1
|
Bohmeier B, Cybinski LM, Gromer D, Bellinger D, Deckert J, Erhardt-Lehmann A, Deserno L, Mühlberger A, Pauli P, Polak T, Herrmann MJ. Intermittent theta burst stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex has no additional effect on the efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy for acrophobia. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Behav Brain Res 2025; 476:115232. [PMID: 39236930 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115232] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental disorders. Treatment guidelines recommend pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy as standard treatment. Although cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective therapeutic approach, not all patients benefit sufficiently from it. In recent years, non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, have been investigated as promising adjuncts in the treatment of affective disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate whether a combination of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) and virtual reality exposure therapy leads to a significantly greater reduction in acrophobia than virtual reality exposure with sham stimulation. In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study, 43 participants with acrophobia received verum or sham iTBS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex prior to two sessions of virtual reality exposure therapy. Stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with iTBS was motivated by an experimental study showing a positive effect on extinction memory retention. Acrophobic symptoms were assessed using questionnaires and two behavioral approach tasks one week before, after treatment and six months after the second diagnostic session. The results showed that two sessions of virtual reality exposure therapy led to a significant reduction in acrophobic symptoms, with an overall remission rate of 79 %. However, there was no additional effect of iTBS of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on the therapeutic effects. Further research is needed to determine how exactly a combination of transcranial magnetic stimulation and exposure therapy should be designed to enhance efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Bohmeier
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Lisa M Cybinski
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Gromer
- Department of Psychology (Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy), University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Bellinger
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Deckert
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Angelika Erhardt-Lehmann
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany; Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Lorenz Deserno
- Center of Mental Health, Department for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Mühlberger
- Department of Psychology (Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Paul Pauli
- Department of Psychology (Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy), University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Polak
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Martin J Herrmann
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Owumi S, Chimezie J, Emmanuel PD, Okeibuno AC, Owoeye O. Diethyl nitrosamine-induces neurobehavioral deficit, oxido-nitrosative stress in rats' brain: a neuroprotective role of diphenyl diselenide. BMC Neurosci 2024; 25:77. [PMID: 39722026 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-024-00922-8] [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: 09/02/2024] [Accepted: 12/20/2024] [Indexed: 12/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Diethylnitrosamine (DEN), a common dietary carcinogen, is associated with neurotoxicity in humans and animals. This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of diphenyl diselenide (DPDS) against DEN-induced neurotoxicity in male Albino Wistar rats (n = 40). Rats were randomly distributed into cohorts and treated as follows: vehicle control (corn oil 2 mL/kg; gavage), DPDS-only (5 mg/kg; gavage) and DEN-only (200 mg/kg; single dose i.p.). Also, two other rat cohorts were pre-treated with DPDS (3 or 5 mg/kg) for 15 days (day: 0-15), subsequently administered with DEN (200 mg/kg) and continuously treated with DPDS for another 7 days, (days:15-21). Behavioural tests (OFT- using the open field test; NORT- novel object recognition test; FST- forced swimming test and Y-maze) were conducted from days 19-21, followed by biochemical analysis of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex for oxidative stress, inflammation, neurotransmitter metabolic enzyme, and histopathology. DEN-treated rats exhibited decreased locomotor activity, spatial memory function and antioxidant activity, increased oxidative and nitration stress, anxiety, and depressive-like behaviour, causing histoarchitectural damage in prefrontal and hippocampal cortices. DPDS treatment (pre- and post-DEN exposure) significantly alleviated these neurotoxic, oxidative, and nitration effects, reversed DEN-induced histopathological alterations, and improved locomotive and cognitive functions. In conclusion, DPDS demonstrates potent neuroprotective effects against DEN-induced toxicity, likely through enhanced endogenous antioxidant capacity that mitigates oxido-nitrative damage. These findings suggest that the organo-selenium -DPDS- is a promising chemotherapeutic agent potent in alleviating DEN-mediated neurotoxicity and maintaining brain health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Solomon Owumi
- Cancer Research and Molecular Biology Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, ChangeLab-Changing Lives; Rm NB 302, Ibadan, Oyo State, 200005, Nigeria.
| | - Joseph Chimezie
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Praise Dyap Emmanuel
- Cancer Research and Molecular Biology Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, ChangeLab-Changing Lives; Rm NB 302, Ibadan, Oyo State, 200005, Nigeria
| | - Anthony Chukwuma Okeibuno
- Cancer Research and Molecular Biology Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, ChangeLab-Changing Lives; Rm NB 302, Ibadan, Oyo State, 200005, Nigeria
| | - Olatunde Owoeye
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang H, Shan AD, Wan CH, Cao XY, Yuan YS, Ye SY, Gao MX, Gao LZ, Tong Q, Gan CT, Sun HM, Zhang KZ. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation improves anxiety symptoms and cortical activity during verbal fluency task in Parkinson's disease with anxiety. J Affect Disord 2024; 361:556-563. [PMID: 38925314 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.06.083] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of 20/4Hz transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on anxiety symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) and the potential neural mechanism. METHODS In the current randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial, 30 PD patients with anxiety (PD-A), 30 PD patients without anxiety (PD-nA), and 30 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. PD-A patients were randomly (1:1) allotted to real taVNS stimulation group (RS) or sham stimulation group (SS) to explore the efficacy of a two-week treatment of taVNS to promote anxiety recovery. Simultaneously, all participants were measured activation in the bilateral prefrontal cortex during verbal fluency task (VFT) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. RESULTS PD-A patients showed significantly decreased oxyhemoglobin in the left triangle part of the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) during VFT, which was negatively related to the severity of anxiety symptoms. After two-week treatment of taVNS, the interaction of group and time had significant effect on HAMA scores (F = 18.476, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.398). In RS group, compared with baseline, HAMA scores decreased significantly in the post-treatment and follow-up condition (both p < 0.001). Meanwhile, in RS group, HAMA scores were lower than those in SS group in the post-treatment and follow-up condition (p = 0.006, <0.001, respectively). Furthermore, the 20/4Hz taVNS remarkably ameliorated anxiety symptoms in PD patients, directly correlated with the increased activation of the left triangle part of the IFG during VFT in RS group. CONCLUSION Our results depicted that taVNS could ameliorate the anxiety symptoms of PD-A patients and regulated the function of the left triangle part of the IFG.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heng Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 210029 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ai-di Shan
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 210029 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chen-Hui Wan
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 210029 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xing-Yue Cao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 210029 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yong-Sheng Yuan
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 210029 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shi-Yi Ye
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 210029 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Meng-Xi Gao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 210029 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li-Zhi Gao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 210029 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qing Tong
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 210029 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Cai-Ting Gan
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 210029 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui-Min Sun
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 210029 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ke-Zhong Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 210029 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tong X, Wu J, Sun R, Li H, Hong Y, Liu X, Sun Y, Chen C, Huang L, Lin S. Elevated dorsal medial prefrontal cortex to lateral habenula pathway activity mediates chronic stress-induced depressive and anxiety-like behaviors. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:1402-1411. [PMID: 38480908 PMCID: PMC11251170 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01840-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) sends projections to numerous brain regions and is believed to play a significant role in depression and anxiety. One of the key downstream targets of the mPFC, the lateral habenula (LHb), is essential for chronic stress (CS)-induced depressive and anxiety-like behaviors. Nevertheless, whether the mPFC-LHb pathway mediates the co-occurrence of depression and anxiety and the underlying mechanism remain incompletely understood. Here, using chemogenetics, we first determined that activation of LHb-projecting mPFC neurons is essential for the development of depressive and anxiety-like behaviors induced by CS. Subsequently, we identify the extent and distribution of LHb-projecting neurons originating from the mPFC subregion. Through circuit-specific in vivo fiber photometry, we found that Ca2+ activity in dorsal mPFC (dmPFC) axon terminals within the LHb was increased during exposure to stressful and anxiety-related stimuli, highlighting the potential role of LHb-projecting dmPFC neurons in conveying stressful and anxiety-related information to the LHb. Finally, we observed that activation of both LHb-projecting dmPFC neurons and their postsynaptic counterparts in the LHb was necessary for CS-induced depressive and anxiety-like behaviors. Overall, this study provides multiple lines of evidence demonstrating that activation of the dmPFC-LHb pathway is a crucial neural circuitry for CS-induced depressive and anxiety-like behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Tong
- Physiology Department, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jijin Wu
- Physiology Department, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Ruizhe Sun
- Physiology Department, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Han Li
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yingxi Hong
- Physiology Department, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xianwei Liu
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Ying Sun
- Physiology Department, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Chunxiao Chen
- Physiology Department, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Lu Huang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
- Emergency Department, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China.
| | - Song Lin
- Physiology Department, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Great Bay Area Geroscience Joint Laboratory, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
- Key Laboratory of Viral Pathogenesis & Infection Prevention and Control, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chen H, Chen J, Lan J. Acute manipulation of Drd1 neurons in the prefrontal cortex bidirectionally regulates anxiety and depression-like behaviors. Neurosci Lett 2024; 832:137805. [PMID: 38705453 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137805] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been implicated in modulating anxiety and depression. Manipulation of Drd1 neurons in the mPFC resulted in variable neuronal activity and, consequently, strikingly different behaviors. The acute regulation of anxiety- and depression-like behaviors by Drd1 neurons, a major neuronal subtype in the mPFC, has not yet been investigated. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate whether acute manipulation of Drd1 neurons in the mPFC affects anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. STUDY DESIGN Male Drd1-Cre mice were injected with an adeno-associated virus (AAV) expressing hM3DGq or hM4DGi. Clozapine-n-oxide (CNO, 1 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected 30 min before the behavioral tests. METHODS Male Drd1-Cre mice were injected with AAV-Ef1α-DIO-hM4DGi-mCherry-WPRE-pA, AAV-Ef1α-DIO-hM3DGq-mCherry-WPRE-pA or AAV-Ef1α-DIO-mCherry-WPRE-pA. Three weeks later, whole-cell recordings after CNO (5 μM) were applied to the bath were used to validate the functional expression of hM4DGi and hM3DGq. Four groups of mice underwent all the behavioral tests, and after each of the tests, the mice were allowed to rest for 3-4 days. CNO (1 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 30 min before the behavior test. Anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated by the open field test (OFT), the elevated plus maze test (EPMT), and the novelty-suppressed feeding test (NSFT). Depression-like behaviors were evaluated by the sucrose preference test (SPT) and force swimming test (FST). For all experiments, coronal sections of the targeted brain area were used to confirm virus expression. RESULTS Whole-cell recordings from brain slices demonstrated that infusions of CNO (5 µM) into mPFC slices dramatically increased the firing activity of hM3DGq-mCherry+ neurons and abolished the firing activity of hM4DGi-mCherry+ neurons. Acute chemogenetic activation of Drd1 neurons in the mPFC increased the time spent in the central area in the OFT, increased the time spent in the open arms in the EMPT, decreased the latency to bite the food in the NSFT, increased the sucrose preference in the SPT, and decreased the immobility time in the FST. Acute chemogenetic inhibition of Drd1 neurons in the mPFC decreased the time spent in the central area in the OFT, decreased the time spent in the open arms in the EMPT, increased the latency to bite the food in the NSFT, decreased the sucrose preference in the SPT, and increased the immobility time in the FST. CONCLUSIONS The present study showed that acute activation of Drd1 neurons in the mPFC produced rapid anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects, and acute inhibition had the opposite effect, revealing that Drd1 neurons in the mPFC bidirectionally regulate anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The findings of the present study regarding the acute effects of stimulating Drd1 neurons in the mPFC on anxiety and depression suggest that Drd1 neurons in the mPFC are a focus for the treatment of anxiety disorders and depression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- He Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanning First People's Hospital, Nanning 530000, China; Phase I Clinical Trial Laboratory, Nanning First People's Hospital, Nanning 530000, China
| | - Jie Lan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nanning First People's Hospital, Nanning 530000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pecchinenda A, Yankouskaya A, Boccia M, Piccardi L, Guariglia C, Giannini AM. Exploring the relationship between perceived loneliness and subjective cognitive decline in older individuals. Aging Ment Health 2024; 28:73-82. [PMID: 37540497 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2023.2242291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Loneliness has been associated to a greater risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older individuals. However, evidence on whether this association also exists for older individuals who complain of cognitive problems is limited. We conducted a survey to examine the association between subjective cognitive decline in the working memory domain, perceived loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress in older individuals with different profiles. METHODS A total of 302 healthy, old individuals completed 3 questionnaires to assess subjective cognitive problems in attention, executive functions, storage, depression, anxiety, stress, and perceived loneliness. RESULTS We conducted a cluster analysis and 3 clusters of individuals with different profiles emerged. Individuals with greater subjective cognitive problems (cluster 1) in the attention and storage domains, reported higher perceived loneliness and stress but not depression. In contrast, individuals with the least subjective cognitive problems (cluster 3) in the storage domain, reported lower perceived loneliness. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with higher subjective cognitive decline also report higher levels of perceived loneliness but not more depression than their peers. However, this correlation is present only for individuals with mild subjective cognitive decline (cluster 2). The implications for future research and interventions are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pecchinenda
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maddalena Boccia
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Piccardi
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- San Raffaele Cassino Hospital, Cassino, FR, Italy
| | - Cecilia Guariglia
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Giannini
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wess J, Oteng AB, Rivera-Gonzalez O, Gurevich EV, Gurevich VV. β-Arrestins: Structure, Function, Physiology, and Pharmacological Perspectives. Pharmacol Rev 2023; 75:854-884. [PMID: 37028945 PMCID: PMC10441628 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.121.000302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The two β-arrestins, β-arrestin-1 and -2 (systematic names: arrestin-2 and -3, respectively), are multifunctional intracellular proteins that regulate the activity of a very large number of cellular signaling pathways and physiologic functions. The two proteins were discovered for their ability to disrupt signaling via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) via binding to the activated receptors. However, it is now well recognized that both β-arrestins can also act as direct modulators of numerous cellular processes via either GPCR-dependent or -independent mechanisms. Recent structural, biophysical, and biochemical studies have provided novel insights into how β-arrestins bind to activated GPCRs and downstream effector proteins. Studies with β-arrestin mutant mice have identified numerous physiologic and pathophysiological processes regulated by β-arrestin-1 and/or -2. Following a short summary of recent structural studies, this review primarily focuses on β-arrestin-regulated physiologic functions, with particular focus on the central nervous system and the roles of β-arrestins in carcinogenesis and key metabolic processes including the maintenance of glucose and energy homeostasis. This review also highlights potential therapeutic implications of these studies and discusses strategies that could prove useful for targeting specific β-arrestin-regulated signaling pathways for therapeutic purposes. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The two β-arrestins, structurally closely related intracellular proteins that are evolutionarily highly conserved, have emerged as multifunctional proteins able to regulate a vast array of cellular and physiological functions. The outcome of studies with β-arrestin mutant mice and cultured cells, complemented by novel insights into β-arrestin structure and function, should pave the way for the development of novel classes of therapeutically useful drugs capable of regulating specific β-arrestin functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Wess
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland (J.W., A.-B.O., O.R.-G.); and Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee (E.V.G., V.V.G.)
| | - Antwi-Boasiako Oteng
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland (J.W., A.-B.O., O.R.-G.); and Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee (E.V.G., V.V.G.)
| | - Osvaldo Rivera-Gonzalez
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland (J.W., A.-B.O., O.R.-G.); and Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee (E.V.G., V.V.G.)
| | - Eugenia V Gurevich
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland (J.W., A.-B.O., O.R.-G.); and Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee (E.V.G., V.V.G.)
| | - Vsevolod V Gurevich
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland (J.W., A.-B.O., O.R.-G.); and Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee (E.V.G., V.V.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Carbone EA, Menculini G, de Filippis R, D’Angelo M, De Fazio P, Tortorella A, Steardo L. Sleep Disturbances in Generalized Anxiety Disorder: The Role of Calcium Homeostasis Imbalance. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4431. [PMID: 36901441 PMCID: PMC10002427 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Patients with a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) often report preeminent sleep disturbances. Recently, calcium homeostasis gained interest because of its role in the regulation of sleep-wake rhythms and anxiety symptoms. This cross-sectional study aimed at investigating the association between calcium homeostasis imbalance, anxiety, and quality of sleep in patients with GAD. A total of 211 patients were assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scales. Calcium, vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were evaluated in blood samples. A correlation and linear regression analysis were run to evaluate the association of HAM-A, PSQI, and ISI scores with peripheral markers of calcium homeostasis imbalance. Significant correlations emerged between HAM-A, PSQI, ISI, PTH, and vitamin D. The regression models showed that patients with GAD displaying low levels of vitamin D and higher levels of PTH exhibit a poor subjective quality of sleep and higher levels of anxiety, underpinning higher psychopathological burden. A strong relationship between peripheral biomarkers of calcium homeostasis imbalance, insomnia, poor sleep quality, and anxiety symptomatology was underlined. Future studies could shed light on the causal and temporal relationship between calcium metabolism imbalance, anxiety, and sleep.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Anna Carbone
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giulia Menculini
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Perugia, Piazzale Lucio Severi, 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Renato de Filippis
- Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia”, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Martina D’Angelo
- Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia”, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Pasquale De Fazio
- Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia”, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Alfonso Tortorella
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Perugia, Piazzale Lucio Severi, 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Luca Steardo
- Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia”, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Moraga-Amaro R, Muñoz P, Villalobos T, Linsambarth S, Maldonado F, Meirone V, Femopase B, Stehberg J. Real-world data of non-invasive stimulation of the human insula-prefrontal cortices using deep TMS to treat anxiety for occupational stress and generalized anxiety disorder. Psychiatry Res 2023; 320:115036. [PMID: 36586377 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.115036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Activation of the insula is found in all anxiety-related disorders and increased insular-prefrontal cortex (PFC) functional connectivity is associated with reduced anxiety. In this study, the combined stimulation of the insula and PFC using the dTMS H4 (insula+LPFC) and H2 (PFC) coils were used to reduce anxiety in 13 subjects experiencing occupational stress, and 55 participants suffering from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The combined HF stimulation of the insula and PFC significantly decreased anxiety scores according to the HARS, CAS, and STAI anxiety scales, leading to a reduction in anxiety according to HARS of 88.7% and 70.7% in participants with occupational stress and the clinical sample of participants diagnosed with GAD, respectively. The findings suggest that the prefrontal-insular axis is critical for the regulation of anxiety and its stimulation can be used for the treatment of anxiety in people suffering from occupational stress and GAD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Moraga-Amaro
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina. Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paula Muñoz
- Clínica Nova Vita. Del Inca 4446 of. 708. Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Tomás Villalobos
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina. Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Francisco Maldonado
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina. Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Valeria Meirone
- Clínica Nova Vita. Del Inca 4446 of. 708. Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Bruno Femopase
- Clínica Nova Vita. Del Inca 4446 of. 708. Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jimmy Stehberg
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina. Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.
| |
Collapse
|