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Hong H, Mocci E, Kamp K, Zhu S, Cain KC, Burr RL, Perry JA, Heitkemper MM, Weaver-Toedtman KR, Dorsey SG. Genetic Variations in TrkB.T1 Isoform and Their Association With Somatic and Psychological Symptoms in Individuals With IBS. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024:104634. [PMID: 39004388 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a disorder of gut-brain interaction, is often comorbid with somatic pain and psychological disorders. Dysregulated signaling of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB), has been implicated in somatic-psychological symptoms in individuals with IBS. We investigated the association of 10 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the regulatory 3' untranslated region of neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase-2 (NTRK2) kinase domain-deficient truncated isoform (TrkB.T1) and BDNF Val66Met SNP with somatic and psychological symptoms and quality-of-life (QoL) in a cohort from the United States (IBS, n = 464; healthy controls, n = 156). We found that the homozygous recessive genotype (G/G) of rs2013566 in individuals with IBS is associated with worsened somatic symptoms, including headache, back pain, joint pain, muscle pain, and somatization as well as diminished sleep quality, energy level, and overall QoL. Validation using United Kingdom BioBank data confirmed the association of rs2013566 with an increased likelihood of headache. Several SNPs (rs1627784, rs1624327, and rs1147198) showed significant associations with muscle pain in our U.S. cohort. These 4 SNPs are predominantly located in H3K4Me1-enriched regions, suggesting their enhancer and/or transcription regulation potential. Our findings suggest that genetic variation within the 3' untranslated region region of the TrkB.T1 isoform may contribute to comorbid conditions in individuals with IBS, resulting in a spectrum of somatic and psychological symptoms impacting their QoL. These findings advance our understanding of the genetic interaction between BDNF/TrkB pathways and somatic-psychological symptoms in IBS, highlighting the importance of further exploring this interaction for potential clinical applications. PERSPECTIVE: This study aims to understand the genetic effects on IBS-related symptoms across somatic, psychological, and quality-of-life (QoL) domains, validated by United Kingdom BioBank data. The rs2013566 homozygous recessive genotype correlates with worsened somatic symptoms and reduced QoL, emphasizing its clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyejeong Hong
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Evelina Mocci
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD
| | - Kendra Kamp
- Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics, University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle, WA
| | - Shijun Zhu
- Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD
| | - Kevin C Cain
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle, WA
| | - Robert L Burr
- Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics, University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle, WA
| | - James A Perry
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Margaret M Heitkemper
- Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics, University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle, WA
| | - Kristen R Weaver-Toedtman
- Department of Biobehavioral Health and Nursing Science, University of South Carolina College of Nursing, Columbia, SC
| | - Susan G Dorsey
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD.
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Morozova A, Ushakova V, Pavlova O, Bairamova S, Andryshenko N, Ochneva A, Abramova O, Zorkina Y, Spektor VA, Gadisov T, Ukhov A, Zubkov E, Solovieva K, Alexeeva P, Khobta E, Nebogina K, Kozlov A, Klimenko T, Gurina O, Shport S, Kostuyk G, Chekhonin V, Pavlov K. BDNF, DRD4, and HTR2A Gene Allele Frequency Distribution and Association with Mental Illnesses in the European Part of Russia. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:240. [PMID: 38397229 PMCID: PMC10887670 DOI: 10.3390/genes15020240] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of mental disorders and how they are diagnosed represent some of the major problems in psychiatry. Modern genetic tools offer the potential to reduce the complications concerning diagnosis. However, the vast genetic diversity in the world population requires a closer investigation of any selected populations. In the current research, four polymorphisms, namely rs6265 in BDNF, rs10835210 in BDNF, rs6313 in HTR2A, and rs1800955 in DRD4, were analyzed in a case-control study of 2393 individuals (1639 patients with mental disorders (F20-F29, F30-F48) and 754 controls) from the European part of Russia using the TaqMan SNP genotyping method. Significant associations between rs6265 BDNF and rs1800955 DRD4 and mental impairments were detected when comparing the general group of patients with mental disorders (without separation into diagnoses) to the control group. Associations of rs6265 in BDNF, rs1800955 in DRD4, and rs6313 in HTR2A with schizophrenia in patients from the schizophrenia group separately compared to the control group were also found. The obtained results can extend the concept of a genetic basis for mental disorders in the Russian population and provide a basis for the future improvement in psychiatric diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Morozova
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Kropotkinsky per. 23, 119034 Moscow, Russia; (V.U.); (O.P.); (S.B.); (A.O.); (O.A.); (Y.Z.); (T.G.); (A.U.); (E.Z.); (O.G.); (K.P.)
- Mental-Health Clinic No. 1 Named after N.A. Alekseev, Zagorodnoe Highway 2, 115191 Moscow, Russia
| | - Valeriya Ushakova
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Kropotkinsky per. 23, 119034 Moscow, Russia; (V.U.); (O.P.); (S.B.); (A.O.); (O.A.); (Y.Z.); (T.G.); (A.U.); (E.Z.); (O.G.); (K.P.)
- Mental-Health Clinic No. 1 Named after N.A. Alekseev, Zagorodnoe Highway 2, 115191 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Neurobiology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga Pavlova
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Kropotkinsky per. 23, 119034 Moscow, Russia; (V.U.); (O.P.); (S.B.); (A.O.); (O.A.); (Y.Z.); (T.G.); (A.U.); (E.Z.); (O.G.); (K.P.)
| | - Sakeena Bairamova
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Kropotkinsky per. 23, 119034 Moscow, Russia; (V.U.); (O.P.); (S.B.); (A.O.); (O.A.); (Y.Z.); (T.G.); (A.U.); (E.Z.); (O.G.); (K.P.)
| | - Nika Andryshenko
- Department of Biology, MSU-BIT Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518172, China;
| | - Aleksandra Ochneva
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Kropotkinsky per. 23, 119034 Moscow, Russia; (V.U.); (O.P.); (S.B.); (A.O.); (O.A.); (Y.Z.); (T.G.); (A.U.); (E.Z.); (O.G.); (K.P.)
- Mental-Health Clinic No. 1 Named after N.A. Alekseev, Zagorodnoe Highway 2, 115191 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga Abramova
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Kropotkinsky per. 23, 119034 Moscow, Russia; (V.U.); (O.P.); (S.B.); (A.O.); (O.A.); (Y.Z.); (T.G.); (A.U.); (E.Z.); (O.G.); (K.P.)
- Mental-Health Clinic No. 1 Named after N.A. Alekseev, Zagorodnoe Highway 2, 115191 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yana Zorkina
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Kropotkinsky per. 23, 119034 Moscow, Russia; (V.U.); (O.P.); (S.B.); (A.O.); (O.A.); (Y.Z.); (T.G.); (A.U.); (E.Z.); (O.G.); (K.P.)
- Mental-Health Clinic No. 1 Named after N.A. Alekseev, Zagorodnoe Highway 2, 115191 Moscow, Russia
| | - Valery A. Spektor
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Kropotkinsky per. 23, 119034 Moscow, Russia; (V.U.); (O.P.); (S.B.); (A.O.); (O.A.); (Y.Z.); (T.G.); (A.U.); (E.Z.); (O.G.); (K.P.)
| | - Timur Gadisov
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Kropotkinsky per. 23, 119034 Moscow, Russia; (V.U.); (O.P.); (S.B.); (A.O.); (O.A.); (Y.Z.); (T.G.); (A.U.); (E.Z.); (O.G.); (K.P.)
| | - Andrey Ukhov
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Kropotkinsky per. 23, 119034 Moscow, Russia; (V.U.); (O.P.); (S.B.); (A.O.); (O.A.); (Y.Z.); (T.G.); (A.U.); (E.Z.); (O.G.); (K.P.)
| | - Eugene Zubkov
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Kropotkinsky per. 23, 119034 Moscow, Russia; (V.U.); (O.P.); (S.B.); (A.O.); (O.A.); (Y.Z.); (T.G.); (A.U.); (E.Z.); (O.G.); (K.P.)
| | - Kristina Solovieva
- Mental-Health Clinic No. 1 Named after N.A. Alekseev, Zagorodnoe Highway 2, 115191 Moscow, Russia
| | - Polina Alexeeva
- Mental-Health Clinic No. 1 Named after N.A. Alekseev, Zagorodnoe Highway 2, 115191 Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena Khobta
- Mental-Health Clinic No. 1 Named after N.A. Alekseev, Zagorodnoe Highway 2, 115191 Moscow, Russia
| | - Kira Nebogina
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Kropotkinsky per. 23, 119034 Moscow, Russia; (V.U.); (O.P.); (S.B.); (A.O.); (O.A.); (Y.Z.); (T.G.); (A.U.); (E.Z.); (O.G.); (K.P.)
| | - Alexander Kozlov
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Kropotkinsky per. 23, 119034 Moscow, Russia; (V.U.); (O.P.); (S.B.); (A.O.); (O.A.); (Y.Z.); (T.G.); (A.U.); (E.Z.); (O.G.); (K.P.)
| | - Tatyana Klimenko
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Kropotkinsky per. 23, 119034 Moscow, Russia; (V.U.); (O.P.); (S.B.); (A.O.); (O.A.); (Y.Z.); (T.G.); (A.U.); (E.Z.); (O.G.); (K.P.)
| | - Olga Gurina
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Kropotkinsky per. 23, 119034 Moscow, Russia; (V.U.); (O.P.); (S.B.); (A.O.); (O.A.); (Y.Z.); (T.G.); (A.U.); (E.Z.); (O.G.); (K.P.)
| | - Svetlana Shport
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Kropotkinsky per. 23, 119034 Moscow, Russia; (V.U.); (O.P.); (S.B.); (A.O.); (O.A.); (Y.Z.); (T.G.); (A.U.); (E.Z.); (O.G.); (K.P.)
| | - George Kostuyk
- Mental-Health Clinic No. 1 Named after N.A. Alekseev, Zagorodnoe Highway 2, 115191 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir Chekhonin
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Kropotkinsky per. 23, 119034 Moscow, Russia; (V.U.); (O.P.); (S.B.); (A.O.); (O.A.); (Y.Z.); (T.G.); (A.U.); (E.Z.); (O.G.); (K.P.)
- Department of Medical Nanobiotechnologies, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Konstantin Pavlov
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Kropotkinsky per. 23, 119034 Moscow, Russia; (V.U.); (O.P.); (S.B.); (A.O.); (O.A.); (Y.Z.); (T.G.); (A.U.); (E.Z.); (O.G.); (K.P.)
- Mental-Health Clinic No. 1 Named after N.A. Alekseev, Zagorodnoe Highway 2, 115191 Moscow, Russia
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Hong H, Mocci E, Kamp K, Zhu S, Cain KC, Burr RL, Perry J, Heitkemper MM, Weaver-Toedtman KR, Dorsey SG. Genetic Variations in TrkB.T1 Isoform and Their Association with Somatic and Psychological Symptoms in Individuals with IBS. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.09.14.23295434. [PMID: 37745409 PMCID: PMC10516087 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.14.23295434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a disorder of gut-brain interaction, is often comorbid with somatic pain and psychological disorders. Dysregulated signaling of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB), has been implicated in somatic-psychological symptoms in individuals with IBS. Thus, we investigated the association of 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the regulatory 3' untranslated region (UTR) of NTRK2 (TrkB) kinase domain-deficient truncated isoform (TrkB.T1) and the BDNF Val66Met SNP with somatic and psychological symptoms and quality of life in a U.S. cohort (IBS n=464; healthy controls n=156). We found that the homozygous recessive genotype (G/G) of rs2013566 in individuals with IBS is associated with worsened somatic symptoms, including headache, back pain, joint pain, muscle pain, and somatization as well as diminished sleep quality, energy level and overall quality of life. Validation using U.K. BioBank (UKBB) data confirmed the association of rs2013566 with increased likelihood of headache. Several SNPs (rs1627784, rs1624327, rs1147198) showed significant associations with muscle pain in our U.S. cohort. Notably, these SNPs are predominantly located in H3K4Me1-enriched regions, suggesting their enhancer and/or transcription regulation potential. Together, our findings suggest that genetic variation within the 3'UTR region of the TrkB.T1 isoform may contribute to comorbid conditions in individuals with IBS, resulting in a spectrum of somatic and psychological symptoms that may influence their quality of life. These findings advance our understanding of the genetic interaction between BDNF/TrkB pathways and somatic-psychological symptoms in IBS, highlighting the importance of further exploring this interaction for potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Hong
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
| | - E Mocci
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland School of Nursing
| | - K Kamp
- Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics, University of Washington School of Nursing
| | - S Zhu
- Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing
| | - K C Cain
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington School of Nursing
| | - R L Burr
- Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics, University of Washington School of Nursing
| | - J Perry
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine
| | - M M Heitkemper
- Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics, University of Washington School of Nursing
| | - K R Weaver-Toedtman
- Department of Biobehavioral Health and Nursing Science, University of South Carolina College of Nursing
| | - S G Dorsey
- Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland School of Nursing
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Xia Y, Wehrli J, Gerster S, Kroes M, Houtekamer M, Bach DR. Measuring human context fear conditioning and retention after consolidation. Learn Mem 2023; 30:139-150. [PMID: 37553180 PMCID: PMC10519410 DOI: 10.1101/lm.053781.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Fear conditioning is a laboratory paradigm commonly used to investigate aversive learning and memory. In context fear conditioning, a configuration of elemental cues (conditioned stimulus [CTX]) predicts an aversive event (unconditioned stimulus [US]). To quantify context fear acquisition in humans, previous work has used startle eyeblink responses (SEBRs), skin conductance responses (SCRs), and verbal reports, but different quantification methods have rarely been compared. Moreover, preclinical intervention studies mandate recall tests several days after acquisition, and it is unclear how to induce and measure context fear memory retention over such a time interval. First, we used a semi-immersive virtual reality paradigm. In two experiments (N = 23 and N = 28), we found successful declarative learning and memory retention over 7 d but no evidence of other conditioned responses. Next, we used a configural fear conditioning paradigm with five static room images as CTXs in two experiments (N = 29 and N = 24). Besides successful declarative learning and memory retention after 7 d, SCR and pupil dilation in response to CTX onset differentiated CTX+/CTX- during acquisition training, and SEBR and pupil dilation differentiated CTX+/CTX- during the recall test, with medium to large effect sizes for the most sensitive indices (SEBR: Hedge's g = 0.56 and g = 0.69; pupil dilation: Hedge's g = 0.99 and g = 0.88). Our results demonstrate that with a configural learning paradigm, context fear memory retention can be demonstrated over 7 d, and we provide robust and replicable measurement methods to this end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfang Xia
- Computational Psychiatry Research, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jelena Wehrli
- Computational Psychiatry Research, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Samuel Gerster
- Computational Psychiatry Research, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marijn Kroes
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen 6525 GA, the Netherlands
| | - Maxime Houtekamer
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen 6525 GA, the Netherlands
| | - Dominik R Bach
- Computational Psychiatry Research, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, University College London, London WC1 3BG, United Kingdom
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Amaya LJD, Restrepo-Castro JC. Association of polymorphisms rs4680 of the Catechol-O-Methyltransferase gene and rs6265 of the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor gene with the Behavioral Inhibition and Behavioral Activation Systems. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2023; 14:320-324. [PMID: 37006719 PMCID: PMC10063402 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) comprises limbic circuitry implicated in avoidance behaviors. Its increased activation has been identified as a risk factor for anxiety and depressive disorders. In addition, both Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) have been postulated as candidate genes that constitute a vulnerability for the onset of anxiety and depressive disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible association between the rs4680 polymorphism of the COMT gene and the rs6265 polymorphism of the BDNF gene with the BIS and the Behavioral Activation System (BAS) in a population sample from Colombia. Methods Genetic information was obtained by extracting DNA from blood samples of 80 participants and using Taqman probes designed for each polymorphism. In addition, participants completed a BIS/BAS scale in order to establish a neuropsychological classification. Results The frequency of the Met allele of the BDNF gene was greater in the group with BIS sensitivity compared to the group with BAS sensitivity. On the contrary, the frequency of the Met allele of the COMT gen did not show a significant association with the BIS. Conclusions The rs6265 polymorphism of BDNF gene is associated with the BIS which in turn constitutes a risk factor for anxiety and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan C. Restrepo-Castro
- Universidad de La Sabana, Campus del Puente del Común, Km. 7, Autopista Norte de Bogotá, Chía, Cundinamarca, Colombia
- Corresponding author.
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Andreatta M, Winkler MH, Collins P, Gromer D, Gall D, Pauli P, Gamer M. VR for Studying the Neuroscience of Emotional Responses. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023; 65:161-187. [PMID: 36592276 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_405] [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] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Emotions are frequently considered as the driving force of behavior, and psychopathology is often characterized by aberrant emotional responding. Emotional states are reflected on a cognitive-verbal, physiological-humoral, and motor-behavioral level but to date, human research lacks an experimental protocol for a comprehensive and ecologically valid characterization of such emotional states. Virtual reality (VR) might help to overcome this situation by allowing researchers to study mental processes and behavior in highly controlled but reality-like laboratory settings. In this chapter, we first elucidate the role of presence and immersion as requirements for eliciting emotional states in a virtual environment and discuss different VR methods for emotion induction. We then consider the organization of emotional states on a valence continuum (i.e., from negative to positive) and on this basis discuss the use of VR to study threat processing and avoidance as well as reward processing and approach behavior. Although the potential of VR has not been fully realized in laboratory and clinical settings yet, this technological tool can open up new avenues to better understand the neurobiological mechanisms of emotional responding in healthy and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Andreatta
- Department of Psychology, Educational Sciences, and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Markus H Winkler
- Department of Psychology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Collins
- Department of Psychology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Gromer
- Department of Psychology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Gall
- Department of Psychology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Paul Pauli
- Department of Psychology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Gamer
- Department of Psychology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.
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Genheimer H, Pauli P, Andreatta M. Biomarkers of Anxiety Acquisition and Generalization in Virtual Reality Experiments. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR KLINISCHE PSYCHOLOGIE UND PSYCHOTHERAPIE 2022. [DOI: 10.1026/1616-3443/a000658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. Anxiety disorders are characterized by exaggerated responses to a threatening situation and overgeneralization. Context conditioning has been used for the identification of risk factors. This systematic literature search identifies 16 articles published between 1990 and 2021 on differential anxiety conditioning and generalization in humans. Additionally, we provide example data for individuals suffering from panic attacks with and without depressive symptoms. Successful anxiety acquisition (discrimination between anxiety and safety context) was found on the subjective level of anxiety and US-expectancy, on the physiological level of electrodermal activity, and in the defensive behavior of startle response. Anxiety generalization (discrimination between generalization and safety context) was found on the verbal but not on the physiobehavioral level. In sum, we emphasize the impact of virtual reality on anxiety research. Verbal and physiobehavioral responses serve as reliable biomarkers for anxiety. Few studies found ratings to be the best predictor for anxiety generalization. Genetic predisposition or personality traits might foster overgeneralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Genheimer
- Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Psychotherapy), Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Germany
| | - Paul Pauli
- Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Psychotherapy), Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Germany
- Center of Mental Health, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marta Andreatta
- Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Psychotherapy), Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Educational Sciences, and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Lesnick J, Mendle J. Rejection sensitivity and negative urgency: A proposed framework of intersecting risk for peer stress. DEVELOPMENTAL REVIEW 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dr.2021.100998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Andreatta M, Pauli P. Contextual modulation of conditioned responses in humans: A review on virtual reality studies. Clin Psychol Rev 2021; 90:102095. [PMID: 34763127 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Conditioned response (CRs) triggered by stimuli predicting aversive consequences have been confirmed across various species including humans, and were found to be exaggerated in anxious individuals and anxiety disorder patients. Importantly, contextual information may strongly modulate such conditioned responses (CR), however, there are several methodological boundaries in the translation of animal findings to humans, and from healthy individuals to patients. Virtual Reality (VR) is a useful technological tool for overcoming such boundaries. In this review, we summarize and evaluate human VR conditioning studies exploring the role of the context as conditioned stimulus or occasion setter for CRs. We observe that VR allows successful acquisition of conditioned anxiety and conditioned fear in response to virtual contexts and virtual cues, respectively. VR studies also revealed that spatial or temporal contextual information determine whether conditioned anxiety and conditioned fear become extinguished and/or return. Novel contexts resembling the threatening context foster conditioned fear but not conditioned anxiety, suggesting distinct context-related generalization processes. We conclude VR contexts are able to strongly modulate CRs and therefore allow a comprehensive investigation of the modulatory role of the context over CR in humans leading to conclusions relevant for non-VR and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Andreatta
- Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy), University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Department of Psychology, Educational Sciences, and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Paul Pauli
- Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy), University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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Tomasi J, Zai CC, Zai G, Kennedy JL, Tiwari AK. Genetics of human startle reactivity: A systematic review to acquire targets for an anxiety endophenotype. World J Biol Psychiatry 2021; 22:399-427. [PMID: 33040669 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2020.1834619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Startle response is an objective physiological measure integral to the human defense system and a promising target for endophenotype investigations of anxiety. Given the alterations in startle reactivity observed among anxiety and related disorders, we searched for genetic variants associated with startle reactivity as they may be further involved in pathological anxiety risk. METHODS A systematic literature review was performed to identify genetic variants associated with startle reactivity in humans, specifically baseline and fear- or anxiety-potentiated startle. RESULTS The polymorphisms Val66Met (rs6265) from brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Val158Met (rs4680) from catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) from the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) were most commonly studied in human startle. In addition, several other genetic variants have also been identified as potential candidates that warrant further research, especially given their novelty in in the context of anxiety. CONCLUSIONS Similar to psychiatric genetic studies, the studies on startle reactivity primarily focus on candidate genes and are plagued by non-replication. Startle reactivity is a promising endophenotype that requires concerted efforts to collect uniformly assessed, large, well-powered samples and hypothesis-free genome-wide strategies. To further support startle as an endophenotype for anxiety, this review suggests advanced genetic strategies for startle research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Tomasi
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Clement C Zai
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Gwyneth Zai
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,General Adult Psychiatry and Health Systems Division, CAMH, Toronto, Canada
| | - James L Kennedy
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Arun K Tiwari
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Portelli J, Farokhnia M, Deschaine SL, Battista JT, Lee MR, Li X, Ron D, Leggio L. Investigating the link between serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and behavioral measures in anxious alcohol-dependent individuals. Alcohol 2020; 89:75-83. [PMID: 32798692 PMCID: PMC7722014 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2020.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a role in different neurophysiological processes, including those involved in alcohol- and anxiety-related behaviors. Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that chronic excessive alcohol use leads to a downregulation of BDNF production in the periphery and in the brain. In addition, a decrease in BDNF concentrations in the blood has been reported to be associated with increased anxiety levels. Non-treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent individuals with high trait anxiety were studied to assess whether serum BDNF concentrations may be linked to self-reported levels of alcohol drinking, anxiety, and other behavioral measures. Participants had a current diagnosis of alcohol dependence, high trait anxiety score, and were not seeking treatment for alcohol dependence or anxiety. A fasting blood sample was collected from each participant and serum BDNF was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Behavioral data were collected on the same day, including measures of alcohol drinking, craving, dependence severity, and anxiety. Bivariate correlations were run between BDNF levels and behavioral measures. Serum BDNF concentrations were negatively correlated with average drinks per drinking days (r = -0.41, p = 0.02) and positively correlated with obsessive-compulsive drinking scale (r = 0.48, p = 0.007) and state-trait anxiety inventory (r = 0.52, p = 0.003) scores. These findings shed light on the possible role of the BDNF system in the neurobiology of alcohol- and anxiety-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanelle Portelli
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Mehdi Farokhnia
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Bethesda, MD, United States; Center on Compulsive Behaviors, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sara L Deschaine
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jillian T Battista
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Mary R Lee
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Xiaobai Li
- Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology Service, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Dorit Ron
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Bethesda, MD, United States; Center on Compulsive Behaviors, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; Medication Development Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States; Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States.
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12
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Andreatta M, Genheimer H, Wieser MJ, Pauli P. Context-dependent generalization of conditioned responses to threat and safety signals. Int J Psychophysiol 2020; 155:140-151. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2020.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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13
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Stegmann Y, Schiele MA, Schümann D, Lonsdorf TB, Zwanzger P, Romanos M, Reif A, Domschke K, Deckert J, Gamer M, Pauli P. Individual differences in human fear generalization-pattern identification and implications for anxiety disorders. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:307. [PMID: 31740663 PMCID: PMC6861247 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0646-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous research indicates that anxiety disorders are characterized by an overgeneralization of conditioned fear as compared with healthy participants. Therefore, fear generalization is considered a key mechanism for the development of anxiety disorders. However, systematic investigations on the variance in fear generalization are lacking. Therefore, the current study aims at identifying distinctive phenotypes of fear generalization among healthy participants. To this end, 1175 participants completed a differential fear conditioning phase followed by a generalization test. To identify patterns of fear generalization, we used a k-means clustering algorithm based on individual arousal generalization gradients. Subsequently, we examined the reliability and validity of the clusters and phenotypical differences between subgroups on the basis of psychometric data and markers of fear expression. Cluster analysis reliably revealed five clusters that systematically differed in mean responses, differentiation between conditioned threat and safety, and linearity of the generalization gradients, though mean response levels accounted for most variance. Remarkably, the patterns of mean responses were already evident during fear acquisition and corresponded most closely to psychometric measures of anxiety traits. The identified clusters reliably described subgroups of healthy individuals with distinct response characteristics in a fear generalization test. Following a dimensional view of psychopathology, these clusters likely delineate risk factors for anxiety disorders. As crucial group characteristics were already evident during fear acquisition, our results emphasize the importance of average fear responses and differentiation between conditioned threat and safety as risk factors for anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Stegmann
- Department of Psychology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Center for Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - M A Schiele
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - D Schümann
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - T B Lonsdorf
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - P Zwanzger
- kbo-Inn-Salzach-Hospital, Wasserburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, München, Germany
| | - M Romanos
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center for Mental Health, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - A Reif
- Center for Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - K Domschke
- Center for Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for NeuroModulation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - J Deckert
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center for Mental Health, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - M Gamer
- Department of Psychology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Center for Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - P Pauli
- Department of Psychology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
- Center for Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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