1
|
Brazdis RM, von Zimmermann C, Lenz B, Kornhuber J, Mühle C. Peripheral Upregulation of Parkinson's Disease-Associated Genes Encoding α-Synuclein, β-Glucocerebrosidase, and Ceramide Glucosyltransferase in Major Depression. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3219. [PMID: 38542193 PMCID: PMC10970259 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25063219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to the high comorbidity of Parkinson's disease (PD) with major depressive disorder (MDD) and the involvement of sphingolipids in both conditions, we investigated the peripheral expression levels of three primarily PD-associated genes: α-synuclein (SNCA), lysosomal enzyme β-glucocerebrosidase (GBA1), and UDP-glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase (UGCG) in a sex-balanced MDD cohort. Normalized gene expression was determined by quantitative PCR in patients suffering from MDD (unmedicated n = 63, medicated n = 66) and controls (remitted MDD n = 39, healthy subjects n = 61). We observed that expression levels of SNCA (p = 0.036), GBA1 (p = 0.014), and UGCG (p = 0.0002) were higher in currently depressed patients compared to controls and remitted patients, and expression of GBA1 and UGCG decreased in medicated patients during three weeks of therapy. Additionally, in subgroups, expression was positively correlated with the severity of depression and anxiety. Furthermore, we identified correlations between the gene expression levels and PD-related laboratory parameters. Our findings suggest that SNCA, GBA1, and UGCG analysis could be instrumental in the search for biomarkers of MDD and in understanding the overlapping pathological mechanisms underlying neuro-psychiatric diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Razvan-Marius Brazdis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (R.-M.B.); (B.L.); (J.K.)
| | - Claudia von Zimmermann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (R.-M.B.); (B.L.); (J.K.)
| | - Bernd Lenz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (R.-M.B.); (B.L.); (J.K.)
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (R.-M.B.); (B.L.); (J.K.)
| | - Christiane Mühle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (R.-M.B.); (B.L.); (J.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kind L, Luttenberger K, Leßmann V, Dorscht L, Mühle C, Müller CP, Siegmann EM, Schneider S, Kornhuber J. New ways to cope with depression-study protocol for a randomized controlled mixed methods trial of bouldering psychotherapy (BPT) and mental model therapy (MMT). Trials 2023; 24:602. [PMID: 37736688 PMCID: PMC10514980 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07629-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the growing gap between the demand and supply of therapeutic services for people suffering from depression, with this study, we are investigating the effectiveness and factors of influence of new approaches in group treatments for depression. Two previous studies have already identified bouldering psychotherapy (BPT) as an effective option. It combines psychotherapeutic interventions with action- and body-oriented bouldering exercises. Mental model therapy (MMT) is a new cognitive-behavioral approach for treating depression. It focuses on identifying cognitive distortions, biases in decision making, and false assumptions and aims to correct and replace them with useful mental models. We aim to investigate the effectiveness of the interventions compared with a control group (CG) and to assess the factors of influence in a mixed methods approach. METHODS The study is being conducted as a randomized controlled intervention trial. Adult participants with unipolar depression are being randomized into three groups (BPT, MMT, or CG), and the first two groups are undergoing a 10-week treatment phase. CG follows their individual standard treatment as usual. A priori power analysis revealed that about 120 people should be included to capture a moderate effect. The primary outcome of the study is depression rated with the Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) before (t0), directly after (t1), and 12 months after the intervention phase (t2). Data are being collected via questionnaires, computer-assisted video interviews, and physical examinations. The primary hypotheses will be statistically analyzed by mixed model ANOVAs to compare the three groups over time. For secondary outcomes, further multivariate methods (e.g., mixed model ANOVAs and regression analyses) will be conducted. Qualitative data will be evaluated on the basis of the qualitative thematic analysis. DISCUSSION This study is investigating psychological and physical effects of BPT and MMT and its factors of influence on outpatients suffering from depression compared with a CG in a highly naturalistic design. The study could therefore provide insight into the modes of action of group therapy for depression and help to establish new short-term group treatments. Methodological limitations of the study might be the clinical heterogeneity of the sample and confounding effects due to simultaneous individual psychotherapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN, ISRCTN12347878. Registered 28 March 2022, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12347878 .
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leona Kind
- Centre for Health Services Research in Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Katharina Luttenberger
- Centre for Health Services Research in Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Vivien Leßmann
- Centre for Health Services Research in Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lisa Dorscht
- Centre for Health Services Research in Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christiane Mühle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian P Müller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Minden, Penang, Malaysia
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eva-Maria Siegmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sophia Schneider
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fitzpatrick-Schmidt T, Edwards S. Cortisol as a risk biomarker to guide recovery from substance use disorders. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 47:435-437. [PMID: 36811294 PMCID: PMC10050113 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Scott Edwards
- Department of Physiology and Comprehensive Alcohol-HIV/AIDS Research Center, LSU Health-New Orleans
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in Major Depressive Disorder: A Multilevel Pilot Study. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415460. [PMID: 36555097 PMCID: PMC9779321 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a controversially discussed inflammatory marker in major depressive disorder (MDD). While some studies show an association of high MIF protein levels with depression, animal models have yielded conflicting results. Thus, it remains elusive as to whether MIF plays an anti- or pro-depressive role. Therefore, we aimed to examine the potential of MIF at the genetic, expression and protein levels as a risk factor and biomarker to diagnose, monitor, or predict the course of MDD. Patients with a current major depressive episode (n = 66 with, and n = 63 without, prior medication) and remitted patients (n = 39) were compared with healthy controls (n = 61). Currently depressed patients provided a second blood sample after three weeks of therapy. Depression severity was assessed by self-evaluation and clinician rating scales. We genotyped for three MIF polymorphisms and analyzed peripheral MIF expression and serum levels. The absence of minor allele homozygous individuals in the large group of 96 female patients compared with 10-16% in female controls suggests a protective effect for MDD, which was not observed in the male group. There were no significant group differences of protein and expression levels, however, both showed predictive potential for the course of depression severity in some subgroups. While MIF protein levels, but not MIF expression, decreased during treatment, they were not associated with changes in depression severity. This project is the first to investigate three biological levels of MIF in depression. The data hint toward a genetic effect in women, but do not provide robust evidence for the utility of MIF as a biomarker for the diagnosis or monitoring of MDD. The observed predictive potential requires further analysis, emphasizing future attention to confounding factors such as sex and premedication.
Collapse
|
5
|
Rhein C, Zoicas I, Marx LM, Zeitler S, Hepp T, von Zimmermann C, Mühle C, Richter-Schmidinger T, Lenz B, Erim Y, Reichel M, Gulbins E, Kornhuber J. mRNA Expression of SMPD1 Encoding Acid Sphingomyelinase Decreases upon Antidepressant Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115700. [PMID: 34071826 PMCID: PMC8198802 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a severe psychiatric condition with key symptoms of low mood and lack of motivation, joy, and pleasure. Recently, the acid sphingomyelinase (ASM)/ceramide system has been implicated in the pathogenesis of MDD. ASM is a lysosomal glycoprotein that catalyzes the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin, an abundant component of membranes, into the bioactive sphingolipid ceramide, which impacts signaling pathways. ASM activity is inhibited by several common antidepressant drugs. Human and murine studies have confirmed that increased ASM activity and ceramide levels are correlated with MDD. To define a molecular marker for treatment monitoring, we investigated the mRNA expression of SMPD1, which encodes ASM, in primary cell culture models, a mouse study, and a human study with untreated MDD patients before and after antidepressive treatment. Our cell culture study showed that a common antidepressant inhibited ASM activity at the enzymatic level and also at the transcriptional level. In a genetically modified mouse line with depressive-like behavior, Smpd1 mRNA expression in dorsal hippocampal tissue was significantly decreased after treatment with a common antidepressant. The large human study showed that SMPD1 mRNA expression in untreated MDD patients decreased significantly after antidepressive treatment. This translational study shows that SMPD1 mRNA expression could serve as a molecular marker for treatment and adherence monitoring of MDD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cosima Rhein
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (I.Z.); (L.M.M.); (S.Z.); (C.v.Z.); (C.M.); (T.R.-S.); (B.L.); (M.R.); (J.K.)
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.H.); (Y.E.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-9131-85-44542
| | - Iulia Zoicas
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (I.Z.); (L.M.M.); (S.Z.); (C.v.Z.); (C.M.); (T.R.-S.); (B.L.); (M.R.); (J.K.)
| | - Lena M. Marx
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (I.Z.); (L.M.M.); (S.Z.); (C.v.Z.); (C.M.); (T.R.-S.); (B.L.); (M.R.); (J.K.)
| | - Stefanie Zeitler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (I.Z.); (L.M.M.); (S.Z.); (C.v.Z.); (C.M.); (T.R.-S.); (B.L.); (M.R.); (J.K.)
| | - Tobias Hepp
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.H.); (Y.E.)
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Claudia von Zimmermann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (I.Z.); (L.M.M.); (S.Z.); (C.v.Z.); (C.M.); (T.R.-S.); (B.L.); (M.R.); (J.K.)
| | - Christiane Mühle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (I.Z.); (L.M.M.); (S.Z.); (C.v.Z.); (C.M.); (T.R.-S.); (B.L.); (M.R.); (J.K.)
| | - Tanja Richter-Schmidinger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (I.Z.); (L.M.M.); (S.Z.); (C.v.Z.); (C.M.); (T.R.-S.); (B.L.); (M.R.); (J.K.)
| | - Bernd Lenz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (I.Z.); (L.M.M.); (S.Z.); (C.v.Z.); (C.M.); (T.R.-S.); (B.L.); (M.R.); (J.K.)
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, D-68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.H.); (Y.E.)
| | - Martin Reichel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (I.Z.); (L.M.M.); (S.Z.); (C.v.Z.); (C.M.); (T.R.-S.); (B.L.); (M.R.); (J.K.)
| | - Erich Gulbins
- Department of Molecular Biology, University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, D-45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (I.Z.); (L.M.M.); (S.Z.); (C.v.Z.); (C.M.); (T.R.-S.); (B.L.); (M.R.); (J.K.)
| |
Collapse
|