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Hajak G, Vetter C, Wehling M. Neurexan Prescription Is Associated with Lower Risk of Sleep Disorder Recurrence and Depression Prevalence as Compared to Z-Drugs and Benzodiazepines: A Retrospective Database Analysis in Germany. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1413. [PMID: 39057556 PMCID: PMC11276089 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12141413] [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: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Real-world evidence on the association between natural medicinal products and the recurrence of sleep disorders is currently limited, particularly when compared to the evidence reported for prescription hypnotics. In a retrospective cohort analysis, we investigated patients with sleep disorders prescribed either the natural medicinal product Neurexan (Nx4), benzodiazepines, or nonbenzodiazepines (Z-drugs) using the IQVIA Disease Analyzer database, which encompasses electronic medical records nationwide in Germany. A 1:1 matching procedure based on age, sex, prevalent depression, anxiety or adjustment disorder, and the number of medical consultations in the past 12 months resulted in four cohorts: patients prescribed Nx4 were matched with those prescribed Z-drugs (two cohorts with 8594 matched patients each), and another cohort of patients prescribed Nx4 were matched with those prescribed benzodiazepines (7779 matched pairs). Results from multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models demonstrated that Nx4 was associated with a significantly lower risk of recurrent sleep disorder diagnosis within 30-365 days after prescription compared to both Z-drugs (HR = 0.65, 95%CI = 0.60-0.70, p < 0.001) and benzodiazepines (HR = 0.85, 95%CI = 0.79-0.93, p < 0.001). Additionally, Nx4 was associated with a lower prevalence of depression compared to Z-drugs (HR = 0.90, 95%CI = 0.83-0.98, p = 0.020) and benzodiazepines (HR = 0.89, 95%CI = 0.82-0.97, p = 0.009). These findings suggest an association between Nx4 and improved sleep and mental health outcomes. However, due to inherent limitations in the study design, the causality of this relationship cannot be stated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Göran Hajak
- Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Sozialstiftung Social Foundation Bamberg, Teaching Hospital of the University of Erlangen, 96049 Bamberg, Germany
| | - Céline Vetter
- IQVIA Commercial GmbH & Co. KG, 60549 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Martin Wehling
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
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2
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Pouchieu C, Pourtau L, Brossaud J, Gaudout D, Corcuff JB, Capuron L, Castanon N, Philip P. Acute Effect of a Saffron Extract (Safr'Inside TM) and Its Main Volatile Compound on the Stress Response in Healthy Young Men: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study. Nutrients 2023; 15:2921. [PMID: 37447245 DOI: 10.3390/nu15132921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
According to animal studies, saffron and its main volatile compound safranal may reduce biological and behavioral signs of acute stress. However, little is known about its impact in humans. This study investigated the acute effect of a saffron extract and safranal on the biological and psychological stress responses in healthy men experiencing a laboratory stress procedure. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, cross-over study, 19 volunteers aged 18-25 received a single dose of 30 mg saffron extract (Safr'InsideTM), 0.06 mg synthetic safranal, or a placebo on three visits separated by a 28-day washout. Thirteen minutes after administration, participants were exposed to the Maastricht acute stress test (MAST). Salivary cortisol and cortisone were collected from 15 min before the MAST (and pre-dose), 3 min before the MAST, and then 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 min after the MAST, and stress and anxiety were measured using visual analogic scales. Compared to the placebo, stress and anxiety were significantly toned down after Safranal and Safr'InsideTM administration and coupled with a delay in the times to peak salivary cortisol and cortisone concentrations (p < 0.05). Safr'InsideTM and its volatile compound seem to improve psychological stress response in healthy men after exposure to a lab-based stressor and may modulate the biological stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Line Pourtau
- Activ'Inside, F-33750 Beychac et Caillau, France
| | - Julie Brossaud
- Hormone Laboratory, Nuclear Medicine, CHU Bordeaux, UMR INRA 1286, University Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Jean-Benoit Corcuff
- Hormone Laboratory, Nuclear Medicine, CHU Bordeaux, UMR INRA 1286, University Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Lucile Capuron
- INRAE, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology (NutriNeuro), Bordeaux University, UMR 1286, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Nathalie Castanon
- INRAE, Nutrition and Integrative Neurobiology (NutriNeuro), Bordeaux University, UMR 1286, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Pierre Philip
- Pôle Neurosciences Cliniques, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, F-33076 Bordeaux, France
- Sommeil, Addiction et NeuroPSYchiatrie, Bordeaux University, CNRS, SANPSY, UMR 6033, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique Bordeaux, INSERM CIC 1401, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
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3
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Barantsevich ER, Kurushina OV, Akhmadeeva LR, Skoromets AP, Belova AN, Mendelevich EG, Kovalchuk VV, Doronina OB, Barkhatov MV, Kamchatnov PR. [Bioregulatory drug Newrexan in the treatment of anxiety and dissomnia. Resolution of the Council of Experts (June 8, 2023)]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2023; 123:143-146. [PMID: 37490680 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro2023123071143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Bioregulatory drug Newrexan in the treatment of anxiety and dissomnia. Resolution of the Council of Experts.
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Affiliation(s)
- E R Barantsevich
- Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - O V Kurushina
- Volgograd State Medical University, Volgograd, Russia
| | | | - A P Skoromets
- Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - A N Belova
- Volga Research Medical University, Nizhny Novgorod Russi, Volga Research Medical University, Nizhny Novgorod Russia
| | | | - V V Kovalchuk
- Semashko City Hospital No. 38, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - M V Barkhatov
- Federal Siberian Scientific and Clinical Center, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - P R Kamchatnov
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
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4
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Nanni-Zepeda M, Alizadeh S, Chand T, Kasties V, Fan Y, van der Meer J, Herrmann L, Vester JC, Schulz M, Naschold B, Walter M. Trait anxiety is related to Nx4's efficacy on stress-induced changes in amygdala-centered resting state functional connectivity: a placebo-controlled cross-over trial in mildly to moderately stressed healthy volunteers. BMC Neurosci 2022; 23:68. [PMID: 36434512 PMCID: PMC9694608 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-022-00754-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The multicomponent drug Neurexan (Nx4) was shown to reduce the neural stress network activation. We now investigated its effects on stress-induced resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) in dependence of trait anxiety (TA), an acknowledged vulnerability factor for stress-induced psychopathologies. METHODS Nx4 was tested in a randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial. Resting state fMRI scans were performed before and after a psychosocial stress task and exploratively analyzed for amygdala centered RSFC. Effects of Nx4 on stress-induced RSFC changes were evaluated and correlated to TA levels. A subgroup analysis based on TA scores was performed. RESULTS Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between TA and Nx4 effect on stress-induced RSFC changes between right amygdala and pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) and ventro-medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). For participants with above average TA, a significant amelioration of the stress-induced RSFC changes was observed. CONCLUSIONS The data add evidence to the hypothesis that Nx4's clinical efficacy is based on a dampened activation of the neural stress network, with a greater neural response in subjects with anxious personality traits. Further studies assessing clinically relevant outcome measures in parallel to fMRI are encouraged to evaluate the real-world benefit of Nx4. Trial registration NCT02602275.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanni Nanni-Zepeda
- grid.275559.90000 0000 8517 6224Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Philosophenweg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Sarah Alizadeh
- grid.275559.90000 0000 8517 6224Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Philosophenweg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Tara Chand
- grid.275559.90000 0000 8517 6224Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Philosophenweg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Vanessa Kasties
- grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 14, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Yan Fan
- grid.419241.b0000 0001 2285 956XLeibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Ardeystraße 67, 44139 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Johan van der Meer
- grid.509540.d0000 0004 6880 3010Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Luisa Herrmann
- grid.275559.90000 0000 8517 6224Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Philosophenweg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Johannes C. Vester
- idv Data Analysis and Study Planning, Tassilostraße 6, 82131 Gauting, Germany
| | - Myron Schulz
- grid.476093.f0000 0004 0629 2294Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, Dr.-Reckeweg-Str. 2-4, 76532 Baden-Baden, Germany
| | - Britta Naschold
- grid.476093.f0000 0004 0629 2294Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, Dr.-Reckeweg-Str. 2-4, 76532 Baden-Baden, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- grid.275559.90000 0000 8517 6224Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Philosophenweg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
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Chand T, Alizadeh S, Li M, Fan Y, Jamalabadi H, Danyeli L, Nanni-Zepeda M, Herrmann L, Van der Meer J, Vester JC, Schultz M, Naschold B, Walter M. Nx4 Modulated Resting-State Functional Connectivity Between Amygdala and Prefrontal Cortex in a Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial. Brain Connect 2022; 12:812-822. [PMID: 35438535 PMCID: PMC9805862 DOI: 10.1089/brain.2021.0189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The basic functional organization of the resting brain, assessed as resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC), can be affected by previous stress experience and it represents the basis on which subsequent stress experience develops. Notably, the rsFC between the amygdala and the cortical regions associated with emotion regulation and anxiety are affected during stress. The multicomponent drug Neurexan® (Nx4) has previously demonstrated a reduction in amygdala activation in an emotional face matching task and it ameliorated stress-related symptoms. We, thus, investigated the effect of Nx4 on rsFC of the amygdala before stress induction compared with baseline in mildly to moderately stressed participants. Methods: In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial 39 participants received a single dose of placebo or Nx4. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed pre-dose and 40 to 60 min post-dose, before any stress induction. First, highly connected functional hubs were identified by global functional connectivity density (gFCD) analysis. Second, by using a seed-based approach, rsFC maps of the left centromedial amygdala (CeMA) were created. The effect of Nx4 on both was evaluated. Results: The medial prefrontal cortex was identified as a relevant functional hub affected by Nx4 in an explorative whole brain gFCD analysis. Using the seed-based approach, we then demonstrated that Nx4 significantly enhanced the negative connectivity between the left CeMA and two cortical regions: the dorsolateral and medial prefrontal cortices. Conclusions: In a resting-state condition, Nx4 reduced the prefrontal cortex gFCD and strengthened the functional coupling between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex that is relevant for emotion regulation and the stress response. Further studies should elaborate whether this mechanism represents enhanced regulatory control of the amygdala at rest and, consequently, to a diminished susceptibility to stress. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02602275.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Chand
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Sarah Alizadeh
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Yan Fan
- Department Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the TU Dortmund (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
| | - Hamidreza Jamalabadi
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Lena Danyeli
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Melanni Nanni-Zepeda
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Luisa Herrmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Johan Van der Meer
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Martin Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Address correspondence to: Martin Walter, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Leipziger Str. 44, Tübingen 39120, Germany
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6
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Davis CJ, Schmidt MA, Hemmer K, Krömmelbein N, Seilheimer B. Multicomponent drug Neurexan mitigates acute stress-induced insomnia in rats. J Sleep Res 2022; 31:e13550. [PMID: 35060218 PMCID: PMC9786571 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether the multicomponent drug Neurexan could mitigate acute insomnia after exposure to a psychosocial stressor. We administered Neurexan orally to rats and examined stress-induced insomnia using the male rat dirty cage exchange method. The neurocircuitry and electrophysiological correlates of the model are characterised, and it represents various human insomnia conditions. Male rats were randomly assigned in a crossover design to six treatment groups and electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes attached. Three groups were exposed to a cage inhabited by another male rat for a week and the other three groups received a clean cage. Prior to cage change, rats were given either no drug, vehicle control or Neurexan. Non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, REM sleep, and waking were assessed manually via EEG recordings. Group means were compared for sleep latency and for the 2 h after cage change for: time in each state, state-specific episode duration/frequency, in addition to NREM delta, gamma and REM theta EEG spectral power. Rats administered Neurexan fell asleep faster than vehicle-treated rats and spent less time awake with shorter, albeit more waking episodes and increased NREM episodes after dirty cage exposure. Neurexan-treated rats given dirty cages were not statistically different on any outcomes from Neurexan-treated rats given clean cages, thereby mitigating the stressor. In the EEG power spectra analysed, changes between treatment groups were not detected. This research confirms that Neurexan treatment has somnogenic effects and ameliorates psychological stressor-induced acute insomnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Davis
- Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology in the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and Sleep and Performance Research CenterWashington State UniversitySpokaneWAUSA
| | - Michelle A. Schmidt
- Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology in the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and Sleep and Performance Research CenterWashington State UniversitySpokaneWAUSA
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7
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Herrmann L, Kasties V, Boden C, Li M, Fan Y, Van der Meer J, Vester JC, Seilheimer B, Schultz M, Alizadeh S, Walter M. Nx4 attenuated stress-induced activity of the anterior cingulate cortex-A post-hoc analysis of a randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial. Hum Psychopharmacol 2022; 37:e2837. [PMID: 35213077 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Stress-related symptoms are associated with significant health and economic burden. Several studies suggest Nx4 for the pharmacological management of the stress response and investigated the underlying neural processes. Here we hypothesized that Nx4 can directly affect the stress response in a predefined stress network, including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which is linked to various stress-related symptoms in patients. METHODS In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial, 39 healthy males took a single dose of placebo or Nx4. Psychosocial stress was induced by the ScanSTRESS paradigm inside an MRI scanner, and stress network activation was analyzed in brain regions defined a priori. RESULTS Using the placebo data only, we could validate the activation of a distinct neural stress pattern by the ScanSTRESS paradigm. For Nx4, we provide evidence of an attenuating effect on this stress response. A statistically significant reduction in differential stress-induced activation in the right supracallosal ACC was observed for the rotation stress task of the ScanSTRESS paradigm. The results add to previously published results of Nx4 effects on emotion regulation. CONCLUSIONS Our results strengthen the hypothesis that Nx4 modulates the stress response by reducing the activation in parts of the neural stress network, particularly in the ACC. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02602275; ClinicalTrials.gov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Herrmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Vanessa Kasties
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Cindy Boden
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Yan Fan
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Johan Van der Meer
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Myron Schultz
- Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, Baden-Baden, Germany
| | - Sarah Alizadeh
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
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8
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Keller A, Conradi J, Weber C, Failing K, Wergin M. Efficacy of Nx4 to Reduce Plasma Cortisol and Gastrin Levels in Norwegian Sled Dogs During an Exercise Induced Stress Response: A Prospective, Randomized, Double Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Cohort Study. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:741459. [PMID: 34765666 PMCID: PMC8576320 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.741459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: An exercise induced stress response is commonly seen in high performance sled dogs, resulting in increased plasma cortisol. A stress induced rise of cortisol might result in increased prevalence of gastritis and gastric ulcers mediated by an increase of gastrin. Neurexan® (Nx4) is a medicinal product used for stress relief by reduction of cortisol. The aim of the study was to show that Nx4 reduces plasma cortisol and plasma gastrin in high performance sled dogs and to show tolerability of Nx4 in dogs. Material and Methods: First, a pilot study was done to validate the increase of cortisol by performance. The data from the pilot study was used for sample size estimation via an adapted power analysis as well as the identification of important variables. These were then used in the randomization procedure of the main study. Second, a prospective randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled cohort study was conducted. The main study included 45 sled dogs, assigning 23 dogs to the Nx4 group, and 22 dogs to the placebo group, to analyze plasma cortisol and plasma gastrin at four time points: before, directly after and 30 and 120 min after performance. Results: For the main target variable, area under the curve (AUC) of plasma cortisol, a significantly lower adjusted mean value in the Nx4 group compared to the placebo group (p = 0.031) was found. Plasma gastrin was also significantly reduced in the Nx4 group 30 min after performance (p = 0.023), resulting in a significantly reduced plasma gastrin AUC in the Nx4 group compared to the placebo group (p = 0.049). Discussion: Within the limitation of the study, the results carry implications for the usefulness of Nx4 to reduce exercise induced plasma cortisol and gastrin levels. The reduction of the exercise induced stress response could help to improve the welfare of high-performance sled dogs. Since activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis resulting in increased cortisol is similar for exercise induced stress and psychologic stress, the same might be true independent of the stressor, making Nx4 potentially useful in any stressful situation for dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Klaus Failing
- Unit for Biomathematics and Data Processing of the Veterinary Faculty, University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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9
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Chand T, Alizadeh S, Jamalabadi H, Herrmann L, Krylova M, Surova G, van der Meer J, Wagner G, Engert V, Walter M. EEG revealed improved vigilance regulation after stress exposure under Nx4 - A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2021; 11:175-182. [PMID: 34729551 PMCID: PMC8545679 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Vigilance is characterized by alertness and sustained attention. The hyper-vigilance states are indicators of stress experience in the resting brain. Neurexan (Nx4) has been shown to modulate the neuroendocrine stress response. Here, we hypothesized that the intake of Nx4 would alter brain vigilance states at rest. Method In this post-hoc analysis of the NEURIM study, EEG recordings of three, 12 min resting-state conditions in 39 healthy male volunteers were examined in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over clinical trial. EEG was recorded at three resting-state sessions: at baseline (RS0), after single-dose treatment with Nx4 or placebo (RS1), and subsequently after a psychosocial stress task (RS2). During each resting-state session, each 2-s segment of the consecutive EEG epochs was classified into one of seven different brain states along a wake-sleep continuum using the VIGALL 2.1 algorithm. Results In the post-stress resting-state, subjects exhibited a hyper-stable vigilance regulation characterized by an increase in the mean vigilance level and by more rigidity in the higher vigilance states for a longer period of time. Importantly, Nx4-treated participants exhibited significantly lower mean vigilance level compared to placebo-treated ones. Also, Nx4- compared to placebo-treated participants spent comparably less time in higher vigilance states and more time in lower vigilance states in the post-stress resting-state. Conclusion Study participants showed a significantly lower mean vigilance level in the post-stress resting-state condition and tended to stay longer in lower vigilance states after treatment with Nx4. These findings support the known stress attenuation effect of Nx4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Chand
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena 07743, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Sarah Alizadeh
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena 07743, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Hamidreza Jamalabadi
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Luisa Herrmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena 07743, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Marina Krylova
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena 07743, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Galina Surova
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Johan van der Meer
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, Australia.,Amsterdam UMC, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, 1105AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gred Wagner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena 07743, Germany
| | - Veronika Engert
- Institute of Psychosocial Medicine, Psychotherapy and Psychooncology, Jena University Hospital, Jena 07443, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena 07743, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
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10
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Mayer K, Krylova M, Alizadeh S, Jamalabadi H, van der Meer J, Vester JC, Naschold B, Schultz M, Walter M. Nx4 Reduced Susceptibility to Distraction in an Attention Modulation Task. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:746215. [PMID: 34912250 PMCID: PMC8667722 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.746215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Stress adversely affects the attentional focus, the active concentration on stimuli, and increases susceptibility to distraction. To experimentally explore the susceptibility to distraction, the Attention Modulation by Salience Task (AMST) is a validated paradigm measuring reaction times (RT) for processing auditory information while presenting task-irrelevant visual distractors of high or low salience. We extended the AMST by an emotional dimension of distractors and an EEG-based evaluation. We then investigated the effect of the stress-relieving medication Neurexan (Nx4) on the participants' susceptibility to distraction. Methods: Data from a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial (NEURIM study; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02602275) were exploratively reanalyzed post-hoc. In this trial, 39 participants received a single dose of placebo or Nx4 immediately before the AMST. Participants had to discriminate two different tone modulations (ascending or descending) while simultaneously perceiving task-irrelevant pictures of different salience (high or low) or valence (negative or positive) as distractors. Using EEG recordings, RT and the event-related potential (ERP) components N1, N2, and N3 were analyzed as markers for susceptibility to distraction. Results: In the placebo condition, we could replicate the previously reported task effects of salient distractors with longer RT for high salient distractors on the behavioral level. On the electrophysiological level, we observed significantly increased amplitudes of the N2 and N3 ERP components for positive emotional pictures. In terms of drug effect, we found evidence that Nx4 reduced distractibility by emotional distractors. The effect was shown by significantly reduced amplitudes of N2 and N3 ERP components and reduced RT for the positive valence domain under Nx4 compared to placebo. The Nx4 effects on RT and ERP components also showed a significant correlation. Conclusion: Emotional distractors in addition to the previously used salience distractors and the EEG based evaluation of ERPs valuably complement the AMST. Salient distractors were affecting attentional processes earlier, while valent distractors show modulatory effects later. Our results suggest that Nx4 has beneficial effects on attention by inhibiting the effect of task-irrelevant information and reducing susceptibility to emotionally distracting stimuli. The observation of a beneficial impact of Nx4 on attention regulation is supportive of Nx4's claim as a stress-relieving medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Mayer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marina Krylova
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Sarah Alizadeh
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Hamidreza Jamalabadi
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Johan van der Meer
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Myron Schultz
- Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, Baden-Baden, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
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Herrmann L, Vicheva P, Kasties V, Danyeli LV, Szycik GR, Denzel D, Fan Y, Meer JVD, Vester JC, Eskoetter H, Schultz M, Walter M. fMRI Revealed Reduced Amygdala Activation after Nx4 in Mildly to Moderately Stressed Healthy Volunteers in a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Trial. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3802. [PMID: 32123197 PMCID: PMC7052227 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60392-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Social stress contributes to major societal health burdens, such as anxiety disorders and nervousness. Nx4 has been found to modulate stress responses. We investigated whether dampening of such responses is associated with neuronal correlates in brain regions involved in stress and anxiety. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial, 39 healthy males took a single dose (three tablets) of either placebo or Nx4, 40 to 60 minutes before an fMRI scan session. We here report on drug effects on amygdala responses during a face-matching task, which was performed during a complex test battery further including resting-state brain connectivity and a social stress experiment. The first of the Primary Outcomes, defined in a hierarchical order, concerned reduced amygdala effects after intake of verum compared to placebo. We found a statistically significant reduction in differential activations in the left amygdala for the contrast negative faces versus forms during verum versus placebo condition. Our results indicate that effects of Nx4 can be monitored in the brain. Previously noted effects on stress responses may thus be modulated by affective brain regions including the amygdala.
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Grants
- L.H. attended conferences with financial support for travel from Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, Baden-Baden, 76532, Germany
- L.D. attended conferences with financial support for travel from Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, Baden-Baden, 76532, Germany
- J.C.V is a senior biometric consultant of idv Datenanalyse & Versuchsplanung (conceptualization, methodology, formal analysis, writing – original draft, writing – review & editing) and received personal fees for biometric services from the Foundation of the Society for the Study of Neuroprotection and Neuroplasticity (SSNN) outside the submitted work, and idv Datenanalyse & Versuchsplanung received payments for biometric services from Heel, University Medical Center Göttigen, IgNova GmbH, Abnoba GmbH, AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG, IDEA AG, PBB Entrepreneur Ltd, Tillots Pharma AG, STORZ Medical AG, EVER Neuro Pharma GmbH, MUCOS Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Steigerwald Arzneimittelwerk GmbH outside the submitted work.
- H.E. was employed by Heel during this study (validation, writing – review & editing, project administration), and received personal fees from Bionorica SE and Life Science Academy (EasyB S.r.l.) outside of the submitted work.
- M.S. is employed by Heel (conceptualization, project administration, methodology, validation, writing – review & editing, supervision).
- M.W. received institutional research support from Heel paid to his institution for this study, and from BrainWaveBank and H. Lundbeck A/S outside the submitted work. The University of Tübingen received institutional fees for advisory services by Prof. Walter from Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, Servier Deutschland GmbH, Bayer AG and Janssen-Cilag GmbH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Herrmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, 07743, Germany
| | - Petya Vicheva
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, 39120, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, 39120, Germany
| | - Vanessa Kasties
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Lena V Danyeli
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, 39120, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Department of Behavioral Neurology, Magdeburg, 39118, Germany
| | - Gregor R Szycik
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, 30625, Germany
| | - Dominik Denzel
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, 39120, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, 39120, Germany
| | - Yan Fan
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité-CBF, Berlin, 12203, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Martin Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany.
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, 07743, Germany.
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, 39120, Germany.
- Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, 39120, Germany.
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Department of Behavioral Neurology, Magdeburg, 39118, Germany.
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β-Eudesmol, an Oxygenized Sesquiterpene, Reduces the Increase in Saliva 3-Methoxy-4-Hydroxyphenylglycol After the "Trier Social Stress Test" in Healthy Humans: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Cross-Over Study. Nutrients 2018; 11:nu11010009. [PMID: 30577513 PMCID: PMC6356403 DOI: 10.3390/nu11010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hops, the immature inflorescences of the female hop plant (Humulus lupulus L.) are one of the main components of beer and provides flavor and bitterness. β-Eudesmol, an oxygenated sesquiterpene, is reported to accumulate in a particular hop cultivar. Recently, we revealed that β-Eudesmol ingestion affected autonomic nerve activity in an animal model. The effect on humans has not been elucidated, therefore, we investigated the effects of β-Eudesmol on reducing objective and subjective markers related to sympathetic nerve activity after the application of mental stress in healthy participants. Fifty participants (male and female aged 20 to 50 years) were randomly assigned to two groups. Five minutes before taking the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) as a mental stressor, participants in each group ingested a beverage containing β-Eudesmol, the active beverage, or a placebo beverage that did not contain β-Eudesmol. Saliva 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), a major product of noradrenaline breakdown and a representative marker of sympathetic nerve activity, was significantly lower just after the TSST in the active group compared with the placebo group. Saliva cortisol, a marker of the endocrine stress response system, was not significantly different between the two groups. No adverse events related to test beverage ingestion were observed. This is the first experimental evidence of β-Eudesmol effect for mental stress in human.
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