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Reid MA, Whiteman SE, Camden AA, Jeffirs SM, Weathers FW. Prefrontal metabolite alterations in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder: a 7T magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.16.603137. [PMID: 39071259 PMCID: PMC11275712 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.16.603137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Background Evidence from animal and human studies suggests glutamatergic dysfunction in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The purpose of this study was to investigate glutamate abnormalities in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLFPC) of individuals with PTSD using 7T MRS, which has better spectral resolution and signal-to-noise ratio than lower field strengths, thus allowing for better spectral quality and higher sensitivity. We hypothesized that individuals with PTSD would have lower glutamate levels compared to trauma-exposed individuals without PTSD and individuals without trauma exposure. Additionally, we explored potential alterations in other neurometabolites and the relationship between glutamate and psychiatric symptoms. Methods Individuals with PTSD (n=27), trauma-exposed individuals without PTSD (n=27), and individuals without trauma exposure (n=26) underwent 7T MRS to measure glutamate and other neurometabolites in the left DLPFC. The severities of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and dissociation symptoms were assessed. Results We found that glutamate was lower in the PTSD and trauma-exposed groups compared to the group without trauma exposure. Furthermore, N-acetylaspartate (NAA) was lower and lactate was higher in the PTSD group compared to the group without trauma exposure. Glutamate was negatively correlated with depression symptom severity in the PTSD group. Glutamate was not correlated with PTSD symptom severity. Conclusion In this first 7T MRS study of PTSD, we observed altered concentrations of glutamate, NAA, and lactate. Our findings provide evidence for multiple possible pathological processes in individuals with PTSD. High-field MRS offers insight into the neurometabolic alterations associated with PTSD and is a powerful tool to probe trauma- and stress-related neurotransmission and metabolism in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith A. Reid
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
- AU Neuroimaging Center, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
- Alabama Advanced Imaging Consortium, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Sarah E. Whiteman
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
- Kansas City VA Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Abigail A. Camden
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | | | - Frank W. Weathers
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
- National Center for PTSD, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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2
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Chiappelli J, Savransky A, Ma Y, Gao S, Kvarta MD, Kochunov P, Slavich GM, Hong LE. Impact of lifetime stressor exposure on neuroenergetics in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Schizophr Res 2024; 269:58-63. [PMID: 38733800 PMCID: PMC11180558 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2024.04.027] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
N-acetylasparate and lactate are two prominent brain metabolites closely related to mitochondrial functioning. Prior research revealing lower levels of NAA and higher levels of lactate in the cerebral cortex of patients with schizophrenia suggest possible abnormalities in the energy supply pathway necessary for brain function. Given that stress and adversity are a strong risk factor for a variety of mental health problems, including psychotic disorders, we investigated the hypothesis that stress contributes to abnormal neuroenergetics in patients with schizophrenia. To test this hypothesis, we used the Stress and Adversity Inventory (STRAIN) to comprehensively assess the lifetime stressor exposure profiles of 35 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and 33 healthy controls who were also assessed with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy at the anterior cingulate cortex using 3 Tesla scanner. Consistent with the hypothesis, greater lifetime stressor exposure was significantly associated with lower levels of N-acetylasparate (β = -0.36, p = .005) and higher levels of lactate (β = 0.43, p = .001). Moreover, these results were driven by patients, as these associations were significant for the patient but not control group. Though preliminary, these findings suggest a possible role for stress processes in the pathophysiology of abnormal neuroenergetics in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Chiappelli
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Anya Savransky
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yizhou Ma
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Si Gao
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mark D Kvarta
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Peter Kochunov
- Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - George M Slavich
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - L Elliot Hong
- Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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Yancey JR, Ma J, Subramaniam P, Carson CN, McGlade EC, Yurgelun-Todd DA, Renshaw PF. Creatine concentration in the anterior cingulate cortex is associated with greater stress recovery from traumatic events: Preliminary evidence from a US Veteran sample. J Affect Disord 2024; 355:115-121. [PMID: 38548194 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.03.152] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by a prolonged stress response to potentially life-threatening events long after the event has passed. Understanding factors related to recovery from traumatic life events may inform novel targets for intervention. There is emerging preclinical evidence that creatine (Cr), a molecule critical to brain bioenergetics, may be a neurobiological marker of stress reactivity and recovery. METHOD 25 US Veterans (8 female) completed the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5, which assessed different types of traumatic events. Veterans were also asked to rate the subjective stress of each traumatic event on a 1-10 scale currently (Current Stress) and at the time the event occurred (Past Stress). Stress recovery was quantified as the difference between Current and Past Stress. Current PTSD symptoms were also assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. Cr concentrations in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) were measured in the anterior cingulate cortex using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). RESULTS Higher levels of Cr were associated with self-reported stress recovery from participants' most traumatic life event. Cr was not related to number of different types of traumatic life events or current PTSD symptoms. LIMITATIONS The sample size was relatively small. Stress recovery was measured via retrospective self-report. Future experimental work in humans should clarify the protective role of Cr in recovery from trauma. CONCLUSIONS ACC concentrations of Cr may be an important neurochemical factor related to stress recovery. Future work should investigate Cr as a possible protective factor against the effects of traumatic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R Yancey
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America; Hunstman Mental Health Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, United States of America.
| | - Jiyoung Ma
- Hunstman Mental Health Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Punitha Subramaniam
- Hunstman Mental Health Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Chelsea N Carson
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America; Hunstman Mental Health Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Erin C McGlade
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America; Hunstman Mental Health Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Deborah A Yurgelun-Todd
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America; Hunstman Mental Health Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Perry F Renshaw
- Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America; Hunstman Mental Health Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, United States of America
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4
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Plas SL, Tuna T, Bayer H, Juliano VAL, Sweck SO, Arellano Perez AD, Hassell JE, Maren S. Neural circuits for the adaptive regulation of fear and extinction memory. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 18:1352797. [PMID: 38370858 PMCID: PMC10869525 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1352797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The regulation of fear memories is critical for adaptive behaviors and dysregulation of these processes is implicated in trauma- and stress-related disorders. Treatments for these disorders include pharmacological interventions as well as exposure-based therapies, which rely upon extinction learning. Considerable attention has been directed toward elucidating the neural mechanisms underlying fear and extinction learning. In this review, we will discuss historic discoveries and emerging evidence on the neural mechanisms of the adaptive regulation of fear and extinction memories. We will focus on neural circuits regulating the acquisition and extinction of Pavlovian fear conditioning in rodent models, particularly the role of the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in the contextual control of extinguished fear memories. We will also consider new work revealing an important role for the thalamic nucleus reuniens in the modulation of prefrontal-hippocampal interactions in extinction learning and memory. Finally, we will explore the effects of stress on this circuit and the clinical implications of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L. Plas
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Tuğçe Tuna
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Hugo Bayer
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Vitor A. L. Juliano
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Samantha O. Sweck
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Angel D. Arellano Perez
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - James E. Hassell
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Stephen Maren
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
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5
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Reid MA, Whiteman SE, Camden AA, Jeffirs SM, Weathers FW. Prefrontal Metabolite Alterations in Individuals with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A 7T Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study. CHRONIC STRESS (THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF.) 2024; 8:24705470241277451. [PMID: 39253023 PMCID: PMC11381574 DOI: 10.1177/24705470241277451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
Background Evidence from animal and human studies suggests glutamatergic dysfunction in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The purpose of this study was to investigate glutamate abnormalities in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLFPC) of individuals with PTSD using 7T MRS, which has better spectral resolution and signal-to-noise ratio than lower field strengths, thus allowing for better spectral quality and higher sensitivity. We hypothesized that individuals with PTSD would have lower glutamate levels compared to trauma-exposed individuals without PTSD and individuals without trauma exposure. Additionally, we explored potential alterations in other neurometabolites and the relationship between glutamate and psychiatric symptoms. Methods Individuals with PTSD (n = 27), trauma-exposed individuals without PTSD (n = 27), and individuals without trauma exposure (n = 26) underwent 7T MRS to measure glutamate and other neurometabolites in the left DLPFC. The severities of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and dissociation symptoms were assessed. Results We found that glutamate was lower in the PTSD and trauma-exposed groups compared to the group without trauma exposure. Furthermore, N-acetylaspartate (NAA) was lower and lactate was higher in the PTSD group compared to the group without trauma exposure. Glutamate was negatively correlated with depression symptom severity in the PTSD group. Glutamate was not correlated with PTSD symptom severity. Conclusion In this first 7T MRS study of PTSD, we observed altered concentrations of glutamate, NAA, and lactate. Our findings provide evidence for multiple possible pathological processes in individuals with PTSD. High-field MRS offers insight into the neurometabolic alterations associated with PTSD and is a powerful tool to probe trauma- and stress-related neurotransmission and metabolism in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith A Reid
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
- AU Neuroimaging Center, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
- Alabama Advanced Imaging Consortium, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Sarah E Whiteman
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
- Kansas City VA Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Abigail A Camden
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Stephanie M Jeffirs
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Frank W Weathers
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
- National Center for PTSD, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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6
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Cheng LL. High-resolution magic angle spinning NMR for intact biological specimen analysis: Initial discovery, recent developments, and future directions. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 36:e4684. [PMID: 34962004 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
High-resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) NMR, an approach for intact biological material analysis discovered more than 25 years ago, has been advanced by many technical developments and applied to many biomedical uses. This article provides a history of its discovery, first by explaining the key scientific advances that paved the way for HRMAS NMR's invention, and then by turning to recent developments that have profited from applying and advancing the technique during the last 5 years. Developments aimed at directly impacting healthcare include HRMAS NMR metabolomics applications within studies of human disease states such as cancers, brain diseases, metabolic diseases, transplantation medicine, and adiposity. Here, the discussion describes recent HRMAS NMR metabolomics studies of breast cancer and prostate cancer, as well as of matching tissues with biofluids, multimodality studies, and mechanistic investigations, all conducted to better understand disease metabolic characteristics for diagnosis, opportune windows for treatment, and prognostication. In addition, HRMAS NMR metabolomics studies of plants, foods, and cell structures, along with longitudinal cell studies, are reviewed and discussed. Finally, inspired by the technique's history of discoveries and recent successes, future biomedical arenas that stand to benefit from HRMAS NMR-initiated scientific investigations are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo L Cheng
- Departments of Radiology and Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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7
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Zühlsdorff K, López-Cruz L, Dutcher EG, Jones JA, Pama C, Sawiak S, Khan S, Milton AL, Robbins TW, Bullmore ET, Dalley JW. Sex-dependent effects of early life stress on reinforcement learning and limbic cortico-striatal functional connectivity. Neurobiol Stress 2023; 22:100507. [PMID: 36505960 PMCID: PMC9731893 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2022.100507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a stress-related condition hypothesized to involve aberrant reinforcement learning (RL) with positive and negative stimuli. The present study investigated whether repeated early maternal separation (REMS) stress, a procedure widely recognized to cause depression-like behaviour, affects how subjects learn from positive and negative feedback. The REMS procedure was implemented by separating male and female rats from their dam for 6 h each day from post-natal day 5-19. Control rat offspring were left undisturbed during this period. Rats were tested as adults for behavioral flexibility and feedback sensitivity on a probabilistic reversal learning task. A computational approach based on RL theory was used to derive latent behavioral variables related to reward learning and flexibility. To assess underlying brain substrates, a seed-based functional MRI connectivity analysis was applied both before and after an additional adulthood stressor in control and REMS rats. Female but not male rats exposed to REMS stress showed increased response 'stickiness' (repeated responses regardless of reward outcome). Following repeated adulthood stress, reduced functional connectivity from the basolateral amygdala (BLA) to the dorsolateral striatum (DLS), cingulate cortex (Cg), and anterior insula (AI) cortex was observed in females. By contrast, control male rats exposed to the second stressor showed impaired learning from negative feedback (i.e., non-reward) and reduced functional connectivity from the BLA to the DLS and AI compared to maternally separated males. RL in male rats exposed to REMS was unaffected. The fMRI data further revealed that connectivity between the mOFC and other prefrontal cortical and subcortical structures was positively correlated with response 'stickiness'. These findings reveal differences in how females and males respond to early life adversity and subsequent stress. These effects may be mediated by functional divergence in resting-state connectivity between the basolateral amygdala and fronto-striatal brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Zühlsdorff
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - Laura López-Cruz
- Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, The Open University, Walton Hall, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Ethan G. Dutcher
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - Jolyon A. Jones
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - Claudia Pama
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - Stephen Sawiak
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
- Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Box 65, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Shahid Khan
- GlaxoSmithKline Research & Development, Stevenage, UK
| | - Amy L. Milton
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - Trevor W. Robbins
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - Edward T. Bullmore
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, Herchel Smith Building for Brain and Mind Sciences, Forvie Site, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
| | - Jeffrey W. Dalley
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, Herchel Smith Building for Brain and Mind Sciences, Forvie Site, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
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8
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Canto-de-Souza L, Demetrovich PG, Plas S, Souza RR, Epperson J, Wahlstrom KL, Nunes-de-Souza RL, LaLumiere RT, Planeta CS, McIntyre CK. Daily Optogenetic Stimulation of the Left Infralimbic Cortex Reverses Extinction Impairments in Male Rats Exposed to Single Prolonged Stress. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 15:780326. [PMID: 34987362 PMCID: PMC8721142 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.780326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex. PTSD-like pathophysiology and behaviors have been observed in rodents exposed to a single prolonged stress (SPS) procedure. When animals are left alone for 7 days after SPS treatment, they show increased anxiety-like behavior and impaired extinction of conditioned fear, and reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex. Here, we tested the hypothesis that daily optogenetic stimulation of the infralimbic region (IL) of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) during the 7 days after SPS would reverse SPS effects on anxiety and fear extinction. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent SPS and then received daily optogenetic stimulation (20 Hz, 2 s trains, every 10 s for 15 min/day) of glutamatergic neurons of the left or right IL for seven days. After this incubation period, rats were tested in the elevated plus-maze (EPM). Twenty-four hours after the EPM test, rats underwent auditory fear conditioning (AFC), extinction training and a retention test. SPS increased anxiety-like behavior in the EPM task and produced a profound impairment in extinction of AFC. Optogenetic stimulation of the left IL, but not right, during the 7-day incubation period reversed the extinction impairment. Optogenetic stimulation did not reverse the increased anxiety-like behavior, suggesting that the extinction effects are not due to a treatment-induced reduction in anxiety. Results indicate that increased activity of the left IL after traumatic experiences can prevent development of extinction impairments. These findings suggest that non-invasive brain stimulation may be a useful tool for preventing maladaptive responses to trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Canto-de-Souza
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Araraquara, Brazil.,Institute of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,School of Behavior and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Peyton G Demetrovich
- School of Behavior and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Samantha Plas
- School of Behavior and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Rimenez R Souza
- School of Behavior and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States.,Texas Biomedical Device Center, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Joseph Epperson
- Texas Biomedical Device Center, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Krista L Wahlstrom
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Ricardo Luiz Nunes-de-Souza
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Araraquara, Brazil.,Institute of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Joint Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Carlos - UFSCar/UNESP, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Ryan T LaLumiere
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States.,Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Cleopatra Silva Planeta
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Araraquara, Brazil.,Joint Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Carlos - UFSCar/UNESP, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Christa K McIntyre
- School of Behavior and Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States.,Texas Biomedical Device Center, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
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9
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Hou Y, Chen M, Wang C, Liu L, Mao H, Qu X, Shen X, Yu B, Liu S. Electroacupuncture Attenuates Anxiety-Like Behaviors in a Rat Model of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: The Role of the Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:690159. [PMID: 34248490 PMCID: PMC8264195 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.690159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroacupuncture (EA) is a promising clinical approach to treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet the mechanisms whereby EA can alleviate anxiety and other PTSD symptoms have yet to be clarified. In the present report, rats underwent EA for 14 consecutive days following modified single prolonged stress (MSPS) exposure. These animals were then evaluated in open field and elevated plus maze tests (OFT and EPM), while Fos immunohistochemical staining was performed to assess ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) functional activation. In addition, an extracellular recording and stimulation system was used to analyze vmPFC inputs into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in these rats. Temporary vmPFC inactivation was further performed to assess whether this was sufficient to reverse the anxiolytic effects of EA. Overall, rats that underwent EA treatment spent more time in the central region (OFT) and the open arm (EPM) relative to MSPS model animals (P < 0.05). These MSPS model animals also exhibited significantly fewer activated Fos-positive nuclei in the vmPFC following behavioral testing, while EA was associated with a significant relative increase in c-Fos expression in this region. The transient inactivation of the vmPFC was sufficient to reverse the effects of EA treatment on anxiety-like behaviors in MSPS model rats. MSPS and SEA rats exhibiting no differences in bursting activity between baseline and vmPFC stimulation, whereas bursting activity rose relative to baseline upon ventral mPFC stimulation in EA treated and control rats. Together, these findings indicate that the vmPFC and its inputs into the VTA are functionally linked to the anxiolytic activity of EA, implicating this pathway in the EA-mediated treatment of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchao Hou
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Meiyu Chen
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Can Wang
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lumin Liu
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huijuan Mao
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyi Qu
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueyong Shen
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Yu
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Sheng Liu
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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10
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Kious BM, Kondo DG, Renshaw PF. Creatine for the Treatment of Depression. Biomolecules 2019; 9:E406. [PMID: 31450809 PMCID: PMC6769464 DOI: 10.3390/biom9090406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Depressed mood, which can occur in the context of major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and other conditions, represents a serious threat to public health and wellness. Conventional treatments are not effective for a significant proportion of patients and interventions that are often beneficial for treatment-refractory depression are not widely available. There is, therefore, an immense need to identify novel antidepressant strategies, particularly strategies that target physiological pathways that are distinct from those addressed by conventional treatments. There is growing evidence from human neuroimaging, genetics, epidemiology, and animal studies that disruptions in brain energy production, storage, and utilization are implicated in the development and maintenance of depression. Creatine, a widely available nutritional supplement, has the potential to improve these disruptions in some patients, and early clinical trials indicate that it may have efficacy as an antidepressant agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent M Kious
- Diagnostic Neuroimaging, Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, 383 Colorow Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA.
| | - Douglas G Kondo
- Diagnostic Neuroimaging, Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, 383 Colorow Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
- George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 500 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84148, USA
| | - Perry F Renshaw
- Diagnostic Neuroimaging, Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, 383 Colorow Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
- George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 500 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84148, USA
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11
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Piggott VM, Bosse KE, Lisieski MJ, Strader JA, Stanley JA, Conti AC, Ghoddoussi F, Perrine SA. Single-Prolonged Stress Impairs Prefrontal Cortex Control of Amygdala and Striatum in Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:18. [PMID: 31114487 PMCID: PMC6502983 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), amygdala, and striatum neurocircuitry has been shown to play an important role in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) pathology in humans. Clinical studies show hypoactivity in the mPFC and hyperactivity in the amygdala and striatum of PTSD patients, which has been associated with decreased mPFC glutamate levels. The ability to refine neurobiological characteristics of PTSD in an animal model is critical in furthering our mechanistic understanding of the disease. To this end, we exposed male rats to single-prolonged stress (SPS), a validated model of PTSD, and hypothesized that traumatic stress would differentially activate mPFC subregions [prelimbic (PL) and infralimbic (IL) cortices] and increase striatal and amygdalar activity, which would be associated with decreased mPFC glutamate levels. in vivo, neural activity in the subregions of the mPFC, amygdala, and striatum was measured using manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI), and glutamate and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels in the mPFC and the dorsal striatum (dSTR) were measured using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) longitudinally, in rats exposed to SPS or control conditions. As hypothesized, SPS decreased MEMRI-based neural activity in the IL, but not PL, cortex concomitantly increasing activity within the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and dorsomedial striatum (dmSTR). 1H-MRS studies in a separate cohort revealed SPS decreased glutamate levels in the mPFC and increased NAA levels in the dSTR. These results confirm previous findings that suggest SPS causes mPFC hypoactivation as well as identifies concurrent hyperactivation in dmSTR and BLA, effects which parallel the clinical neuropathology of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica M. Piggott
- Research & Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Kelly E. Bosse
- Research & Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Michael J. Lisieski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - John A. Strader
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Jeffrey A. Stanley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Alana C. Conti
- Research & Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Farhad Ghoddoussi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Shane A. Perrine
- Research & Development Service, John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
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12
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Lisieski MJ, Eagle AL, Conti AC, Liberzon I, Perrine SA. Single-Prolonged Stress: A Review of Two Decades of Progress in a Rodent Model of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:196. [PMID: 29867615 PMCID: PMC5962709 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common, costly, and often debilitating psychiatric condition. However, the biological mechanisms underlying this disease are still largely unknown or poorly understood. Considerable evidence indicates that PTSD results from dysfunction in highly-conserved brain systems involved in stress, anxiety, fear, and reward. Pre-clinical models of traumatic stress exposure are critical in defining the neurobiological mechanisms of PTSD, which will ultimately aid in the development of new treatments for PTSD. Single prolonged stress (SPS) is a pre-clinical model that displays behavioral, molecular, and physiological alterations that recapitulate many of the same alterations observed in PTSD, illustrating its validity and giving it utility as a model for investigating post-traumatic adaptations and pre-trauma risk and protective factors. In this manuscript, we review the present state of research using the SPS model, with the goals of (1) describing the utility of the SPS model as a tool for investigating post-trauma adaptations, (2) relating findings using the SPS model to findings in patients with PTSD, and (3) indicating research gaps and strategies to address them in order to improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Lisieski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Andrew L Eagle
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Alana C Conti
- Research and Development Service, John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Detroit, MI, United States.,Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Israel Liberzon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Mental Health Service, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Shane A Perrine
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
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Lim SI, Song KH, Yoo CH, Woo DC, Choe BY. High-fat diet-induced hyperglutamatergic activation of the hippocampus in mice: A proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study at 9.4T. Neurochem Int 2017; 114:10-17. [PMID: 29274351 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2017.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term neurochemical alterations in the hippocampus of mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) while plasma leptin and corticosterone levels were monitored. Although metabolic disturbances induced by the excess intake of fat are assumed to cause depression, the relationship underlying dysfunctional adipose tissue, stress hormone release, and excitatory metabolism has not been fully understood yet. Four-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were separated into a HFD-fed group (n = 8) and low-fat diet-fed group (n = 8). Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to measure the long-term changes in neurochemicals in the hippocampus at 0, 5, and 10 weeks and blood samples were taken at the same time to assess plasma hormones levels. At the end of the experiment, magnetic resonance imaging was performed to quantify abdominal fat accumulation. At 10 weeks, corticosterone and leptin levels were significantly increased in the HFD group compared with the low-fat diet group. In addition, aspartate, glutamate, total choline, and N-acetylaspartic acid levels were significantly increased, but glutamine/glutamate ratios were substantially decreased at 10 weeks in the HFD group. These results were compatible with HFD-induced acute stress responses and changes in N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-induced plasticity. These findings demonstrated that the long-term ingestion of a HFD induced hyperglutamatergic metabolism and altered glutamine-glutamate cycling. Therfore, it is suggested that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal dysfunction and hyperglutamatergic activation in the hippocampus resulting from the HFD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song-I Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Ho Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chi-Hyeon Yoo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Cheol Woo
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo-Young Choe
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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