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Vyas N, Wimberly CE, Beaman MM, Kaplan SJ, Rasmussen LJH, Wertz J, Gifford EJ, Walsh KM. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 151:106071. [PMID: 36857833 PMCID: PMC10073327 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
There is continued interest in identifying dysregulated biomarkers that mediate associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and negative long-term health outcomes. However, little is known regarding how ACE exposure modulates neural biomarkers to influence poorer health outcomes in ACE-exposed children. To address this, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of ACE exposure on Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels - a neural biomarker involved in childhood and adult neurogenesis and long-term memory formation. Twenty-two studies were selected for inclusion within the systematic review, ten of which were included in meta-analysis. Most included studies retrospectively assessed impacts of childhood maltreatment in clinical populations. Sample size, BDNF protein levels in ACE-exposed and unexposed subjects, and standard deviations were extracted from ten publications to estimate the BDNF ratio of means (ROM) across exposure categories. Overall, no significant difference was found in BDNF protein levels between ACE-exposed and unexposed groups (ROM: 1.08; 95 % CI: 0.93-1.26). Age at sampling, analyte type (e.g., sera, plasma, blood), and categories of ACE exposure contributed to high between-study heterogeneity, some of which was minimized in subset-based analyses. These results support continued investigation into the impact of ACE exposure on neural biomarkers and highlight the potential importance of analyte type and timing of sample collection on study results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Vyas
- Duke University, Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Courtney E Wimberly
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Duke University Department of Neurosurgery, Durham, NC, USA
| | - M Makenzie Beaman
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Duke Children's Health and Discovery Initiative, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Line J H Rasmussen
- Duke University Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Jasmin Wertz
- Duke University Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Durham, NC, USA; University of Edinburgh, Department of Psychology, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Elizabeth J Gifford
- Duke Children's Health and Discovery Initiative, Durham, NC, USA; Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy, Center for Child and Family Policy, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kyle M Walsh
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Duke University Department of Neurosurgery, Durham, NC, USA; Duke Children's Health and Discovery Initiative, Durham, NC, USA.
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Dissecting early life stress-induced adolescent depression through epigenomic approach. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:141-153. [PMID: 36517640 PMCID: PMC9812796 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01907-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Early life stress (ELS), such as abuse and neglect during childhood, can lead to psychiatric disorders in later life. Previous studies have suggested that ELS can cause profound changes in gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms, which can lead to psychiatric disorders in adulthood; however, studies on epigenetic modifications associated with ELS and psychiatric disorders in adolescents are limited. Moreover, how these epigenetic modifications can lead to psychiatric disorders in adolescents is not fully understood. Commonly, DNA methylation, histone modification, and the regulation of noncoding RNAs have been attributed to the reprogramming of epigenetic profiling associated with ELS. Although only a few studies have attempted to examine epigenetic modifications in adolescents with ELS, existing evidence suggests that there are commonalities and differences in epigenetic profiling between adolescents and adults. In addition, epigenetic modifications are sex-dependent and are influenced by the type of ELS. In this review, we have critically evaluated the current evidence on epigenetic modifications in adolescents with ELS, particularly DNA methylation and the expression of microRNAs in both preclinical models and humans. We have also clarified the impact of ELS on psychiatric disorders in adolescents to predict the development of neuropsychiatric disorders and to prevent and recover these disorders through personalized medicine.
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Di Benedetto MG, Scassellati C, Cattane N, Riva MA, Cattaneo A. Neurotrophic factors, childhood trauma and psychiatric disorders: A systematic review of genetic, biochemical, cognitive and imaging studies to identify potential biomarkers. J Affect Disord 2022; 308:76-88. [PMID: 35378148 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.03.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to traumatic experience represents one of the key environmental factors influencing the risk for several psychiatric disorders, in particular when suffered during childhood, a critical period for brain development, characterized by a high level of neuroplasticity. Abnormalities affecting neurotrophic factors might play a fundamental role in the link between childhood trauma (CT) and early life stress (ELS) and psychiatric disorders. METHODS A systematic review was conducted, considering genetic, biochemical and expression studies along with cognitive and brain structure imaging investigations, based on PubMed and Web of Science databases (available up until November 2021), to identify potential neuroplasticity related biomarkers associated both with CT/ELS and psychiatric disorders. The search was followed by data abstraction and study quality assessment (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale). RESULTS 103 studies met our eligibility criteria. Among them, 65 were available for genetic, 30 for biochemical and 3 for mRNA data; 45 findings were linked to specific symptomatology/pathologies, 16 with various cognitive functions, 19 with different brain areas, 6 on methylation and 36 performed on control subjects for the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF); whereas 4 expression/biochemical studies covered Neurotrophin 4 (NT-4), Vascular Endothelium Growth Factor (VEGF), Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF), and Transforming Growth Factor β1 (TGF-β1). LIMITATIONS Heterogeneity of assessments (biological, psychological, of symptomatology, and CT/ELS), age range and ethnicity of samples for BDNF studies; limited studies for other neurotrophins. CONCLUSIONS Results support the key role of BDNF (in form of Met allele) as biomarker, both at genetic and biochemical level, in mediating the effect of CT/ELS in psychiatric disorders, passing through specific cognitive functions and specific brain region architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Di Benedetto
- Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro S. Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy; Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Catia Scassellati
- Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro S. Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Nadia Cattane
- Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro S. Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Andrea Riva
- Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro S. Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy; Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Annamaria Cattaneo
- Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro S. Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy; Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Italy.
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Dias de Castro Bins H, Dotta Panichi RM, Vernet Taborda JG, Arzeno Ferrão Y. Childhood trauma, psychiatric disorders, and criminality in women: Associations with serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LAW AND PSYCHIATRY 2020; 71:101574. [PMID: 32768114 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2020.101574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders and childhood trauma are highly prevalent in female inmates. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a number of roles in neuronal survival, structure, and function. Data in the literature suggest that it is a neurobiological substrate that moderates the impact of childhood adversities on the late expression of psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to determine whether five childhood trauma subtypes-physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, and emotional neglect-are associated with adult psychiatric disorders, BDNF levels, and criminality among incarcerated women. This was a cross-sectional study involving a consecutive sample of 110 women, divided into three groups of women (forensic - mentally ill who committed crimes, clinical psychiatric inpatients and healthy controls). The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus were applied in the whole sample, and BDNF levels were measured in a sub-sample of 54 women. The rates of mental illness and childhood trauma were high in the forensic group. Emotional abuse was higher in the clinical and forensic groups than in the healthy control group. Lower BDNF levels were associated with emotional abuse in the forensic group as well as with sexual abuse in the healthy control group. After multinomial logistic regression, lower levels of BDNF, higher levels of emotional abuse and the presence of familial offense were considered factors related to clinical psychiatric group. The results of this study underscore the idea that BDNF may be an important factor related to the development of diseases and criminality in women who are victims of childhood trauma, becoming a possible biological marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Dias de Castro Bins
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre), Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Renata Maria Dotta Panichi
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - José Geraldo Vernet Taborda
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ygor Arzeno Ferrão
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre), Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Li J, Tang L, Wang Y, Li F, Bao M, Xiang J, Lei D, Tang B. Genetic Associations and Interactions Between the NR3C1 (GR) and NR3C2 (MR) Genes and Aggressive Behavior in a Central South Chinese Han Population. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2017; 21:497-505. [PMID: 28686058 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2016.0417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jianming Li
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Neuroscience Research Center, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Anatomy, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Liang Tang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Anatomy, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- School of Basic Medical Science, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fang Li
- Neuroscience Research Center, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Anatomy, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Meihua Bao
- Neuroscience Research Center, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Anatomy, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ju Xiang
- Neuroscience Research Center, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Anatomy, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Deliang Lei
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Beisha Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Keller J, Gomez R, Williams G, Lembke A, Lazzeroni L, Murphy GM, Schatzberg AF. HPA axis in major depression: cortisol, clinical symptomatology and genetic variation predict cognition. Mol Psychiatry 2017; 22:527-536. [PMID: 27528460 PMCID: PMC5313380 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 467] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been implicated in the pathophysiology of a variety of mood and cognitive disorders. Neuroendocrine studies have demonstrated HPA axis overactivity in major depression, a relationship of HPA axis activity to cognitive performance and a potential role of HPA axis genetic variation in cognition. The present study investigated the simultaneous roles HPA axis activity, clinical symptomatology and HPA genetic variation play in cognitive performance. Patients with major depression with psychotic major depression (PMD) and with nonpsychotic major depression (NPMD) and healthy controls (HC) were studied. All participants underwent a diagnostic interview and psychiatric ratings, a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, overnight hourly blood sampling for cortisol and genetic assessment. Cognitive performance differed as a function of depression subtype. Across all subjects, cognitive performance was negatively correlated with higher cortisol, and PMD patients had higher cortisol than did NPMDs and HCs. Cortisol, clinical symptoms and variation in genes, NR3C1 (glucocorticoid receptor; GR) and NR3C2 (mineralocorticoid receptor; MR) that encode for GRs and MRs, predicted cognitive performance. Beyond the effects of cortisol, demographics and clinical symptoms, NR3C1 variation predicted attention and working memory, whereas NR3C2 polymorphisms predicted memory performance. These findings parallel the distribution of GR and MR in primate brain and their putative roles in specific cognitive tasks. HPA axis genetic variation and activity were important predictors of cognition across the entire sample of depressed subjects and HR. GR and MR genetic variation predicted unique cognitive functions, beyond the influence of cortisol and clinical symptoms. GR genetic variation was implicated in attention and working memory, whereas MR was implicated in verbal memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Keller
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine
| | - Rowena Gomez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine,Palo Alto University
| | | | - Anna Lembke
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine
| | | | - Greer M. Murphy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine
| | - Alan F. Schatzberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine
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Sahu G, Malavade K, Jacob T. Cognitive Impairment in Schizophrenia: Interplay of BDNF and Childhood Trauma? A Review of Literature. Psychiatr Q 2016; 87:559-69. [PMID: 26603624 DOI: 10.1007/s11126-015-9409-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia. These deficits can also serve as an endophenotype for the illness in genetic studies. There is evidence that suggests that cognition can be considered a reasonable target for intervention in both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. One of the most studied genetic phenotypes for psychosis is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphisms. BDNF has an established role in neuronal development and cell survival in response to stress and is abnormally expressed in schizophrenia. Studies have shown that childhood trauma is associated with poor prognosis of schizophrenic patients. BDNF-Val66Met polymorphism has been shown to moderate the impact of childhood adversity on later expression of affective symptoms, suggesting the possibility of gene environment interactions. Considering the recent advances of neuroscience an up to date review of relevant literature is warranted in this field. This article reviews the current literature available regarding associations between the Val66Met polymorphism, childhood trauma and cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geetanjali Sahu
- Department of Psychiatry, Maimonides Medical Center, 4802 Tenth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11219, USA
| | - Kishor Malavade
- Department of Psychiatry, Maimonides Medical Center, 4802 Tenth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11219, USA
- Department of Population Health, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Theresa Jacob
- Department of Psychiatry, Maimonides Medical Center, 4802 Tenth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11219, USA.
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van den Heuvel L, Suliman S, Malan-Müller S, Hemmings S, Seedat S. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66met polymorphism and plasma levels in road traffic accident survivors. ANXIETY STRESS AND COPING 2016; 29:616-29. [PMID: 26999419 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2016.1163545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and release may play a role in the pathogenesis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). DESIGN This study evaluated road traffic accident (RTA) survivors to determine whether PTSD and trauma-related factors were associated with plasma BDNF levels and BDNF Val66Met carrier status following RTA exposure. METHODS One hundred and twenty-three RTA survivors (mean age 33.2 years, SD = 10.6 years; 56.9% male) were assessed 10 (SD = 4.9) days after RTA exposure. Acute stress disorder (ASD), as assessed with the Acute Stress Disorder Scale, was present in 50 (42.0%) of the participants. Plasma BDNF levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and BDNF Val66Met genotyping was performed. PTSD, as assessed with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, was present in 10 (10.8%) participants at 6 months follow-up. RESULTS Neither BDNF Val66Met genotype nor plasma BDNF was significantly associated with the presence or severity of ASD or PTSD. Plasma BDNF levels were, however, significantly correlated with the lifetime number of trauma exposures. CONCLUSIONS In RTA survivors, plasma BDNF levels increased with increasing number of prior trauma exposures. Plasma BDNF may, therefore, be a marker of trauma load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh van den Heuvel
- a Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Stellenbosch , Cape Town , South Africa
| | - Sharain Suliman
- a Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Stellenbosch , Cape Town , South Africa
| | - Stefanie Malan-Müller
- a Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Stellenbosch , Cape Town , South Africa.,b Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Stellenbosch , Cape Town , South Africa
| | - Sian Hemmings
- a Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Stellenbosch , Cape Town , South Africa.,b Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Stellenbosch , Cape Town , South Africa
| | - Soraya Seedat
- a Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Stellenbosch , Cape Town , South Africa
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Peripheral blood brain-derived neurotrophic factor in bipolar disorder: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Mol Psychiatry 2016; 21:216-28. [PMID: 26194180 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2015.54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2015] [Revised: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral blood brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been proposed as a potential biomarker related to disease activity and neuroprogression in bipolar disorder, speculated to mirror alterations in brain expression of BDNF. The research area is rapidly evolving; however, recent investigations have yielded conflicting results with substantial variation in outcomes, highlighting the need to critically assess the state of current evidence. The aims of the study were to investigate differences in peripheral blood BDNF concentrations between bipolar disorder patients and healthy control subjects and between affective states in bipolar disorder patients, including assessment of the effect of treatment of acute episodes on BDNF levels. A systematic review of English language studies without considering publication status was conducted in PubMed (January 1950-November 2014), Embase (1974-November 2014) and PsycINFO (1806-November 2014), and 35 studies comprising a total of 3798 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated that crude peripheral blood BDNF levels may be lower in bipolar disorder patients overall (Hedges' g=-0.28, 95% CI: -0.51 to -0.04, P=0.02) and in serum of manic (g=-0.77, 95% CI: -1.36 to -0.18, P=0.01) and depressed (g=-0.87, 95% CI: -1.42 to -0.32, P=0.002) bipolar disorder patients compared with healthy control subjects. No differences in peripheral BDNF levels were observed between affective states overall. Longer illness duration was associated with higher BDNF levels in bipolar disorder patients. Relatively low study quality, substantial unexplained between-study heterogeneity, potential bias in individual studies and indications of publication bias, was observed and studies were overall underpowered. It could thus not be excluded that identified differences between groups were due to factors not related to bipolar disorder. In conclusion, limitations in the evidence base prompt tempered conclusions regarding the role of peripheral BDNF as a biomarker in bipolar disorder and substantially improving the quality of further research is warranted.
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Bortoluzzi A, Blaya C, Rosa EDD, Paim M, Rosa V, Leistner-Segal S, Manfro GG. What can HPA axis-linked genes tell us about anxiety disorders in adolescents? TRENDS IN PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY 2015; 37:232-7. [DOI: 10.1590/2237-6089-2015-0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Anxiety disorders (AD) share features of both anxiety and fear linked to stress response. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is considered the core biological pathway of the stress system and it is known that an inappropriate response to environmental stimuli may be related to individual genetic vulnerability in HPA-linked genes. Despite the biological plausibility of a relationship between the HPA axis and AD, few studies have investigated associations between genetic polymorphisms linked to the HPA axis and this complex disorder. Objective: To investigate whether AD are associated with genetic polymorphisms in HPA-linked genes in adolescents. Methods: Our study consisted of a cross-sectional evaluation of a community sample comprising a total of 228 adolescents (131 cases of AD). We extracted DNA from saliva and genotyped polymorphisms in HPA-linked genes (FKBP5: rs3800373, rs9296158, rs1360780, rs9470080 and rs4713916; NR3C1: rs6198; CRHR1: rs878886; and SERPINA6: rs746530) with real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The instruments used to diagnose and assess the severity of AD were the Schedule for Affective Disorder and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children - Present and Lifetime (K-SADS-PL) and the Screen for Child and Anxiety related Emotional Disorders (SCARED). Results: We failed to detect any associations between AD and genetic polymorphisms in HPA-linked genes (p > 0.05). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating these specific polymorphisms in relation to AD in adolescents, which encourages us to design further research on the subject.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carolina Blaya
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana Paim
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Virgínia Rosa
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Corticosteroid receptor genes and childhood neglect influence susceptibility to crack/cocaine addiction and response to detoxification treatment. J Psychiatr Res 2015; 68:83-90. [PMID: 26228405 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2015.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2015] [Revised: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze hypotheses-driven gene-environment and gene-gene interactions in smoked (crack) cocaine addiction by evaluating childhood neglect and polymorphisms in mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptor genes (NR3C2 and NR3C1, respectively). One hundred thirty-nine crack/cocaine-addicted women who completed 3 weeks of follow-up during early abstinence composed our sample. Childhood adversities were assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and withdrawal symptoms were assessed using the Cocaine Selective Severity Assessment (CSSA) scale. Conditional logistic regression with counterfactuals and generalized estimating equation modeling were used to test gene-environment and gene-gene interactions. We found an interaction between the rs5522-Val allele and childhood physical neglect, which altered the risk of crack/cocaine addiction (Odds ratio = 4.0, P = 0.001). Moreover, a NR3C2-NR3C1 interaction (P = 0.002) was found modulating the severity of crack/cocaine withdrawal symptoms. In the post hoc analysis, concomitant carriers of the NR3C2 rs5522-Val and NR3C1 rs6198-G alleles showed lower overall severity scores when compared to other genotype groups (P-values ≤ 0.035). This gene-environment interaction is consistent with epidemiological and human experimental findings demonstrating a strong relationship between early life stress and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation in cocaine addiction. Additionally, this study extended in crack/cocaine addiction the findings previously reported for tobacco smoking involving an interaction between NR3C2 and NR3C1 genes.
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