Imbalance Underlies Hippocampal Atrophy in Individuals With 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome With Psychotic Symptoms. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 94:569-579. [PMID: 37011759 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal neurotransmitter levels have been reported in individuals at high risk for schizophrenia, leading to a shift in the excitatory/inhibitory balance. However, it is unclear whether these alterations predate the onset of clinically relevant symptoms. Our aim was to explore in vivo measures of excitatory/inhibitory balance in 22q11.2 deletion carriers, a population at genetic risk for psychosis. METHODS Glx (glutamate+glutamine) and GABA+ (gamma-aminobutyric acid with macromolecules and homocarnosine) concentrations were estimated in the anterior cingulate cortex, superior temporal cortex, and hippocampus using the Mescher-Garwood point-resolved spectroscopy (MEGA-PRESS) sequence and the Gannet toolbox in 52 deletion carriers and 42 control participants. T1-weighted images were acquired longitudinally and processed with FreeSurfer version 6 to extract hippocampal volume. Subgroup analyses were conducted in deletion carriers with psychotic symptoms. RESULTS While no differences were found in the anterior cingulate cortex, deletion carriers had higher levels of Glx in the hippocampus and superior temporal cortex and lower levels of GABA+ in the hippocampus than control participants. We additionally found a higher Glx concentration in the hippocampus of deletion carriers with psychotic symptoms. Finally, more pronounced hippocampal atrophy was significantly associated with increased Glx levels in deletion carriers. CONCLUSIONS We provide evidence for an excitatory/inhibitory imbalance in temporal brain structures of deletion carriers, with a further hippocampal Glx increase in individuals with psychotic symptoms that was associated with hippocampal atrophy. These results are in line with theories proposing abnormally enhanced glutamate levels as a mechanistic explanation for hippocampal atrophy via excitotoxicity. Our results highlight a central role of glutamate in the hippocampus of individuals at genetic risk for schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Mancini
- Developmental Imaging and Psychopathology Laboratory, University of Geneva School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Muhammad G Saleh
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Farnaz Delavari
- Developmental Imaging and Psychopathology Laboratory, University of Geneva School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joëlle Bagautdinova
- Developmental Imaging and Psychopathology Laboratory, University of Geneva School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Eliez
- Developmental Imaging and Psychopathology Laboratory, University of Geneva School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
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Avery SN, Rogers BP, McHugo M, Armstrong K, Blackford JU, Vandekar SN, Woodward ND, Heckers S. Hippocampal Network Dysfunction in Early Psychosis: A 2-Year Longitudinal Study. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 3:979-989. [PMID: 37881573 PMCID: PMC10593896 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hippocampal abnormalities are among the most consistent findings in schizophrenia. Numerous studies have reported deficits in hippocampal volume, function, and connectivity in the chronic stage of illness. While hippocampal volume and function deficits are also present in the early stage of illness, there is mixed evidence of both higher and lower functional connectivity. Here, we use graph theory to test the hypothesis that hippocampal network connectivity is broadly lowered in early psychosis and progressively worsens over 2 years. Methods We examined longitudinal resting-state functional connectivity in 140 participants (68 individuals in the early stage of psychosis, 72 demographically similar healthy control individuals). We used an anatomically driven approach to quantify hippocampal network connectivity at 2 levels: 1) a core hippocampal-medial temporal lobe cortex (MTLC) network; and 2) an extended hippocampal-cortical network. Group and time effects were tested in a linear mixed effects model. Results Early psychosis patients showed elevated functional connectivity in the core hippocampal-MTLC network, but contrary to our hypothesis, did not show alterations within the broader hippocampal-cortical network. Hippocampal-MTLC network hyperconnectivity normalized longitudinally and predicted improvement in positive symptoms but was not associated with increasing illness duration. Conclusions These results show abnormally elevated functional connectivity in a core hippocampal-MTLC network in early psychosis, suggesting that selectively increased hippocampal signaling within a localized cortical circuit may be a marker of the early stage of psychosis. Hippocampal-MTLC hyperconnectivity could have prognostic and therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne N. Avery
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Baxter P. Rogers
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Sciences, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Maureen McHugo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Kristan Armstrong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - Simon N. Vandekar
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Neil D. Woodward
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Stephan Heckers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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Yang Q, Cai S, Chen G, Yu X, Cattell RF, Raviv TR, Huang C, Zhang N, Gao Y. Fine scale hippocampus morphology variation cross 552 healthy subjects from age 20 to 80. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1162096. [PMID: 37719158 PMCID: PMC10501455 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1162096] [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: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebral cortex varies over the course of a person's life span: at birth, the surface is smooth, before becoming more bumpy (deeper sulci and thicker gyri) in middle age, and thinner in senior years. In this work, a similar phenomenon was observed on the hippocampus. It was previously believed the fine-scale morphology of the hippocampus could only be extracted only with high field scanners (7T, 9.4T); however, recent studies show that regular 3T MR scanners can be sufficient for this purpose. This finding opens the door for the study of fine hippocampal morphometry for a large amount of clinical data. In particular, a characteristic bumpy and subtle feature on the inferior aspect of the hippocampus, which we refer to as hippocampal dentation, presents a dramatic degree of variability between individuals from very smooth to highly dentated. In this report, we propose a combined method joining deep learning and sub-pixel level set evolution to efficiently obtain fine-scale hippocampal segmentation on 552 healthy subjects. Through non-linear dentation extraction and fitting, we reveal that the bumpiness of the inferior surface of the human hippocampus has a clear temporal trend. It is bumpiest between 40 and 50 years old. This observation should be aligned with neurodevelopmental and aging stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinzhu Yang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuxiu Cai
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Guojing Chen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaxia Yu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Renee F. Cattell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Tammy Riklin Raviv
- The School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Chuan Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
- Department of Radiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Nu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yi Gao
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Hematological Malignancies, Shenzhen, China
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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11
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Cao P, Chen C, Si Q, Li Y, Ren F, Han C, Zhao J, Wang X, Xu G, Sui Y. Volumes of hippocampal subfields suggest a continuum between schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1191170. [PMID: 37547217 PMCID: PMC10400724 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1191170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective There is considerable debate as to whether the continuum of major psychiatric disorders exists and to what extent the boundaries extend. Converging evidence suggests that alterations in hippocampal volume are a common sign in psychiatric disorders; however, there is still no consensus on the nature and extent of hippocampal atrophy in schizophrenia (SZ), major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). The aim of this study was to verify the continuum of SZ - BD - MDD at the level of hippocampal subfield volume and to compare the volume differences in hippocampal subfields in the continuum. Methods A total of 412 participants (204 SZ, 98 MDD, and 110 BD) underwent 3 T MRI scans, structured clinical interviews, and clinical scales. We segmented the hippocampal subfields with FreeSurfer 7.1.1 and compared subfields volumes across the three diagnostic groups by controlling for age, gender, education, and intracranial volumes. Results The results showed a gradual increase in hippocampal subfield volumes from SZ to MDD to BD. Significant volume differences in the total hippocampus and 13 of 26 hippocampal subfields, including CA1, CA3, CA4, GC-ML-DG, molecular layer and the whole hippocampus, bilaterally, and parasubiculum in the right hemisphere, were observed among diagnostic groups. Medication treatment had the most effect on subfields of MDD compared to SZ and BD. Subfield volumes were negatively correlated with illness duration of MDD. Positive correlations were found between subfield volumes and drug dose in SZ and MDD. There was no significant difference in laterality between diagnostic groups. Conclusion The pattern of hippocampal volume reduction in SZ, MDD and BD suggests that there may be a continuum of the three disorders at the hippocampal level. The hippocampus represents a phenotype that is distinct from traditional diagnostic strategies. Combined with illness duration and drug intervention, it may better reflect shared pathophysiology and mechanisms across psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyu Cao
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Congxin Chen
- Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Si
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
- Huai’an No. 3 People’s Hospital, Huai’an, China
| | - Yuting Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Fangfang Ren
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Chongyang Han
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingjing Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiying Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Guoxin Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxiu Sui
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
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12
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Farmer CB, Roach EL, Bice LR, Falgout ME, Mata KG, Roche JK, Roberts RC. Excitatory and inhibitory imbalances in the trisynaptic pathway in the hippocampus in schizophrenia: a postmortem ultrastructural study. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2023; 130:949-965. [PMID: 37193867 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-023-02650-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A preponderance of evidence suggests that the hippocampus is a key region of dysfunction in schizophrenia. Neuroimaging and other studies indicate a relationship between hippocampal dysfunction and the degree of psychosis. Clinical data indicate hyperactivity in the hippocampus that precedes the onset of psychosis, and is correlated with symptom severity. In this study, we sought to identify circuitry at the electron microscopic level that could contribute to region-specific imbalances in excitation and inhibition in the hippocampus in schizophrenia. We used postmortem tissue from the anterior hippocampus from patients with schizophrenia and matched controls. Using stereological techniques, we counted and measured synapses, postsynaptic densities (PSDs), and evaluated size, number and optical density of mitochondria and parvalbumin-containing interneurons in key nodes of the trisynaptic pathway. Compared to controls, the schizophrenia group had decreased numbers of inhibitory synapses in CA3 and increased numbers of excitatory synapses in CA1; together, this indicates deficits in inhibition and an increase in excitation. The thickness of the PSD was larger in excitatory synapses in CA1, suggesting greater synaptic strength. In the schizophrenia group, there were fewer mitochondria in the dentate gyrus and a decrease in the optical density, a measure of functional integrity, in CA1. The number and optical density of parvalbumin interneurons were lower in CA3. The results suggest region-specific increases in excitatory circuitry, decreases in inhibitory neurotransmission and fewer or damaged mitochondria. These results are consistent with the hyperactivity observed in the hippocampus in schizophrenia in previous studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlene B Farmer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sparks Center 835C, 1720 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Erica L Roach
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sparks Center 835C, 1720 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Lily R Bice
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sparks Center 835C, 1720 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Madeleine E Falgout
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sparks Center 835C, 1720 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Kattia G Mata
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sparks Center 835C, 1720 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Joy K Roche
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sparks Center 835C, 1720 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Rosalinda C Roberts
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sparks Center 835C, 1720 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
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13
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Zhou X. Preventive and Therapeutic Autoantibodies Protect against Neuronal Excitotoxicity. JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY AND BRAIN SCIENCE 2023; 8:e230006. [PMID: 37502631 PMCID: PMC10373126 DOI: 10.20900/jpbs.20230006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
High titers of anti-NMDAR1 IgG autoantibodies were found in the brains of patients with anti-NMDAR1 encephalitis that exhibits psychosis, impaired memory, and many other psychiatric symptoms in addition to neurological symptoms. Low titers of blood circulating anti-NMDAR1 IgG autoantibodies are sufficient to robustly impair spatial working memory in mice with intact blood-brain barriers (BBB). On the other hand, anti-NMDAR1 autoantibodies were reported to protect against neuronal excitotoxicity caused by excessive glutamate in neurological diseases. Activation of extrasynaptic NMDARs is responsible for neuronal excitotoxicity, whereas activation of synaptic NMDARs within the synaptic cleft is pro-survival and essential for NMDAR-mediated neurotransmission. Unlike small IgG, IgM antibodies are large and pentameric (diameter of ~30 nm). It is plausible that IgM anti-NMDAR1 autoantibodies may be restricted to bind extrasynaptic NMDARs and thereby specifically inhibit neuronal excitotoxicity, but physically too large to enter the synaptic cleft (width: 20-30 nm) to suppress synaptic NMDAR-mediated neurotransmission in modulation of cognitive function and neuronal pro-survival signaling. Hence, blood circulating anti-NMDAR1 IgM autoantibodies are both neuroprotective and pro-cognitive, whereas blood circulating anti-NMDAR1 IgG and IgA autoantibodies are detrimental to cognitive function. Investigation of anti-NMDAR1 IgM autoantibodies may open up a new avenue for the development of long-lasting preventive and therapeutic IgM anti-NMDAR1 autoantibodies that protect from neuronal excitotoxicity in many neurological diseases and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianjin Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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14
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Nelson EA, Kraguljac NV, Maximo JO, Armstrong W, Lahti AC. Hippocampal Hyperconnectivity to the Visual Cortex Predicts Treatment Response. Schizophr Bull 2023; 49:605-613. [PMID: 36752830 PMCID: PMC10154738 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbac213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Converging lines of evidence point to hippocampal dysfunction in psychosis spectrum disorders, including altered functional connectivity. Evidence also suggests that antipsychotic medications can modulate hippocampal dysfunction. The goal of this project was to identify patterns of hippocampal connectivity predictive of response to antipsychotic treatment in 2 cohorts of patients with a psychosis spectrum disorder, one medication-naïve and the other one unmedicated. HYPOTHESIS We hypothesized that we would identify reliable patterns of hippocampal connectivity in the 2 cohorts that were predictive of treatment response and that medications would modulate abnormal hippocampal connectivity after 6 weeks of treatment. STUDY DESIGN We used a prospective design to collect resting-state fMRI scans prior to antipsychotic treatment and after 6 weeks of treatment with risperidone, a commonly used antipsychotic medication, in both cohorts. We enrolled 44 medication-naïve first-episode psychosis patients (FEP) and 39 unmedicated patients with schizophrenia (SZ). STUDY RESULTS In both patient cohorts, we observed a similar pattern where greater hippocampal connectivity to regions of the occipital cortex was predictive of treatment response. Lower hippocampal connectivity of the frontal pole, orbitofrontal cortex, subcallosal area, and medial prefrontal cortex was predictive of treatment response in unmedicated SZ, but not in the medication-naïve cohort. Furthermore, greater reduction in hippocampal connectivity to the visual cortex with treatment was associated with better clinical response. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that greater connectivity between the hippocampus and occipital cortex is not only predictive of better treatment response, but that antipsychotic medications have a modulatory effect by reducing hyperconnectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Nelson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Nina V Kraguljac
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jose O Maximo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - William Armstrong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Adrienne C Lahti
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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15
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Oliva HNP, Monteiro-Junior RS, Oliva IO, Powers AR. Effects of exercise intervention on psychotic symptoms: A meta-analysis and hypothetical model of neurobiological mechanisms. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 125:110771. [PMID: 37075881 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
There is conflicting evidence on the efficacy of exercise as intervention for psychosis. This article aims to analyze the effect of exercise on psychotic symptoms. A database search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, EBSCO and Cochrane CENTRAL, based on a protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42022326944). Papers available by March 2023 assessing exercise interventions in psychotic patients were included. A significant improvement was found in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) positive symptoms (MD = -0.75 [-1.35, -0.15], p = 0.01), with large effect sizes for PANSS-negative and general symptoms (-2.14 [-3.36, -0.92]) and (-2.53 [-3.15, -1.91]), respectively. Heterogeneity was high among studies, 49 and 73% for PANSS-positive and negative symptoms, and low, 0%, for general symptoms. It was hypothesized that functioning of specific brain areas, such as the temporal lobe and hippocampus, may underlie the improvement seen with exercise. Based on neuroimaging/neurophysiology studies, we propose a neurobiological model accounting for the association between exercise and psychotic symptom improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique N P Oliva
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine and the Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA; Graduate Program of Health Sciences, State University of Montes Claros (UNIMONTES), Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Renato S Monteiro-Junior
- Graduate Program of Health Sciences, State University of Montes Claros (UNIMONTES), Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Isabela O Oliva
- School of Medicine, Centro Universitario FIPMoc (UNIFIPMoc), Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Albert R Powers
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine and the Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA.
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16
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Lahti AC. Discovery of early schizophrenia through neuroimaging. Psychiatry Res 2023; 322:114993. [PMID: 36773467 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In order to understand the pathophysiology of schizophrenia we carried out a number of brain imaging studies in both medicated and unmedicated patients. In addition, to help unravel the pathophysiological mechanisms without the confound of prior exposure to antipsychotic medication or chronicity, we enrolled a large group of antipsychotic medication-naïve first episode psychosis patients at first treatment contact, and performed longitudinal multimodal neuroimaging studies over several months. In unmedicated patients we found both functional and structural connectivity alterations. Similarly, in medication-naïve patients we replicated many of our prior findings, suggesting that functional and structural connectivity alterations are core pathological features of the illness. We found that a longer duration of untreated psychosis, i.e. the time between first symptom onset and initial treatment contact, was associated with greater structural and functional connectivity abnormalities, which in turn was associated with worse subsequent clinical response to treatment. These results underscore the critical importance of early identification and treatment in patients with psychosis spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne C Lahti
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States.
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17
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Sabaroedin K, Tiego J, Fornito A. Circuit-Based Approaches to Understanding Corticostriatothalamic Dysfunction Across the Psychosis Continuum. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 93:113-124. [PMID: 36253195 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Dopamine is known to play a role in the pathogenesis of psychotic symptoms, but the mechanisms driving dopaminergic dysfunction in psychosis remain unclear. Considerable attention has focused on the role of corticostriatothalamic (CST) circuits, given that they regulate and are modulated by the activity of dopaminergic cells in the midbrain. Preclinical studies have proposed multiple models of CST dysfunction in psychosis, each prioritizing different brain regions and pathophysiological mechanisms. A particular challenge is that CST circuits have undergone considerable evolutionary modification across mammals, complicating comparisons across species. Here, we consider preclinical models of CST dysfunction in psychosis and evaluate the degree to which they are supported by evidence from human resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging studies conducted across the psychosis continuum, ranging from subclinical schizotypy to established schizophrenia. In partial support of some preclinical models, human studies indicate that dorsal CST and hippocampal-striatal functional dysconnectivity are apparent across the psychosis spectrum and may represent a vulnerability marker for psychosis. In contrast, midbrain dysfunction may emerge when symptoms warrant clinical assistance and may thus be a trigger for illness onset. The major difference between clinical and preclinical findings is the strong involvement of the dorsal CST in the former, consistent with an increasing prominence of this circuitry in the primate brain. We close by underscoring the need for high-resolution characterization of phenotypic heterogeneity in psychosis to develop a refined understanding of how the dysfunction of specific circuit elements gives rise to distinct symptom profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Sabaroedin
- Departments of Radiology and Paediatrics, Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Jeggan Tiego
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences and Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alex Fornito
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences and Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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18
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Davies C, Bossong MG, Martins D, Wilson R, Appiah-Kusi E, Blest-Hopley G, Allen P, Zelaya F, Lythgoe DJ, Brammer M, Perez J, McGuire P, Bhattacharyya S. Hippocampal Glutamate, Resting Perfusion and the Effects of Cannabidiol in Psychosis Risk. SCHIZOPHRENIA BULLETIN OPEN 2023; 4:sgad022. [PMID: 39145348 PMCID: PMC11207663 DOI: 10.1093/schizbullopen/sgad022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Background Preclinical and human data suggest that psychosis onset involves hippocampal glutamatergic dysfunction, driving hyperactivity and hyperperfusion in a hippocampal-midbrain-striatal circuit. Whether glutamatergic dysfunction is related to cerebral perfusion in patients at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis, and whether cannabidiol (CBD) has ameliorative effects on glutamate or its relationship with perfusion remains unknown. Methods Using a double-blind, parallel-group design, 33 CHR patients were randomized to a single 600 mg dose of CBD or placebo; 19 healthy controls did not receive any drug. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to measure glutamate concentrations in left hippocampus. We examined differences relating to CHR status (controls vs placebo), effects of CBD (placebo vs CBD), and linear between-group effects, such that placebo>CBD>controls or controls>CBD>placebo. We also examined group × glutamate × cerebral perfusion (measured using Arterial Spin Labeling) interactions. Results Compared to controls, CHR-placebo patients had significantly lower hippocampal glutamate (P =.015) and a significant linear relationship was observed across groups, such that glutamate was highest in controls, lowest in CHR-placebo, and intermediate in CHR-CBD (P =.031). Moreover, there was a significant interaction between group (controls vs CHR-placebo), hippocampal glutamate, and perfusion in the putamen and insula (P FWE =.012), with a strong positive correlation in CHR-placebo vs a negative correlation in controls. Conclusions Our findings suggest that hippocampal glutamate is lower in CHR patients and may be partially normalized by a single dose of CBD. Furthermore, we provide the first in vivo evidence of an abnormal relationship between hippocampal glutamate and perfusion in the striatum and insula in CHR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy Davies
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Matthijs G Bossong
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel Martins
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Robin Wilson
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Appiah-Kusi
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Grace Blest-Hopley
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Paul Allen
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Fernando Zelaya
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - David J Lythgoe
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Michael Brammer
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Jesus Perez
- CAMEO Early Intervention Service, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
- Institute of Biomedical Research (IBSAL), Department of Medicine, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Philip McGuire
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Sagnik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
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19
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Iseli GC, Ulrich S, Schmidt A. Elucidating gut microbiota-hippocampus interactions in emerging psychosis: A new perspective for the development of early interventions for memory impairments. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1098019. [PMID: 37032923 PMCID: PMC10076719 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1098019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Hippocampal dysregulation might be a key pathophysiological factor for memory impairments in psychosis. Contemporary models particularly postulate that an imbalance of hippocampal glutamate and GABA leads to impaired memory and may thus serve as a therapeutic target to improve memory deficits. However, currently available interventions in early stages of psychosis do not explicitly target hippocampal pathology. A novel approach for manipulating hippocampus-dependent memory processes is provided via the gut microbiota. In this perspective article, we first recapitulate compelling evidence for emerging hippocampus pathology during the development of psychosis. The following sections emphasize the critical role of the gut microbiota in hippocampus plasticity and memory, and summarize existing evidence of gut microbiota alterations in different stages of psychosis. Finally, we propose a novel conceptual roadmap for future studies deciphering gut microbiota-hippocampus synergisms in emerging psychosis and argue that specific microbial supplementation might be promising for improving hippocampus-dependent memory deficits in early stages of psychosis.
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20
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Reddy-Thootkur M, Kraguljac NV, Lahti AC. The role of glutamate and GABA in cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia and mood disorders - A systematic review of magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies. Schizophr Res 2022; 249:74-84. [PMID: 32107102 PMCID: PMC7874516 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiologic, genetic, and neurobiological studies suggest considerable overlap between schizophrenia and mood disorders. Importantly, both disorders are associated with a broad range of cognitive deficits as well as altered glutamatergic and GABAergic neurometabolism. We conducted a systematic review of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies investigating the relationship between glutamatergic and GABAergic neurometabolites and cognition in schizophrenia spectrum disorders and mood disorders. A literature search in Pubmed of studies published before April 15, 2019 was conducted and 37 studies were deemed eligible for systematic review. We found that alterations in glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission have been identified relatively consistently in both schizophrenia and mood disorders. However, because of the vast heterogeneity of published studies in terms of illness stage, medication exposure, MRS acquisition parameters and data post-processing strategies, we still do not understand the relationship between those neurotransmitters and cognitive dysfunction in mental illness, which is a critical initial step for rational drug development. Our findings emphasize the need for coordinated multi-center studies that characterize cognitive function and its biological substrates in large and well-defined clinical populations, using harmonized imaging sequences and analytical methods with the goal to elucidate the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and to inform future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mounica Reddy-Thootkur
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Nina Vanessa Kraguljac
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Adrienne Carol Lahti
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States of America.
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21
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Watts JJ, Guma E, Chavez S, Tyndale RF, Ross RA, Houle S, Wilson AA, Chakravarty M, Rusjan PM, Mizrahi R. In vivo brain endocannabinoid metabolism is related to hippocampus glutamate and structure - a multimodal imaging study with PET, 1H-MRS, and MRI. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1984-1991. [PMID: 35906490 PMCID: PMC9485131 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01384-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of hippocampus glutamatergic neurotransmission and reductions in hippocampal volume have been associated with psychiatric disorders. The endocannabinoid system modulates glutamate neurotransmission and brain development, including hippocampal remodeling. In humans, elevated levels of anandamide and lower activity of its catabolic enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) are associated with schizophrenia diagnosis and psychotic symptom severity, respectively (Neuropsychopharmacol, 29(11), 2108-2114; Biol. Psychiatry 88 (9), 727-735). Although preclinical studies provide strong evidence linking anandamide and FAAH to hippocampus neurotransmission and structure, these relationships remain poorly understood in humans. We recruited young adults with and without psychotic disorders and measured FAAH activity, hippocampal glutamate and glutamine (Glx), and hippocampal volume using [11C]CURB positron emission tomography (PET), proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) and T1-weighted structural MRI, respectively. We hypothesized that higher FAAH activity would be associated with greater hippocampus Glx and lower hippocampus volume, and that these effects would differ in patients with psychotic disorders relative to healthy control participants. After attrition and quality control, a total of 37 participants (62% male) completed [11C]CURB PET and 1H-MRS of the left hippocampus, and 45 (69% male) completed [11C]CURB PET and hippocampal volumetry. Higher FAAH activity was associated with greater concentration of hippocampal Glx (F1,36.36 = 9.17, p = 0.0045; Cohen's f = 0.30, medium effect size) and smaller hippocampal volume (F1,44.70 = 5.94, p = 0.019, Cohen's f = 0.26, medium effect size). These effects did not differ between psychosis and healthy control groups (no group interaction). This multimodal imaging study provides the first in vivo evidence linking hippocampal Glx and hippocampus volume with endocannabinoid metabolism in the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy J Watts
- Research Centre, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Elisa Guma
- Computational Brain Anatomy (CoBrA) Laboratory, Cerebral Imaging Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Developmental Neurogenomics Unit, Human Genetics Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sofia Chavez
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rachel F Tyndale
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ruth A Ross
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sylvain Houle
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alan A Wilson
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mallar Chakravarty
- Computational Brain Anatomy (CoBrA) Laboratory, Cerebral Imaging Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Pablo M Rusjan
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Romina Mizrahi
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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van Hooijdonk CFM, Tse DHY, Roosenschoon J, Ceccarini J, Booij J, van Amelsvoort TAMJ, Vingerhoets C. The Relationships between Dopaminergic, Glutamatergic, and Cognitive Functioning in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional, Multimodal 1H-MRS and 18F-Fallypride PET Study. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:1672. [PMID: 36140839 PMCID: PMC9498700 DOI: 10.3390/genes13091672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) are at increased risk of developing psychosis and cognitive impairments, which may be related to dopaminergic and glutamatergic abnormalities. Therefore, in this exploratory study, we examined the association between dopaminergic and glutamatergic functioning in 22q11DS. Additionally, the associations between glutamatergic functioning and brain volumes in 22q11DS and healthy controls (HC), as well as those between dopaminergic and cognitive functioning in 22q11DS, were also examined. METHODS In this cross-sectional, multimodal imaging study, glutamate, glutamine, and their combined concentration (Glx) were assessed in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and striatum in 17 22q11DS patients and 20 HC using 7T proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Ten 22q11DS patients also underwent 18F-fallypride positron emission tomography to measure dopamine D2/3 receptor (D2/3R) availability in the ACC and striatum. Cognitive performance was assessed with the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. RESULTS No significant associations were found between ACC or striatal (1) glutamate, glutamine, or Glx concentrations and (2) D2/3R availability. In HC but not in 22q11DS patients, we found a significant relationship between ACC volume and ACC glutamate, glutamine, and Glx concentration. In addition, some aspects of cognitive functioning were significantly associated with D2/3R availability in 22q11DS. However, none of the associations remained significant after Bonferroni correction. CONCLUSIONS Although our results did not reach statistical significance, our findings suggest an association between glutamatergic functioning and brain volume in HC but not in 22q11DS. Additionally, D2/3R availability seems to be related to cognitive functioning in 22q11DS. Studies in larger samples are needed to further elucidate our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen F. M. van Hooijdonk
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), University of Maastricht, 6226 NB Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Rivierduinen, Institute for Mental Health Care, 2333 ZZ Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Desmond H. Y. Tse
- Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Julia Roosenschoon
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), University of Maastricht, 6226 NB Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jenny Ceccarini
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Division of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Booij
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Therese A. M. J. van Amelsvoort
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), University of Maastricht, 6226 NB Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Claudia Vingerhoets
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), University of Maastricht, 6226 NB Maastricht, The Netherlands
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23
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Joe P, Clemente JC, Piras E, Wallach DS, Robinson-Papp J, Boka E, Remsen B, Bonner M, Kimhy D, Goetz D, Hoffman K, Lee J, Ruby E, Fendrich S, Gonen O, Malaspina D. An integrative study of the microbiome gut-brain-axis and hippocampal inflammation in psychosis: Persistent effects from mode of birth. Schizophr Res 2022; 247:101-115. [PMID: 34625336 PMCID: PMC8980116 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The mechanism producing psychosis appears to include hippocampal inflammation, which could be associated with the microbiome-gut-brain-axis (MGBS). To test this hypothesis we are conducting a multidisciplinary study, herein described. The procedures are illustrated with testing of a single subject and group level information on the impact of C-section birth are presented. METHOD Study subjects undergo research diagnostic interviews and symptom assessments to be categorized into one of 3 study groups: psychosis, nonpsychotic affective disorder or healthy control. Hippocampal volume and metabolite concentrations are assessed using 3-dimensional, multi-voxel H1 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRSI) encompassing all gray matter in the entire hippocampal volume. Rich self-report information is obtained with the PROMIS interview, which was developed by the NIH Commons for research in chronic conditions. Early trauma is assessed and cognition is quantitated using the MATRICS. The method also includes the most comprehensive autonomic nervous system (ANS) battery used to date in psychiatric research. Stool and oral samples are obtained for microbiome assessments and cytokines and other substances are measured in blood samples. RESULTS Group level preliminary data shows that C-section birth is associated with higher concentrations of GLX, a glutamate related hippocampal neurotransmitter in psychotic cases, worse symptoms in affective disorder cases and smaller hippocampal volume in controls. CONCLUSION Mode of birth appears to have persistent influences through adulthood. The methodology described for this study will define pathways through which the MGBA may influence the risk for psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Joe
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Jose C Clemente
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - Enrica Piras
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - David S Wallach
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Emeka Boka
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brooke Remsen
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mharisi Bonner
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA
| | - David Kimhy
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Deborah Goetz
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kevin Hoffman
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychiatry, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jakleen Lee
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eugene Ruby
- University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Psychology, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Fendrich
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA; Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Center for Health Care Incentives & Behavioral Economics, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Oded Gonen
- NYU Langone Medical Center, Department of Radiology, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dolores Malaspina
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA
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24
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Wu Q, Tang J, Qi C, Xie A, Liu J, O’Neill J, Liu T, Hao W, Liao Y. Higher glutamatergic activity in the medial prefrontal cortex in chronic ketamine users. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2022; 47:E263-E271. [PMID: 35882477 PMCID: PMC9343127 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.210179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) plays an important role in depression and addiction. Previous studies have shown alterations in glutamatergic activity in the mPFC following the administration of ketamine in patients with depression and healthy controls. However, it remains unclear whether chronic, nonmedical use of ketamine affects metabolites in the mPFC. METHODS Using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we measured metabolites (glutamate and glutamine [Glx]; phosphocreatine and creatine [PCr+Cr]; myo-inositol; N-acetyl-aspartate; and glycerophosphocholine and phosphocholine [GPC+PC]) in the mPFC of chronic ketamine users (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 43). Among ketamine users, 60% consumed ketamine once per day or more, 10% consumed it every 2 days and 30% consumed it every 3 or more days. Using analysis of covariance, we evaluated between-group differences in the ratios of Glx:PCr+Cr, myo-inositol:PCr+Cr, N-acetyl-aspartate:PCr+Cr and GPC+PC:PCr+Cr. RESULTS Chronic ketamine users showed significantly higher Glx:PCr+Cr ratios than healthy controls (median 1.05 v. 0.95, p = 0.008). We found no significant differences in myoinositol:PCr+Cr, N-acetyl-aspartate:PCr+Cr or GPC+PC:PCr+Cr ratios between the 2 groups. We found a positive relationship between N-acetyl-aspartate:PCr+Cr and Glx:PCr+Cr ratios in the healthy control group (R = 0.345, p = 0.023), but the ketamine use group failed to show such an association (ρ = 0.197, p = 0.40). LIMITATIONS The cross-sectional design of this study did not permit causal inferences related to higher Glx:PCr+Cr ratios and chronic ketamine use. CONCLUSION This study provides the first evidence that chronic ketamine users have higher glutamatergic activity in the mPFC than healthy controls; this finding may provide new insights relevant to the treatment of depression with ketamine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yanhui Liao
- From the Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China (Wu, Tang, Liao); the Department of Psychiatry and National Clinical Research Centre for Mental Disorders, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China (Wu, T. Liu, Hao); the Department of Psychiatry, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China (Qi); the Department of Radiology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China (Xie, J. Liu); the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Los Angeles, Calif., USA (O'Neill)
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25
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Su W, Zhao Z, Li G, Tang X, Xu L, Tang Y, Wei Y, Cui H, Zhang T, Zhang J, Liu X, Guo Q, Wang J. Thalamo-hippocampal dysconnectivity is associated with serum cholesterol level in drug-naïve patients with first-episode schizophrenia. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 151:497-506. [PMID: 35623125 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Hippocampal deficits and metabolic dysregulations such as dyslipidemia have been frequently reported in schizophrenia and are suggested to contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Hippocampus is particularly susceptible to environmental challenges including metabolism and inflammation. However, evidence linking hippocampal alterations and metabolic dysregulations are quite sparse in drug-naïve schizophrenia. A total of 166 drug-naïve patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) and 78 healthy controls (HC) underwent measures for several serum metabolic markers, structural and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), as well as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Seed-to-voxel functional connectivity (FC) and probabilistic tractography were performed to assess the functional and microstructural connectivity of the bilateral hippocampi. Clinical symptoms were evaluated with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Patients with FES showed significantly decreased total cholesterol (Chol) level. Patients showed elevated FC between the left hippocampus and bilateral thalami while showing decreased microstructural connectivity between the left hippocampus and bilateral thalami. Multiple regression analyses showed that FC from the left hippocampus to the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG), bilateral frontal pole (FP), and right thalamus were negatively associated with the Chol level, while no association was observed in the HC group. Our study validated alterations in both functional and microstructural thalamo-hippocampal connectivities, and abnormal cholesterol level in FES. Moreover, decreased cholesterol level is associated with elevated thalamo-hippocampal functional connectivity in patients with FES, suggesting that dyslipidemia may interact with the hippocampal dysfunction in FES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Su
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Zexin Zhao
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Guanjun Li
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China; Department of Early Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Xiaochen Tang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Lihua Xu
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yingying Tang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yanyan Wei
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Huiru Cui
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Tianhong Zhang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xiaohua Liu
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China; Department of Early Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Qian Guo
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China; Department of Early Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Jijun Wang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT), Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, 200031, China; Institute of Psychology and Behavioral Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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26
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Park DK, Petshow S, Anisimova M, Barragan EV, Gray JA, Stein IS, Zito K. Reduced d-serine levels drive enhanced non-ionotropic NMDA receptor signaling and destabilization of dendritic spines in a mouse model for studying schizophrenia. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 170:105772. [PMID: 35605760 PMCID: PMC9352378 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder that affects over 20 million people globally. Notably, schizophrenia is associated with decreased density of dendritic spines and decreased levels of d-serine, a co-agonist required for opening of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). We hypothesized that lowered d-serine levels associated with schizophrenia would enhance ion flux-independent signaling by the NMDAR, driving destabilization and loss of dendritic spines. We tested our hypothesis using the serine racemase knockout (SRKO) mouse model, which lacks the enzyme for d-serine production. We show that activity-dependent spine growth is impaired in SRKO mice, but can be acutely rescued by exogenous d-serine. Moreover, we find a significant bias of synaptic plasticity toward spine shrinkage in the SRKO mice as compared to wild-type littermates. Notably, we demonstrate that enhanced ion flux-independent signaling through the NMDAR contributes to this bias toward spine destabilization, which is exacerbated by an increase in synaptic NMDARs in hippocampal synapses of SRKO mice. Our results support a model in which lowered d-serine levels associated with schizophrenia enhance ion flux-independent NMDAR signaling and bias toward spine shrinkage and destabilization.
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27
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Kara F, Joers JM, Deelchand DK, Park YW, Przybelski SA, Lesnick TG, Senjem ML, Zeydan B, Knopman DS, Lowe VJ, Vemuri P, Mielke MM, Machulda MM, Jack CR, Petersen RC, Öz G, Kantarci K. 1H MR spectroscopy biomarkers of neuronal and synaptic function are associated with tau deposition in cognitively unimpaired older adults. Neurobiol Aging 2022; 112:16-26. [PMID: 35038671 PMCID: PMC8976711 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) may provide information on pathophysiological changes associated with tau deposition in cognitively unimpaired older adults. In this study, the associations of posterior cingulate gyrus tau and amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition on PET with 1H MRS metabolite ratios acquired from bilateral posterior cingulate gyri were investigated in cognitively unimpaired older adults. Participants (n = 40) from the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging underwent single-voxel sLASER 1H MRS from the posterior cingulate gyrus at 3 Tesla, 18F-flortaucipir, and 11C- Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB) PET. An increase in posterior cingulate gyrus tau deposition, but not elevated Aβ, was associated with lower N-acetylaspartate/total creatine (tCr) and glutamate (Glu)/tCr ratios, and sex by tau interaction was observed in association with Glu/tCr. Higher tau levels in cognitively unimpaired older adults are associated with biomarkers of neural and synaptic injury even in the absence of cognitive impairment and these relationships appear to be stronger in women than in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firat Kara
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - James M Joers
- Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Dinesh K Deelchand
- Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Young Woo Park
- Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Scott A Przybelski
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Timothy G Lesnick
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Matthew L Senjem
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Information Technology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Burcu Zeydan
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic-Minnesota, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - David S Knopman
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic-Minnesota, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Val J Lowe
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Michelle M Mielke
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic-Minnesota, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Mary M Machulda
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic-Minnesota, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | - Gülin Öz
- Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kejal Kantarci
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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28
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Zhang L, Xu Y, Li H, Li B, Duan G, Zhu C. The role of probiotics in children with autism spectrum disorders: A study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263109. [PMID: 35202432 PMCID: PMC8870536 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental condition that begins in infancy or earlier and lasts through the individual’s lifetime. The aetiology and mechanisms of ASD are not yet fully understood, and current treatment comprises mainly education and rehabilitation, without significant improvement in the core symptoms. Recent studies suggest that microbiota change in children with ASD after the ingestion of probiotics may improve the balance of microbiota and thus ASD symptoms. Objective The objectives of this study are to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics on the symptoms of children with ASD and the possible mechanisms involved. Methods This is a prospective controlled trial. A total of 160 children with ASD will be stratified and allocated to placebo and probiotics groups randomised according to the severity of their ASD symptoms. The probiotics group will be given probiotics supplements orally twice a day for 3 months and the control group will be given a placebo at the same amount, in addition to the baseline therapy of education and rehabilitation. All the children will be evaluated systematically by using different scales, questionnaires before, during, and after 3 months’ treatment, as well as 3 months after discontinuation. The potential impact of probiotics on immunity and inflammation, metabolism, and metagenome will also be investigated. Discussion Our previous study showed that the abundance of intestinal flora was greatly different in children with ASD, and that Bifidobacterium was associated with the severity of ASD. In the present study, we will investigate the impact of probiotics supplementation on the symptoms of Children with ASD, with the purpose of evaluating the possible therapeutic effects of additives on ASD and of providing a reference for clinical treatment. The results will help to disclose as yet unknown relationship between probiotics and ASD. Trial registration This study has been registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-2000037941).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Clinical Research Center for Child Neurological Disorders, Institute of Neuroscience and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yiran Xu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Clinical Research Center for Child Neurological Disorders, Institute of Neuroscience and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongwei Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Clinical Research Center for Child Neurological Disorders, Institute of Neuroscience and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bingbing Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Clinical Research Center for Child Neurological Disorders, Institute of Neuroscience and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guiqin Duan
- Center for Child Behavioral Development, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Changlian Zhu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Clinical Research Center for Child Neurological Disorders, Institute of Neuroscience and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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29
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Luttenbacher I, Phillips A, Kazemi R, Hadipour AL, Sanghvi I, Martinez J, Adamson MM. Transdiagnostic role of glutamate and white matter damage in neuropsychiatric disorders: A Systematic Review. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 147:324-348. [PMID: 35151030 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.12.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric disorders including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD), and schizophrenia (SZ) have been considered distinct categories of diseases despite their overlapping characteristics and symptomatology. We aimed to provide an in-depth review elucidating the role of glutamate/Glx and white matter (WM) abnormalities in these disorders from a transdiagnostic perspective. The PubMed online database was searched for studies published between 2010 and 2021. After careful screening, 401 studies were included. The findings point to decreased levels of glutamate in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex in both SZ and BD, whereas Glx is elevated in the Hippocampus in SZ and MDD. With regard to WM abnormalities, the Corpus Callosum and superior Longitudinal Fascicle were the most consistently identified brain regions showing decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) across all the reviewed disorders, except GAD. Additionally, the Uncinate Fasciculus displayed decreased FA in all disorders, except OCD. Decreased FA was also found in the inferior Longitudinal Fasciculus, inferior Fronto-Occipital Fasciculus, Thalamic Radiation, and Corona Radiata in SZ, BD, and MDD. Decreased FA in the Fornix and Corticospinal Tract were found in BD and SZ patients. The Cingulum and Anterior Limb of Internal Capsule exhibited decreased FA in MDD and SZ patients. The results suggest a gradual increase in severity from GAD to SZ defined by the number of brain regions with WM abnormality which may be partially caused by abnormal glutamate levels. WM damage could thus be considered a potential marker of some of the main neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Luttenbacher
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Rehabilitation Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Angela Phillips
- Rehabilitation Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Reza Kazemi
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abed L Hadipour
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Isha Sanghvi
- Rehabilitation Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Julian Martinez
- Rehabilitation Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA; Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Maheen M Adamson
- Rehabilitation Service, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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30
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Nelson EA, Kraguljac NV, Maximo JO, Briend F, Armstrong W, Ver Hoef LW, Johnson V, Lahti AC. Hippocampal Dysconnectivity and Altered Glutamatergic Modulation of the Default Mode Network: A Combined Resting-State Connectivity and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study in Schizophrenia. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2022; 7:108-118. [PMID: 32684484 PMCID: PMC7904096 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2020.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Converging lines of evidence point to hippocampal dysfunction in schizophrenia. It is thought that hippocampal dysfunction spreads across hippocampal subfields and to cortical regions by way of long-range efferent projections. Importantly, abnormalities in the excitation/inhibition balance could impair the long-range modulation of neural networks. The goal of this project was twofold. First, we sought to identify replicable patterns of hippocampal dysconnectivity in patients with a psychosis spectrum disorder. Second, we aimed to investigate a putative link between glutamatergic metabolism and hippocampal connectivity alterations. METHODS We evaluated resting-state hippocampal functional connectivity alterations in two cohorts of patients with a psychosis spectrum disorder. The first cohort consisted of 55 medication-naïve patients with first-episode psychosis and 41 matched healthy control subjects, and the second cohort consisted of 42 unmedicated patients with schizophrenia and 41 matched control subjects. We also acquired measurements of glutamate + glutamine in the left hippocampus using magnetic resonance spectroscopy for 42 patients with first-episode psychosis and 37 healthy control subjects from our first cohort. RESULTS We observed a pattern of hippocampal functional hypoconnectivity to regions of the default mode network and hyperconnectivity to the lateral occipital cortex in both cohorts. We also show that in healthy control subjects, greater hippocampal glutamate + glutamine levels predicted greater hippocampal functional connectivity to the anterior default mode network. Furthermore, this relationship was reversed in medication-naïve subjects with first-episode psychosis. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that an alteration in the relationship between glutamate and functional connectivity may disrupt the dynamic of major neural networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A. Nelson
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Nina V. Kraguljac
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jose O Maximo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Frederic Briend
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - William Armstrong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Lawrence W. Ver Hoef
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Victoria Johnson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Adrienne C. Lahti
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Correspondence: Adrienne C. Lahti, MD, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sparks Center, Room 501, 1720 7 Ave. S, Birmingham, Al 35233, Telephone: 205-996-6776, Fax: 205-975-4879,
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Glutamatergic and GABAergic metabolite levels in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders: a meta-analysis of 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:744-757. [PMID: 34584230 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01297-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The glutamate (Glu) and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) hypotheses of schizophrenia were proposed in the 1980s. However, current findings on those metabolite levels in schizophrenia have been inconsistent, and the relationship between their abnormalities and the pathophysiology of schizophrenia remains unclear. To summarize the nature of the alterations of glutamatergic and GABAergic systems in schizophrenia, we conducted meta-analyses of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) studies examining these metabolite levels. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted using Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, and PubMed. Original studies that compared four metabolite levels (Glu, glutamine [Gln], Glx [Glu+Gln], and GABA), as measured by 1H-MRS, between individuals at high risk for psychosis, patients with first-episode psychosis, or patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls (HC) were included. A random-effects model was used to calculate the effect sizes for group differences in these metabolite levels of 18 regions of interest between the whole group or schizophrenia group and HC. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were performed based on the status of antipsychotic treatment, illness stage, treatment resistance, and magnetic field strength. RESULTS One-hundred-thirty-four studies met the eligibility criteria, totaling 7993 participants with SZ-spectrum disorders and 8744 HC. 14 out of 18 ROIs had enough numbers of studies to examine the group difference in the metabolite levels. In the whole group, Glx levels in the basal ganglia (g = 0.32; 95% CIs: 0.18-0.45) were elevated. Subgroup analyses showed elevated Glx levels in the hippocampus (g = 0.47; 95% CIs: 0.21-0.73) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (g = 0.25; 95% CIs: 0.05-0.44) in unmedicated patients than HC. GABA levels in the MCC were decreased in the first-episode psychosis group compared with HC (g = -0.40; 95% CIs: -0.62 to -0.17). Treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) group had elevated Glx and Glu levels in the MCC (Glx: g = 0.7; 95% CIs: 0.38-1.01; Glu: g = 0.63; 95% CIs: 0.31-0.94) while MCC Glu levels were decreased in the patient group except TRS (g = -0.17; 95% CIs: -0.33 to -0.01). CONCLUSIONS Increased glutamatergic metabolite levels and reduced GABA levels indicate that the disruption of excitatory/inhibitory balance may be related to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.
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Lee D, Seo J, Jeong HC, Lee H, Lee SB. The Perspectives of Early Diagnosis of Schizophrenia Through the Detection of Epigenomics-Based Biomarkers in iPSC-Derived Neurons. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:756613. [PMID: 34867186 PMCID: PMC8633873 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.756613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of early diagnostic biomarkers for schizophrenia greatly limits treatment options that deliver therapeutic agents to affected cells at a timely manner. While previous schizophrenia biomarker research has identified various biological signals that are correlated with certain diseases, their reliability and practicality as an early diagnostic tool remains unclear. In this article, we discuss the use of atypical epigenetic and/or consequent transcriptional alterations (ETAs) as biomarkers of early-stage schizophrenia. Furthermore, we review the viability of discovering and applying these biomarkers through the use of cutting-edge technologies such as human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons, brain models, and single-cell level analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davin Lee
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Jinsoo Seo
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Hae Chan Jeong
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Hyosang Lee
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Sung Bae Lee
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, South Korea
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Sonmez AI, Lewis CP, Port JD, Athreya AP, Choi DS, Zaccariello MJ, Shekunov J, Blacker CJ, Croarkin PE. A pilot spectroscopy study of adversity in adolescents. Biomark Neuropsychiatry 2021; 5:100043. [PMID: 35783196 PMCID: PMC9248870 DOI: 10.1016/j.bionps.2021.100043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Childhood adversity is a global health problem affecting 25-50% of children worldwide. Few prior studies have examined the underlying neurochemistry of adversity in adolescents. This cross-sectional study examined spectroscopic markers of trauma in a cohort of adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy controls. We hypothesized that historical adversity would have a negative relationship with spectroscopic measures of glutamate metabolites in anterior cingulate cortex. Methods Adolescent participants (aged 13-21) underwent a semi-structured diagnostic interview and clinical assessment, which included the self-report Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), a 28-item assessment of childhood adversity. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) scans at 3 Tesla of an anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) voxel (8 cm3) encompassing both hemispheres were collected using a 2-dimensional J-averaged sequence to assess N-acetylaspartate (NAA), Glx (glutamate+glutamine) and [NAA]/[Glx] concentrations. Generalized linear models assessed the relationships between CTQ scores and metabolite levels in ACC. Results Thirty-nine participants (17 healthy controls, 22 depressed participants) underwent 1H-MRS and completed the CTQ measures. There were decrements in [NAA]/[Glx] ratio in the ACC of participants with childhood adversity while no significant relationship between CTQ total score and any of the ACC metabolites was found in the combined sample. Exploratory results revealed a positive association between Glx levels and CTQ scores in depressed participants. Conversely the [NAA]/[Glx] ratio had a negative association with total CTQ scores in the depressed participants. Emotional Abuse Scale showed a significant negative relationship with [NAA]/[Glx] ratio in the combined sample when adjusted for depression severity. Conclusions Our findings suggest that childhood adversity may impact brain neurochemical profiles. Further longitudinal studies should examine neurochemical correlates of childhood adversity throughout development and in populations with other psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Irem Sonmez
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Charles P. Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - John D. Port
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Arjun P. Athreya
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Doo-Sop Choi
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Michael J. Zaccariello
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Julia Shekunov
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Caren J. Blacker
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Paul E. Croarkin
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA
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Mnemonic Discrimination Deficits in First-Episode Psychosis and a Ketamine Model Suggest Dentate Gyrus Pathology Linked to NMDA Receptor Hypofunction. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2021; 6:1185-1192. [PMID: 34649019 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2021.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Converging evidence from neuroimaging and postmortem studies suggests that hippocampal subfields are differentially affected in schizophrenia. Recent studies report dentate gyrus dysfunction in chronic schizophrenia, but the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Here, we sought to examine if this deficit is already present in first-episode psychosis and if NMDA receptor hypofunction, a putative central pathophysiological mechanism in schizophrenia, experimentally induced by ketamine, would result in a similar abnormality. METHODS We applied a mnemonic discrimination task selectively taxing pattern separation in two experiments: 1) a group of 23 patients with first-episode psychosis and 23 matched healthy volunteers and 2) a group of 19 healthy volunteers before and during a ketamine challenge (0.27 mg/kg over 10 min, then 0.25 mg/kg/hour for 50 min, 0.01 mL/s). We calculated response bias-corrected pattern separation and recognition scores. We also examined the relationships between task performance and symptom severity as well as ketamine levels. RESULTS We reported a deficit in pattern separation performance in patients with first-episode psychosis compared with healthy volunteers (p = .04) and in volunteers during the ketamine challenge compared with baseline (p = .003). Pattern recognition was lower in patients with first-episode psychosis than in control subjects (p < .01). Exploratory analyses revealed no correlation between task performance and Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status total scores or positive symptoms in patients with first-episode psychosis or with ketamine serum levels. CONCLUSIONS We observed a mnemonic discrimination deficit in both datasets. Our findings suggest a tentative mechanistic link between dentate gyrus dysfunction in first-episode psychosis and NMDA receptor hypofunction.
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Maximo JO, Briend F, Armstrong WP, Kraguljac NV, Lahti AC. Salience network glutamate and brain connectivity in medication-naïve first episode patients - A multimodal magnetic resonance spectroscopy and resting state functional connectivity MRI study. Neuroimage Clin 2021; 32:102845. [PMID: 34662778 PMCID: PMC8526757 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Salience network (SN) connectivity is altered in schizophrenia, but the pathophysiological origin remains poorly understood. The goal of this multimodal neuroimaging study was to investigate the role of glutamatergic metabolism as putative mechanism underlying SN dysconnectivity in first episode psychosis (FEP) subjects. METHODS We measured glutamate + glutamine (Glx) in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) from 70 antipsychotic-naïve FEP subjects and 52 healthy controls (HC). The dACC was then used as seed to define positive and negative resting state functional connectivity (FC) of the SN. We used multiple regression analyses to test main effects and group interactions of Glx and FC associations. RESULTS dACC Glx levels did not differ between groups. Positive FC was significantly reduced in FEP compared to HC, and no group differences were found in negative FC. Group interactions of Glx-FC associations were found within the SN for positive FC, and in parietal cortices for negative FC. In HC, higher Glx levels predicted greater positive FC in the dACC and insula, and greater negative FC of the lateral parietal cortex. These relationships were weaker or absent in FEP. CONCLUSIONS Here, we found that positive FC in the SN is already altered in medication-naïve FEP, underscoring the importance of considering both correlations and anticorrelations for characterization of pathology. Our data demonstrate that Glx and functional connectivity work differently in FEP than in HC, pointing to a possible mechanism underlying dysconnectivity in psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose O Maximo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Frederic Briend
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; UMR1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
| | - William P Armstrong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Nina V Kraguljac
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Adrienne C Lahti
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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Valproic acid suppresses cuprizone-induced hippocampal demyelination and anxiety-like behavior by promoting cholesterol biosynthesis. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 158:105489. [PMID: 34461265 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelin consists of several layers of tightly compacted membranes that form an insulating sheath around axons. These membranes are highly enriched in cholesterol, which is essential for the myelination process. Proper myelination is crucial for various neurophysiological functions while demyelination may cause CNS disease, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Recent studies demonstrated that demyelination occurs not only in the white matter but also in the grey matter, such as the hippocampus, which may cause cognitive deficits and mental disorders. Valproic acid (VPA) is an anticonvulsant agent prescribed for the treatment of epilepsy and seizure. Recently, VPA was reported to alter cholesterol metabolism in neural cells, suggesting that it may play an important role in myelin biogenesis. Here in this study, we found significant demyelination in the hippocampus of the mouse cuprizone model, which is accompanied by reduced cholesterol biosynthesis and increased anxiety-like behavior. VPA treatment, however, suppressed cuprizone-induced hippocampal demyelination and anxiety-like behavior by promoting cholesterol biosynthesis. These data identify an important role of VPA in the hippocampal demyelination process and the hippocampal demyelination-related behavior deficit via regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis, which provides new insights into the mechanisms of VPA as a protective agent against CNS demyelination.
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Park MTM, Jeon P, Khan AR, Dempster K, Chakravarty MM, Lerch JP, MacKinley M, Théberge J, Palaniyappan L. Hippocampal neuroanatomy in first episode psychosis: A putative role for glutamate and serotonin receptors. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 110:110297. [PMID: 33691200 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Disrupted serotonergic and glutamatergic signaling interact and contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, which is particularly relevant for the hippocampus where diverse expression of serotonin receptors is noted. Hippocampal atrophy is a well-established feature of schizophrenia, with select subfields hypothesized as particularly vulnerable due to variation in glutamate receptor densities. We investigated hippocampal anomalies in first-episode psychosis (FEP) in relation to receptor distributions by leveraging 4 sources of data: (1) ultra high-field (7-Tesla) structural neuroimaging, and (2) proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) of glutamate from 27 healthy and 41 FEP subjects, (3) gene expression data from the Allen Human Brain Atlas and (4) atlases of the serotonin receptor system. Automated methods delineated the hippocampus to map receptor density across subfields. We used gene expression data to correlate serotonin and glutamate receptor genes across the hippocampus. Measures of individual hippocampal shape-receptor alignment were derived through normative modelling and correlations to receptor distributions, termed Receptor-Specific Morphometric Signatures (RSMS). We found reduced hippocampal volumes in FEP, while CA4-dentate gyrus showed greatest reductions. Gene expression indicated 5-HT1A and 5-HT4 to correlate with AMPA and NMDA expression, respectively. Magnitudes of subfield volumetric reduction in FEP correlated most with 5-HT1A (R = 0.64, p = 4.09E-03) and 5-HT4 (R = 0.54, p = 0.02) densities as expected, and replicated using previously published data from two FEP studies. Right-sided 5-HT4-RSMS was correlated with MRS glutamate (R = 0.357, p = 0.048). We demonstrate a putative glutamate-driven hippocampal variability in FEP through a serotonin receptor-density gated mechanism, thus outlining a mechanistic interplay between serotonin and glutamate in determining the hippocampal morphology in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Tae M Park
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Peter Jeon
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Ali R Khan
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Canada; Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Kara Dempster
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - M Mallar Chakravarty
- Departments of Psychiatry and Biological and Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Cerebral Imaging Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jason P Lerch
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Jean Théberge
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Canada; Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada
| | - Lena Palaniyappan
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada; Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Canada; Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada.
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Onwordi EC, Whitehurst T, Mansur A, Statton B, Berry A, Quinlan M, O'Regan DP, Rogdaki M, Marques TR, Rabiner EA, Gunn RN, Vernon AC, Natesan S, Howes OD. The relationship between synaptic density marker SV2A, glutamate and N-acetyl aspartate levels in healthy volunteers and schizophrenia: a multimodal PET and magnetic resonance spectroscopy brain imaging study. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:393. [PMID: 34282130 PMCID: PMC8290006 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01515-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamatergic excitotoxicity is hypothesised to underlie synaptic loss in schizophrenia pathogenesis, but it is unknown whether synaptic markers are related to glutamatergic function in vivo. Additionally, it has been proposed that N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) levels reflect neuronal integrity. Here, we investigated whether synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 A (SV2A) levels are related to glutamatergic markers and NAA in healthy volunteers (HV) and schizophrenia patients (SCZ). Forty volunteers (SCZ n = 18, HV n = 22) underwent [11C]UCB-J positron emission tomography and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) imaging in the left hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) to index [11C]UCB-J distribution volume ratio (DVR), and creatine-scaled glutamate (Glu/Cr), glutamate and glutamine (Glx/Cr) and NAA (NAA/Cr). In healthy volunteers, but not patients, [11C]UCB-J DVR was significantly positively correlated with Glu/Cr, in both the hippocampus and ACC. Furthermore, in healthy volunteers, but not patients, [11C]UCB-J DVR was significantly positively correlated with Glx/Cr, in both the hippocampus and ACC. There were no significant relationships between [11C]UCB-J DVR and NAA/Cr in the hippocampus or ACC in healthy volunteers or patients. Therefore, an appreciable proportion of the brain 1H-MRS glutamatergic signal is related to synaptic density in healthy volunteers. This relationship is not seen in schizophrenia, which, taken with lower synaptic marker levels, is consistent with lower levels of glutamatergic terminals and/or a lower proportion of glutamatergic relative to GABAergic terminals in the ACC in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellis Chika Onwordi
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Camberwell, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
| | - Thomas Whitehurst
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Ayla Mansur
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, The Commonwealth Building, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Invicro, Burlington Danes Building, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Ben Statton
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Alaine Berry
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Marina Quinlan
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Declan P O'Regan
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Maria Rogdaki
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Camberwell, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Tiago Reis Marques
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Camberwell, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Eugenii A Rabiner
- Invicro, Burlington Danes Building, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Roger N Gunn
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, The Commonwealth Building, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Invicro, Burlington Danes Building, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Anthony C Vernon
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, 5 Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RT, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Sridhar Natesan
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Oliver D Howes
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Camberwell, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
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Delavari F, Sandini C, Zöller D, Mancini V, Bortolin K, Schneider M, Van De Ville D, Eliez S. Dysmaturation Observed as Altered Hippocampal Functional Connectivity at Rest Is Associated With the Emergence of Positive Psychotic Symptoms in Patients With 22q11 Deletion Syndrome. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 90:58-68. [PMID: 33771350 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hippocampal alterations are among the most replicated neuroimaging findings across the psychosis spectrum. Moreover, there is strong translational evidence that preserving the maturation of hippocampal networks in mice models prevents the progression of cognitive deficits. However, the developmental trajectory of hippocampal functional connectivity (HFC) and its contribution to psychosis is not well characterized in the human population. 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) offers a unique model for characterizing early neural correlates of schizophrenia. METHODS We acquired resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in 242 longitudinally repeated scans from 84 patients with 22q11DS (30 with moderate to severe positive psychotic symptoms) and 94 healthy control subjects in the age span of 6 to 32 years. We obtained bilateral hippocampus to whole-brain functional connectivity and employed a novel longitudinal multivariate approach by means of partial least squares correlation to evaluate the developmental trajectory of HFC across groups. RESULTS Relative to control subjects, patients with 22q11DS failed to increase HFC with frontal regions such as the dorsal part of the anterior cingulate cortex, prefrontal cortex, and supplementary motor area. Concurrently, carriers of the deletion had abnormally higher HFC with subcortical dopaminergic areas. Remarkably, this aberrant maturation of HFC was more prominent during midadolescence and was mainly driven by patients exhibiting subthreshold positive psychotic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest a critical period of prefrontal cortex-hippocampal-striatal circuit dysmaturation, particularly during late adolescence, which in light of current translation evidence could be a target for short-term interventions to potentially achieve long-lasting rescue of circuit dysfunctions associated with psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Delavari
- Developmental Imaging and Psychopathology Laboratory, University of Geneva School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland; Medical Image Processing Laboratory, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Corrado Sandini
- Developmental Imaging and Psychopathology Laboratory, University of Geneva School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Zöller
- Developmental Imaging and Psychopathology Laboratory, University of Geneva School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland; Medical Image Processing Laboratory, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Valentina Mancini
- Developmental Imaging and Psychopathology Laboratory, University of Geneva School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Karin Bortolin
- Developmental Imaging and Psychopathology Laboratory, University of Geneva School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland; Medical Image Processing Laboratory, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maude Schneider
- Developmental Imaging and Psychopathology Laboratory, University of Geneva School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Neuroscience, Center for Contextual Psychiatry, Research Group Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dimitri Van De Ville
- Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Medical Image Processing Laboratory, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Eliez
- Developmental Imaging and Psychopathology Laboratory, University of Geneva School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
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40
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Imaging synaptic dopamine availability in individuals at clinical high-risk for psychosis: a [ 11C]-(+)-PHNO PET with methylphenidate challenge study. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:2504-2513. [PMID: 33154566 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00934-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Patients at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis show elevations in [18F]DOPA uptake, an estimate of dopamine (DA) synthesis capacity, in the striatum predictive of conversion to schizophrenia. Intrasynaptic DA levels can be inferred from imaging the change in radiotracer binding at D2 receptors due to a pharmacological challenge. Here, we used methylphenidate, a DA reuptake inhibitor, and [11C]-(+)-PHNO, to measure synaptic DA availability in CHR both in striatal and extra-striatal brain regions. Fourteen unmedicated, nonsubstance using CHR individuals and 14 matched control subjects participated in the study. Subjects underwent two [11C]-(+)-PHNO scans, one at baseline and one following administration of a single oral dose (60 mg) of methylphenidate. [11C]-(+)-PHNO BPND, the binding potential relative to the nondisplaceable compartment, was derived using the simplified reference tissue model with cerebellum as reference tissue. The percent change in BPND between scans, ΔBPND, was computed as an index of synaptic DA availability, and group comparisons were performed with a linear mixed model. An overall trend was found for greater synaptic DA availability (∆BPND) in CHR than controls (p = 0.06). This was driven entirely by ∆BPND in ventral striatum (-34 ± 14% in CHR, -20 ± 12% in HC; p = 0.023). There were no significant group differences in any other brain region. There were no significant differences in DA transmission in any striatal region between converters and nonconverters, although this finding is limited by the small sample size (N = 2). There was a strong and negative correlation between ΔBPND in VST and severity of negative symptoms at baseline in the CHR group (r = -0.66, p < 0.01). We show abnormally increased DA availability in the VST in CHR and an inverse relationship with negative symptoms. Our results suggest a potential early role for mesolimbic dopamine overactivity in CHR. Longitudinal studies are needed to ascertain the significance of the differential topography observed here with the [18F]DOPA literature.
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41
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Gangadin SS, Cahn W, Scheewe TW, Hulshoff Pol HE, Bossong MG. Reduced resting state functional connectivity in the hippocampus-midbrain-striatum network of schizophrenia patients. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 138:83-88. [PMID: 33836433 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Contemporary preclinical models suggest that abnormal functioning of a brain network consisting of the hippocampus, midbrain and striatum plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Previous neuroimaging studies examined individual aspects of this model in schizophrenia patients and individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis. However, this exact preclinical brain network has not been translated to human neuroimaging studies with schizophrenia patients and therefore it is currently unknown how functioning of this network is altered in patients. Here we investigated resting state functional connectivity in the hippocampus-midbrain-striatum network of schizophrenia patients, using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Based on preclinical models, a network of functionally validated brain regions comprising the anterior subiculum (SUB), limbic striatum (LS), ventral tegmental area (VTA) and associative striatum (AS) was examined in 47 schizophrenia patients and 51 healthy controls. Schizophrenia patients demonstrated significantly lower functional connectivity in this hippocampus-midbrain-striatum network compared with healthy controls (p = 0.036). Particular reductions in connectivity were found between the SUB and LS (0.002 ± 0.315 and 0.116 ± 0.224, p = 0.040) and between the VTA and AS (0.230 ± 0.268 and 0.356 ± 0.285, p = 0.026). In patients, functional connectivity was not significantly associated with positive, negative or general symptom scores. Reduced connectivity is consistent with the concept of functional brain dysconnectivity as a key feature of the disorder. Our results support the notion that functioning of the hippocampus-midbrain-striatum network is significantly altered in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiral S Gangadin
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Section of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Wiepke Cahn
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas W Scheewe
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hilleke E Hulshoff Pol
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Matthijs G Bossong
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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42
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Kraguljac NV, McDonald WM, Widge AS, Rodriguez CI, Tohen M, Nemeroff CB. Neuroimaging Biomarkers in Schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatry 2021; 178:509-521. [PMID: 33397140 PMCID: PMC8222104 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20030340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome with a heterogeneous genetic, neurobiological, and phenotypic profile. Currently, no objective biological measures-that is, biomarkers-are available to inform diagnostic or treatment decisions. Neuroimaging is well positioned for biomarker development in schizophrenia, as it may capture phenotypic variations in molecular and cellular disease targets, or in brain circuits. These mechanistically based biomarkers may represent a direct measure of the pathophysiological underpinnings of the disease process and thus could serve as true intermediate or surrogate endpoints. Effective biomarkers could validate new treatment targets or pathways, predict response, aid in selection of patients for therapy, determine treatment regimens, and provide a rationale for personalized treatments. In this review, the authors discuss a range of mechanistically plausible neuroimaging biomarker candidates, including dopamine hyperactivity, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor hypofunction, hippocampal hyperactivity, immune dysregulation, dysconnectivity, and cortical gray matter volume loss. They then focus on the putative neuroimaging biomarkers for disease risk, diagnosis, target engagement, and treatment response in schizophrenia. Finally, they highlight areas of unmet need and discuss strategies to advance biomarker development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina V. Kraguljac
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL,Corresponding Author: Nina Vanessa Kraguljac, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, SC 501, 1720 7th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294-0017, 205-996-7171,
| | - William M. McDonald
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Alik S. Widge
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Carolyn I. Rodriguez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA,Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Mauricio Tohen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Charles B. Nemeroff
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Dell Medical School, Austin, TX
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43
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Borgan F, Veronese M, Reis Marques T, Lythgoe DJ, Howes O. Association between cannabinoid 1 receptor availability and glutamate levels in healthy controls and drug-free patients with first episode psychosis: a multi-modal PET and 1H-MRS study. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2021; 271:677-687. [PMID: 32986150 PMCID: PMC8119269 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-020-01191-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoid 1 receptor and glutamatergic dysfunction have both been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. However, it remains unclear if cannabinoid 1 receptor alterations shown in drug-naïve/free patients with first episode psychosis may be linked to glutamatergic alterations in the illness. We aimed to investigate glutamate levels and cannabinoid 1 receptor levels in the same region in patients with first episode psychosis. Forty volunteers (20 healthy volunteers, 20 drug-naïve/free patients with first episode psychosis diagnosed with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder) were included in the study. Glutamate levels were measured using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. CB1R availability was indexed using the distribution volume (VT (ml/cm3)) of [11C]MePPEP using arterial blood sampling. There were no significant associations between ACC CB1R levels and ACC glutamate levels in controls (R = - 0.24, p = 0.32) or patients (R = - 0.10, p = 0.25). However, ACC glutamate levels were negatively associated with CB1R availability in the striatum (R = - 0.50, p = 0.02) and hippocampus (R = - 0.50, p = 0.042) in controls, but these associations were not observed in patients (p > 0.05). Our findings extend our previous work in an overlapping sample to show, for the first time as far as we're aware, that cannabinoid 1 receptor alterations in the anterior cingulate cortex are shown in the absence of glutamatergic dysfunction in the same region, and indicate potential interactions between glutamatergic signalling in the anterior cingulate cortex and the endocannabinoid system in the striatum and hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith Borgan
- Psychosis Studies Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, England.
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK.
| | - Mattia Veronese
- Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, England
| | - Tiago Reis Marques
- Psychosis Studies Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, England
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - David J Lythgoe
- Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, England
| | - Oliver Howes
- Psychosis Studies Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, England
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK
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44
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Sonnenschein SF, Grace AA. Peripubertal mGluR2/3 Agonist Treatment Prevents Hippocampal Dysfunction and Dopamine System Hyperactivity in Adulthood in MAM Model of Schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull 2021; 47:1806-1814. [PMID: 33928393 PMCID: PMC8530391 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbab047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Pomaglumetad methionil (POM), a group 2 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR2/3) agonist, showed promise as a novel antipsychotic in preclinical research but failed to show efficacy in clinical trials, though it has been suggested that it may be effective in certain patient populations, including early in disease patients. We used the methyazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) rat model of schizophrenia to determine whether POM may prevent the development of dopamine (DA) system dysfunction in a model representative of the hyperdopaminergic state thought to underlie psychosis, compared to control (SAL) rats. MAM and SAL rats were administered either POM (3 mg/kg, i.p.), vehicle (1 ml/kg), or no injection during postnatal day (PD) 31-40. In either late adolescence (PD 47-56) or adulthood (PD 83-96), novel object recognition (NOR) was tested, followed by anesthetized in vivo electrophysiological recordings of VTA DA neuron activity or ventral hippocampal (vHPC) pyramidal neuron activity. MAM rats treated with POM demonstrated increased NOR in adulthood compared to no injection MAM rats, but not compared to vehicle-treated MAM rats. POM-treated MAM rats demonstrated normalized DA neuron population activity and vHPC pyramidal neuron activity compared to vehicle and no injection MAM rats in both late adolescence and adulthood. No significant differences were observed across treatment groups in SAL rats. These results suggest that peripubertal mGluR2/3 agonist administration can prevent the emergence of vHPC pyramidal neuron hyperactivity and increased DA neuron population activity in adult MAM rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan F Sonnenschein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA,To whom correspondence should be addressed; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Forbes Ave. Suite 530, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, US; tel: 989-600-9132, fax: 412-624-9198, e-mail:
| | - Anthony A Grace
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
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45
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D’Ambrosio E, Jauhar S, Kim S, Veronese M, Rogdaki M, Pepper F, Bonoldi I, Kotoula V, Kempton MJ, Turkheimer F, Kwon JS, Kim E, Howes OD. The relationship between grey matter volume and striatal dopamine function in psychosis: a multimodal 18F-DOPA PET and voxel-based morphometry study. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:1332-1345. [PMID: 31690805 PMCID: PMC7610423 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0570-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
A leading hypothesis for schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders proposes that cortical brain disruption leads to subcortical dopaminergic dysfunction, which underlies psychosis in the majority of patients who respond to treatment. Although supported by preclinical findings that prefrontal cortical lesions lead to striatal dopamine dysregulation, the relationship between prefrontal structural volume and striatal dopamine function has not been tested in people with psychosis. We therefore investigated the in vivo relationship between striatal dopamine synthesis capacity and prefrontal grey matter volume in treatment-responsive patients with psychosis, and compared them to treatment non-responsive patients, where dopaminergic mechanisms are not thought to be central. Forty patients with psychosis across two independent cohorts underwent 18F-DOPA PET scans to measure dopamine synthesis capacity (indexed as the influx rate constant Kicer) and structural 3T MRI. The PET, but not MR, data have been reported previously. Structural images were processed using DARTEL-VBM. GLM analyses were performed in SPM12 to test the relationship between prefrontal grey matter volume and striatal Kicer. Treatment responders showed a negative correlation between prefrontal grey matter and striatal dopamine synthesis capacity, but this was not evident in treatment non-responders. Specifically, we found an interaction between treatment response, whole striatal dopamine synthesis capacity and grey matter volume in left (pFWE corr. = 0.017) and right (pFWE corr. = 0.042) prefrontal cortex. We replicated the finding in right prefrontal cortex in the independent sample (pFWE corr. = 0.031). The summary effect size was 0.82. Our findings are consistent with the long-standing hypothesis of dysregulation of the striatal dopaminergic system being related to prefrontal cortex pathology in schizophrenia, but critically also extend the hypothesis to indicate it can be applied to treatment-responsive schizophrenia only. This suggests that different mechanisms underlie the pathophysiology of treatment-responsive and treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico D’Ambrosio
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK,Psychiatric Neuroscience Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Sameer Jauhar
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK,Early Intervention Psychosis Clinical Academic Group, South London & Maudsley NHS Trust, London
| | - Seoyoung Kim
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Mattia Veronese
- Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Maria Rogdaki
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK,Psychiatric Imaging Group MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Fiona Pepper
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Ilaria Bonoldi
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Vasileia Kotoula
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Matthew J Kempton
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Federico Turkheimer
- Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Jun Soo Kwon
- Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea,Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Euitae Kim
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Oliver D Howes
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK. .,Psychiatric Imaging Group MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK.
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46
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Hoang D, Lizano P, Lutz O, Zeng V, Raymond N, Miewald J, Montrose D, Keshavan M. Thalamic, Amygdalar, and hippocampal nuclei morphology and their trajectories in first episode psychosis: A preliminary longitudinal study ✰. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2021; 309:111249. [PMID: 33484937 PMCID: PMC7904670 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2021.111249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The thalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus play important pathophysiologic roles in psychosis. Few studies have prospectively examined subcortical nuclei in relation to predicting clinical outcomes after a first-episode of psychosis (FEP). Here, we examined volumetric differences and trajectories among subcortical nuclei in FEP patients and their associations with illness severity. Clinical and brain volume measures were collected using a 1.5T MRI scanner and processed using FreeSurfer 6.0 from a prospective study of antipsychotic-naïve FEP patients of FEP-schizophrenia (FEP-SZ) (baseline, n = 38; follow-up, n = 17), FEP non-schizophrenia (FEP-NSZ) (baseline, n = 23; follow-up, n = 13), and healthy controls (HCs) (baseline, n = 47; follow-up, n = 29). Compared to FEP-NSZ and HCs, FEP-SZ had significantly smaller thalamic anterior nuclei volume at baseline. Longitudinally, FEP-SZ showed a positive rate of change in the amygdala compared to controls or FEP-NSZ, as well as in the basal, central and accessory basal nuclei compared to FEP-NSZ. Enlargement in the thalamic anterior nuclei predicted a worsening in overall psychosis symptoms. Baseline thalamic anterior nuclei alterations further specify key subcortical regions associated with FEP-SZ pathophysiology. Longitudinally, anterior nuclei volume enlargement may signal symptomatic worsening. The amygdala and thalamus structures may show diagnostic differences between schizophrenia and non-schizophrenia psychoses, while the thalamus changes may reflect disease or treatment related changes in clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dung Hoang
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Paulo Lizano
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - Olivia Lutz
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Victor Zeng
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nicolas Raymond
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jean Miewald
- Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Deborah Montrose
- Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Matcheri Keshavan
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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47
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Martens L, Herrmann L, Colic L, Li M, Richter A, Behnisch G, Stork O, Seidenbecher C, Schott BH, Walter M. Met carriers of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism show reduced Glx/NAA in the pregenual ACC in two independent cohorts. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6742. [PMID: 33762638 PMCID: PMC7990923 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86220-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Met allele of the Val66Met SNP of the BDNF gene (rs6265) is associated with impaired activity-dependent release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), resulting in reduced synaptic plasticity, impaired glutamatergic neurotransmission, and morphological changes. While previous work has demonstrated Val66Met effects on magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) markers of either glutamatergic metabolism (Glx) or neuronal integrity (NAA), no study has investigated Val66Met effects on these related processes simultaneously. As these metabolites share a metabolic pathway, the Glx/NAA ratio may be a more sensitive marker of changes associated with the Val66Met SNP. This ratio is increased in psychiatric disorders linked to decreased functioning in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). In this study, we investigated the correlation of the Val66Met polymorphism of the BDNF gene with Glx/NAA in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) using MRS at 3 Tesla (T) (n = 30, all males) and 7 T (n = 98, 40 females). In both cohorts, Met carriers had lower Glx/NAA compared to Val homozygotes. Follow-up analyses using absolute quantification revealed that the Met carriers do not show decreased pgACC glutamate or glutamine levels, but instead show increased NAA compared to the Val homozygotes. This finding may in part explain conflicting evidence for Val66Met as a risk factor for developing psychiatric illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Martens
- University Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen, Germany.,Graduate Training Center, IMPRS, Tübingen, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Luisa Herrmann
- University Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Lejla Colic
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Clinical Affective Neuroscience Laboratory, Magdeburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Clinical Affective Neuroscience Laboratory, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Anni Richter
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | - Oliver Stork
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Otto-Von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Constanze Seidenbecher
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Björn H Schott
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- University Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen, Germany. .,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany. .,Clinical Affective Neuroscience Laboratory, Magdeburg, Germany.
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48
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Ver Hoef L, Deshpande H, Cure J, Selladurai G, Beattie J, Kennedy RE, Knowlton RC, Szaflarski JP. Clear and Consistent Imaging of Hippocampal Internal Architecture With High Resolution Multiple Image Co-registration and Averaging (HR-MICRA). Front Neurosci 2021; 15:546312. [PMID: 33642971 PMCID: PMC7905096 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.546312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging of hippocampal internal architecture (HIA) at 3T is challenging. HIA is defined by layers of gray and white matter that are less than 1 mm thick in the coronal plane. To visualize HIA, conventional MRI approaches have relied on sequences with high in-plane resolution (≤0.5 mm) but comparatively thick slices (2–5 mm). However, thicker slices are prone to volume averaging effects that result in loss of HIA clarity and blurring of the borders of the hippocampal subfields in up to 61% of slices as has been reported. In this work we describe an approach to hippocampal imaging that provides consistently high HIA clarity using a commonly available sequence and post-processing techniques that is flexible and may be applicable to any MRI platform. We refer to this approach as High Resolution Multiple Image Co-registration and Averaging (HR-MICRA). This approach uses a variable flip angle turbo spin echo sequence to repeatedly acquire a whole brain T2w image volume with high resolution in three dimensions in a relatively short amount of time, and then co-register the volumes to correct for movement and average the repeated scans to improve SNR. We compared the averages of 4, 9, and 16 individual scans in 20 healthy controls using a published HIA clarity rating scale. In the body of the hippocampus, the proportion of slices with good or excellent HIA clarity was 90%, 83%, and 67% for the 16x, 9x, and 4x HR-MICRA images, respectively. Using the 4x HR-MICRA images as a baseline, the 9x HR-MICRA images were 2.6 times and 16x HR-MICRA images were 3.2 times more likely to have high HIA ratings (p < 0.001) across all hippocampal segments (head, body, and tail). The thin slices of the HR-MICRA images allow reformatting in any plane with clear visualization of hippocampal dentation in the sagittal plane. Clear and consistent visualization of HIA will allow application of this technique to future hippocampal structure research, as well as more precise manual or automated segmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence Ver Hoef
- Department of Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States.,Neurology Service, Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Hrishikesh Deshpande
- Department of Radiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Joel Cure
- Department of Radiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Goutham Selladurai
- Department of Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Julia Beattie
- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Richard E Kennedy
- Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Robert C Knowlton
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Jerzy P Szaflarski
- Department of Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Kraguljac NV, Lahti AC. Neuroimaging as a Window Into the Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:613764. [PMID: 33776813 PMCID: PMC7991588 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.613764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder with a diverse clinical phenotype that has a substantial personal and public health burden. To advance the mechanistic understanding of the illness, neuroimaging can be utilized to capture different aspects of brain pathology in vivo, including brain structural integrity deficits, functional dysconnectivity, and altered neurotransmitter systems. In this review, we consider a number of key scientific questions relevant in the context of neuroimaging studies aimed at unraveling the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and take the opportunity to reflect on our progress toward advancing the mechanistic understanding of the illness. Our data is congruent with the idea that the brain is fundamentally affected in the illness, where widespread structural gray and white matter involvement, functionally abnormal cortical and subcortical information processing, and neurometabolic dysregulation are present in patients. Importantly, certain brain circuits appear preferentially affected and subtle abnormalities are already evident in first episode psychosis patients. We also demonstrated that brain circuitry alterations are clinically relevant by showing that these pathological signatures can be leveraged for predicting subsequent response to antipsychotic treatment. Interestingly, dopamine D2 receptor blockers alleviate neural abnormalities to some extent. Taken together, it is highly unlikely that the pathogenesis of schizophrenia is uniform, it is more plausible that there may be multiple different etiologies that converge to the behavioral phenotype of schizophrenia. Our data underscore that mechanistically oriented neuroimaging studies must take non-specific factors such as antipsychotic drug exposure or illness chronicity into consideration when interpreting disease signatures, as a clear characterization of primary pathophysiological processes is an imperative prerequisite for rational drug development and for alleviating disease burden in our patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Vanessa Kraguljac
- Neuroimaging and Translational Research Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Adrienne Carol Lahti
- Neuroimaging and Translational Research Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Sonnenschein SF, Grace AA. Emerging therapeutic targets for schizophrenia: a framework for novel treatment strategies for psychosis. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2021; 25:15-26. [PMID: 33170748 PMCID: PMC7855878 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2021.1849144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Antipsychotic drugs are central to the treatment of schizophrenia, but their limitations necessitate improved treatment strategies. Multiple lines of research have implicated glutamatergic dysfunction in the hippocampus as an early source of pathophysiology in schizophrenia. Novel compounds have been designed to treat glutamatergic dysfunction, but they have produced inconsistent results in clinical trials. Areas covered: This review discusses how the hippocampus is thought to drive psychotic symptoms through its influence on the dopamine system. It offers the reader an evaluation of proposed treatment strategies including direct modulation of GABA or glutamate neurotransmission or reducing the deleterious impact of stress on circuit development. Finally, we offer a perspective on aspects of future research that will advance our knowledge and may create new therapeutic opportunities. PubMed was searched for relevant literature between 2010 and 2020 and related studies. Expert opinion: Targeting aberrant excitatory-inhibitory neurotransmission in the hippocampus and its related circuits has the potential to alleviate symptoms and reduce the risk of transition to psychosis if implemented as an early intervention. Longitudinal multimodal brain imaging combined with mechanistic theories generated from animal models can be used to better understand the progression of hippocampal-dopamine circuit dysfunction and heterogeneity in treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anthony A. Grace
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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