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Laricchiuta D, Papi M, Decandia D, Panuccio A, Cutuli D, Peciccia M, Mazzeschi C, Petrosini L. The role of glial cells in mental illness: a systematic review on astroglia and microglia as potential players in schizophrenia and its cognitive and emotional aspects. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1358450. [PMID: 38419655 PMCID: PMC10899480 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1358450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex and severe mental disorder that affects approximately 1% of the global population. It is characterized by a wide range of symptoms, including delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and behavior, and cognitive impairment. Recent research has suggested that the immune system dysregulation may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, and glial cells, such as astroglia and microglia known to be involved in neuroinflammation and immune regulation, have emerged as potential players in this process. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the glial hallmarks of schizophrenia, choosing as cellular candidate the astroglia and microglia, and focusing also on disease-associated psychological (cognitive and emotional) changes. We conducted a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for articles that investigated the differences in astroglia and microglia in patients with schizophrenia, published in the last 5 years. The present systematic review indicates that changes in the density, morphology, and functioning of astroglia and microglia may be involved in the development of schizophrenia. The glial alterations may contribute to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia by dysregulating neurotransmission and immune responses, worsening cognitive capabilities. The complex interplay of astroglial and microglial activation, genetic/epigenetic variations, and cognitive assessments underscores the intricate relationship between biological mechanisms, symptomatology, and cognitive functioning in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Laricchiuta
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Martina Papi
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Davide Decandia
- Laboratory of Experimental and Behavioral Neurophysiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Panuccio
- Laboratory of Experimental and Behavioral Neurophysiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Debora Cutuli
- Laboratory of Experimental and Behavioral Neurophysiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Peciccia
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Claudia Mazzeschi
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Laura Petrosini
- Laboratory of Experimental and Behavioral Neurophysiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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Channer B, Matt SM, Nickoloff-Bybel EA, Pappa V, Agarwal Y, Wickman J, Gaskill PJ. Dopamine, Immunity, and Disease. Pharmacol Rev 2023; 75:62-158. [PMID: 36757901 PMCID: PMC9832385 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.122.000618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurotransmitter dopamine is a key factor in central nervous system (CNS) function, regulating many processes including reward, movement, and cognition. Dopamine also regulates critical functions in peripheral organs, such as blood pressure, renal activity, and intestinal motility. Beyond these functions, a growing body of evidence indicates that dopamine is an important immunoregulatory factor. Most types of immune cells express dopamine receptors and other dopaminergic proteins, and many immune cells take up, produce, store, and/or release dopamine, suggesting that dopaminergic immunomodulation is important for immune function. Targeting these pathways could be a promising avenue for the treatment of inflammation and disease, but despite increasing research in this area, data on the specific effects of dopamine on many immune cells and disease processes remain inconsistent and poorly understood. Therefore, this review integrates the current knowledge of the role of dopamine in immune cell function and inflammatory signaling across systems. We also discuss the current understanding of dopaminergic regulation of immune signaling in the CNS and peripheral tissues, highlighting the role of dopaminergic immunomodulation in diseases such as Parkinson's disease, several neuropsychiatric conditions, neurologic human immunodeficiency virus, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and others. Careful consideration is given to the influence of experimental design on results, and we note a number of areas in need of further research. Overall, this review integrates our knowledge of dopaminergic immunology at the cellular, tissue, and disease level and prompts the development of therapeutics and strategies targeted toward ameliorating disease through dopaminergic regulation of immunity. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Canonically, dopamine is recognized as a neurotransmitter involved in the regulation of movement, cognition, and reward. However, dopamine also acts as an immune modulator in the central nervous system and periphery. This review comprehensively assesses the current knowledge of dopaminergic immunomodulation and the role of dopamine in disease pathogenesis at the cellular and tissue level. This will provide broad access to this information across fields, identify areas in need of further investigation, and drive the development of dopaminergic therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breana Channer
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (B.C., S.M.M., E.A.N-B., Y.A., J.W., P.J.G.); and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (V.P.)
| | - Stephanie M Matt
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (B.C., S.M.M., E.A.N-B., Y.A., J.W., P.J.G.); and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (V.P.)
| | - Emily A Nickoloff-Bybel
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (B.C., S.M.M., E.A.N-B., Y.A., J.W., P.J.G.); and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (V.P.)
| | - Vasiliki Pappa
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (B.C., S.M.M., E.A.N-B., Y.A., J.W., P.J.G.); and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (V.P.)
| | - Yash Agarwal
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (B.C., S.M.M., E.A.N-B., Y.A., J.W., P.J.G.); and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (V.P.)
| | - Jason Wickman
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (B.C., S.M.M., E.A.N-B., Y.A., J.W., P.J.G.); and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (V.P.)
| | - Peter J Gaskill
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (B.C., S.M.M., E.A.N-B., Y.A., J.W., P.J.G.); and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (V.P.)
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Yang F, Hong X, Tao J, Chen Y, Zhang Y, Xiao H. Hair cortisol, social support, personality traits, and clinical course: differences in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e2412. [PMID: 34775692 PMCID: PMC8671778 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the differences in the relationship between hair cortisol concentration (HCC) and psychosocial stress, social support, clinical features, clinical course, and outcome in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. METHODS A total of 109 schizophrenia patients, 93 bipolar disorder patients and 86 healthy controls between 18 and 60 years old were enrolled in the study. Linear regression and factor analysis were employed to examine and compare the relationship between HCC and childhood trauma, the number of stressful life events, the amount of social support in the three months before the hair cortisol assessment, clinical fearures, clinical course, and outcome in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. RESULTS HCC is significantly associated with clinical syndromes, including depression-anxiety factor of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale in schizophrenia patients, and thought disorder in bipolar disorder patients. However, HCC is positively related to social support and personality traits only in schizophrenia patients but not in bipolar disorder patients. Factor analysis indicates schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share a very similar but somewhat different structure in terms of HCC, psychosocial stress, social support, clinical features, clinical course, and outcome. CONCLUSION Findings support that schizophrenia and bipolar disoder have a significant overlap in both clinical characteristics and enviromental risk factors. Aberrant HCC contributes to the complexity of clinical characteristics mainly in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuzhong Yang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangfei Hong
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Tao
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yupeng Chen
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanbo Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Hua Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Yan YJ, Huang J, Lui SSY, Cheung EFC, Madsen KH, Chan RCK. The effect of effort-reward imbalance on brain structure and resting-state functional connectivity in individuals with high levels of schizotypal traits. Cogn Neuropsychiatry 2021; 26:166-182. [PMID: 33706673 DOI: 10.1080/13546805.2021.1899906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Effort-reward imbalance (ERI) is a typical psychosocial stress. Schizotypal traits are attenuated features of schizophrenia in the general population. According to the diathesis-stress model, schizotypal traits and psychosocial stress contribute to the onset of schizophrenia. However, few studies examined the effects of these factors on brain alterations. This study aimed to examine relationships between ERI, schizotypal traits and brain structures and functions. METHODS We recruited 37 (13 male, 24 female) participants with high levels of schizotypal traits and 36 (12 male, 24 female) participants with low levels of schizotypal traits by the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ). The Chinese school version of the effort-reward imbalance questionnaire (C-ERI-S) was used to measure ERI. We conducted the voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and whole brain resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) analysis using reward or stress-related regions as seeds. RESULTS Participants with high levels of schizotypal traits were more likely to perceive ERI. The severity of ERI was correlated with grey matter volume (GMV) reduction of the left pallidum and altered rsFC among the prefrontal, striatum and cerebellum in participants with high levels of schizotypal traits. CONCLUSION ERI is associated with GMV reduction and altered rsFC in individuals with high levels of schizotypal traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Jie Yan
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Sino-Danish College of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Sino-Danish Centre for Education and Research, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Huang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Department of Psychology, the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Simon S Y Lui
- Castle Peak Hospital, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Kristoffer H Madsen
- Sino-Danish College of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Sino-Danish Centre for Education and Research, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark.,Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Raymond C K Chan
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Sino-Danish College of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Sino-Danish Centre for Education and Research, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Department of Psychology, the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Iliopoulou SM, Tsartsalis S, Kaiser S, Millet P, Tournier BB. Dopamine and Neuroinflammation in Schizophrenia - Interpreting the Findings from Translocator Protein (18kDa) PET Imaging. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2021; 17:3345-3357. [PMID: 34819729 PMCID: PMC8608287 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s334027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex disease whose pathophysiology is not yet fully understood. In addition to the long prevailing dopaminergic hypothesis, the evidence suggests that neuroinflammation plays a role in the pathophysiology of the disease. Recent studies using positron emission tomography (PET) that target a 18kDa translocator protein (TSPO) in activated microglial cells in an attempt to measure neuroinflammation in patients have shown a decrease or a lack of an increase in TSPO binding. Many biological and methodological considerations have been formulated to explain these findings. Although dopamine has been described as an immunomodulatory molecule, its potential role in neuroinflammation has not been explored in the aforementioned studies. In this review, we discuss the interactions between dopamine and neuroinflammation in psychotic states. Dopamine may inhibit neuroinflammation in activated microglia. Proinflammatory molecules released from microglia may decrease dopaminergic transmission. This could potentially explain why the levels of neuroinflammation in the brain of patients with schizophrenia seem to be unchanged or decreased compared to those in healthy subjects. However, most data are indirect and are derived from animal studies or from studies performed outside the field of schizophrenia. Further studies are needed to combine TSPO and dopamine imaging to study the association between microglial activation and dopamine system function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sotiria Maria Iliopoulou
- Adult Psychiatry Division, Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, 1225, Switzerland
| | | | - Stefan Kaiser
- Adult Psychiatry Division, Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, 1225, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, 1204, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Millet
- Adult Psychiatry Division, Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, 1225, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, 1204, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin B Tournier
- Adult Psychiatry Division, Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, 1225, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, 1204, Switzerland
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Cumming P, Abi-Dargham A, Gründer G. Molecular imaging of schizophrenia: Neurochemical findings in a heterogeneous and evolving disorder. Behav Brain Res 2020; 398:113004. [PMID: 33197459 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.113004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The past four decades have seen enormous efforts placed on a search for molecular markers of schizophrenia using positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). In this narrative review, we cast a broad net to define and summarize what researchers have learned about schizophrenia from molecular imaging studies. Some PET studies of brain energy metabolism with the glucose analogue FDGhave have shown a hypofrontality defect in patients with schizophrenia, but more generally indicate a loss of metabolic coherence between different brain regions. An early finding of significantly increased striatal trapping of the dopamine synthesis tracer FDOPA has survived a meta-analysis of many replications, but the increase is not pathognomonic of the disorder, since one half of patients have entirely normal dopamine synthesis capacity. Similarly, competition SPECT studies show greater basal and amphetamine-evoked dopamine occupancy at post-synaptic dopamine D2/3 receptors in patients with schizophrenia, but the difference is likewise not pathognomonic. We thus propose that molecular imaging studies of brain dopamine indicate neurochemical heterogeneity within the diagnostic entity of schizophrenia. Occupancy studies have established the relevant target engagement by antipsychotic medications at dopamine D2/3 receptors in living brain. There is evidence for elevated frontal cortical dopamine D1 receptors, especially in relation to cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. There is a general lack of consistent findings of abnormalities in serotonin markers, but some evidence for decreased levels of nicotinic receptors in patients. There are sparse and somewhat inconsistent findings of reduced binding of muscarinic, glutamate, and opioid receptors ligands, inconsistent findings of microglial activation, and very recently, evidence of globally reduced levels of synaptic proteins in brain of patients. One study reports a decline in histone acetylase binding that is confined to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. In most contexts, the phase of the disease and effects of past or present medication can obscure or confound PET and SPECT findings in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Cumming
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University, Bern, Switzerland; School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Anissa Abi-Dargham
- Stony Brook University, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Gerhard Gründer
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Department of Molecular Neuroimaging, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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Ellis JK, Walker EF, Goldsmith DR. Selective Review of Neuroimaging Findings in Youth at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis: On the Path to Biomarkers for Conversion. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:567534. [PMID: 33173516 PMCID: PMC7538833 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.567534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
First episode psychosis (FEP), and subsequent diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, predominantly occurs during late adolescence, is accompanied by a significant decline in function and represents a traumatic experience for patients and families alike. Prior to first episode psychosis, most patients experience a prodromal period of 1-2 years, during which symptoms first appear and then progress. During that time period, subjects are referred to as being at Clinical High Risk (CHR), as a prodromal period can only be designated in hindsight in those who convert. The clinical high-risk period represents a critical window during which interventions may be targeted to slow or prevent conversion to psychosis. However, only one third of subjects at clinical high risk will convert to psychosis and receive a formal diagnosis of a primary psychotic disorder. Therefore, in order for targeted interventions to be developed and applied, predicting who among this population will convert is of critical importance. To date, a variety of neuroimaging modalities have identified numerous differences between CHR subjects and healthy controls. However, complicating attempts at predicting conversion are increasingly recognized co-morbidities, such as major depressive disorder, in a significant number of CHR subjects. The result of this is that phenotypes discovered between CHR subjects and healthy controls are likely non-specific to psychosis and generalized for major mental illness. In this paper, we selectively review evidence for neuroimaging phenotypes in CHR subjects who later converted to psychosis. We then evaluate the recent landscape of machine learning as it relates to neuroimaging phenotypes in predicting conversion to psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin K Ellis
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Elaine F Walker
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - David R Goldsmith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Mittal VA, Walker EF. Advances in the neurobiology of stress and psychosis. Schizophr Res 2019; 213:1-5. [PMID: 31575430 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2019.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Vijay A Mittal
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, 2029 Sheridan Road, Swift 202, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
| | - Elaine F Walker
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA, USA 30322.
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