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Huang S, Shi C, Tao D, Yang C, Luo Y. Modulating reward and aversion: Insights into addiction from the paraventricular nucleus. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e70046. [PMID: 39295107 PMCID: PMC11410887 DOI: 10.1111/cns.70046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2024] [Revised: 08/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug addiction, characterized by compulsive drug use and high relapse rates, arises from complex interactions between reward and aversion systems in the brain. The paraventricular nucleus (PVN), located in the anterior hypothalamus, serves as a neuroendocrine center and is a key component of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. OBJECTIVE This review aimed to explore how the PVN impacts reward and aversion in drug addiction through stress responses and emotional regulation and to evaluate the potential of PVN as a therapeutic target for drug addiction. METHODS We review the current literature, focusing on three main neuron types in the PVN-corticotropin-releasing factor, oxytocin, and arginine vasopressin neurons-as well as other related neurons, to understand their roles in modulating addiction. RESULTS Existing studies highlight the PVN as a key mediator in addiction, playing a dual role in reward and aversion systems. These findings are crucial for understanding addiction mechanisms and developing targeted therapies. CONCLUSION The role of PVN in stress response and emotional regulation suggests its potential as a therapeutic target in drug addiction, offering new insights for addiction treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihao Huang
- Hunan Province People's HospitalThe First‐Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence ResearchPeking UniversityBeijingChina
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical SciencesPeking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Cuijie Shi
- College of Forensic MedicineHebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuangChina
| | - Dan Tao
- School of MedicineHunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Chang Yang
- School of MedicineHunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yixiao Luo
- Hunan Province People's HospitalThe First‐Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal UniversityChangshaChina
- Key Laboratory for Birth Defects Research and Prevention of the National Health CommissionHunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care HospitalChangshaChina
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2
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Chen X, Qing L, Zou T, Wang J, Yin W, Wang Z, Cheng T, Lu Y, Hu L, Liu L, Nie S. An analysis of POMC gene methylation and expression in patients with schizophrenia. Int J Dev Neurosci 2024; 84:208-216. [PMID: 38343101 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that affects millions of people and is believed to be caused by both environmental and genetic factors. Despite extensive research, the exact mechanisms underlying schizophrenia are still unclear. Studies have shown that numerous psychiatric disorders are associated with methylation of the POMC gene, which encodes adrenocorticotropic hormone, a critical player in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. However, the association between DNA methylation in POMC patients and schizophrenia remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated three fragments of the POMC promoter region, including 51 CpG sites, in the peripheral blood of schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. The POMC protein level was measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The schizophrenia group exhibited significantly greater levels of methylation of the POMC gene than those in the control group. The methylation level of the POMC-2 fragment was significantly greater in the patient group than in the control group. There were 17 significantly hypermethylated CpG sites in the patient group. After stratification by sex, POMC methylation levels were found to be significantly greater in male schizophrenia patients than in healthy controls; the methylation levels of POMC-2 fragments were greater in the male patient group; nine CpG sites were significantly hypermethylated in the male patient group; and only one CpG site was significantly hypermethylated in the female patient group. The POMC protein level in patients was significantly lower than that in healthy controls. These findings demonstrate that the DNA methylation of POMC might be associated with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Overall, studying the correlation between POMC methylation and schizophrenia may contribute to the diagnosis and evaluation of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanyu Chen
- School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Lili Qing
- School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Tiantian Zou
- School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jia Wang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Kunming Yan'an Hospital, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Wensa Yin
- Dept. of Medical, Mental Hospital of Yunnan Province, Mental Health Center Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhiyong Wang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Tiantian Cheng
- School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yumei Lu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Liping Hu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Linlin Liu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Shengjie Nie
- School of Forensic Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Lenz B, Gerhardt S, Boroumand-Jazi R, Eichler A, Buchholz VN, Fasching PA, Kornhuber J, Banaschewski T, Flor H, Guldner S, Prignitz M, Nees F. Sex-specific association between prenatal androgenization (second-to-fourth digit length ratio) and frontal brain volumes in adolescents. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023; 273:1243-1254. [PMID: 36449103 PMCID: PMC10449726 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-022-01515-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal androgenization associates sex-dependently with behavior and mental health in adolescence and adulthood, including risk-taking, emotionality, substance use, and depression. However, still little is known on how it affects underlying neural correlates, like frontal brain control regions. Thus, we tested whether prenatal androgen load is sex-dependently related to frontal cortex volumes in a sex-balanced adolescent sample. In a cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging study, we examined 61 adolescents (28 males, 33 females; aged 14 or 16 years) and analyzed associations of frontal brain region volumes with the second-to-fourth digit length ratio (2D:4D), an established marker for prenatal androgenization, using voxel-based morphometry in a region-of-interest approach. Lower 2D:4D (indicative of higher prenatal androgen load) correlated significantly with smaller volumes of the right anterior cingulate cortex (r-ACC; β = 0.45) in male adolescents and with larger volumes of the left inferior frontal gyrus orbital part (l-IFGorb; β = - 0.38) in female adolescents. The regression slopes of 2D:4D on the r-ACC also differed significantly between males and females. The study provides novel evidence that prenatal androgenization may influence the development of the frontal brain in a sex- and frontal brain region-specific manner. These effects might contribute to the well-known sex differences in risk-taking, emotionality, substance use, and depression. Future research is needed to elucidate the role of prenatal androgenization within the biopsychosocial model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Lenz
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Sarah Gerhardt
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Rafat Boroumand-Jazi
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Anna Eichler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Verena Nadine Buchholz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter A Fasching
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tobias Banaschewski
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Herta Flor
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stella Guldner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Maren Prignitz
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Frauke Nees
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
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4
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Zahir FR. Epigenomic impacts of meditative practices. Epigenomics 2022; 14:1593-1608. [PMID: 36891912 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0306] [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: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Meditative practices (MPs) are an inherent lifestyle and healing practice employed in Eastern medicine and spirituality. Integrating MPs into world mainstream medicine (WMM) requires effective empirical investigation of psychophysiological impacts. Epigenomic regulation is a probable mechanism of action that is empirically assessable. Recently, WMM-styled studies have screened the epigenomic impacts of MPs with early encouraging results. This article discusses the variety of MPs extant across three major Eastern religio-spiritual-healing traditions and their integration into WMM via the lens of epigenomic modulation. MPs unanimously report positive impacts on stress-reduction pathways, known to be epigenomically sensitive. Early high-resolution assays show MPs are potent in altering the epigenome - dynamically and by inducing long-term changes. This suggests the importance of integrating MPs into WMM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah R Zahir
- Irfa'a Foundation, 5063 North Service Road, Burlington, ON, L7L 5H6 Canada
- Departent of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1 Canada
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Zheng D, Bi X, Zhang T, Han C, Ma T, Wang L, Sun M, Cui K, Yang L, Liu L. Epigenetic Alterations of the Promoter Region of the POMC Gene in Adolescent Depressive Disorder Patients with Nonsuicidal Self-injury Behaviors. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2020; 13:997-1008. [PMID: 33235529 PMCID: PMC7678717 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s272445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The incidence of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) behavior among adolescents increases year by year. Patients with a history of both depression and NSSI behaviors tend to have greater risk of suicide. At present, the mechanism of adolescent depressive disorder patients with NSSI behaviors is not clear, epigenetic mechanism may be involved. Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene may be associated with depressive disorder. The purpose of this study was to investigate DNA methylation of POMC gene promoter region of adolescent depressive disorder patients with NSSI behaviors. METHODS Bisulfite Sequencing PCR (BSP) was used to test the methylation level of POMC promoter of 15 adolescent depressive disorder patients with NSSI behaviors and 15 healthy controls (HC). Self-made questionnaires were used to collect clinical data of the case group and control group. Hamilton depression scale-24 (HAMD-24), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) were used to evaluate the characteristics and severity of depressive, anxiety and psychotic symptoms. Adolescent self-injury questionnaire was used to assess NSSI behaviors and its severity. RESULTS BSP analysis found that the POMC methylation level of cytosine-guanine dinucleotide 1 (CpG1) site was higher in the case group than that of HC (P<0.05). The significance in POMC methylation at CpG1 between case group and HC was gender-independent, and CpG1 methylation level was higher in both male (P<0.05) and female (P<0.05) patients than that in HC. The CpG1 methylation level had a little correlation trends with family history of psychosis (P=0.05). We also found that POMC methylation level at CpG17 in female patients was significantly higher than that of the female HC (P<0.05). CONCLUSION There was abnormal methylation in the POMC promoter region of adolescent depressive disorder patients with NSSI behaviors, the methylation of CpG1 may act as epigenetic markers for those adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doudou Zheng
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaojiao Bi
- Department of Psychology, Shandong Mental Health Center Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tianliang Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Shandong Mental Health Center Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao Han
- Department of Psychiatry, Shandong Mental Health Center Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tantan Ma
- Department of Psychiatry, Shandong Mental Health Center Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lina Wang
- Department of Psychology, Shandong Mental Health Center Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mengmeng Sun
- Department of Psychiatry, Shandong Mental Health Center Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kaiyan Cui
- Department of Psychiatry, Shandong Mental Health Center Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Limin Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, Shandong Mental Health Center Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lanfen Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Shandong Mental Health Center Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
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6
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Epigenetic regulation of POMC; implications for nutritional programming, obesity and metabolic disease. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 54:100773. [PMID: 31344387 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is a key mediator of satiety. Epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation may modulate POMC expression and provide a biological link between early life exposures and later phenotype. Animal studies suggest epigenetic marks at POMC are influenced by maternal energy excess and restriction, prenatal stress and Triclosan exposure. Postnatal factors including energy excess, folate, vitamin A, conjugated linoleic acid and leptin may also affect POMC methylation. Recent human studies suggest POMC DNA methylation is influenced by maternal nutrition in early pregnancy and associated with childhood and adult obesity. Studies in children propose a link between POMC DNA methylation and elevated lipids and insulin, independent of body habitus. This review brings together evidence from animal and human studies and suggests that POMC is sensitive to nutritional programming and is associated with a wide range of weight-related and metabolic outcomes.
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7
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Kruger THC, Sinke C, Kneer J, Tenbergen G, Khan AQ, Burkert A, Müller-Engling L, Engler H, Gerwinn H, von Wurmb-Schwark N, Pohl A, Weiß S, Amelung T, Mohnke S, Massau C, Kärgel C, Walter M, Schiltz K, Beier KM, Ponseti J, Schiffer B, Walter H, Jahn K, Frieling H. Child sexual offenders show prenatal and epigenetic alterations of the androgen system. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:28. [PMID: 30659171 PMCID: PMC6338724 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0326-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Child sexual offending (CSO) places a serious burden on society and medicine and pedophilia (P) is considered a major risk factor for CSO. The androgen system is closely linked to sexual development and behavior. This study assessed markers of prenatal brain androgenization, genetic parameters of androgen receptor function, epigenetic regulation, and peripheral hormones in a 2 × 2 factorial design comprising the factors Offense (yes/no) and Pedophilia (yes/no) in analyzing blood samples from 194 subjects (57 P+CSO, 45 P-CSO, 20 CSO-P, and 72 controls) matched for age and intelligence. Subjects also received a comprehensive clinical screening. Independent of their sexual preference, child sexual offenders showed signs of elevated prenatal androgen exposure compared with non-offending pedophiles and controls. The methylation status of the androgen receptor gene was also higher in child sexual offenders, indicating lower functionality of the testosterone system, accompanied by lower peripheral testosterone levels. In addition, there was an interaction effect on methylation levels between offense status and androgen receptor functionality. Notably, markers of prenatal androgenization and the methylation status of the androgen receptor gene were correlated with the total number of sexual offenses committed. This study demonstrates alterations of the androgen system on a prenatal, epigenetic, and endocrine level. None of the major findings was specific for pedophilia, but they were for CSO. The findings support theories of testosterone-linked abnormalities in early brain development in delinquent behavior and suggest possible interactions of testosterone receptor gene methylation and plasma testosterone with environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tillmann H. C. Kruger
- 0000 0000 9529 9877grid.10423.34Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christopher Sinke
- 0000 0000 9529 9877grid.10423.34Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jonas Kneer
- 0000 0000 9529 9877grid.10423.34Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gilian Tenbergen
- 0000 0000 9529 9877grid.10423.34Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Abdul Qayyum Khan
- 0000 0000 9529 9877grid.10423.34Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexandra Burkert
- 0000 0000 9529 9877grid.10423.34Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Linda Müller-Engling
- 0000 0000 9529 9877grid.10423.34Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Harald Engler
- 0000 0001 2187 5445grid.5718.bInstitute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Hannah Gerwinn
- 0000 0001 2153 9986grid.9764.cInstitute of Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Nicole von Wurmb-Schwark
- Forensische Genetik und Rechtsmedizin, am Institut für Hämatopathologie Hamburg GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Pohl
- 0000 0001 2153 9986grid.9764.cInstitute of Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Simone Weiß
- 0000 0001 2187 5445grid.5718.bInstitute of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Till Amelung
- Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Mohnke
- Division of Mind and Brain Research, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, CCM, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia Massau
- 0000 0004 0490 981Xgrid.5570.7Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Deptartment of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, LWL University Hospital, Bochum, Germany
| | - Christian Kärgel
- 0000 0004 0490 981Xgrid.5570.7Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Deptartment of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, LWL University Hospital, Bochum, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- 0000 0001 1018 4307grid.5807.aDepartment of Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany ,0000 0001 2190 1447grid.10392.39Department of Psychiatry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Kolja Schiltz
- 0000 0004 1936 973Xgrid.5252.0Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Klaus M. Beier
- Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jorge Ponseti
- 0000 0001 2153 9986grid.9764.cInstitute of Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Boris Schiffer
- 0000 0004 0490 981Xgrid.5570.7Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Deptartment of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, LWL University Hospital, Bochum, Germany
| | - Henrik Walter
- Division of Mind and Brain Research, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, CCM, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kirsten Jahn
- 0000 0000 9529 9877grid.10423.34Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Helge Frieling
- 0000 0000 9529 9877grid.10423.34Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Muschler M, Rhein M, Ritter A, Hillemacher T, Frieling H, Bleich S, Glahn A. Epigenetic alterations of the POMC promoter in tobacco dependence. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2018; 28:875-879. [PMID: 29871818 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Impaired regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is substantially involved in several psychiatric disorders. Smoking interferes with HPA axis by activating proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons and thus stimulating the expression of POMC. The POMC transcript is processed into several peptide hormones, such as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), that play a role in stress response and weight control. In alcohol dependence, POMC promoter methylation is associated with craving. Here, we describe evidence of altered POMC promoter methylation in smoking. To determine how tobacco dependence and its withdrawal affect POMC promoter-specific DNA methylation, we assessed blood samples of 36 tobacco dependent individuals at day 1, 7 and 14 of withdrawal compared to 41 healthy controls using direct bisulfite sequencing. We found that POMC promoter methylation is significantly higher in smokers than in non-smokers. Moreover, this methylation difference does not readapt within 14 days of abstinence. We offer two explanatory models: Smokers could have a higher methylation state before the onset of smoking and this premorbid status might be acquired by environmental factors in early life. Alternatively, smoking may activate POMC neurons and its protein expression. Therefore, increasing methylation status of its promoter might be an adjustment to keep homeostasis. In either way, altered POMC methylation in smokers seems to indicate an adaptation of stress signaling, thereby potentially serving as a marker for stress-related functions that support the addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Muschler
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Mathias Rhein
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Andreas Ritter
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Hillemacher
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Paracelsus Medical University Nuremberg, Departement of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Prof.-Ernst-Nathan-Str. 1, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Helge Frieling
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefan Bleich
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexander Glahn
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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9
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Lenz B, Röther M, Bouna-Pyrrou P, Mühle C, Tektas OY, Kornhuber J. The androgen model of suicide completion. Prog Neurobiol 2018; 172:84-103. [PMID: 29886148 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2018.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2017] [Revised: 09/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Suicide is a devastating public health issue that imposes severe psychological, social, and economic burdens not only for the individuals but also for their relatives, friends, clinicians, and the general public. Among the different suicidal behaviors, suicide completion is the worst and the most relevant outcome. The knowledge of biological etiopathological mechanisms involved in suicide completion is limited. Hitherto, no objective markers, either alone or in combination, can reliably predict who will complete a suicide. However, such parameters are strongly needed to establish and optimize prediction and prevention. We introduce here a novel ideation-to-completion framework in suicide research and discuss the problems of studies aiming at identifying and validating clinically useful markers. The male gender is a specific risk factor for suicide, which suggests that androgen effects are implicated in the transition from suicidal ideation to suicide completion. We present multiple lines of direct and indirect evidence showing that both an increased prenatal androgen load (with subsequent permanent neuroadaptations) and increased adult androgen activity are involved in suicide completion. We also review data arguing that modifiable maternal behavioral traits during pregnancy contribute to the offspring's prenatal androgen load and increase the risk for suicide completion later in life. We conclude that in utero androgen exposure and adult androgen levels facilitate suicide completion in an synergistic manner. The androgen model of suicide completion provides the basis for the development of novel predictive and preventive strategies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Lenz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany.
| | - Mareike Röther
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Polyxeni Bouna-Pyrrou
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Christiane Mühle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Ozan Y Tektas
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
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10
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Eichler A, Heinrich H, Moll GH, Beckmann MW, Goecke TW, Fasching PA, Muschler MR, Bouna-Pyrrou P, Lenz B, Kornhuber J. Digit ratio (2D:4D) and behavioral symptoms in primary-school aged boys. Early Hum Dev 2018; 119:1-7. [PMID: 29486372 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2018.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The second-to-forth digit length ratio (2D:4D) is considered to be a biomarker for intrauterine androgen levels. It is associated with adult and child mental health problems, primarily with behavioral symptoms and predominantly in males. Using a cross-sectional design, we examined whether 2D:4D was associated with conduct disorder (CD) symptoms in 138 primary-school aged children (54% boys, Mage = 7.70 years) and considered child sex as a moderating factor. Children's digit lengths were measured from hand scans and mothers rated the behavioral/emotional symptoms of their child. The regression analyses revealed that 2D:4D ratios were associated with behavioral symptoms in boys (β = -0.260, p = 0.026), but not in girls (β = -0.040, p = 0.762). Child emotional symptoms, analyzed as a control, were not significantly correlated with 2D:4D. In conclusion, prenatal brain hyperandrogenization - operationalized by the 2D:4D biomarker - could result in behavioral symptoms in boys at early school age, reflecting one predictor for early onset CD. Our data support the use of 2D:4D as a marker of prenatal androgen exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Eichler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6+10, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Hartmut Heinrich
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6+10, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; kbo-Heckscher-Klinikum, Deisenhofener Str. 28, 81539 München, Germany
| | - Gunther H Moll
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6+10, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias W Beckmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsstraße 21-23, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tamme W Goecke
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsstraße 21-23, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; Department of Perinatal Medicine and Obstetrics, RoMed Hospital Rosenheim, Pettenkoferstraße 10, 83022 Rosenheim, Germany
| | - Peter A Fasching
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsstraße 21-23, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marcel-René Muschler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Polyxeni Bouna-Pyrrou
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernd Lenz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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11
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Hess JL, Kawaguchi DM, Wagner KE, Faraone SV, Glatt SJ. The influence of genes on "positive valence systems" constructs: A systematic review. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2016; 171B:92-110. [PMID: 26365619 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In 2009, the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) proposed an approach toward the deconstruction of psychiatric nosology under the research domain criteria (RDoC) framework. The overarching goal of RDoC is to identify robust, objective measures of behavior, emotion, cognition, and other domains that are more closely related to neurobiology than are diagnoses. A preliminary framework has been constructed, which has connected molecules, genes, brain circuits, behaviors, and other elements to dimensional psychiatric constructs. Although the RDoC framework has salience in emerging studies, foundational literature that pre-dated this framework requires synthesis and translation to the evolving objectives and nomenclature of RDoC. Toward this end, we review the candidate-gene association, linkage, and genome-wide studies that have implicated a variety of loci and genetic polymorphisms in selected Positive Valence Systems (PVS) constructs. Our goal is to review supporting evidence to currently listed genes implicated in this domain and novel candidates. We systematically searched and reviewed literature based on keywords listed under the June, 2011, edition of the PVS matrix on the RDoC website (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-priorities/rdoc/positive-valence-systems-workshop-proceedings.shtml), which were supplemented with de novo keywords pertinent to the scope of our review. Several candidate genes linked to the PVS framework were identified from candidate-gene association studies. We also identified novel candidates with loose association to PVS traits from genome-wide studies. There is strong evidence suggesting that PVS constructs, as currently conceptualized under the RDoC initiative, index genetically influenced traits; however, future research, including genetic epidemiological, and psychometric analyses, must be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan L Hess
- Departmentof Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Daniel M Kawaguchi
- Departmentof Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Kayla E Wagner
- Departmentof Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.,Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Stephen V Faraone
- Departmentof Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.,K.G. Jebsen Centre for Research on Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Stephen J Glatt
- Departmentof Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
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