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Tang C, Huang W, Tan Y, Liu Y, Zheng G, Li B, Chen W, Yang Y, Xu G, Li X, Xu C, Xie G, Liang J. Comparison of cognitive performance in first-episode drug-naïve schizophrenia, bipolar II disorder, and major depressive disorder patients after treatment. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:434. [PMID: 38862969 PMCID: PMC11165791 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05897-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment is a recognized fundamental deficit in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar II disorder (BD II), and major depressive disorder (MDD), among other psychiatric disorders. However, limited research has compared cognitive function among first-episode drug-naïve individuals with SZ, BD II, or MDD. METHODS This study aimed to address this gap by assessing the cognitive performance of 235 participants (40 healthy controls, 58 SZ patients, 72 BD II patients, and 65 MDD patients) using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) before and after 12 weeks of treatment in SZ, BD II, and MDD patients. To clarify, the healthy controls only underwent RBANS testing at baseline, whereas the patient groups were assessed before and after treatment. The severity of symptoms in SZ patients was measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and depression in BD II and MDD patients was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Scale-24 items (HAMD-24 items). RESULTS Two hundred participants completed the 12-week treatment period, with 35 participants dropping out due to various reasons. This group included 49 SZ patients, 58 BD II patients, and 53 MDD patients. Among SZ patients, significant improvements in immediate and delayed memory were observed after 12 weeks of treatment compared to their initial scores. Similarly, BD II patients showed significant improvement in immediate and delayed memory following treatment. However, there were no significant differences in RBANS scores for MDD patients after 12 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that individuals with BD II and SZ may share similar deficits in cognitive domains. It is important to note that standardized clinical treatment may have varying degrees of effectiveness in improving cognitive function in patients with BD II and SZ, which could potentially alleviate cognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaohua Tang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yukang Tan
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiliang Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangen Zheng
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Wensheng Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Guohong Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoling Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Caixia Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Guojun Xie
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaquan Liang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center On Translational Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China.
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Vergallito A, Gramano B, La Monica K, Giuliani L, Palumbo D, Gesi C, Torriero S. Combining transcranial magnetic stimulation with training to improve social cognition impairment in schizophrenia: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1308971. [PMID: 38445059 PMCID: PMC10912559 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1308971] [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: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic mental disorder that profoundly impacts patients' everyday lives. The illness's core features include positive and negative symptoms and cognitive impairments. In particular, deficits in the social cognition domain showed a tighter connection to patients' everyday functioning than the other symptoms. Social remediation interventions have been developed, providing heterogeneous results considering the possibility of generalizing the acquired improvements in patients' daily activities. In this pilot randomized controlled trial, we investigated the feasibility of combining fifteen daily cognitive and social training sessions with non-invasive brain stimulation to boost the effectiveness of the two interventions. We delivered intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Twenty-one patients were randomized into four groups, varying for the assigned stimulation condition (real vs. sham iTBS) and the type of cognitive intervention (training vs. no training). Clinical symptoms and social cognition tests were administered at five time points, i.e., before and after the treatment, and at three follow-ups at one, three, and six months after the treatments' end. Preliminary data show a trend in improving the competence in managing emotion in participants performing the training. Conversely, no differences were found in pre and post-treatment scores for emotion recognition, theory of mind, and attribution of intentions scores. The iTBS intervention did not induce additional effects on individuals' performance. The methodological approach's novelty and limitations of the present study are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bianca Gramano
- Department of Mental Health and Addictions, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Kevin La Monica
- Department of Mental Health and Addictions, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Giuliani
- Department of Psychiatry, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Davide Palumbo
- Department of Psychiatry, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Camilla Gesi
- Department of Mental Health and Addictions, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Torriero
- Department of Mental Health and Addictions, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy
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Wasserthal S, Lehmann M, Neumann C, Delis A, Philipsen A, Hurlemann R, Ettinger U, Schultz J. Effects of NMDA-receptor blockade by ketamine on mentalizing and its neural correlates in humans: a randomized control trial. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17184. [PMID: 37821513 PMCID: PMC10567921 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44443-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is associated with various deficits in social cognition that remain relatively unaltered by antipsychotic treatment. While faulty glutamate signaling has been associated with general cognitive deficits as well as negative symptoms of schizophrenia, no direct link between manipulation of glutamate signaling and deficits in mentalizing has been demonstrated thus far. Here, we experimentally investigated whether ketamine, an uncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist known to induce psychotomimetic effects, influences mentalizing and its neural correlates. In a randomized, placebo-controlled between-subjects experiment, we intravenously administered ketamine or placebo to healthy participants performing a video-based social cognition task during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Psychotomimetic effects of ketamine were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Compared to placebo, ketamine led to significantly more psychotic symptoms and reduced mentalizing performance (more "no mentalizing" errors). Ketamine also influenced blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) response during mentalizing compared to placebo. Specifically, ketamine increased BOLD in right posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS) and increased connectivity between pSTS and anterior precuneus. These increases may reflect a dysfunctional shift of attention induced by ketamine that leads to mentalizing deficits. Our findings show that a psychotomimetic dose of ketamine impairs mentalizing and influences its neural correlates, a result compatible with the notion that deficient glutamate signaling may contribute to deficits in mentalizing in schizophrenia. The results also support efforts to seek novel psychopharmacological treatments for psychosis and schizophrenia targeting glutamatergic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Wasserthal
- Division of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Mirko Lehmann
- Department of Psychology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Claudia Neumann
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Achilles Delis
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexandra Philipsen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - René Hurlemann
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | | | - Johannes Schultz
- Center for Economics and Neuroscience, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Institute for Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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4
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Chen XL, Deng XT, Sun FG, Huang QJ. Effect of cognitive behavioral group therapy on rehabilitation of community patients with schizophrenia: A short-term randomized control trial. World J Psychiatry 2023; 13:583-592. [PMID: 37701538 PMCID: PMC10494774 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v13.i8.583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The efficacy of cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBGT) for cognitive dys-function and negative symptoms of schizophrenia is established, but more evidence is required. AIM To assess the effectiveness of CBGT combined with mental health education as a treatment for schizophrenia compared with mental health education alone. METHODS In all, 120 schizophrenia out-patients were randomized into CBGT combined with mental health education or single mental health education. The primary outcomes were positive and negative symptoms, cognitive function, excitatory factor, anxiety and depression symptom improvements on the positive and negative syndrome scale score. Secondary outcome measures included social function and drug compliance. RESULTS There were significant differences between CBGT combined with mental health education and single mental health education on measures of positive and negative symptoms, cognitive functions, excitatory factor, anxiety and depression symptoms, and social functions. No other significant difference in outcomes was observed. CONCLUSION CBGT combined with mental health education may be relevant beneficial treatment method in reducing symptoms, cognitive and social functions of patients with schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Lian Chen
- Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
- Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Center (Mental Health Center) of Longhua District, Shenzhen 518110, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiao-Ting Deng
- Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Center (Mental Health Center) of Longhua District, Shenzhen 518110, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Fu-Gang Sun
- Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Center (Mental Health Center) of Longhua District, Shenzhen 518110, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Qing-Jun Huang
- Mental Health Center, Shantou University, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
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5
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Shi XJ, Du Y, Lei-Chen, Li XS, Yao CQ, Cheng Y. Effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on the Schizophrenia model of animals. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 156:538-546. [PMID: 36368243 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia(SCZ)is a common clinically chronic psychiatric disease, and there have no effective specific therapeutic drugs in clinical practice currently. Studies have shown that the expression level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in schizophrenics has decreased, so the expression level of BDNF has always been one of the evaluation indicators of SCZ. The neurotrophic factor hypothesis believes that increase or decrease of the expression level of BDNF may be one of the pathophysiological basis of SCZ. METHODS In this study, schizophrenic mice model with MK-801-induced glutamate dysfunction was established, and two doses of BDNF were administered to schizophrenic mice by intranasal administration. The four groups of mice: Control group, Model group, BDNF-20, BDNF-100 performed a series of behavioral tests to explore the effects of BDNF on sensory motor gating, anxiety, depression, social interaction, spontaneous activity, and memory in schizophrenic mice. Transcriptome sequencing of the BDNF high group and Model group in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, using Metascape for gene function annotation and enrichment pathway analysis, to obtain BDNF transcription regulation information, understand the molecular mechanism of BDNF in SCZ further. Subsequently,immunofluorescence detected the effects of BDNF on neurons and glial cells in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. CONCLUSION The results show that BDNF can improve the behavior of SCZ by regulating the construction of the nervous system, affecting the growth and distribution of neurons and glial cells, and changing inflammation and apoptosis in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jie Shi
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Du
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Lei-Chen
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-Song Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Ci-Qin Yao
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center on Translational Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China; College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China; Institute of National Security, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China.
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6
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Hanson KL, Grant SE, Funk LH, Schumann CM, Bauman MD. Impact of Maternal Immune Activation on Nonhuman Primate Prefrontal Cortex Development: Insights for Schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 92:460-469. [PMID: 35773097 PMCID: PMC9888668 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Late adolescence is a period of dynamic change in the brain as humans learn to navigate increasingly complex environments. In particular, prefrontal cortical (PFC) regions undergo extensive remodeling as the brain is fine-tuned to orchestrate cognitive control over attention, reasoning, and emotions. Late adolescence also presents a uniquely vulnerable period as neurodevelopmental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, become evident and worsen into young adulthood. Challenges in early development, including prenatal exposure to infection, may set the stage for a cascade of maladaptive events that ultimately result in aberrant PFC connectivity and function before symptoms emerge. A growing body of research suggests that activation of the mother's immune system during pregnancy may act as a disease primer, in combination with other environmental and genetic factors, contributing to an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia. Animal models provide an invaluable opportunity to examine the course of brain and behavioral changes in offspring exposed to maternal immune activation (MIA). Although the vast majority of MIA research has been carried out in rodents, here we highlight the translational utility of the nonhuman primate (NHP) as a model species more closely related to humans in PFC structure and function. In this review, we consider the protracted period of brain and behavioral maturation in the NHP, describe emerging findings from MIA NHP offspring in the context of rodent preclinical models, and lastly explore the translational relevance of the NHP MIA model to expand understanding of the etiology and developmental course of PFC pathology in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari L Hanson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California; MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Simone E Grant
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Lucy H Funk
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Cynthia M Schumann
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California; MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, California.
| | - Melissa D Bauman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California; MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, California; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, California.
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7
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Relationship of Neuropeptide S with Clinical and Metabolic Parameters of Patients during Rehabilitation Therapy for Schizophrenia. Brain Sci 2022; 12:768. [PMID: 35741653 PMCID: PMC9221542 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12060768&set/a 869781119+878628306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a factor associated with the central regulation of body weight, stress, anxiety, learning, memory consolidation, wakefulness-sleep cycle, and anti-inflammatory and neuroplastic effects. Its stress-reducing, anti-anxiety, arousal without anxiety, and pro-cognitive effects represent an interesting option for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. The purpose of the study was to examine the potential associations of NPS levels in the blood with clinical and metabolic parameters during the rehabilitation therapy of patients with schizophrenia. Thirty-three male subjects diagnosed with schizophrenia were randomly divided into two groups. The rehabilitation group (REH, N16) consisted of patients who were subjected to structured, 3-month intensive rehabilitation therapy, and the control group (CON, N17) consisted of patients who were subjected to a standard support mechanism. Both groups continued their pharmacological treatment as usual. The NPS concentration, as well as clinical and metabolic parameters, were compared in both groups. Additionally, a group of healthy (H) males (N15) was tested for NPS reference scores. To look for the specificity and selectivity of the NPS relationship with clinical results, various factor models of the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) were analyzed, including the original PANSS 2/3 model, its modified four-factor version, the male-specific four-factor model, and two five-factorial models validated in large groups in clinical and multi-ethnic studies. Results and conclusions: (1) Structured rehabilitation therapy, compared to unstructured supportive therapy, significantly reduced the level of schizophrenia disorders defined by various factor models derived from PANSS. (2) The clinical improvement within the 3-month rehabilitation therapy course was correlated with a significant decrease in neuropeptide S (NPS) serum level. (3) The excitement/Hostility (E/H) factor, which included schizophrenic symptoms of the psychotic disorganization, was specific and selective for the reduction in serum NPS, which was stable across all analyzed factor models. (4) The long-term relationship between serum NPS and clinical factors was not accompanied by basic metabolic parameters.
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8
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Relationship of Neuropeptide S with Clinical and Metabolic Parameters of Patients during Rehabilitation Therapy for Schizophrenia. Brain Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12060768
expr 958893762 + 814326274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a factor associated with the central regulation of body weight, stress, anxiety, learning, memory consolidation, wakefulness–sleep cycle, and anti-inflammatory and neuroplastic effects. Its stress-reducing, anti-anxiety, arousal without anxiety, and pro-cognitive effects represent an interesting option for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. The purpose of the study was to examine the potential associations of NPS levels in the blood with clinical and metabolic parameters during the rehabilitation therapy of patients with schizophrenia. Thirty-three male subjects diagnosed with schizophrenia were randomly divided into two groups. The rehabilitation group (REH, N16) consisted of patients who were subjected to structured, 3-month intensive rehabilitation therapy, and the control group (CON, N17) consisted of patients who were subjected to a standard support mechanism. Both groups continued their pharmacological treatment as usual. The NPS concentration, as well as clinical and metabolic parameters, were compared in both groups. Additionally, a group of healthy (H) males (N15) was tested for NPS reference scores. To look for the specificity and selectivity of the NPS relationship with clinical results, various factor models of the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) were analyzed, including the original PANSS 2/3 model, its modified four-factor version, the male-specific four-factor model, and two five-factorial models validated in large groups in clinical and multi-ethnic studies. Results and conclusions: (1) Structured rehabilitation therapy, compared to unstructured supportive therapy, significantly reduced the level of schizophrenia disorders defined by various factor models derived from PANSS. (2) The clinical improvement within the 3-month rehabilitation therapy course was correlated with a significant decrease in neuropeptide S (NPS) serum level. (3) The excitement/Hostility (E/H) factor, which included schizophrenic symptoms of the psychotic disorganization, was specific and selective for the reduction in serum NPS, which was stable across all analyzed factor models. (4) The long-term relationship between serum NPS and clinical factors was not accompanied by basic metabolic parameters.
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9
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Relationship of Neuropeptide S with Clinical and Metabolic Parameters of Patients during Rehabilitation Therapy for Schizophrenia. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12060768. [PMID: 35741653 PMCID: PMC9221542 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12060768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a factor associated with the central regulation of body weight, stress, anxiety, learning, memory consolidation, wakefulness–sleep cycle, and anti-inflammatory and neuroplastic effects. Its stress-reducing, anti-anxiety, arousal without anxiety, and pro-cognitive effects represent an interesting option for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. The purpose of the study was to examine the potential associations of NPS levels in the blood with clinical and metabolic parameters during the rehabilitation therapy of patients with schizophrenia. Thirty-three male subjects diagnosed with schizophrenia were randomly divided into two groups. The rehabilitation group (REH, N16) consisted of patients who were subjected to structured, 3-month intensive rehabilitation therapy, and the control group (CON, N17) consisted of patients who were subjected to a standard support mechanism. Both groups continued their pharmacological treatment as usual. The NPS concentration, as well as clinical and metabolic parameters, were compared in both groups. Additionally, a group of healthy (H) males (N15) was tested for NPS reference scores. To look for the specificity and selectivity of the NPS relationship with clinical results, various factor models of the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) were analyzed, including the original PANSS 2/3 model, its modified four-factor version, the male-specific four-factor model, and two five-factorial models validated in large groups in clinical and multi-ethnic studies. Results and conclusions: (1) Structured rehabilitation therapy, compared to unstructured supportive therapy, significantly reduced the level of schizophrenia disorders defined by various factor models derived from PANSS. (2) The clinical improvement within the 3-month rehabilitation therapy course was correlated with a significant decrease in neuropeptide S (NPS) serum level. (3) The excitement/Hostility (E/H) factor, which included schizophrenic symptoms of the psychotic disorganization, was specific and selective for the reduction in serum NPS, which was stable across all analyzed factor models. (4) The long-term relationship between serum NPS and clinical factors was not accompanied by basic metabolic parameters.
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10
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The Interplay between Vitamin D, Exposure of Anticholinergic Antipsychotics and Cognition in Schizophrenia. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051096. [PMID: 35625833 PMCID: PMC9138360 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency is a frequent finding in schizophrenia and may contribute to neurocognitive dysfunction, a core element of the disease. However, there is limited knowledge about the neuropsychological profile of vitamin D deficiency-related cognitive deficits and their underlying molecular mechanisms. As an inductor of cytochrome P450 3A4, a lack of vitamin D might aggravate cognitive deficits by increased exposure to anticholinergic antipsychotics. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the relationship between 25-OH-vitamin D-serum concentrations, anticholinergic drug exposure and neurocognitive functioning (Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia, BACS, and Trail Making Test, TMT) in 141 patients with schizophrenia. The anticholinergic drug exposure was estimated by adjusting the concentration of each drug for its individual muscarinic receptor affinity. Using regression analysis, we observed a positive relationship between vitamin D levels and processing speed (TMT-A and BACS Symbol Coding) as well as executive functioning (TMT-B and BACS Tower of London). Moreover, a negative impact of vitamin D on anticholinergic drug exposure emerged, but the latter did not significantly affect cognition. When other cognitive items were included as regressors, the impact of vitamin D remained only significant for the TMT-A. Among the different cognitive impairments in schizophrenia, vitamin D deficiency may most directly affect processing speed, which in turn may aggravate deficits in executive functioning. This finding is not explained by a cytochrome P450-mediated increased exposure to anticholinergic antipsychotics.
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Wu Q, Wang X, Wang Y, Long YJ, Zhao JP, Wu RR. Developments in Biological Mechanisms and Treatments for Negative Symptoms and Cognitive Dysfunction of Schizophrenia. Neurosci Bull 2021; 37:1609-1624. [PMID: 34227057 PMCID: PMC8566616 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-021-00740-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The causal mechanisms and treatment for the negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia are the main issues attracting the attention of psychiatrists over the last decade. The first part of this review summarizes the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, especially the negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction from the perspectives of genetics and epigenetics. The second part describes the novel medications and several advanced physical therapies (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation) for the negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction that will optimize the therapeutic strategy for patients with schizophrenia in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiongqiong Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Ying Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Yu-Jun Long
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Jing-Ping Zhao
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.
| | - Ren-Rong Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.
- Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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12
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Pharmacological Treatment for Social Cognition: Current Evidence. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147457. [PMID: 34299076 PMCID: PMC8307511 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is currently considered a core feature of schizophrenia (SZ) and is gaining attention as a fundamental therapeutic target. Standard treatment for SZ involves the use of antipsychotics that are successfully used to control positive symptoms and disorganized behaviour. However, it is still unclear whether they are effective on social cognition (SC) impairment. Furthermore, different medications are currently being studied to improve SC in patients with SZ. A literature search on this topic was conducted using the PubMed database. All kinds of publications (i.e., reviews, original contributions and case reports) written in English and published in the last 15 years were included. The aim of our literature review is to draw a picture of the current state of the pharmacological treatment of SC impairment in SZ.
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Gur RE, Roalf DR, Alexander-Bloch A, McDonald-McGinn DM, Gur RC. Pathways to understanding psychosis through rare - 22q11.2DS - and common variants. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2021; 68:35-40. [PMID: 33571729 PMCID: PMC8728946 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2021.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome has significant impact on brain and behavior, with about 25% of individuals developing schizophrenia. The condition offers a model for prospective studies on the emergence of psychosis and advancing mechanistic hypotheses on gene-environment interactions, with magnified power for examining genome-phenome association. Here, we highlight findings that build on the International 22q11.2 Brain and Behavior Consortium and relate to several key domains in the study of psychosis-risk and schizophrenia. We examine neurocognition, olfaction and neuroimaging data that indicate similar impairment patterns in this rare syndrome and idiopathic presentation of schizophrenia. We conclude that the converging paradigms, studying psychosis dimensionally in rare and common variants samples, provide complementary approaches that will propel precision medicine in psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel E Gur
- Lifespan Brain Institute, Penn Medicine and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - David R Roalf
- Lifespan Brain Institute, Penn Medicine and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Aaron Alexander-Bloch
- Lifespan Brain Institute, Penn Medicine and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Donna M McDonald-McGinn
- Division of Human Genetics and 22q and You Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ruben C Gur
- Lifespan Brain Institute, Penn Medicine and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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14
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Air Pollution-Related Brain Metal Dyshomeostasis as a Potential Risk Factor for Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases. ATMOSPHERE 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos11101098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence links air pollution (AP) exposure to effects on the central nervous system structure and function. Particulate matter AP, especially the ultrafine (nanoparticle) components, can carry numerous metal and trace element contaminants that can reach the brain in utero and after birth. Excess brain exposure to either essential or non-essential elements can result in brain dyshomeostasis, which has been implicated in both neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs; autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and neurodegenerative diseases (NDGDs; Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). This review summarizes the current understanding of the extent to which the inhalational or intranasal instillation of metals reproduces in vivo the shared features of NDDs and NDGDs, including enlarged lateral ventricles, alterations in myelination, glutamatergic dysfunction, neuronal cell death, inflammation, microglial activation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, altered social behaviors, cognitive dysfunction, and impulsivity. Although evidence is limited to date, neuronal cell death, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction are reproduced by numerous metals. Understanding the specific contribution of metals/trace elements to this neurotoxicity can guide the development of more realistic animal exposure models of human AP exposure and consequently lead to a more meaningful approach to mechanistic studies, potential intervention strategies, and regulatory requirements.
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15
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Giralt-López M, Miret S, Soler J, Campanera S, Parellada M, Fañanás L, Fatjó-Vilas M. The role of schizotypal traits and the OXTR gene in theory of mind in schizophrenia: A family-based study. Eur Psychiatry 2020; 63:e15. [PMID: 32093796 PMCID: PMC7315883 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2019.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is consistent evidence that theory of mind (ToM) is impaired in schizophrenia (SZ); however, it remains unclear whether such deficits are trait- or state-dependent. We evaluated ToM in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs), their healthy first-degree relatives, and controls to test its suitability as an endophenotypic marker. We also studied the modifying effect of markers of clinical and genetic liability to SZ (schizotypy and genetic variability in the oxytocin receptor gene: OXTR) on ToM in healthy individuals. METHODS The sample included 38 stable SSD patients, 80 unaffected first-degree relatives, and 81 controls. ToM was assessed using the Hinting Task (HT) and schizotypy via the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief (SPQ-B), which generates interpersonal (SPQ-IP), cognitive-perceptual (SPQ-CP), and disorganization (SPQ-D) scores. The polymorphism rs53576 of OXTR was genotyped. RESULTS Patients presented poorer HT performance than relatives and controls (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001). High SPQ-IP and SPQ-CP scores correlated with poorer ToM performance in relatives (p = 0.010 and p = 0.030), but not in controls. OXTR was not associated with HT scores, but it showed a modifying effect within controls; high SPQ-CP was related to HT poorer performance conditional to GG genotype (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS ToM deficits were present in patients but not in unaffected relatives or controls. However, our data indicate the usefulness of clinical and genetic liability markers to characterize differences in ToM abilities within healthy individuals. Then, the observed link between ToM and SZ liability suggests the putative role of ToM as an endophenotypic marker. Nevertheless, new analyses in larger samples are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Giralt-López
- Servei de Psiquiatria, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain.,Departament de Psiquiatria i Medicina Legal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - S Miret
- Centre de Salut Mental d'Adults de Lleida, Servei de Psiquiatria, Salut Mental i Addiccions, Hospital Universitari Santa Maria, Lleida, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Soler
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Campanera
- Centre de Salut Mental d'Adults de Lleida, Servei de Psiquiatria, Salut Mental i Addiccions, Hospital Universitari Santa Maria, Lleida, Spain
| | - M Parellada
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Psiquiatría del Niño y del Adolescente, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - L Fañanás
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Fatjó-Vilas
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain.,FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
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16
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Barlati S, Minelli A, Ceraso A, Nibbio G, Carvalho Silva R, Deste G, Turrina C, Vita A. Social Cognition in a Research Domain Criteria Perspective: A Bridge Between Schizophrenia and Autism Spectra Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:806. [PMID: 33005149 PMCID: PMC7485015 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia and autism spectra disorders are currently conceptualized as distinct clinical categories. However, the relationship between these two nosological entities has been revisited in recent years due to the evidence that they share some important clinical and neurobiological features, putting into question the nature and the extent of their commonalities and differences. In this respect, some core symptoms that are present in both disorders, such as social cognitive deficits, could be a primary target of investigation. This review briefly summarizes the commonalities and overlapping features between schizophrenia and autism spectra disorders in social cognitive functions, considering this construct in a Research Domain Criteria perspective. The clinical manifestation of deficits in social cognition are similar in schizophrenia spectrum disorders and autism spectrum disorders, and brain areas that appear to be altered in relation to these impairments are largely shared; however, the results of various studies suggest that, in some cases, the qualitative nature of these alterations may be different in the two spectra. Moreover, relevant differences could be present at the level of brain networks and connections. More research is required in this field, regarding molecular and genetic aspects of both spectra, to better define the neurobiological mechanisms involved in social cognition deficits, with the objective of developing specific and targeted treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Barlati
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Minelli
- Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Anna Ceraso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Gabriele Nibbio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Rosana Carvalho Silva
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giacomo Deste
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Cesare Turrina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Vita
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Wang L, He Z, Zhu Z, Yuan W, Cai W, Li L, Zhang J, Hou W, Yang Y, Zhang X, Guo Q, Wang X, Lian Z, Tai F. The serotonin system in the hippocampus CA3 involves in effects of CSDS on social recognition in adult female mandarin voles (Microtus mandarinus). Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 95:109704. [PMID: 31330217 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.109704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) exacerbated the development of stress-related psychiatric disorders, and the social recognition dysfunction is the core feature of many psychiatric disorders. However, the effects of CSDS on female social recognition and the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. Using highly aggressive adult female mandarin voles (Microtus mandarinus) as animal model, the aim of this work is to investigate the effects of CSDS on social recognition in adult female rodents and the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these effects. Our results indicate the CSDS disrupted the normal social recognition in adult female voles. Meanwhile, defeated voles exhibited increased neural activity in the DG, CA1 and CA3 of the hippocampus. Furthermore, CSDS reduced levels of serotonin (5-HT) and serotonin 1A receptors (5-HT1AR) in the CA3. We also discovered that microinjection of 8-OH-DPAT into the CA3 effectively reversed the social recognition deficits induced by CSDS, and an infusion of WAY-100635 into the CA3 of control female voles impaired social recognition. Moreover, targeted activation of the 5-HT neuron projection from the DRN to CA3 by long-term administration of CNO significantly prevented the CSDS induced social recognition deficits. Taken together, our study demonstrated that CSDS induced social recognition deficits in adult female voles, and these effects were mediated by the action of 5-HT on the 5-HT1AR in the hippocampus CA3. The projection from the DRN to CA3 may be involved in social recognition deficits induced by CSDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limin Wang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China
| | - Zhixiong He
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China
| | - Zhenxiang Zhu
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China
| | - Wenqi Cai
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China
| | - Laifu Li
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China
| | - Wenjuan Hou
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China
| | - Xueni Zhang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China
| | - Qianqian Guo
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China
| | - Xia Wang
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China
| | - Zhenmin Lian
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China
| | - Fadao Tai
- Institute of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China.
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Sakurai T, Sawa A. Editorial for “What can clinical findings tell us about the neurobiology of schizophrenia? Revisited”. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 131:104521. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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