1
|
Toso A, Wermuth AP, Arazi A, Braun A, Jong TG', Uhlhaas PJ, Donner TH. 40 Hz Steady-State Response in Human Auditory Cortex Is Shaped by Gabaergic Neuronal Inhibition. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e2029232024. [PMID: 38670804 PMCID: PMC11170946 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2029-23.2024] [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: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The 40 Hz auditory steady-state response (ASSR), an oscillatory brain response to periodically modulated auditory stimuli, is a promising, noninvasive physiological biomarker for schizophrenia and related neuropsychiatric disorders. The 40 Hz ASSR might be amplified by synaptic interactions in cortical circuits, which are, in turn, disturbed in neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we tested whether the 40 Hz ASSR in the human auditory cortex depends on two key synaptic components of neuronal interactions within cortical circuits: excitation via N-methyl-aspartate glutamate (NMDA) receptors and inhibition via gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) receptors. We combined magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings with placebo-controlled, low-dose pharmacological interventions in the same healthy human participants (13 males, 7 females). All participants exhibited a robust 40 Hz ASSR in auditory cortices, especially in the right hemisphere, under a placebo. The GABAA receptor-agonist lorazepam increased the amplitude of the 40 Hz ASSR, while no effect was detectable under the NMDA blocker memantine. Our findings indicate that the 40 Hz ASSR in the auditory cortex involves synaptic (and likely intracortical) inhibition via the GABAA receptor, thus highlighting its utility as a mechanistic signature of cortical circuit dysfunctions involving GABAergic inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Toso
- Section Computational Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg- Eppendorf, Hamburg 20251, Germany
| | - Annika P Wermuth
- Section Computational Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg- Eppendorf, Hamburg 20251, Germany
| | - Ayelet Arazi
- Section Computational Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg- Eppendorf, Hamburg 20251, Germany
| | - Anke Braun
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Tineke Grent-'t Jong
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QB, United Kingdom
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin 13353, Germany
| | - Peter J Uhlhaas
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QB, United Kingdom
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin 13353, Germany
| | - Tobias H Donner
- Section Computational Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg- Eppendorf, Hamburg 20251, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pathak S, Nadar R, Kim S, Liu K, Govindarajulu M, Cook P, Watts Alexander CS, Dhanasekaran M, Moore T. The Influence of Kynurenine Metabolites on Neurodegenerative Pathologies. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:853. [PMID: 38255925 PMCID: PMC10815839 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020853] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
As the kynurenine pathway's links to inflammation, the immune system, and neurological disorders became more apparent, it attracted more and more attention. It is the main pathway through which the liver breaks down Tryptophan and the initial step in the creation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) in mammals. Immune system activation and the buildup of potentially neurotoxic substances can result from the dysregulation or overactivation of this pathway. Therefore, it is not shocking that kynurenines have been linked to neurological conditions (Depression, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Huntington's Disease, Schizophrenia, and cognitive deficits) in relation to inflammation. Nevertheless, preclinical research has demonstrated that kynurenines are essential components of the behavioral analogs of depression and schizophrenia-like cognitive deficits in addition to mediators associated with neurological pathologies due to their neuromodulatory qualities. Neurodegenerative diseases have been extensively associated with neuroactive metabolites of the kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan breakdown. In addition to being a necessary amino acid for protein synthesis, Tryptophan is also transformed into the important neurotransmitters tryptamine and serotonin in higher eukaryotes. In this article, a summary of the KP, its function in neurodegeneration, and the approaches being used currently to target the route therapeutically are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suhrud Pathak
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Rishi Nadar
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Shannon Kim
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Keyi Liu
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Manoj Govindarajulu
- Blast-Induced Neurotrauma Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Preston Cook
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | | | - Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Timothy Moore
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mohan KN. Editorial: New insights into investigating schizophrenia as a disorder of molecular pathways. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1360616. [PMID: 38274843 PMCID: PMC10805877 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1360616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kommu Naga Mohan
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, India
- Centre for Human Disease Research, BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, India
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lv Y, Wen L, Hu WJ, Deng C, Ren HW, Bao YN, Su BW, Gao P, Man ZY, Luo YY, Li CJ, Xiang ZX, Wang B, Luan ZL. Schizophrenia in the genetic era: a review from development history, clinical features and genomic research approaches to insights of susceptibility genes. Metab Brain Dis 2024; 39:147-171. [PMID: 37542622 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-023-01271-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a devastating neuropsychiatric disorder affecting 1% of the world population and ranks as one of the disorders providing the most severe burden for society. Schizophrenia etiology remains obscure involving multi-risk factors, such as genetic, environmental, nutritional, and developmental factors. Complex interactions of genetic and environmental factors have been implicated in the etiology of schizophrenia. This review provides an overview of the historical origins, pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnosis, clinical symptoms and corresponding treatment of schizophrenia. In addition, as schizophrenia is a polygenic, genetic disorder caused by the combined action of multiple micro-effective genes, we further detail several approaches, such as candidate gene association study (CGAS) and genome-wide association study (GWAS), which are commonly used in schizophrenia genomics studies. A number of GWASs about schizophrenia have been performed with the hope to identify novel, consistent and influential risk genetic factors. Finally, some schizophrenia susceptibility genes have been identified and reported in recent years and their biological functions are also listed. This review may serve as a summary of past research on schizophrenia genomics and susceptibility genes (NRG1, DISC1, RELN, BDNF, MSI2), which may point the way to future schizophrenia genetics research. In addition, depending on the above discovery of susceptibility genes and their exact function, the development and application of antipsychotic drugs will be promoted in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Lv
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Lin Wen
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Wen-Juan Hu
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Chong Deng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116027, China
| | - Hui-Wen Ren
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Ya-Nan Bao
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Bo-Wei Su
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Ping Gao
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Zi-Yue Man
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Yi-Yang Luo
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Cheng-Jie Li
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Zhi-Xin Xiang
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Bing Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Central hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116000, China.
| | - Zhi-Lin Luan
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dugan C, Zikopoulos B, Yazdanbakhsh A. A neural modeling approach to study mechanisms underlying the heterogeneity of visual spatial frequency sensitivity in schizophrenia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.18.563001. [PMID: 37904992 PMCID: PMC10614973 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.18.563001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Patients with schizophrenia exhibit abnormalities in spatial frequency sensitivity, and it is believed that these abnormalities indicate more widespread dysfunction and dysregulation of bottom-up processing. The early visual system, including the first-order Lateral Geniculate Nucleus of the thalamus (LGN) and the primary visual cortex (V1), are key contributors to spatial frequency sensitivity. Medicated and unmedicated patients with schizophrenia exhibit contrasting changes in spatial frequency sensitivity, thus making it a useful probe for examining potential effects of the disorder and antipsychotic medications in neural processing. We constructed a parameterized, rate-based neural model of on-center/off-surround neurons in the early visual system to investigate the impacts of changes to the excitatory and inhibitory receptive field subfields. By incorporating changes in both the excitatory and inhibitory subfields that are associated with pathophysiological findings in schizophrenia, the model successfully replicated perceptual data from behavioral/functional studies involving medicated and unmedicated patients. Among several plausible mechanisms, our results highlight the dampening of excitation and/or increase in the spread and strength of the inhibitory subfield in medicated patients and the contrasting decreased spread and strength of inhibition in unmedicated patients. Given that the model was successful at replicating results from perceptual data under a variety of conditions, these elements of the receptive field may be useful markers for the imbalances seen in patients with schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Dugan
- Program in Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Basilis Zikopoulos
- Human Systems Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Arash Yazdanbakhsh
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
- Computational Neuroscience and Vision Laboratory, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhu J, Zikopoulos B, Yazdanbakhsh A. A neural model of modified excitation/inhibition and feedback levels in schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1199690. [PMID: 37900297 PMCID: PMC10600455 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1199690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The strength of certain visual illusions, including contrast-contrast and apparent motion, is weakened in individuals with schizophrenia. Such phenomena have been interpreted as the impaired integration of inhibitory and excitatory neural responses, and impaired top-down feedback mechanisms. Methods To investigate whether and how these factors influence the perceived contrast-contrast and apparent motion illusions in individuals with schizophrenia, we propose a two-layer network, with top-down feedback from layer 2 to layer 1 that can model visual receptive fields (RFs) and their inhibitory and excitatory subfields. Results Our neural model suggests that illusion perception changes in individuals with schizophrenia can be influenced by altered top-down mechanisms and the organization of the on-center off-surround receptive fields. Alteration of the RF inhibitory surround and/or the excitatory center can replicate the difference of illusion precepts between individuals with schizophrenia within certain clinical states and normal controls. The results show that the simulated top-down feedback modulation enlarges the difference of the model illusion representations, replicating the difference between the two groups. Discussion We propose that the heterogeneity of visual and in general sensory processing in certain clinical states of schizophrenia can be largely explained by the degree of top-down feedback reduction, emphasizing the critical role of top-down feedback in illusion perception, and to a lesser extent on the imbalance of excitation/inhibition. Our neural model provides a mechanistic explanation for the modulated visual percepts of contrast-contrast and apparent motion in schizophrenia with findings that can explain a broad range of visual perceptual observations in previous studies. The two-layer motif of the current model provides a general framework that can be tailored to investigate subcortico-cortical (such as thalamocortical) and cortico-cortical networks, bridging neurobiological changes in schizophrenia and perceptual processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiating Zhu
- Program in Brain, Behavior & Cognition, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Basilis Zikopoulos
- Human Systems Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Arash Yazdanbakhsh
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
- Computational Neuroscience and Vision Laboratory, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhu J, Zikopoulos B, Yazdanbakhsh A. A neural model of modified excitation/inhibition and feedback levels in schizophrenia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.24.538166. [PMID: 37162902 PMCID: PMC10168241 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.24.538166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The strength of certain visual illusions is weakened in individuals with schizophrenia. Such phenomena have been interpreted as the impaired integration of inhibitory and excitatory neural responses, and impaired top-down feedback mechanisms. To investigate whether and how these factors influence the perceived illusions in individuals with schizophrenia, we propose a two-layer network that can model visual receptive fields (RFs), their inhibitory and excitatory subfields, and the top-down feedback. Our neural model suggests that illusion perception changes in individuals with schizophrenia can be influenced by altered top-down mechanisms and the organization of the on-center off-surround receptive fields. Alteration of the RF inhibitory surround and/or the excitatory center can replicate the difference of illusion precepts between individuals with schizophrenia and normal controls. The results show that the simulated top-down feedback modulation enlarges the difference of the model illusion representations, replicating the difference between the two groups. We propose that the heterogeneity of visual and in general sensory processing in schizophrenia can be largely explained by the degree of top-down feedback reduction, emphasizing the critical role of top-down feedback in illusion perception, and to a lesser extent on the imbalance of excitation/inhibition. Our neural model provides a mechanistic explanation for the modulated visual percepts in schizophrenia with findings that can explain a broad range of visual perceptual observations in previous studies. The two-layer motif of the current model provides a general framework that can be tailored to investigate subcortico-cortical (such as thalamocortical) and cortico-cortical networks, bridging neurobiological changes in schizophrenia and perceptual processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiating Zhu
- Program in Brain, Behavior & Cognition, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Basilis Zikopoulos
- Human Systems Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Arash Yazdanbakhsh
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
- Computational Neuroscience and Vision Laboratory, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Schallmo MP, Weldon KB, Kamath RS, Moser HR, Montoya SA, Killebrew KW, Demro C, Grant AN, Marjańska M, Sponheim SR, Olman CA. The Psychosis Human Connectome Project: Design and rationale for studies of visual neurophysiology. Neuroimage 2023; 272:120060. [PMID: 36997137 PMCID: PMC10153004 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Visual perception is abnormal in psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. In addition to hallucinations, laboratory tests show differences in fundamental visual processes including contrast sensitivity, center-surround interactions, and perceptual organization. A number of hypotheses have been proposed to explain visual dysfunction in psychotic disorders, including an imbalance between excitation and inhibition. However, the precise neural basis of abnormal visual perception in people with psychotic psychopathology (PwPP) remains unknown. Here, we describe the behavioral and 7 tesla MRI methods we used to interrogate visual neurophysiology in PwPP as part of the Psychosis Human Connectome Project (HCP). In addition to PwPP (n = 66) and healthy controls (n = 43), we also recruited first-degree biological relatives (n = 44) in order to examine the role of genetic liability for psychosis in visual perception. Our visual tasks were designed to assess fundamental visual processes in PwPP, whereas MR spectroscopy enabled us to examine neurochemistry, including excitatory and inhibitory markers. We show that it is feasible to collect high-quality data across multiple psychophysical, functional MRI, and MR spectroscopy experiments with a sizable number of participants at a single research site. These data, in addition to those from our previously described 3 tesla experiments, will be made publicly available in order to facilitate further investigations by other research groups. By combining visual neuroscience techniques and HCP brain imaging methods, our experiments offer new opportunities to investigate the neural basis of abnormal visual perception in PwPP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael-Paul Schallmo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
| | - Kimberly B Weldon
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Rohit S Kamath
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Hannah R Moser
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Samantha A Montoya
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Kyle W Killebrew
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Caroline Demro
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Andrea N Grant
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Małgorzata Marjańska
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Scott R Sponheim
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Cheryl A Olman
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Fujihara K. Beyond the γ-aminobutyric acid hypothesis of schizophrenia. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1161608. [PMID: 37168420 PMCID: PMC10165250 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1161608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormalities in the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system have been reported in the postmortem brains of individuals with schizophrenia. In particular, the reduction of one of the GABA-synthesizing enzymes, the 67-kDa isoform of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD67), has garnered interest among researchers because of its role in the formation of γ-oscillations and its potential involvement in the cognitive dysfunction observed in schizophrenia. Although several animal models have been generated to simulate the alterations observed in postmortem brain studies, they exhibit inconsistent behavioral phenotypes, leading to conflicting views regarding their contributions to the pathogenesis and manifestation of schizophrenia symptoms. For instance, GAD67 knockout rats (also known as Gad1 knockout rats) exhibit marked impairments in spatial working memory, but other model animals do not. In this review, we summarize the phenotypic attributes of these animal models and contemplate the potential for secondary modifications that may arise from the disruption of the GABAergic nervous system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuyuki Fujihara
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
- Department of Genetic and Behavioral Neuroscience, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
- *Correspondence: Kazuyuki Fujihara,
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sun H, Zhang W, Cao H, Sun H, Dai J, Li S, Zeng J, Wei X, Tang B, Gong Q, Lui S. Linked brain connectivity patterns with psychopathological and cognitive phenotypes in drug-naïve first-episode schizophrenia. PSYCHORADIOLOGY 2022; 2:43-51. [PMID: 38665967 PMCID: PMC10994520 DOI: 10.1093/psyrad/kkac006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Schizophrenia is considered to be a disorder of dysconnectivity characterized by abnormal functional integration between distinct brain regions. Different brain connection abnormalities were found to be correlated with various clinical manifestations, but whether a common deficit in functional connectivity (FC) in relation to both clinical symptoms and cognitive impairments could present in first-episode patients who have never received any medication remains elusive. Objective To find a core deficit in the brain connectome that is related to both psychopathological and cognitive manifestations. Methods A total of 75 patients with first-episode schizophrenia and 51 healthy control participants underwent scanning of the brain and clinical ratings of behaviors. A principal component analysis was performed on the clinical ratings of symptom and cognition. Partial correlation analyses were conducted between the main psychopathological components and resting-state FC that were found abnormal in schizophrenia patients. Results Using the principal component analysis, the first principal component (PC1) explained 37% of the total variance of seven clinical features. The ratings of GAF and BACS contributed negatively to PC1, while those of PANSS, HAMD, and HAMA contributed positively. The FCs positively correlated with PC1 mainly included connections related to the insula, precuneus gyrus, and some frontal brain regions. FCs negatively correlated with PC1 mainly included connections between the left middle cingulate cortex and superior and middle occipital regions. Conclusion In conclusion, we found a linked pattern of FC associated with both psychopathological and cognitive manifestations in drug-naïve first-episode schizophrenia characterized as the dysconnection related to the frontal and visual cortex, which may represent a core deficit of brain FC in patients with schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Sun
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Hengyi Cao
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, China
- Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, 11030 Manhasset, NY, USA
- Division of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, 11004 Glen Oaks, NY, USA
| | - Huaiqiang Sun
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Dai
- Department of Psychoradiology, Chengdu Mental Health Center, 610031 Chengdu, China
| | - Siyi Li
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Jiaxin Zeng
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Xia Wei
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Biqiu Tang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Su Lui
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Yoon JH, Maddock RJ, Laufer J, Minzenberg MJ, Niendam TA, Lesh TA, Solomon M, Ragland JD, Carter C. Absence of altered in vivo concentration of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex GABA in recent onset schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2022; 243:383-384. [PMID: 34253429 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jong H Yoon
- Palo Alto VA Healthcare System, 3801 Miranda Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; Stanford University, 401 Quarry Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA.
| | - Richard J Maddock
- University of California, Davis, 4701 X St, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Jeremy Laufer
- Palo Alto VA Healthcare System, 3801 Miranda Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; Stanford University, 401 Quarry Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA
| | - Michael J Minzenberg
- California Neuromodulation Institute, 895 Moraga Road, Suite 15, Lafayette, CA, USA
| | - Tara A Niendam
- University of California, Davis, 4701 X St, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Tyler A Lesh
- University of California, Davis, 4701 X St, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Marjorie Solomon
- University of California, Davis, 4701 X St, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - J Daniel Ragland
- University of California, Davis, 4701 X St, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Cameron Carter
- University of California, Davis, 4701 X St, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Glutamatergic and GABAergic metabolite levels in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders: a meta-analysis of 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:744-757. [PMID: 34584230 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01297-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The glutamate (Glu) and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) hypotheses of schizophrenia were proposed in the 1980s. However, current findings on those metabolite levels in schizophrenia have been inconsistent, and the relationship between their abnormalities and the pathophysiology of schizophrenia remains unclear. To summarize the nature of the alterations of glutamatergic and GABAergic systems in schizophrenia, we conducted meta-analyses of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) studies examining these metabolite levels. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted using Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, and PubMed. Original studies that compared four metabolite levels (Glu, glutamine [Gln], Glx [Glu+Gln], and GABA), as measured by 1H-MRS, between individuals at high risk for psychosis, patients with first-episode psychosis, or patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls (HC) were included. A random-effects model was used to calculate the effect sizes for group differences in these metabolite levels of 18 regions of interest between the whole group or schizophrenia group and HC. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were performed based on the status of antipsychotic treatment, illness stage, treatment resistance, and magnetic field strength. RESULTS One-hundred-thirty-four studies met the eligibility criteria, totaling 7993 participants with SZ-spectrum disorders and 8744 HC. 14 out of 18 ROIs had enough numbers of studies to examine the group difference in the metabolite levels. In the whole group, Glx levels in the basal ganglia (g = 0.32; 95% CIs: 0.18-0.45) were elevated. Subgroup analyses showed elevated Glx levels in the hippocampus (g = 0.47; 95% CIs: 0.21-0.73) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (g = 0.25; 95% CIs: 0.05-0.44) in unmedicated patients than HC. GABA levels in the MCC were decreased in the first-episode psychosis group compared with HC (g = -0.40; 95% CIs: -0.62 to -0.17). Treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) group had elevated Glx and Glu levels in the MCC (Glx: g = 0.7; 95% CIs: 0.38-1.01; Glu: g = 0.63; 95% CIs: 0.31-0.94) while MCC Glu levels were decreased in the patient group except TRS (g = -0.17; 95% CIs: -0.33 to -0.01). CONCLUSIONS Increased glutamatergic metabolite levels and reduced GABA levels indicate that the disruption of excitatory/inhibitory balance may be related to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.
Collapse
|
13
|
Cai XL, Li GY, Wang LL, Zhao WW, Wang Y, Yan C, Lui SSY, Li JQ, Chan RCK. Striatal GABA level is associated with sensory integration ability in individuals with low levels of negative schizotypy. Psych J 2021; 11:205-213. [PMID: 34414691 DOI: 10.1002/pchj.479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that altered gamma-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) function may result in multisensory integration deficits in schizophrenia. However, it is unclear whether the GABA level is abnormal in individuals with high levels of schizotypal traits and how it would correlate with sensory integration ability in these individuals. This study aimed to compare the GABA level between individuals with high and low levels of negative schizotypy, and examine the relationship between GABA levels and sensory integration ability in each group. In vivo GABA+ and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels in the striatum were measured using proton magnetic resonance imaging in 19 participants with high levels of negative schizotypy and 21 participants with low levels of negative schizotypy. The Sensory Integration subscale of the abridged version of the Cambridge Neurological Inventory was used. We examined the group differences in GABA+/NAA levels, and the correlation between striatal GABA+/NAA levels and sensory integration ability in each group. The two groups showed comparable levels of in-vivo GABA+/NAA. In-vivo GABA+/NAA levels were negatively correlated with sensory integration score in participants with low levels of negative schizotypy, but not in participants with high levels of negative schizotypy. Our findings indicate that the increased GABA level is correlated with better sensory integration ability in individuals with low levels of negative schizotypy, implicating the role of GABAergic function in multisensory integration. Unlike schizophrenia patients, individuals with high levels of schizotypy do not exhibit any abnormality in their GABAergic system and sensory integration ability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Lu Cai
- Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China.,Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research, Beijing, China
| | - Gai-Ying Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling-Ling Wang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-Wei Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Yan
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (MOE&STCSM), Shanghai Changning-ECNU Mental Health Center, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Simon S Y Lui
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jian-Qi Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Raymond C K Chan
- Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Bai MY, Lovejoy DB, Guillemin GJ, Kozak R, Stone TW, Koola MM. Galantamine-Memantine Combination and Kynurenine Pathway Enzyme Inhibitors in the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Complex Psychiatry 2021; 7:19-33. [PMID: 35141700 PMCID: PMC8443947 DOI: 10.1159/000515066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The kynurenine pathway (KP) is a major route for L-tryptophan (L-TRP) metabolism, yielding a variety of bioactive compounds including kynurenic acid (KYNA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), quinolinic acid (QUIN), and picolinic acid (PIC). These tryptophan catabolites are involved in the pathogenesis of many neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly when the KP becomes dysregulated. Accordingly, the enzymes that regulate the KP such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO)/tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase, kynurenine aminotransferases (KATs), and kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) represent potential drug targets as enzymatic inhibition can favorably rebalance KP metabolite concentrations. In addition, the galantamine-memantine combination, through its modulatory effects at the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, may counteract the effects of KYNA. The aim of this review is to highlight the effectiveness of IDO-1, KAT II, and KMO inhibitors, as well as the galantamine-memantine combination in the modulation of different KP metabolites. KAT II inhibitors are capable of decreasing the KYNA levels in the rat brain by a maximum of 80%. KMO inhibitors effectively reduce the central nervous system (CNS) levels of 3-HK, while markedly boosting the brain concentration of KYNA. Emerging data suggest that the galantamine-memantine combination also lowers L-TRP, kynurenine, KYNA, and PIC levels in humans. Presently, there are only 2 pathophysiological mechanisms (cholinergic and glutamatergic) that are FDA approved for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction for which purpose the galantamine-memantine combination has been designed for clinical use against Alzheimer's disease. The alpha7 nicotinic-NMDA hypothesis targeted by the galantamine-memantine combination has been implicated in the pathophysiology of various CNS diseases. Similarly, KYNA is well capable of modulating the neuropathophysiology of these disorders. This is known as the KYNA-centric hypothesis, which may be implicated in the management of certain neuropsychiatric conditions. In line with this hypothesis, KYNA may be considered as the "conductor of the orchestra" for the major pathophysiological mechanisms underlying CNS disorders. Therefore, there is great opportunity to further explore and compare the biological effects of these therapeutic modalities in animal models with a special focus on their effects on KP metabolites in the CNS and with the ultimate goal of progressing to clinical trials for many neuropsychiatric diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Y. Bai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroinflammation Group, Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David B. Lovejoy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroinflammation Group, Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gilles J. Guillemin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroinflammation Group, Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rouba Kozak
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Trevor W. Stone
- Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Maju Mathew Koola
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Avery SN, McHugo M, Armstrong K, Blackford JU, Woodward ND, Heckers S. Stable habituation deficits in the early stage of psychosis: a 2-year follow-up study. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:20. [PMID: 33414431 PMCID: PMC7791099 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01167-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural habituation, the decrease in brain response to repeated stimuli, is a fundamental, highly conserved mechanism that acts as an essential filter for our complex sensory environment. Convergent evidence indicates neural habituation is disrupted in both early and chronic stages of schizophrenia, with deficits co-occurring in brain regions that show inhibitory dysfunction. As inhibitory deficits have been proposed to contribute to the onset and progression of illness, habituation may be an important treatment target. However, a crucial first step is clarifying whether habituation deficits progress with illness. In the present study, we measured neural habituation in 138 participants (70 early psychosis patients (<2 years of illness), 68 healthy controls), with 108 participants assessed longitudinally at both baseline and 2-year follow-up. At follow-up, all early psychosis patients met criteria for a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (i.e., schizophreniform disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder). Habituation slopes (i.e., rate of fMRI signal change) to repeated images were computed for the anterior hippocampus, occipital cortex, and the fusiform face area. Habituation slopes were entered into a linear mixed model to test for effects of group and time by region. We found that early psychosis patients showed habituation deficits relative to healthy control participants across brain regions, and that these deficits were maintained, but did not worsen, over two years. These results suggest a stable period of habituation deficits in the early stage of schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne N. Avery
- grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Maureen McHugo
- grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Kristan Armstrong
- grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Jennifer Urbano Blackford
- grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA ,grid.413806.8Research Health Scientist, Research and Development, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Neil D. Woodward
- grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Stephan Heckers
- grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
| |
Collapse
|