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Sha Z, Xu J, Li N, Li O. Regulatory Molecules of Synaptic Plasticity in Anxiety Disorder. Int J Gen Med 2023; 16:2877-2886. [PMID: 37435365 PMCID: PMC10332425 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s413176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity is the capacity of synaptic transmission between neurons to be strengthened or weakened. There are many signal molecules accumulated in the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes that can lead to the regulation of synaptic plasticity and involvement in numerous of neurological and psychiatric diseases, including anxiety disorder. However, the regulatory mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in the development of anxiety disorder have not been well summarized. This review mainly aims to discuss the biological functions and mechanisms of synaptic plasticity-related molecules in anxiety disorder, with a particular focus on the metabotropic glutamate receptors, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels, and postsynaptic density 95. The summarized functions and mechanisms of synaptic plasticity-related molecules in anxiety will provide insight into novel neuroplasticity modifications for targeted therapy for anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongwei Sha
- Department of Mental Diseases, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jian Xu
- Department of Mental Diseases, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Nana Li
- Department of Mental Diseases, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ou Li
- Department of Mental Diseases, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
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2
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Islas-Preciado D, Splinter TFL, Ibrahim M, Black N, Wong S, Lieblich SE, Liu-Ambrose T, Barha CK, Galea LAM. Sex and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism matter for exercise-induced increase in neurogenesis and cognition in middle-aged mice. Horm Behav 2023; 148:105297. [PMID: 36623432 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105297] [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: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Females show greater benefits of exercise on cognition in both humans and rodents, which may be related to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), the Val66Met polymorphism, within the human BDNF gene, causes impaired activity-dependent secretion of neuronal BDNF and impairments to some forms of memory. We evaluated whether sex and BDNF genotype (Val66Met polymorphism (Met/Met) versus wild-type (Val/Val)) influenced the ability of voluntary running to enhance cognition and hippocampal neurogenesis in mice. Middle-aged C57BL/6J (13 months) mice were randomly assigned to either a control or an aerobic training (AT) group (running disk access). Mice were trained on the visual discrimination and reversal paradigm in a touchscreen-based technology to evaluate cognitive flexibility. BDNF Met/Met mice had fewer correct responses compared to BDNF Val/Val mice on both cognitive tasks. Female BDNF Val/Val mice showed greater cognitive flexibility compared to male mice regardless of AT. Despite running less than BDNF Val/Val mice, AT improved performance in both cognitive tasks in BDNF Met/Met mice. AT increased neurogenesis in the ventral hippocampus of BDNF Val/Val mice of both sexes and increased the proportion of mature type 3 doublecortin-expressing cells in the dorsal hippocampus of female mice only. Our results indicate AT improved cognitive performance in BDNF Met/Met mice and increased hippocampal neurogenesis in BDNF Val/Val mice in middle age. Furthermore, middle-aged female mice may benefit more from AT than males in terms of neuroplasticity, an effect that was influenced by the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dannia Islas-Preciado
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada; Dajavad Mowifaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Canada; Lab de Neuropsicofarmacología, Dirección de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Ciudad de México 14370, México
| | | | - Muna Ibrahim
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Natasha Black
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sarah Wong
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Teresa Liu-Ambrose
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Canada; Dajavad Mowifaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Cindy K Barha
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Canada; Dajavad Mowifaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Liisa A M Galea
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada; Dajavad Mowifaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Canada.
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3
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Jaehne EJ, Kent JN, Lam N, Schonfeld L, Spiers JG, Begni V, De Rosa F, Riva MA, van den Buuse M. Chronic running-wheel exercise from adolescence leads to increased anxiety and depression-like phenotypes in adulthood in rats: Effects on stress markers and interaction with BDNF Val66Met genotype. Dev Psychobiol 2023; 65:e22347. [PMID: 36567651 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Exercise has been shown to be beneficial in reducing symptoms of affective disorders and to increase the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is associated with reduced activity-dependent BDNF release and increased risk for anxiety and depression. Male and female Val66Met rats were given access to running wheels from 3 weeks of age and compared to sedentary controls. Anxiety- and depression-like behaviors were measured in adulthood using the elevated plus maze (EPM), open field (OF), and forced swim test (FST). Expression of BDNF and a number of stress-related genes, the glucocorticoid receptor (Nr3c1), serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (Sgk1), and FK506 binding protein 51 (Fkbp5) in the hippocampus were also measured. Rats given access to running wheels developed high levels of voluntary exercise, decreased open-arm time on the EPM and center-field time in the OF, reduced overall exploratory activity in the open field, and increased immobility time in the FST with no differences between genotypes. Chronic exercise induced a significant increase in Bdnf mRNA and BDNF protein levels in the hippocampus with some of these effects being genotype specific. Exercise decreased the expression of Nr3c1 and Sgk1, but increased the expression of Fkbp5. These results suggest that chronic running-wheel exercise from adolescence increased anxiety and depression-like phenotypes in adulthood, independent of BDNF Val66Met genotype. Further studies are required to confirm that increased indices of anxiety-like behavior are independent from reduced overall locomotor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Jaehne
- Department of Psychology, Counselling and Therapy, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jessica N Kent
- Department of Psychology, Counselling and Therapy, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nikki Lam
- Department of Psychology, Counselling and Therapy, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lina Schonfeld
- Department of Psychology, Counselling and Therapy, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jereme G Spiers
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Veronica Begni
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico De Rosa
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco A Riva
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Biological Psychiatry Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maarten van den Buuse
- Department of Psychology, Counselling and Therapy, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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van Wyk M, Mason HD, van Wyk BJ, Phillips TK, van der Walt PE. The relationship between resilience and student success among a sample of South African engineering students. COGENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2022.2057660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mariza van Wyk
- Department of Psychology University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Neuroscience Division, Neurozone Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Henry D Mason
- Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Tyler K. Phillips
- Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
- University of Ulster: Ulster University, UK
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Rajkhowa B, Mehan S, Sethi P, Prajapati A. Activation of SIRT-1 Signalling in the Prevention of Bipolar Disorder and Related Neurocomplications: Target Activators and Influences on Neurological Dysfunctions. Neurotox Res 2022; 40:670-686. [PMID: 35156173 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-022-00480-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
SIRT-1 (silent mating-type information regulation 2 homolog-1) is a protein found in neuronal nuclei, microglia, and astrocyte cells of the brain. It is sometimes referred to as NAD + -dependent deacetylase (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). The activation of sirtuins (SIRT-1-7) has been shown to protect against a wide range of disorders, including neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. SIRT-1 has gained considerable interest from these families because of its early link to long-life expansion and calorie restriction involvement. SIRT-1 is necessary for gene silencing, cell cycle regulation, fat and glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, ageing, and memory formation. In this review, we investigate the role of SIRT-1 downregulation in the progression of bipolar disorder (BD) and neurological abnormalities, as well as related neurological alterations such as genetic dysfunction, neurotransmitter imbalance, oxidative stress-induced apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction. BD is a psychiatric disease distinguished by extreme mood fluctuations that range from depressive lows to manic highs. BD is a complicated disorder with numerous clinical signs and neurocomplications that produce significant behavioural problems. SIRT-1 deficiency in the brain has been demonstrated to affect the activity of its transcription factors and molecular changes, including genetic defects. SIRT-1 is now being studied as a potential therapeutic target for a range of brain disorders. A recent study also found that activating SIRT-1 signalling performs a protective effect in avoiding depression and mania-like behaviours. Furthermore, this review investigates the potential mechanisms by which SIRT-1 regulates neuronal transmission and neurogenesis. As a result of our review, we revealed that SIRT-1 activators have neuroprotective potential in BD and related neurological dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bidisha Rajkhowa
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
| | - Sidharth Mehan
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India.
| | - Pranshul Sethi
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
| | - Aradhana Prajapati
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
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Involvement of oxidative pathways and BDNF in the antidepressant effect of carvedilol in a depression model induced by chronic unpredictable stress. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:297-311. [PMID: 35022822 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05994-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Depression is a severe psychiatric disorder with oxidative imbalance and neurotrophic deficits as underlying mechanisms. OBJECTIVES Based on the antioxidant effects of carvedilol (CARV), here, we aimed to evaluate CARV's effects against depression induced by the chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) model. METHODS Female Swiss mice were submitted to the CUS protocol for 21 days. Between days 15 and 22, the animals received CARV (5 or 10 mg/kg) or desvenlafaxine (DVS 10 mg/kg) orally. On the 22nd day, mice were subjected to behavioral tests to evaluate locomotion, depressive-like behavior (tail suspension test), motivation/self-care with the splash test (ST), social interaction, and working memory Y-maze test. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus were dissected to evaluate alterations of oxidative and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). RESULTS The CUS model reduced locomotion and increased grooming latency, while it reduced the number of groomings in the ST. Both doses of CARV and DVS reverted these alterations. In addition, DVS and CARV reversed CUS model-induced working memory and social interaction deficits. The CUS model decreased hippocampal reduced glutathione (GSH), while DVS and CARV increased GSH in the PFC (CARV5) and hippocampus (CARV5 and 10). The CUS model increased nitrite and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in both areas. All treatments reversed nitrite alterations, while CARV10 changed MDA levels in PFC and all treatments in the hippocampus. The CUS model reduced BDNF levels. CARV10 increased BDNF in the PFC, while both doses of CARV increased hippocampal levels of this neurotrophin. CONCLUSIONS CARV presents antidepressant-like effects comparable to those observed with DVS. In addition, it has an antioxidant effect and is capable of increasing BDNF brain concentrations. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the antidepressant effect of CARV.
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Differential effects of ergometer-cycling and Whole-Body-Vibration training on serological BDNF and IGF-1 in the treatment of adolescent depression - is there an impact of BDNFp.Val66Met variants? Physiol Behav 2021; 241:113596. [PMID: 34536433 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathogenesis and treatment of adolescent depression may be influenced by growth-factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). We investigated, if treatment response to two different add-on exercise-therapies in juvenile depression, differ in the changes of BDNF and IGF-1 serology. A subgroup analysis for genetic variations in BDNF p.Val66Met-variants was added. METHODS Included subjects in the study (N = 64), aged 13 to 17 years, were diagnosed with major depression, controls received inpatient treatment as usual (TAU). Intervention groups performed as add-on to TAU two different forms of exercise-therapy: endurance ergometer cycling (EC) and muscle strengthening whole body vibration (WBV). We expected both exercise-forms to increase BDNF and IGF-1 serology and by this pathway to improve depression scores significantly stronger than the control group. RESULTS None of the experimental groups showed significant changes in BDNF between measurement time points. However, after 6 weeks exercise, BDNF of both intervention groups were significantly higher compared to TAU,. The IGF-1 increase after 6 weeks intervention was significant for EC only. No correlations of BDNF and IGF-1 to depression scores were found. Group analysis in BDNF p.Val66Met variants showed a trend for better response in depression scores to exercise-treatment for the Val66Val group. LIMITATIONS A small sample size, the non-randomized controls and the neglect of psychosocial factors have to be considered as limitations. CONCLUSIONS Endurance and muscle strengthening trainings seem to influence serological BDNF and IGF-1 differentially. However, the changes in growth factors did not correlate to the decreases in depression scores. BDNF p.Val66Val variant seems to be more receptive for exercise treatment. Identifying biomarkers (growth factors, genetic variants) in adolescent depression could help to develop tailored treatment strategies.
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Carmichael J, Hicks AJ, Spitz G, Gould KR, Ponsford J. Moderators of gene-outcome associations following traumatic brain injury. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 130:107-124. [PMID: 34411558 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The field of genomics is the principal avenue in the ongoing development of precision/personalised medicine for a variety of health conditions. However, relating genes to outcomes is notoriously complex, especially when considering that other variables can change, or moderate, gene-outcome associations. Here, we comprehensively discuss moderation of gene-outcome associations in the context of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a common, chronically debilitating, and costly neurological condition that is under complex polygenic influence. We focus our narrative review on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of three of the most studied genes (apolipoprotein E, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and catechol-O-methyltransferase) and on three demographic variables believed to moderate associations between these SNPs and TBI outcomes (age, biological sex, and ethnicity). We speculate on the mechanisms which may underlie these moderating effects, drawing widely from biomolecular and behavioural research (n = 175 scientific reports) within the TBI population (n = 72) and other neurological, healthy, ageing, and psychiatric populations (n = 103). We conclude with methodological recommendations for improved exploration of moderators in future genetics research in TBI and other populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jai Carmichael
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.
| | - Amelia J Hicks
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Gershon Spitz
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Kate Rachel Gould
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Jennie Ponsford
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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Milligan Armstrong A, Porter T, Quek H, White A, Haynes J, Jackaman C, Villemagne V, Munyard K, Laws SM, Verdile G, Groth D. Chronic stress and Alzheimer's disease: the interplay between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, genetics and microglia. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 96:2209-2228. [PMID: 34159699 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Chronic psychosocial stress is increasingly being recognised as a risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) is the major stress response pathway in the body and tightly regulates the production of cortisol, a glucocorticoid hormone. Dysregulation of the HPA axis and increased levels of cortisol are commonly found in AD patients and make a major contribution to the disease process. The underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In addition, within the general population there are interindividual differences in sensitivities to glucocorticoid and stress responses, which are thought to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. These differences could ultimately impact an individuals' risk of AD. The purpose of this review is first to summarise the literature describing environmental and genetic factors that can impact an individual's HPA axis reactivity and function and ultimately AD risk. Secondly, we propose a mechanism by which genetic factors that influence HPA axis reactivity may also impact inflammation, a key driver of neurodegeneration. We hypothesize that these factors can mediate glucocorticoid priming of the immune cells of the brain, microglia, to become pro-inflammatory and promote a neurotoxic environment resulting in neurodegeneration. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms and identifying these genetic factors has implications for evaluating stress-related risk/progression to neurodegeneration, informing the success of interventions based on stress management and potential risks associated with the common use of glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayeisha Milligan Armstrong
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.,Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Tenielle Porter
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.,Collaborative Genomics and Translation Group, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia
| | - Hazel Quek
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Institute, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Anthony White
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Institute, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - John Haynes
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Connie Jackaman
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.,Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Victor Villemagne
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia.,The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Kylie Munyard
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.,Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Simon M Laws
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.,Collaborative Genomics and Translation Group, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Verdile
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.,Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.,School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia
| | - David Groth
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.,Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
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Martens L, Herrmann L, Colic L, Li M, Richter A, Behnisch G, Stork O, Seidenbecher C, Schott BH, Walter M. Met carriers of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism show reduced Glx/NAA in the pregenual ACC in two independent cohorts. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6742. [PMID: 33762638 PMCID: PMC7990923 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86220-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Met allele of the Val66Met SNP of the BDNF gene (rs6265) is associated with impaired activity-dependent release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), resulting in reduced synaptic plasticity, impaired glutamatergic neurotransmission, and morphological changes. While previous work has demonstrated Val66Met effects on magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) markers of either glutamatergic metabolism (Glx) or neuronal integrity (NAA), no study has investigated Val66Met effects on these related processes simultaneously. As these metabolites share a metabolic pathway, the Glx/NAA ratio may be a more sensitive marker of changes associated with the Val66Met SNP. This ratio is increased in psychiatric disorders linked to decreased functioning in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). In this study, we investigated the correlation of the Val66Met polymorphism of the BDNF gene with Glx/NAA in the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) using MRS at 3 Tesla (T) (n = 30, all males) and 7 T (n = 98, 40 females). In both cohorts, Met carriers had lower Glx/NAA compared to Val homozygotes. Follow-up analyses using absolute quantification revealed that the Met carriers do not show decreased pgACC glutamate or glutamine levels, but instead show increased NAA compared to the Val homozygotes. This finding may in part explain conflicting evidence for Val66Met as a risk factor for developing psychiatric illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Martens
- University Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen, Germany.,Graduate Training Center, IMPRS, Tübingen, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Luisa Herrmann
- University Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Lejla Colic
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Clinical Affective Neuroscience Laboratory, Magdeburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Clinical Affective Neuroscience Laboratory, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Anni Richter
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | - Oliver Stork
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Otto-Von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Constanze Seidenbecher
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Björn H Schott
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- University Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen, Germany. .,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany. .,Clinical Affective Neuroscience Laboratory, Magdeburg, Germany.
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11
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Vanneste S, Mohan A, De Ridder D, To WT. The BDNF Val 66Met polymorphism regulates vulnerability to chronic stress and phantom perception. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2021; 260:301-326. [PMID: 33637225 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2020.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Auditory phantom percepts, such as tinnitus, are a heterogeneous condition with great interindividual variations regarding both the percept itself and its concomitants. Tinnitus causes a considerable amount of distress, with as many as 25% of affected people reporting that it interferes with their daily lives. Although previous research gives an idea about the neural correlates of tinnitus-related distress, it cannot explain why some tinnitus patients develop distress and while others are not bothered by their tinnitus. BDNF Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265) is a known risk factor for affective disorders due to its common frequency and established functionality. To elucidate, we explore the neural activation pattern of tinnitus associated with the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism using electrophysiological data to assess activity and connectivity changes. A total of 110 participants (55 tinnitus and 55 matched control subjects) were included. In this study, we validate that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism plays an important role in the susceptibility to the clinical manifestation of tinnitus-related distress. We demonstrate that Val/Met carriers have increased alpha power in the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex that correlates with distress levels. Furthermore, distress mediates the relationship between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and tinnitus loudness. In other words, for Val/Met carriers, the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex sends distress-related information to the parahippocampus, which likely integrates the loudness and distress of the tinnitus percept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Vanneste
- Lab for Clinical and Integrative Neuroscience, Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Lab for Clinical and Integrative Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States.
| | - Anusha Mohan
- Lab for Clinical and Integrative Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Dirk De Ridder
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Neurosurgery, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Wing Ting To
- Lab for Clinical and Integrative Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
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Al-Hatamleh MA, Hussin TM, Taib WR, Ismail I. The Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) gene Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphism and stress among preclinical medical students in Malaysia. J Taibah Univ Med Sci 2019; 14:431-438. [PMID: 31728141 PMCID: PMC6838909 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2019.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the allelic and genotypic association of the Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphism in the BDNF gene with stress levels in preclinical medical students of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Terengganu, Malaysia. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, we recruited all 122 preclinical medical students. The validated depression anxiety stress scales-21 (DASS-21) questionnaire was distributed and blood samples were collected from each subject for DNA extraction. Genotyping analysis of the BDNF gene (Val66Met) polymorphism was performed via an optimised polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. RESULTS A total of 105 subjects agreed to participate in this study. Indian students were found to more likely have the Val/Val genotype, whereas Malay students were more likely to have the Met/Met genotype (p = 0.027). Individuals carrying any one of the three BDNF genotypes (Val/Val, Val/Met and Met/Met) differed significantly from each other in terms of their perception of stress (p = 0.010); students carrying the Val/Val genotype (M = 10.6) perceived significantly lower stress than students carrying the Val/Met (M = 14) and Met/Met (M = 15.1) genotypes. CONCLUSION In our study, the Met-allele was associated with higher stress levels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating this stress-related gene in medical students. The findings from this study should trigger more investigators to focus on the impact of stress on genetically predisposed medical students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad A.I. Al-Hatamleh
- Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Tengku M.A.R. Hussin
- Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Wan R.W. Taib
- School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Nerus, Malaysia
| | - Imilia Ismail
- School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Nerus, Malaysia
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Fiocco A, D’Amico D, de Beaumont L, Poirier J, Lupien S. Association between BDNF Polymorphism and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Activity in Later Adulthood. Gerontology 2019; 66:131-137. [DOI: 10.1159/000502143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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14
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Linz R, Puhlmann LMC, Apostolakou F, Mantzou E, Papassotiriou I, Chrousos GP, Engert V, Singer T. Acute psychosocial stress increases serum BDNF levels: an antagonistic relation to cortisol but no group differences after mental training. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019; 44:1797-1804. [PMID: 30991416 PMCID: PMC6785147 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-019-0391-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an essential facilitator of neuronal plasticity. By counteracting the adverse effects of excessive stress-induced glucocorticoid signaling, BDNF has been implicated as a resilience factor to psychopathology caused by chronic stress. Insights into the effects of acute stress on peripheral BDNF levels in humans are inconclusive. The short-term interplay between BDNF and cortisol in response to acute psychosocial stress remains unexplored. Furthermore, it is unknown whether mental training that is effective at reducing cortisol reactivity can also influence BDNF during acute stress. In the current study, we investigated serum BDNF levels during an acute psychosocial stress paradigm, the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), in 301 healthy participants (178 women, mean age = 40.65) recruited as part of the ReSource Project, a large-scale mental training study consisting of three distinct 3-month training modules. Using a cross-sectional study design, we first examined the relationship between BDNF and salivary cortisol in a control group with no mental training. Subsequent analyses focused on differences in BDNF stress levels between control and mental training groups. We show that serum BDNF is indeed stress-sensitive, characterized by a significant post-stress increase and subsequent decline to recovery. While respective increases in BDNF and cortisol were not associated, we found two indications for an antagonistic relationship. Higher BDNF peaks after stress were associated with steeper cortisol recovery. On the other hand, the magnitude of the cortisol stress response was linked to steeper BDNF recovery after stress. BDNF levels were not modulated by any of the mental training modules. Providing novel evidence for the dynamics of BDNF and cortisol during acute stress, our findings may further inform research on the physiological mechanisms involved in stress chronification and the associated health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Linz
- Research Group "Social Stress and Family Health", Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.
- Department of Social Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - L M C Puhlmann
- Research Group "Social Stress and Family Health", Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Social Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - F Apostolakou
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - E Mantzou
- First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - I Papassotiriou
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - G P Chrousos
- First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - V Engert
- Research Group "Social Stress and Family Health", Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Social Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - T Singer
- Department of Social Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Social Neuroscience Lab, Max Planck Society, Berlin, Germany
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15
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Woods R, McInnis O, Bedard M, Asokumar A, Santoni S, Anisman H, Matheson K, McQuaid RJ. Social support and unsupportive interactions in relation to depressive symptoms: Implication of gender and the BDNF polymorphism. Soc Neurosci 2019; 15:64-73. [PMID: 31364951 DOI: 10.1080/17470919.2019.1650826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Reduced levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), through its role in neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, may be involved in the evolution and maintenance of depression. Depression has also been tied to fewer social relationships, which can vary by gender. Thus, we assessed whether the functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on the BDNF gene, Val66Met, moderated the relationship between depressive symptoms and perceived social support and unsupportive relationships, and whether these associations differed by gender. Among 945 students, (n = 667 females; n= 278 males), depressive scores were inversely related to social support, and positively related with unsupportive relations. Females reported greater social support and depressive scores compared to males. A3-way interaction was found between unsupportive relations, the Val66Met SNP, and gender, such that irrespective of genotype, females displayed astrong relationship between unsupport and depressive scores. Male Met carriers displayed this relationship, but this was less apparent among males with the Val/Val genotype. The Val66Met SNP did not moderate the link between support and depressive scores. This BDNF SNP may serve to moderate the links between psychosocial factors and depressive symptoms, but such links are nuanced, being gender-dependent and varying with the nature of the social interactions experienced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robbie Woods
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Opal McInnis
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marc Bedard
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ajani Asokumar
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samantha Santoni
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hymie Anisman
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kimberly Matheson
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robyn J McQuaid
- The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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16
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Acute exercise-induced enhancement of fear inhibition is moderated by BDNF Val66Met polymorphism. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:131. [PMID: 30967530 PMCID: PMC6456490 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0464-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Rodent research indicates that acute physical exercise facilitates fear learning and inhibition. Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may moderate the memory enhancing effects of acute exercise. We assessed the role of acute exercise in modulating extinction retention in humans, and investigated the extent to which the BDNF polymorphism influenced extinction retention. Seventy non-clinical participants engaged in a differential fear potentiated startle paradigm involving conditioning and extinction followed by random assignment to either intense exercise (n = 35) or no exercise (n = 35). Extinction retention was assessed 24 h later. Saliva samples were collected to index BDNF genotype. Exercised participants displayed significantly lower fear 24 h later relative to non-exercised participants. Moderation analyses indicated that after controlling for gender, the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism moderated the relationship between exercise and fear recovery 24 h later, such that exercise was associated with greater fear recovery in individuals with the Met allele. These findings provide initial evidence that acute exercise can impact fear extinction in humans and this effect is reduced in Met-allele carriers. This finding accords with the role of BDNF in extinction learning, and has implications for augmenting exposure-based therapies for anxiety disorders.
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17
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Harrington MO, Klaus K, Vaht M, Harro J, Pennington K, Durrant SJ. Overnight retention of emotional memories is influenced by BDNF Val66Met but not 5-HTTLPR. Behav Brain Res 2019; 359:17-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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18
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Riparin II ameliorates corticosterone-induced depressive-like behavior in mice: Role of antioxidant and neurotrophic mechanisms. Neurochem Int 2018; 120:33-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 07/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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19
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Barha CK, Liu-Ambrose T, Best JR, Yaffe K, Rosano C. Sex-dependent effect of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on executive functioning and processing speed in older adults: evidence from the health ABC study. Neurobiol Aging 2018; 74:161-170. [PMID: 30448615 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism may be an important source of heterogeneity seen in cognitive aging, although the specific relationship between this polymorphism and cognition remains controversial and may depend on the sex of participants. We assessed 2668 older black and white adults and fit linear mixed models to digit symbol substitution test (DSST) performance assessed in years 0 (baseline), 4, 7, and 9 to examine the interaction between sex and BDNF genotype on the intercept (i.e., estimated baseline DSST) and change in DSST over 9 years, adjusted for covariates. Sex interacted with BDNF genotype to predict DSST intercept (F[1,1599] = 7.4, p < 0.01) and 9-year change (F[1,1183] = 4.1, p = 0.04) in white participants only. Initially, white male Val/Val carriers had lower DSST scores (37.6, SE = 0.8) in comparison with male Met carriers (difference, -1.7; 95% CI, -3.2 to -0.3) and female Val/Val carriers (difference, -5.6; 95% CI, -6.8 to -4.3). White female Met carriers showed a slower rate of change (annual rate of change = -0.6, SE = 0.1) in comparison with female Val/Val carriers (difference, -0.2; 95% CI, -0.4 to -0.02) and male Met carriers (difference, -0.3; 95% CI, -0.5 to -0.02). Our findings suggest that BDNF Val66Met and sex should be considered in future endeavors aimed at treating or preventing neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy K Barha
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Teresa Liu-Ambrose
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - John R Best
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kristine Yaffe
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, USA; Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Caterina Rosano
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
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20
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Singh A, Babyak MA, Brummett BH, Kraus WE, Siegler IC, Hauser ER, Williams RB. Developing a synthetic psychosocial stress measure and harmonizing CVD-risk data: a way forward to GxE meta- and mega-analyses. BMC Res Notes 2018; 11:504. [PMID: 30041705 PMCID: PMC6057001 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-018-3595-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Among many challenges in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction are interactions of genes with stress, race, and/or sex and developing robust estimates of these interactions. Improved power with larger sample size contributed by the accumulation of epidemiological data could be helpful, but integration of these datasets is difficult due the absence of standardized phenotypic measures. In this paper, we describe the details of our undertaking to harmonize a dozen datasets and provide a detailed account of a number of decisions made in the process. Results We harmonized candidate genetic variants and CVD-risk variables related to demography, adiposity, hypertension, lipodystrophy, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia, depressive symptom, and chronic psychosocial stress from a dozen studies. Using our synthetic stress algorithm, we constructed a synthetic chronic psychosocial stress measure in nine out of twelve studies where a formal self-rated stress measure was not available. The mega-analytic partial correlation between the stress measure and depressive symptoms while controlling for the effect of study variable in the combined dataset was significant (Rho = 0.27, p < 0.0001). This evidence of the validity and the detailed account of our data harmonization approaches demonstrated that it is possible to overcome the inconsistencies in the collection and measurement of human health risk variables. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3595-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abanish Singh
- Behavioral Medicine Research Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA. .,Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Michael A Babyak
- Behavioral Medicine Research Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Beverly H Brummett
- Behavioral Medicine Research Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - William E Kraus
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ilene C Siegler
- Behavioral Medicine Research Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Elizabeth R Hauser
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Redford B Williams
- Behavioral Medicine Research Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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21
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Tsai SJ. Critical Issues in BDNF Val66Met Genetic Studies of Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:156. [PMID: 29867348 PMCID: PMC5962780 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophins have been implicated in the pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric diseases. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the most abundant and widely distributed neurotrophin in the brain. Its Val66Met polymorphism (refSNP Cluster Report: rs6265) is a common and functional single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) affecting the activity-dependent release of BDNF. BDNF Val66Met transgenic mice have been generated, which may provide further insight into the functional impact of this polymorphism in the brain. Considering the important role of BDNF in brain function, more than 1,100 genetic studies have investigated this polymorphism in the past 15 years. Although these studies have reported some encouraging positive findings initially, most of the findings cannot be replicated in following studies. These inconsistencies in BDNF Val66Met genetic studies may be attributed to many factors such as age, sex, environmental factors, ethnicity, genetic model used for analysis, and gene–gene interaction, which are discussed in this review. We also discuss the results of recent studies that have reported the novel functions of this polymorphism. Because many BDNF polymorphisms and non-genetic factors have been implicated in the complex traits of neuropsychiatric diseases, the conventional genetic association-based method is limited to address these complex interactions. Future studies should apply data mining and machine learning techniques to determine the genetic role of BDNF in neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Jen Tsai
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Brain Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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22
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Nees F, Witt SH, Flor H. Neurogenetic Approaches to Stress and Fear in Humans as Pathophysiological Mechanisms for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 83:810-820. [PMID: 29454655 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In this review article, genetic variation associated with brain responses related to acute and chronic stress reactivity and fear learning in humans is presented as an important mechanism underlying posttraumatic stress disorder. We report that genes related to the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, as well as genes that modulate serotonergic, dopaminergic, and neuropeptidergic functions or plasticity, play a role in this context. The strong overlap of the genetic targets involved in stress and fear learning suggests that a dimensional and mechanistic model of the development of posttraumatic stress disorder based on these constructs is promising. Genome-wide genetic analyses on fear and stress mechanisms are scarce. So far, reliable replication is still lacking for most of the molecular genetic findings, and the proportion of explained variance is rather small. Further analysis of neurogenetic stress and fear learning needs to integrate data from animal and human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frauke Nees
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stephanie H Witt
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Herta Flor
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.
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23
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Wang YJ, Chen KY, Kuo LN, Wang WC, Hsu YW, Wong HSC, Lin CM, Liao KH, Zhang YF, Chiang YH, Chang WC. The association between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and emotional symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury. BMC MEDICAL GENETICS 2018; 19:13. [PMID: 29357818 PMCID: PMC5776765 DOI: 10.1186/s12881-017-0518-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is one of the most abundant neurotrophins in the adult brain, and it plays important roles in modulating synaptic plasticity and synaptogenesis. This study attempted to elucidate the role of the BDNF variant rs6265 in emotional symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). METHODS To investigate the association between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265) and emotional symptoms in mTBI patients, we recruited 192 mTBI patients and evaluated their Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores in the first and sixth week after mTBI. RESULTS The patients carrying the T allele of rs6265 had significantly higher BAI scores in the first week following mTBI. In addition, the patients carrying the T allele also showed higher scores of BDI in the first week. In the gender-specific subgroup analysis, the male patients carrying the T allele of rs6265 had higher scores of both BAI and BDI in the first and sixth week. Meanwhile, female patients carrying the T allele also had significantly higher scores of BDI in the first week following mTBI. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence for the association between the BDNF variant rs6265 and emotional symptoms following mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jia Wang
- Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Pharmacy, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Yun Chen
- Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Na Kuo
- Department of Pharmacy, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chang Wang
- Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wen Hsu
- Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Henry Sung-Ching Wong
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Min Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Hsing Liao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Feng Zhang
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL USA
| | - Yung-Hsiao Chiang
- Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chiao Chang
- Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Pharmacy, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Master Program for Clinical Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoproteomics, School of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Center for Biomarkers and Biotech Drugs, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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24
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Plieger T, Felten A, Splittgerber H, Duke É, Reuter M. The role of genetic variation in the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) and mineralocorticoid receptor (NR3C2) in the association between cortisol response and cognition under acute stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 87:173-180. [PMID: 29100174 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Although HPA - axis reactivity has repeatedly been related to cognitive functioning, ambiguity remains regarding the direction of the effect, i.e. whether it benefits or impairs functioning. Genetic factors that contribute to HPA - axis reactivity on the one hand and to cognitive functioning on the other could therefore help clarify the association between stress and cognition. We genotyped 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the NR3C1 gene (rs10482682, rs33389, rs10482633, rs10515522, rs2963156, rs4128428, rs9324918, rs41423247, rs6189, rs10052957) coding for the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and 4 SNPs on the NR3C2 gene (rs6810951, rs4635799, rs11099695, rs2070950) coding for the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and required N=126 healthy males to perform tasks assessing attention and reasoning before and after experiencing an acute laboratory stressor (the Socially Evaluated Cold Pressor Test, SECPT). Haplotype analyses revealed significant effects of NR3C1 (p=0.011) and NR3C2 (p=0.034) on cortisol stress response. NR3C2 also influenced attentional performance via an interaction with stress-induced cortisol response (p<0.001). Neither NR3C1 haplotype nor NR3C2 haplotype was associated with reasoning abilities. Results suggest that the association between stress induced cortisol reactivity and cognition strongly depends on genetic variation. The idea of an optimal arousal level depending on stress reactivity and genetic disposition is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Plieger
- Department of Psychology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Bonn, Germany.
| | - Andrea Felten
- Department of Psychology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Bonn, Germany
| | - Hanna Splittgerber
- Department of Psychology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Bonn, Germany
| | - Éilish Duke
- Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK
| | - Martin Reuter
- Department of Psychology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Bonn, Germany
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25
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Assessment of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor in hair to study stress responses: A pilot investigation. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 86:134-143. [PMID: 28957772 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
To study pathogenic stress-effects in health and disease, it is paramount to define easy access parameters for non-invasive analysis of biological change in response to stress. Hair samples successfully provide this access for the study of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) changes. In this study, we assess the hair expression and corresponding epigenetic changes of a neurotrophin essential for autonomic nervous system function and mental health: brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In three independent studies in healthy academic volunteers (study I: German students, N=36; study II, German academic population sample, N=28; study III: Mexican students, N=115), BDNF protein expression or BDNF gene (BDNF) histone acetylation was determined. Simultaneously, mental distress and distress-associated somatic complaints were assessed by self-report. In study I, we found a negative correlation between hair-BDNF protein level and hair-cortisol as well as between hair-BDNF and somatic complaints, while hair-cortisol correlated positively with mental distress. In study II, we found a negative correlation between H4 histone acetylation at the BDNF gene P4-promoter and somatic complaints. Regression analysis confirmed confounder stability of associations in both studies. In study III, we confirmed study I and found lower hair-BDNF protein level in volunteers with high somatic complaints, who also reported higher mental distress during the end of term exams. The results indicate that BDNF protein levels can be detected in clipped hair and are associated with somatic complaints and stress in life. In addition, we concluded that plucked hair can provide material for the study of epigenetic changes in stress-affected tissues. These tools can prove valuable for future studies on distress, both under experimental and field conditions.
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Jiang R, Babyak MA, Brummett BH, Hauser ER, Shah SH, Becker RC, Siegler IC, Singh A, Haynes C, Chryst-Ladd M, Craig DM, Williams RB. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor rs6265 (Val66Met) polymorphism is associated with disease severity and incidence of cardiovascular events in a patient cohort. Am Heart J 2017; 190:40-45. [PMID: 28760212 DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rs6265 (Val66Met) single-nucleotide polymorphism in the BDNF gene has been related to a number of endophenotypes that have in turn been shown to confer risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). To date, however, very few studies have examined the association of the Val66Met single-nucleotide polymorphism with CVD clinical outcomes. METHODS In a cohort of 5,510 Caucasian patients enrolled in the CATHeterization GENetics (CATHGEN) study at Duke University Hospital between 2001 and 2011, we determined the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and CVD event incidence through up to 11.8years of follow-up. We examined the association of Val66Met genotype with time-to-death or myocardial infarction, adjusting for age, sex, CAD risk variables, and CAD severity measures. RESULTS The Val/Val genotype was associated with a higher risk than Met carriers for clinical CVD events (P=.034, hazard ratio 1.12, 95% CI 1.01-1.24). In addition, compared with Met carriers, individuals with the Val/Val genotype had a greater odds of having more diseased vessels (odds ratio 1.17, 95% CI 1.06-1.30, P=.002), and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (β=-0.72, 95% CI, -1.42 to -0.02, P=.044). CONCLUSIONS The Val/Val genotype was associated with greater severity of CAD and incidence of CVD-related clinical events in a patient sample. If these findings are confirmed in further research, intervention studies in clinical groups with the Val/Val genotype could be undertaken to prevent disease and improve prognosis.
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