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Colicino E, Cowell W, Pedretti NF, Joshi A, Petrick L, Niedzwiecki M, Wright RO, Wright RJ. Maternal steroids during pregnancy and their associations with exposure to lifetime stressful life events, prenatal stress appraisal and psychological functioning. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 158:106395. [PMID: 37776732 PMCID: PMC10841416 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During pregnancy, steroids enable physiological adaptations in response to many factors, including maternal stress or psychological functioning. While stress and psychological dysfunction can have endocrine-disrupting effects beyond cortisol disruption, associations between prenatal maternal stress or related psychological dysfunction and the broader steroid milieu remain understudied. AIM To assess associations between independent and joint maternal stress and psychological functioning measures and steroid profiles in pregnancy (22-40 gestational weeks) in the Programming of Intergenerational Stress Mechanisms (PRISM) birth cohort (n = 334). METHODS Serum metabolomics detected 42 steroids and their metabolites, which were grouped into five classes (pregnenolone, androgens, estrogens, progestin, and corticosteroids). The Perceived Stress Scale, Life Stressor Checklist-Revised, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale indexed lifetime traumatic/non-traumatic stressors, global prenatal stress appraisal, and depressive symptoms during pregnancy, respectively. Exposures were categorized as high-low using the corresponding 3rd quartiles. We assessed associations between both individual and joint stress exposures with steroid classes using linear mixed effect models and with individual steroids using linear regressions. We also examined fetal sex-specific effects. RESULTS High prenatal perceived stress was independently associated with lower levels of androgens and estrogens in the overall sample [β (95%CI): androgens: -0.13 (-0.25;-0.01); estrogens: -0.16 (-0.31;-0.01)], particularly among women carrying males [androgens: -0.22 (-0.39;-0.05); estrogens: -0.28 (-0.50;-0.07)]. Results on estrogens were consistent when considering joint exposure to both greater lifetime stressors and higher prenatal perceived stress. We also found a single testosterone metabolite-5alpha-androstan-3alpha,17alpha-diol disulfate-negatively associated with both individual high perceived stress and joint exposure to high lifetime stressors and high perceived stress among women carrying males. CONCLUSIONS Increased maternal perceived stress experienced in pregnancy was independently associated with lower maternal androgen and estrogen levels during pregnancy in the overall sample, particularly among women carrying males. Results on estrogens were consistent when we considered the joint exposure of increased lifetime stressors and higher prenatal perceived stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Colicino
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Exposomic Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Whitney Cowell
- Departments of Pediatrics and Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicolo Foppa Pedretti
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anu Joshi
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lauren Petrick
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Exposomic Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Megan Niedzwiecki
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert O Wright
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Exposomic Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rosalind J Wright
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Exposomic Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Kravis Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Kische H, Voss C, Haring R, Ollmann TM, Pieper L, Kirschbaum C, Beesdo-Baum K. Hair androgen concentrations and depressive disorders in adolescents from the general population. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2023; 32:1375-1389. [PMID: 35112167 PMCID: PMC10326161 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-021-01929-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Although the link between androgens and depression is well established in adults, the effects of cofactors on this association are less clearly understood, particularly in youth. Epidemiological cohort study of adolescents in Dresden, Germany. Analyses comprised data of 985 individuals assessed at baseline and of 512 individuals at 1-year follow-up. We investigated multivariable regression models for cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of hair testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and their cortisol ratios with 12-month diagnoses of major depressive disorder (MDD) and MDD without any anxiety disorder assessed with standardized diagnostic interview (DIA-X-5), and with dimensional depression scores (PHQ-9, PROMIS), separately for males and females. The potential moderating effect of social support was determined. Cross-sectional analyses yielded inverse associations of testosterone and DHEA with MDD and MDD without any anxiety disorders in males. In cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, baseline ratio cortisol/DHEA was significantly, inversely associated to PROMIS-depression in males. Only cross-sectional associations for ratio cortisol/DHEA and PROMIS-depression remained significant after Bonferroni-Holm correction. No robust associations were observed in female participants. Social support exerted no consistent moderating effect on the investigated association. The present observational cohort study showed no consistent association of hair androgen concentrations with depressive disorders in adolescents. However, findings provide some support for the association between the cortisol/DHEA ratio and depression in males. Longitudinal research designs in large samples are needed to understand the interplay between androgens, depression, and developmental and social factors in youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Kische
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Behavioral Epidemiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Catharina Voss
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Behavioral Epidemiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Robin Haring
- Faculty of Applied Public Health, European University of Applied Sciences, Rostock, Germany
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Theresa Magdalena Ollmann
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Behavioral Epidemiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lars Pieper
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Behavioral Epidemiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies (CELOS), Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Clemens Kirschbaum
- Department of Biopsychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katja Beesdo-Baum
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Behavioral Epidemiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies (CELOS), Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Takeshita RS, Edler MK, Meindl RS, Sherwood CC, Hopkins WD, Raghanti MA. Age, adrenal steroids, and cognitive functioning in captive chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes). PeerJ 2022; 10:e14323. [PMID: 36389417 PMCID: PMC9653054 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate is the most abundant circulating androgen in humans and other catarrhines. It is involved in several biological functions, such as testosterone production, glucocorticoid antagonist actions, neurogenesis and neuroplasticty. Although the role of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) in cognition remains elusive, the DHEAS/cortisol ratio has been positively associated with a slower cognitive age-decline and improved mood in humans. Whether this relationship is found in nonhuman primates remains unknown. Methods We measured DHEAS and cortisol levels in serum of 107 adult chimpanzees to investigate the relationship between DHEAS levels and age. A subset of 21 chimpanzees was used to test the potential associations between DHEAS, cortisol, and DHEAS/cortisol ratio in cognitive function, taking into account age, sex, and their interactions. We tested for cognitive function using the primate cognitive test battery (PCTB) and principal component analyses to categorize cognition into three components: spatial relationship tasks, tool use and social communication tasks, and auditory-visual sensory perception tasks. Results DHEAS levels, but not the DHEAS/cortisol ratio, declined with age in chimpanzees. Our analyses for spatial relationships tasks revealed a significant, positive correlation with the DHEAS/cortisol ratio. Tool use and social communication had a negative relationship with age. Our data show that the DHEAS/cortisol ratio, but not DHEAS individually, is a promising predictor of spatial cognition in chimpanzees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela S.C. Takeshita
- Department of Anthropology, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA,School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA,Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
| | - Melissa K. Edler
- Department of Anthropology, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA,School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA,Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
| | - Richard S. Meindl
- Department of Anthropology, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA,School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
| | - Chet C. Sherwood
- Department of Anthropology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - William D. Hopkins
- Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, TX, USA
| | - Mary Ann Raghanti
- Department of Anthropology, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA,School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA,Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
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Kent M, Kovalev D, Hart B, Leserve D, Handford G, Vavra D, Lambert K. The emotional impact of disrupted environmental contexts: Enrichment loss and coping profiles influence stress response recovery in Long-Evans rats. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13179. [PMID: 35866213 PMCID: PMC9540572 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
With increasing rates of anxiety and mood disorders across the world, there is an unprecedented need for preclinical animal models to generate translational results for humans experiencing disruptive emotional symptoms. Considering that life events resulting in a perception of loss are correlated with depressive symptoms, the enrichment-loss rodent model offers promise as a translational model for stress-initiated psychiatric disorders. Additionally, predisposed temperament characteristics such as coping styles have been found to influence an individual's stress response. Accordingly, male rats were profiled as either consistent or flexible copers and assigned to one of three environments: standard laboratory housing, enriched environment, or enriched environment exposure followed by downsizing to standard laboratory cages (i.e., enrichment-loss group). Throughout the study, several behaviors were assessed to determine stress, social, and reward-processing responses. To assess recovery of the stress response, fecal samples were collected following the swim stress in 3-h increments to determine the recovery trajectory of corticosterone (CORT) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) metabolite levels. Upon death, neural markers of neuroplasticity including doublecortin, glial fibrillary acidic factor, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor were assessed via immunohistochemistry. Results indicated the flexible coping animals in the continuous enriched group had higher DHEA/CORT ratios (consistent with adaptive responses in past research); furthermore, the enrichment-loss animals exhibited a blunted CORT response throughout the assessments and enriched flexible copers had faster CORT recovery rates than consistent copers. Standard housed animals exhibited less exploratory behavior in the open field task and continuous enriched, flexible rats consumed more food rewards than the other groups. No differences in neuroplasticity neural markers were observed. In sum, the results of the present study support past research indicating the disruptive consequences of enrichment-loss, providing evidence that the model represents a valuable approach for the investigation of neurobiological mechanisms contributing to interindividual variability in responses to changing experiential landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Kent
- Department of BiologyVirginia Military InstituteLexingtonVAUSA
| | - Dmitry Kovalev
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of RichmondRichmondVAUSA
| | - Benjamin Hart
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of RichmondRichmondVAUSA
| | | | | | - Dylan Vavra
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of RichmondRichmondVAUSA
| | - Kelly Lambert
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of RichmondRichmondVAUSA
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Sheng JA, Tan SML, Hale TM, Handa RJ. Androgens and Their Role in Regulating Sex Differences in the Hypothalamic/Pituitary/Adrenal Axis Stress Response and Stress-Related Behaviors. ANDROGENS: CLINICAL RESEARCH AND THERAPEUTICS 2022; 2:261-274. [PMID: 35024695 PMCID: PMC8744007 DOI: 10.1089/andro.2021.0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Androgens play a pivotal role during development. These gonadal hormones and their receptors exert organizational actions that shape brain morphology in regions controlling the stress regulatory systems in a male-specific manner. Specifically, androgens drive sex differences in the hypothalamic/pituitary/adrenal (HPA) axis and corresponding hypothalamic neuropeptides. While studies have examined the role of estradiol and its receptors in sex differences in the HPA axis and associated behaviors, the role of androgens remains far less studied. Androgens are generally thought to modulate the HPA axis through the activation of androgen receptors (ARs). They can also impact the HPA axis through reduction to estrogenic metabolites that can bind estrogen receptors in the brain and periphery. Such regulation of the HPA axis stress response by androgens can often result in sex-biased risk factors for stress-related disorders, such as anxiety and depression. This review focuses on the biosynthesis pathways and molecular actions of androgens and their nuclear receptors. The impact of androgens on hypothalamic neuropeptide systems (corticotropin-releasing hormone, arginine vasopressin, oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin) that control the stress response and stress-related disorders is discussed. Finally, this review discusses potential therapeutics involving androgens (androgen replacement therapies, selective AR modulator therapies) and ongoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julietta A Sheng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Sarah M L Tan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Taben M Hale
- Department of Basic Medical Science, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Robert J Handa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
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Sundararajan A, Vora K, Saiyed S, Natesan S. Comparative profiling of prenatal cortisol and DHEA-S among pregnant women with poor birth outcome and pregnant women with normal birth outcome. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2021; 95:863-872. [PMID: 34370329 DOI: 10.1111/cen.14569] [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: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) are indispensable hormones for normal pregnancy. It is unclear if these hormones, specifically DHEA-S can offer value for predicting poor birth outcome. OBJECTIVE To compare prenatal cortisol and DHEA-S levels among pregnant women with normal or poor birth outcome. METHODS Plasma and saliva were collected prospectively from women in second-third trimester of pregnancy. Women with normal birth outcome (NBO) (n = 501) included live birth, no pregnancy complications and ≥2.5 kg infant birth weight. Women with poor birth outcome included adverse birth outcome (ABO) (n = 50) or low birth weight outcome (LBW) (n = 147). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to measure hormone concentrations in plasma and saliva. RESULTS Circulatory-DHEA-S levels in pregnant women with ABO were higher than women with NBO (p = .043). Among ABO, only stillbirth cases demonstrated significant increase in circulatory-DHEA-S levels (p = .006). Circulatory and salivary cortisol/DHEA-S ratio was lower among women with stillbirth (p = .004) and ABO outcome (p = .043) respectively compared with women with NBO. Consistently, increased odds of ABO were observed in pregnant women with highest circulatory-DHEA-S levels (odds ratio quartile score 1 vs. 4, 2.79, p = .027) and lowest salivary cortisol/DHEA-S ratio (score 4 vs. 2, 2.83, p = .025). Increased odds of stillbirth outcome were observed in pregnant women with highest circulatory-DHEA-S levels (odds ratio quartile score 1 vs. 4, 8.47, p = .046) and lowest circulatory cortisol/DHEA-S ratio (score 4 vs. 1, 4.803, p = .048). Associations remained significant after adjusting for confounders. Women with LBW did not demonstrate significant changes in cortisol or DHEA-S levels. CONCLUSION Prenatal measurement of DHEA-S or cortisol/DHEA-S ratio may offer significant value for predicting adverse birth, specifically stillbirth outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kranti Vora
- Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar, Lekawada, Gandhinagar, India
- University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Shahin Saiyed
- Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar, Lekawada, Gandhinagar, India
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Mikulska J, Juszczyk G, Gawrońska-Grzywacz M, Herbet M. HPA Axis in the Pathomechanism of Depression and Schizophrenia: New Therapeutic Strategies Based on Its Participation. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11101298. [PMID: 34679364 PMCID: PMC8533829 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11101298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is involved in the pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric disorders. Increased HPA axis activity can be observed during chronic stress, which plays a key role in the pathophysiology of depression. Overactivity of the HPA axis occurs in major depressive disorder (MDD), leading to cognitive dysfunction and reduced mood. There is also a correlation between the HPA axis activation and gut microbiota, which has a significant impact on the development of MDD. It is believed that the gut microbiota can influence the HPA axis function through the activity of cytokines, prostaglandins, or bacterial antigens of various microbial species. The activity of the HPA axis in schizophrenia varies and depends mainly on the severity of the disease. This review summarizes the involvement of the HPA axis in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders, focusing on major depression and schizophrenia, and highlights a possible correlation between these conditions. Although many effective antidepressants are available, a large proportion of patients do not respond to initial treatment. This review also discusses new therapeutic strategies that affect the HPA axis, such as glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonists, vasopressin V1B receptor antagonists and non-psychoactive CB1 receptor agonists in depression and/or schizophrenia.
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Sundararajan A, Vora K, Saiyed S, Natesan S. Comparative Profiling of Salivary Cortisol and Salivary DHEA-S Among Healthy Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women. Horm Metab Res 2021; 53:602-607. [PMID: 34496410 DOI: 10.1055/a-1551-3722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
During pregnancy, circulatory cortisol levels increase, remaining steady over the second-third trimester. In contrast, profile of salivary cortisol during pregnancy is debatable, more influenced by factors like time of sample collection in the day. Circulatory DHEA-S decrease by at least 50% over the second-third trimester of pregnancy. However, profile of salivary DHEA-S is unclear. Objective was to determine changes in salivary cortisol and DHEA-S in healthy pregnant women, compared to non-pregnant women during late morning-early afternoon sampling to avoid fluctuations associated with other times. Pregnant women in their second-third trimester prospectively (n=500) and non-pregnant women (n=133) were enrolled in study with informed consent. Live birth outcome with no pregnancy complications and≥2.5 Kg infant birth weight were included. Concentrations of salivary cortisol and DHEA-S were determined through ELISA assays. Compared to non-pregnant women, pregnant women demonstrated significant increases in salivary cortisol [median (interquartile range)=4.2 (5.1) nmol/l vs. 17.2 (13.9) nmol/l, p<0.001] and salivary DHEA-S median (interquartile range)=2.7 (2.9) nmol/l vs. 3.8 (3.2) nmol/l, p<0.001). Consistently, quartile scores representing higher levels of salivary cortisol and DHEA-S concentrations demonstrated significant association with pregnancy. Quartile scores representing higher salivary cortisol/DHEA-S ratio demonstrated significant association with pregnancy. Study suggests the indicated time range of saliva sampling might best parallel the established profile of circulatory cortisol in pregnant women. However, unlike cortisol, study indicates that the salivary DHEA-S profile is distinct from the well-known profile of circulatory DHEA-S during pregnancy. A combinatorial approach involving both salivary and circulatory compartments could provide comprehensive picture of DHEA-S and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kranti Vora
- Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar, Lekawada, Gandhinagar, India
- University of Canberra, Bruce, Australia
| | - Shahin Saiyed
- Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar, Lekawada, Gandhinagar, India
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Residential Greenness Positively Associated with the Cortisol to DHEA Ratio among Urban-Dwelling African American Women at Risk for HIV. J Urban Health 2021; 98:570-578. [PMID: 33169303 PMCID: PMC8382813 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-020-00492-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
As ecosystems that support human health, societies, and civilization change in the era of the Anthropocene, individuals with disproportionate balance of salivary hormones may be at greatest risk of morbidity and mortality. Vulnerable communities, in particular, are overburdened by inequities in features of built environments linked to health disparities. This study examined the cross-sectional association of greenness in the built environment with the ratio of cortisol to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in an urban-dwelling high-risk community sample of African American women (n = 84, age 18-44 years). Saliva samples, collected across 2 consecutive days, were assayed for cortisol and DHEA. Controlling for sexual violence, perceived stress, education, and income, as well as crime, traffic density, and vacant properties, we observed a significant positive cross-sectional association between greenness and the cortisol to DHEA ratio, (β = 7·5, 95% CI: 0.89, 14.19). The findings highlight environmental influence on stress response at waking when there is the greatest individual variation. Implications for advancing our understanding of the waking ratio of cortisol to DHEA as a potential marker of physiological resilience are discussed.
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Ji E, Weickert CS, Purves-Tyson T, White C, Handelsman DJ, Desai R, O'Donnell M, Liu D, Galletly C, Lenroot R, Weickert TW. Cortisol-dehydroepiandrosterone ratios are inversely associated with hippocampal and prefrontal brain volume in schizophrenia. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 123:104916. [PMID: 33169678 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
While high levels of glucocorticoids are generally neuro-damaging, a related adrenal steroid, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), has anti-glucocorticoid and neuroprotective properties. Previous work has shown increased circulating levels of DHEA and abnormal cortisol/DHEA ratios in people with schizophrenia, however reports are limited and their relationship to neuropathology is unclear. We performed the largest study to date to compare levels of serum DHEA and cortisol/DHEA ratios in people with schizophrenia and healthy controls, and investigated the extent to which cortisol/DHEA ratios predict brain volume. Serum cortisol and DHEA were assayed in 94 people with schizophrenia and 81 healthy controls. T1-weighted high-resolution anatomical scans were obtained using a 3 T Achieva scanner on a subset of 59 people with schizophrenia and 60 healthy controls. Imaging data were preprocessed and analyzed using SPM12. People with schizophrenia had significantly increased serum DHEA levels (p = 0.002), decreased cortisol/DHEA ratios (p = 0.02) and no difference in cortisol levels compared to healthy controls. Cortisol/DHEA ratios were inversely correlated with hippocampal (r = -0.33 p = 0.01) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (r = -0.30, p = 0.02) volumes in patients. Our findings suggest that the cortisol/DHEA ratio may be a molecular blood signature of hippocampal and cortical damage. These results further implicate the role of DHEA and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Ji
- University of Zurich Psychiatric Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Cynthia Shannon Weickert
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, 13210, New York, USA
| | - Tertia Purves-Tyson
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Christopher White
- Department of Endocrinology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - David J Handelsman
- ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, NSW, Australia
| | - Reena Desai
- ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, NSW, Australia
| | - Maryanne O'Donnell
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Dennis Liu
- Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Cherrie Galletly
- Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Ramsay Health Care (SA) Mental Health Services, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Rhoshel Lenroot
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Thomas W Weickert
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, 13210, New York, USA
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Aoki M, Okuda H, Ishihara H, Hayashi H, Ohashi T, Nishihori T, Kuze B. Hearing loss is associated with hippocampal atrophy and high cortisol/dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate ratio in older adults. Int J Audiol 2020; 60:293-299. [PMID: 33100039 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2020.1831703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hearing loss (HL) has been recognised as a prodromal symptom of cognitive disorder with aging. It is still uncertain if HL leads to cognitive impairment directly or through an indirect mechanism. DESIGN Participants of this study underwent an auditory test, blood tests, and brain MRI. The atrophy rate of the hippocampus (HP) was calculated using voxel-based specific areas. A partial correlation analysis whilst controlling for the effect of age was performed to analyse the factors affecting hearing levels and HP atrophy rate (HP%). STUDY SAMPLE Thirty-six older adults with hearing impairment. RESULTS The group of participants with moderate or severe HL (n = 22) had higher cortisol/dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (C/D) ratio, geriatric depression score (GDS) and HP% than the mild HL or normal hearing group (n = 14, p < 0.05). The HP% showed a significant positive correlation with the C/D ratio, GDS and the hearing level of high frequency (HF) (p < 0.05). The C/D ratio was positively correlated with the HP% and the hearing level of the HF (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the HL is associated with the atrophy of HP and high C/D ratios in older adults; however, HL may not be causally related to hippocampal atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuhiro Aoki
- Department of Otolaryngology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan.,Center for Healthcare Information Technology (C-HiT), Tokai National Higher Education and Research System, Nagoya City, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Okuda
- Department of Otolaryngology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
| | - Hiromasa Ishihara
- Department of Otolaryngology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
| | - Hisamitsu Hayashi
- Department of Otolaryngology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
| | - Toshimitsu Ohashi
- Department of Otolaryngology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
| | - Takesumi Nishihori
- Department of Otolaryngology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
| | - Bunya Kuze
- Department of Otolaryngology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu City, Japan
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12
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Smith AM, Elliott G, Hughes GI, Feinn RS, Brunyé TT. Acute stress improves analogical reasoning: examining the roles of stress hormones and long-term memory. THINKING & REASONING 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/13546783.2020.1819416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Amy M. Smith
- Department of Psychology, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT, USA
| | - Grace Elliott
- Center for Applied Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Gregory I. Hughes
- Center for Applied Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Medford, MA, USA
- Tufts University, Department of Psychology, Medford, MA, USA
- U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, Natick, MA, USA
| | | | - Tad T. Brunyé
- Center for Applied Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Medford, MA, USA
- Tufts University, Department of Psychology, Medford, MA, USA
- U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, Natick, MA, USA
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13
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Leff-Gelman P, Flores-Ramos M, Carrasco AEÁ, Martínez ML, Takashima MFS, Coronel FMC, Labonne BF, Dosal JAZ, Chávez-Peón PB, Morales SG, Camacho-Arroyo I. Cortisol and DHEA-S levels in pregnant women with severe anxiety. BMC Psychiatry 2020; 20:393. [PMID: 32758184 PMCID: PMC7409431 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-02788-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A complex interaction between cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S) is crucial in the stress system balance; several studies have reported increased cortisol levels during chronic stress and a weak counter-regulation by DHEA-S. During pregnancy, scarce information about this system is available, although cortisol and DHEA-S play an important role in the initiation and acceleration of labor. We conducted the present study in order to determine both cortisol and DHEA-S levels during the last trimester of pregnancy in patients exhibiting severe anxiety. METHODS Pregnant women during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy were evaluated by using the self-reported version of the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS). According to the scores obtained from the psychometric scale, participants were divided into two groups: 1) patients exhibiting a cutoff score > 15 were considered with severe anxiety (ANX) (n = 101), and control pregnant subjects (CTRL) (n = 44) with a cutoff score < 5. Morning cortisol, DHEA-S and Cortisol/DHEA-S index were measured in all participants. Comparisons between groups were performed; additionally, correlations between clinical variables, biochemical data and HARS were calculated. RESULTS Cortisol levels were significantly higher in the ANX group (p < 0.001), whereas those of DHEA-S were significantly lower in the same group (p < 0.01) when compared to healthy pregnant subjects. An increased cortisol/DHEA-S index was observed in the ANX group (p < 0.05). A significant association between cortisol and HARS scores (p = 0.03), was observed even after adjusting by gestational weeks (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS Our data support that the cortisol/DHEA-S index is higher in pregnant women with high anxiety levels as compared with healthy pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mónica Flores-Ramos
- grid.419154.c0000 0004 1776 9908Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría, 14370 CDMX Mexico City, Mexico ,grid.418270.80000 0004 0428 7635Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología/CONACyT, 03940 CDMX Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Margarita López Martínez
- grid.419218.70000 0004 1773 5302Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, 11000 CDMX Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Fausto Manuel Cruz Coronel
- grid.414716.10000 0001 2221 3638Hospital General de México, Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, 06720 CDMX Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Blanca Farfán Labonne
- grid.419218.70000 0004 1773 5302Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, 11000 CDMX Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Saul Garza Morales
- grid.419218.70000 0004 1773 5302Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, 11000 CDMX Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ignacio Camacho-Arroyo
- grid.9486.30000 0001 2159 0001Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510 CDMX Mexico City, Mexico
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14
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Apter-Levy Y, Zagoory-Sharon O, Feldman R. Chronic Depression Alters Mothers' DHEA and DEHA-to-Cortisol Ratio: Implications for Maternal Behavior and Child Outcomes. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:728. [PMID: 32793012 PMCID: PMC7387697 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal depression is a major public health problem that typically occurs in the period surrounding childbirth. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying maternal depression have been the focus of increasing research and studies pointed to the crucial role of the HPA axis in this disorder. However, most studies focused on cortisol expression and regulation while recent attention has shifted to include the sulfate steroids DHEA and DHEA-S. A community cohort of 1,983 women with no comorbid risk was recruited at birth and depression was assessed periodically across the first postpartum year. At 6 years, 156 families were re-visited: 46 mothers were defined as chronically-depressed and 103 controls reported no depression from birth to six years. Mothers and children were diagnosed by structured psychiatric interviews and mother-child interactions were observed. Maternal diurnal cortisol (CT) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were assessed. Depressed mothers had lower levels of DHEA (AUCg), flattened DHEA diurnal variability (AUCi), and smaller DHEA-to-CT Ratio. Regression analysis demonstrated that maternal sensitivity during mother-child interaction was independently predicted by maternal depression, DHEA levels, child CT, and child social withdrawal. Results underscore the need for multi-level understanding of the dynamic interplay between maternal psychopathology, mother-child relationship, and pituitary-adrenal-cortex-to-medulla balance in studying the cross generational transfer of psychiatric vulnerability from depressed mothers to their children.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ruth Feldman
- The Center for Developmental Social Neuroscience, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Herzliya, Israel
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15
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Rothe N, Steffen J, Penz M, Kirschbaum C, Walther A. Examination of peripheral basal and reactive cortisol levels in major depressive disorder and the burnout syndrome: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 114:232-270. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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16
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Orta OR, Huang T, Kubzansky LD, Terry KL, Coull BA, Williams MA, Tworoger SS. The association between abuse history in childhood and salivary rhythms of cortisol and DHEA in postmenopausal women. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 112:104515. [PMID: 31784054 PMCID: PMC6935398 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.104515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A history of child abuse (CA) is associated with morbidity and mortality in adulthood, and one proposed mechanism is dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Therefore, we evaluated whether a history of physical and sexual CA was associated with daily rhythms of HPA hormones (cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)) among postmenopausal women (mean age: 60.6 years). In 2013, 233 participants from the Nurses' Health Study II provided up to 5-timed saliva samples over the course of a day: immediately upon awakening, 45 min, 4 h, and 10 h after waking, and prior to going to sleep. Among these 233 participants, 217 provided ≥4 timed saliva samples. Assessment of physical and sexual CA history occurred in 2001 using the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale. Cumulative CA history was derived by combining reports of physical and sexual abuse prior to age 18. Piecewise linear mixed models compared diurnal rhythms of cortisol and DHEA between participants with none-to-moderate CA (n = 104, reference group) versus high-to-severe CA (n = 113). Models adjusted for characteristics at each saliva collection, health status, sleep quality, medications, and hormone use. Compared to those with none-to-moderate CA, women with high-to-severe CA had different diurnal rhythms in the early and evening hours, including blunted (less steep) early declines in DHEA (% difference (%D) = 10.7, 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) 4.3, 17.5), and steeper late declines in both cortisol and DHEA (cortisol %D = -2.5, 95 % CI -4.8, -0.1, and DHEA %D= -3.9, 95 % CI -6.0, -1.8). In conclusion, high-to-severe abuse history prior to age 18 was more strongly associated with differences in DHEA rather than cortisol, suggesting that early life abuse may be related to dysregulation of stress-response mechanisms later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia R Orta
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - Tianyi Huang
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women'S Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Laura D Kubzansky
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kathryn L Terry
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States; Ob/Gyn Epidemiology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women'S Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michelle A Williams
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Shelley S Tworoger
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Cancer Epidemiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States
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17
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Hillerer KM, Slattery DA, Pletzer B. Neurobiological mechanisms underlying sex-related differences in stress-related disorders: Effects of neuroactive steroids on the hippocampus. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 55:100796. [PMID: 31580837 PMCID: PMC7115954 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Men and women differ in their vulnerability to a variety of stress-related illnesses, but the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are not well understood. This is likely due to a comparative dearth of neurobiological studies that assess male and female rodents at the same time, while human neuroimaging studies often don't model sex as a variable of interest. These sex differences are often attributed to the actions of sex hormones, i.e. estrogens, progestogens and androgens. In this review, we summarize the results on sex hormone actions in the hippocampus and seek to bridge the gap between animal models and findings in humans. However, while effects of sex hormones on the hippocampus are largely consistent in animals and humans, methodological differences challenge the comparability of animal and human studies on stress effects. We summarise our current understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie sex-related differences in behavior and discuss implications for stress-related illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina M Hillerer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Salzburger Landeskrankenhaus (SALK), Paracelsus Medical University (PMU), Clinical Research Center Salzburg (CRCS), Salzburg, Austria.
| | - David A Slattery
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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18
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Lambert K, Eisch AJ, Galea LAM, Kempermann G, Merzenich M. Optimizing brain performance: Identifying mechanisms of adaptive neurobiological plasticity. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 105:60-71. [PMID: 31356835 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Although neuroscience research has debunked the late 19th century claims suggesting that large portions of the brain are typically unused, recent evidence indicates that an enhanced understanding of neural plasticity may lead to greater insights related to the functional capacity of brains. Continuous and real-time neural modifications in concert with dynamic environmental contexts provide opportunities for targeted interventions for maintaining healthy brain functions throughout the lifespan. Neural design, however, is far from simplistic, requiring close consideration of context-specific and other relevant variables from both species and individual perspectives to determine the functional gains from increased and decreased markers of neuroplasticity. Caution must be taken in the interpretation of any measurable change in neurobiological responses or behavioral outcomes, as definitions of optimal functions are extremely complex. Even so, current behavioral neuroscience approaches offer unique opportunities to evaluate adaptive functions of various neural responses in an attempt to enhance the functional capacity of neural systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Lambert
- Dept of Psychology, B326 Gottwald Science Center, University of Richmond, VA, 23173, USA.
| | - Amelia J Eisch
- Dept of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-4399, USA.
| | - Liisa A M Galea
- Dept of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T, Canada.
| | - Gerd Kempermann
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden and CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden at Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
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19
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The Impact of Stress and Major Depressive Disorder on Hippocampal and Medial Prefrontal Cortex Morphology. Biol Psychiatry 2019; 85:443-453. [PMID: 30470559 PMCID: PMC6380948 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 273] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Volumetric reductions in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) are among the most well-documented neural abnormalities in major depressive disorder (MDD). Hippocampal and mPFC structural reductions have been specifically tied to MDD illness progression markers, including greater number of major depressive episodes (MDEs), longer illness duration, and nonremission/treatment resistance. Chronic stress plays a critical role in the development of hippocampal and mPFC deficits, with some studies suggesting that these deficits occur irrespective of MDE occurrence. However, preclinical and human research also points to other stress-mediated neurotoxic processes, including enhanced inflammation and neurotransmitter disturbances, which may require the presence of an MDE and contribute to further brain structural decline as the illness advances. Specifically, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction, enhanced inflammation and oxidative stress, and neurotransmitter abnormalities (e.g., serotonin, glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid) likely interact to facilitate illness progression in MDD. Congruent with stress sensitization models of MDD, with each consecutive MDE it may take lower levels of stress to trigger these neurotoxic pathways, leading to more pronounced brain volumetric reductions. Given that stress and MDD have overlapping and distinct influences on neurobiological pathways implicated in hippocampal and mPFC structural decline, further work is needed to clarify which precise mechanisms ultimately contribute to MDD development and maintenance.
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20
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Farooqi NAI, Scotti M, Yu A, Lew J, Monnier P, Botteron KN, Campbell BC, Booij L, Herba CM, Séguin JR, Castellanos-Ryan N, McCracken JT, Nguyen TV. Sex-specific contribution of DHEA-cortisol ratio to prefrontal-hippocampal structural development, cognitive abilities and personality traits. J Neuroendocrinol 2019; 31:e12682. [PMID: 30597689 PMCID: PMC6394408 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Although dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may exert neuroprotective effects in the developing brain, prolonged or excessive elevations in cortisol may exert neurotoxic effects. The ratio between DHEA and cortisol (DC ratio) has been linked to internalising and externalising disorders, as well as cognitive performance, supporting the clinical relevance of this hormonal ratio during development. However, the brain mechanisms by which these effects may be mediated have not yet been identified. Furthermore, although there is evidence that the effects of cortisol in the central nervous system may be sexually dimorphic in humans, the opposite is true for DHEA, with human studies showing no sex-specific associations in cortical thickness, cortico-amygdalar or cortico-hippocampal structural covariance. Therefore, it remains unclear whether sex moderates the developmental associations between DC ratio, brain structure, cognition and behaviour. In the present study, we examined the associations between DC ratio, structural covariance of the hippocampus with whole-brain cortical thickness, and measures of personality, behaviour and cognition in a longitudinal sample of typically developing children, adolescents and young adults aged 6-22 years (N = 225 participants [F = 128]; 355 scans [F = 208]), using mixed effects models that accounted for both within- and between-subject variances. We found sex-specific interactions between DC ratio and anterior cingulate cortex-hippocampal structural covariance, with higher DC ratios being associated with a more negative covariance between these structures in girls, and a more positive covariance in boys. Furthermore, the negative prefrontal-hippocampal structural covariance found in girls was associated with higher verbal memory and mathematical ability, whereas the positive covariance found in boys was associated with lower cooperativeness and reward dependence personality traits. These findings support the notion that the ratio between DHEA and cortisol levels may contribute, at least in part, to the development of sex differences in cognitive abilities, as well as risk for internalising/externalising disorders, via an alteration in prefrontal-hippocampal structure during the transition from childhood to adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasr A. I. Farooqi
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada, H3A1A1
| | - Martina Scotti
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada, H3A1A1
| | - Ally Yu
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada, H4A 3J1
| | - Jimin Lew
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada, H4A 3J1
| | - Patricia Monnier
- Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, McGill University
Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center,
Montreal, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
| | - Kelly N Botteron
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of
Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA, 63110
- Brain Development Cooperative Group
| | - Benjamin C. Campbell
- Department of Anthropology, University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA, 53211
| | - Linda Booij
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada, H3A1A1
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal,
QC, Canada, H4B 1R6
- CHU Sainte Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of
Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3T1C5
| | - Catherine M. Herba
- CHU Sainte Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of
Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3T1C5
- Department of Psychology, Université du
Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean R. Séguin
- CHU Sainte Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of
Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3T1C5
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of
Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3T1C5
| | - Natalie Castellanos-Ryan
- CHU Sainte Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of
Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3T1C5
- School of Psychoeducation, University of Montreal,
Montreal QC, Canada, H2V 2S9
| | - James T McCracken
- Brain Development Cooperative Group
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University
of California in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 90024
| | - Tuong-Vi Nguyen
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada, H3A1A1
- Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, McGill University
Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center,
Montreal, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
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Høifødt RS, Waterloo K, Wang CEA, Eisemann M, Figenschau Y, Halvorsen M. Cortisol levels and cognitive profile in major depression: A comparison of currently and previously depressed patients. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 99:57-65. [PMID: 30176378 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The association between depressive symptoms and elevated cortisol levels, and depression and cognitive functioning, has been less robust in outpatients with symptoms in the mild to moderate range. Furthermore, the association between elevated cortisol levels and cognitive functioning is unclear. In the present study, currently depressed (n = 37), previously depressed (n = 81) and never depressed controls (n = 50) were assessed on a range of neuropsychological measures. Salivary cortisol was measured in the morning and evening. Participants with current depression were non-hospitalized and had symptoms predominately in the mild to moderate range. Elevated salivary evening cortisol, but not morning cortisol, was significantly related to depressive symptoms. The difference in cortisol levels between the previously depressed group and the never depressed controls was not significant. The groups had significantly different cognitive profiles, with the currently depressed performing poorer on tasks related to working memory compared to the never depressed controls. Both the currently and previously depressed performed worse on attentional tasks. The findings indicate that outpatients with mild to moderate depression have elevated cortisol levels and limited mild cognitive impairments. Furthermore, mild impairments in attention may persist after remission, indicating that this could be a trait-marker in depression. The present study did not find support for a significant relationship between cortisol and cognitive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragnhild Sørensen Høifødt
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Knut Waterloo
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Department of Neurology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Catharina E A Wang
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Martin Eisemann
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Yngve Figenschau
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Laboratory Medicine, Diagnostic Clinic, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Marianne Halvorsen
- Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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22
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Nguyen TV. Developmental effects of androgens in the human brain. J Neuroendocrinol 2018; 30. [PMID: 28489322 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Neuroendocrine theories of brain development posit that androgens play a crucial role in sex-specific cortical growth, although little is known about the differential effects of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on cortico-limbic development and cognition during adolescence. In this context, the National Institutes of Health Study of Normal Brain Development, a longitudinal study of typically developing children and adolescents aged 4-24 years (n=433), offers a unique opportunity to examine the developmental effects of androgens on cortico-limbic maturation and cognition. Using data from this sample, our group found that higher testosterone levels were associated with left-sided decreases in cortical thickness (CTh) in post-pubertal boys, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, compared to right-sided increases in CTh in somatosensory areas in pre-pubertal girls. Prefrontal-amygdala and prefrontal-hippocampal structural covariance (considered to reflect structural connectivity) also varied according to testosterone levels, with the testosterone-related brain phenotype predicting higher aggression levels and lower executive function, particularly in boys. By contrast, DHEA was associated with a pre-pubertal increase in CTh of several regions involved in cognitive control in both boys and girls. Covariance within several cortico-amygdalar structural networks also varied as a function of DHEA levels, with the DHEA-related brain phenotype predicting improvements in visual attention in both boys and girls. DHEA-related cortico-hippocampal structural covariance, on the other hand, predicted higher scores on a test of working memory. Interestingly, there were significant interactions between testosterone and DHEA, such that DHEA tended to mitigate the anti-proliferative effects of testosterone on brain structure. In sum, testosterone-related effects on the developing brain may lead to detrimental effects on cortical functions (ie, higher aggression and lower executive function), whereas DHEA-related effects may optimise cortical functions (ie, better attention and working memory), perhaps by decreasing the influence of amygdalar and hippocampal afferents on cortical functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- T-V Nguyen
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
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23
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Nguyen TV, Wu M, Lew J, Albaugh MD, Botteron KN, Hudziak JJ, Fonov VS, Collins DL, Campbell BC, Booij L, Herba C, Monnier P, Ducharme S, McCracken JT. Dehydroepiandrosterone impacts working memory by shaping cortico-hippocampal structural covariance during development. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 86:110-121. [PMID: 28946055 PMCID: PMC5659912 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Existing studies suggest that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may be important for human brain development and cognition. For example, molecular studies have hinted at the critical role of DHEA in enhancing brain plasticity. Studies of human brain development also support the notion that DHEA is involved in preserving cortical plasticity. Further, some, though not all, studies show that DHEA administration may lead to improvements in working memory in adults. Yet these findings remain limited by an incomplete understanding of the specific neuroanatomical mechanisms through which DHEA may impact the CNS during development. Here we examined associations between DHEA, cortico-hippocampal structural covariance, and working memory (216 participants [female=123], age range 6-22 years old, mean age: 13.6 +/-3.6 years, each followed for a maximum of 3 visits over the course of 4 years). In addition to administering performance-based, spatial working memory tests to these children, we also collected ecological, parent ratings of working memory in everyday situations. We found that increasingly higher DHEA levels were associated with a shift toward positive insular-hippocampal and occipito-hippocampal structural covariance. In turn, DHEA-related insular-hippocampal covariance was associated with lower spatial working memory but higher overall working memory as measured by the ecological parent ratings. Taken together with previous research, these results support the hypothesis that DHEA may optimize cortical functions related to general attentional and working memory processes, but impair the development of bottom-up, hippocampal-to-cortical connections, resulting in impaired encoding of spatial cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuong-Vi Nguyen
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A1A1, Canada; Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada; Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada.
| | - Mia Wu
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Jimin Lew
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Matthew D Albaugh
- Department of Psychology, University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Kelly N Botteron
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA; Brain Development Cooperative Group, United States
| | - James J Hudziak
- Department of Psychology, University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA; Brain Development Cooperative Group, United States
| | - Vladimir S Fonov
- McConnell Brain imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - D Louis Collins
- McConnell Brain imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Benjamin C Campbell
- Department of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 53211, USA
| | - Linda Booij
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A1A1, Canada; Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada; CHU Sainte Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, H3T1C5, Canada
| | - Catherine Herba
- CHU Sainte Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, H3T1C5, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Patricia Monnier
- Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada; Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Simon Ducharme
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A1A1, Canada; McConnell Brain imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - James T McCracken
- Brain Development Cooperative Group, United States; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of California in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
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Pesce M, Tatangelo R, La Fratta I, Rizzuto A, Campagna G, Turli C, Ferrone A, Franceschelli S, Speranza L, Verrocchio MC, De Lutiis MA, Felaco M, Grilli A. Memory Training Program Decreases the Circulating Level of Cortisol and Pro-inflammatory Cytokines in Healthy Older Adults. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:233. [PMID: 28790890 PMCID: PMC5522887 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging cognitive decline has been associated to impairment of the Hypothalamus Pituitary Adrenals (HPA) axis activity and a higher level of the systemic inflammation. However, little is known about the molecules driving this process at peripheral level. In addition, the cognitive function is to some extent modifiable with Memory Training (MT) programs, even among older adults and beyond. The study aims to evaluate whether MT could contribute to ameliorate cognitive performance and modulate the HPA axis activity as well the low level inflammation in the aging phenotype. Whether the phosphatase WIP-1, a negative regulator for inflammation, is involved in this process was also investigated. We recruited 31 young adults (19-28, years of age) and 62 older adults aged over 60. Thirty-two older adults were submitted to 6-months of MT program (EG), and 28 older adults were no treated and used as Control Group (CG). Global cognitive functioning (MMSE score), verbal and visual memory, and attention were assessed at baseline (T0) and after 6-months (T1). At the same time, plasmatic level of Cortisol (C), IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6, and the expression of WIP-1 mRNA and protein in ex vivo Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells were analyzed in young adults at T0, as well in older adults at T0 and T1. Together, the results suggest that MT improves the global cognitive functionality, verbal and visual memory, as well as the level of attention. At the same time we observed a decrease of the plasmatic level of C, of the cytokines, and an increase of the expression of mRNA and protein of WIP-1. The analysis of correlations highlighted that the level of the mRNA of WIP-1 was positively associated to the MMSE score, and negatively to the C and cytokine levels. In conclusion, we purpose the MT as tool that could help support successful aging through the improving of memory, attention and global cognitive function performance. Furthermore, this approach could participate to maintain lower the peripheral levels of the C and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The WIP-1 as a potential new target of the pathophysiology of aging is theorized.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Raffaella Tatangelo
- School of Medicine and Health Science, University G. D’AnnunzioChieti, Italy
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