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Gong J, Zhang T, Zhou L, Mo Y, Yu F, Liu M, Yang L, Liu J. Gender divergent effect of COMT gene rs4680 polymorphism on the association between executive dysfunction and psychotic-like experiences. Behav Brain Res 2023; 439:114215. [PMID: 36372244 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114215] [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: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
AIM Premorbid cognitive impairments are observed prior to the onset of schizophrenia. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) rs4680 is associated with psychosis and plays a crucial role in the development of the executive function. In addition, genetic COMT variations and gender affect its enzymatic activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of COMT rs4680 on the relationship between executive dysfunction and psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) in college students, with the additional investigation of the gender difference. METHODS A total of 463 students provided biological samples for DNA analysis and the COMT gene rs4680 polymorphism was discriminated by the improved multiplex ligase detection reaction method. They also completed the Prodromal Questionnaire and the Dysexecutive Questionnaire. RESULTS Executive dysfunction significantly predicted positive PLEs in the total, male and female population (β = 0.515, 0.508 and 0.512, p < 0.001). The results of moderated analysis revealed that COMT rs4680 recessive genetic model ('AA genotype' versus 'G carrier') moderated the relationship between executive dysfunction and psychotic-like experience in the total and females (p = 0.002 and p <0.001, respectively), but not in males. CONCLUSION These findings revealed a female-specific effect of COMT rs4680 on the relationship between executive dysfunction and PLEs in young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingbo Gong
- Shanghai Changning Mental Health Center, Shanghai 200335, China; Department of Applied Psychology, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Department of Student Affairs, Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Lihua Zhou
- College of Education Science, Hengyang Normal University, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yanzi Mo
- Department of Applied Psychology, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Feifei Yu
- Department of Applied Psychology, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Applied Psychology, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Luobin Yang
- Department of Applied Psychology, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jianbo Liu
- Department of Child Psychiatry of Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen Institute of Mental Health, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Shenzhen, China.
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2
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Guardiola-Ripoll M, Almodóvar-Payá C, Lubeiro A, Sotero A, Salvador R, Fuentes-Claramonte P, Salgado-Pineda P, Papiol S, Ortiz-Gil J, Gomar JJ, Guerrero-Pedraza A, Sarró S, Maristany T, Molina V, Pomarol-Clotet E, Fatjó-Vilas M. A functional neuroimaging association study on the interplay between two schizophrenia genome-wide associated genes (CACNA1C and ZNF804A). Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 272:1229-1239. [PMID: 35796825 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-022-01447-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The CACNA1C and the ZNF804A genes are among the most relevant schizophrenia GWAS findings. Recent evidence shows that the interaction of these genes with the schizophrenia diagnosis modulates brain functional response to a verbal fluency task. To better understand how these genes might influence the risk for schizophrenia, we aimed to study the interplay between CACNA1C and ZNF804A on working memory brain functional correlates. The analyses included functional and behavioural N-back task data (obtained from an fMRI protocol) and CACNA1C-rs1006737 and ZNF804A-rs1344706 genotypes for 78 healthy subjects and 78 patients with schizophrenia (matched for age, sex and premorbid IQ). We tested the effects of the epistasis between these genes as well as of the three-way interaction (CACNA1C × ZNAF804A × diagnosis) on working memory-associated activity (N-back: 2-back vs 1-back). We detected a significant CACNA1C × ZNAF804A interaction on working memory functional response in regions comprising the ventral caudate medially and within the left hemisphere, the superior and inferior orbitofrontal gyrus, the superior temporal pole and the ventral-anterior insula. The individuals with the GWAS-identified risk genotypes (CACNA1C-AA/AG and ZNF804A-AA) displayed a reduced working memory modulation response. This genotypic combination was also associated with opposite brain activity patterns between patients and controls. While further research will help to comprehend the neurobiological mechanisms of this interaction, our data highlight the role of the epistasis between CACNA1C and ZNF804A in the functional mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Guardiola-Ripoll
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERSAM (Biomedical Research Network in Mental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Almodóvar-Payá
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERSAM (Biomedical Research Network in Mental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alba Lubeiro
- Psychiatry Department, School of Medicine, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Sotero
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raymond Salvador
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERSAM (Biomedical Research Network in Mental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Madrid, Spain
| | - Paola Fuentes-Claramonte
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERSAM (Biomedical Research Network in Mental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Salgado-Pineda
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERSAM (Biomedical Research Network in Mental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergi Papiol
- CIBERSAM (Biomedical Research Network in Mental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Psychiatric Phenomics and Genomics (IPPG), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Jordi Ortiz-Gil
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERSAM (Biomedical Research Network in Mental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Madrid, Spain
- Hospital General de Granollers, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús J Gomar
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
- The Litwin-Zucker Alzheimer's Research Center, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | | | - Salvador Sarró
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERSAM (Biomedical Research Network in Mental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Madrid, Spain
| | - Teresa Maristany
- Diagnostic Imaging Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Research Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vicente Molina
- CIBERSAM (Biomedical Research Network in Mental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Madrid, Spain
- Psychiatry Department, School of Medicine, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Neurosciences Institute of Castilla y León (INCYL), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Psychiatry Service, University Hospital of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Edith Pomarol-Clotet
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Barcelona, Spain.
- CIBERSAM (Biomedical Research Network in Mental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Mar Fatjó-Vilas
- FIDMAG Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation, Barcelona, Spain.
- CIBERSAM (Biomedical Research Network in Mental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III), Madrid, Spain.
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Beaumont JD, Smith NC, Starr D, Davis D, Dalton M, Nowicky A, Russell M, Barwood MJ. Modulating eating behavior with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS): A systematic literature review on the impact of eating behavior traits. Obes Rev 2022; 23:e13364. [PMID: 34786811 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is becoming an increasingly popular technique for altering eating behaviors. Recent research suggests a possible eating behavior trait-dependent effect of tDCS. However, studies recruit participant populations with heterogeneous trait characteristics, including "healthy" individuals who do not present with eating behavior traits suggesting susceptibility to overconsumption. The present review considers the effects of tDCS across eating-related measures and explores whether a trait-dependent effect is evident across the literature. A literature search identified 28 articles using sham-controlled tDCS to modify eating-related measures. Random effects meta-analyses were performed, with subgroup analyses to identify differences between "healthy" and trait groups. Trivial overall effects (g = -0.12 to 0.09) of active versus sham tDCS were found. Subgroup analyses showed a more consistent effect for trait groups, with small and moderate effect size (g = -1.03 to 0.60), suggesting tDCS is dependent on participants' eating behavior traits. Larger effect sizes were found for those displaying traits associated with study outcomes (e.g., heightened food cravings). "Healthy" individuals appear to be unresponsive to stimulation. Based on this meta data, future work should recruit those with eating behavior trait susceptibilities to overconsumption, focusing on those who present with traits associated with the outcome of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan D Beaumont
- School of Social and Health Sciences, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds, UK
| | - Natalie C Smith
- School of Social and Health Sciences, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds, UK
| | - David Starr
- School of Social and Health Sciences, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds, UK
| | - Danielle Davis
- School of Social and Health Sciences, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds, UK
| | - Michelle Dalton
- School of Social and Health Sciences, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds, UK
| | - Alexander Nowicky
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Mark Russell
- School of Social and Health Sciences, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds, UK
| | - Martin J Barwood
- School of Social and Health Sciences, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds, UK
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Blokland GAM, Wallace AK, Hansell NK, Thompson PM, Hickie IB, Montgomery GW, Martin NG, McMahon KL, de Zubicaray GI, Wright MJ. Genome-wide association study of working memory brain activation. Int J Psychophysiol 2017; 115:98-111. [PMID: 27671502 PMCID: PMC5364069 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2016.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Revised: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In a population-based genome-wide association (GWA) study of n-back working memory task-related brain activation, we extracted the average percent BOLD signal change (2-back minus 0-back) from 46 regions-of-interest (ROIs) in functional MRI scans from 863 healthy twins and siblings. ROIs were obtained by creating spheres around group random effects analysis local maxima, and by thresholding a voxel-based heritability map of working memory brain activation at 50%. Quality control for test-retest reliability and heritability of ROI measures yielded 20 reliable (r>0.7) and heritable (h2>20%) ROIs. For GWA analysis, the cohort was divided into a discovery (n=679) and replication (n=97) sample. No variants survived the stringent multiple-testing-corrected genome-wide significance threshold (p<4.5×10-9), or were replicated (p<0.0016), but several genes were identified that are worthy of further investigation. A search of 529,379 genomic markers resulted in discovery of 31 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with BOLD signal change at a discovery level of p<1×10-5. Two SNPs (rs7917410 and rs7672408) were associated at a significance level of p<1×10-7. Only one, most strongly affecting BOLD signal change in the left supramarginal gyrus (R2=5.5%), had multiple SNPs associated at p<1×10-5 in linkage disequilibrium with it, all located in and around the BANK1 gene. BANK1 encodes a B-cell-specific scaffold protein and has been shown to negatively regulate CD40-mediated AKT activation. AKT is part of the dopamine-signaling pathway, suggesting a mechanism for the involvement of BANK1 in the BOLD response to working memory. Variants identified here may be relevant to (the susceptibility to) common disorders affecting brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriëlla A M Blokland
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, 300 Herston Road, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia; Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia; School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Angus K Wallace
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, 300 Herston Road, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Narelle K Hansell
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, 300 Herston Road, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia; Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Paul M Thompson
- Imaging Genetics Center, Institute for Neuroimaging and Informatics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 North Soto Street - Room 102, Marina del Rey, Los Angeles, CA 90032, United States
| | - Ian B Hickie
- Brain & Mind Research Institute, The University of Sydney, 94 Mallett Street, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Grant W Montgomery
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, 300 Herston Road, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Nicholas G Martin
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, 300 Herston Road, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Katie L McMahon
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Greig I de Zubicaray
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia; Faculty of Health and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Margaret J Wright
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, 300 Herston Road, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia; Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia; School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia; Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
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Sutcliffe G, Harneit A, Tost H, Meyer-Lindenberg A. Neuroimaging Intermediate Phenotypes of Executive Control Dysfunction in Schizophrenia. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2016; 1:218-229. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2016.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Revised: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Shukla AA, Jha M, Birchfield T, Mukherjee S, Gleason K, Abdisalaam S, Asaithamby A, Adams-Huet B, Tamminga CA, Ghose S. COMT val158met polymorphism and molecular alterations in the human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex: Differences in controls and in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2016; 173:94-100. [PMID: 27021555 PMCID: PMC4836991 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2016.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The single nucleotide val158met polymorphism in catechol o-methyltransferase (COMT) influences prefrontal cortex function. Working memory, dependent on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), has been repeatedly shown to be influenced by this COMT polymorphism. The high activity COMT val isoform is associated with lower synaptic dopamine levels. Altered synaptic dopamine levels are expected to lead to molecular adaptations within the synapse and within DLPFC neural circuitry. In this human post mortem study using high quality DLPFC tissue, we first examined the influence of the COMT val158met polymorphism on markers of dopamine neurotransmission, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits and glutamatic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67), all known to be critical to DLPFC circuitry and function. Next, we compared target gene expression profiles in a cohort of control and schizophrenia cases, each characterized by COMT genotype. We find that the COMT val allele in control subjects is associated with significant upregulation of GluN2A and GAD67 mRNA levels compared to met carriers. Comparisons between control and schizophrenia groups reveal that GluN2A, GAD67 and DRD2 are differentially regulated between diagnostic groups in a genotype specific manner. Chronic antipsychotic treatment in rodents did not explain these differences. These data demonstrate an association between COMTval158met genotype and gene expression profile in the DLPFC of controls, possibly adaptations to maintain DLPFC function. In schizophrenia val homozygotes, these adaptations are not seen and could reflect pathophysiologic mechanisms related to the known poorer performance of these subjects on DLPFC-dependent tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhay A. Shukla
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390
| | - Manish Jha
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390
| | - Thomas Birchfield
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390
| | - Shibani Mukherjee
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390
| | - Kelly Gleason
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390
| | - Salim Abdisalaam
- Department of Radiation Oncology/Division of Molecular Radiation Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390
| | - Aroumougame Asaithamby
- Department of Radiation Oncology/Division of Molecular Radiation Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390
| | - Beverley Adams-Huet
- Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390
| | - Carol A. Tamminga
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390
| | - Subroto Ghose
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, United States.
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Nickl-Jockschat T, Janouschek H, Eickhoff SB, Eickhoff CR. Lack of meta-analytic evidence for an impact of COMT Val158Met genotype on brain activation during working memory tasks. Biol Psychiatry 2015; 78:e43-6. [PMID: 25861704 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Revised: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Nickl-Jockschat
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Juelich-Aachen Research Alliance Brain, Juelich/Aachen, Germany.
| | | | - Simon B Eickhoff
- Department of Neuroscience und Medicine, INM-1, Research Center Jülich, Germany; Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Claudia R Eickhoff
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Department of Neuroscience und Medicine, INM-1, Research Center Jülich, Germany
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Oppositional COMT Val158Met effects on resting state functional connectivity in adolescents and adults. Brain Struct Funct 2014; 221:103-14. [PMID: 25319752 PMCID: PMC4667398 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-014-0895-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Prefrontal dopamine levels are relatively increased in adolescence compared to adulthood. Genetic variation of COMT (COMT Val158Met) results in lower enzymatic activity and higher dopamine availability in Met carriers. Given the dramatic changes of synaptic dopamine during adolescence, it has been suggested that effects of COMT Val158Met genotypes might have oppositional effects in adolescents and adults. The present study aims to identify such oppositional COMT Val158Met effects in adolescents and adults in prefrontal brain networks at rest. Resting state functional connectivity data were collected from cross-sectional and multicenter study sites involving 106 healthy young adults (mean age 24 ± 2.6 years), gender matched to 106 randomly chosen 14-year-olds. We selected the anterior medial prefrontal cortex (amPFC) as seed due to its important role as nexus of the executive control and default mode network. We observed a significant age-dependent reversal of COMT Val158Met effects on resting state functional connectivity between amPFC and ventrolateral as well as dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and parahippocampal gyrus. Val homozygous adults exhibited increased and adolescents decreased connectivity compared to Met homozygotes for all reported regions. Network analyses underscored the importance of the parahippocampal gyrus as mediator of observed effects. Results of this study demonstrate that adolescent and adult resting state networks are dose-dependently and diametrically affected by COMT genotypes following a hypothetical model of dopamine function that follows an inverted U-shaped curve. This study might provide cues for the understanding of disease onset or dopaminergic treatment mechanisms in major neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
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Redpath HL, Lawrie SM, Sprooten E, Whalley HC, McIntosh AM, Hall J. Progress in imaging the effects of psychosis susceptibility gene variants. Expert Rev Neurother 2014; 13:37-47. [DOI: 10.1586/ern.12.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Analysis of schizophrenia-related genes and electrophysiological measures reveals ZNF804A association with amplitude of P300b elicited by novel sounds. Transl Psychiatry 2014; 4:e346. [PMID: 24424392 PMCID: PMC3905227 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2013.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2013] [Revised: 10/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Several genes have recently been identified as risk factors for schizophrenia (SZ) by genome-wide association studies (GWAS), including ZNF804A which is thought to function in transcriptional regulation. However, the downstream pathophysiological changes that these genes confer remain to be elucidated. In 143 subjects (68 clinical high risk, first episode or chronic cases; 75 controls), we examined the association between 21 genetic markers previously identified by SZ GWAS or associated with putative intermediate phenotypes of SZ against three event-related potential (ERP) measures: mismatch negativity (MMN), amplitude of P300 during an auditory oddball task, and P300 amplitude during an auditory novelty oddball task. Controlling for age and sex, significant genetic association surpassing Bonferroni correction was detected between ZNF804A marker rs1344706 and P300 amplitude elicited by novel sounds (beta=4.38, P=1.03 × 10(-4)), which is thought to index orienting of attention to unexpected, salient stimuli. Subsequent analyses revealed that the association was driven by the control subjects (beta=6.35, P=9.08 × 10(-5)), and that the risk allele was correlated with higher novel P300b amplitude, in contrast to the significantly lower amplitude observed in cases compared to controls. Novel P300b amplitude was significantly correlated with a neurocognitive measure of auditory attention under interference conditions, suggesting a relationship between novel P300b amplitude and higher-order attentional processes. Our results suggest pleiotropic effects of ZNF804A on risk for SZ and neural mechanisms that are indexed by the novel P300b ERP component.
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Jiang T, Zhou Y, Liu B, Liu Y, Song M. Brainnetome-wide association studies in schizophrenia: The advances and future. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2013; 37:2818-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2012] [Revised: 10/07/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Ashare RL, Valdez JN, Ruparel K, Albelda B, Hopson RD, Keefe JR, Loughead J, Lerman C. Association of abstinence-induced alterations in working memory function and COMT genotype in smokers. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2013; 230:653-62. [PMID: 23828159 PMCID: PMC3840089 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3197-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The common methionine (met) for valine (val) at codon 158 (val(158)met) polymorphism in the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene has been associated with nicotine dependence, alterations in executive cognitive function, and abstinence-induced working memory deficits in smokers. OBJECTIVES We sought to replicate the association of the COMT val allele with abstinence-induced alterations in working memory-related activity in task-positive (executive control) and task-negative (default mode network) regions. METHODS Forty smokers (20 val/val and 20 met/met) performed an N-back task while undergoing blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) on two separate occasions: following 72 h of confirmed abstinence and during smoking as usual. An independent sample of 48 smokers who completed the identical N-back task during fMRI in smoking vs. abstinence for another study was used as a validation sample. RESULTS Contrary to expectations, genotype by session interactions on BOLD signal in executive control regions (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and dorsal cingulate/medial prefrontal cortex) revealed significant abstinence-induced reductions in the met/met group, but not the val/val group. Results also revealed that val/val smokers may exhibit less suppression of activation in task-negative regions such as the posterior cingulate cortex during abstinence (vs. smoking). These patterns were confirmed in the validation sample and in the whole-brain analysis, though the regions differed from the a priori regions of interest (ROIs) (e.g., precuneus, insula). CONCLUSIONS The COMT val(158)met polymorphism was associated with abstinence-related working memory deficits in two independent samples of smokers. However, inconsistencies compared to prior findings and across methods (ROI vs. whole-brain analysis) highlight the challenges inherent in reproducing results of imaging genetic studies in addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L. Ashare
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Nicotine Addiction, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104,Correspondence: Rebecca L. Ashare, Ph.D., Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Nicotine Addiction, 3535 Market Street, Suite 4100, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA, Tel: +1 (215) 746-5789, Fax: +1 (215) 746-7140,
| | - Jeffrey N. Valdez
- Brain Behavior Laboratory, Neuropsychiatry Department, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Kosha Ruparel
- Brain Behavior Laboratory, Neuropsychiatry Department, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Benjamin Albelda
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Nicotine Addiction, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Ryan D. Hopson
- Brain Behavior Laboratory, Neuropsychiatry Department, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - John R. Keefe
- Brain Behavior Laboratory, Neuropsychiatry Department, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - James Loughead
- Brain Behavior Laboratory, Neuropsychiatry Department, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Caryn Lerman
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Nicotine Addiction, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Ira E, Zanoni M, Ruggeri M, Dazzan P, Tosato S. COMT, neuropsychological function and brain structure in schizophrenia: a systematic review and neurobiological interpretation. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2013; 38:366-80. [PMID: 23527885 PMCID: PMC3819150 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.120178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endophenotypes in genetic psychiatry may increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying disease risk and its manifestations. We sought to investigate the link between neuropsychological impairments and brain structural abnormalities associated with the COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism in patients with schizophrenia to improve understanding of the pathophysiology of this disorder. METHODS We performed a systematic review using studies identified in PubMed and MEDLINE (from the date of the first available article to July 2012). Our review examined evidence of an association between the COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism and both neuropsychological performance and brain structure in patients with psychosis, in their relatives and in healthy individuals (step 1). The review also explored whether the neuropsychological tasks and brain structures identified in step 1 met the criteria for an endophenotype (step 2). Then we evaluated evidence that the neuropsychological endophenotypes identified in step 2 are associated with the brain structure endophenotypes identified in that step (step 3). Finally, we propose a neurobiological interpretation for this evidence. RESULTS A poorer performance on the n-back task and the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and smaller temporal and frontal brain areas were associated with the COMT Val allele in patients with schizophrenia and their relatives and met most of the criteria for an endophenotype. It is possible that the COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism therefore contributes to the development of these neuropsychological and brain structural endophenotypes of schizophrenia, in which the prefrontal cortex may represent the neural substrate underlying both n-back and CPT performances. LIMITATIONS The association between a single genetic variant and an endophenotype does not necessarily imply a causal relationship between them. CONCLUSION This evidence and the proposed interpretation contribute to explain, at least in part, the biological substrate of 4 important endophenotypes that characterize schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Ira
- Correspondence to: E. Ira, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy;
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Bossong MG, Jansma JM, van Hell HH, Jager G, Kahn RS, Ramsey NF. Default mode network in the effects of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on human executive function. PLoS One 2013; 8:e70074. [PMID: 23936144 PMCID: PMC3729458 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2013] [Accepted: 06/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence is increasing for involvement of the endocannabinoid system in cognitive functions including attention and executive function, as well as in psychiatric disorders characterized by cognitive deficits, such as schizophrenia. Executive function appears to be associated with both modulation of active networks and inhibition of activity in the default mode network. In the present study, we examined the role of the endocannabinoid system in executive function, focusing on both the associated brain network and the default mode network. A pharmacological functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study was conducted with a placebo-controlled, cross-over design, investigating effects of the endocannabinoid agonist Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on executive function in 20 healthy volunteers, using a continuous performance task with identical pairs. Task performance was impaired after THC administration, reflected in both an increase in false alarms and a reduction in detected targets. This was associated with reduced deactivation in a set of brain regions linked to the default mode network, including posterior cingulate cortex and angular gyrus. Less deactivation was significantly correlated with lower performance after THC. Regions that were activated by the continuous performance task, notably bilateral prefrontal and parietal cortex, did not show effects of THC. These findings suggest an important role for the endocannabinoid system in both default mode modulation and executive function. This may be relevant for psychiatric disorders associated with executive function deficits, such as schizophrenia and ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthijs G Bossong
- Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Genetic modulation of neural response during working memory in healthy individuals: interaction of glucocorticoid receptor and dopaminergic genes. Mol Psychiatry 2013; 18:174-82. [PMID: 22083731 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2011.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Suboptimal performance in working memory (WM) tasks and inefficient prefrontal cortex functioning are related to dysregulation of dopaminergic (DA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal systems. The aim of the present study was to investigate the joint effect of genetic polymorphisms coding for DA catabolism and glucocorticoid receptor (GR, NR3C1) on brain functioning. The study group (90 right-handed white Caucasian healthy individuals) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging experiments to examine blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) response during a WM task with varying cognitive load (1-, 2- and 3-back). We have also examined skin conductance response (SCR) during the WM task and resting-state cerebral blood flow with continuous arterial spin labelling. The genetic markers of interest included Catechol-O-Methyl-Transferase (COMT) (Met(158)Val) and NR3C1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (BclI C/G rs41423247, 9β A/G rs6198 and rs1866388 A/G). Haplotype-based analyses showed (i) a significant effect of COMT polymorphism on left anterior cingulate cortex, with greater deactivation in Met carriers than in Val/Val homozygotes; (ii) a significant effect of BclI polymorphism on right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), with greater activation in G/G carriers than in C carriers and (iii) an interactive effect of BclI (G/G) and COMT (Met/Met) polymorphisms, which was associated with greater activation in right DLPFC. These effects remained significant after controlling for whole-brain resting-state blood flow. SCR amplitude was positively correlated with right DLPFC activation during WM. This study demonstrated that GR and COMT markers exert their separate, as well as interactive, effects on DLPFC function. Epistasis of COMT and BclI minor alleles is associated with higher activation, suggesting lower efficiency, of DLPFC during WM.
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[Default mode network of the brain. Neurobiology and clinical significance]. DER NERVENARZT 2012; 83:16, 18-24. [PMID: 21584789 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-011-3307-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The resting state of the human brain is intrinsically organized by the so-called default mode network (DMN) which comprises cortical midline structure as well as lateral parietal and temporal areas. The activity of this system increases during self-oriented thinking, e.g. during a resting state but decreases during externally oriented attention and specific cognitive tasks. This review article provides a historical and methodological outline of the DMN model and describes its functional anatomy and putative functions. Based on the empirical literature the clinical implications of alterations of the DMN architecture and its role in various mental disorders are discussed.
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Gennatas ED, Cholfin JA, Zhou J, Crawford RK, Sasaki DA, Karydas A, Boxer AL, Bonasera SJ, Rankin KP, Gorno-Tempini ML, Rosen HJ, Kramer JH, Weiner M, Miller BL, Seeley WW. COMT Val158Met genotype influences neurodegeneration within dopamine-innervated brain structures. Neurology 2012; 78:1663-9. [PMID: 22573634 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0b013e3182574fa1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether the Val(158)Met polymorphism in the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene influences neurodegeneration within dopamine-innervated brain regions. METHODS A total of 252 subjects, including healthy controls and patients with Alzheimer disease, behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia, and semantic dementia, underwent COMT genotyping and structural MRI. RESULTS Whole-brain voxel-wise regression analyses revealed that COMT Val(158)Met Val allele dosage, known to produce a dose-dependent decrease in synaptic dopamine (DA) availability, correlated with decreased gray matter in the region of the ventral tegmental area (VTA), ventromedial prefrontal cortex, bilateral dorsal midinsula, left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and right ventral striatum. Unexpectedly, patients carrying a Met allele showed greater VTA volumes than age-matched controls. Gray matter intensities within COMT-related brain regions correlated with cognitive and behavioral deficits. CONCLUSIONS The results are consistent with the hypothesis that increased synaptic DA catabolism promotes neurodegeneration within DA-innervated brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- E D Gennatas
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, CA, USA
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Whalley HC, Sussmann JE, Johnstone M, Romaniuk L, Redpath H, Chakirova G, Mukherjee P, Hall J, Johnstone EC, Lawrie SM, McIntosh AM. Effects of a mis-sense DISC1 variant on brain activation in two cohorts at high risk of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2012; 159B:343-53. [PMID: 22337479 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2011] [Accepted: 01/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia share a number of clinical features and genetic risk variants of small effect, suggesting overlapping pathogenic mechanisms. The effect of single genetic risk variants on brain function is likely to differ in people at high familial risk versus controls as these individuals have a higher overall genetic loading and are therefore closer to crossing a threshold of disease liability. Therefore, whilst the effects of genetic risk variants on brain function may be similar across individuals at risk of both disorders, they are hypothesized to differ compared to that seen in control subjects. We sought to examine the effects of the DISC1 Leu(607) Phe polymorphism on brain activation in young healthy individuals at familial risk of bipolar disorder (n = 84), in a group of controls (n = 78), and in a group at familial risk of schizophrenia (n = 47), performing a language task. We assessed whether genotype effects on brain activation differed according to risk status. There was a significant genotype × group interaction in a cluster centered on the left pre/postcentral gyrus, extending to the inferior frontal gyrus. The origin of this genotype × group effect originated from a significant effect of the presumed risk variant (Phe) on brain activation in the control group, which was absent in both high-risk groups. Differential effects of this polymorphism in controls compared to the two familial groups suggests a commonality of effect across individuals at high-risk of the disorders, which is likely to be dependant upon existing genetic background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather C Whalley
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, UK.
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Falcone M, Jepson C, Sanborn P, Cappella JN, Lerman C, Strasser AA. Association of BDNF and COMT genotypes with cognitive processing of anti-smoking PSAs. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2011; 10:862-7. [PMID: 21883922 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2011.00726.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Anti-smoking public service announcements (PSAs) often use persuasive arguments to attempt to influence attitudes about smoking. The persuasiveness of a PSA has previously been associated with factors that influence the cognitive processing of its message. Genetic factors that influence cognitive processing might thus affect individuals' responses to the persuasive arguments presented in PSAs. In the present study, we examined polymorphisms in the genes encoding brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF Val66Met) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT Val158Met), which affect cognitive processing in the prefrontal cortex, to identify genetic factors associated with self-reported outcomes of message processing, perceived effectiveness and quitting intentions among smokers viewing PSAs. A total of 120 smokers viewed sets of four PSAs that varied with respect to features of argument strength (AS) and message sensation value. We observed significant associations of BDNF genotype with central processing, narrative processing, perceived effectiveness of the anti-smoking PSAs and participant quitting intentions; the BDNF Met allele was associated with lower scores on all these measures. Central processing acted as a mediator of the association of genotype with quitting intentions and perceived effectiveness. There was a significant interaction of COMT genotype by AS in the model of narrative processing, such that individuals homozygous for the COMT Val allele reported higher narrative processing in the high-AS condition but not in the low-AS condition. To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify genetic factors associated with cognitive processing of anti-smoking PSAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Falcone
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Scharinger C, Rabl U, Sitte HH, Pezawas L. Imaging genetics of mood disorders. Neuroimage 2010; 53:810-21. [PMID: 20156570 PMCID: PMC4502568 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2009] [Revised: 01/17/2010] [Accepted: 02/09/2010] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mood disorders are highly heritable and have been linked to brain regions of emotion processing. Over the past few years, an enormous amount of imaging genetics studies has demonstrated the impact of risk genes on brain regions and systems of emotion processing in vivo in healthy subjects as well as in mood disorder patients. While sufficient evidence already exists for several monaminergic genes as well as for a few non-monoaminergic genes, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in healthy subjects, many others only have been investigated in single studies so far. Apart from these studies, the present review also covers imaging genetics studies applying more complex genetic disease models of mood disorders, such as epistasis and gene-environment interactions, and their impact on brain systems of emotion processing. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive overview of the rapidly growing field of imaging genetics studies in mood disorder research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Scharinger
- Division of Biological Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrich Rabl
- Division of Biological Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald H. Sitte
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Pezawas
- Division of Biological Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
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