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Bove M, Morgese MG, Dimonte S, Sikora V, Agosti LP, Palmieri MA, Tucci P, Schiavone S, Trabace L. Increased stress vulnerability in the offspring of socially isolated rats: Behavioural, neurochemical and redox dysfunctions. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 131:110945. [PMID: 38242425 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.110945] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Stressful events during pregnancy impact on the progeny neurodevelopment. However, little is known about preconceptional stress effects. The rat social isolation represents an animal model of chronic stress inducing a variety of dysfunctions. Moreover, social deprivation during adolescence interferes with key neurodevelopmental processes. Here, we investigated the development of behavioural, neurochemical and redox alterations in the male offspring of socially isolated female rats before pregnancy, reared in group (GRP) or in social isolation (ISO) from weaning until young-adulthood. To this aim, females were reared in GRP or in ISO conditions, from PND21 to PND70, when they were mated. Their male offspring was housed in GRP or ISO conditions through adolescence and until PND70, when passive avoidance-PA, novel object recognition-NOR and open field-OF tests were performed. Levels of noradrenaline (NA), serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), glutamate (GLU) and GABA were assessed in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Moreover, cortical ROS levels were quantified, as well as NF-kB and the NADPH oxidase NOX2 expression, redox status (expressed as GSH:GSSG ratio) and SOD1 amount. A significant decrease of the latency time in the PA was observed in the offspring of ISO females. In the NOR test, while a significant increase in the exploratory activity towards the novel object was observed in the offspring of GRP females, no significant differences were found in the offspring of ISO females. No significant differences were found in the OF test among experimental groups. Theoffspring of ISO females showed increased NA and 5-HIAA levels, whereas in the offspring persistently housed in isolation condition from weaninguntil adulthood, we detected reduced 5-HT levels and ehnanced 5-HIAA amount. No significant changes in GLU concentrations were detected, while decreased GABA content was observed in the offspring of ISO females exposed to social isolation. Increased ROS levels as well as reduced NF-κB, NOX2 expression were detected in the offspring of ISO females. This was accompanied by reduced redox status and enhanced SOD1 levels. In conclusion, our results suggest that female exposure to chronic social stress before pregnancy might have a profound influence on the offspring neurodevelopment in terms of cognitive, neurochemical and redox-related alterations, identifying this specific time window for possible preventive and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Bove
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, Foggia 71122, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Morgese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, Foggia 71122, Italy
| | - Stefania Dimonte
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, Foggia 71122, Italy
| | - Vladyslav Sikora
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, Foggia 71122, Italy
| | - Lisa Pia Agosti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, Foggia 71122, Italy
| | - Maria Adelaide Palmieri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, Foggia 71122, Italy
| | - Paolo Tucci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, Foggia 71122, Italy
| | - Stefania Schiavone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, Foggia 71122, Italy.
| | - Luigia Trabace
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 20, Foggia 71122, Italy
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Lotan A, Luza S, Opazo CM, Ayton S, Lane DJR, Mancuso S, Pereira A, Sundram S, Weickert CS, Bousman C, Pantelis C, Everall IP, Bush AI. Perturbed iron biology in the prefrontal cortex of people with schizophrenia. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:2058-2070. [PMID: 36750734 PMCID: PMC10575779 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-01979-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Despite loss of grey matter volume and emergence of distinct cognitive deficits in young adults diagnosed with schizophrenia, current treatments for schizophrenia do not target disruptions in late maturational reshaping of the prefrontal cortex. Iron, the most abundant transition metal in the brain, is essential to brain development and function, but in excess, it can impair major neurotransmission systems and lead to lipid peroxidation, neuroinflammation and accelerated aging. However, analysis of cortical iron biology in schizophrenia has not been reported in modern literature. Using a combination of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and western blots, we quantified iron and its major-storage protein, ferritin, in post-mortem prefrontal cortex specimens obtained from three independent, well-characterised brain tissue resources. Compared to matched controls (n = 85), among schizophrenia cases (n = 86) we found elevated tissue iron, unlikely to be confounded by demographic and lifestyle variables, by duration, dose and type of antipsychotic medications used or by copper and zinc levels. We further observed a loss of physiologic age-dependent iron accumulation among people with schizophrenia, in that the iron level among cases was already high in young adulthood. Ferritin, which stores iron in a redox-inactive form, was paradoxically decreased in individuals with the disorder. Such iron-ferritin uncoupling could alter free, chemically reactive, tissue iron in key reasoning and planning areas of the young-adult schizophrenia cortex. Using a prediction model based on iron and ferritin, our data provide a pathophysiologic link between perturbed cortical iron biology and schizophrenia and indicate that achievement of optimal cortical iron homeostasis could offer a new therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Lotan
- Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry and the Biological Psychiatry Laboratory, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sandra Luza
- Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne & Melbourne Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Carlos M Opazo
- Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne & Melbourne Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia.
| | - Scott Ayton
- Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Darius J R Lane
- Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Serafino Mancuso
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne & Melbourne Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Avril Pereira
- Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne & Melbourne Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Suresh Sundram
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Mental Health Program, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Cynthia Shannon Weickert
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chad Bousman
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne & Melbourne Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Departments of Medical Genetics, Psychiatry, Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Christos Pantelis
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne & Melbourne Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia
- North Western Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ian P Everall
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne & Melbourne Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia
- North Western Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ashley I Bush
- Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
- The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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Grubisha MJ, Sweet RA, MacDonald ML. Investigating Post-translational Modifications in Neuropsychiatric Disease: The Next Frontier in Human Post-mortem Brain Research. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:689495. [PMID: 34335181 PMCID: PMC8322442 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.689495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression and translation have been extensively studied in human post-mortem brain tissue from subjects with psychiatric disease. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) have received less attention despite their implication by unbiased genetic studies and importance in regulating neuronal and circuit function. Here we review the rationale for studying PTMs in psychiatric disease, recent findings in human post-mortem tissue, the required controls for these types of studies, and highlight the emerging mass spectrometry approaches transforming this research direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie J. Grubisha
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Robert A. Sweet
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Matthew L. MacDonald
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Biomedical Mass Spectrometry Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Singh F, Shu IW, Hsu SH, Link P, Pineda JA, Granholm E. Modulation of frontal gamma oscillations improves working memory in schizophrenia. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2020; 27:102339. [PMID: 32712452 PMCID: PMC7390812 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive deficits, a core symptom of schizophrenia, are difficult to treat with available therapies. Abnormal neural dynamics of frontal gamma oscillations contribute to these deficits. Neurofeedback has been used previously to alter brain oscillations. Gamma band neurofeedback can impact brain and behavioral markers of cognition.
Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental disorder that is associated with cognitive deficits. Impairments in cognition occur early in the course of illness and are associated with poor functional outcome, but have been difficult to treat with conventional treatments. Recent studies have implicated abnormal neural network dynamics and impaired connectivity in frontal brain regions as possible causes of cognitive deficits. For example, high-frequency, dorsal-lateral prefrontal oscillatory activity in the gamma range (30–50 Hz) is associated with impaired working memory in individuals with schizophrenia. In light of these findings, it may be possible to use EEG neurofeedback (EEG-NFB) to train individuals with schizophrenia to enhance frontal gamma activity to improve working memory and cognition. In a single-group, proof-of-concept study, 31 individuals with schizophrenia received 12 weeks of twice weekly EEG-NFB to enhance frontal gamma band response. EEG-NFB was well-tolerated, associated with increased gamma training threshold, and significant increases in frontal gamma power during an n-back working memory task. Additionally, EEG-NFB was associated with significant improvements in n-back performance and working memory, speed of processing, and reasoning and problem solving on neuropsychological tests. Change in gamma power was associated with change in cognition. Significant improvements in psychiatric symptoms were also found. These encouraging findings suggest EEG-NFB targeting frontal gamma activity may provide a novel effective approach to cognitive remediation in schizophrenia, although placebo-controlled trials are needed to assess the effects of non-treatment related factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiza Singh
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, United States.
| | - I-Wei Shu
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, United States
| | - Sheng-Hsiou Hsu
- Swartz Center for Computational Neuroscience, University of California at San Diego, United States
| | - Peter Link
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, United States
| | - Jaime A Pineda
- Department of Cognitive Science, Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, University of California at San Diego, United States
| | - Eric Granholm
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, United States
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Gandara V, Pineda JA, Shu IW, Singh F. A Systematic Review of the Potential Use of Neurofeedback in Patients With Schizophrenia. SCHIZOPHRENIA BULLETIN OPEN 2020; 1:sgaa005. [PMID: 32803157 PMCID: PMC7418870 DOI: 10.1093/schizbullopen/sgaa005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by positive symptoms (hallucinations and delusions), negative symptoms (anhedonia, social withdrawal) and marked cognitive deficits (memory, executive function, and attention). Current mainstays of treatment, including medications and psychotherapy, do not adequately address cognitive symptoms, which are essential for everyday functioning. However, recent advances in computational neurobiology have rekindled interest in neurofeedback (NF), a form of self-regulation or neuromodulation, in potentially alleviating cognitive symptoms in patients with SCZ. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of the literature for NF studies in SCZ to identify lessons learned and to identify steps to move the field forward. Our findings reveal that NF studies to date consist mostly of case studies and small sample, single-group studies. Despite few randomized clinical trials, the results suggest that NF is feasible and that it leads to measurable changes in brain function. These findings indicate early proof-of-concept data that needs to be followed up by larger, randomized clinical trials, testing the efficacy of NF compared to well thought out placebos. We hope that such an undertaking by the field will lead to innovative solutions that address refractory symptoms and improve everyday functioning in patients with SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Gandara
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California at San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA
| | - Jaime A Pineda
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California at San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA
| | - I-Wei Shu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California at San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA
| | - Fiza Singh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California at San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA
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Glausier JR, Konanur A, Lewis DA. Factors Affecting Ultrastructural Quality in the Prefrontal Cortex of the Postmortem Human Brain. J Histochem Cytochem 2019; 67:185-202. [PMID: 30562121 PMCID: PMC6393839 DOI: 10.1369/0022155418819481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Electron microscopy (EM) studies of the postmortem human brain provide a level of resolution essential for understanding brain function in both normal and disease states. However, processes associated with death can impair the cellular and organelle ultrastructural preservation required for quantitative EM studies. Although postmortem interval (PMI), the time between death and preservation of tissue, is thought to be the most influential factor of ultrastructural quality, numerous other factors may also influence tissue preservation. The goal of the present study was to assess the effects of pre- and postmortem factors on multiple components of ultrastructure in the postmortem human prefrontal cortex. Tissue samples from 30 subjects were processed using standard EM histochemistry. The primary dependent measure was number of identifiable neuronal profiles, and secondary measures included presence and/or integrity of synapses, mitochondria, and myelinated axonal fibers. Number of identifiable neuronal profiles was most strongly affected by the interaction of PMI and pH, such that short PMIs and neutral pH values predicted the best preservation. Secondary measures were largely unaffected by pre- and postmortem factors. Together, these data indicate that distinct components of the neuropil are differentially affected by PMI and pH in postmortem human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anisha Konanur
- The Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, University of Pittsburgh
| | - David A. Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh
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7
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Gomes J, Trevizol A, Ducos D, Gadelha A, Ortiz B, Fonseca A, Akiba H, Azevedo C, Guimaraes L, Shiozawa P, Cordeiro Q, Lacerda A, Dias A. Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on working memory and negative symptoms in schizophrenia: a phase II randomized sham-controlled trial. Schizophr Res Cogn 2018; 12:20-28. [PMID: 29552509 PMCID: PMC5852322 DOI: 10.1016/j.scog.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lack of efficacy of pharmacological treatments for cognitive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia highlights the need for new interventions. We investigated the effects of tDCS on working memory and negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. METHOD Double-blinded, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial, investigating the effects of 10 sessions of tDCS in schizophrenia subjects. Stimulation used 2 mA, for 20 min, with electrodes of 25 cm2 wrapped in cotton material soaked in saline solution. Anode was positioned over the left DLPFC and the cathode in the contralateral area. Twenty-four participants were assessed at baseline, after intervention and in a three-months follow-up. The primary outcome was the working memory score from MATRICS and the secondary outcome the negative score from PANSS. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS We did not find group ∗ time interaction for the working memory (p = 0.720) score or any other cognitive variable (p > 0.05). We found a significant group ∗ time interaction for PANSS negative (p < 0.001, d = 0.23, CI.95 = -0.59-1.02), general (p = 0.011) and total scores (p < 0.001). Exploratory analysis of PANSS 5 factors suggests tDCS effect on PANSS negative (p = 0.012), cognitive (p = 0.016) and depression factors (p = 0.029). CONCLUSION The results from this trial highlight the therapeutic effects of tDCS for treatment of persistent symptoms in schizophrenia, with reduction of negative symptoms. We were not able to confirm the superiority of active tDCS over sham to improve working memory performance. Larger sample size studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- J.S. Gomes
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Center for Neuromodulation Studies, Dep. of Psychiatry, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - A.P. Trevizol
- Center for Neuromodulation Studies, Dep. of Psychiatry, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Reference Center for Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (CRATOD), Sao Paulo State Secretariat of Health, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - D.V. Ducos
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Center for Neuromodulation Studies, Dep. of Psychiatry, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - A. Gadelha
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Center for Neuromodulation Studies, Dep. of Psychiatry, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - B.B. Ortiz
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - A.O. Fonseca
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - H.T. Akiba
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Center for Neuromodulation Studies, Dep. of Psychiatry, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - C.C. Azevedo
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Center for Neuromodulation Studies, Dep. of Psychiatry, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - L.S.P. Guimaraes
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unity, Clinical Hospital of Porto Alegre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - P. Shiozawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Santa Casa School of Medicine, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Q. Cordeiro
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Center for Neuromodulation Studies, Dep. of Psychiatry, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - A. Lacerda
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Center for Neuromodulation Studies, Dep. of Psychiatry, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Center for Research and Clinical Trials Sinapse-Bairral, Instituto Bairral de Psiquiatria, Itapira, Brazil
| | - A.M. Dias
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Center for Neuromodulation Studies, Dep. of Psychiatry, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Mladinov M, Sedmak G, Fuller HR, Babić Leko M, Mayer D, Kirincich J, Štajduhar A, Borovečki F, Hof PR, Šimić G. Gene expression profiling of the dorsolateral and medial orbitofrontal cortex in schizophrenia. Transl Neurosci 2016; 7:139-150. [PMID: 28123834 PMCID: PMC5234522 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2016-0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex polygenic disorder of unknown etiology. Over 3,000 candidate genes associated with schizophrenia have been reported, most of which being mentioned only once. Alterations in cognitive processing - working memory, metacognition and mentalization - represent a core feature of schizophrenia, which indicates the involvement of the prefrontal cortex in the pathophysiology of this disorder. Hence we compared the gene expression in postmortem tissue from the left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC, Brodmann's area 46), and the medial part of the orbitofrontal cortex (MOFC, Brodmann's area 11/12), in six patients with schizophrenia and six control brains. Although in the past decade several studies performed transcriptome profiling in schizophrenia, this is the first study to investigate both hemispheres, providing new knowledge about possible brain asymmetry at the level of gene expression and its relation to schizophrenia. We found that in the left hemisphere, twelve genes from the DLPFC and eight genes from the MOFC were differentially expressed in patients with schizophrenia compared to controls. In the right hemisphere there was only one gene differentially expressed in the MOFC. We reproduce the involvement of previously reported genes TARDBP and HNRNPC in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, and report seven novel genes: SART1, KAT7, C1D, NPM1, EVI2A, XGY2, and TTTY15. As the differentially expressed genes only partially overlap with previous studies that analyzed other brain regions, our findings indicate the importance of considering prefrontal cortical regions, especially those in the left hemisphere, for obtaining disease-relevant insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihovil Mladinov
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb Medical School, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Goran Sedmak
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb Medical School, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Heidi R Fuller
- Wolfson Centre for Inherited Neuromuscular Disease, RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry, SY10 7AG, UK and Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Mirjana Babić Leko
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb Medical School, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Davor Mayer
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Zagreb Medical School, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jason Kirincich
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb Medical School, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Andrija Štajduhar
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb Medical School, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Fran Borovečki
- Department of Neurology, University Clinical Hospital Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Patrick R Hof
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Goran Šimić
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb Medical School, Zagreb, Croatia
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