1
|
Shaikh M, Doshi G. Epigenetic aging in major depressive disorder: Clocks, mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 978:176757. [PMID: 38897440 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176757] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Depression, a chronic mental disorder characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest, and difficulty in daily tasks, impacts millions globally with varying treatment options. Antidepressants, despite their long half-life and minimal effectiveness, leave half of patients undertreated, highlighting the need for new therapies to enhance well-being. Epigenetics, which studies genetic changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype without altering the underlying Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) sequence, is explored in this article. This article delves into the intricate relationship between epigenetic mechanisms and depression, shedding light on how environmental stressors, early-life adversity, and genetic predispositions shape gene expression patterns associated with depression. We have also discussed Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, which enhance cognitive function and mood regulation in depression. Non-coding RNAs, (ncRNAs) such as Long Non-Coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and micro RNA (miRNAs), are highlighted as potential biomarkers for detecting and monitoring major depressive disorder (MDD). This article also emphasizes the reversible nature of epigenetic modifications and their influence on neuronal growth processes, underscoring the dynamic interplay between genetics, environment, and epigenetics in depression development. It explores the therapeutic potential of targeting epigenetic pathways in treating clinical depression. Additionally, it examines clinical findings related to epigenetic clocks and their role in studying depression and biological aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muqtada Shaikh
- SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Mumbai, 400 056, India
| | - Gaurav Doshi
- SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Mumbai, 400 056, India.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tan T, Xu Z, Gao C, Shen T, Li L, Chen Z, Chen L, Xu M, Chen B, Liu J, Zhang Z, Yuan Y. Influence and interaction of resting state functional magnetic resonance and tryptophan hydroxylase-2 methylation on short-term antidepressant drug response. BMC Psychiatry 2022; 22:218. [PMID: 35337298 PMCID: PMC8957120 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-03860-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most antidepressants have been developed on the basis of the monoamine deficiency hypothesis of depression, in which neuronal serotonin (5-HT) plays a key role. 5-HT biosynthesis is regulated by the rate-limiting enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH2). TPH2 methylation is correlated with antidepressant effects. Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) is applied for detecting abnormal brain functional activity in patients with different antidepressant effects. We will investigate the effect of the interaction between rs-fMRI and TPH2 DNA methylation on the early antidepressant effects. METHODS A total of 300 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 100 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled, of which 60 patients with MDD were subjected to rs-fMRI. Antidepressant responses was assessed by a 50% reduction in 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) scores at baseline and after two weeks of medication. The RESTPlus software in MATLAB was used to analyze the rs-fMRI data. The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), fractional ALFF (fALFF), and functional connectivity (FC) were used, and the above results were used as regions of interest (ROIs) to extract the average value of brain ROIs regions in the RESTPlus software. Generalized linear model analysis was performed to analyze the association between abnormal activity found in rs-fMRI and the effect of TPH2 DNA methylation on antidepressant responses. RESULTS Two hundred ninety-one patients with MDD and 100 HCs were included in the methylation statistical analysis, of which 57 patients were included in the further rs-fMRI analysis (3 patients were excluded due to excessive head movement). 57 patients were divided into the responder group (n = 36) and the non-responder group (n = 21). Rs-fMRI results showed that the ALFF of the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) was significantly different between the two groups. The results showed that TPH2-1-43 methylation interacted with ALFF of left IFG to affect the antidepressant responses (p = 0.041, false discovery rate (FDR) corrected p = 0.149). CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated that the differences in the ALFF of left IFG between the two groups and its association with TPH2 methylation affect short-term antidepressant drug responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Tan
- grid.452290.80000 0004 1760 6316Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China ,grid.263826.b0000 0004 1761 0489Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhi Xu
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chenjie Gao
- grid.452290.80000 0004 1760 6316Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China ,grid.263826.b0000 0004 1761 0489Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Tian Shen
- grid.452290.80000 0004 1760 6316Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China ,grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Wuxi Mental Health Center, Nanjing Medical University, WuXi, 214123 People’s Republic of China
| | - Lei Li
- grid.263826.b0000 0004 1761 0489School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Zimu Chen
- grid.452290.80000 0004 1760 6316Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China ,grid.263826.b0000 0004 1761 0489Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Lei Chen
- grid.452290.80000 0004 1760 6316Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China ,Department of Psychology and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210018 People’s Republic of China
| | - Min Xu
- grid.263826.b0000 0004 1761 0489Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Bingwei Chen
- grid.263826.b0000 0004 1761 0489Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiacheng Liu
- grid.452290.80000 0004 1760 6316Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhijun Zhang
- grid.452290.80000 0004 1760 6316Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yonggui Yuan
- grid.452290.80000 0004 1760 6316Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China ,grid.263826.b0000 0004 1761 0489Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009 People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Santoro M, Siotto M, Germanotta M, Mastrorosa A, Papadopoulou D, Aprile I. Association Study of SLC6A4 (5-HTTLPR) Polymorphism and Its Promoter Methylation with Rehabilitation Outcome in Patients with Subacute Stroke. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12040579. [PMID: 33923526 PMCID: PMC8073642 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently it has been suggested that serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) and its 5HTTLPR polymorphism could be involved in post stroke recovery. Here, we characterized the methylation profile of two different CpG islands within the SLC6A4 promoter region in the whole blood of 50 patients with subacute stroke before and after a six-week rehabilitation treatment. These patients were genotyped for 5HTTLPR polymorphism identifying patients on the basis of short (S) and L (L) alleles: 17 patients LL, 22 patients LS and 11 patients SS. At baseline, all CpG sites for both CpG islands displayed a heterogeneous methylation percentage that were not influenced by the different genotypes. After rehabilitation, we found a significant variation in the methylation levels (increase/decrease) in the specific CpG sites of both CpG islands. The statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between the LL, LS and SS alleles and the outcome of the rehabilitation intervention (χ2 (2,50) = 6.395, p = 0.041). Specifically, we found a significant difference between patients with or without a favorable outcome in the LL (11.1% with a favorable outcome) and in the SS (54.4% with a favorable outcome) groups. Our data suggest that 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms and SLC6A4 promoter methylation may be employed as a non-invasive biological marker of recovery in patients with stroke undergoing rehabilitation.
Collapse
|
4
|
Gatta E, Saudagar V, Auta J, Grayson DR, Guidotti A. Epigenetic landscape of stress surfeit disorders: Key role for DNA methylation dynamics. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2020; 156:127-183. [PMID: 33461662 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2020.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to stress throughout lifespan alters brain structure and function, inducing a maladaptive response to environmental stimuli, that can contribute to the development of a pathological phenotype. Studies have shown that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction is associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders, including major depressive, alcohol use and post-traumatic stress disorders. Downstream actors of the HPA axis, glucocorticoids are critical mediators of the stress response and exert their function through specific receptors, i.e., the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), highly expressed in stress/reward-integrative pathways. GRs are ligand-activated transcription factors that recruit epigenetic actors to regulate gene expression via DNA methylation, altering chromatin structure and thus shaping the response to stress. The dynamic interplay between stress response and epigenetic modifiers suggest DNA methylation plays a key role in the development of stress surfeit disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Gatta
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Vikram Saudagar
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - James Auta
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Dennis R Grayson
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Alessandro Guidotti
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chiarella J, Schumann L, Pomares FB, Frodl T, Tozzi L, Nemoda Z, Yu P, Szyf M, Khalid-Khan S, Booij L. DNA methylation differences in stress-related genes, functional connectivity and gray matter volume in depressed and healthy adolescents. J Affect Disord 2020; 271:160-168. [PMID: 32479312 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.03.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies in adult depressed patients have indicated that altered DNA methylation patterns at genes related to serotonin and HPA axis functioning (e.g., SLC6A4, FKBP5) are associated with changes in frontolimbic functional connectivity and structure. Here, we examined whether these associations can be generalized to adolescents. METHODS 25 adolescents with depression (Mean age = 15.72 ± 0.94 SD; 20 girls) and 20 healthy controls (Mean age = 16.05 ± 1.5 SD; 16 girls) underwent a functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging protocol, which included a resting-state assessment and measures of brain morphometry. DNA was obtained from saliva. Levels of SLC6A4 and FKBP5 methylation were determined using pyrosequencing. RESULTS SLC6A4 methylation was linked to amygdala-frontal operculum resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC), regardless of diagnosis, and was differentially associated with inferior orbitofrontal gyrus (IFOG) gray matter (GM) volume in adolescents with depression and controls. Replicating and extending previous findings in adults, FKBP5 methylation was associated with IFOG GM volume in depressed and healthy adolescents, as well as orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)-rostral prefrontal cortex (RPFC) connectivity in healthy adolescents only. LIMITATIONS Effects of medication use or genotype cannot be ruled out. Further, the relatively small sample size and predominately female sample may limit generalizability. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that previously observed associations between SLC6A4 and FKBP5 methylation and frontolimbic processes in adult depressed patients can be in part generalized to adolescent patients. Further, findings suggest that measuring peripheral methylation at these genes deserves further attention as potential markers of typical and atypical development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julian Chiarella
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada; Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | | | | | - Thomas Frodl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Leonardo Tozzi
- Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College School of Medicine and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Zsofia Nemoda
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Patricia Yu
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sarosh Khalid-Khan
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Child Psychiatry, Hotel Dieu Hospital, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Linda Booij
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada; Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wheater ENW, Stoye DQ, Cox SR, Wardlaw JM, Drake AJ, Bastin ME, Boardman JP. DNA methylation and brain structure and function across the life course: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 113:133-156. [PMID: 32151655 PMCID: PMC7237884 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
MRI has enhanced our capacity to understand variations in brain structure and function conferred by the genome. We identified 60 studies that report associations between DNA methylation (DNAm) and human brain structure/function. Forty-three studies measured candidate loci DNAm; seventeen measured epigenome-wide DNAm. MRI features included region-of-interest and whole-brain structural, diffusion and functional imaging features. The studies report DNAm-MRI associations for: neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental disorders; major depression and suicidality; alcohol use disorder; schizophrenia and psychosis; ageing, stroke, ataxia and neurodegeneration; post-traumatic stress disorder; and socio-emotional processing. Consistency between MRI features and differential DNAm is modest. Sources of bias: variable inclusion of comparator groups; different surrogate tissues used; variation in DNAm measurement methods; lack of control for genotype and cell-type composition; and variations in image processing. Knowledge of MRI features associated with differential DNAm may improve understanding of the role of DNAm in brain health and disease, but caution is required because conventions for linking DNAm and MRI data are not established, and clinical and methodological heterogeneity in existing literature is substantial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily N W Wheater
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David Q Stoye
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Simon R Cox
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna M Wardlaw
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda J Drake
- University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Mark E Bastin
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - James P Boardman
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Boehm I, Walton E, Alexander N, Batury VL, Seidel M, Geisler D, King JA, Weidner K, Roessner V, Ehrlich S. Peripheral serotonin transporter DNA methylation is linked to increased salience network connectivity in females with anorexia nervosa. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2020; 45:206-213. [PMID: 31823595 PMCID: PMC7828979 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.190016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic variation in the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) has been shown to modulate the functioning of brain circuitry associated with the salience network and may heighten the risk for mental illness. This study is, to our knowledge, the first to test this epigenome–brain–behaviour pathway in patients with anorexia nervosa. METHODS We obtained resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) data and blood samples from 55 acutely underweight female patients with anorexia nervosa and 55 age-matched female healthy controls. We decomposed imaging data using independent component analysis. We used bisulfite pyrosequencing to analyze blood DNA methylation within the promoter region of SLC6A4. We then explored salience network rsFC patterns in the group × methylation interaction. RESULTS We identified a positive relationship between SLC6A4 methylation levels and rsFC between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the salience network in patients with anorexia nervosa compared to healthy controls. Increased rsFC in the salience network mediated the link between SLC6A4 methylation and eating disorder symptoms in patients with anorexia nervosa. We confirmed findings of rsFC alterations for CpG-specific methylation at a locus with evidence of methylation correspondence between brain and blood tissue. LIMITATIONS This study was cross-sectional in nature, the sample size was modest for the method and methylation levels were measured peripherally, so findings cannot be fully generalized to brain tissue. CONCLUSION This study sheds light on the neurobiological process of how epigenetic variation in the SLC6A4 gene may relate to rsFC in the salience network that is linked to psychopathology in anorexia nervosa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilka Boehm
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
| | - Esther Walton
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
| | - Nina Alexander
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
| | - Victoria-Luise Batury
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
| | - Maria Seidel
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
| | - Daniel Geisler
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
| | - Joseph A. King
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
| | - Kerstin Weidner
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
| | - Veit Roessner
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
| | - Stefan Ehrlich
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Arias JA, Williams C, Raghvani R, Aghajani M, Baez S, Belzung C, Booij L, Busatto G, Chiarella J, Fu CH, Ibanez A, Liddell BJ, Lowe L, Penninx BWJH, Rosa P, Kemp AH. The neuroscience of sadness: A multidisciplinary synthesis and collaborative review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 111:199-228. [PMID: 32001274 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Sadness is typically characterized by raised inner eyebrows, lowered corners of the mouth, reduced walking speed, and slumped posture. Ancient subcortical circuitry provides a neuroanatomical foundation, extending from dorsal periaqueductal grey to subgenual anterior cingulate, the latter of which is now a treatment target in disorders of sadness. Electrophysiological studies further emphasize a role for reduced left relative to right frontal asymmetry in sadness, underpinning interest in the transcranial stimulation of left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex as an antidepressant target. Neuroimaging studies - including meta-analyses - indicate that sadness is associated with reduced cortical activation, which may contribute to reduced parasympathetic inhibitory control over medullary cardioacceleratory circuits. Reduced cardiac control may - in part - contribute to epidemiological reports of reduced life expectancy in affective disorders, effects equivalent to heavy smoking. We suggest that the field may be moving toward a theoretical consensus, in which different models relating to basic emotion theory and psychological constructionism may be considered as complementary, working at different levels of the phylogenetic hierarchy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan A Arias
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, United Kingdom; Department of Statistics, Mathematical Analysis, and Operational Research, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Claire Williams
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, United Kingdom
| | - Rashmi Raghvani
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, United Kingdom
| | - Moji Aghajani
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUMC, GGZ InGeest Research & Innovation, Amsterdam Neuroscience, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Linda Booij
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University Montreal, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Julian Chiarella
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University Montreal, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Cynthia Hy Fu
- School of Psychology, University of East London, United Kingdom; Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Agustin Ibanez
- Institute of Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience (INCYT), INECO Foundation, Favaloro University, Buenos Aires, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Center for Social and Cognitive Neuroscience (CSCN), School of Psychology, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile; Universidad Autonoma del Caribe, Barranquilla, Colombia; Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Australian Research Council (ARC), New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Leroy Lowe
- Neuroqualia (NGO), Turo, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Brenda W J H Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUMC, GGZ InGeest Research & Innovation, Amsterdam Neuroscience, the Netherlands
| | - Pedro Rosa
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andrew H Kemp
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, United Kingdom; Department of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Discipline of Psychiatry, and School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Genetic influence on ageing-related changes in resting-state brain functional networks in healthy adults: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 113:98-110. [PMID: 32169413 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This systematic review examines the genetic and epigenetic factors associated with resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) in healthy human adult brains across the lifespan, with a focus on genes associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). There were 58 studies included. The key findings are: (i) genetic factors have a low to moderate contribution; (ii) the apolipoprotein E ε2/3/4 polymorphism was the most studied genetic variant, with the APOE-ε4 allele most consistently associated with deficits of the default mode network, but there were insufficient studies to determine the relationships with other AD candidate risk genes; (iii) a single genome-wide association study identified several variants related to RSFC; (iv) two epigenetic independent studies showed a positive relationship between blood DNA methylation of the SLC6A4 promoter and RSFC measures. Thus, there is emerging evidence that genetic and epigenetic variation influence the brain's functional organisation and connectivity over the adult lifespan. However, more studies are required to elucidate the roles genetic and epigenetic factors play in RSFC measures across the adult lifespan.
Collapse
|
10
|
Epigenetic variation at the SLC6A4 gene promoter in mother-child pairs with major depressive disorder. J Affect Disord 2019; 245:716-723. [PMID: 30447571 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.10.369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic and epigenetic variations of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) have been related to the etiology of depression. The 5-HTTLPR polymorphism at the SLC6A4 promoter region has two variants, a short allele (S) and a long allele (L), in which the S allele results in lower gene transcription and has been associated with depression. The short S-allele of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism of this gene has been associated with depression. In addition to molecular mechanisms, exposure to early life risk factors such as maternal depression seems to affect the development of depression in postnatal life. The present study investigated the association of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and CpG DNA methylation (5mC) levels of an AluJb repeat element at the SLC6A4 promoter region in mother-child pairs exposed to maternal depression. METHODS We analyzed DNA samples from 60 subjects (30 mother-child pairs) split into three groups, with and without major depression disorder (DSM-IV) among children and mothers. The genotyping of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and quantification of 5mC levels was performed by qualitative PCR and methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme digestion, and real-time quantitative PCR (MSRED-qPCR), respectively. RESULTS The sample analyzed presented a higher frequency of S allele of 5-HTTLPR (67.5%). Despite the high frequency of this allele, we did not find statistically significant differences between individuals carrying at least one S allele between the depression and healthy control subjects, or among the mother-child pair groups with different patterns of occurrence of depression. In the group where the mother and child were both diagnosed with depression, we found a statistically significant decrease of the 5mC level at the SLC6A4 promoter region. LIMITATIONS The limitations are the relatively small sample size and lack of gene expression data available for comparison with methylation data. CONCLUSION In this study, we demonstrated a repeat element specific 5mC level reduction in mother-child pairs, concordant for the diagnosis of depression.
Collapse
|
11
|
Di Sante J, Ismaylova E, Nemoda Z, Gouin JP, Yu WJ, Caldwell W, Vitaro F, Szyf M, Tremblay RE, Booij L. Peripheral DNA methylation of HPA axis-related genes in humans: Cross-tissue convergence, two-year stability and behavioural and neural correlates. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 97:196-205. [PMID: 30059826 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Environmental factors can influence gene expression via epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation. DNA methylation levels of regulatory regions in Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis-related genes assessed from brain tissues as well as from surrogate, peripheral tissues have been associated with vulnerability to stress-related psychopathologies. Commonly used peripheral samples to assess DNA methylation in living humans are derived from blood, saliva or buccal cells. Although psychiatric epigenetic studies are increasingly relying on peripheral measures of DNA methylation, it is still unknown to what extent methylation patterns across peripheral tissues are associated with each other and with measures of brain processes and behavioural stress. In the present study, with a sample of 51 healthy adults, we assessed cross-tissue correlations of DNA methylation patterns in the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) 1 F promoter and the FK506 Binding Protein 5 (FKBP5) gene intron 7 region using saliva and buccal cell samples, and assessed two-year stability in both tissues in a male subsample (N = 14). We also investigated associations between peripherally-derived DNA methylation and measures of neural function and perceived daily stress, and compared the extent of these associations across tissue samples. DNA methylation cross-tissue correlations were highly significant for FKBP5, but not significant for NR3C1. DNA methylation in both genes remained stable for two years. Tissue- and gene-specific associations were found for brain resting state connectivity and neural responses to sadness, thereby suggesting that saliva- and buccal cell-derived DNA methylation levels of NR3C1-1 F and FKBP5 gene regions might differently capture different measures of putatively related brain processes. It was also found that greater buccal cell- (but not saliva-) derived NR3C1-1 F methylation was associated with lower perceived daily life demands. Results of the present study may inform the design of future epigenetic studies on FKBP5-intron-7 and NR3C1-1 F-promoter methylation in relation to neuro-imaging and behavioural measures, and provide insight for the development of peripheral DNA methylation correlates of stress sensitivity and resilience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Di Sante
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada; Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Elmira Ismaylova
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada; Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Zsofia Nemoda
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Wei-Jo Yu
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Warren Caldwell
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Frank Vitaro
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada; School of Psychoeducation, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Richard E Tremblay
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada; Department of Psychology and Pediatrics, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada; School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Linda Booij
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada; Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ismaylova E, Lévesque ML, Pomares FB, Szyf M, Nemoda Z, Fahim C, Vitaro F, Brendgen M, Dionne G, Boivin M, Tremblay RE, Booij L. Serotonin transporter promoter methylation in peripheral cells and neural responses to negative stimuli: A study of adolescent monozygotic twins. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:147. [PMID: 30089832 PMCID: PMC6082838 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0195-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have examined associations between peripheral DNA methylation patterns of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) promoter and symptoms of depression and anxiety. The SLC6A4 promoter methylation has also been associated with frontal-limbic brain responses to negative stimuli. However, it is unclear how much of this association is confounded by DNA sequence variations. We utilized a monozygotic-twin within-pair discordance design, to test whether DNA methylation at specific CpG sites in the SLC6A4 promoter of peripheral cells is associated with greater frontal-limbic brain responses to negative stimuli (sadness and fear), independently of DNA sequence effects. In total 48 pairs of healthy 15-year-old monozygotic twins from the Quebec Newborn Twin Study, followed regularly since birth, underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while conducting an emotion-processing task. The SLC6A4 promoter methylation level was assessed in saliva samples using pyrosequencing. Relative to the co-twins with lower SLC6A4 promoter methylation levels, twins with higher peripheral SLC6A4 methylation levels showed greater orbitofrontal cortical (OFC) activity and left amygdala-anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and left amygdala-right OFC connectivity in response to sadness as well as greater ACC-left amygdala and ACC-left insula connectivity in response to fearful stimuli. By utilising a monozygotic-twin design, we provided evidence that associations between peripheral SLC6A4 promoter methylation and frontal-limbic brain responses to negative stimuli are, in part, independent of DNA sequence variations. Although causality cannot be determined here, SLC6A4 promoter methylation may be one of the mechanisms underlying how environmental factors influence the serotonin system, potentially affecting emotional processing through frontal-limbic areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elmira Ismaylova
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0001 2292 3357grid.14848.31Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Melissa L. Lévesque
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0001 2292 3357grid.14848.31Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Florence B. Pomares
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0004 1936 8630grid.410319.eDepartment of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Moshe Szyf
- 0000 0004 1936 8649grid.14709.3bDepartment of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Zsofia Nemoda
- 0000 0004 1936 8649grid.14709.3bDepartment of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Cherine Fahim
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Frank Vitaro
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0001 2292 3357grid.14848.31School of Psychoeducation, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Mara Brendgen
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0001 2181 0211grid.38678.32Department of Psychology, University of Quebec à Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ginette Dionne
- 0000 0004 1936 8390grid.23856.3aSchool of Psychology, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michel Boivin
- 0000 0004 1936 8390grid.23856.3aSchool of Psychology, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada ,0000 0001 1088 3909grid.77602.34Institute of Genetic, Neurobiological, and Social Foundations of Child Development, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russian Federation
| | - Richard E. Tremblay
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0001 2292 3357grid.14848.31Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0001 0768 2743grid.7886.1School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Linda Booij
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada. .,Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada. .,Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Peña CJ, Nestler EJ. Progress in Epigenetics of Depression. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2018; 157:41-66. [PMID: 29933956 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2017.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Depression is a prevalent and complex psychiatric syndrome. Epigenetic mechanisms bridge the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the pathophysiology of depression. A surge of research over the last decade has identified changes in DNA methylation, histone modifications, histone organization, and noncoding RNAs associated with depression and stress-induced depression-like behavior in animal models. We focus here on associations of epigenetic factors concurrent with depression and depression-like behavior, although risk for depression and some of the associated epigenetic changes are known to have developmental origins. Finally, emerging technology may enable breakthroughs in the ability to rescue depression-associated epigenetic modifications at specific genes, greatly enhancing specificity of future potential therapeutic treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine J Peña
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Grünblatt E, Marinova Z, Roth A, Gardini E, Ball J, Geissler J, Wojdacz TK, Romanos M, Walitza S. Combining genetic and epigenetic parameters of the serotonin transporter gene in obsessive-compulsive disorder. J Psychiatr Res 2018; 96:209-217. [PMID: 29102815 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.10.010] [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: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
While genetic variants have been reported to be associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the small effect sizes suggest that epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation may also be relevant. The serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) gene has been extensively investigated in relation to OCD, since serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the pharmacological treatment of choice for the disorder. The current study set three questions: Firstly, whether the high expressing loci of the SLC6A4 polymorphisms, 5-HTTLPR + rs25531, rs25532 and rs16965628 are associated with family-based (n = 164 trios) and case-control OCD (n = 186, 152, respectively). This was also examined by a meta-analysis. Secondly, whether DNA methylation and RNA levels of the SLC6A4 differ in saliva and blood of a subset of samples from pediatric and adult OCD patients and matched controls. And lastly, whether morning awakening cortisol levels correlate with the above. A meta-analysis confirmed the association of the LA-allele with OCD (OR = 1.21, p = 0.00018), maintaining significance in the early-onset OCD subgroup (OR = 1.21, p = 0.022). There was no association between rs25532 or rs16965628 and OCD. Our preliminary data showed that SLC6A4 DNA methylation levels in an amplicon located at the beginning of the first intron were significantly higher in the saliva of pediatric OCD patients compared to controls and adult patients with OCD, but no alterations in RNA levels or in polymorphism interactions were observed. Morning awakening salivary cortisol levels positively correlated with methylation levels, and negatively correlated with RNA levels. This study further supports the involvement of the SLC6A4 gene in OCD through both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. This finding needs to be explored further in an independent large sample.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edna Grünblatt
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Zoya Marinova
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Roth
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elena Gardini
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Juliane Ball
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Julia Geissler
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tomasz K Wojdacz
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Wilhelm Meyers Allé 3, Build. 1230, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark; Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 6B, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Marcel Romanos
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Walitza
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|