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Derntl B, Eber CH, Kogler L, Rehbein E, Sundstöm-Poromaa I, Morawetz C. Estradiol modulates changes in effective connectivity in emotion regulation networks. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 167:107103. [PMID: 38924828 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107103] [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: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Hormonal changes in ovarian hormones like estradiol (E2) during the menstrual cycle affect emotional processes, including emotion recognition, memory, and regulation. So far, the neural underpinnings of the effect of E2 on emotional experience have been investigated using task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and functional connectivity. In the present study, we examined whether the intrinsic network dynamics at rest (i.e., directed effective connectivity) related to emotion regulation are (1) modulated by E2 levels and (2) linked to behavioral emotion regulation ability. Hence, 29 naturally cycling women participated in two resting-state fMRI scans in their early follicular phase after being administered a placebo or an E2 valerate, respectively. Emotion regulation ability was assessed using a standard emotion regulation task in which participants were asked to down-regulate their emotions in response to negative images. The regions of two functionally predefined neural networks related to emotional down-regulation and reactivity were used to investigate effective connectivity at rest using spectral dynamic causal modelling. We found that E2, compared to placebo, resulted in changes in effective connectivity in both networks. In the regulation network, prefrontal regions showed distinct connectivity in the E2 compared to the placebo condition, while mixed results evolved in the emotional reactivity network. Stepwise regressions revealed that in the E2 condition a connection from the parietal to the prefrontal cortex predicted regulation ability. Our results demonstrate that E2 levels influence effective connectivity in networks underlying emotion regulation and emotional reactivity. Thus, E2 and its potential modification via hormonal administration may play a supporting role in the treatment of mental disorders that show a dysregulation of emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Derntl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Women's Mental Health & Brain Function, Tübingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Partner site Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Corinna H Eber
- Department of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lydia Kogler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Women's Mental Health & Brain Function, Tübingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Partner site Tübingen, Germany
| | - Elisa Rehbein
- Department of Decision Neuroscience and Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Nuthetal, Germany; Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Neuroscience Research Center, Berlin, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research, München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | | | - Carmen Morawetz
- Department of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Acevedo-Huergo T, Sánchez-Yépez J, Mendoza-Trejo MS, Hernández-Plata I, Giordano M, Rodríguez VM. Hypoactivity and neurochemical alterations in the basal ganglia of female Sprague-Dawley rats after repeated exposure to atrazine. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2024; 6:1416708. [PMID: 39161789 PMCID: PMC11330890 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1416708] [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: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The herbicide atrazine (ATR) has been one of the most widely used herbicides worldwide. However, due to its indiscriminate use, it has been considered an environmental contaminant. Several studies have classified ATR as an endocrine disruptor, and it has been found to have neurotoxic effects on behavior, along with alterations in the dopaminergic, GABAergic, and glutamatergic systems in the basal ganglia of male rodents. These findings suggest that these neurotransmitter systems are targets of this herbicide. However, there are no studies evaluating the neurotoxicity of ATR in female rodents. Our study aimed to assess the effects of repeated IP injections of 100 mg ATR/kg or a vehicle every other day for 2 weeks (six injections) on the locomotor activity, content of monoamines, GABA, glutamate, and glutamine in the striatum, nucleus accumbens, ventral midbrain, and prefrontal cortex, and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) protein levels in striatum and nucleus accumbens of female rats. Repeated 100 mg ATR/kg injections immediately decreased all the locomotor activity parameters evaluated, and such hypoactivity persisted for at least 48 h after the last ATR administration. The ATR administration increased dopamine and DOPAC content in the nucleus accumbens and the dopamine and DOPAC and serotonin and 5-HIAA content in the ventral midbrain. In contrast, the TH protein levels in the striatum and nucleus accumbens were similar between groups. Meanwhile, GABA, glutamine, and glutamate levels remained unaltered in all brain regions evaluated. The observed behavioral alterations could be associated with the monoamine changes presented by the rats. These data reveal that the nucleus accumbens and ventral midbrain are susceptible to repeated ATR exposure in female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Verónica Mireya Rodríguez
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
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Khunphet P, Kumarnsit E, Issuriya A, Cheaha D. Estrogen deficiency affects synchronized neural connectivity in the olfactory bulb-nucleus accumbens circuit: A local field potential study in ovariectomized mouse model. Horm Behav 2024; 164:105587. [PMID: 38905819 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105587] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Estrogen plays a crucial role in regulating various brain functions, including cognitive, emotional, and social behaviors. Menopausal women face a decline in estrogen levels, which has been linked to several physical and mental health issues. However, the impact of estrogen on the olfactory bulb-nucleus accumbens (OB-NAc) circuit, which is essential for regulating emotions and cognitive behaviors, remains poorly understood. To test the hypothesis that estrogen deficiency affects signal processing, we recorded local field potentials (LFPs) using intracranial electrodes implanted in four-week-old ovariectomized (OVX) mice during an open-field test (OFT). The results showed a decrease in locomotor activity and increase in anxiety-like behaviors in OVX mice. Furthermore, we found a decrease in high-gamma power in the OB. We analyzed coherence and inter-region phase-amplitude coupling (ir-PAC) to explore the connectivity between the OB and NAc. We observed a decrease in low-gamma and high-gamma coherence in OVX mice. Additionally, we found that the direction of connectivity from the NAc to the OB was disrupted in OVX mice. In summary, our study provides evidence that estrogen deficiency is linked to synchronized neural connectivity changes in the OB-NAc circuit. These findings have implications for our understanding of the roles played by the OB-NAc neural circuit and estrogen in the regulation of general exploratory behavior and anxiety-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pakavarin Khunphet
- Biology Program, Division of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Hatyai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand; Biosignal Research Center for Health, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Hatyai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - Ekkasit Kumarnsit
- Physiology Program, Division of Health and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Hatyai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand; Biosignal Research Center for Health, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Hatyai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - Acharaporn Issuriya
- Physiology Program, Division of Health and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Hatyai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand; Biosignal Research Center for Health, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Hatyai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - Dania Cheaha
- Biology Program, Division of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Hatyai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand; Biosignal Research Center for Health, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Hatyai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand.
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4
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Kaimal A, Hooversmith JM, Mansi MHA, Holmes PV, MohanKumar PS, MohanKumar SMJ. Prenatal Exposure to Bisphenol A and/or Diethylhexyl Phthalate Impacts Brain Monoamine Levels in Rat Offspring. J Xenobiot 2024; 14:1036-1050. [PMID: 39189173 PMCID: PMC11348251 DOI: 10.3390/jox14030058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This study examines the sex-specific effects of gestational exposure (days 6-21) to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA), diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), or their combination on brain monoamine levels that play an important role in regulating behavior. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered saline, low doses (5 µg/kg BW/day) of BPA or DEHP, and their combination or a high dose (7.5 mg/kg BW/day) of DEHP alone or in combination with BPA during pregnancy. The offspring were subjected to a behavioral test and sacrificed in adulthood, and the brains were analyzed for neurotransmitter levels. In the paraventricular nucleus, there was a marked reduction in dopamine levels (p < 0.01) in male offspring from the BPA, DEHP, and B + D (HD) groups, which correlated well with their shock probe defensive burying times. Neurotransmitter changes in all brain regions examined were significant in female offspring, with DEHP (HD) females being affected the most, followed by the B + D groups. BPA and/or DEHP (LD) increased monoamine turnover in a region-specific manner in male offspring (p < 0.05). Overall, prenatal exposure to BPA, DEHP, or their combination alters monoamine levels in a brain region-specific, sex-specific, and dose-dependent manner, which could have implications for their behavioral and neuroendocrine effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Kaimal
- Biomedical and Translational Sciences Institute, Neuroscience Division, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Jessica M Hooversmith
- Biomedical and Translational Sciences Institute, Neuroscience Division, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Maryam H Al Mansi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Philip V Holmes
- Biomedical and Translational Sciences Institute, Neuroscience Division, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Puliyur S MohanKumar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Sheba M J MohanKumar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Olson KL, Ingebretson AE, Vogiatzoglou E, Mermelstein PG, Lemos JC. Cholinergic interneurons in the nucleus accumbens are a site of cellular convergence for corticotropin-releasing factor and estrogen regulation in male and female mice. Eur J Neurosci 2024. [PMID: 39080914 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Cholinergic interneurons (ChIs) act as master regulators of striatal output, finely tuning neurotransmission to control motivated behaviours. ChIs are a cellular target of many peptide and hormonal neuromodulators, including corticotropin-releasing factor, opioids, insulin and leptin, which can influence an animal's behaviour by signalling stress, pleasure, pain and nutritional status. However, little is known about how sex hormones via estrogen receptors influence the function of these other neuromodulators. Here, we performed in situ hybridisation on mouse striatal tissue to characterise the effect of sex and sex hormones on choline acetyltransferase (Chat), estrogen receptor alpha (Esr1) and corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 receptor (Crhr1) expression. Although we did not detect sex differences in ChAT protein levels in the dorsal striatum or nucleus accumbens, we found that female mice have more Chat mRNA-expressing neurons than males in both the dorsal striatum and nucleus accumbens. At the population level, we observed a sexually dimorphic distribution of Esr1- and Crhr1-expressing ChIs in the ventral striatum that was negatively correlated in intact females, which was abolished by ovariectomy and not present in males. Only in the NAc did we find a significant population of ChIs that co-express Crhr1 and Esr1 in females and to a lesser extent in males. At the cellular level, Crhr1 and Esr1 transcript levels were negatively correlated only during the estrus phase in females, indicating that changes in sex hormone levels can modulate the interaction between Crhr1 and Esr1 mRNA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendra L Olson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Anna E Ingebretson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Eleftheria Vogiatzoglou
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Paul G Mermelstein
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Julia C Lemos
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Kritzer MF, Adler A, Locklear M. Androgen effects on mesoprefrontal dopamine systems in the adult male brain. Neuroscience 2024:S0306-4522(24)00306-3. [PMID: 38977069 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.07.001] [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: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Epidemiological data show that males are more often and/or more severely affected by symptoms of prefrontal cortical dysfunction in schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and other disorders in which dopamine circuits associated with the prefrontal cortex are dysregulated. This review focuses on research showing that these dopamine circuits are powerfully regulated by androgens. It begins with a brief overview of the sex differences that distinguish prefrontal function in health and prefrontal dysfunction or decline in aging and/or neuropsychiatric disease. This review article then spotlights data from human subjects and animal models that specifically identify androgens as potent modulators of prefrontal cortical operations and of closely related, functionally critical measures of prefrontal dopamine level or tone. Candidate mechanisms by which androgens dynamically control mesoprefrontal dopamine systems and impact prefrontal states of hypo- and hyper-dopaminergia in aging and disease are then considered. This is followed by discussion of a working model that identifies a key locus for androgen modulation of mesoprefrontal dopamine systems as residing within the prefrontal cortex itself. The last sections of this review critically consider the ways in which the organization and regulation of mesoprefrontal dopamine circuits differ in the adult male and female brain, and highlights gaps where more research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary F Kritzer
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5230, United States.
| | - Alexander Adler
- Department of Oncology and Immuno-Oncology, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States
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Shay D, Welly R, Mao J, Kinkade J, Brown JK, Rosenfeld CS, Vieira-Potter VJ. Knockdown of Esr1 from DRD1-Rich Brain Regions Affects Adipose Tissue Metabolism: Potential Crosstalk between Nucleus Accumbens and Adipose Tissue. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6130. [PMID: 38892320 PMCID: PMC11172510 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116130] [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: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Declining estrogen (E2) leads to physical inactivity and adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction. Mechanisms are not fully understood, but E2's effects on dopamine (DA) activity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) brain region may mediate changes in mood and voluntary physical activity (PA). Our prior work revealed that loss of E2 robustly affected NAc DA-related gene expression, and the pattern correlated with sedentary behavior and visceral fat. The current study used a new transgenic mouse model (D1ERKO) to determine whether the abolishment of E2 receptor alpha (ERα) signaling within DA-rich brain regions affects PA and AT metabolism. Adult male and female wild-type (WT) and D1ERKO (KD) mice were assessed for body composition, energy intake (EE), spontaneous PA (SPA), and energy expenditure (EE); underwent glucose tolerance testing; and were assessed for blood biochemistry. Perigonadal white AT (PGAT), brown AT (BAT), and NAc brain regions were assessed for genes and proteins associated with DA, E2 signaling, and metabolism; AT sections were also assessed for uncoupling protein (UCP1). KD mice had greater lean mass and EE (genotype effects) and a visible change in BAT phenotype characterized by increased UCP1 staining and lipid depletion, an effect seen only among females. Female KD had higher NAc Oprm1 transcript levels and greater PGAT UCP1. This group tended to have improved glucose tolerance (p = 0.07). NAc suppression of Esr1 does not appear to affect PA, yet it may directly affect metabolism. This work may lead to novel targets to improve metabolic dysfunction following E2 loss, possibly by targeting the NAc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dusti Shay
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Division of Food, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, CAFNR, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (D.S.)
| | - Rebecca Welly
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Division of Food, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, CAFNR, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (D.S.)
| | - Jiude Mao
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, E102 Veterinary Medicine Building, Columbia, MO 65211, USA (C.S.R.)
| | - Jessica Kinkade
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, E102 Veterinary Medicine Building, Columbia, MO 65211, USA (C.S.R.)
| | - Joshua K. Brown
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Division of Food, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, CAFNR, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (D.S.)
| | - Cheryl S. Rosenfeld
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, E102 Veterinary Medicine Building, Columbia, MO 65211, USA (C.S.R.)
- MU Institute of Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, E102 Veterinary Medicine Building, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Genetics Area Program, University of Missouri, E102 Veterinary Medicine Building, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Thompson Center for Autism and Neurobehavioral Disorders, University of Missouri, E102 Veterinary Medicine Building, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Victoria J. Vieira-Potter
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Division of Food, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, CAFNR, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (D.S.)
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Zandt MV, Pittenger C. Sexual dimorphism in histamine regulation of striatal dopamine. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.20.595049. [PMID: 38826392 PMCID: PMC11142073 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.20.595049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Background Many neuropsychiatric disorders show sex differences in prevalence and presentation. For example, Tourette's Syndrome (TS) is diagnosed 3-5 times more often in males. Dopamine modulation of the basal ganglia is implicated in numerous neuropsychiatric conditions, including TS. Motivated by an unexpected genetic finding in a family with TS, we previously characterized the modulation of striatal dopamine by histamine. Methods We used microdialysis to analyze striatal dopamine response to the targeted infusion of histamine and histamine agonists. siRNA knockdown of histamine receptors was used to identify the cellular mediators of observed effects. Results Intracerebroventricular histamine reduced striatal dopamine in male mice, replicating previous work. Unexpectedly, histamine increased striatal dopamine in females. Targeted infusion of selected agonists revealed that the effect in males depends on H2R receptors in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Knockdown of H2R in SNc GABAergic neurons abrogated the effect, identifying these cells as a key locus of histamine's regulation of dopamine in males. In females, in contrast, H2R had no role; instead, H3R agonists in the striatum increased striatal dopamine. Strikingly, the effect of histamine on dopamine in females was modulated by the estrous cycle, appearing in estrus/proestrus but not in metestrus/diestrus. Conclusions These findings confirm the regulation of striatal dopamine by histamine but identify marked sexual dimorphism in and estrous modulation of this effect. These findings may shed light on the mechanistic underpinnings of other sex differences in the striatal circuitry, perhaps including the marked sex differences seen in TS and related neuropsychiatric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Van Zandt
- Pittenger Laboratory, Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Christopher Pittenger
- Pittenger Laboratory, Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychology, Yale School of Arts and Sciences, New Haven, USA
- Center for Brain and Mind Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
- Wu-Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Wang Z, Zhao Y, You X, Liang J. Relationship Between the Parietal Cortex and Task Switching: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined with an Event-related Potential Study. Neuroscience 2024; 546:41-52. [PMID: 38548166 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.03.004] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Task switching refers to a set of cognitive processes involved in shifting attention from one task to another. In recent years, researchers have applied transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to investigate the causal relationship between the parietal cortex and task switching. However, results from available studies are highly inconsistent. This may be due to the unclear understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Therefore, the current study utilized event-related potential (ERP) analysis to investigate the modulatory effects of tDCS on task-switching processes. Twenty-four subjects were recruited to perform both predictable and unpredictable parity/magnitude tasks under anodal (RA) and sham conditions. The results showed no significant changes in behavioral performance. However, marked tDCS-induced ERP changes were observed. Specifically, for the predictable task switching, compared with the sham condition, the target-N2 component occurred significantly earlier for switch trials than repeat trials under the RA condition in males, while no difference was found in females. For unpredictable task switching, under the sham condition, the P2 peak was significantly larger for switch trials compared with repeat trials, whereas this difference was not observed under the RA condition. These results indicated the causal relationship between the right parietal cortex and exogenous adjustment processes involved in task switching. Moreover, anodal tDCS over the right parietal cortex may lead to the manifestation of gender differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyu Wang
- School of Electronic Engineering, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, China; School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China.
| | - Yi Zhao
- School of Electronic Engineering, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, China
| | - Xuqun You
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China
| | - Jimin Liang
- School of Electronic Engineering, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, China.
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Olson K, Ingebretson AE, Vogiatzoglou E, Mermelstein PG, Lemos JC. Cholinergic interneurons in the nucleus accumbens are a site of cellular convergence for corticotropin release factor and estrogen regulation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.13.589360. [PMID: 38659848 PMCID: PMC11042197 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.13.589360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Cholinergic interneurons (ChIs) act as master regulators of striatal output, finely tuning neurotransmission to control motivated behaviors. ChIs are a cellular target of many peptide and hormonal neuromodulators, including corticotropin releasing factor, opioids, insulin and leptin, which can influence an animal's behavior by signaling stress, pleasure, pain and nutritional status. However, little is known about how sex hormones via estrogen receptors influence the function of these other neuromodulators. Here, we performed in situ hybridization on mouse striatal tissue to characterize the effect of sex and sex hormones on choline acetyltransferase ( Chat ), estrogen receptor alpha ( Esr1 ), and corticotropin releasing factor type 1 receptor ( Crhr1 ) expression. Although we did not detect sex differences in ChAT protein levels in the striatum, we found that female mice have more Chat mRNA-expressing neurons than males. At the population level, we observed a sexually dimorphic distribution of Esr1 - and Crhr1 -expressing ChIs in the ventral striatum that demonstrates an antagonistic correlational relationship, which is abolished by ovariectomy. Only in the NAc did we find a significant population of ChIs that co-express Crhr1 and Esr1 . At the cellular level, Crhr1 and Esr1 transcript levels were negatively correlated only during estrus, indicating that changes in sex hormones levels can modulate the interaction between Crhr1 and Esr1 mRNA levels. Together, these data provide evidence for the unique expression and interaction of Esr1 and Crhr1 in ventral striatal ChIs, warranting further investigation into how these transcriptomic patterns might underlie important functions for ChIs at the intersection of stress and reproductive behaviors.
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11
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Smith AC, Smilek D. On the relation between oral contraceptive use and self-control. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1335384. [PMID: 38628592 PMCID: PMC11018928 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1335384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
In two studies we examined the relation between oral contraceptive (OC) use and self-reported levels of self-control in undergraduate women using OCs (Study 1: OC group N = 399, Study 2: OC group N = 288) and naturally cycling women not using any form of hormonal contraceptives (Study 1: Non-OC group N = 964, Study 2: Non-OC group N = 997). We assessed the self-overriding aspect of self-control using the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) and strategies for self-regulation using the Regulatory Mode Scale (RMS), which separately measures the tendency to assess one's progress towards a goal (assessment), and the tendency to engage in activities that move one towards an end goal (locomotion). In Study 1, we found no significant differences between OC and non-OC groups in their levels of self-overriding or self-regulatory assessment. However, we found that those in the OC group reported significantly greater levels of self-regulatory locomotion compared to those in the non-OC group, even after controlling for depression symptoms and the semester of data collection. The findings from Study 2 replicated the findings from Study 1 in a different sample of participants, with the exception that OC use was also related to higher levels of assessment in Study 2. These results indicate that OC use is related to increases in self-regulatory actions in service of goal pursuit and perhaps the tendency to evaluate progress towards goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa C. Smith
- Department of Psychology University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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Barendse MEA, Swartz JR, Taylor SL, Fine JR, Shirtcliff EA, Yoon L, McMillan SJ, Tully LM, Guyer AE. Sex and pubertal variation in reward-related behavior and neural activation in early adolescents. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2024; 66:101358. [PMID: 38401329 PMCID: PMC10904160 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2024.101358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to characterize the role of sex and pubertal markers in reward motivation behavior and neural processing in early adolescence. We used baseline and two-year follow-up data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive DevelopmentSM study (15844 observations; 52% from boys; age 9-13). Pubertal development was measured with parent-reported Pubertal Development Scale, and DHEA, testosterone, and estradiol levels. Reward motivation behavior and neural processing at anticipation and feedback stages were assessed with the Monetary Incentive Delay task. Boys had higher reward motivation than girls, demonstrating greater accuracy difference between reward and neutral trials and higher task earnings. Girls had lower neural activation during reward feedback than boys in the nucleus accumbens, caudate, rostral anterior cingulate, medial orbitofrontal cortex, superior frontal gyrus and posterior cingulate. Pubertal stage and testosterone levels were positively associated with reward motivation behavior, although these associations changed when controlling for age. There were no significant associations between pubertal development and neural activation during reward anticipation and feedback. Sex differences in reward-related processing exist in early adolescence, signaling the need to understand their impact on typical and atypical functioning as it unfolds into adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E A Barendse
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis, CA, USA; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - J R Swartz
- Department of Human Ecology, UC Davis, CA, USA
| | - S L Taylor
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, UC Davis, CA, USA
| | - J R Fine
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, UC Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - L Yoon
- Center for Mind and Brain, UC Davis, CA, USA
| | - S J McMillan
- Department of Human Ecology, UC Davis, CA, USA; Center for Mind and Brain, UC Davis, CA, USA
| | - L M Tully
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis, CA, USA
| | - A E Guyer
- Department of Human Ecology, UC Davis, CA, USA; Center for Mind and Brain, UC Davis, CA, USA.
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13
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Iqbal J, Huang GD, Xue YX, Yang M, Jia XJ. Role of estrogen in sex differences in memory, emotion and neuropsychiatric disorders. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:415. [PMID: 38472517 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09374-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Estrogen regulates a wide range of neuronal functions in the brain, such as dendritic spine formation, remodeling of synaptic plasticity, cognition, neurotransmission, and neurodevelopment. Estrogen interacts with intracellular estrogen receptors (ERs) and membrane-bound ERs to produce its effect via genomic and non-genomic pathways. Any alterations in these pathways affect the number, size, and shape of dendritic spines in neurons associated with psychiatric diseases. Increasing evidence suggests that estrogen fluctuation causes changes in dendritic spine density, morphology, and synapse numbers of excitatory and inhibitory neurons differently in males and females. In this review, we discuss the role of estrogen hormone in rodents and humans based on sex differences. First, we explain estrogen role in learning and memory and show that a high estrogen level alleviates the deficits in learning and memory. Secondly, we point out that estrogen produces a striking difference in emotional memories in men and women, which leads them to display sex-specific differences in underlying neuronal signaling. Lastly, we discuss that fluctuations in estrogen levels in men and women are related to neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder (BPD), major depressive disorder (MDD), substance use disorder (SUD), and anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javed Iqbal
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital & Shenzhen Mental Health Center, No. 77 Zhenbi Road, Pingshan District, Shenzhen, 518118, Guangdong, China
| | - Geng-Di Huang
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital & Shenzhen Mental Health Center, No. 77 Zhenbi Road, Pingshan District, Shenzhen, 518118, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan-Xue Xue
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital & Shenzhen Mental Health Center, No. 77 Zhenbi Road, Pingshan District, Shenzhen, 518118, Guangdong, China.
- Clinical College of Mental Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.
- Affiliated Mental Health Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Xiao-Jian Jia
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital & Shenzhen Mental Health Center, No. 77 Zhenbi Road, Pingshan District, Shenzhen, 518118, Guangdong, China.
- Clinical College of Mental Health, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.
- Affiliated Mental Health Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
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14
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Klyne DM, Hilliard BA, Harris MY, Amin M, Hall M, Besomi M, Mustafa S, Farrell SF, Rawashdeh O, Han FY, Hodges PW, Frara N, Barbe MF. Poor sleep versus exercise: A duel to decide whether pain resolves or persists after injury. Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 35:100714. [PMID: 38111687 PMCID: PMC10727927 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100714] [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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Poor sleep is thought to enhance pain via increasing peripheral and/or central sensitization. Aerobic exercise, conversely, relives pain via reducing sensitization, among other mechanisms. This raises two clinical questions: (1) does poor sleep contribute to the transition from acute-to-persistent pain, and (2) can exercise protect against this transition? This study tested these questions and explored underlying mechanisms in a controlled injury model. Twenty-nine adult female Sprague-Dawley rats performed an intensive lever-pulling task for 4 weeks to induce symptoms consistent with clinical acute-onset overuse injury. Rats were then divided into three groups and exposed for 4 weeks to either: voluntary exercise via access to a running wheel, sleep disturbance, or both. Pain-related behaviours (forepaw mechanical sensitivity, reflexive grip strength), systemic levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), estradiol and corticosterone, and white blood cells (WBC) were assessed pre-injury, post-injury and post-intervention. Mechanical sensitivity increased post-injury and remained elevated with sleep disturbance alone, but decreased to pre-injury levels with exercise both with and without sleep disturbance. Reflexive grip strength decreased post-injury but recovered post-intervention-more with exercise than sleep disturbance. BDNF increased with sleep disturbance alone, remained at pre-injury levels with exercise regardless of sleep, and correlated with mechanical sensitivity. WBCs and estradiol increased with exercise alone and together with sleep disturbance, respectively. Corticosterone was not impacted by injury/intervention. Findings provide preliminary evidence for a role of poor sleep in the transition from acute-to-persistent pain, and the potential for aerobic exercise to counter these effects. BDNF might have a role in these relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M. Klyne
- NHMRC Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Brendan A. Hilliard
- Aging + Cardiovascular Discovery Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine of Temple University, Philadelphia, 19140, USA
| | - Michele Y. Harris
- Aging + Cardiovascular Discovery Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine of Temple University, Philadelphia, 19140, USA
| | - Mamta Amin
- Aging + Cardiovascular Discovery Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine of Temple University, Philadelphia, 19140, USA
| | - Michelle Hall
- Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine, School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, Australia
| | - Manuela Besomi
- NHMRC Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Sanam Mustafa
- School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
| | - Scott F. Farrell
- RECOVER Injury Research Centre, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Better Health Outcomes for Compensable Injury, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4029, Australia
| | - Oliver Rawashdeh
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Felicity Y. Han
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Paul W. Hodges
- NHMRC Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Nagat Frara
- Aging + Cardiovascular Discovery Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine of Temple University, Philadelphia, 19140, USA
| | - Mary F. Barbe
- Aging + Cardiovascular Discovery Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine of Temple University, Philadelphia, 19140, USA
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15
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Proaño SB, Miller CK, Krentzel AA, Dorris DM, Meitzen J. Sex steroid hormones, the estrous cycle, and rapid modulation of glutamatergic synapse properties in the striatal brain regions with a focus on 17β-estradiol and the nucleus accumbens. Steroids 2024; 201:109344. [PMID: 37979822 PMCID: PMC10842710 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2023.109344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
The striatal brain regions encompassing the nucleus accumbens core (NAcc), shell (NAcs) and caudate-putamen (CPu) regulate cognitive functions including motivated behaviors, habit, learning, and sensorimotor action, among others. Sex steroid hormone sensitivity and sex differences have been documented in all of these functions in both normative and pathological contexts, including anxiety, depression and addiction. The neurotransmitter glutamate has been implicated in regulating these behaviors as well as striatal physiology, and there are likewise documented sex differences in glutamate action upon the striatal output neurons, the medium spiny neurons (MSNs). Here we review the available data regarding the role of steroid sex hormones such as 17β-estradiol (estradiol), progesterone, and testosterone in rapidly modulating MSN glutamatergic synapse properties, presented in the context of the estrous cycle as appropriate. Estradiol action upon glutamatergic synapse properties in female NAcc MSNs is most comprehensively discussed. In the female NAcc, MSNs exhibit development period-specific sex differences and estrous cycle variations in glutamatergic synapse properties as shown by multiple analyses, including that of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). Estrous cycle-differences in NAcc MSN mEPSCs can be mimicked by acute exposure to estradiol or an ERα agonist. The available evidence, or lack thereof, is also discussed concerning estrogen action upon MSN glutamatergic synapse in the other striatal regions as well as the underexplored roles of progesterone and testosterone. We conclude that there is strong evidence regarding estradiol action upon glutamatergic synapse function in female NAcs MSNs and call for more research regarding other hormones and striatal regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie B Proaño
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Christiana K Miller
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Amanda A Krentzel
- Office of Research and Innovation, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - David M Dorris
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - John Meitzen
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA; Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA; Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
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16
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Palamarchuk IS, Slavich GM, Vaillancourt T, Rajji TK. Stress-related cellular pathophysiology as a crosstalk risk factor for neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders. BMC Neurosci 2023; 24:65. [PMID: 38087196 PMCID: PMC10714507 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-023-00831-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In this narrative review, we examine biological processes linking psychological stress and cognition, with a focus on how psychological stress can activate multiple neurobiological mechanisms that drive cognitive decline and behavioral change. First, we describe the general neurobiology of the stress response to define neurocognitive stress reactivity. Second, we review aspects of epigenetic regulation, synaptic transmission, sex hormones, photoperiodic plasticity, and psychoneuroimmunological processes that can contribute to cognitive decline and neuropsychiatric conditions. Third, we explain mechanistic processes linking the stress response and neuropathology. Fourth, we discuss molecular nuances such as an interplay between kinases and proteins, as well as differential role of sex hormones, that can increase vulnerability to cognitive and emotional dysregulation following stress. Finally, we explicate several testable hypotheses for stress, neurocognitive, and neuropsychiatric research. Together, this work highlights how stress processes alter neurophysiology on multiple levels to increase individuals' risk for neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders, and points toward novel therapeutic targets for mitigating these effects. The resulting models can thus advance dementia and mental health research, and translational neuroscience, with an eye toward clinical application in cognitive and behavioral neurology, and psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iryna S Palamarchuk
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J1H4, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Division of Neurology, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Toronto Dementia Research Alliance, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - George M Slavich
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tracy Vaillancourt
- Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tarek K Rajji
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J1H4, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Toronto Dementia Research Alliance, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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17
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Diaz JC, Dunaway K, Zuniga C, Sheil E, Sadeghian K, Auger AP, Baldo BA. Delayed estrogen actions diminish food consumption without changing food approach, motor activity, or hypothalamic activation elicited by corticostriatal µ-opioid signaling. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1952-1962. [PMID: 37640922 PMCID: PMC10584984 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01711-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Mu-opioid receptor (μ-OR) signaling in forebrain sites including nucleus accumbens (Acb) and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) modulates reward-driven feeding and may play a role in the pathophysiology of disordered eating. In preclinical models, intra-Acb or intra-vmPFC μ-OR stimulation causes overeating and vigorous responding for food rewards. These effects have been studied mainly in male animals, despite demonstrated sex differences and estrogen modulation of central reward systems. Hence, the present study investigated sex differences and estrogen modulation of intra-Acb and intra-vmPFC μ-OR-driven feeding behaviors. First, the dose-related effects of intra-Acb and intra-vmPFC infusions of the μ-OR-selective agonist, DAMGO, were compared among intact female, ovariectomized (OVX) female, and intact male rats. The DAMGO feeding dose-effect function was flattened in intact females relative to the robust, dose-dependent effects observed in OVX females and intact males. Thus, in intact females, intra-Acb DAMGO failed to elevate food intake relative to vehicle, while intra-vmPFC DAMGO elevated food intake, but to a smaller degree compared to males and OVX females. Next, to explore the possible role of estrogen in mediating the diminished DAMGO response observed in intact females, OVX rats were given intra-Acb or intra-vmPFC infusions of DAMGO either immediately after a subcutaneous injection of 17-beta-estradiol 3-benzoate (EB; 5 μg/0.1 mL) or 24 h after EB injection. Intra-Acb DAMGO effects were not changed at the immediate post-EB time point. At the delayed post-EB timepoint, significant lordosis was noted and the duration of intra-Acb DAMGO-driven feeding bouts was significantly reduced, with no change in the number of bouts initiated, locomotor hyperactivity, or Fos immunoreactivity in hypothalamic feeding and arousal systems. Similarly, EB failed to alter the motor-activational effects of intra-vmPFC DAMGO while reducing feeding. These findings indicate that delayed, presumably genomically mediated estrogen actions modulate the μ-OR-generated motivational state by reducing consummatory activity while sparing goal-approach and general arousal/activity. The results additionally suggest that EB regulation of consummatory activity occurs outside of forebrain-μ-OR control of hypothalamic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio C Diaz
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kate Dunaway
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- College of Letters and Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Carla Zuniga
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Elizabeth Sheil
- College of Letters and Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Ken Sadeghian
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Anthony P Auger
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Brian A Baldo
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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18
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Kraemer RR, Kraemer BR. The effects of peripheral hormone responses to exercise on adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1202349. [PMID: 38084331 PMCID: PMC10710532 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1202349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, a considerable amount of new data have revealed the beneficial effects of exercise on hippocampal neurogenesis and the maintenance or improvement of cognitive function. Investigations with animal models, as well as human studies, have yielded novel understanding of the mechanisms through which endocrine signaling can stimulate neurogenesis, as well as the effects of exercise on acute and/or chronic levels of these circulating hormones. Considering the effects of aging on the decline of specific endocrine factors that affect brain health, insights in this area of research are particularly important. In this review, we discuss how different forms of exercise influence the peripheral production of specific endocrine factors, with particular emphasis on brain-derived neurotrophic factor, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1, ghrelin, estrogen, testosterone, irisin, vascular endothelial growth factor, erythropoietin, and cortisol. We also describe mechanisms through which these endocrine responses to exercise induce cellular changes that increase hippocampal neurogenesis and improve cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert R. Kraemer
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA, United States
| | - Bradley R. Kraemer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, United States
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19
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Mattova S, Simko P, Urbanska N, Kiskova T. Bioactive Compounds and Their Influence on Postnatal Neurogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16614. [PMID: 38068936 PMCID: PMC10706651 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Since postnatal neurogenesis was revealed to have significant implications for cognition and neurological health, researchers have been increasingly exploring the impact of natural compounds on this process, aiming to uncover strategies for enhancing brain plasticity. This review provides an overview of postnatal neurogenesis, neurogenic zones, and disorders characterized by suppressed neurogenesis and neurogenesis-stimulating bioactive compounds. Examining recent studies, this review underscores the multifaceted effects of natural compounds on postnatal neurogenesis. In essence, understanding the interplay between postnatal neurogenesis and natural compounds could bring novel insights into brain health interventions. Exploiting the therapeutic abilities of these compounds may unlock innovative approaches to enhance cognitive function, mitigate neurodegenerative diseases, and promote overall brain well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Terezia Kiskova
- Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, 041 54 Kosice, Slovakia; (S.M.); (P.S.); (N.U.)
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20
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Brown A, Gervais NJ, Rieck J, Almey A, Gravelsins L, Reuben R, Karkaby L, Rajah MN, Grady C, Einstein G. Women's Brain Health: Midlife Ovarian Removal Affects Associative Memory. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:6145-6159. [PMID: 37423941 PMCID: PMC10533588 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03424-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Women with early bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO; removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes) have greater Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk than women in spontaneous/natural menopause (SM), but early biomarkers of this risk are not well-characterized. Considering associative memory deficits may presage preclinical AD, we wondered if one of the earliest changes might be in associative memory and whether younger women with BSO had changes similar to those observed in SM. Women with BSO (with and without 17β-estradiol replacement therapy (ERT)), their age-matched premenopausal controls (AMC), and older women in SM completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging face-name associative memory task shown to predict early AD. Brain activation during encoding was compared between groups: AMC (n=25), BSO no ERT (BSO; n=15), BSO+ERT (n=16), and SM without hormone therapy (n=16). Region-of-interest analyses revealed AMC did not contribute to functional group differences. BSO+ERT had higher hippocampal activation than BSO and SM. This hippocampal activation correlated positively with urinary metabolite levels of 17β-estradiol. Multivariate partial least squares analyses showed BSO+ERT had a different network-level activation pattern than BSO and SM. Thus, despite being approximately 10 years younger, women with BSO without ERT had similar brain function to those with SM, suggesting early 17β-estradiol loss may lead to an altered functional brain phenotype which could influence late-life AD risk, making face-name encoding a potential biomarker for midlife women with increased AD risk. Despite similarities in activation, BSO and SM groups showed opposite within-hippocampus connectivity, suggesting menopause type is an important consideration when assessing brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana Brown
- Psychology, University of Toronto, 100 St. George Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G3, Canada.
| | - Nicole J Gervais
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, M6A 2E1, Canada
| | - Jenny Rieck
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, M6A 2E1, Canada
| | - Anne Almey
- Psychology, University of Toronto, 100 St. George Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G3, Canada
| | - Laura Gravelsins
- Psychology, University of Toronto, 100 St. George Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G3, Canada
| | - Rebekah Reuben
- Psychology, University of Toronto, 100 St. George Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G3, Canada
| | - Laurice Karkaby
- Psychology, University of Toronto, 100 St. George Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G3, Canada
| | - M Natasha Rajah
- Departments of Psychiatry and Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Cheryl Grady
- Psychology, University of Toronto, 100 St. George Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G3, Canada
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, M6A 2E1, Canada
- Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Gillian Einstein
- Psychology, University of Toronto, 100 St. George Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G3, Canada
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, M6A 2E1, Canada
- Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
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21
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Santos-Toscano R, Arevalo MA, Garcia-Segura LM, Grassi D, Lagunas N. Interaction of gonadal hormones, dopaminergic system, and epigenetic regulation in the generation of sex differences in substance use disorders: A systematic review. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 71:101085. [PMID: 37543184 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic condition characterized by pathological drug-taking and seeking behaviors. Remarkably different between males and females, suggesting that drug addiction is a sexually differentiated disorder. The neurobiological bases of sex differences in SUD include sex-specific reward system activation, influenced by interactions between gonadal hormone level changes, dopaminergic reward circuits, and epigenetic modifications of key reward system genes. This systematic review, adhering to PICOS and PRISMA-P 2015 guidelines, highlights the sex-dependent roles of estrogens, progesterone, and testosterone in SUD. In particular, estradiol elevates and progesterone reduces dopaminergic activity in SUD females, whilst testosterone and progesterone augment SUD behavior in males. Finally, SUD is associated with a sex-specific increase in the rate of opioid and monoaminergic gene methylation. The study reveals the need for detailed research on gonadal hormone levels, dopaminergic or reward system activity, and epigenetic landscapes in both sexes for efficient SUD therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Santos-Toscano
- School of Medicine, University of Central Lancashire, 135A Adelphi St, Preston PR1 7BH, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Angeles Arevalo
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Garcia-Segura
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniela Grassi
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, Autonoma University of Madrid, Calle Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Natalia Lagunas
- Neuroactive Steroids Lab, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain; Department of Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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22
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Seib DR, Tobiansky DJ, Meitzen J, Floresco SB, Soma KK. Neurosteroids and the mesocorticolimbic system. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105356. [PMID: 37567491 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105356] [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: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
The mesocorticolimbic system coordinates executive functions, such as working memory and behavioral flexibility. This circuit includes dopaminergic projections from the ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex. In this review, we summarize evidence that cells in multiple nodes of the mesocorticolimbic system produce neurosteroids (steroids synthesized in the nervous system) and express steroid receptors. Here, we focus on neuroandrogens (androgens synthesized in the nervous system), neuroestrogens (estrogens synthesized in the nervous system), and androgen and estrogen receptors. We also summarize how (neuro)androgens and (neuro)estrogens affect dopamine signaling in the mesocorticolimbic system and regulate executive functions. Taken together, the data suggest that steroids produced in the gonads and locally in the brain modulate higher-order cognition and executive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Désirée R Seib
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Daniel J Tobiansky
- Department of Biology and Neuroscience Program, St. Mary's College of Maryland, St. Mary's City, MD, USA
| | - John Meitzen
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Human Health and the Environment, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Stan B Floresco
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kiran K Soma
- Department of Psychology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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23
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Kheloui S, Jacmin-Park S, Larocque O, Kerr P, Rossi M, Cartier L, Juster RP. Sex/gender differences in cognitive abilities. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105333. [PMID: 37517542 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Sex/gender differences in cognitive sciences are riddled by conflicting perspectives. At the center of debates are clinical, social, and political perspectives. Front and center, evolutionary and biological perspectives have often focused on 'nature' arguments, while feminist and constructivist views have often focused on 'nurture arguments regarding cognitive sex differences. In the current narrative review, we provide a comprehensive overview regarding the origins and historical advancement of these debates while providing a summary of the results in the field of sexually polymorphic cognition. In so doing, we attempt to highlight the importance of using transdisciplinary perspectives which help bridge disciplines together to provide a refined understanding the specific factors that drive sex differences a gender diversity in cognitive abilities. To summarize, biological sex (e.g., birth-assigned sex, sex hormones), socio-cultural gender (gender identity, gender roles), and sexual orientation each uniquely shape the cognitive abilities reviewed. To date, however, few studies integrate these sex and gender factors together to better understand individual differences in cognitive functioning. This has potential benefits if a broader understanding of sex and gender factors are systematically measured when researching and treating numerous conditions where cognition is altered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kheloui
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada
| | - Silke Jacmin-Park
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada
| | - Ophélie Larocque
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada
| | - Philippe Kerr
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada
| | - Mathias Rossi
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada
| | - Louis Cartier
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada
| | - Robert-Paul Juster
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada.
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24
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Knouse MC, Deutschmann AU, Nenov MN, Wimmer ME, Briand LA. Sex differences in pre- and post-synaptic glutamate signaling in the nucleus accumbens core. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:52. [PMID: 37596655 PMCID: PMC10439632 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00537-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glutamate signaling within the nucleus accumbens underlies motivated behavior and is involved in psychiatric disease. Although behavioral sex differences in these processes are well-established, the neural mechanisms driving these differences are largely unexplored. In these studies, we examine potential sex differences in synaptic plasticity and excitatory transmission within the nucleus accumbens core. Further understanding of baseline sex differences in reward circuitry will shed light on potential mechanisms driving behavioral differences in motivated behavior and psychiatric disease. METHODS Behaviorally naïve adult male and female Long-Evans rats, C57Bl/6J mice, and constitutive PKMζ knockout mice were killed and tissue containing the nucleus accumbens core was collected for ex vivo slice electrophysiology experiments. Electrophysiology recordings examined baseline sex differences in synaptic plasticity and transmission within this region and the potential role of PKMζ in long-term depression. RESULTS Within the nucleus accumbens core, both female mice and rats exhibit higher AMPA/NMDA ratios compared to male animals. Further, female mice have a larger readily releasable pool of glutamate and lower release probability compared to male mice. No significant sex differences were detected in spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current amplitude or frequency. Finally, the threshold for induction of long-term depression was lower for male animals than females, an effect that appears to be mediated, in part, by PKMζ. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that there are baseline sex differences in synaptic plasticity and excitatory transmission in the nucleus accumbens core. Our data suggest there are sex differences at multiple levels in this region that should be considered in the development of pharmacotherapies to treat psychiatric illnesses such as depression and substance use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa C Knouse
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Weiss Hall, 1701 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Andre U Deutschmann
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Weiss Hall, 1701 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Miroslav N Nenov
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Weiss Hall, 1701 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Mathieu E Wimmer
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Weiss Hall, 1701 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Lisa A Briand
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Weiss Hall, 1701 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA.
- Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Weiss Hall, 1701 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA.
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25
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Reed MB, Handschuh PA, Klöbl M, Konadu ME, Kaufmann U, Hahn A, Kranz GS, Spies M, Lanzenberger R. The influence of sex steroid treatment on insular connectivity in gender dysphoria. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 155:106336. [PMID: 37499299 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106336] [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: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex-specific differences in brain connectivity were found in various neuroimaging studies, though little is known about sex steroid effects on insular functioning. Based on well-characterized sex differences in emotion regulation, interoception and higher-level cognition, gender-dysphoric individuals receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy represent an interesting cohort to investigate how sex hormones might influence insular connectivity and related brain functions. METHODS To analyze the potential effect of sex steroids on insular connectivity at rest, 11 transgender women, 14 transgender men, 20 cisgender women, and 11 cisgender men were recruited. All participants underwent two magnetic resonance imaging sessions involving resting-state acquisitions separated by a median time period of 4.5 months and also completed the Bermond-Vorst alexithymia questionnaire at the initial and final examination. Between scans, transgender subjects received gender-affirming hormone therapy. RESULTS A seed based functional connectivity analysis revealed a significant 2-way interaction effect of group-by-time between right insula, cingulum, left middle frontal gyrus and left angular gyrus. Post-hoc tests demonstrated an increase in connectivity for transgender women when compared to cisgender men. Furthermore, spectral dynamic causal modelling showed reduced effective connectivity from the posterior cingulum and left angular gyrus to the left middle frontal gyrus as well as from the right insula to the left middle frontal gyrus. Alexithymia changes were found after gender-affirming hormone therapy for transgender women in both fantasizing and identifying. CONCLUSION These findings suggest a considerable influence of estrogen administration and androgen suppression on brain networks implicated in interoception, own-body perception and higher-level cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murray B Reed
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Patricia A Handschuh
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Manfred Klöbl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Melisande E Konadu
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrike Kaufmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Hahn
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg S Kranz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Marie Spies
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Rupert Lanzenberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
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26
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Barreto GE. Repurposing of Tibolone in Alzheimer's Disease. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1115. [PMID: 37509151 PMCID: PMC10377087 DOI: 10.3390/biom13071115] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease characterised by the accumulation of amyloid-beta and tau in the brain, leading to the progressive loss of memory and cognition. The causes of its pathogenesis are still not fully understood, but some risk factors, such as age, genetics, and hormones, may play a crucial role. Studies show that postmenopausal women have a higher risk of developing AD, possibly due to the decrease in hormone levels, especially oestrogen, which may be directly related to a reduction in the activity of oestrogen receptors, especially beta (ERβ), which favours a more hostile cellular environment, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, mainly affecting key processes related to transport, metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation. Given the influence of hormones on biological processes at the mitochondrial level, hormone therapies are of clinical interest to reduce the risk or delay the onset of symptoms associated with AD. One drug with such potential is tibolone, which is used in clinics to treat menopause-related symptoms. It can reduce amyloid burden and have benefits on mitochondrial integrity and dynamics. Many of its protective effects are mediated through steroid receptors and may also be related to neuroglobin, whose elevated levels have been shown to protect against neurological diseases. Its importance has increased exponentially due to its implication in the pathogenesis of AD. In this review, we discuss recent advances in tibolone, focusing on its mitochondrial-protective effects, and highlight how valuable this compound could be as a therapeutic alternative to mitigate the molecular pathways characteristic of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- George E Barreto
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
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27
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Sato K, Takayama KI, Inoue S. Expression and function of estrogen receptors and estrogen-related receptors in the brain and their association with Alzheimer's disease. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1220150. [PMID: 37469978 PMCID: PMC10352578 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1220150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
While estrogens are well known for their pivotal role in the female reproductive system, they also play a crucial function in regulating physiological processes associated with learning and memory in the brain. Moreover, they have neuroprotective effects in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Importantly, AD has a higher incidence in older and postmenopausal women than in men, and estrogen treatment might reduce the risk of AD in these women. In general, estrogens bind to and activate estrogen receptors (ERs)-mediated transcriptional machineries, and also stimulate signal transduction through membrane ERs (mERs). Estrogen-related receptors (ERRs), which share homologous sequences with ERs but lack estrogen-binding capabilities, are widely and highly expressed in the human brain and have also been implicated in AD pathogenesis. In this review, we primarily provide a summary of ER and ERR expression patterns in the human brain. In addition, we summarize recent studies on their role in learning and memory. We then review and discuss research that has elucidated the functions and importance of ERs and ERRs in AD pathogenesis, including their role in Aβ clearance and the reduction of phosphorylated tau levels. Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying ER- and ERR-mediated transcriptional machineries and their functions in healthy and diseased brains would provide new perspectives for the diagnosis and treatment of AD. Furthermore, exploring the potential role of estrogens and their receptors, ERs, in AD will facilitate a better understanding of the sex differences observed in AD, and lead to novel sex-specific therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Sato
- Department of Systems Aging Science and Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology (TMIG), Tokyo, Japan
- Integrated Research Initiative for Living Well with Dementia (IRIDE), TMIG, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken-ichi Takayama
- Department of Systems Aging Science and Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology (TMIG), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Inoue
- Department of Systems Aging Science and Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology (TMIG), Tokyo, Japan
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28
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Beeson ALS, Meitzen J. Estrous cycle impacts on dendritic spine plasticity in rat nucleus accumbens core and shell and caudate-putamen. J Comp Neurol 2023; 531:759-774. [PMID: 36756791 PMCID: PMC10994586 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
An important factor that can modulate neuron properties is sex-specific hormone fluctuations, including the human menstrual cycle and rat estrous cycle in adult females. Considering the striatal brain regions, the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core, NAc shell, and caudate-putamen (CPu), the estrous cycle has previously been shown to impact relevant behaviors and disorders, neuromodulator action, and medium spiny neuron (MSN) electrophysiology. Whether the estrous cycle impacts MSN dendritic spine attributes has not yet been examined, even though MSN spines and glutamatergic synapse properties are sensitive to exogenously applied estradiol. Thus, we hypothesized that MSN dendritic spine attributes would differ by estrous cycle phase. To test this hypothesis, brains from adult male rats and female rats in diestrus, proestrus AM, proestrus PM, and estrus were processed for Rapid Golgi-Cox staining. MSN dendritic spine density, size, and type were analyzed in the NAc core, NAc shell, and CPu. Overall spine size differed across estrous cycle phases in female NAc core and NAc shell, and spine length differed across estrous cycle phase in NAc shell and CPu. Consistent with previous work, dendritic spine density was increased in the NAc core compared to the NAc shell and CPu, independent of sex and estrous cycle. Spine attributes in all striatal regions did not differ by sex when estrous cycle was disregarded. These results indicate, for the first time, that estrous cycle phase impacts dendritic spine plasticity in striatal regions, providing a neuroanatomical avenue by which sex-specific hormone fluctuations can impact striatal function and disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna LS Beeson
- Department of Biological Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, USA
- Graduate Program in Biology, NC State University, Raleigh, USA
| | - John Meitzen
- Department of Biological Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, NC State University, Raleigh, USA
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, NC State University, Raleigh, USA
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29
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Dothard MI, Allard SM, Gilbert JA. The effects of hormone replacement therapy on the microbiomes of postmenopausal women. Climacteric 2023; 26:182-192. [PMID: 37051868 DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2023.2173568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
The sex steroid hormone estrogen plays a number of regulatory roles in female development. During menopause, estrogen synthesis in the ovaries decreases, which results in adverse physiological remodeling and increased risk of disease. Reduced bone density, changes in the community composition profiles of the gut and vaginal microbiome, mood swings and changes in the vaginal environment are to be expected during this time. To alleviate these changes, postmenopausal women can be prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) through the use of exogenous estradiol, often in conjunction with progestin treatment, which re-induces estrogenic action throughout the body. The microbiome and estrogen have a bidirectional, regulatory relationship in the gut, while in the vaginal environment estrogen works indirectly on the microbiome through restoring the vaginal tissue environment that leads to microbial homeostasis. This review discusses what is known about how the gut and vaginal microbiomes of postmenopausal women are responding to HRT, and the potential future of microbe-based therapeutics for symptoms of menopause.
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Affiliation(s)
- M I Dothard
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - S M Allard
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - J A Gilbert
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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30
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Oveisgharan S, Yang J, Yu L, Burba D, Bang W, Tasaki S, Grodstein F, Wang Y, Zhao J, De Jager PL, Schneider JA, Bennett DA. Estrogen Receptor Genes, Cognitive Decline, and Alzheimer Disease. Neurology 2023; 100:e1474-e1487. [PMID: 36697247 PMCID: PMC10104608 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000206833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Lifetime risk of Alzheimer disease (AD) dementia is twofold higher in women compared with men, and low estrogen levels in postmenopause have been suggested as a possible contributor. We examined 3 ER (GPER1, ER2, and ER1) variants in association with AD traits as an indirect method to test the association between estrogen and AD in women. Although the study focus was on women, in a comparison, we separately examined ER molecular variants in men. METHODS Participants were followed for an average of 10 years in one of the 2 longitudinal clinical pathologic studies of aging. Global cognition was assessed using a composite score derived from 19 neuropsychological tests' scores. Postmortem pathologic assessment included examination of 3 AD (amyloid-β and tau tangles determined by immunohistochemistry, and a global AD pathology score derived from diffuse and neurotic plaques and neurofibrillary tangle count) and 8 non-AD pathology indices. ER molecular genomic variants included genotyping and examining ER DNA methylation and RNA expression in brain regions including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) that are major players in cognition and often have AD pathology. RESULTS The mean age of women (N = 1711) at baseline was 78.0 (SD = 7.7) years. In women, GPER1 molecular variants had the most consistent associations with AD traits. GPER1 DNA methylation was associated with cognitive decline, tau tangle density, and global AD pathology score. GPER1 RNA expression in DLPFC was related to cognitive decline and tau tangle density. Other associations included associations of ER2 and ER1 sequence variants and DNA methylation with cognition. RNA expressions in DLPFC of genes involved in signaling mechanisms of activated ERs were also associated with cognitive decline and tau tangle density in women. In men (N = 651, average age at baseline: 77.4 [SD = 7.3]), there were less robust associations between ER molecular genomic variants and AD cognitive and pathologic traits. No consistent association was seen between ER molecular genomic variations and non-AD pathologies in either of the sexes. DISCUSSION ER DNA methylation and RNA expression, and to some extent ER polymorphisms, were associated with AD cognitive and pathologic traits in women, and to a lesser extent in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahram Oveisgharan
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
| | - Jingyun Yang
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Lei Yu
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Dominika Burba
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Woojeong Bang
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Shinya Tasaki
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Fran Grodstein
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Yanling Wang
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Jinying Zhao
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Philip Lawrence De Jager
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Julie A Schneider
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - David A Bennett
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
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Iulita MF, Bejanin A, Vilaplana E, Carmona-Iragui M, Benejam B, Videla L, Barroeta I, Fernández S, Altuna M, Pegueroles J, Montal V, Valldeneu S, Giménez S, González-Ortiz S, Torres S, El Bounasri El Bennadi S, Padilla C, Rozalem Aranha M, Estellés T, Illán-Gala I, Belbin O, Valle-Tamayo N, Camacho V, Blessing E, Osorio RS, Videla S, Lehmann S, Holland AJ, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Alcolea D, Clarimón J, Zaman SH, Blesa R, Lleó A, Fortea J. Association of biological sex with clinical outcomes and biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down syndrome. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad074. [PMID: 37056479 PMCID: PMC10088472 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of sex differences in Alzheimer's disease is increasingly recognized as a key priority in research and clinical development. People with Down syndrome represent the largest population with a genetic link to Alzheimer's disease (>90% in the 7th decade). Yet, sex differences in Alzheimer's disease manifestations have not been fully investigated in these individuals, who are key candidates for preventive clinical trials. In this double-centre, cross-sectional study of 628 adults with Down syndrome [46% female, 44.4 (34.6; 50.7) years], we compared Alzheimer's disease prevalence, as well as cognitive outcomes and AT(N) biomarkers across age and sex. Participants were recruited from a population-based health plan in Barcelona, Spain, and from a convenience sample recruited via services for people with intellectual disabilities in England and Scotland. They underwent assessment with the Cambridge Cognitive Examination for Older Adults with Down Syndrome, modified cued recall test and determinations of brain amyloidosis (CSF amyloid-β 42 / 40 and amyloid-PET), tau pathology (CSF and plasma phosphorylated-tau181) and neurodegeneration biomarkers (CSF and plasma neurofilament light, total-tau, fluorodeoxyglucose-PET and MRI). We used within-group locally estimated scatterplot smoothing models to compare the trajectory of biomarker changes with age in females versus males, as well as by apolipoprotein ɛ4 carriership. Our work revealed similar prevalence, age at diagnosis and Cambridge Cognitive Examination for Older Adults with Down Syndrome scores by sex, but males showed lower modified cued recall test scores from age 45 compared with females. AT(N) biomarkers were comparable in males and females. When considering apolipoprotein ɛ4, female ɛ4 carriers showed a 3-year earlier age at diagnosis compared with female non-carriers (50.5 versus 53.2 years, P = 0.01). This difference was not seen in males (52.2 versus 52.5 years, P = 0.76). Our exploratory analyses considering sex, apolipoprotein ɛ4 and biomarkers showed that female ɛ4 carriers tended to exhibit lower CSF amyloid-β 42/amyloid-β 40 ratios and lower hippocampal volume compared with females without this allele, in line with the clinical difference. This work showed that biological sex did not influence clinical and biomarker profiles of Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down syndrome. Consideration of apolipoprotein ɛ4 haplotype, particularly in females, may be important for clinical research and clinical trials that consider this population. Accounting for, reporting and publishing sex-stratified data, even when no sex differences are found, is central to helping advance precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Florencia Iulita
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
- Women’s Brain Project, Guntershausen 8357, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Bejanin
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Eduard Vilaplana
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Maria Carmona-Iragui
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
- Barcelona Down Medical Center, Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down, Barcelona 08029, Spain
| | - Bessy Benejam
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
- Barcelona Down Medical Center, Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down, Barcelona 08029, Spain
| | - Laura Videla
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
- Barcelona Down Medical Center, Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down, Barcelona 08029, Spain
| | - Isabel Barroeta
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Susana Fernández
- Barcelona Down Medical Center, Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down, Barcelona 08029, Spain
| | - Miren Altuna
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Jordi Pegueroles
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Victor Montal
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Silvia Valldeneu
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Sandra Giménez
- Multidisciplinary Sleep Unit, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona 08041, Spain
| | | | - Soraya Torres
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Shaimaa El Bounasri El Bennadi
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Concepcion Padilla
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Mateus Rozalem Aranha
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Teresa Estellés
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Ignacio Illán-Gala
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Olivia Belbin
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Natalia Valle-Tamayo
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Valle Camacho
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona 08041, Spain
| | - Esther Blessing
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Ricardo S Osorio
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sebastian Videla
- Clinical Research Support Unit, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08908, Spain
| | - Sylvain Lehmann
- Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy, Université de Montpellier, CHU de Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier 34295, France
| | - Anthony J Holland
- Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Group, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, Cambridge CB2 8AH, United Kingdom
- Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge CB21 5EF, United Kingdom
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, University of Gothenburg, Möndal 40530, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal 40530, Sweden
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, University College London Institute of Neurology, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong 1512-1518, China
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, University of Gothenburg, Möndal 40530, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal 40530, Sweden
| | - Daniel Alcolea
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Jordi Clarimón
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Shahid H Zaman
- Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Group, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, Cambridge CB2 8AH, United Kingdom
- Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge CB21 5EF, United Kingdom
| | - Rafael Blesa
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Alberto Lleó
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
| | - Juan Fortea
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08025, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid 28031, Spain
- Barcelona Down Medical Center, Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down, Barcelona 08029, Spain
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Ehtezazi T, Rahman K, Davies R, Leach AG. The Pathological Effects of Circulating Hydrophobic Bile Acids in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2023; 7:173-211. [PMID: 36994114 PMCID: PMC10041467 DOI: 10.3233/adr-220071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent clinical studies have revealed that the serum levels of toxic hydrophobic bile acids (deoxy cholic acid, lithocholic acid [LCA], and glycoursodeoxycholic acid) are significantly higher in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) when compared to control subjects. The elevated serum bile acids may be the result of hepatic peroxisomal dysfunction. Circulating hydrophobic bile acids are able to disrupt the blood-brain barrier and promote the formation of amyloid-β plaques through enhancing the oxidation of docosahexaenoic acid. Hydrophobic bile acid may find their ways into the neurons via the apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter. It has been shown that hydrophobic bile acids impose their pathological effects by activating farnesoid X receptor and suppressing bile acid synthesis in the brain, blocking NMDA receptors, lowering brain oxysterol levels, and interfering with 17β-estradiol actions such as LCA by binding to E2 receptors (molecular modelling data exclusive to this paper). Hydrophobic bile acids may interfere with the sonic hedgehog signaling through alteration of cell membrane rafts and reducing brain 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol. This article will 1) analyze the pathological roles of circulating hydrophobic bile acids in the brain, 2) propose therapeutic approaches, and 3) conclude that consideration be given to reducing/monitoring toxic bile acid levels in patients with AD or aMCI, prior/in combination with other treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Touraj Ehtezazi
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Khalid Rahman
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Rhys Davies
- The Walton Centre, NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Andrew G Leach
- School of Pharmacy, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Caulfield ME, Vander Werp MJ, Stancati JA, Collier TJ, Sortwell CE, Sandoval IM, Manfredsson FP, Steece-Collier K. Downregulation of striatal CaV1.3 inhibits the escalation of levodopa-induced dyskinesia in male and female parkinsonian rats of advanced age. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 181:106111. [PMID: 37001610 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In the past 25 years, the prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) has nearly doubled. Age remains the primary risk factor for PD and as the global aging population increases this trend is predicted to continue. Even when treated with levodopa, the gold standard dopamine (DA) replacement therapy, individuals with PD frequently develop therapeutic side effects. Levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID), a common side effect of long-term levodopa use, represents a significant unmet clinical need in the treatment of PD. Previously, in young adult (3-month-old) male parkinsonian rats, we demonstrated that the silencing of CaV1.3 (Cacan1d) L-type voltage-gated calcium channels via striatal delivery of rAAV-CaV1.3-shRNA provides uniform protection against the induction of LID, and significant reduction of established severe LID. With the goal of more closely replicating a clinical demographic, the current study examined the effects of CaV1.3-targeted gene therapy on LID escalation in male and female parkinsonian rats of advanced age (18-month-old at study completion). We tested the hypothesis that silencing aberrant CaV1.3 channel activity in the parkinsonian striatum would prevent moderate to severe dyskinesia with levodopa dose escalation. To test this hypothesis, 15-month-old male and female F344 rats were rendered unilaterally parkinsonian and primed with low-dose (3-4 mg/kg) levodopa. Following the establishment of stable, mild dyskinesias, rats received an intrastriatal injection of either the Cacna1d-specific rAAV-CaV1.3-shRNA vector (CAV-shRNA), or the scramble control rAAV-SCR-shRNA vector (SCR-shRNA). Daily (M-Fr) low-dose levodopa was maintained for 4 weeks during the vector transduction and gene silencing window followed by escalation to 6 mg/kg, then to 12 mg/kg levodopa. SCR-shRNA-shRNA rats showed stable LID expression with low-dose levodopa and the predicted escalation of LID severity with increased levodopa doses. Conversely, complex behavioral responses were observed in aged rats receiving CAV-shRNA, with approximately half of the male and female subjects-therapeutic 'Responders'-demonstrating protection against LID escalation, while the remaining half-therapeutic 'Non-Responders'-showed LID escalation similar to SCR-shRNA rats. Post-mortem histological analyses revealed individual variability in the detection of Cacna1d regulation in the DA-depleted striatum of aged rats. However, taken together, male and female therapeutic 'Responder' rats receiving CAV-shRNA had significantly less striatal Cacna1d in their vector-injected striatum relative to contralateral striatum than those with SCR-shRNA. The current data suggest that mRNA-level silencing of striatal CaV1.3 channels maintains potency in a clinically relevant in vivo scenario by preventing dose-dependent dyskinesia escalation in rats of advanced age. As compared to the uniform response previously reported in young male rats, there was notable variability between individual aged rats, particularly females, in the current study. Future investigations are needed to derive the sex-specific and age-related mechanisms which underlie variable responses to gene therapy and to elucidate factors which determine the therapeutic efficacy of treatment for PD.
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Foster WB, Beach KF, Carson PF, Harris KC, Alonso BL, Costa LT, Simamora RC, Corbin JE, Hoag KF, Mercado SI, Bernhard AG, Leung CH, Nestler EJ, Been LE. Estradiol withdrawal following a hormone simulated pregnancy induces deficits in affective behaviors and increases ∆FosB in D1 and D2 neurons in the nucleus accumbens core in mice. Horm Behav 2023; 149:105312. [PMID: 36645923 PMCID: PMC9974842 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
In placental mammals, estradiol levels are chronically elevated during pregnancy, but quickly drop to prepartum levels following birth. This may produce an "estrogen withdrawal" state that has been linked to changes in affective states in humans and rodents during the postpartum period. The neural mechanisms underlying these affective changes, however, are understudied. We used a hormone-simulated pseudopregnancy (HSP), a model of postpartum estrogen withdrawal, in adult female C57BL/6 mice to test the impact of postpartum estradiol withdrawal on several behavioral measures of anxiety and motivation. We found that estradiol withdrawal following HSP increased anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze, but not in the open field or marble burying tests. Although hormone treatment during HSP consistently increased sucrose consumption, sucrose preference was generally not impacted by hormone treatment or subsequent estradiol withdrawal. In the social motivation test, estradiol withdrawal decreased the amount of time spent in proximity to a social stimulus animal. These behavioral changes were accompanied by changes in the expression of ∆FosB, a transcription factor correlated with stable long-term plasticity, in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Specifically, estrogen-withdrawn females had higher ∆FosB expression in the nucleus accumbens core, but ∆FosB expression did not vary across hormone conditions in the nucleus accumbens shell. Using transgenic reporter mice, we found that this increase in ∆FosB occurred in both D1- and D2-expressing cells in the NAc core. Together, these results suggest that postpartum estrogen withdrawal impacts anxiety and motivation and increases ∆FosB in the NAc core.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paige F Carson
- Haverford College, Department of Psychology, Haverford, PA, USA
| | - Kagan C Harris
- Haverford College, Department of Psychology, Haverford, PA, USA
| | | | - Leo T Costa
- Haverford College, Department of Psychology, Haverford, PA, USA
| | - Roy C Simamora
- Haverford College, Department of Psychology, Haverford, PA, USA
| | - Jaclyn E Corbin
- Haverford College, Department of Psychology, Haverford, PA, USA
| | - Keegan F Hoag
- Haverford College, Department of Psychology, Haverford, PA, USA
| | | | - Anya G Bernhard
- Haverford College, Department of Psychology, Haverford, PA, USA
| | - Cary H Leung
- Widener College, Department of Biology, Chester, PA, USA
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Friedman Brain Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura E Been
- Haverford College, Department of Psychology, Haverford, PA, USA.
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Mishra P, Davies DA, Albensi BC. The Interaction Between NF-κB and Estrogen in Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:1515-1526. [PMID: 36512265 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-03152-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Post-menopausal women are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) than males. The higher rates of AD in women are associated with the sharp decline in the estrogen levels after menopause. Estrogen has been shown to downregulate inflammatory cytokines in the central nervous system (CNS), which has a neuroprotective role against neurodegenerative diseases including AD. Sustained neuroinflammation is associated with neurodegeneration and contributes to AD. Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) is a transcription factor involved with the modulation of inflammation and interacts with estrogen to influence the progression of AD. Application of 17β-estradiol (E2) has been shown to inhibit NF-κB, thereby reducing transcription of NF-κB target genes. Despite accumulating evidence showing that estrogens have beneficial effects in pre-clinical AD studies, there are mixed results with hormone replacement therapy in clinical trials. Furthering our understanding of how NF-κB interacts with estrogen and alters the progression of neurodegenerative disorders including AD, should be beneficial and result in the development of novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranav Mishra
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Research, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Don A Davies
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Benedict C Albensi
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Research, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. .,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. .,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
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Sun S, Song F, Shi L, Zhang K, Gu Y, Sun J, Luo J. Transcriptome analysis of differentially expressed circular RNAs in the testis and ovary of golden pompano (Trachinotus blochii). COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART D, GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2023; 45:101052. [PMID: 36563610 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2022.101052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The artificial breeding of golden pompano (Trachinotus blochii) has expanded greatly in recent years, and after long-term breeding efforts, clear sexual dimorphisms have been observed in T. blochii growth traits, with females growing faster. As sponges of microRNA (miRNAs), circular RNAs (CircRNAs) can alleviate miRNA inhibition of target mRNA. However, few studies have examined sex-related CircRNAs and none of those have looked at T. blochii. To further understand the role of CircRNAs in sex differentiation and sexual size dimorphism in T. blochii, six CircRNA libraries were constructed from the testes and ovaries of T. blochii. A total of 1522 CircRNAs were found distributed over all 24 chromosomes of T. blochii. 135 differentially expressed CircRNAs (DECs) were identified by screening, These DECs were then subjected to GO enrichment, which found 47 enriched pathways. A number of CircRNAs were enriched in cellular processes and metabolic processes. According to the KEGG pathway analysis, a series of sex differentiation pathways were enriched, including the GnRH, calcium, and MAPK signaling pathways. Furthermore, we selected two CircRNAs from the DECs named circ-cacna1b and circ-octc. We found that the cacna1b gene is regulated by 7 miRNAs, 3 of which were regulated by circ-cacna1b, i.e., mmu-miR-138-5p, fru-miR-138, and pma-miR-138b. In addition, the miRNA named pma-miR-138b can regulate sex-related genes, such as sox9 and dmrt1, among others. The co-expression network of CircRNA-miRNA-mRNA showed circ-cacna1b may play a crucial role in T. blochii sex differentiation by regulating pma-miR-138b to affect the expression of sex differentiation genes. The circ-octc may be one of the largest contributors to sexual size dimorphism during growth through its effect on lipid metabolism. These findings could broaden our understanding of CircRNAs and provide new insight into their function in sex differentiation and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shukui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resources Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan Aquaculture Breeding Engineering Research Center, Hainan Academician Team Innovation Center, Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Feibiao Song
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resources Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan Aquaculture Breeding Engineering Research Center, Hainan Academician Team Innovation Center, Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
| | - Liping Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resources Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan Aquaculture Breeding Engineering Research Center, Hainan Academician Team Innovation Center, Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Kaixi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resources Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan Aquaculture Breeding Engineering Research Center, Hainan Academician Team Innovation Center, Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Yue Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resources Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan Aquaculture Breeding Engineering Research Center, Hainan Academician Team Innovation Center, Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Junlong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resources Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan Aquaculture Breeding Engineering Research Center, Hainan Academician Team Innovation Center, Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Jian Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resources Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan Aquaculture Breeding Engineering Research Center, Hainan Academician Team Innovation Center, Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
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Miller CK, Krentzel AA, Meitzen J. ERα Stimulation Rapidly Modulates Excitatory Synapse Properties in Female Rat Nucleus Accumbens Core. Neuroendocrinology 2023; 113:1140-1153. [PMID: 36746131 PMCID: PMC10623399 DOI: 10.1159/000529571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The nucleus accumbens core (NAcc) is a sexually differentiated brain region that is modulated by steroid hormones such as 17β-estradiol (estradiol), with consequential impacts on relevant motivated behaviors and disorders such as addiction, anxiety, and depression. NAcc estradiol levels naturally fluctuate, including during the estrous cycle in adult female rats, which is analogous to the menstrual cycle in adult humans. Across the estrous cycle, excitatory synapse properties of medium spiny neurons rapidly change, as indicated by analysis of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). mEPSC frequency decreases during estrous cycle phases associated with high estradiol levels. This decrease in mEPSC frequency is mimicked by acute topical exposure to estradiol. The identity of the estrogen receptor (ER) underlying this estradiol action is unknown. Adult rat NAcc expresses three ERs, all extranuclear: membrane ERα, membrane ERβ, and GPER1. METHODS In this brief report, we take a first step toward addressing this challenge by testing whether activation of ERs via acute topical agonist application is sufficient for inducing changes in mEPSC properties recorded via whole-cell patch clamp. RESULTS An agonist of ERα induced large decreases in mEPSC frequency, while agonists of ERβ and GPER1 did not robustly modulate mEPSC properties. CONCLUSIONS These data provide evidence that activation of ERα is sufficient for inducing changes in mEPSC frequency and is a likely candidate underlying the estradiol-induced changes observed during the estrous cycle. Overall, these findings extend our understanding of the neuroendocrinology of the NAcc and implicate ERα as a primary target for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiana K. Miller
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Amanda A. Krentzel
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - John Meitzen
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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Estrous Cycle Mediates Midbrain Neuron Excitability Altering Social Behavior upon Stress. J Neurosci 2023; 43:736-748. [PMID: 36549906 PMCID: PMC9899085 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1504-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The estrous cycle is a potent modulator of neuron physiology. In rodents, in vivo ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) activity has been shown to fluctuate across the estrous cycle. Although the behavioral effect of fluctuating sex steroids on the reward circuit is well studied in response to drugs of abuse, few studies have focused on the molecular adaptations in the context of stress and motivated social behaviors. We hypothesized that estradiol fluctuations across the estrous cycle acts on the dopaminergic activity of the VTA to alter excitability and stress response. We used whole-cell slice electrophysiology of VTA DA neurons in naturally cycling, adult female C57BL/6J mice to characterize the effects of the estrous cycle and the role of 17β-estradiol on neuronal activity. We show that the estrous phase alters the effect of 17β-estradiol on excitability in the VTA. Behaviorally, the estrous phase during a series of acute variable social stressors modulates subsequent reward-related behaviors. Pharmacological inhibition of estrogen receptors in the VTA before stress during diestrus mimics the stress susceptibility found during estrus, whereas increased potassium channel activity in the VTA before stress reverses stress susceptibility found during estrus as assessed by social interaction behavior. This study identifies one possible potassium channel mechanism underlying the increased DA activity during estrus and reveals estrogen-dependent changes in neuronal function. Our findings demonstrate that the estrous cycle and estrogen signaling changes the physiology of DA neurons resulting in behavioral differences when the reward circuit is challenged with stress.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The activity of the ventral tegmental area encodes signals of stress and reward. Dopaminergic activity has been found to be regulated by both local synaptic inputs as well as inputs from other brain regions. Here, we provide evidence that cycling sex steroids also play a role in modulating stress sensitivity of dopaminergic reward behavior. Specifically, we reveal a correlation of ionic activity with estrous phase, which influences the behavioral response to stress. These findings shed new light on how estrous cycle may influence dopaminergic activity primarily during times of stress perturbation.
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G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER1) activation promotes synaptic insertion of AMPA receptors and induction of chemical LTP at hippocampal temporoammonic-CA1 synapses. Mol Brain 2023; 16:16. [PMID: 36709268 PMCID: PMC9883958 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-023-01003-3] [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: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well documented that 17β estradiol (E2) regulates excitatory synaptic transmission at hippocampal Shaffer-collateral (SC)-CA1 synapses, via activation of the classical estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ). Hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons are also innervated by the temporoammonic (TA) pathway, and excitatory TA-CA1 synapses are reported to be regulated by E2. Recent studies suggest a role for the novel G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER1) at SC-CA1 synapses, however, the role of GPER1 in mediating the effects of E2 at juvenile TA-CA1 synapses is unclear. Here we demonstrate that the GPER1 agonist, G1 induces a persistent, concentration-dependent (1-10 nM) increase in excitatory synaptic transmission at TA-CA1 synapses and this effect is blocked by selective GPER1 antagonists. The ability of GPER1 to induce this novel form of chemical long-term potentiation (cLTP) was prevented following blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, and it was not accompanied by any change in paired pulse facilitation ratio (PPR). GPER1-induced cLTP involved activation of ERK but was independent of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signalling. Prior treatment with philanthotoxin prevented the effects of G1, indicating that synaptic insertion of GluA2-lacking α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors underlies GPER1-induced cLTP. Furthermore, activity-dependent LTP occluded G1-induced cLTP and vice versa, indicating that these processes have overlapping expression mechanisms. Activity-dependent LTP was blocked by the GPER1 antagonist, G15, suggesting that GPER1 plays a role in NMDA-dependent LTP at juvenile TA-CA1 synapses. These findings add a new dimension to our understanding of GPER1 in modulating neuronal plasticity with relevance to age-related neurodegenerative conditions.
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Turek J, Gąsior Ł. Estrogen fluctuations during the menopausal transition are a risk factor for depressive disorders. Pharmacol Rep 2023; 75:32-43. [PMID: 36639604 PMCID: PMC9889489 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-022-00444-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Women are significantly more likely to develop depression than men. Fluctuations in the ovarian estrogen hormone levels are closely linked with women's well-being. This narrative review discusses the available knowledge on the role of estrogen in modulating brain function and the correlation between changes in estrogen levels and the development of depression. Equally discussed are the possible mechanisms underlying these effects, including the role of estrogen in modulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor activity, serotonin neurotransmission, as well as the induction of inflammatory response and changes in metabolic activity, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Turek
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12 Street, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
| | - Łukasz Gąsior
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12 Street, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
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Kheloui S, Smith A, Ismail N. Combined oral contraceptives and mental health: Are adolescence and the gut-brain axis the missing links? Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 68:101041. [PMID: 36244525 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101041] [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: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Combined oral contraceptives (containing synthetic forms of estradiol and progestins) are one of the most commonly used drugs among females. However, their effects on the gut-brain axis have not been investigated to a great extent despite clear evidence that suggest bi-directional interactions between the gut microbiome and endogenous sex hormones. Moreover, oral contraceptives are prescribed during adolescence, a critical period of development during which several brain structures and systems, such as hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, undergo maturation. Considering that oral contraceptives could impact the developing adolescent brain and that these effects may be mediated by the gut-brain axis, further research investigating the effects of oral contraceptives on the gut-brain axis is imperative. This article briefly reviews evidence from animal and human studies on the effects of combined oral contraceptives on the brain and the gut microbiota particularly during adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kheloui
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Andra Smith
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; uOttawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Nafissa Ismail
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; uOttawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada; LIFE Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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Douglass A, Dattilo M, Feola AJ. Evidence for Menopause as a Sex-Specific Risk Factor for Glaucoma. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:79-97. [PMID: 34981287 PMCID: PMC9250947 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-021-01179-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and is characterized by progressive loss of visual function and retinal ganglion cells (RGC). Current epidemiological, clinical, and basic science evidence suggest that estrogen plays a role in the aging of the optic nerve. Menopause, a major biological life event affecting all women, coincides with a decrease in circulating sex hormones, such as estrogen. While 59% of the glaucomatous population are females, sex is not considered a risk factor for developing glaucoma. In this review, we explore whether menopause is a sex-specific risk factor for glaucoma. First, we investigate how menopause is defined as a sex-specific risk factor for other pathologies, including cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, and bone health. Next, we discuss clinical evidence that highlights the potential role of menopause in glaucoma. We also highlight preclinical studies that demonstrate larger vision and RGC loss following surgical menopause and how estrogen is protective in models of RGC injury. Lastly, we explore how surgical menopause and estrogen signaling are related to risk factors associated with developing glaucoma (e.g., intraocular pressure, aqueous outflow resistance, and ocular biomechanics). We hypothesize that menopause potentially sets the stage to develop glaucoma and therefore is a sex-specific risk factor for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Douglass
- grid.484294.7Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Healthcare System, Decatur, GA USA
| | - Michael Dattilo
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Ophthalmology, Emory Eye Center, Emory University School of Medicine, B2503, Clinic B Building, 1365B Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA ,grid.414026.50000 0004 0419 4084Department of Ophthalmology, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Atlanta, GA USA ,grid.213917.f0000 0001 2097 4943Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Andrew J. Feola
- grid.484294.7Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Healthcare System, Decatur, GA USA ,grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Ophthalmology, Emory Eye Center, Emory University School of Medicine, B2503, Clinic B Building, 1365B Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA ,grid.213917.f0000 0001 2097 4943Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
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Bandala C, Cárdenas-Rodríguez N, Reyes-Long S, Cortés-Algara A, Contreras-García IJ, Cruz-Hernández TR, Alfaro-Rodriguez A, Cortes-Altamirano JL, Perez-Santos M, Anaya-Ruiz M, Lara-Padilla E. Estrogens as a Possible Therapeutic Strategy for the Management of Neuroinflammation and Neuroprotection in COVID-19. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:2110-2125. [PMID: 37326113 PMCID: PMC10556364 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230616103850] [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: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects several tissues, including the central and peripheral nervous system. It has also been related to signs and symptoms that suggest neuroinflammation with possible effects in the short, medium, and long term. Estrogens could have a positive impact on the management of the disease, not only due to its already known immunomodulator effect, but also activating other pathways that may be important in the pathophysiology of COVID-19, such as the regulation of the virus receptor and its metabolites. In addition, they can have a positive effect on neuroinflammation secondary to pathologies other than COVID-19. The aim of this study is to analyze the molecular mechanisms that link estrogens with their possible therapeutic effect for neuroinflammation related to COVID-19. Advanced searches were performed in scientific databases as Pub- Med, ProQuest, EBSCO, the Science Citation index, and clinical trials. Estrogens have been shown to participate in the immune modulation of the response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In addition to this mechanism, we propose that estrogens can regulate the expression and activity of the Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), reestablishing its cytoprotective function, which may be limited by its interaction with SARS-CoV-2. In this proposal, estrogens and estrogenic compounds could increase the synthesis of Angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)) that acts through the Mas receptor (MasR) in cells that are being attacked by the virus. Estrogens can be a promising, accessible, and low-cost treatment for neuroprotection and neuroinflammation in patients with COVID-19, due to its direct immunomodulatory capacity in decreasing cytokine storm and increasing cytoprotective capacity of the axis ACE2/Ang (1-7)/MasR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Bandala
- Higher School of Medicine, National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, 11340, Mexico
| | - Noemí Cárdenas-Rodríguez
- Higher School of Medicine, National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, 11340, Mexico
- Neuroscience Laboratory, National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico City, 04530, Mexico
| | - Samuel Reyes-Long
- Basic Neurosciences, National Institute of Rehabilitation LGII, Mexico City, 14389, Mexico
| | - Alfredo Cortés-Algara
- Higher School of Medicine, National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, 11340, Mexico
- Department of Robotic Surgery and Laparoscopy in Gynecology, Centro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre, Mexico City, CP, Mexico
| | | | | | | | - José Luis Cortes-Altamirano
- Basic Neurosciences, National Institute of Rehabilitation LGII, Mexico City, 14389, Mexico
- Research Department, Ecatepec Valley State University, Valle de Anahuac, Ecatepec, 55210, Mexico State, Mexico
| | - Martín Perez-Santos
- Directorate of Innovation and Knowledge Transfer, Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla, 72570, Puebla
| | - Maricruz Anaya-Ruiz
- Cell Biology Laboratory, Oriente Biomedical Research Center, Mexican Social Security Institute, Metepec, 74360, Puebla
| | - Eleazar Lara-Padilla
- Higher School of Medicine, National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, 11340, Mexico
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Hill SE, Mengelkoch S. Moving beyond the mean: Promising research pathways to support a precision medicine approach to hormonal contraception. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 68:101042. [PMID: 36332783 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Women's psychological and behavioral responses to hormonal contraceptive (HC) treatment can be highly variable. One of the great challenges to researchers seeking to improve the experiences of women who use HCs is to identify the sources of this variability to minimize unpleasant psychobehavioral side-effects. In the following, we provide recommendations for programs of research aimed at identifying sources of heterogeneity in women's experiences with HC. First, we review research demonstrating person- and prescription- based heterogeneity in women's psychobehavioral responses to HCs. Next, we identify several promising person- and prescription- based sources of this heterogeneity that warrant future research. We close with a discussion of research approaches that are particularly well-suited to address the research questions raised in article. Together, this review provides researchers with several promising research pathways to help support the development of a precision medicine approach to HC treatment.
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La Barbera L, D'Amelio M. Alzheimer's Disease and Sex-Dependent Alterations in the Striatum: A Lesson from a Mouse Model. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 94:1377-1380. [PMID: 37522213 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230681] [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] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
In the last years, many clinical studies highlighted sex-specific differences in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The recent paper published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease shows the influence of sex on amyloid-β plaque deposition, behavior, and dopaminergic signaling in the 5xFAD mouse model of AD, with worse alterations in female mice. This commentary focuses on the importance of recognizing sex as a key variable to consider for a more precise clinical practice, with the challenge to develop sex-specific therapeutic interventions in neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia La Barbera
- Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello D'Amelio
- Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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Williams VJ, Koscik R, Sicinski K, Johnson SC, Herd P, Asthana S. Associations Between Midlife Menopausal Hormone Therapy Use, Incident Diabetes, and Late Life Memory in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 93:727-741. [PMID: 37092221 PMCID: PMC10551825 DOI: 10.3233/jad-221240] [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] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior research suggests a link between menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) use, memory function, and diabetes risk. The menopausal transition is a modifiable period to enhance long-term health and cognitive outcomes, although studies have been limited by short follow-up periods precluding a solid understanding of the lasting effects of MHT use on cognition. OBJECTIVE We examined the effects of midlife MHT use on subsequent diabetes incidence and late life memory performance in a large, same-aged, population-based cohort. We hypothesized that the beneficial effects of MHT use on late life cognition would be partially mediated by reduced diabetes risk. METHODS 1,792 women from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) were included in analysis. We employed hierarchical linear regression, Cox regression, and causal mediation models to test the associations between MHT history, diabetes incidence, and late life cognitive performance. RESULTS 1,088/1,792 women (60.7%) reported a history of midlife MHT use and 220/1,792 (12.3%) reported a history of diabetes. MHT use history was associated with better late life immediate recall (but not delayed recall), as well as a reduced risk of diabetes with protracted time to onset. Causal mediation models suggest that the beneficial effect of midlife MHT use on late life immediate recall were at least partially mediated by diabetes risk. CONCLUSION Our data support a beneficial effect of MHT use on late life immediate recall (learning) that was partially mediated by protection against diabetes risk, supporting MHT use in midlife as protective against late life cognitive decline and adverse health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria J. Williams
- Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin at Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Rebecca Koscik
- Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin at Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kamil Sicinski
- Center for Demography of Health and Aging, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Sterling C. Johnson
- Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin at Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Pamela Herd
- McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Sanjay Asthana
- Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin at Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, USA
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Alberti P, Salvalaggio A, Argyriou AA, Bruna J, Visentin A, Cavaletti G, Briani C. Neurological Complications of Conventional and Novel Anticancer Treatments. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246088. [PMID: 36551575 PMCID: PMC9776739 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Various neurological complications, affecting both the central and peripheral nervous system, can frequently be experienced by cancer survivors after exposure to conventional chemotherapy, but also to modern immunotherapy. In this review, we provide an overview of the most well-known adverse events related to chemotherapy, with a focus on chemotherapy induced peripheral neurotoxicity, but we also address some emerging novel clinical entities related to cancer treatment, including chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment and immune-mediated adverse events. Unfortunately, efficacious curative or preventive treatment for all these neurological complications is still lacking. We provide a description of the possible mechanisms involved to drive future drug discovery in this field, both for symptomatic treatment and neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Alberti
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
- NeuroMI (Milan Center for Neuroscience), 20126 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Andreas A. Argyriou
- Neurology Department, Agios Andreas State General Hospital of Patras, 26335 Patras, Greece
| | - Jordi Bruna
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge-ICO Hospitalet, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea Visentin
- Hematology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Guido Cavaletti
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Chiara Briani
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Correspondence:
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PILLEROVÁ M, PASTOREK M, BORBÉLYOVÁ V, RILJAK V, FRICK KM, HODOSY J, TÓTHOVÁ Ľ. Sex steroid hormones in depressive disorders as a basis for new potential treatment strategies. Physiol Res 2022; 71:S187-S202. [PMID: 36647907 PMCID: PMC9906660 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.935001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The sex steroid hormones (SSHs) such as testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and their metabolites have important organizational and activational impacts on the brain during critical periods of brain development and in adulthood. A variety of slow and rapid mechanisms mediate both organizational and activational processes via intracellular or membrane receptors for SSHs. Physiological concentrations and distribution of SSHs in the brain result in normal brain development. Nevertheless, dysregulation of hormonal equilibrium may result in several mood disorders, including depressive disorders, later in adolescence or adulthood. Gender differences in cognitive abilities, emotions as well as the 2-3 times higher prevalence of depressive disorders in females, were already described. This implies that SSHs may play a role in the development of depressive disorders. In this review, we discuss preclinical and clinical studies linked to SSHs and development of depressive disorders. Our secondary aim includes a review of up-to-date knowledge about molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of depressive disorders. Understanding these molecular mechanisms might lead to significant treatment adjustments for patients with depressive disorders and to an amelioration of clinical outcomes for these patients. Nevertheless, the impact of SSHs on the brain in the context of the development of depressive disorders, progression, and treatment responsiveness is complex in nature, and depends upon several factors in concert such as gender, age, comorbidities, and general health conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam PILLEROVÁ
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Michal PASTOREK
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Veronika BORBÉLYOVÁ
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Vladimír RILJAK
- Institute of Physiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karyn M. FRICK
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Július HODOSY
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Ľubomíra TÓTHOVÁ
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
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Genetic overlap between temporomandibular disorders and primary headaches: A systematic review. JAPANESE DENTAL SCIENCE REVIEW 2022; 58:69-88. [PMID: 35242249 PMCID: PMC8881721 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdsr.2022.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary headache disorders (PHD), specifically migraine, are strongly associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), sharing some patterns of orofacial pain. Both disorders have significant genetic contributions already studied. PRISMA guidelines were followed to conduct this systematic review, which comprehensively summarize and discuss the genetic overlap between TMD and PHD to aid future research in potential therapy targets. This review included eight original articles published between 2015 and 2020, written in English and related to either TMD and/or PHD. The genes simultaneously assessed in PHD and TMD studies were COMT, MTHFR, and ESR1. COMT was proved to play a critical role in TMD pathogenesis, as all studies have concluded about its impact on the occurrence of the disease, although no association with PHD was found. No proof on the impact of MTHFR gene regulation on either TMD or PHD was found. The most robust results are concerning the ESR1 gene, which is present in the genetic profile of both clinical conditions. This novel systematic review highlights not only the need for a clear understanding of the role of ESR1 and COMT genes in pain pathogenesis, but it also evaluates their potential as a promising therapeutic target to treat both pathologies.
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Peters KZ, Naneix F. The role of dopamine and endocannabinoid systems in prefrontal cortex development: Adolescence as a critical period. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:939235. [PMID: 36389180 PMCID: PMC9663658 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.939235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex plays a central role in the control of complex cognitive processes including action control and decision making. It also shows a specific pattern of delayed maturation related to unique behavioral changes during adolescence and allows the development of adult cognitive processes. The adolescent brain is extremely plastic and critically vulnerable to external insults. Related to this vulnerability, adolescence is also associated with the emergence of numerous neuropsychiatric disorders involving alterations of prefrontal functions. Within prefrontal microcircuits, the dopamine and the endocannabinoid systems have widespread effects on adolescent-specific ontogenetic processes. In this review, we highlight recent advances in our understanding of the maturation of the dopamine system and the endocannabinoid system in the prefrontal cortex during adolescence. We discuss how they interact with GABA and glutamate neurons to modulate prefrontal circuits and how they can be altered by different environmental events leading to long-term neurobiological and behavioral changes at adulthood. Finally, we aim to identify several future research directions to help highlight gaps in our current knowledge on the maturation of these microcircuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Zara Peters
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer, United Kingdom
| | - Fabien Naneix
- The Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Fabien Naneix
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