The link between childhood trauma and depression: insights from HPA axis studies in humans

Metformin attenuated depressive-like behaviors by suppressing TRPV1/NLRP3 mediated neuroinflammation in the hypothalamus of allergic rhinitis mice

In addition to nasal symptoms, allergic rhinitis (AR) has increasingly been reported to be associated with depression-like behaviors. Recent evidence suggests that neuroinflammation in the hypothalamus may cause these depressive symptoms in AR. However, the precise mechanisms and effective treatments remain to be elucidated. This study investigated the ameliorative effects of metformin on neuroinflammation in the hypothalamus, depressive-like behavior and the underlying molecular mechanisms of AR mice. Mice were administered ovalbumin (OVA) intranasally to induce allergic rhinitis and subsequently subjected to behavioral experiments to detect depressive-like behavior. The roles of the TRPV1/NLRP3 pathway in depression-like behaviors in AR were examined in vivo. Additionally, the mechanism of TRPV1/NLRP3-mediated neuroinflammation was investigated in vitro. Finally, metformin was utilized to explore its possible mechanisms and efficacy in treating depressive-like behavior in AR. AR mice exhibited significant depressive-like behavior, which was attenuated by metformin. The number of Iba-1+ microglia significantly increased in the hypothalamus of AR mice. The expression of NLRP3 was significantly upregulated in the hypothalamus, activating microglia. Metformin ameliorated the neuropsychiatric symptoms by reducing NLRP3 expression in the hypothalamus. Moreover, metformin inhibited LPS-induced upregulation of the TRPV1/NLRP3 signaling pathway in microglial cell line, an effect that can be reversed by the TRPV1-specific agonist capsaicin. Increased TRPV1 expression activates the NLRP3 inflammasome in hypothalamic microglia, promoting the pathological process of depressive-like behavior in AR mice. Metformin could effectively treat neuroinflammation by regulating microglia via TRPV1 downregulation, indicating its potential as a treatment for depressive-like behaviors in AR.

The relationship between childhood trauma and internet addiction in adolescents with depression: the mediating role of insomnia and alexithymia

BACKGROUND

The correlation between depressive symptoms and internet addiction in adolescents is strengthened, and childhood trauma is an important predictor of internet addiction. However, the mechanism of childhood trauma on internet addiction in adolescents with depression remains unclear. This study investigates the current status and factors influencing internet addiction in adolescents with depression and further examines whether insomnia and alexithymia mediate childhood trauma and internet addiction in adolescents with depression.

METHODS

This study investigated 300 adolescent patients in 7 hospitals in Anhui province. General demographic characteristics such as age and gender were collected. The clinical characteristics of the patients were measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short Form (CTQ-SF), Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). PROCESS (Model 4) was used to examine the mediating effects of insomnia and alexithymia.

RESULTS

The prevalence of internet addiction among adolescents with depression was 50.2%. There were statistically significant differences between the internet addiction group and the non-internet addiction group in terms of relationships with classmates, relationships with teachers, family relations, and economic status. The total score of CTQ and its five subscale scores were significantly and positively correlated with the total score of IAT. Insomnia and externally oriented thinking (EOT) played a significant mediating role in the effect of physical neglect (PN) on internet addiction.

CONCLUSION

Insomnia and alexithymia play a significant mediating role between childhood trauma and internet addiction in adolescents with depression, which expand the existing understanding of internet addiction in adolescents with depression, and provide some theoretical references to address the problem of internet addiction in adolescents with depression and prevent the development of adolescent depression.

HPA-axis multilocus genetic interaction with stress life events in predicting changes in adolescent suicidal ideation

BACKGROUND

Research suggests that genetic variants linked to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis moderate the association between stressors and change in suicidal ideation, but examining gene-environment interactions with single polymorphisms limits power. This study investigates how interactions between stressful life events and HPA-axis polygenic risk predict changes in suicidal ideation.

METHODS

A sample of 760 adolescents (Mage = 14.15 ± 0.63 years; 54.6 % girls) was followed up over two years. The polygenic risk was assessed using a multilocus genetic profile score (MGPS) based on the additive effects of six HPA-axis candidate genes (SKS2, NR3C1, NR3C2, FKBP5). Participants were categorized into distinct trajectories of suicidal ideation based on time-varying changes in their ideation scores. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of trajectory membership.

RESULTS

(1) Five distinct trajectories of suicidal ideation were identified: resistance (52.7 %), persistence (13.1 %), delayed (11.4 %), remission (15.6 %), and relapsing (7.2 %). (2) The combination of HPA-axis MGPS and SLEs showed good predictive accuracy for suicidal ideation trajectories, as indicated by the area under the ROC curve. (3) The interaction between all six stressful life events and HPA-axis MGPS is more predictive of developing persistent trajectories of suicidal ideation. Meanwhile, HPA-axis MGPS interacted with factors such as interpersonal relationships, academic pressure, and loss to better predict the delayed and relapsing suicidal ideation compared to the resistance group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that genetic variants associated with the HPA axis exert a polygenic, additive effect on the relationship between stressful life events and longitudinal increases in suicidal ideation.

Early-life adversity alters adult nucleus incertus neurons: implications for neuronal mechanisms of increased stress and compulsive behavior vulnerability

Early-life stress (ELS) arising from physical and emotional abuse disrupts normal brain development and impairs hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function, increasing the risk of psychopathological disorders and compulsive behaviors in adulthood. However, the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. The brainstem nucleus incertus (NI) is a highly stress-sensitive locus, involved in behavioral activation and stress-induced reward (food/alcohol) seeking, but its sensitivity to ELS remains unexplored. We used neonatal maternal separation stress in rats as a model for ELS and examined its impact on stress-related mRNA and neuropeptide expression in the NI, using fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Using whole-cell, patch-clamp recordings we determined the influence of ELS on the synaptic activity, excitability, and electrophysiological properties of NI neurons. Using c-Fos protein expression we also assessed the impact of ELS on the sensitivity of NI neurons to acute restraint stress in adulthood. ELS weakened the acute stress responsiveness of NI neurons, and caused dendritic shrinkage, impaired synaptic transmission and altered electrophysiological properties of NI neurons in a cell-type-specific manner. Additionally, ELS increased the expression of mRNA encoding corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor type 1 and the nerve-growth factor receptor, TrkA in adult NI. The multiple, cell-type specific changes in the expression of neuropeptides and molecules associated with stress and substance abuse in the NI, as well as impairments in NI neuron morphology and electrophysiology caused by ELS and observed in the adult brain, may contribute to the increased susceptibility to stress and compulsive behaviors observed in individuals with a history of ELS.

The relationship between hair cortisol and trauma sequelae in motor vehicle crash survivors: the role of childhood trauma experiences

Previous research highlights inconsistent associations between premorbid hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, often neglecting the critical role of childhood trauma (CT) in civilian populations. To address this gap, our study investigates the predictive value of HCC for PTSD symptoms following a motor vehicle crash (MVC), extending our prior findings by assessing CT as a moderator within a sample that includes participants with and without CT. We hypothesize that pre-MVC HCC is positively associated with PTSD risk and that this relationship is moderated by early adversity. We examined N = 272 participants with a traumatic brain injury aged 18-65 years who experienced a MVC between 2010 and 2020. Cortisol concentrations were determined in 3 cm scalp-near segments of hair samples that were obtained at the emergency room shortly after the MVC (t1). Participants completed measuring instruments capturing symptoms of posttraumatic stress (Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale [PDS]; Impact of Event Scale-Revised [IES-R]) and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). PDS and IES-R were re-collected three months post-MVC (t2). Elevated pre-MVC HCC predicted PTSD symptoms (p < 0.05), emphasizing the role of chronic stress and HPA axis dysregulation in PTSD. Contrary to our hypothesis, CT did not moderate this relationship, suggesting that HCC's impact on PTSD is independent of early adverse experiences. In this context, CT emerged as an independent predictor of PTSD at the 3-month follow-up, underscoring its lasting influence on psychological trauma vulnerability, particular in the face of recent adversity. Our study confirmed that elevated pre-MVC HCC levels predict PTSD symptoms. Although childhood trauma did not moderate this relationship, it independently predicted PTSD at follow-up. These findings underscore the lasting impact of early adversity on mental health, highlighting the importance of considering both HPA axis regulation and trauma history to develop targeted interventions for adults exposed to new stressors.

Corticosteroid-regulated gene transcription in SH-SY5Y-derived neurons: Insights into the mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptor-mediated response

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are debilitating stress-related psychiatric disorders that can develop following exposure to traumatic events or chronic stress in some individuals. The neurobiological processes leading to disease remain largely unknown. Among others, these disorders are characterized by a dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is regulated by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). This leads to altered downstream corticosteroid-induced gene expression. In vitro models are promising tools to investigate specific neurobiological underpinnings of the stress response in the brain. Here, we investigated the suitability of SH-SY5Y-derived neurons as a cost-efficient system to study the role of GR and MR in the neuronal stress response. SH-SY5Y-derived neurons were characterized, exposed to corticosteroids, and analyzed on transcriptomic and proteomic levels. We show that (i) these neurons express sufficient and seemingly functional GR and MR to allow the study of corticosteroid-induced transcription, (ii) three corticosteroids cortisol, dexamethasone, and aldosterone, induced similar transcriptomic effects, (iii) the antagonist spironolactone mildly attenuated the effects of dexamethasone in FKBP5, DUSP1, and SUPV3L1. Mifepristone did not significantly alter the effect of aldosterone. (iv) Integrating transcriptomic alterations of these corticosteroid-exposed neurons with those of iPSC-derived neurons exposed to dexamethasone showed concordant corticosteroid-induced effects in the two in vitro systems. To determine translational validity, we compared the gene expression in these neurons with the transcriptome of postmortem brain samples from individuals with PTSD and MDD, yielding stronger negative correlations of corticosteroid effects in SH-SY5Y-derived neurons with PTSD signatures than with MDD signatures. Upon further refinement and validation, SH-SY5Y-derived neurons may serve as a simplistic tool to study neuronal corticosteroid-induced gene expression and the implicated molecular networks around GR and MR. Strengthening our insight into these receptors' functions improves our understanding of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is commonly altered in stress-related psychiatric disorders such as PTSD and MDD.

The age of onset and duration of childhood abuse: An extension of the childhood trauma screener

BACKGROUND

Childhood abuse is a significant risk factor for worse adult mental and physical health. Although reported as important moderators, only a few studies have analyzed the effects of the age of onset and duration of abuse, particularly including potential sex differences.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of timing and severity of childhood abuse on adult mental and physical health issues, with an emphasis on sex differences.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS

Data from 2412 participants (52 % women, 28-89 years) of the general population.

METHODS

The Childhood Trauma Screener (CTS) was extended to assess the severity additionally to the age of onset and cumulative exposure across predefined age intervals of physical, emotional, and sexual childhood abuse. Associations with adult health behavior, mental health issues, and inflammatory markers were investigated using regression analyses, complemented by sex interactions.

RESULTS

An earlier onset of emotional abuse was associated with lower resilience (b = -0.51, p = 0.034), whereas greater cumulative exposure to emotional abuse was associated with an earlier onset of depression (b = -4.53, p = 0.041) and more severe depressive symptoms (b = 0.94, p = 0.049). Effect directions differed between men and women for associations between the age of onset of emotional abuse and C-reactive protein levels (b = -0.03, p = 0.042) as well as the cumulative exposure of emotional abuse and fibrinogen levels (b = 0.04, p = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings underscore the significance of both severity and timing on adult health outcomes, with notable sex differences. These results support the need for targeted prevention programs that consider multiple maltreatment aspects, along with tailored interventions based on sex-specific vulnerabilities.

Disturbing sleep in female adolescent mice does not increase vulnerability to depression triggers later in life

Poor sleep quality is a major issue for many adolescents and is associated with fatigue, poor academic performance, and depression. Adolescence is a crucial neurodevelopmental stage where multiple neuropsychiatric illnesses often emerge, suggesting increased central nervous system vulnerability, specifically at this age, which could be exacerbated by poor sleep. Studies on adolescent mice show that sleep deprivation or sleep disturbance (SD) induces structural and functional brain changes, indicating that SD affects the adolescent brain. The long-term consequences of such changes are poorly understood. We hypothesize that SD during adolescence increases vulnerability to future depression triggers in adulthood, such as social isolation or inflammation. To test this, female adolescent mice (post-natal day (P)36) were subjected to SD for seven days, 4 h per day during the light phase (zeitgeber time 2-6). We demonstrate that this SD protocol acutely leads to changes in the expression of Cx3Cr1, and Dnmt3b in the hippocampus and of Htr1a in the prefrontal cortex. To examine the long-term consequences of the SD protocol during adulthood (P77-84), the mice were then either exposed to single housing or received a single injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mimic known triggers of depression. Behavioral changes were examined using digital ventilated cages to track home-cage activity and the open field and tail suspension tests to assess anxiety- and despair-like behavior, respectively. In contrast to our hypothesis, we did not observe any changes in home-cage activity, anxiety- or despair-like behavior as a result of combining SD in adolescent female mice with a depression trigger in adulthood. We conclude that the adolescent brain is sensitive to SD, but SD during adolescence in mice does not lead to an exacerbated depression-like response to social isolation or inflammation during adulthood.

The mediating role of childhood emotional neglect in the association between childhood neighborhood quality and adult depression outcomes: A nationwide longitudinal analysis

BACKGROUND

Depression is a prevalent mental health disorder with personal and societal costs. Childhood experiences, including neighborhood quality and emotional neglect, may influence adult depression risk.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationships between childhood neighborhood quality (CNQ), childhood emotional neglect (CEN), and adult depressive symptoms, and investigate the potential mediating role of CEN.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

15,730 Chinese adults aged 45 and above from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).

METHODS

Weighted multiple regression, Karlson-Holm-Breen (KHB) mediation and Bootstrap mediation analyses were conducted to assess the relationships between CNQ, CEN, and adult depressive symptoms and depression risk, using longitudinal data.

RESULTS

Higher CNQ was associated with lower depressive symptoms (β = -0.316, p < 0.001) and depression risk (β = -0.084, p < 0.001). Higher CEN was associated with increased depressive symptoms (β = 0.084, p < 0.01) and depression risk (β = 0.020, p > 0.05). CEN partially mediated the relationship between CNQ and depressive symptoms (KHB: β = -0.010, p < 0.01; Bootstrap: β = -0.007, p < 0.05) and depression risk (KHB: β = -0.003, p < 0.05; Bootstrap: β = -0.002, p > 0.05), accounting for 3.50 % (KHB) and 2.36 % (bootstrap) of the total effects for depressive symptoms, and 3.82 % (KHB) and 1.97 % (bootstrap) for depression risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Both CNQ and CEN independently influence adult depression, with CEN partially mediating the CNQ-depression relationship. These findings suggest that interventions targeting both neighborhood conditions and family environments may be crucial for preventing adult depression.

Stress Molecular Signaling in Interaction With Cognition

Exposure to stressful life events is associated with a high risk of developing psychiatric disorders with a wide variety of symptoms. Cognitive symptoms in stress-related psychiatric disorders can be particularly challenging to understand, both for those experiencing them and for health care providers. To gain insights, it is important to capture stress-induced structural, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic changes in relevant brain regions such as the amygdala, hippocampus, locus coeruleus, and prefrontal cortex that result in long-lasting alterations in brain function. In this review, we will emphasize a subset of stress molecular mechanisms that alter neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, and balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Then, we discuss how to identify genetic risk factors that may accelerate stress-driven or stress-induced cognitive impairment. Despite the development of new technologies such as single-cell resolution sequencing, our understanding of the molecular effects of stress in the brain remains to be deepened. A better understanding of the diversity of stress effects in different brain regions and cell types is a prerequisite to open new avenues for mechanism-informed prevention and treatment of stress-related cognitive symptoms.

Childhood maltreatment and mental health problems in a 10-year follow-up study of adolescents in youth residential care: A latent transition analysis

Childhood maltreatment and mental health problems are common among young people placed out-of-home. However, evidence on the impact of maltreatment on the course of mental health problems in at-risk populations is sparse. The aim of this longitudinal study is twofold: (a) describe the course of mental health problems and the shift in symptom patterns among adolescents in youth residential care into young adulthood and (b) assess how childhood maltreatment is related to the course of mental health problems. One hundred and sixty-six adolescents in Swiss youth residential care were followed up into young adulthood (36.1% women; MAge-Baseline = 16.1 years; MAge-Follow-Up = 26.4 years). Latent transition analysis was employed to analyze transitions of symptom patterns and their association with maltreatment exposure. We found three latent classes of mental health problems: a "multiproblem"-class (51.8% baseline; 33.7% follow-up), a "low symptom"-class (39.2% baseline; 60.2% follow-up), and an "externalizing"-class (9.0% baseline; 6.0% follow-up). Individuals in the "multiproblem"-class were likely to transition towards less-complex symptom patterns. Higher severity of self-reported childhood maltreatment was associated with more complex and persistent mental health problems. Our study underlines the need for collaboration between residential and psychiatric care systems within and after care placements, with a specialized focus on trauma-informed interventions and care.

HPA axis dysregulation and postpartum depression and anxiety symptoms in breastfeeding vs bottle-feeding parents

OBJECTIVE

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of perinatal mood disorders. Further, HPA axis response is known to be blunted during breastfeeding. We hypothesized that 1) postpartum depression/anxiety symptoms would be associated with HPA axis dysregulation, indexed by loss of expected adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-cortisol coupling, and 2) this association would vary by method of infant feeding.

METHODS

Participants (N=222) intending to breastfeed were recruited in their 3rd trimester of pregnancy. During a lab visit at 2 months postpartum, depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed (Beck Depression Inventory score ≥14 and/or Speilberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score ≥40). Participants then breast or bottle-fed their infants as they would at home. After a 10-minute rest, participants completed the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), a standardized stressor involving speech and math tasks. Blood ACTH and cortisol were measured 10 minutes after feeding, during each task, and at 10, 20, and 30 minutes of recovery. Multilevel models evaluated whether coupling of ACTH at time j with cortisol at time j+1 differed between those with and without depression/anxiety symptoms, and whether differences varied by feeding method.

RESULTS

Of 205 participants who completed the TSST, 44 had depression/anxiety symptoms at 2-months postpartum. Depression/anxiety symptoms were associated with reduced ACTH-cortisol coupling (adjusted beta: -0.03; p-value: 0.03). Among those who breastfed, those with depression/anxiety showed greater blunting of ACTH-cortisol coupling than those without (adjusted beta: -0.04; p-value: 0.02), while those who bottle-fed had similar coupling patterns regardless of depression/anxiety symptoms (adjusted beta: -0.01; p-value: 0.87).

CONCLUSION

HPA axis response was blunted in those with postpartum depression/anxiety symptoms, and blunting varied by method of infant feeding. Findings support HPA axis dysregulation in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Future research should explore how method of infant feeding influences the relationship between perinatal mood disorders and HPA axis dysregulation. Elucidating the mechanistic pathways underlying perinatal mood disorders can aid in the development of better diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Cordycepin Extracted from Cordyceps militaris mitigated CUMS-induced depression of rats via targeting GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cordycepin, the main active component of Cordyceps militaris, exhibits various pharmacological activities, including anti-tumor and antioxidant effects. However, its antidepressant effect and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

AIM OF REVIEW

This study aimed to explore the antidepressant effect of cordycepin and elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model was established to assess antidepressant effect of cordycepin. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolomics with integrated network pharmacology were used to find differential metabolites in serum, brain, and cerebrospinal fluid of rats and identify potential target by cordycepin. Western blot and Real-time PCR were applied to validate the signaling pathway.

RESULTS

Cordycepin alleviated CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors by weight gain, sucrose preference increment, immobility time reduction, total travelling distance extension and serum corticosterone levels reduction. Metabolomics showed that cordycepin reversed CUMS-induced metabolic disturbances through alanine and TCA cycle metabolism pathways. Network pharmacology identified GSK3β as a potential target. Cordycepin increased protein levels of p-GSK3β, β-catenin and nuclear β-catenin, and enhanced transcription of downstream genes PKM, LDHA, Cyclin D1 and C-myc in brains of CUMS-induced rats.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that cordycepin exerted antidepressant effect by modulating GSK3β/β-catenin pathway, suggesting its potential as a candidate agent for depression.

Development of a Genetic Test Indicating Increased AVP/V1b Signalling in Patients with Acute Depression

A subgroup of patients with acute depression show an impaired regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis, which can be sensitively diagnosed with the combined dexamethasone (dex)/corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH)-test. This neuropathological alteration is assumed to be a result of hyperactive AVP/V1b signalling. Given the complicated procedure of the dex/CRH-test, this study aimed to develop a genetic variants-based alternative approach to predict the outcome of the dex/CRH-test in acute depression.Using data of a representative cohort of 352 patients with severe depression participating in the dex/CRH-test, a genome-wide interaction analysis was performed starting with an anchor single nucleotide polymorphism located in the upstream transcriptional region of the human V1b-receptor gene to predict the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) response to this test. A probabilistic neural-network-algorithm was used to develop the optimal prediction model.Overall prediction accuracy for correctly identifying high ACTH responders in the dex/CRH-test was 93.5% (sensitivity 90%; specificity 95%). Analysis of pituitary RNAseq expression data confirmed that the identified genetic interactions of the gene test translate into an interactive network of corresponding transcripts in the pituitary gland, which is the biologically relevant target tissue, with the aggregated strength of the transcript interactions significantly stronger than expected from chance.The findings suggest the suitability of the presented gene test as a proxy for hyperactive AVP/V1b signalling during an acute depressive episode, highlighting its potential as companion test for identifying patients with acute depression whose pathology can be optimally treated by specific drugs targeting the AVP/V1b-signaling cascade.

Estradiol metabolism by gut microbiota in women's depression pathogenesis: inspiration from nature

The recurrence and treatment resistance of depression remain significant issues, primarily due to an inadequate understanding of its pathogenesis. Recent scientific evidence indicates that gut microbiota influence estradiol metabolism and are associated with the development of depression in nonpremenopausal women. Integrating existing studies on the regulation of estradiol metabolism by microorganisms in nature and the relevance of its degradation products to depression, recent scientific explorations have further elucidated the key mechanisms by which gut microbiota catabolize estradiol through specific metabolic pathways. These emerging scientific findings suggest that the unique metabolic effects of gut microbiota on estradiol may be one of the central drivers in the onset and course of depression in non-menopausal women.

Directed exploration is reduced by an aversive interoceptive state induction in healthy individuals but not in those with affective disorders

Elevated anxiety and uncertainty avoidance are known to exacerbate maladaptive choice in individuals with affective disorders. However, the differential roles of state vs. trait anxiety remain unclear, and underlying computational mechanisms have not been thoroughly characterized. In the present study, we investigated how a somatic (interoceptive) state anxiety induction influences learning and decision-making under uncertainty in individuals with clinically significant levels of trait anxiety. A sample of 58 healthy comparisons (HCs) and 61 individuals with affective disorders displaying elevated anxiety symptoms (iADs; i.e., anxiety and/or depression) completed a previously validated explore-exploit decision task, with and without an added breathing resistance manipulation designed to induce state anxiety. Computational modeling revealed a significant group-by-condition interaction, such that information-seeking (i.e., directed exploration) in HCs was reduced by the anxiety induction (Cohen's d=.47, p=.013), while no change was observed in iADs. The iADs also showed slower learning rates than HCs across conditions (Cohen's d=.52, p=.003), suggesting more persistent uncertainty. These findings highlight a complex interplay between trait anxiety and state anxiety. Specifically, state anxiety may attenuate reflection on uncertainty in healthy individuals, while familiarity with anxious states in those with high trait anxiety may create an insensitivity to this effect.

Childhood adversity and late-life cognitive and brain health in a diverse cohort

INTRODUCTION

Childhood adversity harms neurodevelopment. Literature on late-life brain health is limited, and findings on late-life cognition are mixed.

METHODS

Pooling data from Kaiser Healthy Aging and Diverse Life Experiences (KHANDLE) and Study of Healthy Aging in African Americans (STAR) cohorts, we assessed the impact of childhood adversity (factor score from seven self-reported items) on (a) executive function and verbal memory decline using linear mixed effects models (n = 2447), (b) structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using linear regression (n = 618), and (c) amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) using generalized linear models (n = 331), all adjusting for early-life demographic and socioeconomic confounders.

RESULTS

Childhood adversity was not associated with cognition except for a slightly faster decline in verbal memory (β ̂ $\hat \beta $  = -0.013 SD/year, 95% confidence interval [-0.025, -0.001]). Among neuroimaging outcomes, childhood adversity was associated with only larger temporal lobe volumes (β ̂ $\hat \beta $  = 0.092 SD [0.012, 0.173]).

DISCUSSION

More research evaluating sources of resilience, heterogeneity, and bias is needed to explain inconsistent findings across studies.

HIGHLIGHTS

We developed measurement models to capture childhood adversity in a diverse cohort. Childhood adversity was associated with a slightly faster verbal memory decline. We examined childhood adversity's effect on structural MRI and amyloid PET measures. Higher childhood adversity was associated with larger temporal lobe volumes.

Retrotransposons and the brain: Exploring a complex relationship between mobile elements, stress, and neurological health

Environmental experiences during early life, including stress, can significantly impact brain development and behavior. Early life stress (ELS) is linked to an increased risk for various psychiatric disorders including anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. Epigenetic mechanisms have increasingly been of interest to understand how environmental factors contribute to reprogramming the brain and alter risk and resilience to developing psychiatric disorders. However, we know very little about mobile elements or the regulation of mobile elements and their contribution to psychiatric disorders. Recently, advances in genomics have contributed to our understanding of mobile elements, including the retrotransposon LINE-1 (L1) and their potential role in mediating environmental experiences. Yet we still do not understand how these elements may contribute to psychiatric disorders. Future research leveraging cutting-edge technologies will deepen our understanding of these mobile elements. By elucidating their role in development and how stress may impact them, we may unlock new avenues for therapeutic and diagnostic innovations.

Unraveling sex differences in maternal and paternal care impacts on social behaviors and neurobiological responses to early-life adversity

Early-life stress (ELS) affects the development of prosocial behaviors and social-cognitive function, often leading to structural brain changes and increased psychosocial disorders. Recent studies suggest that mother- and father-child relationships independently influence social development in a sex-specific manner, but the effects of impaired father-child relationships are often overlooked. This review examines preclinical rodent studies to explore how parental neglect impacts neuroplasticity and social behaviors in offspring. We highlight that disruptions in maternal interactions may affect male pups more in uniparental rodents, while impaired paternal interactions in biparental rodents tend to impact female pups more. Due to limited research, the separate effects of maternal and paternal neglect on brain development and social behaviors in biparental species remain unclear. Addressing these gaps could clarify the sex-specific mechanisms underlying social and neurobiological deficits following parental neglect.

The effect of peer group management intervention on chronic pain intensity, number of areas of pain, and pain self-efficacy

OBJECTIVES

Chronic pain causes loss of workability, and pharmacological treatment is often not sufficient, whereas psychosocial treatments may relieve continual pain. This study aimed to investigate the effect of peer group management intervention among patients with chronic pain.

METHODS

The participants were 18-65-year-old employees of the Municipality of Helsinki (women 83%) who visited an occupational health care physician, nurse, psychologist, or physiotherapist for chronic pain lasting at least 3 months. An additional inclusion criterion was an elevated risk of work disability. Our study was a stepped wedge cluster, randomized controlled trial, and group interventions used mindfulness, relaxation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. We randomized sixty participants to either a pain management group intervention or to a waiting list with the same intervention 5 months later. After dropouts, 48 employees participated in 6 weekly group meetings. We followed up participants from groups A, B, and C for 12 months and groups D, E, and F for 6 months. As outcome measures, we used the pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, the number of areas of pain, the visual analog scale of pain, and the pain self-efficacy. We adjusted the results before and after the intervention for panel data, clustering effect, and time interval.

RESULTS

The peer group intervention decreased the number of areas of pain by 40%, from 5.96 (1-10) to 3.58 (p < 0.001), and increased the pain self-efficacy by 15%, from 30.4 to 37.5 (p < 0.001). Pain intensity decreased slightly, but not statistically significantly, from 7.1 to 6.8.

CONCLUSIONS

Peer group intervention for 6 weeks among municipal employees with chronic pain is partially effective. The number of areas of pain and pain self-efficacy were more sensitive indicators of change than the pain intensity. Any primary care unit with sufficient resources may implement the intervention.

The association between childhood adversity and hippocampal volumes is moderated by romantic relationship experiences

Reduced hippocampal volumes are a feature of many mental disorders. Childhood maltreatment is a known risk factor for the development of psychopathology and has consistently been linked to hippocampal volume reductions in adults, but not in children and adolescents. We propose that maltreatment-related difficulties in coping with developmental tasks in adolescence and young adulthood might underlie the delayed emergence of hippocampal volume reductions in maltreated individuals. In a study with 196 healthy young adults (mean age [years]: 24.0 ± 3.2, 50% female, 20.6% living with a partner (missings: n = 2)), we investigated the interaction between childhood maltreatment (Childhood Trauma Screener) and the breakup of a steady romantic relationship (List of Threatening Experiences Questionnaire) on hippocampal magnetic resonance imaging grey matter volumes. The experience of a romantic relationship breakup moderated the association between childhood maltreatment and bilateral hippocampal volumes, revealing more negative associations with hippocampal volumes in participants with at least one breakup compared to those with no breakup experience (right hippocampus: β = - 0.05 ± 0.02, p = 0.031, p (FDR) = 0.031; left hippocampus: β = -0.06 ± 0.02, p = 0.005, p (FDR) = 0.009). Moreover, our findings provide some evidence that childhood maltreatment is related to smaller bilateral hippocampal volumes only in those adults who suffered from a relationship breakup (right hippocampus: β = -0.23 ± 0.10, p = 0.018, p (FDR) = 0.018; left hippocampus: β = -0.24 ± 0.10, p = 0.016, p (FDR) = 0.018;). Our study highlights the interaction of adult social bonds with early adversity on vulnerability to psychopathology.

Neutrophil activation and related disrupted frontolimbic circuit may contribute to cognitive progression of minimal depressive symptoms in non-dementia elderly

BACKGROUND

As a more common but easily neglected disorder, minimal depressive symptoms (MDS), it is unclear whether and why it increases the risk of cognitive progression in non-dementia elderly.

METHODS

The Alzheimer's disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database was used to assign 1065 non-dementia elderly into normal control (n = 380) and MDS (n = 685) groups via the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Blood neutrophils, transcriptomics and metabolomics, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteomics, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were analyzed.

RESULTS

MDS was found to increase the risk of cognitive progression independently of multiple psychological symptoms. Increased levels of blood neutrophils were associated with cognitive progression in MDS, as supported by neutrophil-related pathways by transcriptomic enrichment analysis and multi-omics joint analysis. A disrupted frontolimbic circuit was associated with neutrophil activation in MDS.

LIMITATIONS

The heterogeneity of the sample limited the generalizability of results, and the lack of follow-up data limited the research on the mechanism of neutrophil activation influencing cognitive function in MDS.

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive progression occurs as early as the MDS stage. And this phenomenon may attribute to the neutrophil activation and the related disrupted frontolimbic circuit.

Comorbidity of concussion and depression alters brain functional connectivity in collegiate student-athletes

Depression and concussion are highly prevalent neuropsychological disorders that often occur simultaneously. However, due to the high degree of symptom overlap between the two events, including but not limited to headache, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, they may be treated in isolation. Thus, clinical awareness of additive symptom load may be missed. This study measures neuropsychological and electroencephalography (EEG) alpha band coherence differences in collegiate student-athletes with history of comorbid depression and concussion, in comparison to those with a single morbidity and healthy controls (HC). 35 collegiate athletes completed neuropsychological screenings and EEG measures. Participants were grouped by concussion and depression history. Differences in alpha band coherence were calculated using two-way ANOVA with post hoc correction for multiple comparisons. Comorbid participants scored significantly worse on neuropsychological screening, BDI-FS, and PCSS than those with a single morbidity and HC. Two-way ANOVA by group revealed significant main effects of alpha band coherence for concussion, depression, and their interaction term. Post-hoc analysis showed that comorbid participants had more abnormal alpha band coherence than single morbidity, when compared to HC. Comorbidity of concussion and depression increased symptom reporting and revealed more altered alpha band coherence than single morbidity, compared to HC. The abnormalities of the comorbid group exclusively showed decreased alpha band coherence in comparison to healthy controls. The comorbidity of depression and SRC has a compounding effect on depression symptoms, post-concussion symptoms, and brain functional connectivity. This research demonstrates a promising objective measure in comorbid individuals, previously only measured via subjective symptom reporting.

Effects of Early Stress Exposure on Anxiety-like Behavior and MORC1 Expression in Rats

Exposure to stress during early and late childhood can lead to long-lasting neurobiological and behavioral impairments. Although sensitive periods for stress exposure are well established, less is known about the trajectory of induced alterations throughout development. In this study, we investigated the impact of maternal separation (MS), social isolation, and their combination on anxiety-like behavior and gene expression across developmental stages. Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to one or both stressors and later assessed for anxiety-like behavior in juvenility, adolescence, and adulthood. mRNA levels of Morc1, a gene linked to early-life stress and depression, were measured in the medial prefrontal cortex to assess developmental changes. The results showed that MS had age- and sex-dependent effects on anxiety-like behavior. Juveniles exhibited less anxiety after MS, while adolescents showed more pronounced behavioral changes following social isolation. No behavioral changes were observed in adults. Males exhibited greater anxiety-like behavior than females in adolescence and adulthood, but not in juvenility. Female adults exposed to both MS and social isolation had significantly lower Morc1 expression compared to controls. These findings highlight the dynamic effects of early stress across the lifespan, underscoring the critical role of adolescence and differential stress susceptibility by age and sex.

Sex and Age Differences in Glucocorticoid Signaling After an Aversive Experience in Mice

BACKGROUND

glucocorticoids may play an important role in the formation of fear memory, which is relevant to the neurobiology of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In our previous study, we showed the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) forms a protein complex with FKBP51, which prevents translocation of GR into the nucleus to affect gene expression; this complex is elevated in PTSD patients and by fear-conditioned learning in mice, and disrupting this complex blocks the storage and retrieval of fear-conditioned memories. The timing of release of glucocorticoid relative to the formation of a traumatic memory could be important in this process, and remains poorly understood.

METHODS AND RESULTS

we mapped serum corticosterone over time after fear conditioning in cardiac blood samples from male and female mice, as well as adult and aged mice using ELISA. We show a significant alteration in serum corticosterone after conditioning; notably, levels spike after 30 min but drop lower than unconditioned controls after 24 h. We further investigate the effect of glucocorticoid on GR phosphorylation and localization in HEK 293T cells by Western blot. Hydrocortisone treatment promotes phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of GR.

CONCLUSIONS

these data contribute to our understanding of the processes linking stress responses to molecular signals and fear memory, which is relevant to understanding the shared mechanisms related to PTSD.

Adverse childhood experiences and 10-year depressive-symptoms trajectories among middle-aged and older adults in China: a population-based cohort study

Background

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) influence depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were heterogeneous from the perspective of life course.

Objective

To explore the effects of ACEs on the trajectory of depressive symptoms in China.

Participants

The data is from the 5 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and the 2014 Life Course Survey of it. A total of 17,106 individuals were included, without the people younger than 45 years.

Methods

We dealt with the missing values using multiple interpolation. The CESD-10 and a 12-item questionnaire was used to assess the depressive symptom and ACEs, respectively. We used group-based trajectory modelling (GBTM) to identify the 10-year depressive-symptoms. Logistic regression models were used to explore associations between the trajectory and the ACEs.

Results

Five depressive-symptom trajectories were identified based on the GBTM analysis (BIC = 540533.61; AIC = 540347.68; n = 17,106). Compared to the participants without depressive symptoms, the older adults who have more adverse childhood experiences have more odds of being in the other four groups, and the more ACEs the older adults experienced, the more likely it is.

Conclusion

The 10-year depressive-symptoms trajectories among middle-aged and older adults in China were different from previous features. The significance of a life-course intervention plan to prevent childhood adversity and the related mental health damage in later life is demonstrated by the long-term influence of ACEs on depressive symptoms.

Association between Childhood Trauma, Mental Health Symptoms and Adherence Among Youth Living with HIV in Botswana

Background

People living with HIV experience traumatic incidents at higher rates than the general population; and research has documented significant association between trauma exposure and the development of mental disorders. Mental health problems have a a negative impact on anti-retroviral treatment adherence. All of these psychosocial concerns play a role in potentially increasing HIV transmission to sexual partners resulting in increased incidence rates. To inform interventions that improve quality of life, and decrease risky behaviors for adolescents and youth, it is critical to understand the extent to which childhood trauma, mental health problems, and poor adherence occur and coexist in this population of adolescents living with HIV. Thus, this study examined the associations between childhood trauma, mental health problems (depression, anxiety, and substance use) and adherence to ART among HIV infected youth in Botswana.

Methods

A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted among youth aged 15 and 24-years old living with HIV. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire- Short Form; Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21; Car Relax Alone Forget Friends Trouble" or CRAFFT 2.1 + N were used to collect data on exposure to childhood trauma, mental health symptoms and problematic substance use respectively. Adherence was assessed objectively with viral load and subjectively with Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using Stata version 15. Bivariate logistical regression analysis testing for associations between mental health symptoms, substance use and adherence, and childhood trauma was conducted. Multivariate logistic regression was subsequently performed controlling for variables found to be significantly associated with childhood trauma.

Results

Of the 119 youth, 47% of the participants reported experiencing at least one type of childhood trauma, and physical neglect was the most frequently reported. Emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse and physical neglect were significantly associated with non-adherence, OR 5.83; OR 3.10; OR 5.97, and OR 2.52, respectively.

Conclusion

Our findings revealed that exposure to all domains of childhood trauma except physical abuse were significantly associated with non-adherence. Sexual abuse and emotional neglect had the highest odds of predicting non-adherence. This highlights the need for trauma focused psychosocial interventions in managing youth living with HIV.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40653-024-00658-x.

Reversibility of disturbed pituitary function in pediatric conditions with psychological stressors: implications for clinical practice

The complex communication network between the central nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary axis forms the basis of endocrine functional plasticity, which facilitates adaptation to changing internal and external conditions, but also makes it vulnerable to the negative effects of stressful psychological factors. Herein, clinical conditions such as functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, eating disorders, growth faltering, post-traumatic stress disorder, and pubertal disorders that may emerge during childhood or adolescence, their origin possibly including psychological stressors, are analyzed regarding their genetic susceptibility and reversibility of endocrine function. A discussion on the optimization of therapeutic management defined by managing stress and maximizing the degree and rate of reversibility follows.

PRKCB methylation: a potential biomarker of MDD with childhood chronic stress, a cross-sectional study in drug-naive, first-episode adolescent MDD

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between childhood chronic stress(CCS), Protein kinase C beta (PRKCB) methylation and adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD). After recruiting 100 adolescents with MDD and 50 healthy controls (HCs), we evaluated the severity of CCS. PRKCB methylation was assessed by pyrosequencing using whole blood-derived DNA. To explore the relationship between CCS, PRKCB and adolescent MDD, we conducted correlation analysis and regression analysis, and constructed multiplicative interaction models and generalized linear models. PRKCB methylation and CCS were both found to be associated with MDD, and CCS was associated with PRKCB methylation. No significant CCS-PRKCB methylation interactions were observed. However, we found the interaction of CCS and MDD on PRKCB methylation. Our results found that PRKCB methylation was influenced by CCS and the disease itself, and PRKCB methylation was significantly positively associated with MDD severity, suggesting that PRKCB methylation may be a potential biomarker for adolescent MDD. This study is a cross-sectional observational study, which cannot draw the conclusion of causality. Prospective cohort studies are needed to further examine the relationship between CCS, adolescent MDD, and PRKCB methylation.

Multimodal Associations of FKBP5 Methylation With Emotion-Regulatory Brain Circuits

BACKGROUND

Understanding the biological processes that underlie individual differences in emotion regulation and stress responsivity is a key challenge for translational neuroscience. The gene FKBP5 is a core regulator in molecular stress signaling that is implicated in the development of psychiatric disorders. However, it remains unclear how FKBP5 DNA methylation in peripheral blood is related to individual differences in measures of neural structure and function and their relevance to daily-life stress responsivity.

METHODS

Here, we characterized multimodal correlates of FKBP5 DNA methylation by combining epigenetic data with neuroimaging and ambulatory assessment in a sample of 395 healthy individuals.

RESULTS

First, we showed that FKBP5 demethylation as a psychiatric risk factor was related to an anxiety-associated reduction of gray matter volume in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, a brain area that is involved in emotion regulation and mental health risk and resilience. This effect of epigenetic upregulation of FKBP5 on neuronal structure is more pronounced where FKBP5 is epigenetically downregulated at baseline. Leveraging 208 functional magnetic resonance imaging scans during a well-established emotion-processing task, we found that FKBP5 DNA methylation in peripheral blood was associated with functional differences in prefrontal-limbic circuits that modulate affective responsivity to daily stressors, which we measured using ecological momentary assessment in daily life.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, we demonstrated how FKBP5 contributes to interindividual differences in neural and real-life affect regulation via structural and functional changes in prefrontal-limbic brain circuits.

Interpersonal violence moderates sustained-transient threat co-activation in the vmPFC and amygdala in a community sample of youth

The increased risk for psychopathology associated with interpersonal violence exposure (IPV, e.g., physical abuse, sexual assault) is partially mediated by neurobiological alterations in threat-related processes. Evidence supports parsing neural circuitry related to transient and sustained threat, as they appear to be separable processes with distinct neurobiological underpinnings. Although childhood is a sensitive period for neurodevelopment, most prior work has been conducted in adult samples. Further, it is unknown how IPV exposure may impact transient-sustained threat neural interactions. The current study tested the moderating role of IPV exposure on sustained vmPFC-transient amygdala co-activation during an fMRI task during which threat and neutral cues were predictably or unpredictably presented. Analyses were conducted in a sample of 212 community-recruited youth (M/SDage = 11.77/2.44 years old; 51.9% male; 56.1% White/Caucasian). IPV-exposed youth evidenced a positive sustained vmPFC-transient amygdala co-activation, while youth with no IPV exposure did not show this association. Consistent with theoretical models, effects were specific to unpredictable, negative trials and to exposure to IPV (i.e., unrelated to non-IPV traumatic experiences). Although preliminary, these findings provide novel insight into how childhood IPV exposure may alter neural circuity involved in specific facets of threat processing.

Chronic stress and lack of social support: Role in adolescent depression and suicide-related behaviors in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine acute and chronic stressors, and perceived lack social support, and their associations with depression and suicidal ideation in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

Deidentified data from (N = 270,153) U.S. adolescents aged 11 to 17 who completed the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item tool (PHQ-9) in the years 2020 and 2021 were sourced from a collection of online screening tools that are free, confidential, anonymous, and scientifically validated. In addition to depression, the survey included questions about suicidality, past/chronic stressful events, and contributors to mental health problems and sociodemographic variables. SPSS software version 28 for descriptive analyses, and Mplus version 7.31 for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM), were respectively used.

RESULTS

Participants were predominantly female, White, and heterosexual, and exhibited a high prevalence of severe depression and a significant frequency of suicidal thoughts. Significant associations were found between past/chronic stressful events, and lack of social support, with suicidality and depression. Mental health stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic itself presented no significant associations with depression and suicidality and was weakly and negatively associated with lack of social support and past/chronic stressors.

DISCUSSION

These findings reinforce the notion that prior traumatic events can create vulnerabilities in the face of acute stressors, while social support can enhance resilience in adolescents. Factors that increase resilience, such as preventing traumatic events, reducing social stressors, and increasing social support, can serve as valuable guidelines for clinical and public health interventions.

C-reactive protein across pregnancy in individuals exposed to childhood maltreatment: The role of psychological and physical sequelae of maltreatment

BACKGROUND

Childhood maltreatment (CM) has long-term consequences for the regulation of stress biology which are particularly pronounced when mental and physical health sequelae have manifested. C-reactive protein (CRP) has been shown to be elevated in the non-pregnant state in association with CM as well as in the setting of CM-associated mental and physical health sequelae. In pregnancy, however, the association between CM and CRP is less clear. We sought to examine this association and consider the moderating role of four common health sequelae of CM (maternal depressive symptoms, overweight/obesity, smoking, and hypertensive disorders during pregnancy).

METHODS

A prospective, longitudinal study of 744 healthy pregnant participants was conducted, with analyses focusing on a sample of 643 participants. CM was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and categorized by whether no vs. one or more moderate to severe CM experiences were reported. Blood serum concentrations of CRP, maternal depression severity (continuous scores of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, CES-D) and smoking during pregnancy were assessed in early (16.52 ± 2.50 weeks gestation) and late (33.65 ± 1.18 weeks gestation) pregnancy. Pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) was obtained at the first study visit and hypertensive disorders diagnosed during pregnancy were obtained from the medical record. Linear mixed effects models were employed to assess main effects of CM as well as interactive effects of CM and four common CM-associated sequelae as well as a sum score of these sequelae on repeatedly measured CRP concentration. In secondary analyses, we conducted latent class analyses to classify participants based on their specific experiences of childhood abuse and/or neglect and to assess the association of these CM subgroups with CM sequelae and CRP. All analyses were adjusted for potential confounders (maternal race and ethnicity and education/income).

RESULTS

CRP concentration decreased from early to late pregnancy (B = -0.06, SE = 0.01, p < 0.001). While there was no main effect of CM on CRP (p = 0.49), the interaction of CM and depressive symptoms was associated with CRP concentration (B = 0.08, SE = 0.04, p < 0.05), indicating higher CRP across pregnancy with increasing levels of depressive symptoms during pregnancy in participants with CM experience. This interaction was mainly driven by participants with co-occurring physical and emotional maltreatment. For none of the other CM-associated sequelae a statistically significant interaction with CM on CRP concentration was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

These results add to the growing empirical evidence suggesting higher inflammation during pregnancy in participants exposed to CM who experience depressive symptoms and highlight the detrimental effects of multiple co-occurring experiences of maltreatment. Given the negative consequences of chronic inflammatory state for the mother and the developing fetus, monitoring and treating psychiatric sequelae during pregnancy among participants exposed to CM is potentially an important opportunity to dampen long-term detrimental effects of CM, serving at least two generations.

Dissociation as a mediator of interpersonal trauma and depression: adulthood versus childhood interpersonal traumas3

Extensive research has established that interpersonal trauma is related to depression and dissociation severity. Extending prior research, this study found that childhood and adulthood interpersonal traumas are related to depressive symptoms and examined the role of dissociative process as a mediator. Two hundred eighty-nine adult participants retrospectively reported on traumatic experiences and current symptoms of dissociation and depression, indicating that both childhood and adulthood interpersonal traumas are related to the severity of depression. However, childhood interpersonal trauma was associated with a higher level of dissociative symptoms. Moreover, it was suggested that dissociation serves as a pathway through which childhood interpersonal trauma influences depression, although this relationship was not observed for adulthood interpersonal trauma. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential role of dissociation in the development and maintenance of depression, particularly among individuals who have experienced childhood interpersonal trauma. These findings suggest that interventions targeting dissociation show potential for mitigating retrospective depression, especially for survivors of childhood interpersonal trauma.

Early life stress induces decreased expression of CB1R and FAAH and epigenetic changes in the medial prefrontal cortex of male rats

Several studies in both animal models and in humans have provided substantial evidence that early life stress (ELS) induces long-term changes in behavior and brain function, making it a significant risk factor in the aetiology of various mental disorders, including anxiety and depression. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that ELS in male rats (i) leads to increased anxiety and depressive-like symptoms; and (ii) that these behavioral changes are associated with functional alterations in the endocannabinoid system of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). We further assessed whether the predicted changes in the gene expression of two key components of the endocannabinoid system, cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) and the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), are regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. Behavioral profiling revealed that the proportion of behaviorally affected animals was increased in ELS exposed male rats compared to control animals, specifically showing symptoms of anhedonia and impaired social behavior. On the molecular level we observed a decrease in CB1R and FAAH mRNA expression in the mPFC of adult ELS exposed animals. These gene expression changes were accompanied by reduced global histone 3 acetylation in the mPFC, while no significant changes in DNA methylation and no significant changes of histone-acetylation at the promoter regions of the analyzed genes were detected. Taken together, our data provide evidence that ELS induces a long-term reduction of CB1R and FAAH expression in the mPFC of adult male rats, which may partially contribute to the ELS-induced changes in adult socio-emotional behavior.

Prediction of adolescent depression from prenatal and childhood data from ALSPAC using machine learning

Depression is a major cause of disability and mortality for young people worldwide and is typically first diagnosed during adolescence. In this work, we present a machine learning framework to predict adolescent depression occurring between ages 12 and 18 years using environmental, biological, and lifestyle features of the child, mother, and partner from the child's prenatal period to age 10 years using data from 8467 participants enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). We trained and compared several cross-sectional and longitudinal machine learning techniques and found the resulting models predicted adolescent depression with recall (0.59 ± 0.20), specificity (0.61 ± 0.17), and accuracy (0.64 ± 0.13), using on average 39 out of the 885 total features (4.4%) included in the models. The leading informative features in our predictive models of adolescent depression were female sex, parental depression and anxiety, and exposure to stressful events or environments. This work demonstrates how using a broad array of evidence-driven predictors from early in life can inform the development of preventative decision support tools to assist in the early detection of risk for mental illness.

The Interrelationship between Stress, Sugar Consumption and Depression

Depression is a leading cause of disability in the United States. Previous research has shown that added sugar consumption and stress are both risk factors for depression. Despite evidence that stress predicts added sugar consumption, and both affect the HPA axis, no research has explored how stress, added sugar consumption and depression are related. In this study, we investigated the possible effects of total added sugar and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption on depression, as well as their potential interactions with chronic stress. Measures of sugar consumption, chronic stress and depression were taken in an adult community sample at two time points. We hypothesized that high sugar consumption would predict more depression even after stress was statistically adjusted for, but that stress would moderate the relationship between added sugar consumption and depressive symptoms, amplifying the effect. We found that both total sugar consumption and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption at baseline predicted depressive symptoms one month later. However, only sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was a significant predictor of depression after controlling for stress, possibly because stress is related to diet quality. Stress did not moderate the relationship between added sugar consumption and depressive symptoms. These results suggest that stress should be included in future research on sugar and depression.

Differential effects of lifetime stressors on major depressive disorder severity: a longitudinal community-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Stressors across the lifespan are associated with the onset of major depressive disorder (MDD) and increased severity of depressive symptoms. However, it is unclear how lifetime stressors are related to specific MDD subtypes. The present study aims to examine the relationships between MDD subtypes and stressors experienced across the lifespan while considering potential confounders.

METHODS

Data analyzed were from the Zone d'Épidémiologie Psychiatrique du Sud-Ouest de Montréal (N = 1351). Lifetime stressors included childhood maltreatment, child-parent bonding, and stressful life events. Person-centered analyses were used to identify the clusters/profiles of the studied variables and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the relationships between stressors and identified MDD subtypes. Intersectional analysis was applied to further examine how distal stressors interact with proximal stressors to impact the development of MDD subtypes.

RESULTS

There was a significant association between proximal stressors and melancholic depression, whereas severe atypical depression and moderate depression were only associated with some domains of stressful life events. Additionally, those with severe atypical depression and melancholic depression were more likely to be exposed to distal stressors such as childhood maltreatment. The combinations of distal and proximal stressors predicted a greater risk of all MDD subtypes except for moderate atypical depression.

CONCLUSIONS

MDD was characterized into four subtypes based on depressive symptoms and severity. Different stressor profiles were linked with various MDD subtypes. More specific interventions and clinical management are called to provide precision treatment for MDD patients with unique stressor profiles and MDD subtypes.

Psychosocial and neurobiological aspects of the worldwide refugee crisis: From vulnerability to resilience

Anisman, H., Doubad, D., Asokumar, A. & Matheson, K. Psychosocial and neurobiological aspects of the worldwide refugee crisis: From vulnerability to resilience. NEUROSCI BIOBEHAV REV, XXXX. Immigration occurs between countries either to obtain employment, for family reunification or to escape violence and other life-threatening conditions. Refugees and asylum seekers are often obligated to overcome a uniquely challenging set of circumstances prior to and during migration. Settlement following immigration may pose yet another set of stressors related to acculturation to the host country, as well as financial insecurity, discrimination, language barriers, and social isolation. Here we discuss the multiple consequences of immigration experiences, focusing on the health disturbances that frequently develop in adults and children. Aside from the psychosocial influences, immigration-related challenges may cause hormonal, inflammatory immune, and microbiota changes that favor psychological and physical illnesses. Some biological alterations are subject to modification by epigenetic changes, which have implications for intergenerational trauma transmission, as might disruptions in parenting behaviors and family dysfunction. Despite the hardships experienced, many immigrants and their families exhibit positive psychological adjustment after resettlement. We provide information to diminish the impacts associated with immigration and offer strength-based approaches that may foster resilience.

Early life stress is associated with greater negative emotionality and peripheral inflammation in alcohol use disorder

Early life stress (ELS) increases risk for psychiatric illness, including alcohol use disorder (AUD). Researchers have hypothesized that individuals with and without a history of ELS who have the same primary DSM-5 diagnosis are clinically and biologically distinct. While there is strong support for this hypothesis in the context of mood disorders, the hypothesis remains largely untested in the context of AUD. This study investigated the impact of ELS on the neuroclinical phenomenology and inflammatory profile of individuals with AUD. Treatment-seeking adults with AUD (N = 163) completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Questionnaire and phenotypic battery as part of a pharmacotherapy trial for AUD (NCT03594435). Participants were classified as having "no-ELS," (ACE = 0) "moderate-ELS," (ACE = 1, 2 or 3) or "high-ELS" (ACE = 4 + ). The Addictions Neuroclinical Assessment domains incentive salience and negative emotionality were derived and used to assess the neuroclinical phenomenology of AUD. We tested (1) cumulative ELS as a predictor of ANA domains and (2) ELS group differences in ANA domains. A subset of participants (N = 98) provided blood samples for a biomarker of peripheral inflammation (C-reactive protein; CRP); analyses were repeated with CRP as the outcome variable. Greater ELS predicted higher negative emotionality and elevated CRP, but not incentive salience. The high-ELS group exhibited greater negative emotionality compared with the no-ELS and moderate-ELS groups, with no difference between the latter two groups. The high-ELS group exhibited elevated CRP compared with the no/moderate-ELS group. Findings suggest that high-ELS exposure is associated with a unique AUD neuroclinical presentation marked by greater negative emotionality, and inflammatory profile characterized by elevated peripheral CRP.

Mind over matter: the microbial mindscapes of psychedelics and the gut-brain axis

Psychedelics have emerged as promising therapeutics for several psychiatric disorders. Hypotheses around their mechanisms have revolved around their partial agonism at the serotonin 2 A receptor, leading to enhanced neuroplasticity and brain connectivity changes that underlie positive mindset shifts. However, these accounts fail to recognise that the gut microbiota, acting via the gut-brain axis, may also have a role in mediating the positive effects of psychedelics on behaviour. In this review, we present existing evidence that the composition of the gut microbiota may be responsive to psychedelic drugs, and in turn, that the effect of psychedelics could be modulated by microbial metabolism. We discuss various alternative mechanistic models and emphasize the importance of incorporating hypotheses that address the contributions of the microbiome in future research. Awareness of the microbial contribution to psychedelic action has the potential to significantly shape clinical practice, for example, by allowing personalised psychedelic therapies based on the heterogeneity of the gut microbiota.

Perineuronal Net Alterations Following Early-Life Stress: Are Microglia Pulling Some Strings?

The extracellular matrix plays a key role in synapse formation and in the modulation of synaptic function in the central nervous system. Recent investigations have revealed that microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, are involved in extracellular matrix remodeling under both physiological and pathological conditions. Moreover, the dysregulation of both innate immune responses and the extracellular matrix has been documented in stress-related psychopathologies as well as in relation to early-life stress. However, the dynamics of microglial regulation of the ECM and how it can be impacted by early-life adversity have been understudied. This brief review provides an overview of the recent literature on this topic, drawing from both animal model and human post mortem studies. Direct and indirect mechanisms through which microglia may regulate the extracellular matrix-including perineuronal nets-are presented and discussed in light of the interactions with other cell types.

Relationship between human oral microbiome dysbiosis and neuropsychiatric diseases: An updated overview

The role of the gut-brain axis in mental health disorders has been extensively studied. As the oral cavity is the starting point of the digestive tract, the role that the oral microbiota plays in mental health disorders has gained recent attention. Oral microbiota can enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammatory responses or translocate to the brain through the trigeminal nerve or olfactory system. Hence, the concept of the oral microbiota-brain axis has emerged. Several hypotheses have been suggested that the oral microbiota can enter the gastrointestinal tract and affect the gut-brain axis; however, literature describing oral-brain communication remains limited. This review summarizes the characteristics of oral microbiota and its mechanisms associated with mental health disorders. Through a comprehensive examination of the relationship between oral microbiota and various neuropsychiatric diseases, such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and dementia, this review seeks to identify promising avenues of future research.

Moxie begets MOXI: The journey to a novel hypothesis about Mu-opioid and OXytocin system Interactions

This narrative review summarizes the early life of the author, Khalin E. Nisbett, and highlights the factors that led to her career in research and her development of two novel research hypotheses: the Mu-opioid and OXytocin system Interaction (MOXI) hypothesis and Mu-Opioid receptor antagonist and OXytocin receptor Agonist In Combination (MOXAIC) treatment hypothesis. Notably, Nisbett's career began in the era after countless studies demonstrated that oxytocin is not just a female neurotransmitter and not just a female reproductive hormone, an era in which researchers are exploring the role of oxytocin in emotion regulation, social interaction, and cognitive processing across both sexes. As such, the previously held perspective that oxytocin is "just a female hormone" did not impede Nisbett's ideas. Intrigued by science, emotion regulation, and social interaction, she began to explore the role of oxytocin and opioids in emotion regulation. On the heels of earlier theories, such as the Tend-and-Befriend theory and Opioid Theory of Social Attachment, she began to develop the MOXI hypothesis, which postulates that the μ-opioid receptor and oxytocin systems interact to mediate social interaction and emotion regulation. In this narrative review, Nisbett summarizes two studies that explored (i) the role of oxytocin in anxiety- and depression-like behavior and (ii) the effect of opioid receptor blockade on the anxiolytic-like effect of oxytocin, which led to a revision of the MOXI hypothesis and postulation of the Mu-Opioid receptor antagonist and OXytocin receptor Agonist In Combination (MOXAIC) treatment hypothesis. Nisbett also discusses several limitations of these hypotheses and her current research interests and aspirations.

Magnitude and factors associated with post-traumatic stress disorder among war-affected internally displaced people in northwest Ethiopia, 2022

Background

A large number of people are often directly involved in armed conflict and, therefore, are at greater risk of developing a wide range of mental disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite this, few have been reported about it in low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia.

Objective

This study was carried out to assess the magnitude and factors associated with post-traumatic stress disorder among war-affected internally displaced people in northwest Ethiopia, 2022.

Methods

Cross-sectional study design was conducted from May 23 to June 22, 2022, and simple random sampling was used to select a sample of 412 participants. Data were collected by structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. The post-traumatic stress disorder checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition with extended criteria-A was used to assess post-traumatic stress disorder. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Results

A total of 412 participants were interviewed with the response rate of 100%. The mean age of the respondents was 34.7 (±10.9) years. The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder was found to be 60.98% (95% CI: 56.1%, 65.5%) with an estimated prevalence of 23.5% and 76.5% among males and females, respectively. In multivariable analysis, female sex (AOR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.48, 3.86), having depression (AOR = 2.86; 95% CI: 1.78, 4.60), family history of mental illness (AOR = 3.67; 95% CI: 1.43, 9.42), and poor social support (AOR = 3.61; 95% CI: 1.74, 7.47) were factors significantly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder at p-value < 0.05.

Conclusion and recommendation

Based on this study, at least 6 out of 10 war-affected populations have experienced post-traumatic stress disorder. Especially females, those who had depression, family history of mental illness, and poor social support, were more vulnerable to post-traumatic stress disorder. Therefore, it is recommended to do on-site screening and provide treatment for all displaced populations suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder by giving special concern for females, individuals having depression, poor social support, and family history of mental illness.

Characterization of depression subtypes and their relationships to stressor profiles among middle-aged and older adults: An analysis of the canadian longitudinal study on aging (CLSA)

The current diagnostic criteria for depression do not sufficiently reflect its heterogeneous clinical presentations. Associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), allostatic load (AL), and depression subtypes have not been extensively studied. Depression subtypes were determined based on clinical presentations, and their relationships to AL biomarkers and ACEs were elucidated in a sample of middle-aged and older adults. Participants from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging who screened positive for depression were included (n = 3966). Depression subtypes, AL profiles and ACE profiles were determined with latent profile analyses, and associations between them were determined using multinomial logistic regression. Four depression subtypes were identified: positive affect, melancholic, typical, and atypical. Distinct associations between depression subtypes, stressor profiles and covariates were observed. Among the subtypes compared to positive affect, atypical subtype had the most numerous significant associations, and the subtypes had unique relationships to stressor profiles. Age, sex, smoking status, chronic conditions, marital status, and physical activity were significant covariates. The present study describes distinct associations between depression subtypes and measures of stress (objective and self-reported), as well as related factors that differentiate subtypes. The findings may inform more targeted and integrated clinical management strategies for depression in individuals exposed to multiple stressors.

Bodily Autonomy and Trauma: Understanding the Nature of the Association Between Sexual Trauma, an External Locus of Control, and Depressive Symptoms

There is growing evidence suggesting an increased perception of control is associated with reduced psychological distress among survivors of sexual trauma. The current study advances the extant literature by investigating the association between depressive symptoms, sexual trauma, and an external locus of control or the perception life events are outside one's own control. To do so, we analyze data from the New Family Structures Study, a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults ages 18-39. Results from ordinary least square regression analyses suggest sexual trauma and an external locus of control are associated with significantly greater depressive symptoms and that external control exacerbates the association between sexual trauma and depression. Such findings suggest future research should investigate environmental control for sexual trauma survivors in areas such as prenatal care and the justice system.

Effects of the combination of chronic unpredictable stress and environmental enrichment on anxiety-like behavior assessed using the elevated plus maze in Swiss male mice: Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis-mediated mechanisms

Environmental enrichment (EE) is a paradigm that offers the animal a plethora of stimuli, including physical, cognitive, sensory, and social enrichment. Exposure to EE can modulate both anxiety responses and plasma corticosterone. In this study, our objective was to explore how chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) impacts anxiety-related behaviors in male Swiss mice raised in EE conditions. Additionally, we investigated corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels to assess the involvement of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in mediating these responses. Mice were housed under either EE or standard housing conditions for 21 days. Afterward, they were exposed to 11 days of CUS while still reared in their distinct housing conditions, with half of the mice receiving daily pretreatment with the vehicle and the other half receiving daily metyrapone (MET) injections, an inhibitor of steroid synthesis, 30 mins before CUS exposure. Blood samples were obtained to assess plasma corticosterone and ACTH levels. The 11-day CUS protocol induced anxiety-like phenotype and elevated ACTH levels in EE mice. Chronic MET pretreatment prevented anxiety-like behavior in the EE-CUS groups, by mechanisms involving increased plasma corticosterone levels and decreased ACTH. These results suggest a role of the HPA axis in the mechanism underlying the anxiogenic phenotype induced by CUS in EE mice and shed light on the complex interplay between environmental factors, stress, and the HPA axis in anxiety regulation.

Biopsychosocial factors in oral and systemic diseases: a scoping review

Background

The association between chronic oral diseases and other major systemic health conditions, commonly referred to as the oral-systemic health connection, has been previously studied with several underlying common risk factors and pathways linking both groups of diseases. Psychosocial factors contribute to an increased susceptibility to chronic oral and non-oral diseases. The aim of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge on the role of psychosocial stress in chronic oral and systemic diseases.

Methods

A search strategy was built and a literature search was conducted using four databases (CINAHL, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO). A combination of search terms related to psychosocial stress, systemic disease, and oral conditions were used. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they included human adults (aged 18 years and older), included psychosocial factors as an exposure measure, and outcome measures of both an oral and systemic condition. Only English-language articles were considered. Pilot testing of the data extraction form and calibration were conducted and data were extracted independently by one researcher.

Results

A total of fifteen articles out of eighty full-text articles screened were determined to be eligible for inclusion in this review. Periodontal disease was the most commonly studied oral disease, measured in 53% of included articles, with the most commonly studied systemic diseases being of mental health conditions (40%) and diabetes (47%). Psychosocial stress was measured using a range of psychometric indicators and/or biomarkers, including perceived stress, individual behaviours, childhood adversity, and cortisol. In total, fourteen studies found a positive association between measures of psychosocial stress and oral-systemic health.

Conclusion

Psychosocial stress may be a common contributor to both chronic oral and non-oral diseases.

Stress and the CRH System, Norepinephrine, Depression, and Type 2 Diabetes

Major depressive disorder (MDD) increases the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) by 60% in untreated patients, and hypercortisolism is common in MDD as well as in some patients with T2D. Patients with MDD, despite hypercortisolism, show inappropriately normal levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) in the cerebrospinal fluid, which might implicate impaired negative feedback. Also, a positive feedback loop of the CRH-norepinephrine (NE)-CRH system may be involved in the hypercortisolism of MDD and T2D. Dysfunctional CRH receptor 1 (CRHR1) and CRH receptor 2 (CRHR2), both of which are involved in glucose regulation, may explain hypercortisolism in MDD and T2D, at least in a subgroup of patients. CRHR1 increases glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Dysfunctional CRHR1 variants can cause hypercortisolism, leading to serotonin dysfunction and depression, which can contribute to hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and increased visceral fat, all of which are characteristics of T2D. CRHR2 is implicated in glucose homeostasis through the regulation of insulin secretion and gastrointestinal functions, and it stimulates insulin sensitivity at the muscular level. A few studies show a correlation of the CRHR2 gene with depressive disorders. Based on our own research, we have found a linkage and association (i.e., linkage disequilibrium [LD]) of the genes CRHR1 and CRHR2 with MDD and T2D in families with T2D. The correlation of CRHR1 and CRHR2 with MDD appears stronger than that with T2D, and per our hypothesis, MDD may precede the onset of T2D. According to the findings of our analysis, CRHR1 and CRHR2 variants could modify the response to prolonged chronic stress and contribute to high levels of cortisol, increasing the risk of developing MDD, T2D, and the comorbidity MDD-T2D. We report here the potential links of the CRH system, NE, and their roles in MDD and T2D.