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Hellwig AF, Wroblewski KL, Krol KM, Connelly JJ, Allen JP. Epigenetic regulation of the oxytocin system as an indicator of adaptation to over-controlling parenting and psychosocial functioning in adulthood. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 168:107123. [PMID: 39002450 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
The oxytocin system plays a role in social stress adaptation, and this role is likely to be particularly important in adolescence. One method of regulating the oxytocin system is through DNA methylation in the promoter of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTRm), which reduces the gene's expression. This multi-method, longitudinal study, using a diverse community sample of 184 adolescents followed from age 13-28, examined the links between OXTRm and exposure to over-controlling parenting in adolescence and conflict with romantic partners and internalizing symptoms in adulthood. Female, but not male, adolescents who were exposed to psychologically controlling parenting at age 13 had lower levels of OXTRm at site -924 at age 28. Reduced OXTRm at site -924 was associated with greater romantic partner-reported relationship conflict at age 27, and reduced OXTRm at site -934 was marginally associated with greater participant-reported conflict for males. Reduced OXTRm at site -924 was also associated with fewer internalizing symptoms at ages 24-25. These results in adulthood are consistent with an upregulated oxytocin system reducing the salience of negative socioemotional stimuli. Overall, findings are consistent with oxytocin playing a role in the stress response system, and more specifically, by helping us to adapt to social environments like parenting and romantic relationships, reducing the salience of negativity, and reducing risk for common emotional problems.
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Tian H, Gao S, Xu M, Yang M, Shen M, Liu J, Li G, Zhuang D, Hu Z, Wang C. tiRNA-Gly-GCC-001 in major depressive disorder: Promising diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:1952-1972. [PMID: 38439581 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In major depressive disorder (MDD), exploration of biomarkers will be helpful in diagnosing the disorder as well as in choosing a treatment and predicting the treatment response. Currently, tRNA-derived small ribonucleic acids (tsRNAs) have been established as promising non-invasive biomarker candidates that may enable a more reliable diagnosis or monitoring of various diseases. Herein, we aimed to explore tsRNA expression together with functional activities in MDD development. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Serum samples were obtained from patients with MDD and healthy controls, and small RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was used to profile tsRNA expression. Dysregulated tsRNAs in MDD were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The diagnostic utility of specific tsRNAs and the expression of these tsRNAs after antidepressant treatment were analysed. KEY RESULTS In total, 38 tsRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in MDD samples relative to healthy individuals (34 up-regulated and 4 down-regulated). qRT-PCR was used to validate the expression of six tsRNAs that were up-regulated in MDD (tiRNA-1:20-chrM.Ser-GCT, tiRNA-1:33-Gly-GCC-1, tRF-1:22-chrM.Ser-GCT, tRF-1:31-Ala-AGC-4-M6, tRF-1:31-Pro-TGG-2 and tRF-1:32-chrM.Gln-TTG). Interestingly, serum tiRNA-Gly-GCC-001 levels exhibited an area under the ROC curve of 0.844. Moreover, tiRNA-Gly-GCC-001 is predicted to suppress brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. Furthermore, significant tiRNA-Gly-GCC-001 down-regulation was evident following an 8-week treatment course and served as a promising baseline predictor of patient response to antidepressant therapy. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Our current work reports for the first time that tiRNA-Gly-GCC-001 is a promising MDD biomarker candidate that can predict patient responses to antidepressant therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haihua Tian
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shugui Gao
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Miaomiao Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengyuan Shen
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jimeng Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guangxue Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dingding Zhuang
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhenyu Hu
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chuang Wang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
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Grover LE, Williamson C, Burdett H, Palmer L, Fear NT. Level of perceived social support, and associated factors, in combat-exposed (ex-)military personnel: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2024:10.1007/s00127-024-02685-3. [PMID: 38771350 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-024-02685-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Combat deployment increases exposure to potentially traumatic events. Perceived social support (PSS) may promote health and recovery from combat trauma. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize studies investigating the level of PSS and associated factors among (ex-)military personnel who served in the Iraq/Afghanistan conflicts. METHODS Five electronic databases were searched in August 2023 and searches were restricted to the beginning of the Iraq/Afghanistan conflicts in 2001. The search was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A quality assessment was carried out, and a meta-analysis and narrative synthesis were performed. RESULTS In total, 35 papers consisting of 19,073 participants were included. Of these, 31 studies were conducted in the United States (US) and 23 were cross-sectional. The pooled mean PSS score was 54.40 (95% CI: 51.78 to 57.01). Samples with probable post-traumatic stress disorder had a lower mean PSS score (44.40, 95% CI: 39.10 to 49.70). Approximately half of the included studies (n = 19) investigated mental health in relation to PSS, whilst only four explored physical health. The most frequently reported risk factors for low PSS included post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety, whilst post-traumatic growth and unit support were protective factors. CONCLUSION Higher levels of PSS were generally associated with more positive psychosocial and mental health-related outcomes following deployment. PSS should be targeted in psychosocial interventions and education programmes. Future research should investigate PSS in (ex-)military personnel across other countries and cultures, based on the lack of studies that focused on PSS in countries outside of the US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Grover
- King's College London, King's Centre for Military Health Research, London, SE5 9RJ, UK.
| | - Charlotte Williamson
- King's College London, King's Centre for Military Health Research, London, SE5 9RJ, UK
| | - Howard Burdett
- King's College London, King's Centre for Military Health Research, London, SE5 9RJ, UK
| | - Laura Palmer
- King's College London, King's Centre for Military Health Research, London, SE5 9RJ, UK
| | - Nicola T Fear
- King's College London, King's Centre for Military Health Research, London, SE5 9RJ, UK
- Academic Department of Military Mental Health, King's College London, London, SE5 9RJ, UK
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Dee G, Ryznar R, Dee C. Epigenetic Changes Associated with Different Types of Stressors and Suicide. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091258. [PMID: 37174656 PMCID: PMC10177343 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress is associated with various epigenetic changes. Some stress-induced epigenetic changes are highly dynamic, whereas others are associated with lasting marks on the epigenome. In our study, a comprehensive narrative review of the literature was performed by investigating the epigenetic changes that occur with acute stress, chronic stress, early childhood stress, and traumatic stress exposures, along with examining those observed in post-mortem brains or blood samples of suicide completers and attempters. In addition, the transgenerational effects of these changes are reported. For all types of stress studies examined, the genes Nr3c1, OXTR, SLC6A4, and BDNF reproducibly showed epigenetic changes, with some modifications observed to be passed down to subsequent generations following stress exposures. The aforementioned genes are known to be involved in neuronal development and hormonal regulation and are all associated with susceptibility to mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Further research is warranted in order to determine the scope of epigenetic actionable targets in individuals suffering from the long-lasting effects of stressful experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrett Dee
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Parker, CO 80112, USA
| | - Rebecca Ryznar
- Molecular Biology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rocky Vista University, Parker, CO 80112, USA
| | - Colton Dee
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA 50312, USA
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5
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Marazziti D, Carter CS, Carmassi C, Della Vecchia A, Mucci F, Pagni G, Carbone MG, Baroni S, Giannaccini G, Palego L, Dell’Osso L. Sex matters: The impact of oxytocin on healthy conditions and psychiatric disorders. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2022; 13:100165. [PMID: 36590869 PMCID: PMC9800179 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2022.100165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is involved in the regulation of physiological processes and emotional states, with increasing evidence for its beneficial actions being mediated by the autonomic and immune systems. Growing evidence suggests that OT plays a role in the pathophysiology of different psychiatric disorders. Given the limited information in humans the aim of this study was to retrospectively explore plasma OT levels in psychiatric patients, particularly focusing on sex-related differences, as compared with healthy controls. The patients studied here were divided into three groups diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depressive disorder (MDD). Plasma OT levels were significantly different between healthy men and women, with the latter showing higher values, while none of the three psychiatric groups showed sex-related differences in the parameters measured here. The intergroup analyses showed that the OT levels were significantly higher in OCD, lower in PTSD and even more reduced in MDD patients than in healthy subjects. These differences were also confirmed when gender was considered, with the exception of PTSD men, in whom OT levels were similar to those of healthy men. The present results indicated that OT levels were higher amongst healthy women than men, while a sex difference was less apparent or reversed in psychiatric patients. Reductions in sex differences in psychopathologies may be related to differential vulnerabilities in processes associated with basic adaptive and social functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Marazziti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy,Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences – UniCamillus, Rome, Italy,Corresponding author. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 57, 56100, Pisa, Italy.
| | - C. Sue Carter
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA,Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Claudia Carmassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Federico Mucci
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Italy,Department of Psychiatry, North-Western Tuscany Region NHS Local Health Unit, Lucca Zone, Lucca, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pagni
- Department of Psychiatry, North-Western Tuscany Region NHS Local Health Unit, Lunigiana Zone, Aulla, Italy
| | - Manuel G. Carbone
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Division of Psychiatry, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Stefano Baroni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Liliana Dell’Osso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
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Ran LY, Kong YT, Xiang JJ, Zeng Q, Zhang CY, Shi L, Qiu HT, Liu C, Wu LL, Li YL, Chen JM, Ai M, Wang W, Kuang L. Serum extracellular vesicle microRNA dysregulation and childhood trauma in adolescents with major depressive disorder. Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2022; 22:959-971. [PMID: 35659238 PMCID: PMC9589301 DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2022.7110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) seriously endangers adolescent mental and physical health. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are mediators of cellular communication and are involved in many physiological brain processes. Although EV miRNAshave been implicated in adults with major psychiatric disorders, investigation into their effects in adolescent MDDremains scarce. In discovery set, we conducted a genome-wide miRNA sequencing of serum EVs from 9 untreated adolescents with MDD and 8 matched healthy controls (HCs), identifying 32 differentially expressed miRNAs (18 upregulated and 14 downregulated). In the validation set, 8 differentially expressed and highly enriched miRNAs were verified in independent samples using RT-PCR, with 4 (miR-450a-2-3p, miR-3691-5p, miR-556-3p, and miR-2115-3p) of the 8 miRNAs found to be significantly elevated in 34 untreated adolescents with MDD compared with 38 HCs and consistent with the sequencing results. After the Bonferroni correction, we found that three miRNAs (miR-450a-2-3p, miR-556-3p, and miR-2115-3p) were still significantly different. Among them, miR-450a-2-3p showed the most markeddifferential expression and was able to diagnose disease with 67.6% sensitivity and 84.2% specificity. Furthermore, miR-450a-2-3p partially mediated the associations between total childhood trauma, emotional abuse, and physical neglect and adolescent MDD. We also found that the combination of miR-450a-2-3p and emotional abuse could effectively diagnose MDD in adolescents with 82.4% sensitivity and 81.6% specificity. Our data demonstrate the association of serum EV miRNA dysregulation with MDD pathophysiology and, furthermore, show that miRNAs may mediate the relationship between early stress and MDD susceptibility. We also provide a valid integrated model for the diagnosis of adolescent MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu-Yi Ran
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yi-Ting Kong
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiao-Jiao Xiang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qi Zeng
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chen-Yu Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hai-Tang Qiu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chuan Liu
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin-Li Wu
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ya-Lan Li
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jian-Mei Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ming Ai
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wo Wang
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Kuang
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Possible oxytocin-related biomarkers in anxiety and mood disorders. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 116:110531. [PMID: 35150782 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety and mood disorders are prevalent, disabling, and frequently difficult to treat. Such disorders are often comorbid and share similar characteristics. For more accurate diagnosis and improved treatment, a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of anxiety and mood disorders is important. Oxytocin, a neuropeptide synthesized in the hypothalamus, affects human psychology and behaviors such as social and affiliative behaviors, fear and emotion processing, and stress regulation. Thus, oxytocin is believed to exert anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects. This review article provides an overview of clinical studies on relationships between the oxytocin system and anxiety and mood disorders, focusing on oxytocin-related biomarker findings. Biomarkers used in such studies include central and peripheral oxytocin levels, analysis of oxytocin-related genes, and expression levels of oxytocin and oxytocin receptor genes in postmortem brains. Although a growing number of studies support the presence of oxytocinergic effects on anxiety and mood disorders, study results are heterogeneous and inconclusive. Moderating factors such as the characteristics of study populations, including sex, age, context, early life adversity, and attachment styles in patient cohorts, might affect the heterogeneity of the study results. Limitations in existing research such as small sample sizes, large dependence on peripheral sources of oxytocin, and inconsistent results between immunoassay methods complicate the interpretation of existing findings.
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8
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Multiple Aspects of Inappropriate Action of Renin-Angiotensin, Vasopressin, and Oxytocin Systems in Neuropsychiatric and Neurodegenerative Diseases. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11040908. [PMID: 35207180 PMCID: PMC8877782 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11040908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The cardiovascular system and the central nervous system (CNS) closely cooperate in the regulation of primary vital functions. The autonomic nervous system and several compounds known as cardiovascular factors, especially those targeting the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), the vasopressin system (VPS), and the oxytocin system (OTS), are also efficient modulators of several other processes in the CNS. The components of the RAS, VPS, and OTS, regulating pain, emotions, learning, memory, and other cognitive processes, are present in the neurons, glial cells, and blood vessels of the CNS. Increasing evidence shows that the combined function of the RAS, VPS, and OTS is altered in neuropsychiatric/neurodegenerative diseases, and in particular in patients with depression, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, autism, and schizophrenia. The altered function of the RAS may also contribute to CNS disorders in COVID-19. In this review, we present evidence that there are multiple causes for altered combined function of the RAS, VPS, and OTS in psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, such as genetic predispositions and the engagement of the RAS, VAS, and OTS in the processes underlying emotions, memory, and cognition. The neuroactive pharmaceuticals interfering with the synthesis or the action of angiotensins, vasopressin, and oxytocin can improve or worsen the effectiveness of treatment for neuropsychiatric/neurodegenerative diseases. Better knowledge of the multiple actions of the RAS, VPS, and OTS may facilitate programming the most efficient treatment for patients suffering from the comorbidity of neuropsychiatric/neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases.
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Boscarino JA, Adams RE, Urosevich TG, Hoffman SN, Kirchner HL, Chu X, Shi W, Boscarino JJ, Dugan RJ, Withey CA, Figley CR. Genetic and Psychosocial Risk Factors Associated with Suicide Among Community Veterans: Implications for Screening, Treatment and Precision Medicine. Pharmgenomics Pers Med 2022; 15:17-27. [PMID: 35058707 PMCID: PMC8765536 DOI: 10.2147/pgpm.s338244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Since veteran suicide is a concern and our knowledge of predictive factors is still limited, our objective was to assess risk factors for suicide, including genetic factors, among deployed veterans. Methods For this study, we surveyed 1730 veterans who were outpatients in a multi-hospital system in Pennsylvania. Altogether, 1041 veterans (60%) provided a DNA sample. The genetic risk variants investigated were within loci previously associated with PTSD and substance misuse, including CRHR1, CHRNA5, RORA, and FKBP5 genetic variations, which were used to calculate a polygenic risk score (range=0–8, mean=3.6, SD=1.4). Results Most veterans (56.2%) were deployed to Vietnam while significant numbers were deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other post-Vietnam conflicts. Overall, 95.1% of the veterans were male, their mean age was 56.2 (SD=12), and 95.6% were Caucasian. Among the veterans, 24% had high combat exposure. The prevalence of lifetime suicidal thoughts was 11.3%. Additionally, 5.7% ever developed a suicide plan or attempted suicide in their lifetimes. Among those with a history of a lifetime suicide attempt or suicide plan, the PTSD genetic risk score was significantly higher (OR=3.96 vs 3.55, p=0.033), but for suicidal thoughts, this association was not significant (p=0.717). In multivariable analysis (MVA) logistic regression, significant predictors of attempting suicide or having a suicide plan were history of depression (OR=5.04, p<0.001), PTSD genetic risk score (OR=1.25, p=0.036), history of childhood abuse/neglect (OR=2.24, p=0.009), and lifetime marijuana use (OR= 1.56, p=0.020). Conversely, rural residence was protective for suicide risk (OR=0.49; p=0.031). For suicidal thoughts, in the MVA genetic risk score was not significant (p=0.697), but history of child abuse/neglect (p<0.001), history of depression (p>0.001), low psychological resilience (p=0.004), and lifetime marijuana use (p=0.022) were significant. Discussion In this study, we identified genetic risk variants and other predictors for suicide among veterans that may have implications for future screening and clinical care. Further research is advised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Boscarino
- Department Population Health Sciences, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA, 17822, USA
- Correspondence: Joseph A Boscarino Department Population Health Sciences, Geisinger Clinic, 100 N. Academy Ave., 44-00, Danville, PA, 17822, USATel +1 570-214-9825 Email
| | - Richard E Adams
- Department Sociology, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | | | - Stuart N Hoffman
- Department Sleep Medicine, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA, 17822, USA
| | - H Lester Kirchner
- Department Population Health Sciences, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA, 17822, USA
| | - Xin Chu
- Obesity Institute, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA, 17822, USA
| | - Weixing Shi
- Obesity Institute, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA, 17822, USA
| | - Joseph J Boscarino
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, STC 7, Tampa, FL, 33606, USA
| | - Ryan J Dugan
- Department Population Health Sciences, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA, 17822, USA
| | - Carrie A Withey
- Department Population Health Sciences, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA, 17822, USA
| | - Charles R Figley
- School of Social Work, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
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Wang P, Wang SC, Liu X, Jia S, Wang X, Li T, Yu J, Parpura V, Wang YF. Neural Functions of Hypothalamic Oxytocin and its Regulation. ASN Neuro 2022; 14:17590914221100706. [PMID: 35593066 PMCID: PMC9125079 DOI: 10.1177/17590914221100706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT), a nonapeptide, has a variety of functions. Despite extensive studies on OT over past decades, our understanding of its neural functions and their regulation remains incomplete. OT is mainly produced in OT neurons in the supraoptic nucleus (SON), paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and accessory nuclei between the SON and PVN. OT exerts neuromodulatory effects in the brain and spinal cord. While magnocellular OT neurons in the SON and PVN mainly innervate the pituitary and forebrain regions, and parvocellular OT neurons in the PVN innervate brainstem and spinal cord, the two sets of OT neurons have close interactions histologically and functionally. OT expression occurs at early life to promote mental and physical development, while its subsequent decrease in expression in later life stage accompanies aging and diseases. Adaptive changes in this OT system, however, take place under different conditions and upon the maturation of OT release machinery. OT can modulate social recognition and behaviors, learning and memory, emotion, reward, and other higher brain functions. OT also regulates eating and drinking, sleep and wakefulness, nociception and analgesia, sexual behavior, parturition, lactation and other instinctive behaviors. OT regulates the autonomic nervous system, and somatic and specialized senses. Notably, OT can have different modulatory effects on the same function under different conditions. Such divergence may derive from different neural connections, OT receptor gene dimorphism and methylation, and complex interactions with other hormones. In this review, brain functions of OT and their underlying neural mechanisms as well as the perspectives of their clinical usage are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Stephani C. Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shuwei Jia
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaoran Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Neuroscience Laboratory for Translational Medicine, School of Mental Health, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
| | - Jiawei Yu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Kerqin District Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Yu-Feng Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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Danoff JS, Connelly JJ, Morris JP, Perkeybile AM. An epigenetic rheostat of experience: DNA methylation of OXTR as a mechanism of early life allostasis. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2021; 8:100098. [PMID: 35757665 PMCID: PMC9216658 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2021.100098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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