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Rahman S, Wallberg L, Rahman A, Ekström EC, Kippler M, Hamadani JD, Rahman SM. Association between maternal haemoglobin status during pregnancy and children's mental and psychomotor development at 18 months of age: Evidence from rural Bangladesh. Glob Health Action 2024; 17:2390269. [PMID: 39193768 PMCID: PMC11360636 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2024.2390269] [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: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaemia is commonly caused by iron deficiency and screened by haemoglobin (Hb) concentration in blood. There is a scarcity of longitudinal data on the relationship between maternal Hb levels during pregnancy and neurodevelopment in children. OBJECTIVE To measure the relationship of maternal Hb concentrations during pregnancy on early child development. METHODS This prospective cohort study included 1,720 mother-child dyads in rural Bangladesh. Maternal Hb concentrations were measured at 14 and 30 weeks of gestation. The child's Mental Developmental Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI) at 18 months of age were measured using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-II). Data on socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometrics, mothers' IQ and children's home stimulation were also collected. Bivariate and multivariable-adjusted linear regression analyses were used to explore associations of maternal Hb with child development. RESULTS Mean Hb concentrations at 14 and 30 weeks of gestation were 116.6 g/L (±12.7) and 114.7 g/L (±12.7), respectively. Mean MDI and PDI scores among 18-month-old children were 78.9 (±12.4) and 93.8 (±13.7), respectively. Maternal 14-week Hb concentration was correlated with PDI (r = 0.06; p < 0.05) and 30-week Hb concentrations was correlated with MDI (r = 0.05; p < 0.05). Multivariable adjusted linear regression analysis showed that an increase in 14-week Hb concentrations increased the PDI scores among boys (β = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.16). Hb concentrations at 30 weeks of gestation were not associated with MDI or PDI scores. CONCLUSION Higher maternal Hb concentrations at 14 weeks of gestation were associated with higher PDI among 18-month-old boys in Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayedur Rahman
- Global Health and Migration Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lina Wallberg
- Global Health and Migration Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anisur Rahman
- Maternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Eva-Charlotte Ekström
- Global Health and Migration Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maria Kippler
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jena D Hamadani
- Maternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Syed Moshfiqur Rahman
- Global Health and Migration Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Angelini G, Malvaso A, Schirripa A, Campione F, D'Addario SL, Toschi N, Caligiore D. Unraveling sex differences in Parkinson's disease through explainable machine learning. J Neurol Sci 2024; 462:123091. [PMID: 38870732 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2024.123091] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Sex differences affect Parkinson's disease (PD) development and manifestation. Yet, current PD identification and treatments underuse these distinctions. Sex-focused PD literature often prioritizes prevalence rates over feature importance analysis. However, underlying aspects could make a feature significant for predicting PD, despite its score. Interactions between features require consideration, as do distinctions between scoring disparities and actual feature importance. For instance, a higher score in males for a certain feature doesn't necessarily mean it's less important for characterizing PD in females. This article proposes an explainable Machine Learning (ML) model to elucidate these underlying factors, emphasizing the importance of features. This insight could be critical for personalized medicine, suggesting the need to tailor data collection and analysis for males and females. The model identifies sex-specific differences in PD, aiding in predicting outcomes as "Healthy" or "Pathological". It adopts a system-level approach, integrating heterogeneous data - clinical, imaging, genetics, and demographics - to study new biomarkers for diagnosis. The explainable ML approach aids non-ML experts in understanding model decisions, fostering trust and facilitating interpretation of complex ML outcomes, thus enhancing usability and translational research. The ML model identifies muscle rigidity, autonomic and cognitive assessments, and family history as key contributors to PD diagnosis, with sex differences noted. The genetic variant SNCA-rs356181 may be more significant in characterizing PD in males. Interaction analysis reveals a greater occurrence of feature interplay among males compared to females. These disparities offer insights into PD pathophysiology and could guide the development of sex-specific diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianfrancesco Angelini
- Medical Physics Section, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Malvaso
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, National Neurological Institute, University of Pavia, Via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Computational and Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council (CTNLab-ISTC-CNR), Via Gian Domenico Romagnosi, 18A, 00196 Rome, Italy
| | - Aurelia Schirripa
- Computational and Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council (CTNLab-ISTC-CNR), Via Gian Domenico Romagnosi, 18A, 00196 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Campione
- Computational and Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council (CTNLab-ISTC-CNR), Via Gian Domenico Romagnosi, 18A, 00196 Rome, Italy
| | - Sebastian Luca D'Addario
- Computational and Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council (CTNLab-ISTC-CNR), Via Gian Domenico Romagnosi, 18A, 00196 Rome, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Del Fosso di Fiorano, 64, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Toschi
- Medical Physics Section, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniele Caligiore
- Computational and Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council (CTNLab-ISTC-CNR), Via Gian Domenico Romagnosi, 18A, 00196 Rome, Italy; AI2Life s.r.l., Innovative Start-Up, ISTC-CNR Spin-Off, Via Sebino 32, 00199 Rome, Italy.
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Kim DH, Loke H, Thompson J, Hill R, Sundram S, Lee J. The dopamine D2-like receptor and the Y-chromosome gene, SRY, are reciprocally regulated in the human male neuroblastoma M17 cell line. Neuropharmacology 2024; 251:109928. [PMID: 38552780 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.109928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Hyun Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - Hannah Loke
- Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - James Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - Rachel Hill
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - Suresh Sundram
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia; Mental Health Program, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - Joohyung Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia; Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia.
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4
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Candeloro R, Ferri C, Bellini T, Pugliatti M, Castellazzi M. Breaking Barriers: Unveiling Sex-Related Differences in Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis-A Narrative Review. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:420. [PMID: 38927300 PMCID: PMC11200519 DOI: 10.3390/biology13060420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
(1) Background: The recent emphasis on sexual and gender diversity's impact on human health underscores the need for tailored diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in neurology. The aim of this article is to conduct a narrative review of the available scientific literature on sex differences in cerebrospinal fluid analysis. (2) Methods: The literature search encompassed PubMed databases, focusing on cerebrospinal fluid analysis and sex differences, considering parameters like cerebrospinal fluid protein content, cell count, albumin quotient (QAlb) and intrathecal IgG synthesis. (3) Results: Nine articles from the past two decades were identified, revealing limited research in this area. Males consistently exhibited higher cerebrospinal fluid protein content and albumin quotient values across various pathologies and age groups. Consequently, males more frequently manifested blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier dysfunction than females. No significant sex differences were observed in cerebrospinal fluid leukocyte count or intrathecal IgG synthesis. (4) Conclusions: This review highlights the dearth of research on sex differences in cerebrospinal fluid analysis, despite consistent findings of higher protein content and albumin quotient values in males. Revisiting current diagnostic thresholds based on sex is crucial for accurate prognosis and personalised treatment strategies in neurological disorders. Moving towards sex-specific approaches in clinical practice is imperative for advancing personalised medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Candeloro
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (R.C.); (T.B.); (M.P.)
| | - Caterina Ferri
- Department of Neuroscience, “S. Anna” University Hospital, 44124 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Tiziana Bellini
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (R.C.); (T.B.); (M.P.)
- University Strategic Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maura Pugliatti
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (R.C.); (T.B.); (M.P.)
| | - Massimiliano Castellazzi
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (R.C.); (T.B.); (M.P.)
- University Strategic Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Call C, Oran A, O'Shea TM, Jensen ET, Frazier JA, Vaidya R, Shenberger J, Gogcu S, Msall ME, Kim S, Jalnapurkar I, Fry RC, Singh R. Health-related quality of life at age 10 years in children born extremely preterm. J Perinatol 2024; 44:835-843. [PMID: 38760579 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-024-01987-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between prenatal maternal health and socioeconomic status (SES) and health-related quality of life (QoL) among 10-year-old children born extremely preterm. DESIGN/ METHODS Retrospective analysis of the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns (ELGAN) Study cohort of infants born < 28 weeks gestational age. QoL was assessed at 10 years of age using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Multivariate regression models were used for analyses. RESULTS Of 1198 participants who survived until 10 years of age, 889 (72.2%) were evaluated. Lower maternal age, lack of college education; receipt of public insurance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) were associated with lower QoL scores. Specific maternal health factors were also associated with lower child QoL scores. CONCLUSIONS Specific, potentially modifiable, maternal health and social factors are associated with lower scores on a measure of parent-reported child QoL across multiple domains for children born extremely preterm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Call
- Department of Pediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ali Oran
- Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Gillings School of Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - T Michael O'Shea
- Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Elizabeth T Jensen
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Jean A Frazier
- Department of Psychiatry and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ruben Vaidya
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School - Baystate, Springfield, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Shenberger
- Department of Pediatrics, Connecticut Children's Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Semsa Gogcu
- Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Michael E Msall
- Kennedy Research Center on Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sohye Kim
- Department of Psychiatry and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Isha Jalnapurkar
- Department of Psychiatry and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca C Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Gillings School of Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rachana Singh
- Department of Pediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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Pottmeier P, Nikolantonaki D, Lanner F, Peuckert C, Jazin E. Sex-biased gene expression during neural differentiation of human embryonic stem cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1341373. [PMID: 38764741 PMCID: PMC11101176 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1341373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex differences in the developing human brain are primarily attributed to hormonal influence. Recently however, genetic differences and their impact on the developing nervous system have attracted increased attention. To understand genetically driven sexual dimorphisms in neurodevelopment, we investigated genome-wide gene expression in an in vitro differentiation model of male and female human embryonic stem cell lines (hESC), independent of the effects of human sex hormones. Four male and four female-derived hESC lines were differentiated into a population of mixed neurons over 37 days. Differential gene expression and gene set enrichment analyses were conducted on bulk RNA sequencing data. While similar differentiation tendencies in all cell lines demonstrated the robustness and reproducibility of our differentiation protocol, we found sex-biased gene expression already in undifferentiated ESCs at day 0, but most profoundly after 37 days of differentiation. Male and female cell lines exhibited sex-biased expression of genes involved in neurodevelopment, suggesting that sex influences the differentiation trajectory. Interestingly, the highest contribution to sex differences was found to arise from the male transcriptome, involving both Y chromosome and autosomal genes. We propose 13 sex-biased candidate genes (10 upregulated in male cell lines and 3 in female lines) that are likely to affect neuronal development. Additionally, we confirmed gene dosage compensation of X/Y homologs escaping X chromosome inactivation through their Y homologs and identified a significant overexpression of the Y-linked demethylase UTY and KDM5D in male hESC during neuron development, confirming previous results in neural stem cells. Our results suggest that genetic sex differences affect neuronal differentiation trajectories, which could ultimately contribute to sex biases during human brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Pottmeier
- Department of Organismal Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Danai Nikolantonaki
- Department of Organismal Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Lanner
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christiane Peuckert
- Department of Organismal Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- The Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elena Jazin
- Department of Organismal Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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7
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Loy JK, Klam J, Dötsch J, Frank J, Bender S. Exploring adolescent mental health during the COVID-19 crisis - strengths and difficulties. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1357766. [PMID: 38638467 PMCID: PMC11024382 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1357766] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has significantly impacted children and adolescents, leading to mental health challenges. Knowledge on their resources and difficulties is crucial and there is a need for valid instruments to assess their psychosocial condition especially in this exceptional situation. We assessed psychopathological symptoms using the SDQ during the pandemic, comparing to pre-pandemic data. Our study aims to understand adolescents' strengths and difficulties amidst COVID-19, evaluating the SDQ's utility in crisis settings. Methods Within the German school-based surveillance study ("B-Fast"), we assessed behavioral strengths and difficulties in 664 adolescents aged 11-17 years during the peak of the German COVID-19 pandemic using the validated Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for both external and self-assessed data collection. Data were collected between November 2020 and April 2021. We compared self-assessed SDQ-scores to pre-pandemic data from a comparable sample and examined adolescent classification as "normal" or "borderline/abnormal" based on both external and self-assessed SDQ subscale scores using established cut-off values. Additionally, we conducted sex and rater-based score comparisons. Results In our study, we observed a significant worsening of "Emotional Symptoms" compared to pre-pandemic levels, while "Conduct Problems" and "Prosocial Behavior" showed improvement. Variations in classification to "normal" and "abnormal" emerged when applying German versus British cut-off values. Females scored higher on "Emotional Symptoms" while males scored higher on "Hyperactivity Symptoms." Correlations between external and self-assessed SDQ ratings ranged from 0.43 (p < 0.001) for "Prosocial Behavior" among girls to 0.62 (p < 0.001) for "Peer Problems" among boys, indicating moderate to high consistency. Discussion/conclusion Our study contributes to understanding the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on German adolescents. Compared to other symptoms, we observed a particular worsening in "Emotional Symptoms" based on our data. Despite the moderate correlation between parental and self-reported evaluations, there appears to be a certain discrepancy in the perception of adolescent quality of life. Therefore, it seems prudent to assess both the external and self-reported evaluations and amalgamate the results from both parties to obtain a comprehensive problem profile of the individual. These findings underscore the importance of using country-specific cutoff values and reaffirm the utility of the SDQ as a valuable assessment tool, even within the unique circumstances posed by a pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna K. Loy
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Janina Klam
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jörg Dötsch
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Julia Frank
- Institute of Medical Statistics and Computational Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Stephan Bender
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Recław R, Chmielowiec K, Suchanecka A, Boroń A, Chmielowiec J, Strońska-Pluta A, Kowalski MT, Masiak J, Trybek G, Grzywacz A. The Influence of Genetic Polymorphic Variability of the Catechol-O-methyltransferase Gene in a Group of Patients with a Diagnosis of Behavioural Addiction, including Personality Traits. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:299. [PMID: 38540358 PMCID: PMC10969953 DOI: 10.3390/genes15030299] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Gambling Disorder (GD) is characterised by a harmful, enduring, and recurrent involvement in betting-related behaviours. Therefore, GD shares similar biological mechanisms and symptoms to substance use disorders (SUD). Therefore, in this study, we chose the behavioural addictions group. During the examination and recruitment to the study, it turned out that all the people undergoing treatment for gambling addiction were also addicted to amphetamines, which is consistent with the biological mechanism related to cerebral neurotransmission. The aim of the study was to investigate the association of the COMT gene polymorphism with behavioral addiction. The study group consisted of 307 participants: 107 men with gambling disorder and amphetamine dependency (mean age = 27.51, SD = 5.25) and 200 non-addicted, nor dependent, free from neuro-psychiatric disorders control group men (mean age = 20.20, SD = 4.51). Both groups were subjected to psychometric evaluation using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the NEO Five-Factor Personality Inventory. Genomic DNA was extracted from venous blood following standard protocols. Determination of the rs4680 polymorphism in the COMT gene was performed using the real-time PCR technique. Statistically significant differences in the frequency of rs4680 genotypes were found in the tested sample of subjects compared with the control group (p = 0.03543). Subjects with gambling disorder and amphetamine use disorder compared to the control group obtained higher scores in the assessment of the STAI trait scale (p = 0.0019), state scale (p < 0.0000), and NEO-FFI Neuroticism scale (p < 0.0000). Significantly lower results were obtained for the NEO-FFI Agreeability scale (p < 0.0000). Additionally, a significant statistical impact of gambling disorder and amphetamine use disorder, and the COMT rs4680 genotype was demonstrated for the score of the STAI trait (p = 0.0351) and state (p = 0.0343) and the NEO-FFI Conscientiousness scale (p = 0.0018). We conclude that COMT and its polymorphic variant influence the development of addiction. Still, considering its multifactorial and polygenic nature, it should be combined with other factors such as personality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remigiusz Recław
- Foundation Strong in the Spirit, 60 Sienkiewicza St., 90-058 Łódź, Poland;
| | - Krzysztof Chmielowiec
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, 28 Zyty St., 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland; (K.C.); (J.C.)
| | - Aleksandra Suchanecka
- Independent Laboratory of Health Promotion, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72 St., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (A.S.); (A.S.-P.)
| | - Agnieszka Boroń
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biochemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Aleja Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72 St., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Jolanta Chmielowiec
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, 28 Zyty St., 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland; (K.C.); (J.C.)
| | - Aleksandra Strońska-Pluta
- Independent Laboratory of Health Promotion, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72 St., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (A.S.); (A.S.-P.)
| | - Michał Tomasz Kowalski
- Clinical Department of Cardiology, Nowa Sól Multidisciplinary Hospital, 67-100 Nowa Sol, Poland;
| | - Jolanta Masiak
- II Department of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Głuska St., 20-059 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Grzegorz Trybek
- Department of Oral Surgery, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland;
- Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic, 4th Military Clinical Hospital in Wroclaw, ul. Rudolfa Weigla 5, 50-981 Wrolaw, Poland
| | - Anna Grzywacz
- Independent Laboratory of Health Promotion, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72 St., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (A.S.); (A.S.-P.)
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9
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Cum M, Santiago Pérez JA, Wangia E, Lopez N, Wright ES, Iwata RL, Li A, Chambers AR, Padilla-Coreano N. A systematic review and meta-analysis of how social memory is studied. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2221. [PMID: 38278973 PMCID: PMC10817899 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52277-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Social recognition is crucial for survival in social species, and necessary for group living, selective reproduction, pair bonding, and dominance hierarchies. Mice and rats are the most commonly used animal models in social memory research, however current paradigms do not account for the complex social dynamics they exhibit in the wild. To assess the range of social memories being studied, we conducted a systematic analysis of neuroscience articles testing the social memory of mice and rats published within the past two decades and analyzed their methods. Our results show that despite these rodent's rich social memory capabilities, the majority of social recognition papers explore short-term memories and short-term familiarity levels with minimal exposure between subject and familiar stimuli-a narrow type of social memory. We have identified several key areas currently understudied or underrepresented: kin relationships, mates, social ranks, sex variabilities, and the effects of aging. Additionally, reporting on social stimulus variables such as housing history, strain, and age, is limited, which may impede reproducibility. Overall, our data highlight large gaps in the diversity of social memories studied and the effects social variables have on social memory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Cum
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, USA
| | | | - Erika Wangia
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, USA
| | - Naeliz Lopez
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, USA
| | - Elizabeth S Wright
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, USA
| | - Ryo L Iwata
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, USA
| | - Albert Li
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, USA
| | - Amelia R Chambers
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, USA
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Hendriks M, Vinke RS, Georgiev D. Gender discrepancies and differences in motor and non-motor symptoms, cognition, and psychological outcomes in the treatment of Parkinson's disease with subthalamic deep brain stimulation. Front Neurol 2024; 14:1257781. [PMID: 38259647 PMCID: PMC10800523 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1257781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Available data suggest that there may be gender differences in the effect of STN-DBS in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of this study was to review data on gender discrepancies and gender differences in clinical outcomes in PD patients treated with deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS). Included were original studies that specifically examined gender discrepancies or gender differences in PD patients with STN-DBS. Men receive more DBS than women, for various indications. The decision-making process for DBS in women compared to men is more influenced by personal preferences and external factors. Motor symptoms improve in both genders, but bradykinesia improves more in men. The postoperative reduction of the levodopa equivalent daily dose seems to be more pronounced in men. Men show more cognitive deterioration and less improvement than women after STN-DBS. Women show more depressive symptoms before surgery, but they improve similarly to men. Men show more improvement in impulsivity and less decrease in impulsive behaviour symptoms than women. Anxiety and personality traits remain unchanged in both genders. Voice quality improves more in men and deteriorates less often than in women. Men gain fat-free mass and fat mass, but women only gain fat mass. Regarding sexual function the evidence is inconsistent. More urinary symptoms improve in women than in men. Pain and restless leg syndrome seems to improve more in men. Regarding quality of life, the evidence seems to be inconsistent, and activities of daily living seems to improve in both genders. Better prospective controlled studies, focusing directly on gender differences in PD patients treated with STN-DBS, are needed to better explain gender differences in STN-DBS for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martijn Hendriks
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Neurosurgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Ruben Saman Vinke
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Neurosurgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Dejan Georgiev
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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11
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Cum M, Pérez JS, Wangia E, Lopez N, Wright ES, Iwata RL, Li A, Chambers AR, Padilla-Coreano N. Mind the gap: A systematic review and meta-analysis of how social memory is studied. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.20.572606. [PMID: 38187659 PMCID: PMC10769336 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.20.572606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Social recognition is crucial for survival in social species, and necessary for group living, selective reproduction, pair bonding, and dominance hierarchies. Mice and rats are the most commonly used animal models in social memory research, however current paradigms do not account for the complex social dynamics they exhibit in the wild. To assess the range of social memories being studied, we conducted a systematic analysis of neuroscience articles testing the social memory of mice and rats published within the past two decades and analyzed their methods. Our results show that despite these rodent's rich social memory capabilities, the majority of social recognition papers explore short-term memories and short-term familiarity levels with minimal exposure between subject and familiar stimuli - a narrow type of social memory. We have identified several key areas currently understudied or underrepresented: kin relationships, mates, social ranks, sex variabilities, and the effects of aging. Additionally, reporting on social stimulus variables such as housing history, strain, and age, is limited, which may impede reproducibility. Overall, our data highlight large gaps in the diversity of social memories studied and the effects social variables have on social memory mechanisms.
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12
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Elberling F, Spulber S, Bose R, Keung HY, Ahola V, Zheng Z, Ceccatelli S. Sex Differences in Long-term Outcome of Prenatal Exposure to Excess Glucocorticoids-Implications for Development of Psychiatric Disorders. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:7346-7361. [PMID: 37561236 PMCID: PMC10657788 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03522-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to prenatal insults, such as excess glucocorticoids (GC), may lead to pathological outcomes, including neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term effects of in utero exposure to the synthetic GC analog dexamethasone (Dex) in adult female offspring. We monitored spontaneous activity in the home cage under a constant 12 h/12 h light/dark cycle, as well as the changes following a 6-h advance of dark onset (phase shift). For comparison, we re-analysed data previously recorded in males. Dex-exposed females were spontaneously more active, and the activity onset re-entrained slower than in controls. In contrast, Dex-exposed males were less active, and the activity onset re-entrained faster than in controls. Following the phase shift, control females displayed a transient reorganisation of behaviour in light and virtually no change in dark, while Dex-exposed females showed limited variations from baseline in both light and dark, suggesting weaker photic entrainment. Next, we ran bulk RNA-sequencing in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of Dex and control females. SPIA pathway analysis of ~ 2300 differentially expressed genes identified significantly downregulated dopamine signalling, and upregulated glutamate and GABA signalling. We selected a set of candidate genes matching the behaviour alterations and found consistent differential regulation for ~ 73% of tested genes in SCN and hippocampus tissue samples. Taken together, our data highlight sex differences in the outcome of prenatal exposure to excess GC in adult mice: in contrast to depression-like behaviour in males, the phenotype in females, defined by behaviour and differential gene expression, is consistent with ADHD models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Elberling
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefan Spulber
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Raj Bose
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hoi Yee Keung
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 15W Science and Technology W Ave, Sha Tin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Virpi Ahola
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 15W Science and Technology W Ave, Sha Tin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Zongli Zheng
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 15W Science and Technology W Ave, Sha Tin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Sandra Ceccatelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, Solnavägen 9, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
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13
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Zhao Y, Liu JC, Yu F, Yang LY, Kang CY, Yan LJ, Liu ST, Zhao N, Wang XH, Zhang XY. Gender differences in the association between anxiety symptoms and thyroid hormones in young patients with first-episode and drug naïve major depressive disorder. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1218551. [PMID: 37706034 PMCID: PMC10495995 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1218551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Gender differences are prevalent in major depressive disorder (MDD), but the gender differences in the relationship between comorbid anxiety and thyroid hormones in young first-episode and drug-naive (FEND) MDD patients are unknown. Methods A total of 1,289 young outpatients with FEDN MDD were recruited. Demographic and clinical data were collected for each patient. The patient's blood glucose, blood pressure, thyroid hormone, and thyroid antibody levels were measured. The Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were used to assess patients' depression, anxiety, and positive symptoms, respectively. Results The prevalence of comorbid anxiety disorders was 80.4 and 79.4% in male and female MDD patients, respectively. Patients with anxiety had higher HAMD and PANSS scores, higher serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-thyroglobulin antibody (A-TG), and thyroid peroxidase antibody (A-TPO) levels, higher blood glucose and blood pressure levels, and more patients with psychotic symptoms and suicide attempts. Male patients were younger and had a younger age of onset. Logistic regression analysis showed that HAMD score and comorbid suicide attempts were significant predictors of anxiety symptoms in both males and females, whereas A-TG predicted anxiety symptoms in female patients only. Limitations: No causal relationship could be drawn due to the cross-sectional design. Conclusion This study showed gender differences in factors associated with anxiety symptoms in patients with MDD. Some factors were associated with anxiety symptoms in both male and female patients, while A-TG was only associated with anxiety symptoms in female patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhao
- The Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Jia Cheng Liu
- First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Feng Yu
- Qingdao Mental Health Center, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Li Ying Yang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Chuan Yi Kang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Li Juan Yan
- The Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Si Tong Liu
- Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China
| | - Na Zhao
- First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Xiao Hong Wang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Xiang Yang Zhang
- Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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14
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DuMont M, Agostinis A, Singh K, Swan E, Buttle Y, Tropea D. Sex representation in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders' preclinical and clinical studies. Neurobiol Dis 2023:106214. [PMID: 37385457 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Many studies show the importance of biological sex for the onset, progression, and response to treatment in brain disorders. In line with these reports, health agencies have requested that all trials, both at the clinical and preclinical level, use a similar number of male and female subjects to correctly interpret the results. Despite these guidelines, many studies still tend to be unbalanced in the use of male and female subjects. In this review we consider three neurodegenerative disorders: Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and three psychiatric disorders: Depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Schizophrenia. These disorders were chosen because of their prevalence and their recognized sex-specific differences in onset, progression, and response to treatment. Alzheimer's disease and Depression demonstrate higher prevalence in females, whereas Parkinson's Disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and schizophrenia show higher prevalence in males. Results from preclinical and clinical studies examining each of these disorders revealed sex-specific differences in risk factors, diagnostic biomarkers, and treatment response and efficacy, suggesting a role for sex-specific therapies in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the qualitative analysis of the percentage of males and females enrolled in clinical trials in the last two decades shows that for most of the disorders, there is still a sex bias in the patients' enrolment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mieke DuMont
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Kiran Singh
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Evan Swan
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Yvonne Buttle
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Daniela Tropea
- Department of Psychiatry and Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Lloyd Building, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland; FutureNeuro, the SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases.
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15
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Jiang L, Song M, Song F, Zhou Y, Yao H, Li G, Luo H. Characterization of loss of chromosome Y in peripheral blood cells in male Han Chinese patients with schizophrenia. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:469. [PMID: 37370034 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04929-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia (SCZ) has a global prevalence of 1% and increases the risk of mortality, reducing life expectancy. There is growing evidence that the risk of this disorder is higher in males than in females and it tends to develop in early adulthood. The Y chromosome is thought to be involved in biological processes other than sex determination and spermatogenesis. Studies have shown that loss of chromosome Y (LOY) in peripheral blood cells is associated with a variety of diseases (including cancer) and increased all-cause mortality. An analysis of the relationship between LOY and schizophrenia is warranted. METHODS A total of 442 Chinese males (271 patients with schizophrenia vs. 171 controls) were included in this study. The copy numbers of the Y and X chromosomes were detected by positive droplets targeting the amelogenin gene (AMEL) on the Y chromosome and X chromosome (AMELY and AMELX, respectively), using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). The LOY percentage was defined as the difference between the concentration of AMELX and the concentration of AMELY divided by the concentration of AMELX, denoted as (X - Y)/X. RESULTS In the Han Chinese population, the LOY percentage was higher in the schizophrenia group than in the control group (p < 0.05), although there was no significant difference in the presence of LOY between the two groups. A strong correlation was found between the average of the disease duration and the average of the LOY percentage (R2 = 0.506, p = 0.032). The logistic regression analysis implied that the risk of LOY increases by 0.058 and 0.057 per year according to age at onset and duration of disease, respectively (ponset = 0.013, pduration = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS In the Han Chinese population, the LOY percentage of the disease group was significantly different from that of the control group. The age of onset and duration of schizophrenia might be risk factors for LOY in peripheral blood cells. A larger sample size and expanded clinical information are needed for more in-depth and specific analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanrui Jiang
- Department of Forensic Genetics, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Mengyuan Song
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Feng Song
- Department of Forensic Genetics, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yuxiang Zhou
- Department of Forensic Genetics, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Hewen Yao
- Department of Forensic Genetics, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Gangqin Li
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
| | - Haibo Luo
- Department of Forensic Genetics, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
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16
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Stranges TN, Namchuk AB, Splinter TFL, Moore KN, Galea LAM. Are we moving the dial? Canadian health research funding trends for women's health, 2S/LGBTQ + health, sex, or gender considerations. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:40. [PMID: 37322516 PMCID: PMC10273719 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00524-9] [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: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex and gender impacts health outcomes and disease risk throughout life. The health of women and members of the Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning (2S/LGBTQ +) community is often compromised as they experience delays in diagnosis. Distinct knowledge gaps in the health of these populations have prompted funding agencies to mandate incorporation of sex and gender into research. Sex- and gender-informed research perspectives and methodology increases rigor, promotes discovery, and expands the relevance of health research. Thus, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) implemented a sex and gender-based analysis (SGBA) framework recommending the inclusion of SGBA in project proposals in 2010 and then mandating the incorporation of SGBA into grant proposals in 2019. To examine whether this mandate resulted in increased mention of sex or gender in funded research abstracts, we searched the publicly available database of grant abstracts funded by CIHR to analyze the percentage of abstracts that mentioned sex or gender of the population to be studied in the funded research. To better understand broader health equity issues we also examined whether the funded grant abstracts mentioned either female-specific health research or research within the 2S/LGBTQ + community. RESULTS We categorized a total of 8,964 Project and Operating grant abstracts awarded from 2009 to 2020 based on their study of female-specific or a 2S/LGBTQ + populations or their mention of sex or gender. Overall, under 3% of grant abstracts funded by CIHR explicitly mentioned sex and/or gender, as 1.94% of grant abstracts mentioned sex, and 0.66% mentioned gender. As one of the goals of SGBA is to inform on health equity and understudied populations with respect to SGBA, we also found that 5.92% of grant abstracts mentioned female-specific outcomes, and 0.35% of grant abstracts focused on the 2S/LGBTQ + community. CONCLUSIONS Although there was an increased number of funded grants with abstracts that mentioned sex and 2S/LGBTQ + health across time, these increases were less than 2% between 2009 and 2020. The percentage of funded grants with abstracts mentioning female-specific health or gender differences did not change significantly over time. The percentage of funding dollars allocated to grants in which the abstracts mentioned sex or gender also did not change substantially from 2009 to 2020, with grant abstracts mentioning sex or female-specific research increasing by 1.26% and 3.47%, respectively, funding allocated to research mentioning gender decreasing by 0.49% and no change for 2S/LGBTQ +-specific health. Our findings suggest more work needs to be done to ensure the public can evaluate what populations will be examined with the funded research with respect to sex and gender to advance awareness and health equity in research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tori N. Stranges
- Women’s Health Research Cluster, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Kelowna, BC Canada
| | - Amanda B. Namchuk
- Women’s Health Research Cluster, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | | | - Katherine N. Moore
- Women’s Health Research Cluster, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Liisa A. M. Galea
- Women’s Health Research Cluster, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
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17
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Puri TA, Richard JE, Galea LAM. Beyond sex differences: short- and long-term effects of pregnancy on the brain. Trends Neurosci 2023; 46:459-471. [PMID: 37120339 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Growing attention has been directed to the inclusion of females in neuroscience studies, and to the importance of studying sex as a biological variable. However, how female-specific factors such as menopause and pregnancy, affect the brain remains understudied. In this review, we use pregnancy as a case in point of a female-unique experience that can alter neuroplasticity, neuroinflammation, and cognition. We examine studies in both humans and rodents indicating that pregnancy can modify neural function in the short term, as well as alter the trajectory of brain aging. Furthermore, we discuss the influence of maternal age, fetal sex, number of pregnancies, and presence of pregnancy complications on brain health outcomes. We conclude by encouraging the scientific community to prioritize researching female health by recognizing and including factors such as pregnancy history in research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanvi A Puri
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jennifer E Richard
- Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Liisa A M Galea
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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18
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Vinciguerra C, Iacono S, Bevilacqua L, Landolfi A, Piscosquito G, Ginanneschi F, Schirò G, Di Stefano V, Brighina F, Barone P, Balistreri CR. Sex differences in neuromuscular disorders. Mech Ageing Dev 2023; 211:111793. [PMID: 36806604 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2023.111793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence, onset, pathophysiology, and clinical course of many neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) may significantly differ between males and females. Some NMDs are more frequently observed in females, and characterized to show a higher grade of severity during or after the pregnancy. Meanwhile, others tend to have an earlier onset in males and exhibit a more variable progression. Prevalently, sex differences in NMDs have a familiar character given from genetic inheritance. However, they may also influence clinical presentation and disease severity of acquired NMD forms, and are represented by both hormonal and genetic factors. Consequently, to shed light on the distinctive role of biological factors in the different clinical phenotypes, we summarize in this review the sex related differences and their distinctive biological roles emerging from the current literature in both acquired and inherited NMDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Vinciguerra
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84131 Salerno, Italy.
| | - Salvatore Iacono
- Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Liliana Bevilacqua
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84131 Salerno, Italy
| | - Annamaria Landolfi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84131 Salerno, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Piscosquito
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84131 Salerno, Italy
| | - Federica Ginanneschi
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Schirò
- Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Stefano
- Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Filippo Brighina
- Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Paolo Barone
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84131 Salerno, Italy
| | - Carmela Rita Balistreri
- Cellular and Molecular Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo
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Bonefas KM, Vallianatos CN, Raines B, Tronson NC, Iwase S. Sexually Dimorphic Alterations in the Transcriptome and Behavior with Loss of Histone Demethylase KDM5C. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040637. [PMID: 36831303 PMCID: PMC9954040 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040637] [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: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatin dysregulation has emerged as a major hallmark of neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The prevalence of ID and ASD is higher in males compared to females, with unknown mechanisms. Intellectual developmental disorder, X-linked syndromic, Claes-Jensen type (MRXSCJ), is caused by loss-of-function mutations of lysine demethylase 5C (KDM5C), a histone H3K4 demethylase gene. KDM5C escapes X-inactivation, thereby presenting at a higher level in females. Initially, MRXSCJ was exclusively reported in males, while it is increasingly evident that females with heterozygous KDM5C mutations can show cognitive deficits. The mouse model of MRXSCJ, male Kdm5c-hemizygous knockout animals, recapitulates key features of human male patients. However, the behavioral and molecular traits of Kdm5c-heterozygous female mice remain incompletely characterized. Here, we report that gene expression and behavioral abnormalities are readily detectable in Kdm5c-heterozygous female mice, demonstrating the requirement for a higher KDM5C dose in females. Furthermore, we found both shared and sex-specific consequences of a reduced KDM5C dose in social behavior, gene expression, and genetic interaction with the counteracting enzyme KMT2A. These observations provide an essential insight into the sex-biased manifestation of neurodevelopmental disorders and sex chromosome evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M. Bonefas
- Department of Human Genetics, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Christina N. Vallianatos
- Department of Human Genetics, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Brynne Raines
- Department of Psychology, College of LS&A, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Natalie C. Tronson
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Psychology, College of LS&A, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Correspondence: (N.C.T.); (S.I.)
| | - Shigeki Iwase
- Department of Human Genetics, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Correspondence: (N.C.T.); (S.I.)
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Kim HJ, Jin HJ. Lack of association between the Y chromosome haplogroups and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Korean boys. Gene 2023; 850:146954. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
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21
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Sun J, Harrington MA, Porter B. Sex Difference in Spinal Muscular Atrophy Patients - are Males More Vulnerable? J Neuromuscul Dis 2023; 10:847-867. [PMID: 37393514 PMCID: PMC10578261 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-230011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex is a significant risk factor in many neurodegenerative disorders. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind sex differences could help develop more targeted therapies that would lead to better outcomes. Untreated spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the leading genetic motor disorder causing infant mortality. SMA has a broad spectrum of severity ranging from prenatal death to infant mortality to normal lifespan with some disability. Scattered evidence points to a sex-specific vulnerability in SMA. However, the role of sex as a risk factor in SMA pathology and treatment has received limited attention. OBJECTIVE Systematically investigate sex differences in the incidence, symptom severity, motor function of patients with different types of SMA, and in the development of SMA1 patients. METHODS Aggregated data of SMA patients were obtained from the TREAT-NMD Global SMA Registry and the Cure SMA membership database by data enquiries. Data were analyzed and compared with publicly available standard data and data from published literature. RESULTS The analysis of the aggregated results from the TREAT-NMD dataset revealed that the male/female ratio was correlated to the incidence and prevalence of SMA from different countries; and for SMA patients, more of their male family members were affected by SMA. However, there was no significant difference of sex ratio in the Cure SMA membership dataset. As quantified by the clinician severity scores, symptoms were more severe in males than females in SMA types 2 and 3b. Motor function scores measured higher in females than males in SMA types 1, 3a and 3b. The head circumference was more strongly affected in male SMA type 1 patients. CONCLUSIONS The data in certain registry datasets suggest that males may be more vulnerable to SMA than females. The variability observed indicates that more investigation is necessary to fully understand the role of sex differences in SMA epidemiology, and to guide development of more targeted treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianli Sun
- Delaware Center for Neuroscience Research, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, USA
| | - Melissa A. Harrington
- Delaware Center for Neuroscience Research, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, USA
| | - Ben Porter
- TREAT-NMD Services Limited, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - on behalf of the TREAT-NMD Global Registry Network for SMA
- Delaware Center for Neuroscience Research, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, USA
- TREAT-NMD Services Limited, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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22
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Sexual Dimorphism in Neurodegenerative Diseases and in Brain Ischemia. Biomolecules 2022; 13:biom13010026. [PMID: 36671411 PMCID: PMC9855831 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies and clinical observations show evidence of sexual dimorphism in brain responses to several neurological conditions. It is suggested that sex-related differences between men and women may have profound effects on disease susceptibility, pathophysiology, and progression. Sexual differences of the brain are achieved through the complex interplay of several factors contributing to this phenomenon, such as sex hormones, as well as genetic and epigenetic differences. Despite recent advances, the precise link between these factors and brain disorders is incompletely understood. This review aims to briefly outline the most relevant aspects that differ between men and women in ischemia and neurodegenerative disorders (AD, PD, HD, ALS, and SM). Recognition of disparities between both sexes could aid the development of individual approaches to ameliorate or slow the progression of intractable disorders.
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23
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DeVito EE, Sofuoglu M. Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Effects on Smoking: A Review and Proof of Concept of Sex-Sensitive Effects. Curr Behav Neurosci Rep 2022; 9:113-123. [PMID: 36644316 PMCID: PMC9838826 DOI: 10.1007/s40473-022-00251-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review This article reviews recent research on how catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) may impact cigarette smoking behavior, and how effects may be sex-sensitive. Preliminary data are presented on sex-sensitive effects of COMT on response to short-term abstinence in individuals who smoke. Recent Findings Although research is mixed, functional variants in the COMT gene have been linked with smoking behavior, cessation outcomes and nicotine abstinence-related symptoms. Our proof-of-concept preliminary data from a human laboratory study of individuals who smoke cigarettes found that those with the high COMT enzyme activity genotype (Val/Val) reported more severe smoking urges and withdrawal symptoms following overnight abstinence than Met carriers. These effects were present in women, but not in men and were abstinent-dependent, in that they dissipated following nicotine administration. Summary The preliminary data showing sex-sensitive pharmacogenetic effects may shed light on mechanisms contributing to sex differences in barriers to smoking cessation or potential sex-specific treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise E. DeVito
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mehmet Sofuoglu
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT
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24
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López-Cerdán A, Andreu Z, Hidalgo MR, Grillo-Risco R, Català-Senent JF, Soler-Sáez I, Neva-Alejo A, Gordillo F, de la Iglesia-Vayá M, García-García F. Unveiling sex-based differences in Parkinson's disease: a comprehensive meta-analysis of transcriptomic studies. Biol Sex Differ 2022; 13:68. [PMID: 36414996 PMCID: PMC9682715 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-022-00477-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent decades, increasing longevity (among other factors) has fostered a rise in Parkinson's disease incidence. Although not exhaustively studied in this devastating disease, the impact of sex represents a critical variable in Parkinson's disease as epidemiological and clinical features differ between males and females. METHODS To study sex bias in Parkinson's disease, we conducted a systematic review to select sex-labeled transcriptomic data from three relevant brain tissues: the frontal cortex, the striatum, and the substantia nigra. We performed differential expression analysis on each study chosen. Then we summarized the individual differential expression results with three tissue-specific meta-analyses and a global all-tissues meta-analysis. Finally, results from the meta-analysis were functionally characterized using different functional profiling approaches. RESULTS The tissue-specific meta-analyses linked Parkinson's disease to the enhanced expression of MED31 in the female frontal cortex and the dysregulation of 237 genes in the substantia nigra. The global meta-analysis detected 15 genes with sex-differential patterns in Parkinson's disease, which participate in mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, neuronal degeneration, and cell death. Furthermore, functional analyses identified pathways, protein-protein interaction networks, and transcription factors that differed by sex. While male patients exhibited changes in oxidative stress based on metal ions, inflammation, and angiogenesis, female patients exhibited dysfunctions in mitochondrial and lysosomal activity, antigen processing and presentation functions, and glutamic and purine metabolism. All results generated during this study are readily available by accessing an open web resource ( http://bioinfo.cipf.es/metafun-pd/ ) for consultation and reuse in further studies. CONCLUSIONS Our in silico approach has highlighted sex-based differential mechanisms in typical Parkinson Disease hallmarks (inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress). Additionally, we have identified specific genes and transcription factors for male and female Parkinson Disease patients that represent potential candidates as biomarkers to diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adolfo López-Cerdán
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Unit, Principe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), 46012, Valencia, Spain
- Biomedical Imaging Unit FISABIO-CIPF, Fundación Para El Fomento de La Investigación Sanitaria Y Biomédica de La Comunidad Valenciana, 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - Zoraida Andreu
- Foundation Valencian Institute of Oncology (FIVO), 46009, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta R Hidalgo
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Unit, Principe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rubén Grillo-Risco
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Unit, Principe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Irene Soler-Sáez
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Unit, Principe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - Almudena Neva-Alejo
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Unit, Principe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - Fernando Gordillo
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Unit, Principe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - María de la Iglesia-Vayá
- Biomedical Imaging Unit FISABIO-CIPF, Fundación Para El Fomento de La Investigación Sanitaria Y Biomédica de La Comunidad Valenciana, 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco García-García
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Unit, Principe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), 46012, Valencia, Spain.
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25
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The role of maternal immune activation in the immunological and neurological pathogenesis of autism. JOURNAL OF NEURORESTORATOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnrt.2022.100030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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26
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The Effect of Menopause on Antipsychotic Response. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12101342. [PMID: 36291276 PMCID: PMC9599119 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12101342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: It has been hypothesized that, whenever estrogen levels decline, psychosis symptoms in women increase. At menopause, this can happen in two main ways: (a) the loss of estrogen (mainly estradiol) can directly affect central neurotransmission, leading to increase in schizophrenia-related symptoms, and (b) the loss of estrogen can decrease the synthesis of enzymes that metabolize antipsychotic drugs, thus weakening their efficacy. Aims and Methods: The aim of this narrative review was to investigate the second possibility by searching PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov for studies over the last two decades that investigated the metabolism of antipsychotics and their efficacy before and after menopause in women or that studied systemic and local estrogen level effects on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of individual antipsychotic drugs. Results: The evidence suggests that symptom level in women with schizophrenia rises after menopause for many reasons beyond hormones but, importantly, there is an estrogen-dependent loss of efficacy related to antipsychotic treatment. Conclusion: Effective clinical intervention is challenging; nevertheless, several promising routes forward are suggested.
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27
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de Toledo VHC, Feltrin AS, Barbosa AR, Tahira AC, Brentani H. Sex differences in gene regulatory networks during mid-gestational brain development. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:955607. [PMID: 36061507 PMCID: PMC9428411 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.955607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders differ considerably between males and females, and fetal brain development is one of the most critical periods to determine risk for these disorders. Transcriptomic studies comparing male and female fetal brain have demonstrated that the highest difference in gene expression occurs in sex chromosomes, but several autossomal genes also demonstrate a slight difference that has not been yet explored. In order to investigate biological pathways underlying fetal brain sex differences, we applied medicine network principles using integrative methods such as co-expression networks (CEMiTool) and regulatory networks (netZoo). The pattern of gene expression from genes in the same pathway tend to reflect biologically relevant phenomena. In this study, network analysis of fetal brain expression reveals regulatory differences between males and females. Integrating two different bioinformatics tools, our results suggest that biological processes such as cell cycle, cell differentiation, energy metabolism and extracellular matrix organization are consistently sex-biased. MSET analysis demonstrates that these differences are relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Hugo Calegari de Toledo
- Departamento e Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Psicopatologia e Terapêutica Psiquiátrica (LIM23), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ana Carolina Tahira
- Laboratório de Expressão Gênica, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helena Brentani
- Departamento e Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Psicopatologia e Terapêutica Psiquiátrica (LIM23), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Helena Brentani
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28
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Arabia G, De Martino A, Moro E. Sex and gender differences in movement disorders: Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia and chorea. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2022; 164:101-128. [PMID: 36038202 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2022.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Sex and gender-based differences in epidemiology, clinical features and therapeutical responses are emerging in several movement disorders, even though they are still not widely recognized. In this chapter, we summarize the most relevant evidence concerning these differences in Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia and chorea. Indeed, both sex-related biological (hormonal levels fluctuations) and gender-related variables (socio-cultural and environmental factors) may differently impact symptoms manifestation and severity, phenotype and disease progression of movement disorders on men and women. Moreover, sex differences in treatment responses should be taken into account in any therapeutical planning. Physicians need to be aware of these major differences between men and women that will eventually have a major impact on better tailoring prevention, treatment, or even delaying progression of the most common movement disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennarina Arabia
- Magna Graecia University, Movement Disorders Center, Neurology Unit, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Antonio De Martino
- Magna Graecia University, Movement Disorders Center, Neurology Unit, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Elena Moro
- Grenoble Alpes University, CHU of Grenoble, Division of Neurology, Grenoble Institute of Neurosciences, Grenoble, France
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29
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Penner M, Dupuis A, Arnold P, Ayub M, Crosbie J, Georgiades S, Kelley E, Nicolson R, Schachar R, Anagnostou E. Pubertal stage, sex and behaviour in neurodevelopmental disorders versus typical development: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Paediatr Open 2022; 6:10.1136/bmjpo-2022-001469. [PMID: 36053642 PMCID: PMC9403165 DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2022-001469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the association between pubertal stage, sex and behavioural profile across and within neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) compared with typically developing (TD) youth. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study from the Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Disorders network, including children/youth with various NDDs and TD controls. Caregivers completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Participants were grouped into three puberty stages: prepuberty (Tanner stage 1), early puberty (Tanner stages 2-3) and late puberty (Tanner stages 4-5). The association between pubertal stage and CBCL scores was assessed controlling for sex and diagnosis. RESULTS The analysis included 1043 participants (male=733; 70.3%). A three-way interaction between pubertal status, sex and diagnosis was not significant for internalising or externalising behaviour. Diagnosis was significantly associated with CBCL scores for both internalising (p<0.0001) and externalising (p<0.0001) behaviours, with lower scores for TD children than for NDD groups. Late pubertal females showed higher levels of internalising behaviour compared with prepubertal females (p=0.001); males showed no differences. Early pubertal males showed lower levels of externalising behaviour compared with prepubertal males (p=0.01); early pubertal females trended towards higher levels compared with prepubertal females (p=0.051). CONCLUSIONS Internalising/externalising patterns of behaviours across pubertal stages did not differ based on diagnosis. Pubertal females are at higher risk for internalising behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Penner
- Autism Research Centre, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada .,Paediatrics, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Annie Dupuis
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul Arnold
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Muhammad Ayub
- Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer Crosbie
- Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stelios Georgiades
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Russell Schachar
- Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Evdokia Anagnostou
- Autism Research Centre, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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30
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Khani F, Nafian S, Mollamohammadi S, Nemati S, Shokoohian B, Hassani SN, Baharvand H, Soleimanpour-Lichaei HR, Salekdeh GH. Y Chromosome Genes May Play Roles in the Development of Neural Rosettes from Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022; 18:3008-3020. [PMID: 35661078 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10392-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human Y chromosome harbors genes that are mainly involved in the growth, development, sexual dimorphism, and spermatogenesis process. Despite many studies, the function of the male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) awaits further clarification, and a cell-based approach can help in this regard. RESULTS In this study, we have developed four stable transgenic male embryonic stem cell (ESCs) lines that can overexpress male-specific genes HSFY1, RBMY1A1, RPS4Y1, and SRY. As a proof of principle, we differentiated one of these cell lines (RPS4Y1 over-expressing ESCs) to the neural stem cell (rosette structure) and characterized them based on the expression level of lineage markers. RPS4Y1 expression in the Doxycycline-treated group was significantly higher than control groups at transcript and protein levels. Furthermore, we found Doxycycline-treated group had a higher differentiation efficiency than the untreated control groups. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the RPS4Y1 gene may play a critical role in neurogenesis. Also, the generated transgenic ESC lines can be widely employed in basic and preclinical studies, such as sexual dimorphism of neural and cardiac functions, the development of cancerous and non-cancerous disease models, and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Khani
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (NIGEB), P.O.Box: 14965-161, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Simin Nafian
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (NIGEB), P.O.Box: 14965-161, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Mollamohammadi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shiva Nemati
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahare Shokoohian
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Nafiseh Hassani
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Baharvand
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, 13145-871, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Soleimanpour-Lichaei
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (NIGEB), P.O.Box: 14965-161, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ghasem Hosseini Salekdeh
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16656-59911, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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31
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Atlas of type 2 dopamine receptors in the human brain: Age and sex dependent variability in a large PET cohort. Neuroimage 2022; 255:119149. [PMID: 35367652 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The dopamine system contributes to a multitude of functions ranging from reward and motivation to learning and movement control, making it a key component in goal-directed behavior. Altered dopaminergic function is observed in neurological and psychiatric conditions. Numerous factors have been proposed to influence dopamine function, but due to small sample sizes and heterogeneous data analysis methods in previous studies their specific and joint contributions remain unresolved. METHODS In this cross-sectional register-based study we investigated how age, sex, body mass index (BMI), as well as cerebral hemisphere and regional volume influence striatal type 2 dopamine receptor (D2R) availability in the human brain. We analyzed a large historical dataset (n=156, 120 males and 36 females) of [11C]raclopride PET scans performed between 2004 and 2018. RESULTS Striatal D2R availability decreased through age for both sexes (2-5 % in striatal ROIs per 10 years) and was higher in females versus males throughout age (7-8% in putamen). BMI and striatal D2R availability were weakly associated. There was no consistent lateralization of striatal D2R. The observed effects were independent of regional volumes. These results were validated using two different spatial normalization methods, and the age and sex effects also replicated in an independent sample (n=135). CONCLUSIONS D2R availability is dependent on age and sex, which may contribute to the vulnerability of neurological and psychiatric conditions involving altering D2R expression.
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32
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Carucci S, Narducci C, Bazzoni M, Balia C, Donno F, Gagliano A, Zuddas A. Clinical characteristics, neuroimaging findings, and neuropsychological functioning in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: Sex differences. J Neurosci Res 2022; 101:704-717. [PMID: 35293009 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Recent clinical studies, in both children/adolescents and adults, have shown the extreme neuropsychological heterogeneity of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): specific neuropsychological deficits have been found only in a minority of individuals, with no direct correlation between discrete cognitive performances and the trajectory of clinical symptoms. Deficits in specific neuropsychological functions may be common in ADHD, but nevertheless no cognitive or neuropsychological profile may fully explain the disorder. Sex differences in the ADHD presentation, both at a neuropsychological and clinical level, also contribute to this clinical and neuropsychological heterogeneity. At a neuropsychological level, females with ADHD may show greater working memory problems, poorer vocabulary skills and worse visual spatial reasoning. Structural and functional imaging study also show discrete differences across sex; however, the great majority of clinical studies mainly or exclusively include male participants with insufficient data to draw firm conclusions on sex differences within the disorder. Here, we report the recent literature data, discussing still open research questions about the clinical presentation, neuroimaging findings, and neuropsychological functioning in ADHD with a focus on the impact of sex differences-a deeper insight in these unresolved issues may have relevant clinical and therapeutic implications for tailored, effective, and long-lasting interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Carucci
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience & Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,Child & Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, "A.Cao" Paediatric Hospital, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Chiara Narducci
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience & Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marzia Bazzoni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience & Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Carla Balia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience & Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,Child & Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, "A.Cao" Paediatric Hospital, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Federica Donno
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience & Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,Child & Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, "A.Cao" Paediatric Hospital, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonella Gagliano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience & Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,Child & Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, "A.Cao" Paediatric Hospital, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zuddas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience & Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,Child & Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, "A.Cao" Paediatric Hospital, Cagliari, Italy
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33
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Sex-specific differences in KCC2 localisation and inhibitory synaptic transmission in the rat hippocampus. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3186. [PMID: 35210456 PMCID: PMC8873453 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06769-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual differentiation of the brain is influenced by testosterone and its metabolites during the perinatal period, when many aspects of brain development, including the maturation of GABAergic transmission, occur. Whether and how testosterone signaling during the perinatal period affects GABAergic transmission is unclear. Here, we analyzed GABAergic circuit functional markers in male, female, testosterone-treated female, and testosterone-insensitive male rats after the first postnatal week and in young adults. In the hippocampus, mRNA levels of proteins associated with GABA signaling were not significantly affected at postnatal day (P) 7 or P40. Conversely, membrane protein levels of KCC2, which are critical for determining inhibition strength, were significantly higher in females compared to males and testosterone-treated females at P7. Further, female and testosterone-insensitive male rats at P7 showed higher levels of the neurotrophin BDNF, which is a powerful regulator of neuronal function, including GABAergic transmission. Finally, spontaneous GABAergic currents in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells were more frequent in females and testosterone-insensitive males at P40. Overall, these results show that perinatal testosterone levels modulate GABAergic circuit function, suggesting a critical role of perinatal sex hormones in regulating network excitability in the adult hippocampus.
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Heydari R, Jangravi Z, Maleknia S, Seresht-Ahmadi M, Bahari Z, Salekdeh GH, Meyfour A. Y chromosome is moving out of sex determination shadow. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:4. [PMID: 34983649 PMCID: PMC8724748 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00741-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although sex hormones play a key role in sex differences in susceptibility, severity, outcomes, and response to therapy of different diseases, sex chromosomes are also increasingly recognized as an important factor. Studies demonstrated that the Y chromosome is not a 'genetic wasteland' and can be a useful genetic marker for interpreting various male-specific physiological and pathophysiological characteristics. Y chromosome harbors male‑specific genes, which either solely or in cooperation with their X-counterpart, and independent or in conjunction with sex hormones have a considerable impact on basic physiology and disease mechanisms in most or all tissues development. Furthermore, loss of Y chromosome and/or aberrant expression of Y chromosome genes cause sex differences in disease mechanisms. With the launch of the human proteome project (HPP), the association of Y chromosome proteins with pathological conditions has been increasingly explored. In this review, the involvement of Y chromosome genes in male-specific diseases such as prostate cancer and the cases that are more prevalent in men, such as cardiovascular disease, neurological disease, and cancers, has been highlighted. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying Y chromosome-related diseases can have a significant impact on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raheleh Heydari
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zohreh Jangravi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samaneh Maleknia
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrshad Seresht-Ahmadi
- Department of Basic Science and Advanced Technologies in Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Bahari
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Anna Meyfour
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
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Solomon O, Huen K, Yousefi P, Küpers LK, González JR, Suderman M, Reese SE, Page CM, Gruzieva O, Rzehak P, Gao L, Bakulski KM, Novoloaca A, Allard C, Pappa I, Llambrich M, Vives M, Jima DD, Kvist T, Baccarelli A, White C, Rezwan FI, Sharp GC, Tindula G, Bergström A, Grote V, Dou JF, Isaevska E, Magnus MC, Corpeleijn E, Perron P, Jaddoe VWV, Nohr EA, Maitre L, Foraster M, Hoyo C, Håberg SE, Lahti J, DeMeo DL, Zhang H, Karmaus W, Kull I, Koletzko B, Feinberg JI, Gagliardi L, Bouchard L, Ramlau-Hansen CH, Tiemeier H, Santorelli G, Maguire RL, Czamara D, Litonjua AA, Langhendries JP, Plusquin M, Lepeule J, Binder EB, Verduci E, Dwyer T, Carracedo Á, Ferre N, Eskenazi B, Kogevinas M, Nawrot TS, Munthe-Kaas MC, Herceg Z, Relton C, Melén E, Gruszfeld D, Breton C, Fallin MD, Ghantous A, Nystad W, Heude B, Snieder H, Hivert MF, Felix JF, Sørensen TIA, Bustamante M, Murphy SK, Raikkönen K, Oken E, Holloway JW, Arshad SH, London SJ, Holland N. Meta-analysis of epigenome-wide association studies in newborns and children show widespread sex differences in blood DNA methylation. MUTATION RESEARCH. REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2022; 789:108415. [PMID: 35690418 PMCID: PMC9623595 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2022.108415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among children, sex-specific differences in disease prevalence, age of onset, and susceptibility have been observed in health conditions including asthma, immune response, metabolic health, some pediatric and adult cancers, and psychiatric disorders. Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation may play a role in the sexual differences observed in diseases and other physiological traits. METHODS We performed a meta-analysis of the association of sex and cord blood DNA methylation at over 450,000 CpG sites in 8438 newborns from 17 cohorts participating in the Pregnancy And Childhood Epigenetics (PACE) Consortium. We also examined associations of child sex with DNA methylation in older children ages 5.5-10 years from 8 cohorts (n = 4268). RESULTS In newborn blood, sex was associated at Bonferroni level significance with differences in DNA methylation at 46,979 autosomal CpG sites (p < 1.3 × 10-7) after adjusting for white blood cell proportions and batch. Most of those sites had lower methylation levels in males than in females. Of the differentially methylated CpG sites identified in newborn blood, 68% (31,727) met look-up level significance (p < 1.1 × 10-6) in older children and had methylation differences in the same direction. CONCLUSIONS This is a large-scale meta-analysis examining sex differences in DNA methylation in newborns and older children. Expanding upon previous studies, we replicated previous findings and identified additional autosomal sites with sex-specific differences in DNA methylation. Differentially methylated sites were enriched in genes involved in cancer, psychiatric disorders, and cardiovascular phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Solomon
- Children's Environmental Health Laboratory, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Karen Huen
- Children's Environmental Health Laboratory, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Paul Yousefi
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Leanne K Küpers
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Epidemiology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Juan R González
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Dr Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Matthew Suderman
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Sarah E Reese
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Christian M Page
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Olena Gruzieva
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Rzehak
- Div. Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, Dept. Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Lu Gao
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Kelly M Bakulski
- School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | | | - Catherine Allard
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Irene Pappa
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/ Psychology, Erasmus Medical Center, Sophia Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands; The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Llambrich
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Dr Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Vives
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Dr Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Dereje D Jima
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA; Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Tuomas Kvist
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Andrea Baccarelli
- Laboratory of Precision Environmental Biosciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cory White
- Merck Exploratory Science Center, Merck Research Laboratories, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA
| | - Faisal I Rezwan
- Department of Computer Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DB, United Kingdom; Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Gemma C Sharp
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Gwen Tindula
- Children's Environmental Health Laboratory, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Anna Bergström
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Veit Grote
- Div. Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, Dept. Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - John F Dou
- School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Elena Isaevska
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Maria C Magnus
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eva Corpeleijn
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Epidemiology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Patrice Perron
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Universite de Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Vincent W V Jaddoe
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen A Nohr
- Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Centre of Women's, Family and Child Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, Kongsberg, Norway
| | - Lea Maitre
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Dr Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Foraster
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Dr Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; PHAGEX Research Group, Blanquerna School of Health Science, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cathrine Hoyo
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, NC, USA
| | - Siri E Håberg
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jari Lahti
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dawn L DeMeo
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hongmei Zhang
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, USA
| | - Wilfried Karmaus
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, USA
| | - Inger Kull
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Berthold Koletzko
- Div. Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, Dept. Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Jason I Feinberg
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Luigi Gagliardi
- Department of Woman and Child Health, Ospedale Versilia, Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest, Viareggio, Italy
| | - Luigi Bouchard
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Université de Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; Department of Medical Biology, CIUSSS Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Chicoutimi Hospital, Saguenay, QC, Canada
| | | | - Henning Tiemeier
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/ Psychology, Erasmus Medical Center, Sophia Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Social and Behavioral Science, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gillian Santorelli
- Bradford Institute of Health Research, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford BD9 6RJ, UK
| | - Rachel L Maguire
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, NC, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27701, USA
| | - Darina Czamara
- Dept. Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Augusto A Litonjua
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Johanna Lepeule
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, CNRS, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Reproduction and Respiratory Health, IAB, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Elisabeth B Binder
- Dept. Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Elvira Verduci
- Department of Pediatrics, Ospedale dei Bambini Vittore Buzzi, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Terence Dwyer
- Clinical Sciences, Heart Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ángel Carracedo
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, Fundación Pública Galega de Merdicina Xenómica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), SERGAS, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Centro de Investigación en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER) y Centro Nacional de Genotipado (CEGEN-PRB3), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Natalia Ferre
- Pediatric Nutrition and Human Development Research Unit, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, IISPV, Reus, Spain
| | - Brenda Eskenazi
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Manolis Kogevinas
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Dr Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Carrer del Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Department Public Health & Primary care, Leuven University, Belgium
| | - Monica C Munthe-Kaas
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Zdenko Herceg
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Caroline Relton
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Erik Melén
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dariusz Gruszfeld
- Neonatal Department, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Carrie Breton
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - M D Fallin
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Akram Ghantous
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Wenche Nystad
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Ageing, Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Barbara Heude
- Université de Paris, Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Statistics (CRESS), INSERM, INRAE, F-75004 Paris, France
| | - Harold Snieder
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Epidemiology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marie-France Hivert
- Department of Medicine, Universite de Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Diabetes Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Janine F Felix
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thorkild I A Sørensen
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK; Department of Public Health, Section of Epidemiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Section on Metabolic Genetics, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mariona Bustamante
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Dr Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Susan K Murphy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27701, USA
| | - Katri Raikkönen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Emily Oken
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John W Holloway
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK; Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Syed Hasan Arshad
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; David Hide Asthma and Allergy Research Centre, Isle of Wight, UK
| | - Stephanie J London
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Nina Holland
- Children's Environmental Health Laboratory, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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Fuss T. Mate Choice, Sex Roles and Sexual Cognition: Neuronal Prerequisites Supporting Cognitive Mate Choice. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.749499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Across taxa, mate choice is a highly selective process involving both intra- and intersexual selection processes aiming to pass on one’s genes, making mate choice a pivotal tool of sexual selection. Individuals adapt mate choice behavior dynamically in response to environmental and social changes. These changes are perceived sensorily and integrated on a neuronal level, which ultimately leads to an adequate behavioral response. Along with perception and prior to an appropriate behavioral response, the choosing sex has (1) to recognize and discriminate between the prospective mates and (2) to be able to assess and compare their performance in order to make an informed decision. To do so, cognitive processes allow for the simultaneous processing of multiple information from the (in-) animate environment as well as from a variety of both sexual and social (but non-sexual) conspecific cues. Although many behavioral aspects of cognition on one side and of mate choice displays on the other are well understood, the interplay of neuronal mechanisms governing both determinants, i.e., governing cognitive mate choice have been described only vaguely. This review aimed to throw a spotlight on neuronal prerequisites, networks and processes supporting the interaction between mate choice, sex roles and sexual cognition, hence, supporting cognitive mate choice. How does neuronal activity differ between males and females regarding social cognition? Does sex or the respective sex role within the prevailing mating system mirror at a neuronal level? How does cognitive competence affect mate choice? Conversely, how does mate choice affect the cognitive abilities of both sexes? Benefitting from studies using different neuroanatomical techniques such as neuronal activity markers, differential coexpression or candidate gene analyses, modulatory effects of neurotransmitters and hormones, or imaging techniques such as fMRI, there is ample evidence pointing to a reflection of sex and the respective sex role at the neuronal level, at least in individual brain regions. Moreover, this review aims to summarize evidence for cognitive abilities influencing mate choice and vice versa. At the same time, new questions arise centering the complex relationship between neurobiology, cognition and mate choice, which we will perhaps be able to answer with new experimental techniques.
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Gutiérrez-Casares JR, Quintero J, Jorba G, Junet V, Martínez V, Pozo-Rubio T, Oliva B, Daura X, Mas JM, Montoto C. Methods to Develop an in silico Clinical Trial: Computational Head-to-Head Comparison of Lisdexamfetamine and Methylphenidate. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:741170. [PMID: 34803764 PMCID: PMC8595241 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.741170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory agencies encourage computer modeling and simulation to reduce the time and cost of clinical trials. Although still not classified in formal guidelines, system biology-based models represent a powerful tool for generating hypotheses with great molecular detail. Herein, we have applied a mechanistic head-to-head in silico clinical trial (ISCT) between two treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, to wit lisdexamfetamine (LDX) and methylphenidate (MPH). The ISCT was generated through three phases comprising (i) the molecular characterization of drugs and pathologies, (ii) the generation of adult and children virtual populations (vPOPs) totaling 2,600 individuals and the creation of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) and quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) models, and (iii) data analysis with artificial intelligence methods. The characteristics of our vPOPs were in close agreement with real reference populations extracted from clinical trials, as did our PBPK models with in vivo parameters. The mechanisms of action of LDX and MPH were obtained from QSP models combining PBPK modeling of dosing schemes and systems biology-based modeling technology, i.e., therapeutic performance mapping system. The step-by-step process described here to undertake a head-to-head ISCT would allow obtaining mechanistic conclusions that could be extrapolated or used for predictions to a certain extent at the clinical level. Altogether, these computational techniques are proven an excellent tool for hypothesis-generation and would help reach a personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Ramón Gutiérrez-Casares
- Unidad Ambulatoria de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental de la Infancia, Niñez y Adolescencia, Hospital Perpetuo Socorro, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Javier Quintero
- Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillem Jorba
- Anaxomics Biotech, Barcelona, Spain
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Valentin Junet
- Anaxomics Biotech, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | | | | | - Baldomero Oliva
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Daura
- Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Carmen Montoto
- Medical Department, Takeda Farmacéutica España, Madrid, Spain
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Sumien N, Cunningham JT, Davis DL, Engelland R, Fadeyibi O, Farmer GE, Mabry S, Mensah-Kane P, Trinh OTP, Vann PH, Wilson EN, Cunningham RL. Neurodegenerative Disease: Roles for Sex, Hormones, and Oxidative Stress. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6360925. [PMID: 34467976 PMCID: PMC8462383 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases cause severe impairments in cognitive and motor function. With an increasing aging population and the onset of these diseases between 50 and 70 years, the consequences are bound to be devastating. While age and longevity are the main risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases, sex is also an important risk factor. The characteristic of sex is multifaceted, encompassing sex chromosome complement, sex hormones (estrogens and androgens), and sex hormone receptors. Sex hormone receptors can induce various signaling cascades, ranging from genomic transcription to intracellular signaling pathways that are dependent on the health of the cell. Oxidative stress, associated with aging, can impact the health of the cell. Sex hormones can be neuroprotective under low oxidative stress conditions but not in high oxidative stress conditions. An understudied sex hormone receptor that can induce activation of oxidative stress signaling is the membrane androgen receptor (mAR). mAR can mediate nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX)-generated oxidative stress that is associated with several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer disease. Further complicating this is that aging can alter sex hormone signaling. Prior to menopause, women experience more estrogens than androgens. During menopause, this sex hormone profile switches in women due to the dramatic ovarian loss of 17β-estradiol with maintained ovarian androgen (testosterone, androstenedione) production. Indeed, aging men have higher estrogens than aging women due to aromatization of androgens to estrogens. Therefore, higher activation of mAR-NOX signaling could occur in menopausal women compared with aged men, mediating the observed sex differences. Understanding of these signaling cascades could provide therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Sumien
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Center for Healthy Aging, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - J Thomas Cunningham
- Department of Physiology & Anatomy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Delaney L Davis
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Center for Healthy Aging, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Rachel Engelland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Oluwadarasimi Fadeyibi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - George E Farmer
- Department of Physiology & Anatomy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Steve Mabry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Paapa Mensah-Kane
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Center for Healthy Aging, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Oanh T P Trinh
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Center for Healthy Aging, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Philip H Vann
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Center for Healthy Aging, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - E Nicole Wilson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Rebecca L Cunningham
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
- Correspondence: Rebecca L. Cunningham, PhD, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3400 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, USA, 76107-2699.
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Hahn A, Reed MB, Pichler V, Michenthaler P, Rischka L, Godbersen GM, Wadsak W, Hacker M, Lanzenberger R. Functional dynamics of dopamine synthesis during monetary reward and punishment processing. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2021; 41:2973-2985. [PMID: 34053336 PMCID: PMC8543667 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x211019827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of dopamine release with the PET competition model is thoroughly validated but entails disadvantages for the investigation of cognitive processes. We introduce a novel approach incorporating 6-[18F]FDOPA uptake as index of the dynamic regulation of dopamine synthesis enzymes by neuronal firing. The feasibility of this approach is demonstrated by assessing widely described sex differences in dopamine neurotransmission. Reward processing was behaviorally investigated in 36 healthy participants, of whom 16 completed fPET and fMRI during the monetary incentive delay task. A single 50 min fPET acquisition with 6-[18F]FDOPA served to quantify task-specific changes in dopamine synthesis. In men monetary gain induced stronger increases in ventral striatum dopamine synthesis than loss. Interestingly, the opposite effect was discovered in women. These changes were further associated with reward (men) and punishment sensitivity (women). As expected, fMRI showed robust task-specific neuronal activation but no sex difference. Our findings provide a neurobiological basis for known behavioral sex differences in reward and punishment processing, with important implications in psychiatric disorders showing sex-specific prevalence, altered reward processing and dopamine signaling. The high temporal resolution and magnitude of task-specific changes make fPET a promising tool to investigate functional neurotransmitter dynamics during cognitive processing and in brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Hahn
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Murray B Reed
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Verena Pichler
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Paul Michenthaler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lucas Rischka
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Godber M Godbersen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Wadsak
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine (CBmed), Graz, Austria
| | - Marcus Hacker
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rupert Lanzenberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Chu SH, Huang M, Kelly RS, Kachroo P, Litonjua AA, Weiss ST, Lasky-Su J. Circulating levels of maternal vitamin D and risk of ADHD in offspring: results from the Vitamin D Antenatal Asthma Reduction Trial. Int J Epidemiol 2021; 51:910-918. [PMID: 34534293 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyab194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low levels of circulating 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D] have been shown to associate with prevalent attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but few studies have examined the association between 25(OH)D during fetal development and risk of childhood ADHD. METHODS Maternal plasma 25(OH)D was measured at 10-18 and 32-38 weeks of gestation, with sufficiency defined as 25(OH)D ≥ 30 ng/ml. Offspring ADHD status between ages 6-9 years was measured by parent report of clinical ADHD diagnosis among 680 mother-child pairs from the Vitamin D Antenatal Asthma Reduction Trial. Association between maternal 25(OH)D and child ADHD was assessed using logistic regression, adjusting for maternal age, race and ethnicity. Effect modification by offspring sex was also assessed. RESULTS No associations between maternal 25(OH)D at 10-18 weeks of gestation and offspring ADHD were observed. In the third trimester, we observed associations between maternal vitamin D sufficiency and offspring ADHD [odds ratio (OR) 0.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.26-0.84], in addition to maternal 25(OH)D sufficiency category, comparing the deficient (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.12-0.94), insufficient (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.15-1.10) and sufficient (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.08-0.54) categories against highly deficient 25(OH)D, respectively. Stratified analyses revealed a protective association for sufficient maternal 25(OH)D and child ADHD among males (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.23-0.94); the synergy index for additive effect modification of risk was 1.78 (95% CI 0.62-5.08). CONCLUSIONS Higher levels of maternal vitamin D in the third trimester are associated with lower risk of ADHD in offspring, with modest evidence for a stronger effect among male offspring. However, larger studies will be necessary to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su H Chu
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mengna Huang
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rachel S Kelly
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Priyadarshini Kachroo
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Augusto A Litonjua
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Scott T Weiss
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Center for Personalized Medicine, Mass General Brigham, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jessica Lasky-Su
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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41
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Honkanen EA, Noponen T, Hirvilammi R, Lindholm K, Parkkola R, Joutsa J, Varrone A, Kaasinen V. Sex correction improves the accuracy of clinical dopamine transporter imaging. EJNMMI Res 2021; 11:82. [PMID: 34424408 PMCID: PMC8382816 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-021-00825-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In clinical diagnostic imaging, dopamine transporter (DAT) SPECT scans are commonly evaluated using automated semiquantitative analysis software. Age correction is routinely implemented, but usually no sex correction of DAT binding is performed. Since there are sex differences in presynaptic dopaminergic function, we investigated the effect of DAT sex correction in a sample of healthy volunteers who underwent brain [123I]-FP-CIT SPECT. Methods Forty healthy elderly individuals (21 men and 19 women) underwent brain [123I]-FP-CIT SPECT, and each subject was examined clinically for motor and non-motor parkinsonian symptoms and signs. Regional specific DAT binding ratios (SBR = [ROI-occ]/occ) were calculated using age correction, and the results were compared to those in normal databases with and without sex correction. The level of regional abnormality was set at 2 standard deviations below the mean values of the reference databases. Results In the analysis without sex correction, compared to the mean ratio of the reference database, ten healthy individuals (8 men and 2 women) had abnormally low DAT binding ratios, and four individuals (3 men and 1 woman) had borderline low DAT binding ratios in at least one striatal region. When sex correction was implemented, the ratio of one individual was abnormal, and the ratio of one individual was borderline (both males). There were no clinically significant differences in motor or non-motor symptoms between healthy volunteers with abnormal and normal binding. Conclusions A considerable number of elderly healthy male subjects can be interpreted to be dopaminergically abnormal if no sex correction of DAT binding is performed. Sex differences in striatal dopaminergic function should be taken into account when DAT imaging is used to assist clinical diagnostics in patients with suspected neurological disorders. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13550-021-00825-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma A Honkanen
- Clinical Neurosciences, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. .,Neurocenter, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland. .,Department of Neurology, Satasairaala Central Hospital, Pori, Finland. .,Turku PET Centre , Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
| | - Tommi Noponen
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Department of Medical Physics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Risto Hirvilammi
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Department of Medical Physics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Kari Lindholm
- Clinical Neurosciences, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Neurocenter, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Riitta Parkkola
- Department of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Juho Joutsa
- Clinical Neurosciences, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Neurocenter, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Turku PET Centre , Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Turku Brain and Mind Center, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Andrea Varrone
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Valtteri Kaasinen
- Clinical Neurosciences, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Neurocenter, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
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42
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Migliore L, Nicolì V, Stoccoro A. Gender Specific Differences in Disease Susceptibility: The Role of Epigenetics. Biomedicines 2021; 9:652. [PMID: 34200989 PMCID: PMC8228628 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Many complex traits or diseases, such as infectious and autoimmune diseases, cancer, xenobiotics exposure, neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as the outcome of vaccination, show a differential susceptibility between males and females. In general, the female immune system responds more efficiently to pathogens. However, this can lead to over-reactive immune responses, which may explain the higher presence of autoimmune diseases in women, but also potentially the more adverse effects of vaccination in females compared with in males. Many clinical and epidemiological studies reported, for the SARS-CoV-2 infection, a gender-biased differential response; however, the majority of reports dealt with a comparable morbidity, with males, however, showing higher COVID-19 adverse outcomes. Although gender differences in immune responses have been studied predominantly within the context of sex hormone effects, some other mechanisms have been invoked: cellular mosaicism, skewed X chromosome inactivation, genes escaping X chromosome inactivation, and miRNAs encoded on the X chromosome. The hormonal hypothesis as well as other mechanisms will be examined and discussed in the light of the most recent epigenetic findings in the field, as the concept that epigenetics is the unifying mechanism in explaining gender-specific differences is increasingly emerging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Medical School, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.N.); (A.S.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vanessa Nicolì
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Medical School, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.N.); (A.S.)
| | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Medical School, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.N.); (A.S.)
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43
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Piscopo P, Bellenghi M, Manzini V, Crestini A, Pontecorvi G, Corbo M, Ortona E, Carè A, Confaloni A. A Sex Perspective in Neurodegenerative Diseases: microRNAs as Possible Peripheral Biomarkers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094423. [PMID: 33922607 PMCID: PMC8122918 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex is a significant variable in the prevalence and incidence of neurological disorders. Sex differences exist in neurodegenerative disorders (NDs), where sex dimorphisms play important roles in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In the last few years, some sex specific biomarkers for the identification of NDs have been described and recent studies have suggested that microRNA (miRNA) could be included among these, as influenced by the hormonal and genetic background. Failing to consider the possible differences between males and females in miRNA evaluation could introduce a sex bias in studies by not considering some of these sex-related biomarkers. In this review, we recapitulate what is known about the sex-specific differences in peripheral miRNA levels in neurodegenerative diseases. Several studies have reported sex-linked disparities, and from the literature analysis miR-206 particularly has been shown to have a sex-specific involvement. Hopefully, in the near future, patient stratification will provide important additional clues in diagnosis, prognosis, and tailoring of the best therapeutic approaches for each patient. Sex-specific biomarkers, such as miRNAs, could represent a useful tool for characterizing subgroups of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Piscopo
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.M.); (A.C.); (A.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-064-990-3538
| | - Maria Bellenghi
- Center of Gender Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (G.P.); (E.O.); (A.C.)
| | - Valeria Manzini
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.M.); (A.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Alessio Crestini
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.M.); (A.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Giada Pontecorvi
- Center of Gender Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (G.P.); (E.O.); (A.C.)
| | - Massimo Corbo
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa Cura Policlinico, Via Dezza 48, 20144 Milano, Italy;
| | - Elena Ortona
- Center of Gender Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (G.P.); (E.O.); (A.C.)
| | - Alessandra Carè
- Center of Gender Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (G.P.); (E.O.); (A.C.)
| | - Annamaria Confaloni
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.M.); (A.C.); (A.C.)
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Nalvarte I, Varshney M, Inzunza J, Gustafsson JÅ. Estrogen receptor beta and neural development. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2021; 116:313-326. [PMID: 33752823 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The female sex hormone estradiol (E2, 17β-estradiol) has important functions in the developing brain. In addition to regulating sexual differentiation of the brain, E2 participates in the development of brain areas involved in functions unrelated to reproduction, such as cognition. E2 signals mainly thorough two estrogen receptors; estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ). While ERα has distinct functions for sexual imprinting of the developing brain, ERβ is considered to participate in the development of brain areas related to cognitive function. In this chapter we will focus on ERβ's role during neural development. We will discuss the contributions of sex chromosomal and sex hormonal effects in this process and place it in relation to recent data on ERβ obtained from stem cell models. Finally, we will discuss the lessons learned from mouse and stem cell models in understanding ERβ's role in neural development and how new stem cell models, by addressing the human relevance, may help to advance our progress in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Nalvarte
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.
| | - Mukesh Varshney
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Jose Inzunza
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Jan-Åke Gustafsson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden; Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
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45
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Gurevich T, Merkin L, Rozenberg A, Fisher A, Atanasova Mishkova-Serafimova E, Klepikov D, Giladi N, Peretz C. Interrelationships between Survival, Sex, and Blood Pressure in Patients with Multiple System Atrophy. Neuroepidemiology 2021; 55:1-6. [PMID: 33601380 DOI: 10.1159/000512697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to estimate survival among patients with multiple system atrophy-parkinsonian type (MSA-P) or cerebellar type MSA (MSA-C) in relation to blood pressure (BP) measurements, by sex. METHODS A cohort of 99 MSA patients was studied retrospectively. Their BP measurements were obtained during prolonged (40 min, vertical position) drug-free tilt testing. We used K-M survival curves and Cox regression to calculate adjusted (to age of onset) hazard ratios (HRs) of BP measurements on time to death by MSA subtype and sex. RESULTS Fifty-two MSA patients were males and 47 were females. Sixty-three of them had MSA-P and 36 had MSA-C. The mean age at motor symptom onset was 61.1 ± 10.4 years, and mean disease duration at the time of BP assessment was 8.0 ± 4.7 years. The 2 study groups (MSA-P and MSA-C) did not differ significantly in age at MSA onset, sex ratio, or disease duration. Survival time did not differ between the groups {medians: 12 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8-28) and 10 years (95% CI: 8-13), respectively}. The MSA-P group showed a trend towards better survival for males (log-rank p = 0.0925). The maximal diastolic orthostatic BP decline during tilt testing had a borderline positive association with death risk among MSA-C males (adjusted HR = 1.18, p = 0.0665), and systolic BP after 10 min in a supine position had a significant positive association with death risk among MSA-P males (adjusted HR = 1.06, p = 0.0354). CONCLUSIONS The findings of a sex-based difference in the effect of BP on death risk may be important for adjusting the therapeutic approach to MSA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Gurevich
- Movement Disorders Unit and Neuroautonomic Service, Neurological Institute, Tel-Aviv Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel,
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel,
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel,
| | - Ludmila Merkin
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Alina Rozenberg
- School of Public Health, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ariel Fisher
- Diagnostic Radiology Department University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | | | - Dina Klepikov
- Movement Disorders Unit and Neuroautonomic Service, Neurological Institute, Tel-Aviv Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Nir Giladi
- Movement Disorders Unit and Neuroautonomic Service, Neurological Institute, Tel-Aviv Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Chava Peretz
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- School of Public Health, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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46
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Rafee S, O'Riordan S, Reilly R, Hutchinson M. We Must Talk about Sex and Focal Dystonia. Mov Disord 2021; 36:604-608. [PMID: 33503303 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In a recent workshop on "Defining research priorities in dystonia,", there was absolutely no reference to sex as a factor in disease pathogenesis. In this viewpoint paper, we argue that the most distinctive aspects of adult onset isolated focal dystonia are the marked sex-related differences demonstrated by epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory studies in patients with adult onset dystonia, particularly in cervical dystonia, the most common presentation. We propose that the future focus of research should be on neurobiological mechanisms underlying the profound sexual dimorphism in this disorder. Targeting research into gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic function, which also shows similar sexual dimorphism, would be most productive in elucidating the pathogenesis of adult onset dystonia. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shameer Rafee
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sean O'Riordan
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Richard Reilly
- Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael Hutchinson
- Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Franceschini A, Fattore L. Gender-specific approach in psychiatric diseases: Because sex matters. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 896:173895. [PMID: 33508283 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.173895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In both animals and human beings, males and females differ in their genetic background and hormonally driven behaviour and show sex-related differences in brain activity and response to internal and external stimuli. Gender-specific medicine has been a neglected dimension of medicine for long time, and only in the last three decades it is receiving the due scientific and clinical attention. Research has recently begun to identify factors that could provide a neurobiological basis for gender-based differences in health and disease and to point to gonadal hormones as important determinants of male-female differences. Animal studies have been of great help in understanding factors contributing to sex-dependent differences and sex hormones action. Here we review and discuss evidence provided by clinical and animal studies in the last two decades showing gender (in humans) and sex (in animals) differences in selected psychiatric disorders, namely eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder), schizophrenia, mood disorders (anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder) and neurodevelopmental disorders (autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Franceschini
- Addictive Behaviors Department, Local Health Authority, Trento, Italy
| | - Liana Fattore
- Institute of Neuroscience-Cagliari, National Research Council, Italy.
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48
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Sex-differential DNA methylation and associated regulation networks in human brain implicated in the sex-biased risks of psychiatric disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:835-848. [PMID: 30976086 PMCID: PMC6788945 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0416-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Many psychiatric disorders are characterized by a strong sex difference, but the mechanisms behind sex-bias are not fully understood. DNA methylation plays important roles in regulating gene expression, ultimately impacting sexually different characteristics of the human brain. Most previous literature focused on DNA methylation alone without considering the regulatory network and its contribution to sex-bias of psychiatric disorders. Since DNA methylation acts in a complex regulatory network to connect genetic and environmental factors with high-order brain functions, we investigated the regulatory networks associated with different DNA methylation and assessed their contribution to the risks of psychiatric disorders. We compiled data from 1408 postmortem brain samples in 3 collections to identify sex-differentially methylated positions (DMPs) and regions (DMRs). We identified and replicated thousands of DMPs and DMRs. The DMR genes were enriched in neuronal related pathways. We extended the regulatory networks related to sex-differential methylation and psychiatric disorders by integrating methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTLs), gene expression, and protein-protein interaction data. We observed significant enrichment of sex-associated genes in psychiatric disorder-associated gene sets. We prioritized 2080 genes that were sex-biased and associated with psychiatric disorders, such as NRXN1, NRXN2, NRXN3, FDE4A, and SHANK2. These genes are enriched in synapse-related pathways and signaling pathways, suggesting that sex-differential genes of these neuronal pathways may cause the sex-bias of psychiatric disorders.
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Sex differences in health and disease: A review of biological sex differences relevant to cancer with a spotlight on glioma. Cancer Lett 2020; 498:178-187. [PMID: 33130315 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The influence of biological sex differences on human health and disease, while being increasingly recognized, has long been underappreciated and underexplored. While humans of all sexes are more alike than different, there is evidence for sex differences in the most basic aspects of human biology and these differences have consequences for the etiology and pathophysiology of many diseases. In a disease like cancer, these consequences manifest in the sex biases in incidence and outcome of many cancer types. The ability to deliver precise, targeted therapies to complex cancer cases is limited by our current understanding of the underlying sex differences. Gaining a better understanding of the implications and interplay of sex differences in diseases like cancer will thus be informative for clinical practice and biological research. Here we review the evidence for a broad array of biological sex differences in humans and discuss how these differences may relate to observed sex differences in various diseases, including many cancers and specifically glioblastoma. We focus on areas of human biology that play vital roles in healthy and disease states, including metabolism, development, hormones, and the immune system, and emphasize that the intersection of sex differences in these areas should not go overlooked. We further propose that mathematical approaches can be useful for exploring the extent to which sex differences affect disease outcomes and accounting for those in the development of therapeutic strategies.
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50
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Asadi-Pooya AA, Homayoun M. Sex differences in characteristics of idiopathic generalized epilepsies. Neurol Sci 2020; 42:2421-2424. [PMID: 33074451 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-020-04834-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We compared the demographic, clinical, and electroencephalographic (EEG) characteristics between females and males with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). METHODS In this retrospective study, all patients with a clinical diagnosis of IGE were recruited at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, from 2008 through 2019. Age, gender, age at seizure onset, seizure type(s), epilepsy risk factors, and EEG findings of all patients were registered routinely. RESULTS Six hundred one patients with IGE were studied: 361 patients (60%) were females, and 240 people (40%) were males. The mean age at onset of seizures was 1.3 years earlier in males compared with that in females. Myoclonic seizures were more frequently reported by females than that by males. Photoparoxysmal response during intermittent photic stimulation in the EEG laboratory was more often observed in females than that in males. The difference in the syndromic diagnosis between the sexes was significant (p = 0.02). Among male patients, 88% were on valproate, and among female patients, 49% were on valproate (p = 0.0001). At the last follow-up visit, 83 males (61%) and 108 females (49%) were seizure-free (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION There are significant demographic, clinical, and electrographic differences between females and males with IGEs. The reasons behind these sex differences among patients with IGE are not clear. However, it is likely that sex hormones and sex chromosome genes-related brain differences play a role in the development of these differences. These interesting findings and the proposed hypothesis should be explored in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A Asadi-Pooya
- Epilepsy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. .,Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Maryam Homayoun
- Epilepsy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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