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Han S, Li Y, Gao J. Peripheral blood MicroRNAs as biomarkers of schizophrenia: expectations from a meta-analysis that combines deep learning methods. World J Biol Psychiatry 2024; 25:65-81. [PMID: 37703215 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2023.2258975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed at identifying reliable differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) for schizophrenia in blood via meta-analyses combined with deep learning methods. METHODS First, we meta-analysed published DEMs. Then, we enriched the pool of schizophrenia-associated miRNAs by applying two computational learning methods to identify candidate biomarkers and verified the results in external datasets. RESULTS In total, 27 DEMs were found to be statistically significant (p < .05). Ten candidate schizophrenia-associated miRNAs were identified through computational learning methods. The diagnostic efficiency was verified on a blood-miRNA dataset (GSE54578) with a random forest (RF) model and achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.83 ± 0.14. Moreover, 855 experimentally validated target genes for these candidate miRNAs were retrieved, and 11 hub genes were identified. Enrichment analysis revealed that the main functions in which the target genes were enriched were those related to cell signalling, prenatal infections, cancers, cell deaths, oxidative stress, endocrine disorders, transcription regulation, and kinase activities. The diagnostic ability of the hub genes was reflected in a comparably good average AUC of 0.77 ± 0.09 for an external dataset (GSE38484). CONCLUSIONS A meta-analysis that combines computational and mathematical methods provides a reliable tool for identifying candidate biomarkers of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyuan Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yongning Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of International Medical Service, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Jonker I, Doorduin J, Knegtering H, van't Hag E, Dierckx RA, de Vries EFJ, Schoevers RA, Klein HC. Antiviral treatment in schizophrenia: a randomized pilot PET study on the effects of valaciclovir on neuroinflammation. Psychol Med 2023; 53:7087-7095. [PMID: 37016791 PMCID: PMC10719624 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723000430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with schizophrenia experience cognitive impairment, which could be related to neuroinflammation in the hippocampus. The cause for such hippocampal inflammation is still unknown, but it has been suggested that herpes virus infection is involved. This study therefore aimed to determine whether add-on treatment of schizophrenic patients with the anti- viral drug valaciclovir would reduce hippocampal neuroinflammation and consequently improve cognitive symptoms. METHODS We performed a double-blind monocenter study in 24 male and female patients with schizophrenia, experiencing active psychotic symptoms. Patients were orally treated with the anti-viral drug valaciclovir for seven consecutive days (8 g/day). Neuroinflammation was measured with Positron Emission Tomography using the translocator protein ligand [11C]-PK11195, pre-treatment and at seven days post-treatment, as were psychotic symptoms and cognition. RESULTS Valaciclovir treatment resulted in reduced TSPO binding (39%) in the hippocampus, as well as in the brainstem, frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parahippocampal gyrus, amygdala, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, insula and cingulate gyri, nucleus accumbens and thalamus (31-40%) when using binding potential (BPND) as an outcome. With total distribution volume (VT) as outcome we found essentially the same results, but associations only approached statistical significance (p = 0.050 for hippocampus). Placebo treatment did not affect neuroinflammation. No effects of valaciclovir on psychotic symptoms or cognitive functioning were found. CONCLUSION We found a decreased TSPO binding following antiviral treatment, which could suggest a viral underpinning of neuroinflammation in psychotic patients. Whether this reduced neuroinflammation by treatment with valaciclovir has clinical implications and is specific for schizophrenia warrants further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Jonker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Janine Doorduin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Henderikus Knegtering
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Lentis Mental Health Institution, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Erna van't Hag
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rudi A. Dierckx
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Erik F. J. de Vries
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Robert A. Schoevers
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans C. Klein
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Chen Z, Li X, Cui X, Zhang L, Liu Q, Lu Y, Wang X, Shi H, Ding M, Yang Y, Li W, Lv L. Association of CTNND2 gene polymorphism with schizophrenia: Two-sample case-control study in Chinese Han population. Int J Psychiatry Med 2023:912174231164669. [PMID: 36930964 DOI: 10.1177/00912174231164669] [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] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Genetic factors play an important role in the etiology of schizophrenia (SZ). Catenin Delta 2 (CTNND2) is one of the genes regulating neuronal development in the brain. It is unclear whether CTNND2 is involved in SZ. With the hypothesis that CTNND2 may be a risk gene for SZ, we performed a case-control association analysis to investigate if CTNND2 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are implicated in SZ in a Han Chinese northern population. MATERIALS AND METHODS We recruited subjects from 2010 to 2022 from the Han population of northern Henan and divided them into two case-control samples, including a discovery sample (SZ = 528 and control = 528) and replication sample (SZ = 2458 and control = 6914). Twenty-one SNPs were genotyped on the Illumina BeadStation 500G platform using GoldenGate technology and analyzed by PLINK. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess clinical symptoms. RESULTS Rs16901943, rs7733427, and rs2168878 SNPs were associated with SZ (Chi2 = 7.484, 11.576, and 5.391, respectively, df = 1; p = 0.006, 0.00067, and 0.02, respectively) in two samples. Rs10058868 was associated with SZ in male patients in the discovery sample (Chi2 = 6.264, df = 1, p = .044). Only rs7733427 survived Bonferroni correction. Linkage disequilibrium block three haplotypes were associated with SZ in the discovery and total sample. PANSS analysis of the four SNPs implicated rs10058868 and rs2168878 with symptoms of depression and excitement, respectively, in the SZ patients. CONCLUSION Four SNPs were identified as being correlated with SZ. The CTNND2 gene may be involved in susceptibility to SZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaonian Chen
- 34727The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Xiaojing Li
- 34727The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Xiangzheng Cui
- 34727The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Luwen Zhang
- 34727The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Qing Liu
- 34727The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yanli Lu
- 34727The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Xiujuan Wang
- 34727The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Han Shi
- 34727The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Minli Ding
- 34727The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yongfeng Yang
- 34727The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Wenqiang Li
- 34727The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Luxian Lv
- 34727The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
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Environmental Risk Factors and Cognitive Outcomes in Psychosis: Pre-, Perinatal, and Early Life Adversity. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023; 63:205-240. [PMID: 35915384 PMCID: PMC9892366 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Risk for psychosis begins to accumulate as early as the fetal period through exposure to obstetric complications like fetal hypoxia, maternal stress, and prenatal infection. Stressors in the postnatal period, such as childhood trauma, peer victimization, and neighborhood-level adversity, further increase susceptibility for psychosis. Cognitive difficulties are among the first symptoms to emerge in individuals who go on to develop a psychotic disorder. We review the relationship between pre-, perinatal, and early childhood adversities and cognitive outcomes in individuals with psychosis. Current evidence shows that the aforementioned environmental risk factors may be linked to lower overall intelligence and executive dysfunction, beginning in the premorbid period and persisting into adulthood in individuals with psychosis. It is likely that early life stress contributes to cognitive difficulties in psychosis through dysregulation of the body's response to stress, causing changes such as increased cortisol levels and chronic immune activation, which can negatively impact neurodevelopment. Intersectional aspects of identity (e.g., sex/gender, race/ethnicity), as well as gene-environment interactions, likely inform the developmental cascade to cognitive difficulties throughout the course of psychotic disorders and are reviewed below. Prospective studies of birth cohorts will serve to further clarify the relationship between early-life environmental risk factors and cognitive outcomes in the developmental course of psychotic disorders. Specific methodological recommendations are provided for future research.
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Dubey H, Sharma RK, Krishnan S, Knickmeyer R. SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) as a possible risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1021721. [PMID: 36590303 PMCID: PMC9800937 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1021721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnant women constitute one of the most vulnerable populations to be affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the cause of coronavirus disease 2019. SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy could negatively impact fetal brain development via multiple mechanisms. Accumulating evidence indicates that mother to fetus transmission of SARS-CoV-2 does occur, albeit rarely. When it does occur, there is a potential for neuroinvasion via immune cells, retrograde axonal transport, and olfactory bulb and lymphatic pathways. In the absence of maternal to fetal transmission, there is still the potential for negative neurodevelopmental outcomes as a consequence of disrupted placental development and function leading to preeclampsia, preterm birth, and intrauterine growth restriction. In addition, maternal immune activation may lead to hypomyelination, microglial activation, white matter damage, and reduced neurogenesis in the developing fetus. Moreover, maternal immune activation can disrupt the maternal or fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis leading to altered neurodevelopment. Finally, pro-inflammatory cytokines can potentially alter epigenetic processes within the developing brain. In this review, we address each of these potential mechanisms. We propose that SARS-CoV-2 could lead to neurodevelopmental disorders in a subset of pregnant women and that long-term studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harikesh Dubey
- Division of Neuroengineering, Institute for Quantitative Health Sciences and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Ravindra K. Sharma
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Suraj Krishnan
- Jacobi Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, The Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Rebecca Knickmeyer
- Division of Neuroengineering, Institute for Quantitative Health Sciences and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States,Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States,*Correspondence: Rebecca Knickmeyer,
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Van Derveer AB, Bastos G, Ferrell AD, Gallimore CG, Greene ML, Holmes JT, Kubricka V, Ross JM, Hamm JP. A Role for Somatostatin-Positive Interneurons in Neuro-Oscillatory and Information Processing Deficits in Schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull 2021; 47:1385-1398. [PMID: 33370434 PMCID: PMC8379548 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbaa184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alterations in neocortical GABAergic interneurons (INs) have been affiliated with neuropsychiatric diseases, including schizophrenia (SZ). Significant progress has been made linking the function of a specific subtype of GABAergic cells, parvalbumin (PV) positive INs, to altered gamma-band oscillations, which, in turn, underlie perceptual and feedforward information processing in cortical circuits. Here, we review a smaller but growing volume of literature focusing on a separate subtype of neocortical GABAergic INs, somatostatin (SST) positive INs. Despite sharing similar neurodevelopmental origins, SSTs exhibit distinct morphology and physiology from PVs. Like PVs, SSTs are altered in postmortem brain samples from multiple neocortical regions in SZ, although basic and translational research into consequences of SST dysfunction has been relatively sparse. We highlight a growing body of work in rodents, which now indicates that SSTs may also underlie specific aspects of cortical circuit function, namely low-frequency oscillations, disinhibition, and mediation of cortico-cortical feedback. SSTs may thereby support the coordination of local cortical information processing with more global spatial, temporal, and behavioral context, including predictive coding and working memory. These functions are notably deficient in some cases of SZ, as well as other neuropsychiatric disorders, emphasizing the importance of focusing on SSTs in future translational studies. Finally, we highlight the challenges that remain, including subtypes within the SST class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice B Van Derveer
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Petit Science Center, Atlanta, GA
| | - Georgia Bastos
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Petit Science Center, Atlanta, GA
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Petit Science Center, Atlanta, GA
| | - Antanovia D Ferrell
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Petit Science Center, Atlanta, GA
| | - Connor G Gallimore
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Petit Science Center, Atlanta, GA
| | - Michelle L Greene
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Petit Science Center, Atlanta, GA
| | - Jacob T Holmes
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Petit Science Center, Atlanta, GA
| | - Vivien Kubricka
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Petit Science Center, Atlanta, GA
| | - Jordan M Ross
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Petit Science Center, Atlanta, GA
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Petit Science Center, Atlanta, GA
| | - Jordan P Hamm
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Petit Science Center, Atlanta, GA
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, Georgia State University, Petit Science Center, Atlanta, GA
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Petit Science Center, Atlanta, GA
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Perry BI, Zammit S, Jones PB, Khandaker GM. Childhood inflammatory markers and risks for psychosis and depression at age 24: Examination of temporality and specificity of association in a population-based prospective birth cohort. Schizophr Res 2021; 230:69-76. [PMID: 33684738 PMCID: PMC8224182 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cross-sectional studies have reported elevated concentrations of inflammatory markers in psychosis and depression. However, questions regarding temporality and specificity of association, crucial for understanding the potential role of inflammation, remain. METHODS Based on 2224 ALSPAC birth cohort participants, we used regression analyses to test associations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels at age 9 with risks for psychosis (psychotic experiences; negative symptoms; psychotic disorder), and depression (depressive episode; symptom score) at age 24. Regression models were adjusted for sex, ethnicity, social class and body mass index. We tested for linearity (using quadratic terms) and specificity (using bi-variate probit regression) of association, and used multiple imputation to explore the impact of missing data. RESULTS After adjustments, higher IL-6 levels at age 9 were associated with increased risk of psychotic disorder (OR = 1.56; 95% C.I., 1.09-2.21 per SD increase in IL-6; OR=2.60; 95% C.I., 1.04-6.53 for the top compared with bottom third of IL-6) and depressive episode (OR = 1.14; 95% C.I., 0.99-1.32 per SD increase in IL-6; OR = 1.49; 95% C.I., 1.02-2.18 for the top compared with bottom third of IL-6). IL-6 was associated with negative symptoms after adjusting for depression (β = 0.09; 95% C.I., 0.01-0.22). There was no evidence for outcome-specific associations of IL-6. Childhood CRP was not associated with adult psychosis or depression. CONCLUSIONS Evidence for similar, longitudinal, dose-response associations suggest that elevated childhood IL-6 could be a shared risk factor for adult psychosis and depression. The IL-6 pathway may represent a novel target for treatment and prevention of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin I Perry
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Stanley Zammit
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Peter B Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Golam M Khandaker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, UK
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Thompson AD, Jones HJ, Heron J, Hibbeln J, Sullivan S, Zammit S. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and risk of psychotic outcomes in the ALSPAC birth cohort. Schizophr Res 2020; 224:108-115. [PMID: 33067055 PMCID: PMC7738752 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels have been implicated in the pathology of psychotic disorders. We investigated the relationship between childhood PUFA levels and later psychotic experiences (PE's) in a large birth cohort. METHODS Plasma levels of Ω-3 and Ω-6 fatty acids (FA's) were assayed at ages 7 and 16 years. PE's were assessed at ages 12 and 18 years using a semi-structured interview. Primary outcome was any PE's at 18 years; sensitivity analyses examined incident PE's between ages 12 and 18 years, persistent PE's (at 12 and 18) and psychotic disorder at 18 years. Genetic instruments for Ω-3 and Ω-6 were derived and used in a multivariable Mendelian Randomization analysis. RESULTS Higher levels of Ω-6 FA's AA, OA and AdA at age 7 years were weakly associated with a reduced risk for PE's at 18 years, however, effect sizes were small and attenuated after adjusting for confounders (strongest evidence for OA; adjusted OR, 0.842; 95% CI, 0.711, 0.998; p, 0.048). Total Ω-6 levels at age 16 years were associated with an increased odds of psychotic disorder at age 18 years. However, there was no association between Ω-6/Ω-3 ratio and psychosis outcomes, nor with genetic instruments of total Ω-3 or Ω-6 levels. CONCLUSIONS There is no strong evidence that total plasma Ω-3 FA levels or Ω-6/Ω-3 ratios in childhood and mid-adolescence are associated with increased risk for PE's or psychotic disorder, but very marginal evidence that alterations in the Ω-6 pathway at developmental time points might influence risk2.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Thompson
- Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing, University of Warwick, UK; Orygen, the Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, 35 Poplar Rd, Parkville, VIC 3250, Australia.
| | - H J Jones
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, University of Bristol, UK
| | - J Heron
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - J Hibbeln
- Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, Section of Nutritional Neuroscience, National Institute for Health, Bethesda, USA
| | - S Sullivan
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; NIHR CLAHRC West, Whitefriars, Lewins Mead, Bristol, UK
| | - S Zammit
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, University of Bristol, UK; MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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Chaudhury A, Ramana BV. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorders: The Toxoplasma connection. Trop Parasitol 2019; 9:71-76. [PMID: 31579659 PMCID: PMC6767789 DOI: 10.4103/tp.tp_28_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The infectious etiology of psychiatric illnesses has remained an unexplored area till recently. During the past two decades, numerous studies from multiple angles have tried to link chronic toxoplasmosis with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders, among others. Most of the evidence has come from serological studies in the patient population, but other facets have also been explored. This review examines the various areas from which a causal link has been deduced and includes: (a) serological studies, (b) effect of maternal toxoplasmosis on children, (c) neurotransmitter studies, (d) parasite localization in the brain, (e) role of cytokines, and (f) psychotherapy and its effect on Toxoplasma. However, multiple factors may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of psychiatric illnesses, and chronic Toxoplasma infection may be considered an important risk factor for the genesis and symptomatology of schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijit Chaudhury
- Department of Microbiology, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences and Sri Padmavathi Medical College (Women), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - B V Ramana
- Department of Microbiology, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences and Sri Padmavathi Medical College (Women), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
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