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Cale JA, Chauhan EJ, Cleaver JJ, Fusciardi AR, McCann S, Waters HC, Žavbi J, King MV. GABAergic and inflammatory changes in the frontal cortex following neonatal PCP plus isolation rearing, as a dual-hit neurodevelopmental model for schizophrenia. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-03987-y. [PMID: 38363536 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-03987-y] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of schizophrenia begins in early neurodevelopment and leads to excitatory-inhibitory imbalance. It is therefore essential that preclinical models used to understand disease, select drug targets and evaluate novel therapeutics encompass similar neurochemical deficits. One approach to improved preclinical modelling incorporates dual-hit neurodevelopmental insults, like neonatal administration of phencyclidine (PCP, to disrupt development of glutamatergic circuitry) then post-weaning isolation (Iso, to mimic adolescent social stress). We recently showed that male Lister-hooded rats exposed to PCP-Iso exhibit reduced hippocampal expression of the GABA interneuron marker calbindin. The current study expanded on this by investigating changes to additional populations of GABAergic interneurons in frontal cortical and hippocampal tissue from the same animals (by immunohistochemistry) as well as levels of GABA itself (via ELISA). Because inflammatory changes are also implicated in schizophrenia, we performed additional immunohistochemical evaluations of Iba-1 positive microglia as well as ELISA analysis of IL-6 in the same brain regions. Single-hit isolation-reared and dual-hit PCP-Iso rats both showed reduced parvalbumin immunoreactivity in the prelimbic/infralimbic region of the frontal cortex. However, this was more widespread in PCP-Iso, extending to the medial/ventral and lateral/dorsolateral orbitofrontal cortices. Loss of GABAergic markers was accompanied by increased microglial activation in the medial/ventral orbitofrontal cortices of PCP-Iso, together with frontal cortical IL-6 elevations not seen following single-hit isolation rearing. These findings enhance the face validity of PCP-Iso, and we advocate the use of this preclinical model for future evaluation of novel therapeutics-especially those designed to normalise excitatory-inhibitory imbalance or reduce neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Cale
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Ethan J Chauhan
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Joshua J Cleaver
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Anthoio R Fusciardi
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Sophie McCann
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Hannah C Waters
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Juš Žavbi
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Madeleine V King
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK.
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Kline CL, Suzuki T, Simmonite M, Taylor SF. Catatonia is associated with higher rates of negative affect amongst patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Schizophr Res 2024; 263:208-213. [PMID: 36114099 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Catatonia is a complex syndrome encompassing motor, behavioral, and affective symptoms seen in a significant proportion of patients with schizophrenia. There is growing evidence to suggest affective dysregulation is a salient feature of both catatonia and schizophrenia. To test the hypothesis of a linkage between affective dysregulation and catatonia in schizophrenia, we searched electronic medical records from 36,839 patients with schizophrenia, using anxiety and depression diagnoses as proxies for affective dysregulation. Catatonia was found in 4.7 % of the cohort. Analyses indicated that catatonia was significantly associated with both anxiety and depression co-morbidities: schizophrenia patients with catatonia were 1.71 times more likely to have anxiety and 1.80 times more likely to have depression than those without catatonia. Benzodiazepine usage was also 7.73 times more common in schizophrenia patients with a catatonia diagnosis than without that diagnosis. Taken together, the findings could be related to GABAergic dysfunction underlying schizophrenia, catatonia, and affective dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L Kline
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Takakuni Suzuki
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Molly Simmonite
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Stephan F Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Uranova NA, Vikhreva OV, Rakhmanova VI. Microglia-neuron interactions in prefrontal gray matter in schizophrenia: a postmortem ultrastructural morphometric study. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023; 273:1633-1648. [PMID: 37178237 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-023-01621-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
This study addressed the question of whether the interaction between neurons and satellite microglia (SatMg) is abnormal in schizophrenia. SatMg-neuron communication at direct contacts between neuronal soma is essential for neuroplasticity as SatMg can regulate neuronal activity. A postmortem ultrastructural morphometric study was performed to investigate SatMg and adjacent neurons in layer 5 of the prefrontal cortex in 21 cases of schizophrenia and 20 healthy controls. Density of SatMg was significantly higher in the young schizophrenia group and in the group with illness duration ≤ 26 years as compared to controls. We found lower volume fraction (Vv) and the number (N) of mitochondria and higher Vv and N of lipofuscin granules and vacuoles in endoplasmic reticulum in SatMg in the schizophrenia compared to the control brain. These changes progressed with age and illness duration. A significantly higher soma area and Vv of vacuoles of endoplasmic reticulum were revealed in neurons in schizophrenia as compared to controls. Negative significant correlations between N of vacuoles in neurons and N of mitochondria in SatMg were found in the control group but not in the schizophrenia group. Area of vacuole in neurons was significantly positively correlated with Vv and area of mitochondria in SatMg in the control group and negatively in the schizophrenia group. Correlation coefficients between these parameters differed significantly between the groups. These results indicate disturbed SatMg-neuron interactions in the schizophrenia brain and suggest a key role of mitochondrial abnormalities in SatMg in these disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- N A Uranova
- Laboratory of Clinical Neuropathology, Mental Health Research Center, Kashirskoe Shosse 34, 115522, Moscow, Russia.
| | - O V Vikhreva
- Laboratory of Clinical Neuropathology, Mental Health Research Center, Kashirskoe Shosse 34, 115522, Moscow, Russia
| | - V I Rakhmanova
- Laboratory of Clinical Neuropathology, Mental Health Research Center, Kashirskoe Shosse 34, 115522, Moscow, Russia
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Derome M, Kozuharova P, Diaconescu AO, Denève S, Jardri R, Allen P. Functional connectivity and glutamate levels of the medial prefrontal cortex in schizotypy are related to sensory amplification in a probabilistic reasoning task. Neuroimage 2023; 278:120280. [PMID: 37460012 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120280] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The circular inference (CI) computational model assumes a corruption of sensory data by prior information and vice versa, leading at the extremes to 'see what we expect' (through prior amplification) and/or to 'expect what we see' (through sensory amplification). Although a CI mechanism has been reported in a schizophrenia population, it has not been investigated in individuals experiencing psychosis-like experiences, such as people with high schizotypy traits. Furthermore, the neurobiological basis of CI, such as the link between hierarchical amplifications, excitatory neurotransmission, and resting state functional connectivity (RSFC), remains untested. The participants included in the present study consisted of a subsample of those recruited in a study previously published by our group, Kozhuharova et al. (2021b). We included 36 participants with High (n=18) and Low (n=18) levels of schizotypy who completed a probabilistic reasoning task (the Fisher task) for which individual confidence levels were obtained and fitted to the CI model. Participants also underwent a 1H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) scan to measure medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) glutamate metabolite levels, and a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scan to measure RSFC of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). People with high levels of schizotypy exhibited changes in CI parameters, altered cortical excitatory neurotransmission and RSFC that were all associated with sensory amplification. Our findings capture a multimodal signature of CI that is observable in people early in the psychosis spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélodie Derome
- School of Psychology, University of Roehampton, Whitelands College, Hollybourne Avenue, London SW154JD, UK; Lille Neuroscience & Cognition Centre (LiNC), Plasticity & Subjectivity Team, Univ Lille, INSERM U-1172, CHU Lille, FR 59037, France; Combined Universities Brain Imaging Centre, Royal Holloway University, London TW200EX, UK
| | - Petya Kozuharova
- School of Psychology, University of Roehampton, Whitelands College, Hollybourne Avenue, London SW154JD, UK
| | - Andreea O Diaconescu
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain and Therapeutics, Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, CAMH, Toronto M5S2S1, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON MS5, Canada
| | - Sophie Denève
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Computationnelles (LNC²), ENS, INSERM U-960, PSL Research University, Paris, FR 75006, France
| | - Renaud Jardri
- School of Psychology, University of Roehampton, Whitelands College, Hollybourne Avenue, London SW154JD, UK; Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Computationnelles (LNC²), ENS, INSERM U-960, PSL Research University, Paris, FR 75006, France.
| | - Paul Allen
- School of Psychology, University of Roehampton, Whitelands College, Hollybourne Avenue, London SW154JD, UK; Combined Universities Brain Imaging Centre, Royal Holloway University, London TW200EX, UK; Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, SE58AF, UK.
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Dowling KF, Dienel SJ, Barile Z, Bazmi HH, Lewis DA. Localization and Diagnostic Specificity of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Transcript Alterations in the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex in Schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 94:322-331. [PMID: 37061080 PMCID: PMC10524522 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Working memory (WM) deficits in schizophrenia are thought to reflect altered inhibition in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). This interpretation is supported by findings of lower transcript levels of the 2 enzymes, GAD67 and GAD65, which mediate basal and activity-dependent GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) synthesis, respectively. However, the relative magnitude, location within the depth of the DLPFC, and specificity to the disease process of schizophrenia of alterations in GAD67 and/or GAD65 remain unclear. METHODS Levels of GAD67 and GAD65 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in superficial (layers 2/superficial 3) and deep (deep layer 6/white matter) zones of the DLPFC were quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in subjects with schizophrenia (n = 41), major depression (n = 42), or bipolar disorder (n = 39) and unaffected comparison (n = 43) subjects. RESULTS Relative to the unaffected comparison group, GAD67 and GAD65 mRNA levels in the schizophrenia group were lower (p = .039, effect size = -0.69 and p = .027, effect size = -0.72, respectively) in the superficial zone but were unaltered in the deep zone. In the major depression group, only GAD67 mRNA levels were lower and only in the superficial zone (p = .089, effect size = 0.70). No differences were detected in the bipolar disorder group. Neither GAD67 nor GAD65 mRNA alterations were explained by psychosis, mood disturbance, or common comorbid factors. CONCLUSIONS Alterations in markers of GABA synthesis demonstrated transcript, DLPFC zone, and diagnostic specificity. Given the dependence of WM on GABA neurotransmission in the superficial DLPFC, our findings suggest that limitations to GABA synthesis in this location contribute to WM impairments in schizophrenia, especially during demanding WM tasks, when GABA synthesis requires the activity of both GAD67 and GAD65.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin F Dowling
- Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Neuroscience, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Samuel J Dienel
- Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Neuroscience, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Zackery Barile
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - H Holly Bazmi
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - David A Lewis
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Neuroscience, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Nimgampalle M, Chakravarthy H, Sharma S, Shree S, Bhat AR, Pradeepkiran JA, Devanathan V. Neurotransmitter systems in the etiology of major neurological disorders: Emerging insights and therapeutic implications. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 89:101994. [PMID: 37385351 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Neurotransmitters serve as chemical messengers playing a crucial role in information processing throughout the nervous system, and are essential for healthy physiological and behavioural functions in the body. Neurotransmitter systems are classified as cholinergic, glutamatergic, GABAergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, histaminergic, or aminergic systems, depending on the type of neurotransmitter secreted by the neuron, allowing effector organs to carry out specific functions by sending nerve impulses. Dysregulation of a neurotransmitter system is typically linked to a specific neurological disorder. However, more recent research points to a distinct pathogenic role for each neurotransmitter system in more than one neurological disorder of the central nervous system. In this context, the review provides recently updated information on each neurotransmitter system, including the pathways involved in their biochemical synthesis and regulation, their physiological functions, pathogenic roles in diseases, current diagnostics, new therapeutic targets, and the currently used drugs for associated neurological disorders. Finally, a brief overview of the recent developments in neurotransmitter-based therapeutics for selected neurological disorders is offered, followed by future perspectives in that area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallikarjuna Nimgampalle
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati (IISER T), Transit campus, Karakambadi Road, Mangalam, Tirupati 517507, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Harshini Chakravarthy
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati (IISER T), Transit campus, Karakambadi Road, Mangalam, Tirupati 517507, Andhra Pradesh, India.
| | - Sapana Sharma
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati (IISER T), Transit campus, Karakambadi Road, Mangalam, Tirupati 517507, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Shruti Shree
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati (IISER T), Transit campus, Karakambadi Road, Mangalam, Tirupati 517507, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Anoop Ramachandra Bhat
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati (IISER T), Transit campus, Karakambadi Road, Mangalam, Tirupati 517507, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | | | - Vasudharani Devanathan
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati (IISER T), Transit campus, Karakambadi Road, Mangalam, Tirupati 517507, Andhra Pradesh, India.
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Todd J, Howard Z, Auksztulewicz R, Salisbury D. Computational Modeling of Oddball Sequence Processing Exposes Common and Differential Auditory Network Changes in First-Episode Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders and Schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull 2023; 49:407-416. [PMID: 36318221 PMCID: PMC10016421 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbac153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Differences in sound relevance filtering in schizophrenia are proposed to represent a key index of biological changes in brain function in the illness. This study featured a computational modeling approach to test the hypothesis that processing differences might already be evident in first-episode, becoming more pronounced in the established illness. STUDY DESIGN Auditory event-related potentials to a typical oddball sequence (rare pitch deviations amongst regular sounds) were recorded from 90 persons with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (40 first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum, 50 established illness) and age-matched healthy controls. The data were analyzed using dynamic causal modeling to identify the changes in effective connectivity that best explained group differences. STUDY RESULTS Group differences were linked to intrinsic (within brain region) connectivity changes. In activity-dependent measures these were restricted to the left auditory cortex in first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum but were more widespread in the established illness. Modeling suggested that both established illness and first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum groups expressed significantly lower inhibition of inhibitory interneuron activity and altered gain on superficial pyramidal cells with the data indicative of differences in both putative N-methyl-d-aspartate glutamate receptor activity-dependent plasticity and classic neuromodulation. CONCLUSIONS The study provides further support for the notion that examining the ability to alter responsiveness to structured sound sequences in schizophrenia and first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum could be informative to uncovering the nature and progression of changes in brain function during the illness. Furthermore, modeling suggested that limited differences present at first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum may become more expansive with illness progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanita Todd
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Foundation, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Zachary Howard
- School of Psychological Science, University of Western, Australia
| | - Ryszard Auksztulewicz
- European Neuroscience Institute, A Joint Initiative of the University Medical Center Göttingen and the Max Planck Society, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dean Salisbury
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA
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8
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Simmonite M, Steeby CJ, Taylor SF. Medial Frontal Cortex GABA Concentrations in Psychosis Spectrum and Mood Disorders: A Meta-analysis of Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Studies. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 93:125-136. [PMID: 36335069 PMCID: PMC10184477 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormalities of GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acidergic) systems may play a role in schizophrenia and mood disorders. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy allows for noninvasive in vivo quantification of GABA; however, studies of GABA in schizophrenia have yielded inconsistent findings. This may stem from grouping together disparate voxels from functionally heterogeneous regions. METHODS We searched PubMed for magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies of GABA in the medial frontal cortex (MFC) in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression and in individuals meeting criteria for ultra-high risk for psychosis. Voxel placements were classified as rostral-, rostral-mid-, mid-, or posterior MFC, and meta-analyses were conducted for each group for each subregion. RESULTS Of 341 screened articles, 23 studies of schizophrenia, 6 studies of bipolar disorder, 20 studies of depression, and 7 studies of ultra-high risk met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis revealed lower mid- (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.28, 95% CI, -0.48 to -0.07, p < .01) and posterior (SMD = -0.29, 95% CI, -0.49 to -0.09, p < .01) MFC GABA in schizophrenia and increased rostral MFC GABA in bipolar disorder (SMD = 0.76, 95% CI, 0.25 to -1.25, p < .01). In depression, reduced rostral MFC GABA (SMD = -0.36, 95% CI, -0.64 to -0.08, p = .01) did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. We found no evidence for GABA differences in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis. CONCLUSIONS While limited by small numbers of published studies, these results substantiate the relevance of GABA in the pathophysiology of psychosis spectrum and mood disorders and underline the importance of voxel placement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Simmonite
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
| | - Clara J Steeby
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Stephan F Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Luessen DJ, Gallinger IM, Ferranti AS, Foster DJ, Melancon BJ, Lindsley CW, Niswender CM, Conn PJ. mGlu 1-mediated restoration of prefrontal cortex inhibitory signaling reverses social and cognitive deficits in an NMDA hypofunction model in mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1826-1835. [PMID: 35643819 PMCID: PMC9372079 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01350-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Extensive evidence supports the hypothesis that deficits in inhibitory GABA transmission in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) may drive pathophysiological changes underlying symptoms of schizophrenia that are not currently treated by available medications, including cognitive and social impairments. Recently, the mGlu1 subtype of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor has been implicated as a novel target to restore GABAergic transmission in the PFC. A recent study reported that activation of mGlu1 increases inhibitory transmission in the PFC through excitation of somatostatin-expressing GABAergic interneurons, implicating mGlu1 PAMs as a potential treatment strategy for schizophrenia. Here, we leveraged positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of mGlu1 to examine whether mGlu1 activation might reverse physiological effects and behavioral deficits induced by MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist commonly used to model cortical deficits observed in schizophrenia patients. Using ex vivo whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, we found that MK-801 decreased the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents onto layer V pyramidal cells of the PFC and this cortical disinhibition was reversed by mGlu1 activation. Furthermore, acute MK-801 treatment selectively induced inhibitory deficits onto layer V pyramidal cells that project to the basolateral amygdala, but not to the nucleus accumbens, and these deficits were restored by selective mGlu1 activation. Importantly, the mGlu1 PAM VU6004909 effectively reversed deficits in sociability and social novelty preference in a three-chamber assay and improved novel objection recognition following MK-801 treatment. Together, these findings provide compelling evidence that mGlu1 PAMs could serve as a novel approach to reduce social and cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia by enhancing inhibitory transmission in the PFC, thus providing an exciting improvement over current antipsychotic medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah J Luessen
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| | - Isabel M Gallinger
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Anthony S Ferranti
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Daniel J Foster
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Bruce J Melancon
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Craig W Lindsley
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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10
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Gupta L, Hoffman KW. Exploring the intersection of the microbiome and the developing brain: Impacts on schizophrenia risk. Schizophr Res 2022; 247:92-100. [PMID: 34483026 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Recent findings show that the perinatal maternal and infant microbiomes have profound potential to impact long term health outcomes. Of particular interest are the ways in which the microbiome influences the developing brain during one of its most critical windows. Schizophrenia and psychosis risk are strongly connected to disruptions in perinatal neurodevelopment. In this review we present an overview of critical aspects in development of both the microbiome and brain, discuss their overlap, and consider what role the microbiome plays in schizophrenia risk during the perinatal window. Considering this, we discuss ways in which expecting and new mothers may reduce offspring schizophrenia risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lipi Gupta
- The University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychiatry, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kevin W Hoffman
- The University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychiatry, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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Rahman T, Purves-Tyson T, Geddes AE, Huang XF, Newell KA, Weickert CS. N-Methyl-d-Aspartate receptor and inflammation in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2022; 240:61-70. [PMID: 34952289 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.11.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Lower N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) GluN1 subunit levels and heightened neuroinflammation are found in the cortex in schizophrenia. Since neuroinflammation can lead to changes in NMDAR function, it is possible that these observations are linked in schizophrenia. We aimed to extend our previous studies by measuring molecular indices of NMDARs that define key functional properties of this receptor - particularly the ratio of GluN2A and GluN2B subunits - in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) from schizophrenia and control cases (37/37). We sought to test whether changes in these measures are specific to the subset of schizophrenia cases with high levels of inflammation-related mRNAs, defined as a high inflammatory subgroup. Quantitative autoradiography was used to detect 'functional' NMDARs ([3H]MK-801), GluN1-coupled-GluN2A subunits ([3H]CGP-39653), and GluN1-coupled-GluN2B subunits ([3H]Ifenprodil). Quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure NMDAR subunit transcripts (GRIN1, GRIN2A and GRIN2B). The ratios of GluN2A:GluN2B binding and GRIN2A:GRIN2B mRNAs were calculated as an index of putative NMDAR composition. We found: 1) GluN2A binding, and 2) the ratios of GluN2A:GluN2B binding and GRIN2A:GRIN2B mRNAs were lower in schizophrenia cases versus controls (p < 0.05), and 3) lower GluN2A:GluN2B binding and GRIN2A:GRIN2B mRNA ratios were exaggerated in the high inflammation/schizophrenia subgroup compared to the low inflammation/control subgroup (p < 0.05). No other NMDAR-related indices were significantly changed in the high inflammation/schizophrenia subgroup. This suggests that neuroinflammation may alter NMDAR stoichiometry rather than targeting total NMDAR levels overall, and future studies could aim to determine if anti-inflammatory treatment can alleviate this aspect of NMDAR-related pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasnim Rahman
- Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tertia Purves-Tyson
- Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Amy E Geddes
- School of Medicine and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Xu-Feng Huang
- School of Medicine and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Kelly A Newell
- School of Medicine and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia.
| | - Cynthia Shannon Weickert
- Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA.
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12
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Garcia-Lopez R, Pombero A, Estirado A, Geijo-Barrientos E, Martinez S. Interneuron Heterotopia in the Lis1 Mutant Mouse Cortex Underlies a Structural and Functional Schizophrenia-Like Phenotype. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:693919. [PMID: 34327202 PMCID: PMC8313859 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.693919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
LIS1 is one of the principal genes related to Type I lissencephaly, a severe human brain malformation characterized by an abnormal neuronal migration in the cortex during embryonic development. This is clinically associated with epilepsy and cerebral palsy in severe cases, as well as a predisposition to developing mental disorders, in cases with a mild phenotype. Although genetic variations in the LIS1 gene have been associated with the development of schizophrenia, little is known about the underlying neurobiological mechanisms. We have studied how the Lis1 gene might cause deficits associated with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia using the Lis1/sLis1 murine model, which involves the deletion of the first coding exon of the Lis1 gene. Homozygous mice are not viable, but heterozygous animals present abnormal neuronal morphology, cortical dysplasia, and enhanced cortical excitability. We have observed reduced number of cells expressing GABA-synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) in the hippocampus and the anterior cingulate area, as well as fewer parvalbumin-expressing cells in the anterior cingulate cortex in Lis1/sLis1 mutants compared to control mice. The cFOS protein expression (indicative of neuronal activity) in Lis1/sLis1 mice was higher in the medial prefrontal (mPFC), perirhinal (PERI), entorhinal (ENT), ectorhinal (ECT) cortices, and hippocampus compared to control mice. Our results suggest that deleting the first coding exon of the Lis1 gene might cause cortical anomalies associated with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Pombero
- Instituto de Neurociencias, UMH-CSIC, Alicante, Spain
| | | | | | - Salvador Martinez
- Instituto de Neurociencias, UMH-CSIC, Alicante, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red en Salud Mental-CIBERSAM-ISCIII, Valencia, Spain
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13
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Ansarey SH. Inflammation and JNK's Role in Niacin-GPR109A Diminished Flushed Effect in Microglial and Neuronal Cells With Relevance to Schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:771144. [PMID: 34916973 PMCID: PMC8668869 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.771144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric illness with no single definitive aetiology, making its treatment difficult. Antipsychotics are not fully effective because they treat psychosis rather than the cognitive or negative symptoms. Antipsychotics fail to alleviate symptoms when patients enter the chronic stage of illness. Topical application of niacin showed diminished skin flush in the majority of patients with schizophrenia compared to the general population who showed flushing. The niacin skin flush test is useful for identifying patients with schizophrenia at their ultra-high-risk stage, and understanding this pathology may introduce an effective treatment. This review aims to understand the pathology behind the diminished skin flush response, while linking it back to neurons and microglia. First, it suggests that there are altered proteins in the GPR109A-COX-prostaglandin pathway, inflammatory imbalance, and kinase signalling pathway, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), which are associated with diminished flush. Second, genes from the GPR109A-COX-prostaglandin pathway were matched against the 128-loci genome wide association study (GWAS) for schizophrenia using GeneCards, suggesting that G-coupled receptor-109A (GPR109A) may have a genetic mutation, resulting in diminished flush. This review also suggests that there may be increased pro-inflammatory mediators in the GPR109A-COX-prostaglandin pathway, which contributes to the diminished flush pathology. Increased levels of pro-inflammatory markers may induce microglial-activated neuronal death. Lastly, this review explores the role of JNK on pro-inflammatory mediators, proteins in the GPR109A-COX-prostaglandin pathway, microglial activation, and neuronal death. Inhibiting JNK may reverse the changes observed in the diminished flush response, which might make it a good therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina H Ansarey
- Department of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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14
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Na +, K +-ATPase α Isoforms and Endogenous Cardiac Steroids in Prefrontal Cortex of Bipolar Patients and Controls. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165912. [PMID: 32824628 PMCID: PMC7460572 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bipolar disorder is a chronic multifactorial psychiatric illness that affects the mood, cognition, and functioning of about 1–2% of the world’s population. Its biological basis is unknown, and its treatment is unsatisfactory. The α1, α2, and α3 isoforms of the Na+, K+-ATPase, an essential membrane transporter, are vital for neuronal and glial function. The enzyme and its regulators, endogenous cardiac steroids like ouabain and marinobufagenin, are implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders, bipolar disorder in particular. Here, we address the hypothesis that the α isoforms of the Na+, K+-ATPase and its regulators are altered in the prefrontal cortex of bipolar disease patients. The α isoforms were determined by Western blot and ouabain and marinobufagenin by specific and sensitive immunoassays. We found that the α2 and α3 isoforms were significantly higher and marinobufagenin levels were significantly lower in the prefrontal cortex of the bipolar disease patients compared with those in the control. A positive correlation was found between the levels of the three α isoforms in all samples and between the α1 isoform and ouabain levels in the controls. These results are in accordance with the notion that the Na+, K+-ATPase-endogenous cardiac steroids system is involved in bipolar disease and suggest that it may be used as a target for drug development.
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15
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Sahu A, Chowdhury HA, Gaikwad M, Chongtham C, Talukdar U, Phukan JK, Bhattacharyya DK, Barah P. Integrative network analysis identifies differential regulation of neuroimmune system in Schizophrenia and Bipolar disorder. Brain Behav Immun Health 2020; 2:100023. [PMID: 38377413 PMCID: PMC8474577 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2019.100023] [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: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neuropsychiatric disorders such as Schizophrenia (SCZ) and Bipolar disorder (BPD) pose a broad range of problems with different symptoms mainly characterized by some combination of abnormal thoughts, emotions, behaviour, etc. However, in depth molecular and pathophysiological mechanisms among different neuropsychiatric disorders have not been clearly understood yet. We have used RNA-seq data to investigate unique and overlapping molecular signatures between SCZ and BPD using an integrative network biology approach. Methods RNA-seq count data were collected from NCBI-GEO database generated on post-mortem brain tissues of controls (n = 24) and patients of BPD (n = 24) and SCZ (n = 24). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the consensus of DESeq2 and edgeR tools and used for downstream analysis. Weighted gene correlation networks were constructed to find non-preserved (NP) modules for SCZ, BPD and control conditions. Topological analysis and functional enrichment analysis were performed on NP modules to identify unique and overlapping expression signatures during SCZ and BPD conditions. Results We have identified four NP modules from the DEGs of BPD and SCZ. Eleven overlapping genes have been identified between SCZ and BPD networks, and they were found to be highly enriched in inflammatory responses. Among these eleven genes, TNIP2, TNFRSF1A and AC005840.1 had higher sum of connectivity exclusively in BPD network. In addition, we observed that top five genes of NP module from SCZ network were downregulated which may be a key factor for SCZ disorder. Conclusions Differential activation of the immune system components and pathways may drive the common and unique pathogenesis of the BPD and SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankur Sahu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, 784028, India
| | | | - Mithil Gaikwad
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, 784028, India
| | - Chen Chongtham
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, 784028, India
| | - Uddip Talukdar
- Department of Psychiatry, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital, Assam, 781301, India
| | - Jadab Kishor Phukan
- Department of Biochemistry, LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health (LGBRIMH), Tezpur, 784001, India
| | | | - Pankaj Barah
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, 784028, India
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16
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Dienel SJ, Lewis DA. Alterations in cortical interneurons and cognitive function in schizophrenia. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 131:104208. [PMID: 29936230 PMCID: PMC6309598 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Certain clinical features of schizophrenia, such as working memory disturbances, appear to emerge from altered gamma oscillatory activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Given the essential role of GABA neurotransmission in both working memory and gamma oscillations, understanding the cellular substrate for their disturbances in schizophrenia requires evidence from in vivo neuroimaging studies, which provide a means to link markers of GABA neurotransmission to gamma oscillations and working memory, and from postmortem studies, which provide insight into GABA neurotransmission at molecular and cellular levels of resolution. Here, we review findings from both types of studies which converge on the notions that 1) inhibitory GABA signaling in the PFC, especially between parvalbumin positive GABAergic basket cells and excitatory pyramidal cells, is required for gamma oscillatory activity and working memory function; and 2) disturbances in this signaling contribute to altered gamma oscillations and working memory in schizophrenia. Because the PFC is only one node in a distributed cortical network that mediates working memory, we also review evidence of GABA abnormalities in other cortical regions in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Dienel
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh, United States; Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, United States
| | - David A Lewis
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, United States.
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17
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Yao L, Wang Z, Deng D, Yan R, Ju J, Zhou Q. The impact of D-cycloserine and sarcosine on in vivo frontal neural activity in a schizophrenia-like model. BMC Psychiatry 2019; 19:314. [PMID: 31653237 PMCID: PMC6814999 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-019-2306-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction has been proposed to underlie the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Specifically, reduced function of NMDARs leads to altered balance between excitation and inhibition which further drives neural network malfunctions. Clinical studies suggested that NMDAR modulators (glycine, D-serine, D-cycloserine and glycine transporter inhibitors) may be beneficial in treating schizophrenia patients. Preclinical evidence also suggested that these NMDAR modulators may enhance synaptic NMDAR function and synaptic plasticity in brain slices. However, an important issue that has not been addressed is whether these NMDAR modulators modulate neural activity/spiking in vivo. METHODS By using in vivo calcium imaging and single unit recording, we tested the effect of D-cycloserine, sarcosine (glycine transporter 1 inhibitor) and glycine, on schizophrenia-like model mice. RESULTS In vivo neural activity is significantly higher in the schizophrenia-like model mice, compared to control mice. D-cycloserine and sarcosine showed no significant effect on neural activity in the schizophrenia-like model mice. Glycine induced a large reduction in movement in home cage and reduced in vivo brain activity in control mice which prevented further analysis of its effect in schizophrenia-like model mice. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that there is no significant impact of the tested NMDAR modulators on neural spiking in the schizophrenia-like model mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Yao
- 0000 0001 2256 9319grid.11135.37School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Zongliang Wang
- 0000 0001 2256 9319grid.11135.37School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Di Deng
- 0000 0001 2256 9319grid.11135.37School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Rongzhen Yan
- 0000 0001 2256 9319grid.11135.37School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Jun Ju
- 0000 0001 2256 9319grid.11135.37School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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18
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Taylor SF, Grove TB, Ellingrod VL, Tso IF. The Fragile Brain: Stress Vulnerability, Negative Affect and GABAergic Neurocircuits in Psychosis. Schizophr Bull 2019; 45:1170-1183. [PMID: 31150555 PMCID: PMC6811817 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbz046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Persons with schizophrenia exhibit sensitivity to stress and negative affect (NA), both strongly correlated with poor functional outcome. This theoretical review suggests that NA reflects a "fragile brain," ie, vulnerable to stress, including events not experienced as stressful by healthy individuals. Based on postmortem evidence of altered gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) function in parvalbumin positive interneurons (PVI), animal models of PVI abnormalities and neuroimaging data with GABAergic challenge, it is suggested that GABAergic disruptions weaken cortical regions, which leads to stress vulnerability and excessive NA. Neurocircuits that respond to stressful and salient environmental stimuli, such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the amygdala, are highly dysregulated in schizophrenia, exhibiting hypo- and hyper-activity. PVI abnormalities in lateral prefrontal cortex and hippocampus have been hypothesized to affect cognitive function and positive symptoms, respectively; in the medial frontal cortex (dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and dorsal medial prefrontal cortex), these abnormalities may lead to vulnerability to stress, NA and dysregulation of stress responsive systems. Given that postmortem PVI disruptions have been identified in other conditions, such as bipolar disorder and autism, stress vulnerability may reflect a transdiagnostic dimension of psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan F Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Rachel Upjohn Building, Ann Arbor, MI,To whom correspondence should be addressed; tel: 734-936-4955, fax: 734-936-7868, e-mail:
| | - Tyler B Grove
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Rachel Upjohn Building, Ann Arbor, MI
| | | | - Ivy F Tso
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Rachel Upjohn Building, Ann Arbor, MI
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19
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Hodes A, Rosen H, Cohen-Ben Ami H, Lichtstein D. Na +, K +-ATPase α3 isoform in frontal cortex GABAergic neurons in psychiatric diseases. J Psychiatr Res 2019; 115:21-28. [PMID: 31082653 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 04/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Na+, K+-ATPase is an essential membrane transporter. In the brain, the α3 isoform of Na+, K+-ATPase is vital for neuronal function. The enzyme and its regulators, endogenous cardiac steroids (ECS), were implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders. GABAergic neurotransmission was also studied extensively in diseases such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (BD). Post mortem brain samples from subjects with depression, schizophrenia or BD and non-psychiatric controls were provided by the Stanley Medical Research Institute. ECS levels were determined by ELISA. Expression levels of the three Na+, K+-ATPase-α isoforms, α1, α2 and α3, were determined by Western blot analysis. The α3 levels in GABAergic neurons in different regions of the brain were quantified by fluorescence immunohistochemistry. The results show that Na+, K+ -ATPase α3 isoform levels were lower in GABAergic neurons in the frontal cortex in BD and schizophrenia as compared with the controls (n = 15 subjects per group). A study on a 'mini-cohort' (n = 3 subjects per group) showed that the α3 isoform levels were also lower in GABAergic neurons in the hippocampus, but not amygdala, of bipolar and schizophrenic subjects. In the temporal cortex, higher Na+, K+ -ATPase α3 protein levels were found in the three psychiatric groups. No significant differences in ECS levels were found in this brain area. This is the first report on the distribution of α3 in specific neurons in the human brain in association with mental illness. These results strengthen the hypothesis for the involvement of Na+, K+ -ATPase in neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Hodes
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Israel
| | - Haim Rosen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Israel
| | - Hagit Cohen-Ben Ami
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Israel
| | - David Lichtstein
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Israel.
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20
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Gigase FAJ, Snijders GJLJ, Boks MP, de Witte LD. Neurons and glial cells in bipolar disorder: A systematic review of postmortem brain studies of cell number and size. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 103:150-162. [PMID: 31163205 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a complex neurobiological disease. It is likely that both neurons and glial cells are affected in BD, yet how these cell types are changed at the structural and functional level is still largely unknown. In this review we provide an overview of postmortem studies analyzing structural cellular changes in BD, including the density, number and size of neurons and glia. We categorize the results per cell-type and validate outcome measures per brain region. Despite variations by brain region, outcome measure and methodology, several patterns could be identified. Total neuron, total glia, and cell subtypes astrocyte, microglia and oligodendrocyte presence appears unchanged in the BD brain. Interneuron density may be decreased across various cortical areas, yet findings of interneuron subpopulations show discrepancies. This structural review brings to light issues in validation and replication. Future research should therefore prioritize the validation of existing studies in order to increasingly refine the conceptual models of BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederieke A J Gigase
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University (BCRM-UMCU-UU), 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gijsje J L J Snijders
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University (BCRM-UMCU-UU), 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marco P Boks
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University (BCRM-UMCU-UU), 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lot D de Witte
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, USA; Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychiatric disorders are multigenic diseases with complex etiology that contribute significantly to human morbidity and mortality. Although clinically distinct, several disorders share many symptoms, suggesting common underlying molecular changes exist that may implicate important regulators of pathogenesis and provide new therapeutic targets. METHODS We performed RNA sequencing on tissue from the anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and nucleus accumbens from three groups of 24 patients each diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder, and from 24 control subjects. We identified differentially expressed genes and validated the results in an independent cohort. Anterior cingulate cortex samples were also subjected to metabolomic analysis. ChIP-seq data were used to characterize binding of the transcription factor EGR1. RESULTS We compared molecular signatures across the three brain regions and disorders in the transcriptomes of post-mortem human brain samples. The most significant disease-related differences were in the anterior cingulate cortex of schizophrenia samples compared to controls. Transcriptional changes were assessed in an independent cohort, revealing the transcription factor EGR1 as significantly down-regulated in both cohorts and as a potential regulator of broader transcription changes observed in schizophrenia patients. Additionally, broad down-regulation of genes specific to neurons and concordant up-regulation of genes specific to astrocytes was observed in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients relative to controls. Metabolomic profiling identified disruption of GABA levels in schizophrenia patients. CONCLUSIONS We provide a comprehensive post-mortem transcriptome profile of three psychiatric disorders across three brain regions. We highlight a high-confidence set of independently validated genes differentially expressed between schizophrenia and control patients in the anterior cingulate cortex and integrate transcriptional changes with untargeted metabolite profiling.
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22
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Corsi-Zuelli FMDG, Brognara F, Quirino GFDS, Hiroki CH, Fais RS, Del-Ben CM, Ulloa L, Salgado HC, Kanashiro A, Loureiro CM. Neuroimmune Interactions in Schizophrenia: Focus on Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Activation of the Alpha-7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor. Front Immunol 2017; 8:618. [PMID: 28620379 PMCID: PMC5449450 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is one of the most debilitating mental disorders and is aggravated by the lack of efficacious treatment. Although its etiology is unclear, epidemiological studies indicate that infection and inflammation during development induces behavioral, morphological, neurochemical, and cognitive impairments, increasing the risk of developing schizophrenia. The inflammatory hypothesis of schizophrenia is also supported by clinical studies demonstrating systemic inflammation and microglia activation in schizophrenic patients. Although elucidating the mechanism that induces this inflammatory profile remains a challenge, mounting evidence suggests that neuroimmune interactions may provide therapeutic advantages to control inflammation and hence schizophrenia. Recent studies have indicated that vagus nerve stimulation controls both peripheral and central inflammation via alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR). Other findings have indicated that vagal stimulation and α7nAChR-agonists can provide therapeutic advantages for neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression and epilepsy. This review analyzes the latest results regarding: (I) the immune-to-brain pathogenesis of schizophrenia; (II) the regulation of inflammation by the autonomic nervous system in psychiatric disorders; and (III) the role of the vagus nerve and α7nAChR in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fernanda Brognara
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Carlos Hiroji Hiroki
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Sobrano Fais
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristina Marta Del-Ben
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luis Ulloa
- Department of Surgery, Center of Immunology and Inflammation, Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Helio Cesar Salgado
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Kanashiro
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Camila Marcelino Loureiro
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Wu XJ, Zeng LL, Shen H, Yuan L, Qin J, Zhang P, Hu D. Functional network connectivity alterations in schizophrenia and depression. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2017; 263:113-120. [PMID: 28371656 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2017.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
There is a high degree of overlap between the symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia, but it remains unclear whether the similar symptoms are derived from convergent alterations in functional network connectivity. In this study, we performed a group independent component analysis on resting-state functional MRI data from 20 MDD patients, 24 schizophrenia patients, and 43 matched healthy controls. The functional network connectivity analysis revealed that, compared to healthy controls, the MDD and schizophrenia patients exhibited convergent decreased positive connectivity between the left and right fronto-parietal control network and decreased negative connectivity between the left control and medial visual networks. Furthermore, the MDD patients showed decreased negative connectivity between the left control and auditory networks, and the schizophrenia patients showed decreased positive connectivity between the bilateral control and language networks and decreased negative connectivity between the right control and dorsal attention networks. The convergent network connectivity alterations may underlie the common primary control and regulation disorders, and the divergent connectivity alterations may enable the distinction between the two disorders. All of the convergent and divergent network connectivity alterations were relevant to the control network, suggesting an important role of the network in the pathophysiology of MDD and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Jie Wu
- Department of Control Engineering, Naval Aeronautical and Astronautical University, Yantai, Shandong 264001, China; College of Mechatronics and Automation, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410073, China
| | - Ling-Li Zeng
- College of Mechatronics and Automation, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410073, China
| | - Hui Shen
- College of Mechatronics and Automation, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410073, China
| | - Lin Yuan
- College of Mechatronics and Automation, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410073, China
| | - Jian Qin
- College of Mechatronics and Automation, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410073, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- College of Mechatronics and Automation, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410073, China
| | - Dewen Hu
- College of Mechatronics and Automation, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410073, China.
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24
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de Jonge JC, Vinkers CH, Hulshoff Pol HE, Marsman A. GABAergic Mechanisms in Schizophrenia: Linking Postmortem and In Vivo Studies. Front Psychiatry 2017; 8:118. [PMID: 28848455 PMCID: PMC5554536 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and impairments in cognitive functioning. Evidence from postmortem studies suggests that alterations in cortical γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAergic) neurons contribute to the clinical features of schizophrenia. In vivo measurement of brain GABA levels using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) offers the possibility to provide more insight into the relationship between problems in GABAergic neurotransmission and clinical symptoms of schizophrenia patients. This study reviews and links alterations in the GABA system in postmortem studies, animal models, and human studies in schizophrenia. Converging evidence implicates alterations in both presynaptic and postsynaptic components of GABAergic neurotransmission in schizophrenia, and GABA may thus play an important role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. MRS studies can provide direct insight into the GABAergic mechanisms underlying the development of schizophrenia as well as changes during its course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen C de Jonge
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Christiaan H Vinkers
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Hilleke E Hulshoff Pol
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Anouk Marsman
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
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25
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Abstract
Hallucinogens evoke sensory, perceptual, affective, and cognitive effects that may be useful to understand the neurobiological basis of mood and psychotic disorders. The present chapter reviews preclinical research carried out in recent years in order to better understand the action of psychotomimetic agents such as the noncompetitive NMDA receptor (NMDA-R) antagonists and serotonergic hallucinogens. Our studies have focused on the mechanisms through which these agents alter cortical activity. Noncompetitive NMDA-R antagonists, such as phencyclidine (PCP) and MK-801 (dizocilpine), as well as the serotonergic hallucinogens DOI and 5-MeO-DMT, produce similar effects on cellular and population activity in prefrontal cortex (PFC); these effects include alterations of pyramidal neuron discharge (with an overall increase in firing), as well as a marked attenuation of the low frequency oscillations (0.2-4 Hz) to which neuronal discharge is coupled in anesthetized rodents. PCP increases c-fos expression in excitatory neurons from various cortical and subcortical areas, particularly the thalamus. This effect of PCP involves the preferential blockade of NMDA-R on GABAergic neurons of the reticular nucleus of the thalamus, which provides feedforward inhibition to the rest of thalamic nuclei. It is still unknown whether serotonergic hallucinogens also affect thalamocortical networks. However, when examined, similar alterations in other cortical areas, such as the primary visual cortex (V1), have been observed, suggesting that these agents affect cortical activity in sensory and associative areas. Interestingly, the disruption of PFC activity induced by PCP, DOI and 5-MeO-DMT is reversed by classical and atypical antipsychotic drugs. This effect suggests a possible link between the mechanisms underlying the disruption of perception by multiple classes of hallucinogenic agents and the therapeutic efficacy of antipsychotic agents.
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26
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Neuropathology of mood disorders: do we see the stigmata of inflammation? Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e946. [PMID: 27824355 PMCID: PMC5314124 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A proportion of cases with mood disorders have elevated inflammatory markers in the blood that conceivably may result from stress, infection and/or autoimmunity. However, it is not yet clear whether depression is a neuroinflammatory disease. Multiple histopathological and molecular abnormalities have been found postmortem but the etiology of these abnormalities is unknown. Here, we take an immunological perspective of this literature. Increases in activated microglia or perivascular macrophages in suicide victims have been reported in the parenchyma. In contrast, astrocytic markers generally are downregulated in mood disorders. Impairment of astrocytic function likely compromises the reuptake of glutamate potentially leading to excitotoxicity. Inflammatory cytokines and microglia/macrophage-derived quinolinic acid (QA) downregulate the excitatory amino acid transporters responsible for this reuptake, while QA has the additional effect of inhibiting astroglial glutamine synthetase, which converts glutamate to glutamine. Given that oligodendroglia are particularly vulnerable to inflammation, it is noteworthy that reductions in numbers or density of oligodendrocyte cells are one of the most prominent findings in depression. Structural and/or functional changes to GABAergic interneurons also are salient in postmortem brain samples, and may conceivably be related to early inflammatory insults. Although the postmortem data are consistent with a neuroimmune etiology in a subgroup of depressed individuals, we do not argue that all depression-associated abnormalities are reflective of a neuroinflammatory process or even that all immunological activity in the brain is deleterious. Rather, we highlight the pervasive role of immune signaling pathways in brain function and provide an alternative perspective on the current postmortem literature.
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27
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Volk DW, Sampson AR, Zhang Y, Edelson JR, Lewis DA. Cortical GABA markers identify a molecular subtype of psychotic and bipolar disorders. Psychol Med 2016; 46:2501-12. [PMID: 27328999 PMCID: PMC5584051 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291716001446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deficits in gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) neuron-related markers, including the GABA-synthesizing enzyme GAD67, the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin, the neuropeptide somatostatin, and the transcription factor Lhx6, are most pronounced in a subset of schizophrenia subjects identified as having a 'low GABA marker' (LGM) molecular phenotype. Furthermore, schizophrenia shares degrees of genetic liability, clinical features and cortical circuitry abnormalities with schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder. Therefore, we determined the extent to which a similar LGM molecular phenotype may also exist in subjects with these disorders. METHOD Transcript levels for GAD67, parvalbumin, somatostatin, and Lhx6 were quantified using quantitative PCR in prefrontal cortex area 9 of 184 subjects with a diagnosis of schizophrenia (n = 39), schizoaffective disorder (n = 23) or bipolar disorder (n = 35), or with a confirmed absence of any psychiatric diagnoses (n = 87). A blinded clustering approach was employed to determine the presence of a LGM molecular phenotype across all subjects. RESULTS Approximately 49% of the subjects with schizophrenia, 48% of the subjects with schizoaffective disorder, and 29% of the subjects with bipolar disorder, but only 5% of unaffected subjects, clustered in the cortical LGM molecular phenotype. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the characterization of psychotic and bipolar disorders by cortical molecular phenotype which may help elucidate more pathophysiologically informed and personalized medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W. Volk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Allan R. Sampson
- Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Yun Zhang
- Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Jessica R. Edelson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - David A. Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
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28
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Hervig ME, Thomsen MS, Kalló I, Mikkelsen JD. Acute phencyclidine administration induces c-Fos-immunoreactivity in interneurons in cortical and subcortical regions. Neuroscience 2016; 334:13-25. [PMID: 27476436 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Dysfunction of N-Methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) is believed to underlie some of the symptoms in schizophrenia, and non-competitive NMDAR antagonists (including phencyclidine (PCP)) are widely used as pharmacological schizophrenia models. Furthermore, mounting evidence suggests that impaired γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission contributes to the cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Thus alterations in GABAergic interneurons have been observed in schizophrenia patients and animal models. Acute systemic administration of PCP increases levels of c-Fos in several cortical and subcortical areas, but whether such induction occurs in specific populations of GABAergic interneuron subtypes still remains to be established. We performed an immunohistochemical analysis of the PCP-induced c-Fos-immunoreactivity (IR) in parvalbumin (PV) and calbindin (CB) interneuron subtypes in the cortex and thalamus of rats. A single dose of PCP (10mg/kg, s.c.) significantly increased total number of c-Fos-IR in: (1) the prelimbic, infralimbic, anterior cingulate, ventrolateral orbital, motor, somatosensory and retrosplenial cortices as well as the nucleus accumbens (NAc), field CA1 of the hippocampus (CA1) field of hippocampus and mediodorsal thalamus (MD); (2) PV-IR cells in the ventrolateral orbitofrontal and retrosplenial cortices and CA1 field of hippocampus; and (3) CB-IR cells in the motor cortex. Overall, our data indicate that PCP activates a wide range of cortical and subcortical brain regions and that a substantial part of this activation is present in GABAergic interneurons in certain regions. This suggests that the psychotomimetic effect of PCP may be mediated via GABAergic interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona E Hervig
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Research Laboratory for Stereology and Neuroscience, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Morten S Thomsen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Imre Kalló
- Department of Endocrine Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Jens D Mikkelsen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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29
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Canetta S, Bolkan S, Padilla-Coreano N, Song L, Sahn R, Harrison N, Gordon JA, Brown A, Kellendonk C. Maternal immune activation leads to selective functional deficits in offspring parvalbumin interneurons. Mol Psychiatry 2016; 21:956-68. [PMID: 26830140 PMCID: PMC4914410 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2015.222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Abnormalities in prefrontal gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic transmission, particularly in fast-spiking interneurons that express parvalbumin (PV), are hypothesized to contribute to the pathophysiology of multiple psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and depression. While primarily histological abnormalities have been observed in patients and in animal models of psychiatric disease, evidence for abnormalities in functional neurotransmission at the level of specific interneuron populations has been lacking in animal models and is difficult to establish in human patients. Using an animal model of a psychiatric disease risk factor, prenatal maternal immune activation (MIA), we found reduced functional GABAergic transmission in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of adult MIA offspring. Decreased transmission was selective for interneurons expressing PV, resulted from a decrease in release probability and was not observed in calretinin-expressing neurons. This deficit in PV function in MIA offspring was associated with increased anxiety-like behavior and impairments in attentional set shifting, but did not affect working memory. Furthermore, cell-type specific optogenetic inhibition of mPFC PV interneurons was sufficient to impair attentional set shifting and enhance anxiety levels. Finally, we found that in vivo mPFC gamma oscillations, which are supported by PV interneuron function, were linearly correlated with the degree of anxiety displayed in adult mice, and that this correlation was disrupted in MIA offspring. These results demonstrate a selective functional vulnerability of PV interneurons to MIA, leading to affective and cognitive symptoms that have high relevance for schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Canetta
- Department of Psychiatry, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Scott Bolkan
- Department of Psychiatry, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Nancy Padilla-Coreano
- Department of Psychiatry, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA,Division of Integrative Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - LouJin Song
- Department of Pharmacology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | | | - Neil Harrison
- Department of Pharmacology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA,Department of Anesthesiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Joshua A. Gordon
- Department of Psychiatry, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA,Division of Integrative Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Alan Brown
- Department of Psychiatry, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA,Divison of Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Christoph Kellendonk
- Department of Psychiatry, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA,Department of Pharmacology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA,Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA
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30
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Monpays C, Deslauriers J, Sarret P, Grignon S. Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Schizophrenia: Determination of Mitochondrial Respiratory Activity in a Two-Hit Mouse Model. J Mol Neurosci 2016; 59:440-51. [PMID: 27034067 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-016-0746-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness in which mitochondrial dysfunction has been suggested. Our laboratory recently developed a juvenile murine two-hit model (THM) of schizophrenia based on the combination of gestational inflammation, followed by juvenile restraint stress. We previously reported that relevant behaviors and neurochemical disturbances, including oxidative stress, were reversed by the antioxidant lipoic acid (LA), thereby pointing to the central role played by oxidative abnormalities and prompting us to investigate mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial activity was determined with the MitoXpress® commercial kit in two schizophrenia-relevant regions (prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum). Measurements were performed in state 3, with substrates for complex I- and complex II-induced respiratory activity (IRA). We observed an increase in complex I IRA in the PFC and striatum in both sexes but an increase in complex II activity only in males. LA treatment prevented this increase only in complex II IRA in males. Expression levels of the different respiratory chain complexes, as well as fission/fusion proteins and protein carbonylation, were unchanged. In conclusion, our juvenile schizophrenia THM shows an increase in mitochondrial activity reversed by LA, specifically in complex II IRA in males. Further investigations are required to determine the mechanisms of these modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Monpays
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Jessica Deslauriers
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Philippe Sarret
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Sylvain Grignon
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 5N4, Canada. .,Department of Psychiatry, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, 580 Bowen Sud, Sherbrooke, QC, J1G 2E8, Canada.
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31
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Cassella SN, Hemmerle AM, Lundgren KH, Kyser TL, Ahlbrand R, Bronson SL, Richtand NM, Seroogy KB. Maternal immune activation alters glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 expression in the brains of adult rat offspring. Schizophr Res 2016; 171:195-9. [PMID: 26830319 PMCID: PMC4803111 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2016.01.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Revised: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Activation of the maternal innate immune system, termed "maternal immune activation" (MIA), represents a common environmental risk factor for schizophrenia. Whereas evidence suggests dysregulation of GABA systems may underlie the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, a role for MIA in alteration of GABAergic systems is less clear. Here, pregnant rats received either the viral mimetic polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid or vehicle injection on gestational day 14. Glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 (GAD67) mRNA expression was examined in male offspring at postnatal day (P)14, P30 and P60. At P60, GAD67 mRNA was elevated in hippocampus and thalamus and decreased in prefrontal cortex of MIA offspring. MIA-induced alterations in GAD expression could contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Cassella
- Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Ann M Hemmerle
- Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Kerstin H Lundgren
- Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Tara L Kyser
- Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Rebecca Ahlbrand
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Stefanie L Bronson
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Neil M Richtand
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; San Diego Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kim B Seroogy
- Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
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32
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Lewis DA, Glausier JR. Alterations in Prefrontal Cortical Circuitry and Cognitive Dysfunction in Schizophrenia. NEBRASKA SYMPOSIUM ON MOTIVATION. NEBRASKA SYMPOSIUM ON MOTIVATION 2016; 63:31-75. [PMID: 27627824 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-30596-7_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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33
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Anti-inflammatory role of microglial alpha7 nAChRs and its role in neuroprotection. Biochem Pharmacol 2015; 97:463-472. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2015.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 213] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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34
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Bakhshi K, Chance S. The neuropathology of schizophrenia: A selective review of past studies and emerging themes in brain structure and cytoarchitecture. Neuroscience 2015; 303:82-102. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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35
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Bristow GC, Bostrom JA, Haroutunian V, Sodhi MS. Sex differences in GABAergic gene expression occur in the anterior cingulate cortex in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2015; 167:57-63. [PMID: 25660468 PMCID: PMC4524801 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2015.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Revised: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
GABAergic dysfunction has been strongly implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In this study, we analyzed the expression levels of several GABAergic genes in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of postmortem subjects with schizophrenia (n=21) and a comparison group of individuals without a history of psychiatric illness (n=18). Our analyses revealed a significant sex by diagnosis effect, along with significant differences in GABAergic gene expression based on medication status. Analyses revealed that in male groups, the expression of GABAergic genes was generally lower in schizophrenia cases compared to the controls, with significantly lower expression levels of GABA-Aα5, GABA-Aβ1, and GABA-Aε. In females, the expression of GABAergic genes was higher in the schizophrenia cases, with significantly higher expression of the GABA-Aβ1 and GAD67 genes. Analysis of the effect of medication in the schizophrenia subjects revealed significantly higher expression of GABA-Aα1-3, GABA-Aβ2, GABA-Aγ2, and GAD67 in the medicated group compared to the unmedicated group. These data show that sex differences in the expression of GABAergic genes occur in the ACC in schizophrenia. Therefore, our data support previous findings of GABAergic dysfunction in schizophrenia and emphasize the importance of considering sex in analyses of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Sex differences in the GABAergic regulation of ACC function may contribute to the differences observed in the symptoms of male and female patients with schizophrenia. In addition, our findings indicate that antipsychotic medications may alter GABAergic signaling in the ACC, supporting the potential of GABAergic targets for the development of novel antipsychotic medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg C. Bristow
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA.,Corresponding author: Dr. Greg Bristow, Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Illinois at Chicago, 900 S. Ashland Ave., MC870, Chicago IL 60607-4067, USA. Tel: +1-312-996-1413, Fax: +1-312-413-9303,
| | - John A. Bostrom
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA
| | - Vahram Haroutunian
- Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Monsheel S. Sodhi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL 60607, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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36
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GABA abnormalities in schizophrenia: a methodological review of in vivo studies. Schizophr Res 2015; 167:84-90. [PMID: 25458856 PMCID: PMC4409914 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2014.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2014] [Revised: 10/04/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Abnormalities of GABAergic interneurons are some of the most consistent findings from post-mortem studies of schizophrenia. However, linking these molecular deficits with in vivo observations in patients - a critical goal in order to evaluate interventions that would target GABAergic deficits - presents a challenge. Explanatory models have been developed based on animal work and the emerging experimental literature in schizophrenia patients. This literature includes: neuroimaging ligands to GABA receptors, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of GABA concentration, transcranial magnetic stimulation of cortical inhibitory circuits and pharmacologic probes of GABA receptors to dynamically challenge the GABA system, usually in combination with neuroimaging studies. Pharmacologic challenges have elicited behavioral changes, and preliminary studies of therapeutic GABAergic interventions have been conducted. This article critically reviews the evidence for GABAergic dysfunction from each of these areas. These methods remain indirect measures of GABAergic function, and a broad array of dysfunction is linked with the putative GABAergic measures, including positive symptoms, cognition, emotion, motor processing and sensory processing, covering diverse brain areas. Measures of receptor binding have not shown replicable group differences in binding, and MRS assays of GABA concentration have yielded equivocal evidence of large-scale alteration in GABA concentration. Overall, the experimental base remains sparse, and much remains to be learned about the role of GABAergic interneurons in healthy brains. Challenges with pharmacologic and functional probes show promise, and may yet enable a better characterization of GABAergic deficits in schizophrenia.
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37
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Abstract
Schizophrenia is a major psychiatric disorder that lacks a unifying neuropathology, while currently available pharmacological treatments provide only limited benefits to many patients. This review will discuss how the field of neuroepigenetics could contribute to advancements of the existing knowledge on the neurobiology and treatment of psychosis. Genome-scale mapping of DMA methylation, histone modifications and variants, and chromosomal loopings for promoter-enhancer interactions and other epigenetic determinants of genome organization and function are likely to provide important clues about mechanisms contributing to dysregulated expression of synaptic and metabolic genes in schizophrenia brain, including the potential links to the underlying genetic risk architecture and environmental exposures. In addition, studies in animal models are providing a rapidly increasing list of chromatin-regulatory mechanisms with significant effects on cognition and complex behaviors, thereby pointing to the therapeutic potential of epigenetic drug targets in the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Schahram Akbarian
- Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
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Gonzalez-Burgos G, Cho RY, Lewis DA. Alterations in cortical network oscillations and parvalbumin neurons in schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2015; 77:1031-40. [PMID: 25863358 PMCID: PMC4444373 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 352] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Revised: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive deficits are a core clinical feature of schizophrenia but respond poorly to available medications. Thus, understanding the neural basis of these deficits is crucial for the development of new therapeutic interventions. The types of cognitive processes affected in schizophrenia are thought to depend on the precisely timed transmission of information in cortical regions via synchronous oscillations at gamma band frequency. Here, we review 1) data from clinical studies suggesting that induction of frontal cortex gamma oscillations during tasks that engage cognitive or complex perceptual functions is attenuated in schizophrenia; 2) findings from basic neuroscience studies highlighting the features of parvalbumin-positive interneurons that are critical for gamma oscillation production; and 3) results from recent postmortem human brain studies providing additional molecular bases for parvalbumin-positive interneuron alterations in prefrontal cortical circuitry in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Raymond Y Cho
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - David A Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
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Pyramidal cell selective ablation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 causes increase in cellular and network excitability. Biol Psychiatry 2015; 77:556-68. [PMID: 25156700 PMCID: PMC4297754 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Revised: 06/05/2014] [Accepted: 06/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuronal activity at gamma frequency is impaired in schizophrenia (SZ) and is considered critical for cognitive performance. Such impairments are thought to be due to reduced N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-mediated inhibition from parvalbumin interneurons, rather than a direct role of impaired NMDAR signaling on pyramidal neurons. However, recent studies suggest a direct role of pyramidal neurons in regulating gamma oscillations. In particular, a computational model has been proposed in which phasic currents from pyramidal cells could drive synchronized feedback inhibition from interneurons. As such, impairments in pyramidal neuron activity could lead to abnormal gamma oscillations. However, this computational model has not been tested experimentally and the molecular mechanisms underlying pyramidal neuron dysfunction in SZ remain unclear. METHODS In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that SZ-related phenotypes could arise from reduced NMDAR signaling in pyramidal neurons using forebrain pyramidal neuron specific NMDA receptor 1 knockout mice. RESULTS The mice displayed increased baseline gamma power, as well as sociocognitive impairments. These phenotypes were associated with increased pyramidal cell excitability due to changes in inherent membrane properties. Interestingly, mutant mice showed decreased expression of GIRK2 channels, which has been linked to increased neuronal excitability. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate for the first time that NMDAR hypofunction in pyramidal cells is sufficient to cause electrophysiological, molecular, neuropathological, and behavioral changes related to SZ.
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Lower glutamic acid decarboxylase 65-kDa isoform messenger RNA and protein levels in the prefrontal cortex in schizoaffective disorder but not schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2015; 77:167-76. [PMID: 24993056 PMCID: PMC4247819 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Revised: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Altered gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) has been associated with cognitive dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Levels of the GABA-synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase 67-kDa isoform (GAD67) in the PFC have been consistently reported to be lower in patients with these disorders, but the status of the second GABA-synthesizing enzyme, glutamic acid decarboxylase 65-kDa isoform (GAD65), remains unclear. METHODS GAD65 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were quantified in PFC area 9 by quantitative polymerase chain reaction from 62 subjects with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and 62 matched healthy comparison subjects. In a subset of subject pairs, GAD65 relative protein levels were quantified by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. RESULTS Mean GAD65 mRNA levels were 13.6% lower in subjects with schizoaffective disorder but did not differ in subjects with schizophrenia relative to their matched healthy comparison subjects. In the subjects with schizoaffective disorder, mean GAD65 protein levels were 19.4% lower and were correlated with GAD65 mRNA levels. Lower GAD65 mRNA and protein levels within subjects with schizoaffective disorder were not attributable to factors commonly comorbid with the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS In concert with previous studies, these findings suggest that schizoaffective disorder is associated with lower levels of both GAD65 and GAD67 mRNA and protein in the PFC, whereas subjects with schizophrenia have lower mean levels of only GAD67 mRNA and protein. Because cognitive function is generally better preserved in patients with schizoaffective disorder relative to patients with schizophrenia, these findings may support an interpretation that GAD65 downregulation provides a homeostatic response complementary to GAD67 downregulation that serves to reduce inhibition in the face of lower PFC network activity.
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Dietrich-Muszalska A. Oxidative Stress in Schizophrenia. OXIDATIVE STRESS IN APPLIED BASIC RESEARCH AND CLINICAL PRACTICE 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0440-2_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
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Bitanihirwe BKY, Woo TUW. Transcriptional dysregulation of γ-aminobutyric acid transporter in parvalbumin-containing inhibitory neurons in the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res 2014; 220:1155-9. [PMID: 25312391 PMCID: PMC4447488 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2014.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Revised: 08/15/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Parvalbumin (PV)-containing neurons are functionally compromised in schizophrenia. Using double in situ hybridization in postmortem human prefrontal cortex, we found that the messenger RNA (mRNA) for the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter GAT-1 was undetectable in 22-41% of PV neurons in layers 3-4 in schizophrenia. In the remaining PV neurons with detectable GAT-1 mRNA, transcript expression was decreased by 26% in layer 3. Hence, the dysfunction of PV neurons involves the molecular dysregulation of presynaptic GABA reuptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byron K. Y. Bitanihirwe
- System and Cell Biology of Neurodegeneration, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland,Program in Cellular Neuropathology, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tsung-Ung W. Woo
- Program in Cellular Neuropathology, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Kirli KK, Ermentrout GB, Cho RY. Computational study of NMDA conductance and cortical oscillations in schizophrenia. Front Comput Neurosci 2014; 8:133. [PMID: 25368573 PMCID: PMC4201161 DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2014.00133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor hypofunction has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The illness is also characterized by gamma oscillatory disturbances, which can be evaluated with precise frequency specificity employing auditory cortical entrainment paradigms. This computational study investigates how synaptic NMDA hypofunction may give rise to network level oscillatory deficits as indexed by entrainment paradigms. We developed a computational model of a local cortical circuit with pyramidal cells and fast-spiking interneurons (FSI), incorporating NMDA, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic (AMPA), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) synaptic kinetics. We evaluated the effects of varying NMDA conductance on FSIs and pyramidal cells, as well as AMPA to NMDA ratio. We also examined the differential effects across a broad range of entrainment frequencies as a function of NMDA conductance. Varying NMDA conductance onto FSIs revealed an inverted-U relation with network gamma whereas NMDA conductance onto the pyramidal cells had a more monotonic relationship. Varying NMDA vs. AMPA conductance onto FSIs demonstrated the necessity of AMPA in the generation of gamma while NMDA receptors had a modulatory role. Finally, reducing NMDA conductance onto FSI and varying the stimulus input frequency reproduced the specific reductions in gamma range (~40 Hz) as observed in schizophrenia studies. Our computational study showed that reductions in NMDA conductance onto FSIs can reproduce similar disturbances in entrainment to periodic stimuli within the gamma range as reported in schizophrenia studies. These findings provide a mechanistic account of how specific cellular level disturbances can give rise to circuitry level pathophysiologic disturbance in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kübra Komek Kirli
- Program in Neural Computation, Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA, USA ; Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - G B Ermentrout
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition Pittsburgh, PA, USA ; Department of Mathematics, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Raymond Y Cho
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition Pittsburgh, PA, USA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA, USA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TX, USA
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Kimoto S, Bazmi HH, Lewis DA. Lower expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 in the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia: contribution of altered regulation by Zif268. Am J Psychiatry 2014; 171:969-78. [PMID: 24874453 PMCID: PMC4376371 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.14010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cognitive deficits of schizophrenia may be due at least in part to lower expression of the 67-kDa isoform of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67), a key enzyme for GABA synthesis, in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of individuals with schizophrenia. However, little is known about the molecular regulation of lower cortical GAD67 levels in schizophrenia. The GAD67 promoter region contains a conserved Zif268 binding site, and Zif268 activation is accompanied by increased GAD67 expression. Thus, altered expression of the immediate early gene Zif268 may contribute to lower levels of GAD67 mRNA in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia. METHOD The authors used polymerase chain reaction to quantify GAD67 and Zif268 mRNA levels in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex area 9 from 62 matched pairs of schizophrenia and healthy comparison subjects, and in situ hybridization to assess Zif268 expression at laminar and cellular levels of resolution. The effects of potentially confounding variables were assessed in human subjects, and the effects of antipsychotic treatments were tested in antipsychotic-exposed monkeys. The specificity of the Zif268 findings was assessed by quantifying mRNA levels for other immediate early genes. RESULTS GAD67 and Zif268 mRNA levels were significantly lower and were positively correlated in the schizophrenia subjects. Both Zif268 mRNA-positive neuron density and Zif268 mRNA levels per neuron were significantly lower in the schizophrenia subjects. These findings were robust to the effects of the confounding variables examined and differed from other immediate early genes. CONCLUSIONS Deficient Zif268 mRNA expression may contribute to lower cortical GAD67 levels in schizophrenia, suggesting a potential mechanistic basis for altered cortical GABA synthesis and impaired cognition in schizophrenia.
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Steullet P, Cabungcal JH, Cuénod M, Do KQ. Fast oscillatory activity in the anterior cingulate cortex: dopaminergic modulation and effect of perineuronal net loss. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:244. [PMID: 25191228 PMCID: PMC4139002 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine release in the prefrontal cortex plays a critical role in cognitive function such as working memory, attention and planning. Dopamine exerts complex modulation on excitability of pyramidal neurons and interneurons, and regulates excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission. Because of the complexity of this modulation, it is difficult to fully comprehend the effect of dopamine on neuronal network activity. In this study, we investigated the effect of dopamine on local high-frequency oscillatory neuronal activity (in β band) in slices of the mouse anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). We found that dopamine enhanced the power of these oscillations induced by kainate and carbachol, but did not affect their peak frequency. Activation of D2R and in a lesser degree D1R increased the oscillation power, while activation of D4R had no effect. These high-frequency oscillations in the ACC relied on both phasic inhibitory and excitatory transmission and functional gap junctions. Thus, dopamine released in the ACC promotes high-frequency synchronized local cortical activity which is known to favor information transfer, fast selection and binding of distributed neuronal responses. Finally, the power of these oscillations was significantly enhanced after degradation of the perineuronal nets (PNNs) enwrapping most parvalbumin interneurons. This study provides new insights for a better understanding of the abnormal prefrontal gamma activity in schizophrenia (SZ) patients who display prefrontal anomalies of both the dopaminergic system and the PNNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Steullet
- Department of Psychiatry, Center of Psychiatric Neuroscience, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jan-Harry Cabungcal
- Department of Psychiatry, Center of Psychiatric Neuroscience, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michel Cuénod
- Department of Psychiatry, Center of Psychiatric Neuroscience, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kim Q Do
- Department of Psychiatry, Center of Psychiatric Neuroscience, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland
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Abstract
The clinical symptoms and cognitive and functional deficits of schizophrenia typically begin to gradually emerge during late adolescence and early adulthood. Recent findings suggest that disturbances of a specific subset of inhibitory neurons that contain the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV), which may regulate the course of postnatal developmental experience-dependent synaptic plasticity in the cerebral cortex, including the prefrontal cortex (PFC), may be involved in the pathogenesis of the onset of this illness. Specifically, converging lines of evidence suggest that oxidative stress, extracellular matrix (ECM) deficit and impaired glutamatergic innervation may contribute to the functional impairment of PV neurons, which may then lead to aberrant developmental synaptic pruning of pyramidal cell circuits during adolescence in the PFC. In addition to promoting the functional integrity of PV neurons, maturation of ECM may also play an instrumental role in the termination of developmental PFC synaptic pruning; thus, ECM deficit can directly lead to excessive loss of synapses by prolonging the course of pruning. Together, these mechanisms may contribute to the onset of schizophrenia by compromising the integrity, stability, and fidelity of PFC connectional architecture that is necessary for reliable and predictable information processing. As such, further characterization of these mechanisms will have implications for the conceptualization of rational strategies for the diagnosis, early intervention, and prevention of this debilitating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Ung W Woo
- Laboratory of Cellular Neuropathology, MRC303E, McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA,
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Davis J, Moylan S, Harvey BH, Maes M, Berk M. Neuroprogression in schizophrenia: Pathways underpinning clinical staging and therapeutic corollaries. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2014; 48:512-29. [PMID: 24803587 DOI: 10.1177/0004867414533012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Whilst dopaminergic dysfunction remains a necessary component involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, our current pharmacological armoury of dopamine antagonists does little to control the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. This suggests other pathological processes must be implicated. This paper aims to elaborate on such theories. METHODS Data for this review were sourced from the electronic database PUBMED, and was not limited by language or date of publication. RESULTS It has been suggested that multiple 'hits' may be required to unveil the clinical syndrome in susceptible individuals. Such hits potentially first occur in utero, leading to neuronal disruption, epigenetic changes and the establishment of an abnormal inflammatory response. The development of schizophrenia may therefore potentially be viewed as a neuroprogressive response to these early stressors, driven on by changes in tryptophan catabolite (TRYCAT) metabolism, reactive oxygen species handling and N-methyl d-aspartate (NMDA) circuitry. Given the potential for such progression over time, it is prudent to explore the new treatment strategies which may be implemented before such changes become established. CONCLUSIONS Outside of the dopaminergic model, the potential pathogenesis of schizophrenia has yet to be fully elucidated, but common themes include neuropil shrinkage, the development of abnormal neuronal circuitry, and a chronic inflammatory state which further disrupts neuronal function. Whilst some early non-dopaminergic treatments show promise, none have yet to be fully studied in appropriately structured randomized controlled trials and they remain little more than potential attractive targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Davis
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Steven Moylan
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
| | - Brian H Harvey
- Division of Pharmacology, and Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, North West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Michael Maes
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia Department of Psychiatry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Michael Berk
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, Parkville, Australia Centre of Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia
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Altered default mode and fronto-parietal network subsystems in patients with schizophrenia and their unaffected siblings. Brain Res 2014; 1562:87-99. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2013] [Revised: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Savitz JB, Price JL, Drevets WC. Neuropathological and neuromorphometric abnormalities in bipolar disorder: view from the medial prefrontal cortical network. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2014; 42:132-47. [PMID: 24603026 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The question of whether BD is primarily a developmental disorder or a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder remains unresolved. Here, we review the morphometric postmortem and neuroimaging literature relevant to the neuropathology of bipolar disorder (BD). We focus on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) network, a key system in the regulation of emotional, behavioral, endocrine, and innate immunological responses to stress. We draw four main conclusions: the mPFC is characterized by (1) a decrease in volume, (2) reductions in neuronal size, and/or changes in neuronal density, (3) reductions in glial cell density, and (4) changes in gene expression. These data suggest the presence of dendritic atrophy of neurons and the loss of oligodendroglial cells in BD, although some data additionally suggest a reduction in the cell counts of specific subpopulations of GABAergic interneurons. Based on the weight of the postmortem and neuroimaging literature discussed herein, we favor a complex hypothesis that BD primarily constitutes a developmental disorder, but that additional, progressive, histopathological processes also are associated with recurrent or chronic illness. Conceivably BD may be best conceptualized as a progressive neurodevelopmental disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan B Savitz
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, USA; Faculty of Community Medicine, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA.
| | - Joseph L Price
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Wayne C Drevets
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, USA; Janssen Pharmaceuticals of Johnson & Johnson, Inc., Titusville, NJ, USA
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