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Kupcova I, Danisovic L, Grgac I, Harsanyi S. Anxiety and Depression: What Do We Know of Neuropeptides? Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:bs12080262. [PMID: 36004833 PMCID: PMC9405013 DOI: 10.3390/bs12080262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In modern society, there has been a rising trend of depression and anxiety. This trend heavily impacts the population’s mental health and thus contributes significantly to morbidity and, in the worst case, to suicides. Modern medicine, with many antidepressants and anxiolytics at hand, is still unable to achieve remission in many patients. The pathophysiology of depression and anxiety is still only marginally understood, which encouraged researchers to focus on neuropeptides, as they are a vast group of signaling molecules in the nervous system. Neuropeptides are involved in the regulation of many physiological functions. Some act as neuromodulators and are often co-released with neurotransmitters that allow for reciprocal communication between the brain and the body. Most studied in the past were the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of oxytocin, vasopressin or neuropeptide Y and S, or Substance P. However, in recent years, more and more novel neuropeptides have been added to the list, with implications for the research and development of new targets, diagnostic elements, and even therapies to treat anxiety and depressive disorders. In this review, we take a close look at all currently studied neuropeptides, their related pathways, their roles in stress adaptation, and the etiology of anxiety and depression in humans and animal models. We will focus on the latest research and information regarding these associated neuropeptides and thus picture their potential uses in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Kupcova
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia; (I.K.); (L.D.)
| | - Lubos Danisovic
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia; (I.K.); (L.D.)
| | - Ivan Grgac
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Stefan Harsanyi
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia; (I.K.); (L.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +421-2-59357-299
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den Boer JA, de Vries EJ, Borra RJ, Waarde AV, Lammertsma AA, Dierckx RA. Role of Brain Imaging in Drug Development for Psychiatry. Curr Rev Clin Exp Pharmacol 2022; 17:46-71. [DOI: 10.2174/1574884716666210322143458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background:
Over the last decades, many brain imaging studies have contributed to
new insights in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disease. However, in spite of these developments,
progress in the development of novel therapeutic drugs for prevalent psychiatric health conditions
has been limited.
Objective:
In this review, we discuss translational, diagnostic and methodological issues that have
hampered drug development in CNS disorders with a particular focus on psychiatry. The role of
preclinical models is critically reviewed and opportunities for brain imaging in early stages of drug
development using PET and fMRI are discussed. The role of PET and fMRI in drug development
is reviewed emphasizing the need to engage in collaborations between industry, academia and
phase I units.
Conclusion:
Brain imaging technology has revolutionized the study of psychiatric illnesses, and
during the last decade, neuroimaging has provided valuable insights at different levels of analysis
and brain organization, such as effective connectivity (anatomical), functional connectivity patterns
and neurochemical information that may support both preclinical and clinical drug development.
Since there is no unifying pathophysiological theory of individual psychiatric syndromes and since
many symptoms cut across diagnostic boundaries, a new theoretical framework has been proposed
that may help in defining new targets for treatment and thus enhance drug development in CNS diseases.
In addition, it is argued that new proposals for data-mining and mathematical modelling as
well as freely available databanks for neural network and neurochemical models of rodents combined
with revised psychiatric classification will lead to new validated targets for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erik J.F. de Vries
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Ronald J.H. Borra
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Aren van Waarde
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Adriaan A. Lammertsma
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Rudi A. Dierckx
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To give an update on recent imaging studies probing positron emission tomography (PET) as a tool for improving biomarker-guided diagnosis of neuropsychiatric disorders. RECENT FINDINGS Several studies confirmed the value of imaging of regional neuronal activity and imaging of dopaminergic, serotonergic, and other neuroreceptor function in the diagnostic process of neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia, depression/bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Additionally, imaging brain microglial activation using translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) radiotracer allows for unique in-vivo insights into pathophysiological neuroinflammatory changes underlying schizophrenia, affective disorders, and OCD. SUMMARY The role of PET imaging in the biomarker-guided diagnostic process of neuropsychiatric disorders has been increasingly acknowledged in recent years. Future prospective studies are needed to define the value of PET imaging for diagnosis, treatment decisions, and prognosis in neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Grönroos TJ, Forsback S, Eskola O, Bergman J, Marjamäki P, Löyttyniemi E, Hietala J, Haaparanta-Solin M, Solin O. [ 18F]SPA-RQ/PET Study of NK1 receptors in the Whole Body of Guinea Pig and Rat. Sci Rep 2019; 9:20412. [PMID: 31892711 PMCID: PMC6938475 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56848-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a substantial interest in the development of NK1 substance P antagonists as potential treatments for various neuropsychiatric and somatic disorders. The aim of this study was to determine whether [18F]SPA-RQ can be utilized as a tool for studying the whole body distribution and function of NK1 receptors in preclinical settings. The compound was injected into guinea pigs with or without premedication with a NK1 receptor antagonist (NK1A-2). For comparison, we included two rats in the study, as the affinity of antagonists for NK1 receptors is known to vary between species. The whole body biodistribution of the tracer was determined at several time points. The tracer showed specific binding in organs compatible with the known location of NK1-receptors. Premedication with a NK1 antagonist led to an inhibited uptake of [18F]SPA-RQ in several organs of guinea pigs, notably intestine, pancreas, urinary bladder, uterus, skin and lung. Specific binding was also seen in both cortex and striatum. In contrast, negligible specific binding was observed in the rat brain with [18F]SPA-RQ, whereas the tracer uptake in peripheral tissues was similar to that seen in guinea pigs. We conclude that [18F]SPA-RQ/PET is a useful tool to study the distribution and function of peripherally located NK1 receptors e.g. in different disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tove J Grönroos
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. .,Medicity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
| | - Sarita Forsback
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Olli Eskola
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | | | | | | | - Jarmo Hietala
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Merja Haaparanta-Solin
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Medicity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Olof Solin
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Accelerator Laboratory, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
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