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Qin H, Yu M, Han N, Zhu M, Li X, Zhou J. Antidepressant effects of esketamine via the BDNF/AKT/mTOR pathway in mice with postpartum depression and their offspring. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 132:110992. [PMID: 38484929 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.110992] [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: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health problem that can negatively affect future generations. BDNF/AKT/mTOR signaling in the frontal lobe and hippocampus in mice is associated with depression, but its role in mice with PPD and their offspring is unknown. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of esketamine (ESK), a drug approved for treatment of refractory depression, on the BDNF/AKT/mTOR pathway in mice with PPD and their offspring. A model of chronic unpredictable mild stress with pregnancy was used. ESK was injected into postpartum mice, and behavioral tests were conducted to predict the severity of symptoms at the end of lactation and in the offspring after adulthood. Both mice with PPD and their offspring showed significant anxiety- and depression-like behaviors that were ameliorated with the ESK intervention. ESK enhanced exploratory behavior in unfamiliar environments, increased the preference for sucrose, and ameliorated the impaired BDNF/AKT/mTOR signaling in the frontal and hippocampal regions in mice. Thus, ESK may have great potential in treating PPD and decreasing the incidence of depression in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Qin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Miao Yu
- Department of Science Experiment Center, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Nianjiao Han
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Meilin Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xia Li
- Department of Gynecology, The First Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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2
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Chou S, Wu R, Li M. Long-term impacts of prenatal maternal immune activation and postnatal maternal separation on maternal behavior in adult female rats: Relevance to postpartum mental disorders. Behav Brain Res 2024; 461:114831. [PMID: 38142861 PMCID: PMC10872411 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114831] [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: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Early life adversities are known to exert long-term negative impacts on psychological and brain functions in adulthood. The present work examined how a prenatal brain insult and a postnatal stressor independently or interactively influence the quality of maternal care of postpartum female rats and their cognitive and emotional functions, as a way to identify the behavioral dysfunctions underlying childhood trauma-induced postpartum mental disorders (as indexed by impaired maternal care). Sprague-Dawley female offspring born from mother rats exposed to polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (PolyI:C, 4.0-6.0 mg/kg) intended to cause gestational maternal immune activation (MIA) or saline were subjected to a repeated maternal separation stress (RMS, 3 h/day) or no separation for 9 days in the first two weeks of life (a 2 × 2 design). When these offspring became mothers, their attentional filtering ability (as measured in the prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle reflex test), positive hedonic response (as measured in the sucrose preference test), and negative emotional response (as measured in the startle reflex and fear-potentiated startle test) were examined, along with their home-cage maternal behavior. Virgin littermates served as controls in all the behavioral tests except in maternal behavior. Results showed that mother rats who experienced RMS displayed impaired nest building and crouching/nursing activities. RMS also interacted with MIA to alter pup retrieval latency and startle reactivity, such that MIA-RMS dams demonstrated significantly slower pup retrieval latency and higher startle magnitude compared to either RMS-only and MIA-only mothers. MIA also disrupted attentional filtering ability, with significantly lower prepulse inhibition. However, neither prenatal MIA nor postnatal RMS impaired sucrose preference or the acquisition of fear-potentiated startle. These results indicate that prenatal stress and postnatal adversity could impair maternal behavior individually, and interact with each other, causing impairments in attention, emotion and maternal motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinnyi Chou
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ruiyong Wu
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Psychology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
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3
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Biswas B, Eapen V, Morris MJ, Jones NM. Combined Effect of Maternal Separation and Early-Life Immune Activation on Brain and Behaviour of Rat Offspring. Biomolecules 2024; 14:197. [PMID: 38397434 PMCID: PMC10886936 DOI: 10.3390/biom14020197] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Adversity during early life, a critical period for brain development, increases vulnerability and can have a lasting impact on the brain and behaviour of a child. However, the long-term effects of cumulative early-life stressors on brain and behaviour are not well known. We studied a 2-hit rat model of early-life adversity using maternal separation (MS) and immune activation (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)). Rat pups underwent MS for 15 (control) or 180 (MS) minutes per day from postnatal day (P)2-14 and were administered saline or LPS (intraperitoneal) on P3. Open-field (OFT) and object-place recognition tests were performed on rat offspring at P33-35 and P42-50, respectively. The pre-frontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus were removed at the experimental endpoint (P52-55) for mRNA expression. MS induced anxiety-like behaviour in OFT in male and reduced locomotor activity in both male and female offspring. LPS induced a subtle decline in memory in the object-place recognition test in male offspring. MS increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in PFC and ionised calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 expression in male hippocampus. MS and LPS resulted in distinct behavioural phenotypes in a sex-specific manner. The combination of MS and LPS had a synergistic effect on the anxiety-like behaviour, locomotor activity, and GFAP mRNA expression outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharti Biswas
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia; (B.B.); (V.E.)
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Valsamma Eapen
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia; (B.B.); (V.E.)
| | - Margaret J. Morris
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Nicole M. Jones
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
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Zaccarelli-Magalhães J, Manes M, Féba LS, Abreu GR, Flório JC, Ricci EL, Felício LF, Spinosa HS. Do Autistic and Depressed Rats Express the Same Type of Maternal Care? Neuroscience 2024; 536:72-78. [PMID: 38000546 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is more frequently diagnosed in men. Nevertheless, through current diagnostic tools, women have also been found to be affected by this disorder, but in different ways. Few studies have been conducted regarding unique periods of life, such as motherhood. Yet, extant literature has already described the existence of a comorbidity between autism and postpartum depression. Thus, this study aimed to compare the maternal care sphere between two animal models of these diseases. Lactating rats were subdivided into three groups (n = 8 animals/group): 1) control dams; 2) maternal separation (MS) dams, separated from their litter for 3 h daily from lactating day (LD) 2-12 for postpartum depression induction; and 3) valproic acid (VPA) dams, which were the pups of dams treated with 400 mg/kg of VPA (i.p.) on gestational day 12.5 for autism induction. Maternal care tests were performed during lactation and, after weaning, dams were euthanized for the analysis of dopaminergic system on the prefrontal cortex. The results showed an impairment of maternal care of MS dams and an improvement of VPA dams, as well as alterations on dopaminergic system that corroborates the behavior data. These findings indicate that VPA dams express better maternal care, even with cognitive and socialization difficulties. This is probably due to a hyper-focus, as opposed to MS dams, which mimic the maternal care dysfunction expressed by women with postpartum depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Zaccarelli-Magalhães
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Doutor Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270 São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - M Manes
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Doutor Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L S Féba
- Health Science Institute, Presbyterian Mackenzie University, Rua da Consolação, 930, 01302-907 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - G R Abreu
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Doutor Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - J C Flório
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Doutor Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - E L Ricci
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Doutor Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270 São Paulo, Brazil; Health Science Institute, Presbyterian Mackenzie University, Rua da Consolação, 930, 01302-907 São Paulo, Brazil; School of Health Sciences IGESP, Rua da Consolação, 1025, 01301-000 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L F Felício
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Doutor Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - H S Spinosa
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Doutor Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270 São Paulo, Brazil
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Pillai L, Srivastava S, Ajin A, Rana SS, Mathkor DM, Haque S, M Tambuwala M, Ahmad F. Etiology and incidence of postpartum depression among birthing women in the scenario of pandemics, geopolitical conflicts and natural disasters: a systematic review. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 2023; 44:2278016. [PMID: 38050938 DOI: 10.1080/0167482x.2023.2278016] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is classified under postpartum psychiatric disorders and initiates soon after birthing, eliciting neuropsychological and behavioral deficits in mothers and offspring. Globally, PPD is estimated to be associated with 130-190 per 1000 birthing. The severity and incidences of PPD have aggravated in the recent years due to the several unfavorable environmental and geopolitical circumstances. The purpose of this systematic review hence is to explore the contributions of recent circumstances on the pathogenesis and incidence of PPD. The search, selection and retrieval of the articles published during the last three years were systematically performed. The results from the primary studies indicate that unfavorable contemporary socio-geopolitical and environmental circumstances (e.g. Covid-19 pandemic, political conflicts/wars, and natural calamities; such as floods and earthquakes) detrimentally affect PPD etiology. A combination of socio-economic and psychological factors, including perceived lack of support and anxiousness about the future may contribute to drastic aggravation of PPD incidences. Finally, we outline some of the potential treatment regimens (e.g. inter-personal psycho- and art-based therapies) that may prove to be effective in amelioration of PPD-linked symptoms in birthing women, either alone or in complementation with traditional pharmacological interventions. We propose these psychological and art-based intervention strategies may beneficially counteract the negative influences of the unfortunate recent events across multiple cultures, societies and geographical regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Pillai
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Shayna Srivastava
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Akhil Ajin
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Sandeep Singh Rana
- Department of Biosciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Darin Mansor Mathkor
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Murtaza M Tambuwala
- Lincoln Medical School, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool Campus, Lincoln, UK
| | - Faraz Ahmad
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
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6
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Whitney AJ, Lindeque Z, Kruger R, Steyn SF. Running from depression: the antidepressant-like potential of prenatal and pre-pubertal exercise in adolescent FSL rats exposed to an early-life stressor. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37969008 DOI: 10.1017/neu.2023.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to answer the questions of whether early-life (perinatal and/or juvenile) exercise can induce antidepressant-like effects in a validated rodent model of depression, and whether such early-life intervention could prevent or reverse the adverse effects of early-life stress in their offspring. METHODS Male and female Flinders sensitive line rats born to a dam that exercised during gestation, or not, were either maternally separated between PND02 and 16 and weaned on PND17 or not. Half of these animals then underwent a fourteen-day low-intensity exercise regimen from PND22. Baseline depressive-like behaviour was assessed on PND21 and then reassessed on PND36, whereafter hippocampal monoamine levels, redox state markers and metabolic markers relevant to mitochondrial function were measured. RESULTS Pre-pubertal exercise was identified as the largest contributing factor to the observed effects, where it decreased immobility time in the FST by 6%, increased time spent in the open arms of the EPM by 9%. Hippocampal serotonin and norepinephrine levels were also increased by 35% and 26%, respectively, whilst nicotinic acid was significantly decreased. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that pre-pubertal low-intensity exercise induces beneficial biological alterations that could translate into antidepressant behaviour in genetically susceptible individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashleigh J Whitney
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Zander Lindeque
- Human Metabolomics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Ruan Kruger
- Hypertension in African Research Team (HART), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- MRC Research Unit for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Stephan F Steyn
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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7
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Roets M, Brand L, Steyn SF. Increased depressive-like behaviour of postpartum Flinders sensitive and resistant line rats is reversed by a predictable postpartum stressor. Behav Brain Res 2023; 442:114321. [PMID: 36720349 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
During the peripartum period, women are at an increased risk to develop perinatal distress, presenting as symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. Yet, due to practical and ethical restrictions, our understanding of this condition remains limited. Animal studies that focus on the neuropsychiatric mechanisms associated with the postpartum period, often ignore the genetical predisposition factor. We therefore investigated whether pregnancy could alter the bio-behavioural profile of the Flinders sensitive and resistant line rats, and whether these effects are exacerbated by a postpartum stressor. Postpartum dams were compared to nulliparous controls in behavioural tests, analysing depressive- and anxiety-like behaviours. Next, postpartum dams were subjected to a maternal separation and early weaning (MSEW) regimen, with their behaviour and serotonergic and noradrenergic concentrations compared to rats not separated from their pups. Regardless of strain, pregnancy decreased time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and hippocampal serotonin concentrations. Time spent immobile in the forced swim test was also increased, with a significant effect in the FRL and a strong trend in the FSL rats. MSEW reversed these behaviours in both strains and increased social interaction with a male counterpart in the FSL rats, without influencing hippocampal or cortical serotonin or norepinephrine. Taken together, these results suggest that pregnancy influences postpartum behaviour, in a strain-dependent manner. Contrary to what we expected, MSEW overall decreased depressive- and anxiety-like behaviours, with strain specific differences, indicating that a chronic, predictable stressor may not necessarily adversely affect postpartum behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareli Roets
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Linda Brand
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Stephan F Steyn
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
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Zaccarelli-Magalhães J, Abreu GR, Fukushima AR, Pantaleon LP, Ribeiro BB, Munhoz C, Manes M, de Lima MA, Miglioli J, Flório JC, Lebrun I, Waziry PAF, Fonseca TL, Bocco BMLC, Bianco AC, Ricci EL, Spinosa HS. Postpartum depression in rats causes poor maternal care and neurochemical alterations on dams and long-lasting impairment in sociability on the offspring. Behav Brain Res 2023; 436:114082. [PMID: 36041571 PMCID: PMC10823501 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Postpartum depression is a mentally disabling disease with multifactorial etiology that affects women worldwide. It can also influence child development and lead to behavioral and cognitive alterations. Despite the high prevalence, the disease is underdiagnosed and poorly studied. To study the postpartum depression caused by maternal separation model in rats, dams were separated from their litter for 3 h daily starting from lactating day (LD) 2 through LD12. Maternal studies were conducted from LD5 to LD21 and the offspring studies from postnatal day (PND) 2 through PND90. The stress caused by the dam-offspring separation led to poor maternal care and a transient increase in anxiety in the offspring detected during infancy. The female offspring also exhibited a permanent impairment in sociability during adult life. These changes were associated with neurochemical alterations in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, and low TSH concentrations in the dams, and in the hypothalamus, hippocampus and striatum of the offspring. These results indicate that the postpartum depression resulted in a depressive phenotype, changes in the brain neurochemistry and in thyroid economy that remained until the end of lactation. Changes observed in the offspring were long-lasting and resemble what is observed in children of depressant mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Zaccarelli-Magalhães
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Doutor Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270 São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Gabriel R Abreu
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Doutor Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - André R Fukushima
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Doutor Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270 São Paulo, Brazil; School of Health Sciences IGESP, Rua da Consolação, 1025, 01301-000 São Paulo, Brazil; Centro Universitário das Américas, Rua Augusta, 1508, 01304-001 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lorena P Pantaleon
- Health Science Institute, Presbyterian Mackenzie University, Rua da Consolação, 930, 01302-907 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Beatriz B Ribeiro
- Health Science Institute, Presbyterian Mackenzie University, Rua da Consolação, 930, 01302-907 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Munhoz
- Health Science Institute, Presbyterian Mackenzie University, Rua da Consolação, 930, 01302-907 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marianna Manes
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Doutor Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mayara A de Lima
- Centro Universitário das Américas, Rua Augusta, 1508, 01304-001 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Júlia Miglioli
- Centro Universitário das Américas, Rua Augusta, 1508, 01304-001 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jorge C Flório
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Doutor Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ivo Lebrun
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Butantan Institute, Avenida Vital Brazil, 1500, 05503-900 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paula A F Waziry
- Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, 3200 South University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, United States
| | - Tatiana L Fonseca
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Bárbara M L C Bocco
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Antônio C Bianco
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Esther L Ricci
- School of Health Sciences IGESP, Rua da Consolação, 1025, 01301-000 São Paulo, Brazil; Health Science Institute, Presbyterian Mackenzie University, Rua da Consolação, 930, 01302-907 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helenice S Spinosa
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Doutor Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270 São Paulo, Brazil
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9
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Motafeghi F, Bagheri A, Seyedabadi M, Shaki F, Shokrzadeh M. Antidepressant-Like Effects of Edaravone and Minocycline: Investigation of Oxidative Stress, Neuroinflammation, Neurotrophic, and Apoptotic Pathways. Neurotox Res 2022; 40:1838-1858. [PMID: 36522510 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-022-00603-6] [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: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Depression is a very common mental disorder and mechanism that is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. In the present study, we examined the mechanisms of action of isolated brain mitochondria in rats with depression for the first time. This will help identify the mitochondrial protective pathways of the two drugs and shed light on new therapeutic goals for developing antidepressants. Forced swimming, tail suspension, and sucrose preference tests were used to assess depressive-like behaviors and the oxidative stress factors of brain tissue, and measure the gene expression of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic, neuroplasticity, and neuroinflammatory factors by RT-PCR and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in brain tissue (hippocampus and prefrontal) and the serum levels of corticosterone and fasting blood sugar. The results showed that the separation of neonatal rats from their mothers induced depressive-like behaviors, weight loss, mitochondrial dysfunction, increased expression of genes involved in neuroinflammation, apoptosis, genes involved in the depressive process, and decreased expression of genes involved in mood in both the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Maternal separation increased serum corticosterone levels, caused dysfunction of the cholinergic system, and also increased AChE activity. Treatment with different concentrations of minocycline and edaravone (1, 20, and 50 mg/kg), 5MTHF, and citalopram for 14 days showed that these drugs improved depression-like behaviors and mitochondrial function. It also reduced the expression of genes involved in neuroinflammation, apoptosis, and depression and increased the expression of genes involved in mood. In conclusion, minocycline and edaravone have neuroprotective, mitochondrial protective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects against depressive-like behaviors caused by chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Motafeghi
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. .,Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Hemoglobinopathy Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Abouzar Bagheri
- Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Seyedabadi
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Hemoglobinopathy Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Shaki
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Hemoglobinopathy Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohammad Shokrzadeh
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. .,Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Hemoglobinopathy Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
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10
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Comparison of the chronic unpredictable mild stress and the maternal separation in mice postpartum depression modeling. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 632:24-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.09.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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11
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Yan M, Bo X, Zhang X, Zhang J, Liao Y, Zhang H, Cheng Y, Guo J, Cheng J. Mangiferin Alleviates Postpartum Depression-Like Behaviors by Inhibiting MAPK Signaling in Microglia. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:840567. [PMID: 35721155 PMCID: PMC9204178 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.840567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD), a severe mental health disorder, is closely associated with decreased gonadal hormone levels during the postpartum period. Mangiferin (MGF) possesses a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammation. Growing evidence has suggested that neuroinflammation is involved in the development of depression. However, the role of MGF in the development of PPD is largely unknown. In the present study, by establishing a hormone-simulated pregnancy PPD mouse model, we found that the administration of MGF significantly alleviated PPD-like behaviors. Mechanistically, MGF treatment inhibited microglial activation and neuroinflammation. Moreover, we found that MGF treatment inhibited mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in vivo and in vitro. Together, these results highlight an important role of MGF in microglial activation and thus give insights into the potential therapeutic strategy for PPD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meichen Yan
- Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Science, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Xuena Bo
- Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Science, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Xinchao Zhang
- Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Science, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Jingdan Zhang
- Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Science, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yajin Liao
- Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Science, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Haiyan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of TCM, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Yong Cheng
- Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Science, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Junxia Guo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functional Foods, Beijing Union University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinbo Cheng
- Center on Translational Neuroscience, College of Life and Environmental Science, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China.,The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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12
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Animal models of postpartum depression revisited. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 136:105590. [PMID: 34839082 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a heterogeneous mood disorder and the most frequent psychiatric complication of the postnatal period. Given its potential long-lasting repercussions on the well-being of the mother and the infants, it should be a priority in public health. In spite of efforts devoted to clinical investigation and preclinical studies, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of this disorder remain unknown in detail. Much of the progress in the area has been made from animal models, especially rodent models. The aim of this mini-review is to update the current rodent models in PPD research and their main contributions to the field. Animal models are critical tools to advance understanding of the pathophysiological basis of this disorder and to help the development of new therapeutic strategies. Here, we group PPD models into 2 main categories (Models based on hormone manipulations, Models based on stress exposure), each of which includes different paradigms that reflect risk factors or physiological conditions associated with this disease. Finally, we provide an overview of emerging models that provide new perspectives on the study of possible pathophysiological factors related to PPD, to contribute to tackling potential therapeutic targets.
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13
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Mundorf A, Bölükbas I, Freund N. Maternal separation: Does it hold the potential to model consequences of postpartum depression? Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22219. [PMID: 35050513 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The postpartum period is a sensitive time where women are especially vulnerable to develop postpartum depression (PPD), with 10%-15% of women affected. This review investigates whether the maternal separation (MS) paradigm in rodents holds the potential to help to understand mothers suffering from PPD. MS is a well-established stress model to investigate effects on infants, whereas effects on the dam are often overlooked. The database PubMed was searched for studies investigating effects of daily MS within the first weeks after parturition on dams in rats and mice and compared to findings in PPD mothers. MS was categorized as brief MS (5-45 min) with or without handling of pups and long MS (3-4 h and longer). MS alters maternal care, depressive-like behavior, anxiety, and aggression; leads to alterations in neuronal gene expression; and affects hormone and neurotransmitter levels similar to observations in PPD patients. Even though there are disparities between human and rodent mothers, with some results differing in directionality, as well as the reason for separation (self-induced in PPD, externally induced in MS), the overall effects found on neurobiological, hormonal, and behavioral levels mostly coincide. Thus, the MS paradigm can add relevant knowledge to existing PPD animal models, further advancing the study of PPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annakarina Mundorf
- Division of Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Institute for Systems Medicine and Department of Human Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ibrahim Bölükbas
- Division of Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Nadja Freund
- Division of Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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14
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Medina J, De Guzman RM, Workman JL. Lactation is not required for maintaining maternal care and active coping responses in chronically stressed postpartum rats: Interactions between nursing demand and chronic variable stress. Horm Behav 2021; 136:105035. [PMID: 34488064 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.105035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Women who do not breastfeed or discontinue breastfeeding early are more likely to develop postpartum depression (PPD) and stress is a significant risk factor for depression, including PPD. Using a rat model, we investigated whether the absence of nursing would increase the susceptibility to chronic stress-related behavioral and neural changes during the postpartum period. Adult female rats underwent thelectomy (thel; removal of teats), sham surgery, or no surgery (control) and were paired with males for breeding. All litters were rotated twice daily until postpartum day (PD) 26. Sham rats served as surrogates for thel litters, yielding a higher nursing demand for sham rats. Concurrently, rats received either no stress or chronic variable stress until PD 25. Rats were observed for maternal behaviors and tested in a series of tasks including open field, sucrose preference, and forced swim. We used immunohistochemistry (IHC) for doublecortin (DCX; to label immature neurons) or for mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). Contrary to our expectations, non-nursing thel rats were resistant to the effects of stress in all dependent measures. Our data indicate that even in chronic adverse conditions, nursing is not required for maintaining stable care to offspring or active coping responses in an acutely stressful task. We discuss the possible role of offspring contact and consider future directions for biomedical and clinical research. In rats with high nursing demand, however, chronic stress increased immobility, hippocampal neurogenesis, and MR expression (largely in opposition to the effects of stress in rats with typical nursing demand). We discuss these patterns in the context of energetics and allostatic load. This research highlights the complexity in relationships between stress, nursing, and neurobehavioral outcomes in the postpartum period and underscores the need for additional biomedical and clinical research geared toward optimizing treatments and interventions for women with PPD, regardless of breastfeeding status. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The goal of this research was to determine how the absence of nursing and higher nursing demand impact stress-coping behaviors and neural changes associated with chronic stress in order to disentangle the complex interplay of factors that contribute to psychological illness during the postpartum period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Medina
- Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12222, United States of America
| | - Rose M De Guzman
- Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12222, United States of America
| | - Joanna L Workman
- Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12222, United States of America; Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12222, United States of America.
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15
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Demarchi L, Pawluski JL, Bosch OJ. The brain oxytocin and corticotropin-releasing factor systems in grieving mothers: What we know and what we need to learn. Peptides 2021; 143:170593. [PMID: 34091013 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The bond between a mother and her child is the strongest bond in nature. Consequently, the loss of a child is one of the most stressful and traumatic life events that causes Prolonged Grief Disorder in up to 94 % of bereaved parents. While both parents are affected, mothers are of higher risk to develop mental health complications; yet, very little research has been done to understand the impact of the loss of a child, stillbirth and pregnancy loss on key neurobiological systems. The emotional impact of losing a child, e.g., Prolonged Grief Disorder, is likely accompanied by dysregulations in neural systems important for mental health. Among those are the neuropeptides contributing to attachment and stress processing. In this review, we present evidence for the involvement of the brain oxytocin (OXT) and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) systems, which both play a role in maternal behavior and the stress response, in the neurobiology of grief in mothers from a behavioral and molecular point of view. We will draw conclusions from reviewing relevant animal and human studies. However, the paucity of research on the tragic end to an integral bond in a female's life calls for the need and responsibility to conduct further studies on mothers experiencing the loss of a child both in the clinic and in appropriate animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Demarchi
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Jodi L Pawluski
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S, 1085 Rennes, France.
| | - Oliver J Bosch
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
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16
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Rincón-Cortés M, Grace AA. Early Pup Removal Leads to Social Dysfunction and Dopamine Deficit in Late Postpartum Rats: Prevention by Social Support. Front Glob Womens Health 2021; 2. [PMID: 34414389 PMCID: PMC8373044 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2021.694808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Offspring interaction is among the most highly motivated behaviors in maternal mammals and is mediated by mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system activation. Disruption or loss of significant social relationships is among the strongest individual predictors of affective dysregulation and depression onset in humans. However, little is known regarding the effects of disrupted mother–infant attachment (pup removal) in rat dams. Here, we tested the effects of permanent pup removal in rat dams, which were assigned to one of three groups on postpartum day (PD) 1: pups; pups removed, single-housed; or pups removed, co-housed with another dam who also had pups removed; and underwent a behavioral test battery during PD 21–23. In vivo electrophysiological recordings of ventral tegmental area (VTA) DA neurons were performed on PD 22 and 23 in a subset of animals. Pup removal did not impact sucrose consumption or anxiety-like behavior, but increased passive forced swim test (FST) coping responses. Pup-removal effects on social behavior and VTA activity were sensitive to social buffering: only single-housed dams exhibited reduced social motivation and decreased numbers of active DA neurons. Dams that had pups removed and were co-housed did not exhibit changes in social behavior or VTA function. Moreover, no changes in social behavior, FST coping, or VTA activity were found in socially isolated adult virgin females, indicating that effects observed in dams are specific to pup loss. This study showed that deprivation of species-expected social relationships (pups) during the postpartum precipitates an enduring negative affect state (enhanced passive coping, blunted social motivation) and attenuated VTA DA function in the dam, and that a subset of these effects is partially ameliorated through social buffering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Millie Rincón-Cortés
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Anthony A Grace
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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17
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Wu Z, Zhou L, Sun L, Xie Y, Xiao L, Wang H, Wang G. Brief postpartum separation from offspring promotes resilience to lipopolysaccharide challenge-induced anxiety and depressive-like behaviors and inhibits neuroinflammation in C57BL/6J dams. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 95:190-202. [PMID: 33766700 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence indicates an important role for neuroinflammation in depression. Brief maternal separation promotes resilience to depression in offspring, but relatively little is known about the effects of different durations of postpartum separation (PS) from offspring on anxiety and depressive-like behaviors in dams following immune challenge. Lactating C57BL/6J mice were subjected to no separation (NPS), brief PS (15 min/day, PS15) or prolonged PS (180 min/day, PS180) from postpartum day (PPD) 1 to PPD21 and then injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Behavioral tests, including the open field test (OFT) and forced swimming test (FST), were carried out at 24 h after the injection. LPSresulted in anxiety and depressive-like behaviors in NPS dams and activated ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule (Iba1), an important biomarker of microglia, in the hippocampus. However, compared with NPS + LPS dams, PS15 + LPS dams spent significantly more time in the center of the OFT (anxiety-like behavior) and exhibited lower immobility time in the FST (depressive-like behavior), which indicated a phenomenon of resilience. Furthermore, the activation of neuroinflammation was inhibited in PS15 dams. Specifically, levels of the Iba1 mRNA and protein were decreased, while the mRNA expression of NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome/interleukin-18 (IL-18)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) was decreased in the hippocampus. Furthermore, positive linear correlations were observed between microglial activation and LPS-induced depressive-like behaviors in dams. Collectively, the findings of this study confirm that brief PS from offspring promotes resilience to LPS immune challenge-induced behavioral deficits and inhibits neuroinflammation in dams separated from their offspring during lactation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuotian Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No.238, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No.238, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Limin Sun
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No.238, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Yumeng Xie
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No.238, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Ling Xiao
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No.238, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Huiling Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No.238, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Gaohua Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No.238, Wuhan 430060, China.
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18
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Küçükkarapinar M, Dönmez A, Candansayar S, Bozkurt A, Akçay E, Gülbahar Ö, Belen HB. Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental Effects of Early Interventions in Adult Wistar Rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 58:137-145. [PMID: 34188597 DOI: 10.29399/npa.24943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Interventions performed in the early period of life are associated with cognitive and behavioral changes in adulthood. The effects of interventions such as exposure to an early stressful life event or environmental enrichment on cognitive and behavioral development are studied. The aim of this study is to develop a new intervention method, to investigate the effects of early interventions on social interaction, memory anxiety levels and NR2B levels in prefrontal and hippocampus in adulthood. The hypothesis of the study is that exposure to the ambivalent mother will affect the behavioral performance of rats at least as much as one hour apart from the mother in the adult period and cause changes in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in the NR2B levels. Method In the study, the Wistar rats were divided into four groups as control group (12), group that remained 15 minutes apart from mother (Mild Stress) (12), group that remained 60 minutes apart from mother (Severe Stress) (14) and ambivalent mother group (13). In adulthood, the social interaction test, elevated plus maze and new object recognition test performances of rats were evaluated. ELISA method was used to evaluate the effect of interventions on the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus NMDA R2B levels. Results The important findings of the study were that in the new object recognition test, separation from the mother did not affect the recognition memory regardless of gender, while the short-term recognition memory of the females of the ambivalent mothers' group was better than the females in the other groups and the long-term memory performance of the mild stress groups men was better than the man in the other groups. In addition, in the social interaction test, the males of the ambivalent group and the mild stress group showed more aggressive behavior. It was determined that the prefrontal cortex NR2B level was higher in the mild stress and ambivalent mother group compared to the severe stress group, and NR2B level was increased in all intervention groups compared to the control group. Conclusion In contrast to the hypothesis, the results of this study support that the ambivalent mother's group rats are not more adversely affected than the severe group rats and that the model created may be an environmental enrichment model rather than an early stressful life event exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aslıhan Dönmez
- Bogazici University Department of Psychology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Selçuk Candansayar
- Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Psychiatry Department, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Elif Akçay
- Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Özlem Gülbahar
- Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Biochemistry Department, Ankara, Turkey
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19
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Wang A, Zou X, Wu J, Ma Q, Yuan N, Ding F, Li X, Chen J. Early-Life Stress Alters Synaptic Plasticity and mTOR Signaling: Correlation With Anxiety-Like and Cognition-Related Behavior. Front Genet 2021; 11:590068. [PMID: 33381149 PMCID: PMC7767996 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.590068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Early-life stress (ELS) predisposes individuals to psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression, and cognitive impairments later in life. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not completely understood. Developmental deficits in hippocampal synaptic plasticity are among the primary detrimental alterations in brain function induced by ELS. Impaired synaptic plasticity is usually accompanied by decreased synaptic proteins, such as postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95) and synaptophysin, which are important for synaptic function. The mTOR signaling pathway plays a vital role in regulating protein translation, and mTOR activation is functionally associated with synaptic protein synthesis. In the present study, we observed whether ELS impacts synaptic protein synthesis and mTOR signaling, which is involved in synaptic plasticity. Herein, we established a maternal separation (MS) and chronic restraint stress (CRS) model and evaluated anxiety-like behavior and cognitive function (e.g., learning and memory) in adulthood through behavioral examination and analyzed hippocampal expression levels of PSD95 and synaptophysin. To explore whether the mTOR signaling pathway was associated with ELS, we also examined the activity of mTOR and s6. The behavior tests indicated that maternally separated mice showed increased anxiety-like behavior and cognitive impairments. PSD95 and synaptophysin mRNA and protein expression levels were decreased in the hippocampus, and phosphorylated mTOR and phosphorylated s6 were significantly decreased in maternally separated mice vs. those not exposed to MS. Our data demonstrate that MS impairs synaptic plasticity and inhibits mTOR signaling, specifically via s6. Therefore, we speculate that ELS decreased synaptic plasticity via the inhibition of the mTOR pathway in the hippocampus, which may underlie vulnerability to stress and mental disorders in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anfeng Wang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaojuan Zou
- School of Basic Medical Science, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiajia Wu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Qingyu Ma
- Formula-Pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Naijun Yuan
- Formula-Pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fengmin Ding
- School of Basic Medical Science, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaojuan Li
- Formula-Pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaxu Chen
- School of Basic Medical Science, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China.,Formula-Pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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20
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Bölükbas I, Mundorf A, Freund N. Maternal separation in rats induces neurobiological and behavioral changes on the maternal side. Sci Rep 2020; 10:22431. [PMID: 33384453 PMCID: PMC7775452 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80087-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The time after parturition is a sensitive period for mothers where they are prone to develop psychopathological symptoms. Studies investigating dams after separation from their pups (maternal separation, MS) showed that MS induces alterations similar to postpartum depression. This study aims to give further details on affected behavior and neurobiology of dams after MS. MS in rats from postnatal day 2-20 over four hours daily was performed. Upon reunion, maternal behavior, and ultrasonic vocalization (USV) of dams were measured. On the day of weaning, dams were tested for anxiety-like behavior in the elevated-plus-maze and marble burying test. Then Morc1 mRNA in the medial prefrontal cortex and Nr3c1 encoding the glucocorticoid receptor mRNA in the hippocampus were measured using real-time PCR to examine possible neurobiological correlates in psychopathology and social behavior. GABA and glutamate serum levels were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography as peripheral markers for stress-induced psychopathology. MS in dams increased maternal care towards pups even though both groups show high levels of maternal behavior even in late lactation. Furthermore, the emission of 50-kHz and 22-kHz USVs increased significantly. No differences in anxiety-like behavior were detected. MS further reduced Morc1 but not Nr3c1 expression. Serum GABA but not glutamate levels were significantly increased in separated dams. This study reinforces the benefit of investigating dams after MS for studying postpartum stress. Subclinical markers mainly connected to depression, namely Morc1 and GABA, proved to be useful allowing for earlier detection of symptoms of critical postpartum stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Bölükbas
- Division of Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Annakarina Mundorf
- Division of Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Nadja Freund
- Division of Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780, Bochum, Germany
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21
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Maternal Separation Model of Postpartum Depression: Potential Role for Nucleus Accumbens Dopamine D1-D2 Receptor Heteromer. Neurochem Res 2020; 45:2978-2990. [PMID: 33057844 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-020-03145-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Postpartum depression is a mood disorder with a distinct neurobiological and behavioural profile occurring during and after the postpartum period. Dopamine pathways in the limbic regions of the brain such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc) have been shown to be involved in the etiology of depressive disorders. Selective activation of the dopamine D1-D2 receptor heteromer has been demonsrated to cause depressive- and anxiogenic-like behaviours in rats. The maternal separation model involving three hour daily maternal separation (MS) from pups on PPD 2-15 on anxiety-, depression- and anhedonia-like behaviors in the dams was investigated, together with plasma corticosterone, oxytocin and D1-D2 heteromer expression in the NAc core and shell in non-MS and MS dams. Depression, anxiety and anhedonia-like behaviours were measured using the forced swim test, elevated plus maze and sucrose preference test, respectively. In comparison to non-MS controls, MS dams displayed slightly higher depressive and anxiety-like behaviours with no difference in anhedonia-like behaviours. The MS dams displayed significantly increased care of pups after their retrieval with higher bouts of nursing, lower latency to nurse, lower bouts of out nest behaviour and decreased self-care. There was no significant alteration in D1-D2 heteromer expression in NAc core and shell between mothers of either group (MS, non-MS) or between postpartum rats and nonpregnant female rats, remaining higher than in male rats. This data provides evidence for the maternal separation model in producing a postpartum depression-like profile, but with maternal resilience able to modify behaviours to counteract any potential deleterious consequences to the pups.
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22
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Yu P, Yang M, Zhao H, Cao R, Chen Z, Gong D. Characteristics of pup ultrasonic vocalizations and parental behavior responses in midday gerbils (Meriones meridianus). Physiol Behav 2020; 224:113075. [PMID: 32663552 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113075] [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: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) play an important role in parent-infant interactions during the neonatal period of rodents because of the pups' need to be suckled and protected by their parents. However, studies on the effects of USVs on parental care are focused on maternal behavior, and little data on paternal care are available, with especially few investigations in midday gerbils. In this study, we examined the effects of early social deprivation (ED) on offspring due to USVs and parental behavior responses in midday gerbils (Meriones meridianus). The results indicated that the number of USVs in ED gerbils increased on postnatal day nine (40 calls/minute), whereas the number of gerbils in the parental care (PC) group remained high for up to 2 weeks (46.6 calls/minute), before decreasing. The number of USVs and duration of single syllables from postnatal day 3 to 21 in ED pups were significantly lower than those in PC pups. ED increased maternal licking, grooming behavior, and nest-building, but decreased huddling and exploring behavior. Similarly, ED increased paternal behavior, like nest-building, but reduced exploring and self-grooming. Overall, gerbil pups displayed high levels of USVs and various syllable types before weaning. ED significantly reduced the number of USVs and syllable types, but increased maternal licking, grooming, and paternal nest-building behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Yu
- Institute of Behavioral and Physical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
| | - Minna Yang
- Institute of Behavioral and Physical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
| | - Haochi Zhao
- Institute of Behavioral and Physical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
| | - Ruidong Cao
- Institute of Behavioral and Physical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Institute of Behavioral and Physical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
| | - Dajie Gong
- Institute of Behavioral and Physical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China.
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23
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Qiu W, Hodges TE, Clark EL, Blankers SA, Galea LAM. Perinatal depression: Heterogeneity of disease and in animal models. Front Neuroendocrinol 2020; 59:100854. [PMID: 32750403 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Perinatal depression (PND) can have either an antepartum or postpartum onset. Although the greatest risk factor for PND is previous depression history,de novoPND occurs with the majority of cases occurring in the postpartum. Timing of depression can impact etiology, prognosis, and response to treatment. Thus, it is crucial to study the impact of the heterogeneity of PND for better health outcomes. In this review, we outline the differences between antepartum and postpartum depression onset of PND. We discuss maternal physiological changes that differ between pregnancy and postpartum and how these may differentially impact depression susceptibility. We highlight changes in the maternal steroid and peptide hormone levels, immune signalling, serotonergic tone, metabolic factors, brain morphology, and the gut microbiome. Finally, we argue that studying the heterogeneity of PND in clinical and preclinical models can lead to improved knowledge of disease etiopathology and treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wansu Qiu
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Travis E Hodges
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Emily L Clark
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Samantha A Blankers
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Liisa A M Galea
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Canada.
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Alves RL, Portugal CC, Summavielle T, Barbosa F, Magalhães A. Maternal separation effects on mother rodents’ behaviour: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 117:98-109. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Revisiting the roots of attachment: A review of the biological and psychological effects of maternal skin-to-skin contact and carrying of full-term infants. Infant Behav Dev 2020; 60:101441. [PMID: 32603951 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2020.101441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
During the early period of hypothesis building and empirical testing of attachment theory, a major emphasis was placed on mother-infant physical contact. In spite of this, mother-infant contact has received scant attention amongst attachment and child development researchers in the past decades. Here, a brief theoretical framework for mother-infant contact is presented, drawing on animal studies as well as human studies of preterm infants and neonates. Salient mechanisms may include an extended sensitive period during early infancy, requiring specific somatosensory stimuli for bio-behavioral homeorhesis; oxytocinergic and epigenetic pathways; kinesthetic stimuli and face-to-face proximity allowing for increased social interaction. Studies of extended human mother-full-term infant physical contact have demonstrated positive effects in multiple domains. For infants, these include sleep organization, temperature and heart rate regulation, behavioral response, crying/colic, socio-emotional development, attachment quality, speech development opportunities and mother-child interactions. For mothers, studies demonstrate improved depressive symptomatology, physiological stress regulation, contingent responsivity, breastfeeding and mother-child interactions. Parent-infant attachment quality has gained prominence as a trauma-resilience factor as well as a predictor of adult physical health. The potential role of mother-infant contact as an attachment promoting intervention as well as future research subjects are discussed. Current evidence supports the original attachment research that early maternal touch provision may influence infant socio-emotional development and attachment quality, with positive implications for mother-child relationship functioning.
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Baracz SJ, Everett NA, Robinson KJ, Campbell GR, Cornish JL. Maternal separation changes maternal care, anxiety-like behaviour and expression of paraventricular oxytocin and corticotrophin-releasing factor immunoreactivity in lactating rats. J Neuroendocrinol 2020; 32:e12861. [PMID: 32490585 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The early postnatal period is a time of tremendous change for the dam and her offspring. During this time, environmental insults such as repeated stress exposure can have detrimental effects. In research that has focused on the effect of postnatal stress exposure on the dams, conflicting changes in maternal care and anxiety-like behaviour have been reported. Additionally, changes to hypothalamic neuropeptides that are crucially involved in the transition to motherhood and stress regulation, namely oxytocin and corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), have not been examined. Accordingly, the present study aimed to determine (i) whether repeated postpartum stress increases engagement in maternal care behaviours and anxiety-like behaviour and (ii) whether these behavioural changes correspond with changes to CRF- or oxytocin-immunoreactive (-IR) cells in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus. A non-lactating group was also included to control for the effects of lactation on anxiety and the hypothalamic neuroendocrine system. Following the birth of their litters, Long-Evans dams were separated from their pups from postnatal day (PND) 1 to PND21 for either 15 minutes (maternal separation [MS]15) or 6 hours (MS360). Maternal behaviours were recorded for 30 minutes on select PNDs following the separation. On PND22, dams were exposed to the elevated plus maze, brains were collected, and immunofluorescence analysis of PVN oxytocin- and CRF-IR cells was conducted. Our findings demonstrate that prolonged maternal separation altered typical maternal behaviours and reduced anxiety relative to MS15 dams. At the cellular level, oxytocin-IR cells in the caudal PVN were reduced in MS360 dams to a level similar to that in non-lactating controls, and PVN CRF-IR cells were reduced relative to both MS15 and non-lactating controls. Taken together, these data reveal the behavioural and neuronal changes that occur in the mother dam following repeated postnatal stress exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Baracz
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
- Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Everett
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Gemma R Campbell
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Jennifer L Cornish
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
- Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
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Zhou L, Wu Z, Wang G, Xiao L, Wang H, Sun L, Xie Y. Long-term maternal separation potentiates depressive-like behaviours and neuroinflammation in adult male C57/BL6J mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 196:172953. [PMID: 32450088 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.172953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Early life experience is closely related to depression caused by stress in adulthood. Early life experience, including maternal separation (MS), has been shown to evoke stress sensitivity to depression upon re-exposure to stress in adults. However, MS has also been shown to lead to resilience to stress-induced depression, which is contradictory and rarely studied. To investigate the effects of MS on depression in adults and the related mechanism, male C57/BL6J mouse pups were exposed to different MS procedures from postnatal day (PD)1 to PD21. Body weight (BW) measurements and behavioural tests (the forced swimming test (FST) and open field test (OFT)) were performed on PD41 to explore depressive and anxiety-like behaviours. Then, as adults, the mice were exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 28 days, and then behavioural tasks were recorded. After CUMS exposure, the mice in the MS180 group (which were separated from their mothers for 3 h on PD1-PD21) showed significantly decreased time spent in the centre of the open field and reduced velocity in the OFT, a reduced latency to immobility in the FST, and decreased BW. However, the mice in the MS15 group (which were separated from their mothers for 15 min on PD1-PD21) performed similarly to NSNC mice (which were not separated from their mothers) in the behavioural tests. We further found that the expression of Iba1, a marker of neuroinflammation, was increased in the MS180 group but not in the MS15 group. In addition, our study showed decreased mRNA and protein expression of CRMP2, an important neuroprotective factor, in the MS180 group, but CRMP2 expression was unchanged in the MS15 group. This study confirmed the generation of different behavioural responses to stress exposure in adulthood due to different degrees of MS. Neuroinflammation and neuroprotection are involved, which requires further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No. 238, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Zuotian Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No. 238, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Gaohua Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No. 238, Wuhan 430060, China.
| | - Ling Xiao
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No. 238, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Huiling Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No. 238, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Limin Sun
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No. 238, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Yumeng Xie
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road No. 238, Wuhan 430060, China
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Meltzer-Brody S, Kanes SJ. Allopregnanolone in postpartum depression: Role in pathophysiology and treatment. Neurobiol Stress 2020; 12:100212. [PMID: 32435663 PMCID: PMC7231991 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2020.100212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a unique subtype of major depressive disorder and a substantial contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. In addition to affecting the mother, PPD can have short- and long-term consequences for the infant and partner. The precise etiology of PPD is unknown, but proposed mechanisms include altered regulation of stress response pathways, such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and dysfunctional gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling, and functional linkages exist between these pathways. Current PPD pharmacotherapies are not directly related to these proposed pathophysiologies. In this review, we focus on the potential role of GABAergic signaling and the GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator allopregnanolone in PPD. Data implicating GABAergic signaling and allopregnanolone in PPD are discussed in the context of the development of brexanolone injection, an intravenous formulation of allopregnanolone recently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of adult women with PPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Meltzer-Brody
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
- Corresponding author.
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Zoubovsky SP, Hoseus S, Tumukuntala S, Schulkin JO, Williams MT, Vorhees CV, Muglia LJ. Chronic psychosocial stress during pregnancy affects maternal behavior and neuroendocrine function and modulates hypothalamic CRH and nuclear steroid receptor expression. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:6. [PMID: 32066677 PMCID: PMC7026416 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-0704-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects up to 20% of mothers and has negative consequences for both mother and child. Although exposure to psychosocial stress during pregnancy and abnormalities in the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis have been linked to PPD, molecular changes in the brain that contribute to this disease remain unknown. This study utilized a novel chronic psychosocial stress paradigm during pregnancy (CGS) to investigate the effects of psychosocial stress on maternal behavior, neuroendocrine function, and gene expression changes in molecular regulators of the HPA axis in the early postpartum period. Postpartum female mice exposed to CGS display abnormalities in maternal behavior, including fragmented and erratic maternal care patterns, and the emergence of depression and anxiety-like phenotypes. Dysregulation in postpartum HPA axis function, evidenced by blunted circadian peak and elevation of stress-induced corticosterone levels, was accompanied by increased CRH mRNA expression and a reduction in CRH receptor 1 in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). We further observed decreased PVN expression of nuclear steroid hormone receptors associated with CRH transcription, suggesting these molecular changes could underlie abnormalities in postpartum HPA axis and behavior observed. Overall, our study demonstrates that psychosocial stress during pregnancy induces changes in neuroendocrine function and maternal behavior in the early postpartum period and introduces our CGS paradigm as a viable model that can be used to further dissect the molecular defects that lead to PPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra P Zoubovsky
- Center for the Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Sarah Hoseus
- Center for the Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Shivani Tumukuntala
- Center for the Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jay O Schulkin
- Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michael T Williams
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Charles V Vorhees
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Louis J Muglia
- Center for the Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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Abstract
The developmental period constitutes a critical window of sensitivity to stress. Indeed, early-life adversity increases the risk to develop psychiatric diseases, but also gastrointestinal disorders such as the irritable bowel syndrome at adulthood. In the past decade, there has been huge interest in the gut-brain axis, especially as regards stress-related emotional behaviours. Animal models of early-life adversity, in particular, maternal separation (MS) in rodents, demonstrate lasting deleterious effects on both the gut and the brain. Here, we review the effects of MS on both systems with a focus on stress-related behaviours. In addition, we discuss more recent findings showing the impact of gut-directed interventions, including nutrition with pre- and probiotics, illustrating the role played by gut microbiota in mediating the long-term effects of MS. Overall, preclinical studies suggest that nutritional approaches with pro- and prebiotics may constitute safe and efficient strategies to attenuate the effects of early-life stress on the gut-brain axis. Further research is required to understand the complex mechanisms underlying gut-brain interaction dysfunctions after early-life stress as well as to determine the beneficial impact of gut-directed strategies in a context of early-life adversity in human subjects.
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31
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Post C, Leuner B. The maternal reward system in postpartum depression. Arch Womens Ment Health 2019; 22:417-429. [PMID: 30554286 PMCID: PMC6784840 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-018-0926-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The experience of motherhood is most often emotionally positive and rewarding, but for many new mothers suffering from postpartum depression (PPD), this is not the case. Preclinical and clinical research has sought to uncover brain changes underlying PPD in order to gain a better understanding of how this disorder develops. This review focuses on the mesolimbic dopamine system, particularly the ventral tegmental area-nucleus accumbens pathway which has been implicated in the regulation of critical functions disrupted in PPD including mood, motivation, and mothering. Specifically, we discuss normative changes in the mesolimbic system during motherhood in both rodents and humans and how these are impacted in PPD. We also consider modulation of mesolimbic dopamine by the hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin and how oxytocin-dopamine interactions regulate mood and mothering during the postpartum period. In addition to providing an overview of reward mechanisms in PPD, our goal is to highlight open questions which warrant further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Post
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, 1835 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Benedetta Leuner
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, 1835 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Gao J, Chen L, Li M. 5-HT 2A receptors modulate dopamine D 2-mediated maternal effects. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2019; 180:32-43. [PMID: 30904543 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Serotonin 5-HT2A receptors are expressed throughout the mesolimbic and mesocortical dopamine pathways, and manipulation of this receptor system has a profound impact on dopamine functions and dopamine-mediated behaviors. It is highly likely that 5-HT2A receptors may also modulate the D2-mediated maternal effects. The present study investigated this issue and also explored the possible behavioral mechanisms. We tested the effects of two D2 drugs (an agonist quinpirole: 0.5, 1.0 mg/kg, and a potent D2 antagonist haloperidol: 0.05, 0.10 mg/kg, sc) and their combinations with two 5-HT2A drugs (a selective 5-HT2A agonist TCB-2: 2.5 mg/kg, and 5-HT2A antagonist MDL100907, 1.0 mg/kg, sc) on maternal behavior in Sprague-Dawley postpartum females. Individually, TCB-2 (2.5 mg/kg, sc) and quinpirole (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg, sc) reduced pup preference and disrupted home-cage maternal behavior. In contrast, haloperidol (0.10 mg/kg, sc) only disrupted home-cage maternal behavior, but did not suppress pup preference. MDL100907 (1.0 mg/kg, sc) by itself had no effect on either pup preference or maternal behavior. When administered in combination, pretreatment of TCB-2 did not alter quinpirole's disruption of pup preference and home-cage maternal behavior (possibly due to the floor effect), however, it did enhance haloperidol's disruption of pup retrieval in the home cage. MDL100907 had no effect both quinpirole's and haloperidol's disruption of pup preference and home-cage maternal behavior. Interestingly, haloperidol attenuated TCB-2's disruptive effect on pup preference. These findings suggest that activation of 5-HT2A receptors tends to enhance D2-mediated maternal disruption, whereas blockade of 5-HT2A receptors is less effective. They also suggest that 5-HT2A receptors may have a direct effect on maternal behavior independent of their interaction with D2 receptors. The possible behavioral and neural mechanisms by which 5-HT2A- and D2-mediated maternal effects and their interaction are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Gao
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, China; Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chongqing, China.
| | - Leilei Chen
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Ming Li
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, USA; Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Chongqing, China.
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Maguire J. Neuroactive Steroids and GABAergic Involvement in the Neuroendocrine Dysfunction Associated With Major Depressive Disorder and Postpartum Depression. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:83. [PMID: 30906252 PMCID: PMC6418819 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress and previous adverse life events are well-established risk factors for depression. Further, neuroendocrine disruptions are associated with both major depressive disorder (MDD) and postpartum depression (PPD). However, the mechanisms whereby stress contributes to the underlying neurobiology of depression remains poorly understood. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which mediates the body's neuroendocrine response to stress, is tightly controlled by GABAergic signaling and there is accumulating evidence that GABAergic dysfunction contributes to the impact of stress on depression. GABAergic signaling plays a critical role in the neurobiological effects of stress, not only by tightly controlling the activity of the HPA axis, but also mediating stress effects in stress-related brain regions. Deficits in neuroactive steroids and neurosteroids, some of which are positive allosteric modulators of GABAA receptors (GABAARs), such as allopregnanolone and THDOC, have also been implicated in MDD and PPD, further supporting a role for GABAergic signaling in depression. Alterations in neurosteroid levels and GABAergic signaling are implicated as potential contributing factors to neuroendocrine dysfunction and vulnerability to MDD and PPD. Further, potential novel treatment strategies targeting these proposed underlying neurobiological mechanisms are discussed. The evidence summarized in the current review supports the notion that MDD and PPD are stress-related psychiatric disorders involving neurosteroids and GABAergic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Maguire
- Neuroscience Department, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
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Payne JL, Maguire J. Pathophysiological mechanisms implicated in postpartum depression. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 52:165-180. [PMID: 30552910 PMCID: PMC6370514 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This review aims to summarize the diverse proposed pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to postpartum depression, highlighting both clinical and basic science research findings. The risk factors for developing postpartum depression are discussed, which may provide insight into potential neurobiological underpinnings. The evidence supporting a role for neuroendocrine changes, neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter alterations, circuit dysfunction, and the involvement of genetics and epigenetics in the pathophysiology of postpartum depression are discussed. This review integrates clinical and preclinical findings and highlights the diversity in the patient population, in which numerous pathophysiological changes may contribute to this disorder. Finally, we attempt to integrate these findings to understand how diverse neurobiological changes may contribute to a common pathological phenotype. This review is meant to serve as a comprehensive resource reviewing the proposed pathophysiological mechanisms underlying postpartum depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Payne
- Department of Psychiatry, Women's Mood Disorders Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jamie Maguire
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
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De Guzman RM, Saulsbery AI, Workman JL. High nursing demand reduces depression-like behavior despite increasing glucocorticoid concentrations and reducing hippocampal neurogenesis in late postpartum rats. Behav Brain Res 2018; 353:143-153. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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36
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Graham BM. Postnatal stress is associated with impaired fear conditioning and extinction, and heightened hippocampal fibroblast growth factor 2, in mother rats. Horm Behav 2018; 105:110-114. [PMID: 30114429 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Rats exposed to early-life maternal separation (MS) exhibit later alterations in fear conditioning and impairments in fear extinction. As MS creates long-lasting anxiety in the mother, the present study assessed the influence of MS on fear conditioning and extinction in mother rats. It also examined whether estrous cycle effects on extinction, which are robust in nulliparous rats, but abolished in primiparous rats, re-emerge after MS. Following parturition, pups were removed from their mothers for 3 h daily from postpartum day 2-14 (MS), or remained housed with their mothers (standard reared condition, SR). Pups were weaned at postpartum day 24, and three months later, mothers received fear conditioning, extinction training, and test for extinction recall over three days. Extinction training took place during Proestrus (high estradiol and progesterone) or Metestrus (low estradiol and progesterone). Similar to past findings in non-stressed mothers, estrous cycle was not associated with conditioned fear expression (indexed by fear responses at the start of extinction training) or extinction recall in either MS or SR mothers. However, MS mothers exhibited weaker conditioned fear expression and impaired extinction recall, relative to SR mothers. Hippocampal fibroblast growth factor-2, a neurotrophin involved in stress regulation and fear expression, was elevated in MS relative to SR mothers. These results indicate that postnatal stress has long-lasting consequences for neural and behavioral systems involved in fear learning and inhibition without altering the involvement of ovarian hormones in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronwyn M Graham
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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37
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Di Segni M, Andolina D, Ventura R. Long-term effects of early environment on the brain: Lesson from rodent models. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 77:81-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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38
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Behavioral mechanisms underlying the maternal disruptive effect of serotonin 5-HT 2A receptor activation in Sprague-Dawley rats. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2018; 125:1065-1075. [PMID: 29616335 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-018-1878-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Recent evidence indicates that acute activation of 5-HT2A receptors causes a disruption of maternal behavior in rats. However, the behavioral mechanisms underlying such a disruption are not known. We addressed this issue using two behavioral approaches targeting the maternal motivational and emotional processing systems. First, we used the pup-separation technique to increase maternal motivation to see whether pup separation is capable of reducing the maternal disruptive effect of TCB-2 (a high-affinity 5-HT2A agonist) treatment. On postpartum days 4 and 6, different groups of Sprague-Dawley dams were treated with the TCB-2 (5.0 mg/kg, sc) or vehicle and their maternal behaviors were tested after either a 4-h pup-separation or no-pup-separation condition. Although acute TCB-2 injection disrupted maternal behavior, this disruption was not attenuated by pup separation, even after we optimized the timing of separation to maximize its increase on maternal motivation. Acute TCB-2 also impaired the retrieval of food pellets, suggesting a general effect on motivated behaviors. Next, we used a pup preference test and found that dams treated with TCB-2 exhibited an even stronger preference to pups over a male conspecific than vehicle-treated dams, indicating an enhanced motivational and emotional processing of the rewarding property of pups. These findings suggest that TCB-2 has a disruptive effect on rat maternal behavior, and this disruption is not likely due to the drug's effect on mothers' motivational and emotional processing of the incentive salience of pups, although this motivational suppression account cannot be completely ruled out. Future work could explore other possible behavioral mechanisms, such as the drug's effect on executive function.
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Di Segni M, Andolina D, Luchetti A, Babicola L, D'Apolito LI, Pascucci T, Conversi D, Accoto A, D'Amato FR, Ventura R. Unstable Maternal Environment Affects Stress Response in Adult Mice in a Genotype-Dependent Manner. Cereb Cortex 2018; 26:4370-4380. [PMID: 26400917 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhv204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Early postnatal events exert powerful effects on development, inducing persistent functional alterations in different brain network, such as the catecholamine prefrontal-accumbal system, and increasing the risk of developing psychiatric disorders later in life. However, a vast body of literature shows that the interaction between genetic factors and early environmental conditions is crucial for expression of psychopathologies in adulthood. We evaluated the long-lasting effects of a repeated cross-fostering (RCF) procedure in 2 inbred strains of mice (C57BL/6J, DBA/2), known to show a different susceptibility to the development and expression of stress-induced psychopathologies. Coping behavior (forced swimming test) and preference for a natural reinforcing stimulus (saccharine preference test) were assessed in adult female mice of both genotypes. Moreover, c-Fos stress-induced activity was assessed in different brain regions involved in stress response. In addition, we evaluated the enduring effects of RCF on catecholamine prefrontal-accumbal response to acute stress (restraint) using, for the first time, a new "dual probes" in vivo microdialysis procedure in mouse. RCF experience affects behavioral and neurochemical responses to acute stress in adulthood in opposite direction in the 2 genotypes, leading DBA mice toward an "anhedonic-like" phenotype and C57 mice toward an increased sensitivity for a natural reinforcing stimulus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Di Segni
- Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy.,Department of Psychology and "Daniel Bovet" Center and
| | - Diego Andolina
- Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy.,Department of Science and Biomedical Technologies, University of L'Aquila, 67010 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Alessandra Luchetti
- Cell Biology and Neurobiology Institute, National Research Council, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucy Babicola
- Department of Psychology and "Daniel Bovet" Center and
| | - Lina Ilaras D'Apolito
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin,""La Sapienza" University, 00181 Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Pascucci
- Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy.,Department of Psychology and "Daniel Bovet" Center and
| | - David Conversi
- Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy.,Department of Psychology and "Daniel Bovet" Center and
| | | | - Francesca R D'Amato
- Cell Biology and Neurobiology Institute, National Research Council, 00143 Rome, Italy.,Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rossella Ventura
- Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy.,Department of Psychology and "Daniel Bovet" Center and
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ŠLAMBEROVÁ R, RUDÁ-KUČEROVÁ J, BABINSKÁ Z, ŠEVČÍKOVÁ M. Olfactory Bulbectomy in Methamphetamine-Treated Rat Mothers Induces Impairment in Somatic and Functional Development of Their Offspring. Physiol Res 2017; 66:S469-S479. [DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.933802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Olfactory bulbectomy in rodents is considered a putative model of depression. Depression is often associated with drug addiction. Our previous studies demonstrated that methamphetamine (MA) administration to rat mothers affects both, mothers and their pups. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of bulbectomy, as a model of depression, and MA administration on behavior of rat mothers and postnatal development of their pups. Adult female Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: bulbectomized (OBX) and sham-operated (SH). A period of 20 days was allowed for the development of the depressive-like phenotype. Animals were tested in the motor activity test and 2 % sucrose preference for anhedonia and hyperactive locomotor response to a novel environment, respectively. After then females were impregnated. Pregnant females were exposed to daily subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of MA (5 mg/kg) or saline (SA) during the entire gestation period. Postnatally, maternal behavior and pup development was examined. The effect of a challenge dose of MA (1 mg/kg, s.c.) on behavior was further examined in adult male offspring. Our results showed no differences in the maternal behavior as a matter of bulbectomy, only OBX rats slept more than all the SH controls. Pups from OBX mothers were born with lower birthweight and gained less weight during the postnatal development than pups from SH controls. Both, bulbectomy and MA administration, delayed the eyes opening. As a matter of functional development of the pups, maternal OBX procedure impaired the performance in the Bar-holding test, but only in saline group. OBX/SA group was the worst in the Bar-holding test relative to all the other groups. In addition, pups from OBX mothers dropped more boluses during the Bar-holding test, suggesting that they were more stressed. In adult male offspring, bulbectomy increased immobility only in the SA/SA group. Prenatal MA exposure increased locomotion, while decreasing immobility. In addition, challenge dose of MA in adulthood increased distance traveled, locomotion, rearing, and average and maximal velocity, while decreasing immobility and grooming. In conclusion, our results suggest that depressive-like phenotype of rat mothers induces impairment in somatic and functional development of their male offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. ŠLAMBEROVÁ
- Department of Normal, Pathological and Clinical Physiology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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41
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Lewis CR, Baker AN, Fennig P, Conrad P, Hess L, Bastle RM, Olive MF. The effect of litter separation on methamphetamine-conditioned place preference in post-partum dams. Behav Pharmacol 2017; 28:489-492. [PMID: 28570298 PMCID: PMC5538911 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000317] [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] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) abuse among women has recently increased to levels comparable to those observed in men. Although studies using animal models of addiction have begun to include more female subjects, examination of the effects of drugs of abuse on post-partum females is currently lacking. This is especially important in light of the significant hormonal and neurobiological changes that accompany pregnancy and rearing experiences. Furthermore, stress in a known factor in addiction vulnerability and the post-partum experience in the clinical population can be highly stressful. Here, we utilized the conditioned place preference paradigm to investigate the conditioned rewarding effects of METH either in virgin rats or in dams exposed to brief separation (15 min) or long separation (180 min) from the litter. We found that females in the brief separation group showed significantly greater METH conditioned place preference compared with both the long separation and virgin groups. No differences were found in locomotor activity during the conditioning sessions. These findings suggest that peripartum experience and brief litter separation may enhance the rewarding effects of METH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candace R Lewis
- aDepartment of Psychology bSchool of Life Sciences, Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
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42
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Hyer MM, Glasper ER. Separation increases passive stress-coping behaviors during forced swim and alters hippocampal dendritic morphology in California mice. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0175713. [PMID: 28406977 PMCID: PMC5391050 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals within monogamous species form bonds that may buffer against the negative effects of stress on physiology and behavior. In some species, involuntary termination of the mother-offspring bond results in increased symptoms of negative affect in the mother, suggesting that the parent-offspring bond may be equally as important as the pair bond. To our knowledge, the extent to which affect in paternal rodents is altered by involuntary termination of the father-offspring bond is currently unknown. Here, we investigated to what extent separation and paternal experience alters passive stress-coping behaviors and dendritic morphology in hippocampal subfields of California mice (Peromyscus californicus). Irrespective of paternal experience, separated mice displayed shorter latencies to the first bout of immobility, longer durations of immobility, and more bouts of immobility than control (non-separated) mice. This effect of separation was exacerbated by paternal experience in some measures of behavioral despair—separation from offspring further decreased the latency to immobility and increased bouts of immobility. In the dentate gyrus, separation reduced dendritic spine density regardless of paternal experience. Increased spine density was observed on CA1 basal, but not apical, dendrites following paternal experience. Regardless of offspring presence, fatherhood was associated with reduced apical dendritic spine density in area CA3 of the hippocampus. Separation enhanced complexity of both basal and apical dendrites in CA1, while fatherhood reduced dendritic complexity in this region. Our data suggest that forced dissolution of the pair bond induces passive stress-coping behaviors and contributes to region-specific alterations in hippocampal structure in California mouse males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly M. Hyer
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Erica R. Glasper
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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43
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Li M, Chou SY. Modeling postpartum depression in rats: theoretic and methodological issues. DONG WU XUE YAN JIU = ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2017; 37:229-36. [PMID: 27469254 DOI: 10.13918/j.issn.2095-8137.2016.4.229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The postpartum period is when a host of changes occur at molecular, cellular, physiological and behavioral levels to prepare female humans for the challenge of maternity. Alteration or prevention of these normal adaptions is thought to contribute to disruptions of emotion regulation, motivation and cognitive abilities that underlie postpartum mental disorders, such as postpartum depression. Despite the high incidence of this disorder, and the detrimental consequences for both mother and child, its etiology and related neurobiological mechanisms remain poorly understood, partially due to the lack of appropriate animal models. In recent decades, there have been a number of attempts to model postpartum depression disorder in rats. In the present review, we first describe clinical symptoms of postpartum depression and discuss known risk factors, including both genetic and environmental factors. Thereafter, we discuss various rat models that have been developed to capture various aspects of this disorder and knowledge gained from such attempts. In doing so, we focus on the theories behind each attempt and the methods used to achieve their goals. Finally, we point out several understudied areas in this field and make suggestions for future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68588-0308 USA.
| | - Shinn-Yi Chou
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68588-0308 USA
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44
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Pawluski JL, Lonstein JS, Fleming AS. The Neurobiology of Postpartum Anxiety and Depression. Trends Neurosci 2017; 40:106-120. [PMID: 28129895 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2016.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Ten to twenty percent of postpartum women experience anxiety or depressive disorders, which can have detrimental effects on the mother, child, and family. Little is known about the neural correlates of these affective disorders when they occur in mothers, but they do have unique neural profiles during the postpartum period compared with when they occur at other times in a woman's life. Given that the neural systems affected by postpartum anxiety and depression overlap and interact with the systems involved in maternal caregiving behaviors, mother-infant interactions are highly susceptible to disruption. Thus, there is an intricate interplay among maternal mental health, the mother-infant relationship, and the neurobiological mechanisms mediating them that needs to be the focus of future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodi L Pawluski
- Inserm U1085-IRSET, Université de Rennes 1, Campus Villejean, 35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Joseph S Lonstein
- Neuroscience Program & Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
| | - Alison S Fleming
- Psychology and Fraser Mustard Institute for Human Development, University of Toronto at Mississauga (UTM), Mississauga, ONT L5L1C6, Canada
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45
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Rincel M, Lépinay AL, Delage P, Fioramonti J, Théodorou VS, Layé S, Darnaudéry M. Maternal high-fat diet prevents developmental programming by early-life stress. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e966. [PMID: 27898075 PMCID: PMC5290357 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders and depression are well-documented in subjects exposed to adverse childhood events. Recently, maternal obesity and/or maternal consumption of high-fat diets (HFD) have been also proposed as risk factors for offspring mental health. Here using an animal model in rats, we explored the combinatorial effects of a maternal HFD (40% of energy from fat without impact on maternal weight; during gestation and lactation) and maternal separation (MS) in offspring. In the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of pups, MS led to changes in the expression of several genes such as Bdnf (brain derived neurotrophic factor), 5HT-r1a (serotonin receptor 1a) and Rest4 (neuron-restrictive silencer element, repressor element 1, silencing transcription factor (Rest), splicing variant 4). Surprisingly, perinatal HFD strongly attenuated the developmental alterations induced by MS. Furthermore, maternal HFD totally prevented the endophenotypes (anxiety, spatial memory, social behavior, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to stress, hippocampal neurogenesis and visceral pain) associated with MS at adulthood. Finally, we also demonstrated that HFD intake reduced anxiety and enhanced maternal care in stressed dams. Overall, our data suggest that a HFD restricted to gestation and lactation, which did not lead to overweight in dams, had limited effects in unstressed offspring, highlighting the role of maternal obesity, rather than fat exposure per se, on brain vulnerability during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rincel
- INRA, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR1286, Bordeaux, France
- Université de Bordeaux, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - A L Lépinay
- INRA, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR1286, Bordeaux, France
- Université de Bordeaux, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - P Delage
- INRA, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR1286, Bordeaux, France
- Université de Bordeaux, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR1286, Bordeaux, France
| | | | | | - S Layé
- INRA, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR1286, Bordeaux, France
- Université de Bordeaux, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - M Darnaudéry
- INRA, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR1286, Bordeaux, France
- Université de Bordeaux, Nutrition et Neurobiologie Intégrée, UMR1286, Bordeaux, France
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Sá Couto‐Pereira N, Ferreira CF, Lampert C, Arcego DM, Toniazzo AP, Bernardi JR, Silva DC, Von Poser Toigo E, Diehl LA, Krolow R, Silveira PP, Dalmaz C. Neonatal interventions differently affect maternal care quality and have sexually dimorphic developmental effects on corticosterone secretion. Int J Dev Neurosci 2016; 55:72-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Revised: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Natividade Sá Couto‐Pereira
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Departamento de BioquímicaUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)Porto AlegreRSBrazil
| | - Charles Francisco Ferreira
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: NeurociênciasUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)Porto AlegreRSBrazil
- Núcleo de Estudos da Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA)Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)Porto AlegreRSBrazil
| | - Carine Lampert
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Departamento de BioquímicaUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)Porto AlegreRSBrazil
| | - Danusa Mar Arcego
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Departamento de BioquímicaUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)Porto AlegreRSBrazil
| | - Ana Paula Toniazzo
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Departamento de BioquímicaUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)Porto AlegreRSBrazil
| | - Juliana Rombaldi Bernardi
- Núcleo de Estudos da Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA)Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)Porto AlegreRSBrazil
| | - Diego Carrilho Silva
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Departamento de BioquímicaUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)Porto AlegreRSBrazil
| | - Eduardo Von Poser Toigo
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Departamento de BioquímicaUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)Porto AlegreRSBrazil
| | - Luisa Amalia Diehl
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Departamento de BioquímicaUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)Porto AlegreRSBrazil
| | - Rachel Krolow
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Departamento de BioquímicaUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)Porto AlegreRSBrazil
| | - Patrícia Pelufo Silveira
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: NeurociênciasUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)Porto AlegreRSBrazil
- Núcleo de Estudos da Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA)Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)Porto AlegreRSBrazil
| | - Carla Dalmaz
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Departamento de BioquímicaUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)Porto AlegreRSBrazil
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: NeurociênciasUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)Porto AlegreRSBrazil
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The effects of a probiotic formulation (Lactobacillus rhamnosus and L. helveticus) on developmental trajectories of emotional learning in stressed infant rats. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e823. [PMID: 27244232 PMCID: PMC5545650 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.94] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, scientific interest in the brain-gut axis has grown dramatically, particularly with respect to the link between gastrointestinal and psychiatric dysfunction. However, the role of gut function in early emotional dysregulation is yet to be examined, despite the prevalence and treatment resistance of early-onset psychiatric disorders. The present studies utilized a developmental rodent model of early-life stress (ELS) to explore this gap. Rats were exposed to maternal separation (MS) on postnatal days 2-14. Throughout MS, dams received either vehicle or a probiotic formulation (previously shown to reduce gastrointestinal dysfunction) in their drinking water. Replicating past research, untreated MS infants exhibited an adult-like profile of long-lasting fear memories and fear relapse following extinction. In contrast, probiotic-exposed MS infants exhibited age-appropriate infantile amnesia and resistance to relapse. These effects were not mediated by changes in pups' or dams' anxiety at the time of training, nor by maternal responsiveness. Overall, probiotics acted as an effective and non-invasive treatment to restore normal developmental trajectories of emotion-related behaviors in infant rats exposed to ELS. These results provide promising initial evidence for this novel approach to reduce the risk of mental health problems in vulnerable individuals. Future studies are needed to test this treatment in humans exposed to ELS and to elucidate mechanisms for the observed behavioral changes.
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Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "Parental Care". The postpartum period involves some truly transformational changes in females' socioemotional behaviors. For most female laboratory rodents and women, these changes include an improvement in their affective state, which has positive consequences for their ability to sensitively care for their offspring. There is heterogeneity among females in the likelihood of this positive affective change, though, and some women experience elevated anxiety or depression (or in rodents anxiety- or depression-related behaviors) after giving birth. We aim to contribute to the understanding of this heterogeneity in maternal affectivity by reviewing selected components of the scientific literatures on laboratory rodents and humans examining how mothers' physical contact with her infants, genetics, history of anxiety and depression and early-life and recent-life experiences contribute to individual differences in postpartum affective states. These studies together indicate that multiple biological and environmental factors beyond female maternal state shape affective responses during the postpartum period, and probably do so in an interactive manner. Furthermore, the similar capacity of some of these factors to modulate anxiety and depression in human and rodent mothers suggests cross-species conservation of mechanisms regulating postpartum affectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniella Agrati
- Department of Physiology and Nutrition, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Joseph S Lonstein
- Neuroscience Program & Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Glasper ER, Hyer MM, Katakam J, Harper R, Ameri C, Wolz T. Fatherhood contributes to increased hippocampal spine density and anxiety regulation in California mice. Brain Behav 2016; 6:e00416. [PMID: 27110439 PMCID: PMC4834941 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Revised: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Parenting alters the hippocampus, an area of the brain that undergoes significant experience-induced plasticity and contributes to emotional regulation. While the relationship between maternal care and hippocampal neuroplasticity has been characterized, the extent to which fatherhood alters the structure and function of the hippocampus is far less understood. METHODS Here, we investigated to what extent fatherhood altered anxiety regulation and dendritic morphology of the hippocampus using the highly paternal California mouse (Peromyscus californicus). RESULTS Fathers spent significantly more time on the open arms of the elevated plus maze, compared to non-fathers. Total distance traveled in the EPM was not changed by paternal experience, which suggests that the increased time spent on the open arms of the maze indicates decreased anxiety-like behavior. Fatherhood also increased dendritic spine density of granule cells in the dentate gyrus and basal dendrites of pyramidal cells in area CA1 of the hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS These findings parallel those observed in maternal rodents, suggesting that the hippocampus of fathers and mothers respond similarly to offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica R Glasper
- Department of Psychology University of Maryland College Park Maryland 20742; Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science University of Maryland College Park Maryland 20742
| | - Molly M Hyer
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science University of Maryland College Park Maryland 20742
| | - Jhansi Katakam
- Department of Psychology University of Maryland College Park Maryland 20742
| | - Robyn Harper
- Department of Psychology University of Maryland College Park Maryland 20742
| | - Cyrus Ameri
- Department of Psychology University of Maryland College Park Maryland 20742
| | - Thomas Wolz
- Department of Psychology University of Maryland College Park Maryland 20742
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50
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Reversal of age-associated cognitive deficits is accompanied by increased plasticity-related gene expression after chronic antidepressant administration in middle-aged mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2015; 135:70-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2015.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Revised: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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