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Bremshey S, Groß J, Renken K, Masseck OA. The role of serotonin in depression-A historical roundup and future directions. J Neurochem 2024. [PMID: 38477031 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16097] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders worldwide, affecting approximately 280 million people, with probably much higher unrecorded cases. Depression is associated with symptoms such as anhedonia, feelings of hopelessness, sleep disturbances, and even suicidal thoughts. Tragically, more than 700 000 people commit suicide each year. Although depression has been studied for many decades, the exact mechanisms that lead to depression are still unknown, and available treatments only help a fraction of patients. In the late 1960s, the serotonin hypothesis was published, suggesting that serotonin is the key player in depressive disorders. However, this hypothesis is being increasingly doubted as there is evidence for the influence of other neurotransmitters, such as noradrenaline, glutamate, and dopamine, as well as larger systemic causes such as altered activity in the limbic network or inflammatory processes. In this narrative review, we aim to contribute to the ongoing debate on the involvement of serotonin in depression. We will review the evolution of antidepressant treatments, systemic research on depression over the years, and future research applications that will help to bridge the gap between systemic research and neurotransmitter dynamics using biosensors. These new tools in combination with systemic applications, will in the future provide a deeper understanding of the serotonergic dynamics in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Bremshey
- Synthetic Biology, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
- Neuropharmacology, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Juliana Groß
- Synthetic Biology, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Kim Renken
- Synthetic Biology, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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2
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Gafarov VV, Gromova EA, Gubina MA, Gagulin IV, Maksimov VN, Gafarova AV. [The association of polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter gene SLC6A4 with depression]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2024; 124:135-139. [PMID: 38465822 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro2024124021135] [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: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the relationship of polymorphic variants of the SLC6A4 gene with depression among people aged 25-44 years in Novosibirsk. MATERIAL AND METHODS Under the WHO program «MONICA-psychosocial (MOPSY)», a random representative sample of people aged 25-44 years from the population of the Oktyabrsky district of Novosibirsk (men n=725, mean age 43.4±0.4 years, response - 71.3%, women n=710, mean age 44.8±0.4 years, response - 72%). Depression was assessed using the MONICA-MOPSY psychosocial questionnaire. Every fourth respondent was examined for polymorphic variants of 5HTTLPR-VNTR SNP rs25531 A>G of the SLC6A4 gene. The study was carried out within the framework of the budget topic Reg. No. 122031700094-5. RESULTS The high level of depression among people aged 25-44 was 12.8% (for men 9.1%, for women - 15.92%); the average level of depression occurred in 24.5% of the population (among men in 21.24%, among women in 26.76%) (χ2=17.071, df=2, p<0.001). The most common genotype of the SLC6A4 gene, among people aged 25--4 years old in Novosibirsk, was SLA - 43.29%, LALA - 26.53% - in second place, SS - 17.87% - third, LALG - 6 genotypes were less represented genotypes. 74%, SLG - 4.18%, LGLG - 1.39%. Carrying the SLA genotype (53.3% and 63.6%) increased the chance of developing both the average level of depression by 2.359 (95% CI 1.278-4.355) times, and depression in general by 1.933 (95% CI 1.142-3.271) times, compared with persons carrying the LALA genotype (32.0% and 46.9%), (χ2=7.674, df=1, p<0.01 and χ2=6.095, df=1, p<0.05). Persons carrying the LALG genotype (54.5%) also had a higher chance of developing a mean level of depression RR=2.929 (95% CI 1.039-8.261), compared with carriers of the LALA genotype (32.0%) (χ2=4.326, df =1, p<0.05) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Associative links between polymorphic variants of the SLC6A4 gene and depression have been established.
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Affiliation(s)
- V V Gafarov
- Research Institute of Therapy and Preventive Medicine - branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - E A Gromova
- Research Institute of Therapy and Preventive Medicine - branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - M A Gubina
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - I V Gagulin
- Research Institute of Therapy and Preventive Medicine - branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - V N Maksimov
- Research Institute of Therapy and Preventive Medicine - branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - A V Gafarova
- Research Institute of Therapy and Preventive Medicine - branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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Palamarchuk IS, Slavich GM, Vaillancourt T, Rajji TK. Stress-related cellular pathophysiology as a crosstalk risk factor for neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders. BMC Neurosci 2023; 24:65. [PMID: 38087196 PMCID: PMC10714507 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-023-00831-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In this narrative review, we examine biological processes linking psychological stress and cognition, with a focus on how psychological stress can activate multiple neurobiological mechanisms that drive cognitive decline and behavioral change. First, we describe the general neurobiology of the stress response to define neurocognitive stress reactivity. Second, we review aspects of epigenetic regulation, synaptic transmission, sex hormones, photoperiodic plasticity, and psychoneuroimmunological processes that can contribute to cognitive decline and neuropsychiatric conditions. Third, we explain mechanistic processes linking the stress response and neuropathology. Fourth, we discuss molecular nuances such as an interplay between kinases and proteins, as well as differential role of sex hormones, that can increase vulnerability to cognitive and emotional dysregulation following stress. Finally, we explicate several testable hypotheses for stress, neurocognitive, and neuropsychiatric research. Together, this work highlights how stress processes alter neurophysiology on multiple levels to increase individuals' risk for neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders, and points toward novel therapeutic targets for mitigating these effects. The resulting models can thus advance dementia and mental health research, and translational neuroscience, with an eye toward clinical application in cognitive and behavioral neurology, and psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iryna S Palamarchuk
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J1H4, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Division of Neurology, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Toronto Dementia Research Alliance, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - George M Slavich
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tracy Vaillancourt
- Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tarek K Rajji
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J1H4, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Toronto Dementia Research Alliance, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Samad N, Rafeeque M, Imran I. Free-L-Cysteine improves corticosterone-induced behavioral deficits, oxidative stress and neurotransmission in rats. Metab Brain Dis 2022; 38:983-997. [PMID: 36507936 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-022-01143-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
L-Cysteine (L-Cys) is a semi-essential amino acid. It serves as a substrate for enzyme cystathionine-β-synthase in the central nervous system (CNS). L-Cys showed various antioxidant characteristics. Though, studies on the effect of free L-Cys administration to evaluate the CNS functioning is very limited. Therefore, we assessed the effects of L-Cys on corticosterone (CORT) induced oxidative stress, behavioral deficits and memory impairment in male rats. L-Cys (150 mg/kg/ml) administered to vehicle and CORT (20 mg/kg/ml) treated rats orally for 28 days. Behavioral activities were conducted after treatment period. Subsequently, rats were sacrificed, blood and brain were removed. Hippocampus was isolated from brain and then hippocampus and plasma were collected for oxidative, biochemical and neurochemical analysis. Results showed that repeated treatment of L-Cys produced antidepressant, anxiolytic and memory-improving effects which may be ascribed to the enhanced antioxidant profile, normalized cholinergic, serotonergic neurotransmission in brain (hippocampus) following CORT administration. Increased plasma CORT by CORT administration was also normalized by L-Cys. The current study concluded that administration of free L-Cys improved the behavioral, biochemical, neurochemical and redox status of CNS. Hence, L-Cys could be protective therapeutic modulator against stress induced neurological ailments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noreen Samad
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, 60800, Pakistan.
| | - Mikhba Rafeeque
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, 60800, Pakistan
| | - Imran Imran
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, 60800, Pakistan
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Zhang YX, Xing B, Li YC, Yan CX, Gao WJ. NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission in prefrontal neurons underlies social memory retrieval in female mice. Neuropharmacology 2022; 204:108895. [PMID: 34813859 PMCID: PMC8688302 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108895] [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: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Social memory is the ability to discriminate familiar conspecific from the unknown ones. Prefrontal neurons are essentially required for social memory, but the mechanism associated with this regulation remains unknown. It is also unclear to what extent the neuronal representations of social memory formation and retrieval events overlap in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and which event drives social memory strength. Here we asked these questions by using a repeated social training paradigm for social recognition in FosTRAP mice. We found that after 4 days' repeated social training, female mice developed stable social memory. Specifically, repeated social training activated more cells that were labeled with tdTomato during memory retrieval compared with the first day of memory encoding. Besides, combining TRAP with c-Fos immunostaining, we found about 30% of the FosTRAPed cells were reactivated during retrieval. Moreover, the number of retrieval-induced but not first-day encoding-induced tdTomato neurons correlates with the social recognition ratio in the prelimbic but not other subregions. The activated cells during the retrieval session also showed increased NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission compared with that in non-labeled pyramidal neurons. Blocking NMDA receptors by MK-801 impaired social memory but not sociability. Therefore, our results reveal that repetitive training elevates mPFC involvement in social memory retrieval via enhancing NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission, thus rendering stable social memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Xiang Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, USA,College of Forensic Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Bo Xing
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, USA
| | - Yan-Chun Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, USA
| | - Chun-Xia Yan
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
| | - Wen-Jun Gao
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, USA.
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Kuhn L, Noack H, Skoluda N, Wagels L, Röhr AK, Schulte C, Eisenkolb S, Nieratschker V, Derntl B, Habel U. The association of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and the response to different stressors in healthy males. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 128:1347-1359. [PMID: 34374855 PMCID: PMC8423678 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-021-02390-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The experience of stress is related to individual wellbeing and vulnerability to psychopathology. Therefore, understanding the determinants of individual differences in stress reactivity is of great concern from a clinical perspective. The functional promotor polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR/rs25531) is such a factor, which has been linked to the acute stress response as well as the adverse effect of life stressors. In the present study, we compared the impact of two different stress induction protocols (Maastricht Acute Stress Test and ScanSTRESS) and the respective control conditions on affective ratings, salivary cortisol levels and cognitive performance. To this end, 156 healthy young males were tested and genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 polymorphism. While combined physiological and psychological stress in the MAST led to a greater cortisol increase compared to control conditions as well as the psychosocial ScanSTRESS, subjective stress ratings were highest in the ScanSTRESS condition. Stress induction in general affected working memory capacity but not response inhibition. Subjective stress was also influenced by 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 genotype with the high expression group showing lower stress ratings than lower expression groups. In line with previous research, we identified the low expression variant of the serotonin transporter gene as a risk factor for increased stress reactivity. While some dimensions of the human stress response may be stressor specific, cognitive outcomes such as working memory performance are influenced by stress in general. Different pathways of stress processing and possible underlying mechanisms are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandra Kuhn
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Hannes Noack
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Clinical Psychology of Adulthood, Faculty for Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa Wagels
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Ann-Kristin Röhr
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christina Schulte
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sana Eisenkolb
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Nieratschker
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Birgit Derntl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Lead Research Network, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ute Habel
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany
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Fratelli C, Siqueira J, Silva C, Ferreira E, Silva I. 5HTTLPR Genetic Variant and Major Depressive Disorder: A Review. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E1260. [PMID: 33114535 PMCID: PMC7692865 DOI: 10.3390/genes11111260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a disease that involves biological, psychological, and social interactions. Studies have shown the importance of genetics contribution to MDD development. The SCL6A4 protein (5HTTLPR) functions transporting serotonin, a neurotransmitter linked to mood and emotion, to the synaptic cleft. Hence, this study seeks, through a literature review, a better comprehension of the 5HTTLPR genetic variant association with MDD. For this purpose, a search was performed on the Virtual Health Library Portal for articles that related 5HTTLPR to MDD. Most of the articles found were conducted in the American continent, with one (1) study implemented in Brazil. 5HTTLPR associations were found regarding changes in the nervous system, pharmacology, and risk factors seen in MDD patients. When verifying the allelic distribution, the S allele had a higher frequency in most of the studies analyzed. Despite not finding a commonality in the different studies, the tremendous genetic variation found demonstrates the MDD complexity. For this reason, further studies in diverse populations should be conducted to assist in the understanding and treatment of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Fratelli
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences and Technologies, Campus Faculty of Ceilandia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 72220-275, Brazil;
| | - Jhon Siqueira
- Department of Pharmacy, Campus Faculty of Ceilandia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 72220-275, Brazil; (J.S.); (C.S.); (E.F.)
| | - Calliandra Silva
- Department of Pharmacy, Campus Faculty of Ceilandia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 72220-275, Brazil; (J.S.); (C.S.); (E.F.)
| | - Eduardo Ferreira
- Department of Pharmacy, Campus Faculty of Ceilandia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 72220-275, Brazil; (J.S.); (C.S.); (E.F.)
| | - Izabel Silva
- Department of Pharmacy, Campus Faculty of Ceilandia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 72220-275, Brazil; (J.S.); (C.S.); (E.F.)
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Gan Y, Hall BJ. Stress‐related psychological outcomes: Psychological and biological mechanisms, developmental aspects, and management. Psych J 2019; 8:277-279. [DOI: 10.1002/pchj.312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yiqun Gan
- School of Psychological and Cognitive SciencesBeijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University Beijing China
| | - Brian J. Hall
- Global and Community Mental Health Research Group, Department of PsychologyUniversity of Macao Macao China
- Department of Health, Behavior and SocietyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Baltimore Maryland USA
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