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Hatfield T, Johnson S. Knockdown of the GABARAP ortholog Atg8a elicits deficits in learning and promotes obsessive behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2024; 2024. [PMID: 38882929 PMCID: PMC11177113 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.001116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
In humans, trafficking of the GABA(A) receptor by GABARAP can lead to obsessive behaviors and learning deficits often in seen in neurological disorders such as Tourette's Syndrome. We find that in Drosophila melanogaster , Atg8a , the ortholog of the human GABARAP gene, is necessary in the nervous system for learning and suppression of excessive grooming. These results suggest that knocking down Atg8a in neurons of Drosophila produces a phenotype similar to that seen in human patients, potentially allowing for use of an Atg8a knockdown background as a suitable invertebrate model for related neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore Hatfield
- Department of Biology, Simmons University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Seth Johnson
- Department of Biology, Simmons University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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Hosseinzadeh Sahafi O, Sardari M, Alijanpour S, Rezayof A. Shared Mechanisms of GABAergic and Opioidergic Transmission Regulate Corticolimbic Reward Systems and Cognitive Aspects of Motivational Behaviors. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13050815. [PMID: 37239287 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050815] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The functional interplay between the corticolimbic GABAergic and opioidergic systems plays a crucial role in regulating the reward system and cognitive aspects of motivational behaviors leading to the development of addictive behaviors and disorders. This review provides a summary of the shared mechanisms of GABAergic and opioidergic transmission, which modulate the activity of dopaminergic neurons located in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the central hub of the reward mechanisms. This review comprehensively covers the neuroanatomical and neurobiological aspects of corticolimbic inhibitory neurons that express opioid receptors, which act as modulators of corticolimbic GABAergic transmission. The presence of opioid and GABA receptors on the same neurons allows for the modulation of the activity of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area, which plays a key role in the reward mechanisms of the brain. This colocalization of receptors and their immunochemical markers can provide a comprehensive understanding for clinicians and researchers, revealing the neuronal circuits that contribute to the reward system. Moreover, this review highlights the importance of GABAergic transmission-induced neuroplasticity under the modulation of opioid receptors. It discusses their interactive role in reinforcement learning, network oscillation, aversive behaviors, and local feedback or feedforward inhibitions in reward mechanisms. Understanding the shared mechanisms of these systems may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches for addiction, reward-related disorders, and drug-induced cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oveis Hosseinzadeh Sahafi
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 14155-6465, Iran
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Maryam Sardari
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 14155-6465, Iran
| | - Sakineh Alijanpour
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous 4971799151, Iran
| | - Ameneh Rezayof
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 14155-6465, Iran
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3
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Molecular Landscape of Tourette's Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021428. [PMID: 36674940 PMCID: PMC9865021 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Tourette's disorder (TD) is a highly heritable childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder and is caused by a complex interplay of multiple genetic and environmental factors. Yet, the molecular mechanisms underlying the disorder remain largely elusive. In this study, we used the available omics data to compile a list of TD candidate genes, and we subsequently conducted tissue/cell type specificity and functional enrichment analyses of this list. Using genomic data, we also investigated genetic sharing between TD and blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) metabolite levels. Lastly, we built a molecular landscape of TD through integrating the results from these analyses with an extensive literature search to identify the interactions between the TD candidate genes/proteins and metabolites. We found evidence for an enriched expression of the TD candidate genes in four brain regions and the pituitary. The functional enrichment analyses implicated two pathways ('cAMP-mediated signaling' and 'Endocannabinoid Neuronal Synapse Pathway') and multiple biological functions related to brain development and synaptic transmission in TD etiology. Furthermore, we found genetic sharing between TD and the blood and CSF levels of 39 metabolites. The landscape of TD not only provides insights into the (altered) molecular processes that underlie the disease but, through the identification of potential drug targets (such as FLT3, NAALAD2, CX3CL1-CX3CR1, OPRM1, and HRH2), it also yields clues for developing novel TD treatments.
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Marazziti D, Palermo S, Arone A, Massa L, Parra E, Simoncini M, Martucci L, Beatino MF, Pozza A. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, PANDAS, and Tourette Syndrome: Immuno-inflammatory Disorders. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1411:275-300. [PMID: 36949315 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-7376-5_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
In the last years, much focus has been given to the possible role of inflammatory and immunologic alterations in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and some related conditions, such as pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS) and Tourette syndrome (TS). Although the matter is intriguing, the available data are still controversial and/or limited. Therefore, the aim of this chapter was at reviewing and commenting on the literature on possible dysfunctions of inflammatory and immune system processes in OCD, PANDAS, and TS.This narrative review was carried out through searching PubMed and Google Scholar for English language papers from January 1985 to December 31, 2021.The data gathered up to now would suggest that the mechanisms involved might be heterogeneous according to the age of the patients and the disorder examined. Indeed, PANDAS seem more related to infections triggering autoimmunity not necessarily following group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) infection, as supposed in the past. Autoimmunity seems also important in TS, if coupled with an individual vulnerability that can be genetic and/or environmental. The data in adult OCD, albeit scattered and sometimes obtained in small samples of patients, would indicate that immune system and inflammatory processes are involved in the pathophysiology of the disorder. However, it is still unclear to conclude whether they are primary or secondary phenomena.In conclusion, taken together, the current findings pave that way towards novel and promising domains to explore the pathophysiology of OCD and related disorders, as well towards the development of innovative therapeutic strategy beyond current pharmacological paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Marazziti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
- Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences - UniCamillus, Rome, Italy.
| | - Stefania Palermo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Arone
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Massa
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Parra
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marly Simoncini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Martucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Francesca Beatino
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Pozza
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Neuroscienze, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Bond M, Moll N, Rosello A, Bond R, Schnell J, Burger B, Hoekstra PJ, Dietrich A, Schrag A, Kocovska E, Martino D, Mueller N, Schwarz M, Meier UC. Vitamin D levels in children and adolescents with chronic tic disorders: a multicentre study. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022; 31:1-12. [PMID: 33851280 PMCID: PMC9343310 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-021-01757-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated whether vitamin D is associated with the presence or severity of chronic tic disorders and their psychiatric comorbidities. This cross-sectional study compared serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] (ng/ml) levels among three groups: children and adolescents (3-16 years) with CTD (n = 327); first-degree relatives (3-10 years) of individuals with CTD who were assessed for a period of up to 7 years for possible onset of tics and developed tics within this period (n = 31); and first-degree relatives who did not develop tics and were ≥ 10 years old at their last assessment (n = 93). The relationship between 25(OH)D and the presence and severity of tics, as well as comorbid obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), were analysed controlling for age, sex, season, centre, latitude, family relatedness, and comorbidities. When comparing the CTD cohort to the unaffected cohort, the observed result was contrary to the one expected: a 10 ng/ml increase in 25(OH)D was associated with higher odds of having CTD (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.27-3.42, p < 0.01). There was no association between 25(OH)D and tic severity. However, a 10 ng/ml increase in 25(OH)D was associated with lower odds of having comorbid ADHD within the CTD cohort (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.36-0.84, p = 0.01) and was inversely associated with ADHD symptom severity (β = - 2.52, 95% CI - 4.16-0.88, p < 0.01). In conclusion, lower vitamin D levels were not associated with a higher presence or severity of tics but were associated with the presence and severity of comorbid ADHD in children and adolescents with CTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Bond
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London, E1 2AT, UK.
| | - Natalie Moll
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Alicia Rosello
- Statistics, Modelling and Economic Department, National Infection Service, PHE, London, UK ,Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Rod Bond
- University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Jaana Schnell
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Bianka Burger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Pieter J. Hoekstra
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Dietrich
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anette Schrag
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Eva Kocovska
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London, E1 2AT UK
| | - Davide Martino
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB Canada
| | - Norbert Mueller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus Schwarz
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ute-Christiane Meier
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK ,Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
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Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgG positivity is associated with tic severity in chronic tic disorders. Brain Behav Immun 2022; 99:281-288. [PMID: 34699932 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious pathogens may represent an environmental risk factor for chronic tic disorders (CTD). This cross-sectional study aimed to determine whether Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) IgG positivity is associated with the presence or severity of tics. We compared M. pneumoniae IgG positivity across three groups: children and adolescents (3-16 years) with CTD (CTD group; n = 302); siblings (3-10 years) of people with CTD who developed tics within a seven-year follow-up period (tic onset group; n = 51); siblings (4-10 years) who did not develop tics within the study period and were ≥10-years-old at their last assessment (unaffected group; n = 88). The relationship between M. pneumoniae IgG positivity and the presence and severity of tics was analysed using multilevel models controlling for site, family relatedness, sex, age, presence of comorbid obsessive-compulsive and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and use of psychotropic medication. M. pneumoniae IgG positivity was not associated with the presence of CTD, or the first onset of tics as compared to siblings who remained unaffected. M. pneumoniae IgG positivity was associated with a higher tic severity score within the CTD group (β = 2.64, s.e. = 1.15, p = 0.02). It is possible that M. pneumoniae infection influences tic severity in CTD or, that having more severe tics, increases the risk of infection. However, it is more likely that the association observed in this study reflects a propensity toward enhanced immune responses in people with CTD and that, rather than a causal relationship, infection and greater tic severity are indirectly linked via shared underlying immune mechanisms.
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The relationship between allergic diseases and tic disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:362-377. [PMID: 34883165 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This systematic review aims to 1) explore the association between tic disorders (TD) and allergic diseases (AD), 2) judge whether patients with a diagnosis of TD are prone to suffer from a specific AD, by compiling the literature and analyzing the evidence. A literature search was conducted in PubMed and Embase database on February 24, 2021. The inclusion criteria for the literature were all comparative studies that reported TD patients were diagnosed with allergic illness as well. We identified that TD is positively associated with asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis, respectively. Especially, provisional tic disorder (PTD) patients might be more likely to suffer from these three AD, although it is still difficult to accurately predict which specific AD is prone to be accompanied by a specific TD. Shared genetic and etiological factors are suggested responsible for the AD-TD association. Large prospective cohort studies in future might shed light on a deep understanding of the relationship between immune disorders and tics.
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Hsu CJ, Wong LC, Lee WT. Immunological Dysfunction in Tourette Syndrome and Related Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020853. [PMID: 33467014 PMCID: PMC7839977 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic tic disorder and Tourette syndrome are common childhood-onset neurological diseases. However, the pathophysiology underlying these disorders is unclear, and most studies have focused on the disinhibition of the corticostriatal–thalamocortical circuit. An autoimmune dysfunction has been proposed in the pathogenetic mechanism of Tourette syndrome and related neuropsychiatric disorders such as obsessive–compulsive disorder, autism, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. This is based on evidence from animal model studies and clinical findings. Herein, we review and give an update on the clinical characteristics, clinical evidence, and genetic studies in vitro as well as animal studies regarding immune dysfunction in Tourette syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Jui Hsu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan;
| | - Lee-Chin Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei 106, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Wang-Tso Lee
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, National Taiwan University Children’s Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-2-2312-3456 (ext. 71545); Fax: +886-2-2314-7450
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Maldonado-Hernández R, Quesada O, Colón-Sáez JO, Lasalde-Dominicci JA. Sequential purification and characterization of Torpedo californica nAChR-DC supplemented with CHS for high-resolution crystallization studies. Anal Biochem 2020; 610:113887. [PMID: 32763308 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2020.113887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Over the past 10 years we have been developing a multi-attribute analytical platform that allows for the preparation of milligram amounts of functional, high-pure, and stable Torpedo (muscle-type) nAChR detergent complexes for crystallization purpose. In the present work, we have been able to significantly improve and optimize the purity and yield of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in detergent complexes (nAChR-DC) without compromising stability and functionality. We implemented new methods in the process, such as analysis and rapid production of samples for future crystallization preparations. Native nAChR was extracted from the electric organ of Torpedo californica using the lipid-like detergent LysoFos Choline 16 (LFC-16), followed by three consecutive steps of chromatography purification. We evaluated the effect of cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHS) supplementation during the affinity purification steps of nAChR-LFC-16 in terms of receptor secondary structure, stability and functionality. CHS produced significant changes in the degree of β-secondary structure, these changes compromise the diffusion of the nAChR-LFC-16 in lipid cubic phase. The behavior was reversed by Methyl-β-Cyclodextrin treatment. Also, CHS decreased acetylcholine evoked currents of Xenopus leavis oocyte injected with nAChR-LFC-16 in a concentration-dependent manner. Methyl-β-Cyclodextrin treatment do not reverse functionality, however column delipidation produced a functional protein similar to nAChR-LFC-16 without CHS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Maldonado-Hernández
- Department of the Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Molecular Sciences Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Orestes Quesada
- Department of Physical Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Molecular Sciences Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - José O Colón-Sáez
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Puerto Rico Medical Science Campus, Puerto Rico
| | - José A Lasalde-Dominicci
- Department of the Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Molecular Sciences Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Institute of Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Science Campus, Puerto Rico.
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Dykstra-Aiello C, Sharp FR, Jickling GC, Hull H, Hamade F, Shroff N, Durocher M, Cheng X, Zhan X, Liu D, Ander BP, Stamova BS. Alternative Splicing of Putative Stroke/Vascular Risk Factor Genes Expressed in Blood Following Ischemic Stroke Is Sexually Dimorphic and Cause-Specific. Front Neurol 2020; 11:584695. [PMID: 33193047 PMCID: PMC7642687 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.584695] [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: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies have identified putative ischemic stroke risk genes, yet, their expression after stroke is unexplored in spite of growing interest in elucidating their specific role and identifying candidate genes for stroke treatment. Thus, we took an exploratory approach to investigate sexual dimorphism, alternative splicing, and etiology in putative risk gene expression in blood following cardioembolic, atherosclerotic large vessel disease and small vessel disease/lacunar causes of ischemic stroke in each sex compared to controls. Whole transcriptome arrays assessed 71 putative stroke/vascular risk factor genes for blood RNA expression at gene-, exon-, and alternative splicing-levels. Male (n = 122) and female (n = 123) stroke and control volunteers from three university medical centers were matched for race, age, vascular risk factors, and blood draw time since stroke onset. Exclusion criteria included: previous stroke, drug abuse, subarachnoid or intracerebral hemorrhage, hemorrhagic transformation, infection, dialysis, cancer, hematological abnormalities, thrombolytics, anticoagulants or immunosuppressants. Significant differential gene expression (fold change > |1.2|, p < 0.05, partial correlation > |0.4|) and alternative splicing (false discovery rate p < 0.3) were assessed. At gene level, few were differentially expressed: ALDH2, ALOX5AP, F13A1, and IMPA2 (males, all stroke); ITGB3 (females, cardioembolic); ADD1 (males, atherosclerotic); F13A1, IMPA2 (males, lacunar); and WNK1 (females, lacunar). GP1BA and ITGA2B were alternatively spliced in both sexes (all patients vs. controls). Six genes in males, five in females, were alternatively spliced in all stroke compared to controls. Alternative splicing and exon-level analyses associated many genes with specific etiology in either sex. Of 71 genes, 70 had differential exon-level expression in stroke patients compared to control subjects. Among stroke patients, 24 genes represented by differentially expressed exons were male-specific, six were common between sexes, and two were female-specific. In lacunar stroke, expression of 19 differentially expressed exons representing six genes (ADD1, NINJ2, PCSK9, PEMT, SMARCA4, WNK1) decreased in males and increased in females. Results demonstrate alternative splicing and sexually dimorphic expression of most putative risk genes in stroke patients' blood. Since expression was also often cause-specific, sex, and etiology are factors to consider in stroke treatment trials and genetic association studies as society trends toward more personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Dykstra-Aiello
- Department of Neurology, Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute Biosciences Building, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Frank R Sharp
- Department of Neurology, Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute Biosciences Building, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Glen C Jickling
- Department of Neurology, Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute Biosciences Building, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Heather Hull
- Department of Neurology, Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute Biosciences Building, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Farah Hamade
- Department of Neurology, Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute Biosciences Building, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Natasha Shroff
- Department of Neurology, Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute Biosciences Building, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Marc Durocher
- Department of Neurology, Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute Biosciences Building, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Xiyuan Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute Biosciences Building, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Xinhua Zhan
- Department of Neurology, Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute Biosciences Building, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - DaZhi Liu
- Department of Neurology, Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute Biosciences Building, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Bradley P Ander
- Department of Neurology, Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute Biosciences Building, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Boryana S Stamova
- Department of Neurology, Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute Biosciences Building, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
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Martino D, Johnson I, Leckman JF. What Does Immunology Have to Do With Normal Brain Development and the Pathophysiology Underlying Tourette Syndrome and Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders? Front Neurol 2020; 11:567407. [PMID: 33041996 PMCID: PMC7525089 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.567407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The goal of this article is to review the past decade's literature and provide a critical commentary on the involvement of immunological mechanisms in normal brain development, as well as its role in the pathophysiology of Tourette syndrome, other Chronic tic disorders (CTD), and related neuropsychiatric disorders including Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: We conducted a literature search using the Medline/PubMed and EMBASE electronic databases to locate relevant articles and abstracts published between 2009 and 2020, using a comprehensive list of search terms related to immune mechanisms and the diseases of interest, including both clinical and animal model studies. Results: The cellular and molecular processes that constitute our "immune system" are crucial to normal brain development and the formation and maintenance of neural circuits. It is also increasingly evident that innate and adaptive systemic immune pathways, as well as neuroinflammatory mechanisms, play an important role in the pathobiology of at least a subset of individuals with Tourette syndrome and related neuropsychiatric disorders In the conceptual framework of the holobiont theory, emerging evidence points also to the importance of the "microbiota-gut-brain axis" in the pathobiology of these neurodevelopmental disorders. Conclusions: Neural development is an enormously complex and dynamic process. Immunological pathways are implicated in several early neurodevelopmental processes including the formation and refinement of neural circuits. Hyper-reactivity of systemic immune pathways and neuroinflammation may contribute to the natural fluctuations of the core behavioral features of CTD, OCD, and ADHD. There is still limited knowledge of the efficacy of direct and indirect (i.e., through environmental modifications) immune-modulatory interventions in the treatment of these disorders. Future research also needs to focus on the key molecular pathways through which dysbiosis of different tissue microbiota influence neuroimmune interactions in these disorders, and how microbiota modification could modify their natural history. It is also possible that valid biomarkers will emerge that will guide a more personalized approach to the treatment of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Martino
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences & Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Isaac Johnson
- Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - James F. Leckman
- Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Departments of Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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Abstract
Background:Tics, defined as quick, rapid, sudden, recurrent, non-rhythmic motor movements or vocalizations are required components of Tourette Syndrome (TS) - a complex disorder characterized by the presence of fluctuating, chronic motor and vocal tics, and the presence of co-existing neuropsychological problems. Despite many advances, the underlying pathophysiology of tics/TS remains unknown.Objective:To address a variety of controversies surrounding the pathophysiology of TS. More specifically: 1) the configuration of circuits likely involved; 2) the role of inhibitory influences on motor control; 3) the classification of tics as either goal-directed or habitual behaviors; 4) the potential anatomical site of origin, e.g. cortex, striatum, thalamus, cerebellum, or other(s); and 5) the role of specific neurotransmitters (dopamine, glutamate, GABA, and others) as possible mechanisms (Abstract figure).Methods:Existing evidence from current clinical, basic science, and animal model studies are reviewed to provide: 1) an expanded understanding of individual components and the complex integration of the Cortico-Basal Ganglia-Thalamo-Cortical (CBGTC) circuit - the pathway involved with motor control; and 2) scientific data directly addressing each of the aforementioned controversies regarding pathways, inhibition, classification, anatomy, and neurotransmitters.Conclusion:Until a definitive pathophysiological mechanism is identified, one functional approach is to consider that a disruption anywhere within CBGTC circuitry, or a brain region inputting to the motor circuit, can lead to an aberrant message arriving at the primary motor cortex and enabling a tic. Pharmacologic modulation may be therapeutically beneficial, even though it might not be directed toward the primary abnormality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harvey S. Singer
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Farhan Augustine
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Baj J, Sitarz E, Forma A, Wróblewska K, Karakuła-Juchnowicz H. Alterations in the Nervous System and Gut Microbiota after β-Hemolytic Streptococcus Group A Infection-Characteristics and Diagnostic Criteria of PANDAS Recognition. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1476. [PMID: 32098238 PMCID: PMC7073132 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this paper is to review and summarize conclusions from the available literature regarding Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). The authors have independently reviewed articles from 1977 onwards, primarily focusing on the etiopathology, symptoms, differentiation between similar psychiatric conditions, immunological reactions, alterations in the nervous system and gut microbiota, genetics, and the available treatment for PANDAS. Recent research indicates that PANDAS patients show noticeable alterations within the structures of the central nervous system, including caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, and striatum, as well as bilateral and lentiform nuclei. Likewise, the presence of autoantibodies that interact with basal ganglia was observed in PANDAS patients. Several studies also suggest a relationship between the presence of obsessive-compulsive disorders like PANDAS and alterations to the gut microbiota. Further, genetic predispositions-including variations in the MBL gene and TNF-α-seem to be relevant regarding PANDAS syndrome. Even though the literature is still scarce, the authors have attempted to provide a thorough insight into the PANDAS syndrome, bearing in mind the diagnostic difficulties of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek Baj
- Chair and Department of Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Sitarz
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (E.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Alicja Forma
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (E.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Katarzyna Wróblewska
- North London Forensic Service, Chase Farm Hospital, 127 The Ridgeway, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 8JL, UK;
| | - Hanna Karakuła-Juchnowicz
- Chair and 1st Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Early Intervention, Medical University of Lublin, Gluska Street 1, 20-439 Lublin, Poland;
- Department of Clinical Neuropsychiatry, Medical University of Lublin, Gluska Street 1, 20-439 Lublin, Poland
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Schrag A, Martino D, Apter A, Ball J, Bartolini E, Benaroya-Milshtein N, Buttiglione M, Cardona F, Creti R, Efstratiou A, Gariup M, Georgitsi M, Hedderly T, Heyman I, Margarit I, Mir P, Moll N, Morer A, Müller N, Müller-Vahl K, Münchau A, Orefici G, Plessen KJ, Porcelli C, Paschou P, Rizzo R, Roessner V, Schwarz MJ, Steinberg T, Tagwerker Gloor F, Tarnok Z, Walitza S, Dietrich A, Hoekstra PJ. European Multicentre Tics in Children Studies (EMTICS): protocol for two cohort studies to assess risk factors for tic onset and exacerbation in children and adolescents. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2019; 28:91-109. [PMID: 29982875 PMCID: PMC6349795 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-018-1190-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Genetic predisposition, autoimmunity and environmental factors [e.g. pre- and perinatal difficulties, Group A Streptococcal (GAS) and other infections, stress-inducing events] might interact to create a neurobiological vulnerability to the development of tics and associated behaviours. However, the existing evidence for this relies primarily on small prospective or larger retrospective population-based studies, and is therefore still inconclusive. This article describes the design and methodology of the EMTICS study, a longitudinal observational European multicentre study involving 16 clinical centres, with the following objectives: (1) to investigate the association of environmental factors (GAS exposure and psychosocial stress, primarily) with the onset and course of tics and/or obsessive-compulsive symptoms through the prospective observation of at-risk individuals (ONSET cohort: 260 children aged 3-10 years who are tic-free at study entry and have a first-degree relative with a chronic tic disorder) and affected individuals (COURSE cohort: 715 youth aged 3-16 years with a tic disorder); (2) to characterise the immune response to microbial antigens and the host's immune response regulation in association with onset and exacerbations of tics; (3) to increase knowledge of the human gene pathways influencing the pathogenesis of tic disorders; and (4) to develop prediction models for the risk of onset and exacerbations of tic disorders. The EMTICS study is, to our knowledge, the largest prospective cohort assessment of the contribution of different genetic and environmental factors to the risk of developing tics in putatively predisposed individuals and to the risk of exacerbating tics in young individuals with chronic tic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anette Schrag
- 0000000121901201grid.83440.3bDepartment of Clinical Neurosciences, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Davide Martino
- 0000 0004 1936 7697grid.22072.35Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Alan Apter
- 0000 0004 1937 0546grid.12136.37Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, Affiliated to Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah-Tikva, Israel
| | - Juliane Ball
- 0000 0004 1937 0650grid.7400.3Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Noa Benaroya-Milshtein
- 0000 0004 1937 0546grid.12136.37Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, Affiliated to Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah-Tikva, Israel
| | - Maura Buttiglione
- 0000 0001 0120 3326grid.7644.1Department of Biological Sciences and Human Oncology, Medical School, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Cardona
- grid.7841.aDepartment of Human Neurosciences, University La Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Creti
- 0000 0000 9120 6856grid.416651.1Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Androulla Efstratiou
- 0000 0004 5909 016Xgrid.271308.fWHO Global Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Diphtheria and Streptococcal Infections, Reference Microbiology, Directorate National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Maria Gariup
- 0000 0004 1937 0247grid.5841.8University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ,Intensive Inpatient Unit, Copenhagen Psychiatric Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marianthi Georgitsi
- 0000 0001 2170 8022grid.12284.3dDepartment of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupoli, Greece ,0000000109457005grid.4793.9Department of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloníki, Greece
| | - Tammy Hedderly
- 0000 0004 5345 7223grid.483570.dEvelina London Children’s Hospital GSTT, Kings Health Partners AHSC, London, UK
| | - Isobel Heyman
- 0000000121901201grid.83440.3bGreat Ormond Street Hospital for Children, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | | | - Pablo Mir
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clinica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Natalie Moll
- 0000 0004 1936 973Xgrid.5252.0Institute of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Astrid Morer
- 0000 0000 9635 9413grid.410458.cDepartment of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clinic Universitari, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.10403.36Institut d’Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain ,0000 0000 9314 1427grid.413448.eCentro de Investigacion en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Norbert Müller
- 0000 0004 1936 973Xgrid.5252.0Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany ,Marion von Tessin Memory-Zentrum gGmbH, Munich, Germany
| | - Kirsten Müller-Vahl
- 0000 0000 9529 9877grid.10423.34Clinic of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexander Münchau
- 0000 0001 0057 2672grid.4562.5Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Graziella Orefici
- 0000 0000 9120 6856grid.416651.1Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Kerstin J. Plessen
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Mental Health Services, Capital Region of Denmark and University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark ,0000 0001 2165 4204grid.9851.5Service of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cesare Porcelli
- Azienda Sanitaria Locale di Bari, Mental Health Department, Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Service of Bari Metropolitan Area, Bari, Italy
| | - Peristera Paschou
- 0000 0004 1937 2197grid.169077.eDepartment of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA
| | - Renata Rizzo
- 0000 0004 1757 1969grid.8158.4Child Neuropsychiatry Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Catania University, Catania, Italy
| | - Veit Roessner
- 0000 0001 2111 7257grid.4488.0Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Markus J. Schwarz
- 0000 0004 1936 973Xgrid.5252.0Institute of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tamar Steinberg
- 0000 0004 1937 0546grid.12136.37Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, Affiliated to Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah-Tikva, Israel
| | - Friederike Tagwerker Gloor
- 0000 0004 1937 0650grid.7400.3Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Zsanett Tarnok
- Vadaskert Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Susanne Walitza
- 0000 0004 1937 0650grid.7400.3Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Dietrich
- 0000 0004 0407 1981grid.4830.fDepartment of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter J. Hoekstra
- 0000 0004 0407 1981grid.4830.fDepartment of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
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Yang X, Liu W, Yi M, Zhang R, Xu Y, Huang Z, Liu S, Li T. Choline acetyltransferase may contribute to the risk of Tourette syndrome: Combination of family-based analysis and case-control study. World J Biol Psychiatry 2018; 19:521-526. [PMID: 28090804 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2017.1282176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Twin and family analyses have revealed a genetic contribution to Tourette syndrome (TS) and post-mortem studies have raised the intriguing possibility of a reduction in cholinergic interneuronsin TS patients. METHODS We selected five tag SNPs (rs100824791, rs12264845, rs1880676, rs3793790 and rs3793798) of choline acetyltransferase (CHAT) from the Han Chinese population Hapmap database. Genotyping was conducted on 401 TS nuclear family trios and 405 control subjects. Transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) and haplotype relative risk (HRR) analyses were used to analyse the family-based study and a case-control study was also used to assess the genetic susceptibility to TS. RESULTS The results revealed a significant over-transmission of rs3793790 (TDT, χ2 = 9.121, P = 0.003; HRR, χ2 = 6.579, P = 0.01), while case-control analysis found no differences between the two groups (genotype, χ2 = 0.436, P = 0.804; allele, χ2 = 0.149, P = 0.700). Also, rs3793798 also indicated a positive association associated with TS (TDT, χ2 = 5.025, P = 0.028; HRR, χ2 = 0.250, P = 0.617). However, the other three SNPs investigated were found not to be associated with TS in both in the family-based and case-control studies. CONCLUSIONS Our association analysis demonstrates that CHAT may contribute to TS susceptibility in the Han Chinese population. This gives strong support to the involvement of cholinergic interneurons in the aetiology of TS and reveals a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuling Yang
- a Department of Pediatrics , The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , Qingdao , China.,b Department of Nursing , Medical College of Qingdao University , Qingdao , China
| | - Wenmiao Liu
- c Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , Qingdao , China.,d Genetic Laboratory , The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , Qingdao , China
| | - Mingji Yi
- e Child Health Care Department , The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , Qingdao , China
| | - Ru Zhang
- c Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , Qingdao , China.,d Genetic Laboratory , The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , Qingdao , China
| | - Yinglei Xu
- c Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , Qingdao , China.,d Genetic Laboratory , The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , Qingdao , China
| | - Zuzhou Huang
- c Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , Qingdao , China.,d Genetic Laboratory , The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , Qingdao , China
| | - Shiguo Liu
- c Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , Qingdao , China.,d Genetic Laboratory , The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , Qingdao , China
| | - Tang Li
- a Department of Pediatrics , The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , Qingdao , China
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Frick L, Rapanelli M, Jindachomthong K, Grant P, Leckman JF, Swedo S, Williams K, Pittenger C. Differential binding of antibodies in PANDAS patients to cholinergic interneurons in the striatum. Brain Behav Immun 2018; 69:304-311. [PMID: 29233751 PMCID: PMC5857467 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus, or PANDAS, is a syndrome of acute childhood onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder and other neuropsychiatric symptoms in the aftermath of an infection with Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS). Its pathophysiology remains unclear. PANDAS has been proposed to result from cross-reactivity of antibodies raised against GABHS with brain antigens, but the targets of these antibodies are unclear and may be heterogeneous. We developed an in vivo assay in mice to characterize the cellular targets of antibodies in serum from individuals with PANDAS. We focus on striatal interneurons, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of tic disorders. Sera from children with well-characterized PANDAS (n = 5) from a previously described clinical trial (NCT01281969), and matched controls, were infused into the striatum of mice; antibody binding to interneurons was characterized using immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Antibodies from children with PANDAS bound to ∼80% of cholinergic interneurons, significantly higher than the <50% binding seen with matched healthy controls. There was no elevated binding to two different populations of GABAergic interneurons (PV and nNOS-positive), confirming the specificity of this phenomenon. Elevated binding to cholinergic interneurons resolved in parallel with symptom improvement after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin. Antibody-mediated dysregulation of striatal cholinergic interneurons may be a locus of pathology in PANDAS. Future clarification of the functional consequences of this specific binding may identify new opportunities for intervention in children with this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Paul Grant
- Pediatrics and Developmental Neuroscience Branch, National Institute
of Mental Health
| | - James F. Leckman
- Department of Psychology, Yale University,Child Study Center, Yale University
| | - Susan Swedo
- Pediatrics and Developmental Neuroscience Branch, National Institute
of Mental Health
| | - Kyle Williams
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, United States; Child Study Center, Yale University, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, United States.
| | - Christopher Pittenger
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, United States; Department of Psychology, Yale University, United States; Child Study Center, Yale University, United States; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, United States.
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Grünblatt E, Oneda B, Ekici AB, Ball J, Geissler J, Uebe S, Romanos M, Rauch A, Walitza S. High resolution chromosomal microarray analysis in paediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder. BMC Med Genomics 2017; 10:68. [PMID: 29179725 PMCID: PMC5704537 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-017-0299-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common and chronic disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts and behaviours. It is a complex genetic condition and, in case of early onset (EO), the patients manifest a more severe phenotype, and an increased heritability. Large (>500 kb) copy number variations (CNVs) previously associated with autism and schizophrenia have been reported in OCD. Recently, rare CNVs smaller than 500 kb overlapping risk loci for other neurodevelopmental conditions have also been reported in OCD, stressing the importance of examining CNVs of any size range. The aim of this study was to further investigate the role of rare and small CNVs in the aetiology of EO-OCD. Methods We performed high-resolution chromosomal microarray analysis in 121 paediatric OCD patients and in 124 random controls to identify rare CNVs (>50 kb) which might contribute to EO-OCD. Results The frequencies and the size of the observed rare CNVs in the patients did not differ from the controls. However, we observed a significantly higher frequency of rare CNVs affecting brain related genes, especially deletions, in the patients (OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.02–3.84; OR = 3.61, 95% CI 1.14–11.41, respectively). Similarly, enrichment-analysis of CNVs gene content, performed with three independent methods, confirmed significant clustering of predefined genes involved in synaptic/brain related functional pathways in the patients but not in the controls. In two patients we detected de-novo CNVs encompassing genes previously associated with different neurodevelopmental disorders (NRXN1, ANKS1B, UHRF1BP1). Conclusions Our results further strengthen the role of small rare CNVs, particularly deletions, as susceptibility factors for paediatric OCD. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12920-017-0299-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edna Grünblatt
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Neumünsterallee 9, 8032, Zürich, Switzerland. .,Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. .,Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland.
| | - Beatrice Oneda
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich-Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Arif B Ekici
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Juliane Ball
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Neumünsterallee 9, 8032, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Julia Geissler
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Steffen Uebe
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marcel Romanos
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anita Rauch
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich-Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Walitza
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Neumünsterallee 9, 8032, Zürich, Switzerland. .,Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Histamine modulation of the basal ganglia circuitry in the development of pathological grooming. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:6599-6604. [PMID: 28584117 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1704547114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant histaminergic function has been proposed as a cause of tic disorders. A rare mutation in the enzyme that produces histamine (HA), histidine decarboxylase (HDC), has been identified in patients with Tourette syndrome (TS). Hdc knockout mice exhibit repetitive behavioral pathology and neurochemical characteristics of TS, establishing them as a plausible model of tic pathophysiology. Where, when, and how HA deficiency produces these effects has remained unclear: whether the contribution of HA deficiency to pathogenesis is acute or developmental, and where in the brain the relevant consequences of HA deficiency occur. Here, we address these key pathophysiological questions, using anatomically and cellularly targeted manipulations in mice. We report that specific ablation or chemogenetic silencing of histaminergic neurons in the tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN) of the hypothalamus leads to markedly elevated grooming, a form of repetitive behavioral pathology, and to elevated markers of neuronal activity in both dorsal striatum and medial prefrontal cortex. Infusion of HA directly into the striatum reverses this behavioral pathology, confirming that acute HA deficiency mediates the effect. Bidirectional chemogenetic regulation reveals that dorsal striatum neurons activated after TMN silencing are both sufficient to produce repetitive behavioral pathology and necessary for the full expression of the effect. Chemogenetic activation of TMN-regulated medial prefrontal cortex neurons, in contrast, increases locomotion and not grooming. These data confirm the centrality of striatal regulation by neurotransmitter HA in the adult in the production of pathological grooming.
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Abstract
Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) is a childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by several motor and phonic tics. Tics usually develop before 10 years of age, exhibit a waxing and waning course and typically improve with increasing age. A prevalence of approximately 1% is estimated in children and adolescents. The condition can result in considerable social stigma and poor quality of life, especially when tics are severe (for example, with coprolalia (swearing tics) and self-injurious behaviours) or when GTS is accompanied by attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder or another neuropsychiatric disorder. The aetiology is complex and multifactorial. GTS is considered to be polygenic, involving multiple common risk variants combined with rare, inherited or de novo mutations. These as well as non-genetic factors (such as perinatal events and immunological factors) are likely to contribute to the heterogeneity of the clinical phenotype, the structural and functional brain anomalies and the neural circuitry involvement. Management usually includes psychoeducation and reassurance, behavioural methods, pharmacotherapy and, rarely, functional neurosurgery. Future research that integrates clinical and neurobiological data, including neuroimaging and genetics, is expected to reveal the pathogenesis of GTS at the neural circuit level, which may lead to targeted interventions.
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Decreased Anterior Cingulate Cortex γ-Aminobutyric Acid in Youth With Tourette's Disorder. Pediatr Neurol 2016; 65:64-70. [PMID: 27743746 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2016.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Revised: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND γ-Aminobutyric acid has been implicated in the pathophysiology of Tourette's disorder. The present study primarily sought to examine in vivo γ-aminobutyric acid levels in the anterior cingulate cortex in psychotropic medication-free adolescents and young adults. Secondarily, we sought to determine associations between γ-aminobutyric acid in the anterior cingulate cortex and measures of tic severity, tic-related impairment, and anxiety and depression symptoms. METHODS γ-Aminobutyric acid levels were measured using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Analysis of covariance compared γ-aminobutyric acid levels in 15 youth with Tourette's disorder (mean age = 15.0, S.D. = 2.7) and 36 healthy comparison subjects (mean age = 15.9, S.D. = 2.1). Within the Tourette disorder group, we examined correlations between γ-aminobutyric acid levels and tic severity and tic-related impairment, as well as anxiety and depression severity. RESULTS Anterior cingulate cortex γ-aminobutyric acid levels were lower in participants with Tourette's disorder compared with control subjects. Within the Tourette disorder group, γ-aminobutyric acid levels did not correlate with any clinical measures. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support a role for γ-aminobutyric acid in Tourette's disorder. Larger prospective studies will further elucidate this role.
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Forde NJ, Kanaan AS, Widomska J, Padmanabhuni SS, Nespoli E, Alexander J, Rodriguez Arranz JI, Fan S, Houssari R, Nawaz MS, Rizzo F, Pagliaroli L, Zilhäo NR, Aranyi T, Barta C, Boeckers TM, Boomsma DI, Buisman WR, Buitelaar JK, Cath D, Dietrich A, Driessen N, Drineas P, Dunlap M, Gerasch S, Glennon J, Hengerer B, van den Heuvel OA, Jespersgaard C, Möller HE, Müller-Vahl KR, Openneer TJC, Poelmans G, Pouwels PJW, Scharf JM, Stefansson H, Tümer Z, Veltman DJ, van der Werf YD, Hoekstra PJ, Ludolph A, Paschou P. TS-EUROTRAIN: A European-Wide Investigation and Training Network on the Etiology and Pathophysiology of Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:384. [PMID: 27601976 PMCID: PMC4994475 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (GTS) is characterized by the presence of multiple motor and phonic tics with a fluctuating course of intensity, frequency, and severity. Up to 90% of patients with GTS present with comorbid conditions, most commonly attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), thus providing an excellent model for the exploration of shared etiology across disorders. TS-EUROTRAIN (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-ITN, Grant Agr.No. 316978) is a Marie Curie Initial Training Network (http://ts-eurotrain.eu) that aims to elucidate the complex etiology of the onset and clinical course of GTS, investigate the neurobiological underpinnings of GTS and related disorders, translate research findings into clinical applications, and establish a pan-European infrastructure for the study of GTS. This includes the challenges of (i) assembling a large genetic database for the evaluation of the genetic architecture with high statistical power; (ii) exploring the role of gene-environment interactions including the effects of epigenetic phenomena; (iii) employing endophenotype-based approaches to understand the shared etiology between GTS, OCD, and ADHD; (iv) establishing a developmental animal model for GTS; (v) gaining new insights into the neurobiological mechanisms of GTS via cross-sectional and longitudinal neuroimaging studies; and (vi) partaking in outreach activities including the dissemination of scientific knowledge about GTS to the public. Fifteen partners from academia and industry and 12 PhD candidates pursue the project. Here, we aim to share the design of an interdisciplinary project, showcasing the potential of large-scale collaborative efforts in the field of GTS. Our ultimate aims are to elucidate the complex etiology and neurobiological underpinnings of GTS, translate research findings into clinical applications, and establish Pan-European infrastructure for the study of GTS and associated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie J Forde
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center GroningenGroningen, Netherlands; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Ahmad S Kanaan
- Clinic of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical SchoolHannover, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesLeipzig, Germany
| | - Joanna Widomska
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Shanmukha S Padmanabhuni
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace Alexandropoulos, Greece
| | - Ester Nespoli
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, CNS ResearchBiberach an der Riss, Germany; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of UlmUlm, Germany
| | - John Alexander
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace Alexandropoulos, Greece
| | - Juan I Rodriguez Arranz
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Applied Human Molecular Genetics, Kennedy Center, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Siyan Fan
- Department of Clinical and health Psychology, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical CenterAmsterdam, Netherlands; Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, VU University Medical CenterAmsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rayan Houssari
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Applied Human Molecular Genetics, Kennedy Center, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Muhammad S Nawaz
- deCODE Genetics/AmgenReykjavik, Iceland; Faculty of Medicine, University of IcelandReykjavik, Iceland
| | - Francesca Rizzo
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of UlmUlm, Germany; Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany
| | - Luca Pagliaroli
- Institute of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis UniversityBudapest, Hungary; Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Enzymology, Hungarian Academy of SciencesBudapest, Hungary
| | - Nuno R Zilhäo
- Department of Clinical and health Psychology, Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands; Department of Biological Psychology, VU UniversityAmsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Tamas Aranyi
- Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Enzymology, Hungarian Academy of SciencesBudapest, Hungary; Université d'Angers, BNMI (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale 1083 / Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 6214)Angers, France
| | - Csaba Barta
- Institute of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany; EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical CentreAmsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Jan K Buitelaar
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegen, Netherlands; Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University CentreNijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Danielle Cath
- Department of Clinical and health Psychology, Utrecht University Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Andrea Dietrich
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Nicole Driessen
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Sarah Gerasch
- Clinic of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School Hannover, Germany
| | - Jeffrey Glennon
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Bastian Hengerer
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, CNS Research Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Odile A van den Heuvel
- Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical CenterAmsterdam, Netherlands; Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, VU University Medical CenterAmsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Cathrine Jespersgaard
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Applied Human Molecular Genetics, Kennedy Center, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Harald E Möller
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kirsten R Müller-Vahl
- Clinic of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School Hannover, Germany
| | - Thaïra J C Openneer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Geert Poelmans
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegen, Netherlands; Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegen, Netherlands; Department of Molecular Animal Physiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud UniversityNijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Petra J W Pouwels
- Department of Physics and Medical Technology, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jeremiah M Scharf
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, Center for Human Genetic Research, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Zeynep Tümer
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Applied Human Molecular Genetics, Kennedy Center, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Dick J Veltman
- Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ysbrand D van der Werf
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, VU University Medical CenterAmsterdam, Netherlands; Netherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAmsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Pieter J Hoekstra
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Andrea Ludolph
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Ulm Ulm, Germany
| | - Peristera Paschou
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace Alexandropoulos, Greece
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Transcriptome Analysis of the Human Striatum in Tourette Syndrome. Biol Psychiatry 2016; 79:372-382. [PMID: 25199956 PMCID: PMC4305353 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Revised: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genome-wide association studies have not revealed any risk-conferring common genetic variants in Tourette syndrome (TS), requiring the adoption of alternative approaches to investigate the pathophysiology of this disorder. METHODS We obtained the basal ganglia transcriptome by RNA sequencing in the caudate and putamen of nine TS and nine matched normal control subjects. RESULTS We found 309 downregulated and 822 upregulated genes in the caudate and putamen (striatum) of TS individuals. Using data-driven gene network analysis, we identified 17 gene coexpression modules associated with TS. The top-scoring downregulated module in TS was enriched in striatal interneuron transcripts, which was confirmed by decreased numbers of cholinergic and gamma-aminobutyric acidergic interneurons by immunohistochemistry in the same regions. The top-scoring upregulated module was enriched in immune-related genes, consistent with activation of microglia in patients' striatum. Genes implicated by copy number variants in TS were enriched in the interneuron module, as well as in a protocadherin module. Module clustering revealed that the interneuron module was correlated with a neuronal metabolism module. CONCLUSIONS Convergence of differential expression, network analyses, and module clustering, together with copy number variants implicated in TS, strongly implicates disrupted interneuron signaling in the pathophysiology of severe TS and suggests that metabolic alterations may be linked to their death or dysfunction.
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Puts NAJ, Harris AD, Crocetti D, Nettles C, Singer HS, Tommerdahl M, Edden RAE, Mostofsky SH. Reduced GABAergic inhibition and abnormal sensory symptoms in children with Tourette syndrome. J Neurophysiol 2015; 114:808-17. [PMID: 26041822 PMCID: PMC4533064 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00060.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is characterized by the presence of chronic tics. Individuals with TS often report difficulty with ignoring (habituating to) tactile sensations, and some patients perceive that this contributes to a "premonitory urge" to tic. While common, the physiological basis of impaired tactile processing in TS, and indeed tics themselves, remain poorly understood. It has been well established that GABAergic processing plays an important role in shaping the neurophysiological response to tactile stimulation. Furthermore, there are multiple lines of evidence suggesting that a deficit in GABAergic transmission may contribute to symptoms found in TS. In this study, GABA-edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was combined with a battery of vibrotactile tasks to investigate the role of GABA and atypical sensory processing in children with TS. Our results show reduced primary sensorimotor cortex (SM1) GABA concentration in children with TS compared with healthy control subjects (HC), as well as patterns of impaired performance on tactile detection and adaptation tasks, consistent with altered GABAergic function. Moreover, in children with TS SM1 GABA concentration correlated with motor tic severity, linking the core feature of TS directly to in vivo brain neurochemistry. There was an absence of the typical correlation between GABA and frequency discrimination performance in TS as was seen in HC. These data show that reduced GABA concentration in TS may contribute to both motor tics and sensory impairments in children with TS. Understanding the mechanisms of altered sensory processing in TS may provide a foundation for novel interventions to alleviate these symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolaas A J Puts
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; F. M. Kirby Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland;
| | - Ashley D Harris
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; F. M. Kirby Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Deana Crocetti
- Center for Neurodevelopment and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Carrie Nettles
- Center for Neurodevelopment and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Harvey S Singer
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mark Tommerdahl
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Richard A E Edden
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; F. M. Kirby Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Stewart H Mostofsky
- Center for Neurodevelopment and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; and
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Lim SAO, Kang UJ, McGehee DS. Striatal cholinergic interneuron regulation and circuit effects. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2014; 6:22. [PMID: 25374536 PMCID: PMC4204445 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2014.00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The striatum plays a central role in motor control and motor learning. Appropriate responses to environmental stimuli, including pursuit of reward or avoidance of aversive experience all require functional striatal circuits. These pathways integrate synaptic inputs from limbic and cortical regions including sensory, motor and motivational information to ultimately connect intention to action. Although many neurotransmitters participate in striatal circuitry, one critically important player is acetylcholine (ACh). Relative to other brain areas, the striatum contains exceptionally high levels of ACh, the enzymes that catalyze its synthesis and breakdown, as well as both nicotinic and muscarinic receptor types that mediate its postsynaptic effects. The principal source of striatal ACh is the cholinergic interneuron (ChI), which comprises only about 1-2% of all striatal cells yet sends dense arbors of projections throughout the striatum. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of the factors affecting the excitability of these neurons through acute effects and long term changes in their synaptic inputs. In addition, we discuss the physiological effects of ACh in the striatum, and how changes in ACh levels may contribute to disease states during striatal dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Un Jung Kang
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel S McGehee
- Committee on Neurobiology, University of Chicago Chicago, IL, USA ; Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago Chicago, IL, USA
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Deidda G, Bozarth IF, Cancedda L. Modulation of GABAergic transmission in development and neurodevelopmental disorders: investigating physiology and pathology to gain therapeutic perspectives. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:119. [PMID: 24904277 PMCID: PMC4033255 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
During mammalian ontogenesis, the neurotransmitter GABA is a fundamental regulator of neuronal networks. In neuronal development, GABAergic signaling regulates neural proliferation, migration, differentiation, and neuronal-network wiring. In the adult, GABA orchestrates the activity of different neuronal cell-types largely interconnected, by powerfully modulating synaptic activity. GABA exerts these functions by binding to chloride-permeable ionotropic GABAA receptors and metabotropic GABAB receptors. According to its functional importance during development, GABA is implicated in a number of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, Fragile X, Rett syndrome, Down syndrome, schizophrenia, Tourette's syndrome and neurofibromatosis. The strength and polarity of GABAergic transmission is continuously modulated during physiological, but also pathological conditions. For GABAergic transmission through GABAA receptors, strength regulation is achieved by different mechanisms such as modulation of GABAA receptors themselves, variation of intracellular chloride concentration, and alteration in GABA metabolism. In the never-ending effort to find possible treatments for GABA-related neurological diseases, of great importance would be modulating GABAergic transmission in a safe and possibly physiological way, without the dangers of either silencing network activity or causing epileptic seizures. In this review, we will discuss the different ways to modulate GABAergic transmission normally at work both during physiological and pathological conditions. Our aim is to highlight new research perspectives for therapeutic treatments that reinstate natural and physiological brain functions in neuro-pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Deidda
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Genova, Italy
| | - Ignacio F Bozarth
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Genova, Italy
| | - Laura Cancedda
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Genova, Italy
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Martino D, Zis P, Buttiglione M. The role of immune mechanisms in Tourette syndrome. Brain Res 2014; 1617:126-43. [PMID: 24845720 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Revised: 04/18/2014] [Accepted: 04/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Tourette syndrome (TS) is a childhood-onset tic disorder associated with abnormal development of brain networks involved in the sensory and motor processing. An involvement of immune mechanisms in its pathophysiology has been proposed. Animal models based on active immunization with bacterial or viral mimics, direct injection of cytokines or patients' serum anti-neuronal antibodies, and transgenic approaches replicated stereotyped behaviors observed in human TS. A crucial role of microglia in the neural-immune crosstalk within TS and related disorders has been proposed by animal models and confirmed by recent post mortem studies. With analogy to autism, genetic and early life environmental factors could foster the involvement of immune mechanisms to the abnormal developmental trajectories postulated in TS, as well as lead to systemic immune dysregulation in this condition. Clinical studies demonstrate an association between TS and immune responses to pathogens like group A Streptococcus (GAS), although their role as risk-modifiers is still undefined. Overactivity of immune responses at a systemic level is suggested by clinical studies exploring cytokine and immunoglobulin levels, immune cell subpopulations, and gene expression profiling of peripheral lymphocytes. The involvement of autoantibodies, on the other hand, remains uncertain and warrants more work using live cell-based approaches. Overall, a body of evidence supports the hypothesis that disease mechanisms in TS, like other neurodevelopmental illnesses (e.g. autism), may involve dysfunctional neural-immune cross-talk, ultimately leading to altered maturation of brain pathways controlling different behavioral domains and, possibly, differences in organising immune and stress responses. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Neuroimmunology in Health And Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Martino
- Neurology Department, King's College Hospital, London, UK; Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, London, UK; Centre for Neuroscience and Trauma, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
| | - Panagiotis Zis
- Neurology Department, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Maura Buttiglione
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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Effect of "jian-pi-zhi-dong decoction" on gamma-aminobutyric Acid in a mouse model of tourette syndrome. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 2014:407509. [PMID: 24812567 PMCID: PMC4000640 DOI: 10.1155/2014/407509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the positive effects of Jian-Pi-Zhi-Dong Decoction (JPZDD) on Tourette syndrome (TS) by investigating the expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and its type A receptor (GABAAR) in the striatum of a TS mice model. The model was induced by 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) treatment; then mice were divided into 4 groups (n=22, each); control and IDPN groups were gavaged with saline and the remaining 2 groups were gavaged with tiapride and JPZDD. We recorded the stereotypic behaviors of TS mice and measured the content of GABA in striatum by HPLC and GABAAR expression by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR. Our results showed that JPZDD inhibited the abnormal behaviors of TS model mice and decreased GABA levels and GABAAR protein and mRNA expression in the striatum of TS model mice. In brief, the mechanism by which JPZDD alleviates TS symptoms may be associated with GABAAR expression downregulation in striatum which may regulate GABA metabolism.
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Stamova BS, Tian Y, Nordahl CW, Shen MD, Rogers S, Amaral DG, Sharp FR. Evidence for differential alternative splicing in blood of young boys with autism spectrum disorders. Mol Autism 2013; 4:30. [PMID: 24007566 PMCID: PMC3846739 DOI: 10.1186/2040-2392-4-30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2013] [Accepted: 08/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Since RNA expression differences have been reported in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for blood and brain, and differential alternative splicing (DAS) has been reported in ASD brains, we determined if there was DAS in blood mRNA of ASD subjects compared to typically developing (TD) controls, as well as in ASD subgroups related to cerebral volume. Methods RNA from blood was processed on whole genome exon arrays for 2-4–year-old ASD and TD boys. An ANCOVA with age and batch as covariates was used to predict DAS for ALL ASD (n=30), ASD with normal total cerebral volumes (NTCV), and ASD with large total cerebral volumes (LTCV) compared to TD controls (n=20). Results A total of 53 genes were predicted to have DAS for ALL ASD versus TD, 169 genes for ASD_NTCV versus TD, 1 gene for ASD_LTCV versus TD, and 27 genes for ASD_LTCV versus ASD_NTCV. These differences were significant at P <0.05 after false discovery rate corrections for multiple comparisons (FDR <5% false positives). A number of the genes predicted to have DAS in ASD are known to regulate DAS (SFPQ, SRPK1, SRSF11, SRSF2IP, FUS, LSM14A). In addition, a number of genes with predicted DAS are involved in pathways implicated in previous ASD studies, such as ROS monocyte/macrophage, Natural Killer Cell, mTOR, and NGF signaling. The only pathways significant after multiple comparison corrections (FDR <0.05) were the Nrf2-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) oxidative response (superoxide dismutase 2, catalase, peroxiredoxin 1, PIK3C3, DNAJC17, microsomal glutathione S-transferase 3) and superoxide radical degradation (SOD2, CAT). Conclusions These data support differences in alternative splicing of mRNA in blood of ASD subjects compared to TD controls that differ related to head size. The findings are preliminary, need to be replicated in independent cohorts, and predicted alternative splicing differences need to be confirmed using direct analytical methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boryana S Stamova
- MIND Institute, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
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Puts NAJ, Edden RAE, Wodka EL, Mostofsky SH, Tommerdahl M. A vibrotactile behavioral battery for investigating somatosensory processing in children and adults. J Neurosci Methods 2013; 218:39-47. [PMID: 23660524 PMCID: PMC4106128 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2013.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2013] [Revised: 04/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The cortical dynamics of somatosensory processing can be investigated using vibrotactile psychophysics. It has been suggested that different vibrotactile paradigms target different cortical mechanisms, and a number of recent studies have established links between somatosensory cortical function and measurable aspects of behavior. The relationship between cortical mechanisms and sensory function is particularly relevant with respect to developmental disorders in which altered inhibitory processing has been postulated, such as in ASD and ADHD. In this study, a vibrotactile battery consisting of nine tasks (incorporating reaction time, detection threshold, and amplitude- and frequency discrimination) was applied to a cohort of healthy adults and a cohort of typically developing children to assess the feasibility of such a vibrotactile battery in both cohorts, and the performance between children and adults was compared. These results showed that children and adults were both able to perform these tasks with a similar performance, although the children were slightly less sensitive in frequency discrimination. Performance within different task-groups clustered together in adults, providing further evidence that these tasks tap into different cortical mechanisms, which is also discussed. This clustering was not observed in children, which may be potentially indicative of development and a greater variability. In conclusion, in this study, we showed that both children and adults were able to perform an extensive vibrotactile battery, and we showed the feasibility of applying this battery to other (e.g., neurodevelopmental) cohorts to probe different cortical mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolaas A J Puts
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
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Paschou P, Fernandez TV, Sharp F, Heiman GA, Hoekstra PJ. Genetic susceptibility and neurotransmitters in Tourette syndrome. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2013; 112:155-77. [PMID: 24295621 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-411546-0.00006-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Family studies have consistently shown that Tourette syndrome (TS) is a familial disorder and twin studies have clearly indicated a genetic contribution in the etiology of TS. Whereas early segregation studies of TS suggested a single-gene autosomal dominant disorder, later studies have pointed to more complex models including additive and multifactorial inheritance and likely interaction with genetic factors. While the exact cellular and molecular base of TS is as yet elusive, neuroanatomical and neurophysiological studies have pointed to the involvement of cortico-striato-thalamocortical circuits and abnormalities in dopamine, glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and serotonin neurotransmitter systems, with the most consistent evidence being available for involvement of dopamine-related abnormalities, that is, a reduction in tonic extracellular dopamine levels along with hyperresponsive spike-dependent dopamine release, following stimulation. Genetic and gene expression findings are very much supportive of involvement of these neurotransmitter systems. Moreover, intriguingly, genetic work on a two-generation pedigree has opened new research pointing to a role for histamine, a so far rather neglected neurotransmitter, with the potential of the development of new treatment options. Future studies should be aimed at directly linking neurotransmitter-related genetic and gene expression findings to imaging studies (imaging genetics), which enables a better understanding of the pathways and mechanisms through which the dynamic interplay of genes, brain, and environment shapes the TS phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peristera Paschou
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupoli, Greece
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Nondopaminergic Neurotransmission in the Pathophysiology of Tourette Syndrome. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2013; 112:95-130. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-411546-0.00004-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Gunther J, Tian Y, Stamova B, Lit L, Corbett B, Ander B, Zhan X, Jickling G, Bos-Veneman N, Liu D, Hoekstra P, Sharp F. Catecholamine-related gene expression in blood correlates with tic severity in tourette syndrome. Psychiatry Res 2012; 200:593-601. [PMID: 22648010 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2012.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2011] [Revised: 04/24/2012] [Accepted: 04/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Tourette syndrome (TS) is a heritable disorder characterized by tics that are decreased in some patients by treatment with alpha adrenergic agonists and dopamine receptor blockers. Thus, this study examines the relationship between catecholamine gene expression in blood and tic severity. TS diagnosis was confirmed using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV criteria and tic severity measured using the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) for 26 un-medicated subjects with TS. Whole blood was collected and Ribonucleic acid (RNA) processed on Affymetrix Human Exon 1.0 ST arrays. An Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) identified 3627 genes correlated with tic severity (p<0.05). Searches of Medical Subject Headings, Gene Ontology, Allen Mouse Brain Atlas, and PubMed determined genes associated with catecholamines and located in the basal ganglia. Using GeneCards, PubMed, and manual curation, seven genes associated with TS were further examined: DRD2, HRH3, MAOB, BDNF, SNAP25, SLC6A4, and SLC22A3. These genes are highly associated with TS and have also been implicated in other movement disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Correlation of gene expression in peripheral blood with tic severity may allow inferences about catecholamine pathway dysfunction in TS subjects. Findings built on previous work suggest that at least some genes expressed peripherally are relevant for central nervous system (CNS) pathology in the brain of individuals with TS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Gunther
- Department of Neurology and MIND Institute, University of California at Davis, 2805 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
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A case of severe oral self-injurious Tourette's syndrome alleviated by pregabalin. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2012; 34:321.e1-4. [PMID: 22133981 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2011.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2011] [Revised: 10/06/2011] [Accepted: 10/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Self-injurious behavior (SIB) associated with Tourette's syndrome (TS) is a severe neuropsychiatric condition that causes significant distress and can impair social functioning. The current treatment options for the condition include pharmacological, physical and psychosocial interventions. However, given the need for more effective interventions, especially for those patients who are unresponsive and/or intolerant to standard medications, further exploration of novel treatments is imperative. In this report, we present a case of SIB-TS that was successfully treated with pregabalin. The patient received 1-year of follow-up and was noted to have considerable improvement in symptoms. Although rigorous controlled studies are required, based on our case study, pregabalin may be a potential treatment option in some cases of SIB with TS.
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Chikova A, Grando SA. Naturally occurring variants of human Α9 nicotinic receptor differentially affect bronchial cell proliferation and transformation. PLoS One 2011; 6:e27978. [PMID: 22125646 PMCID: PMC3220719 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2011] [Accepted: 10/28/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Isolation of polyadenilated mRNA from human immortalized bronchial epithelial cell line BEP2D revealed the presence of multiple isoforms of RNA coded by the CHRNA9 gene for α9 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). BEP2D cells were homozygous for the rs10009228 polymorphism encoding for N442S amino acid substitution, and also contained mRNA coding for several truncated isoforms of α9 protein. To elucidate the biologic significance of the naturally occurring variants of α9 nAChR, we compared the biologic effects of overexpression of full-length α9 N442 and S442 proteins, and the truncated α9 variant occurring due to a loss of the exon 4 sequence that causes frame shift and early termination of the translation. These as well as control vector were overexpressed in the BEP2D cells that were used in the assays of proliferation rate, spontaneous vs. tobacco nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-induced cellular transformation, and tumorigenicity in cell culture and mice. Overexpression of the S442 variant significantly increased cellular proliferation, and spontaneous and NNK-induced transformation. The N442 variant significantly decreased cellular transformation, without affecting proliferation rate. Overexpression of the truncated α9 significantly decreased proliferation and suppressed cellular transformation. These results suggested that α9 nAChR plays important roles in regulation of bronchial cell growth by endogenous acetylcholine and exogenous nicotine, and susceptibility to NNK-induced carcinogenic transformation. The biologic activities of α9 nAChR may be regulated at the splicing level, and genetic polymorphisms in CHRNA9 affecting protein levels, amino acid sequence and RNA splicing may influence the risk for lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Chikova
- Department of Dermatology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- The D.I. Ivanovsky Institute of Virology of The Ministry of Health of The Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergei A. Grando
- Department of Dermatology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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