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Antici EE, Kuhlman KR, Treanor M, Craske MG. Salivary CRP predicts treatment response to virtual reality exposure therapy for social anxiety disorder. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 118:300-309. [PMID: 38467380 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.03.002] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social anxiety disorder (SAD) places a profound burden on public health and individual wellbeing. Systemic inflammation may be important to the onset and maintenance of SAD, and anti-inflammatory treatments have shown promise in relieving symptoms of SAD. In the present study, we conducted secondary analyses on data from a randomized clinical trial to determine whether C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and social anxiety symptoms decreased over the course of virtual reality exposure therapy, and whether changes in social anxiety symptoms as a function of treatment varied as a function of CRP. METHOD Adult participants (N = 78) with a diagnosis of SAD (59 % female) were randomized to receive exposure therapy alone, or exposure therapy supplemented with scopolamine. Social anxiety symptoms, salivary CRP, and subjective units of distress were measured across three exposure therapy sessions, at a post-treatment extinction retest, and at a 1-month follow-up. RESULTS CRP decreased over the course of treatment, b = -0.03 (SE = 0.01), p =.02 95 %CI [-0.06, -0.004], as did all social anxiety symptom domains and subjective distress. Higher CRP was associated with greater decreases from pre-treatment to 1-month follow-up in fear, b = -0.45 (SE = 0.15), p =.004 95 %CI [-0.74, -0.15], and avoidance, b = -0.62 (SE = 0.19), p =.002 95 %CI [-1.01, -0.23], and in-session subjective distress from pre-treatment to post-treatment, b = -0.42 (SE = 0.21), p =.05 95 %CI [-0.83, -0.001]. However, declines in CRP were not correlated with declines in fear, r = -0.07, p =.61, or avoidance, r = -0.10, p =.49, within-persons. CONCLUSIONS Virtual reality exposure therapy may be associated with an improvement in systemic inflammation in patients with severe SAD. Pre-treatment CRP may also be of value in predicting which patients stand to benefit the most from this treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth E Antici
- Department of Psychological Science, School of Social Ecology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Kate R Kuhlman
- Department of Psychological Science, School of Social Ecology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael Treanor
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michelle G Craske
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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2
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Caldiroli A, Capuzzi E, Affaticati LM, Surace T, Di Forti CL, Dakanalis A, Clerici M, Buoli M. Candidate Biological Markers for Social Anxiety Disorder: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:835. [PMID: 36614278 PMCID: PMC9821596 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common psychiatric condition associated with a high risk of psychiatric comorbidity and impaired social/occupational functioning when not promptly treated. The identification of biological markers may facilitate the diagnostic process, leading to an early and proper treatment. Our aim was to systematically review the available literature about potential biomarkers for SAD. A search in the main online repositories (PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, PsychInfo, etc.) was performed. Of the 662 records screened, 61 were included. Results concerning cortisol, neuropeptides and inflammatory/immunological/neurotrophic markers remain inconsistent. Preliminary evidence emerged about the role of chromosome 16 and the endomannosidase gene, as well as of epigenetic factors, in increasing vulnerability to SAD. Neuroimaging findings revealed an altered connectivity of different cerebral areas in SAD patients and amygdala activation under social threat. Some parameters such as salivary alpha amylase levels, changes in antioxidant defenses, increased gaze avoidance and QT dispersion seem to be associated with SAD and may represent promising biomarkers of this condition. However, the preliminary positive correlations have been poorly replicated. Further studies on larger samples and investigating the same biomarkers are needed to identify more specific biological markers for SAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Caldiroli
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via G.B. Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, Italy; (E.C.); (T.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Enrico Capuzzi
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via G.B. Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, Italy; (E.C.); (T.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Letizia M. Affaticati
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Via Cadore 38, 20900 Monza, Italy; (L.M.A.); (C.L.D.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Teresa Surace
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via G.B. Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, Italy; (E.C.); (T.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Carla L. Di Forti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Via Cadore 38, 20900 Monza, Italy; (L.M.A.); (C.L.D.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Antonios Dakanalis
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Via Cadore 38, 20900 Monza, Italy; (L.M.A.); (C.L.D.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Massimo Clerici
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via G.B. Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, Italy; (E.C.); (T.S.); (M.C.)
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Via Cadore 38, 20900 Monza, Italy; (L.M.A.); (C.L.D.F.); (A.D.)
| | - Massimiliano Buoli
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122 Milan, Italy;
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
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Moser S, Martins J, Czamara D, Lange J, Müller-Myhsok B, Erhardt A. DNA-methylation dynamics across short-term, exposure-containing CBT in patients with panic disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:46. [PMID: 35105872 PMCID: PMC8807826 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01802-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Interaction of genetic predispositions and environmental factors via epigenetic mechanisms have been hypothesized to play a central role in Panic Disorder (PD) aetiology and therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), including exposure interventions, belong to the most efficient treatments of PD although its biological mechanism of action remains unknown. For the first time, we explored the dynamics and magnitude of DNA-methylation and immune cell-type composition during CBT (n = 38) and the therapeutic exposure intervention (n = 21) to unravel their biological correlates and identify possible biomarkers of therapy success. We report transient regulation of the CD4 + T-Cells, Natural Killers cells, Granulocytes during exposure and a significant change in the proportions of CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells and B-Cells and Granulocytes during therapy. In an epigenome-wide association study we identified cg01586609 located in a CpG island and annotated to the serotonin receptor 3 A (HTR3A) to be differentially methylated during fear exposure and regulated at gene expression level with significant differences between remitters and non-remitters (p = 0.028). We moreover report cg01699630 annotated to ARG1 to undergo long lasting methylation changes during therapy (paired t test, genome-wide adj.p value = 0.02). This study reports the first data-driven biological candidates for epigenetically mediated effects of acute fear exposure and CBT in PD patients. Our results provide evidence of changes in the serotonin receptor 3 A methylation and expression during fear exposure associated with different long-term CBT trajectories and outcome, making it a possible candidate in the search of markers for therapy success. Finally, our results add to a growing body of evidence showing immune system changes associated with PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Moser
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany. .,International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), Munich, Germany.
| | - Jade Martins
- grid.419548.50000 0000 9497 5095Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Darina Czamara
- grid.419548.50000 0000 9497 5095Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Jennifer Lange
- grid.419548.50000 0000 9497 5095Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Bertram Müller-Myhsok
- grid.419548.50000 0000 9497 5095Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany ,grid.10025.360000 0004 1936 8470Department of Health Data Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Angelika Erhardt
- grid.419548.50000 0000 9497 5095Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany ,grid.8379.50000 0001 1958 8658Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Centre of Mental Health, Julius-Maximilians-University, Wuerzburg, Germany
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Pan F, Cao S, Li XL, Jia YN, Wang RL, He Q, Zhu JQ. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Score and the Follow-Up Period Can Cause the Shift of Circulating Lymphocyte Subsets in Liver Transplant Recipients. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:779443. [PMID: 35047528 PMCID: PMC8761724 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.779443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the shift of lymphocytes under the condition of the model for end-stage liver disease score and the follow-up period. Then, we detected the peripheral blood from liver transplant recipients by flow cytometry and compared the results. The model for end-stage liver disease score affected the percentages of T-cell subsets and B cells during the short-term follow-up period, but failed to influence the lymphocyte subsets during the long-term follow-up period. In contrast, the follow-up period not only affected the absolute counts of T-cell subsets and natural killer (NK) cells in patients with the low model for end-stage liver disease scores, but also influenced the percentages and absolute counts of T-cell subsets in patients with the high model for end-stage liver disease scores. In the two-way ANOVA, we further revealed that the model for end-stage liver disease score was associated with the percentages of T cells and CD4+ T cells and the absolute numbers of T-cell subsets and B cells, while the follow-up period was associated with the percentages of T-cell subsets and the absolute numbers of lymphocyte subsets. Therefore, patients with either the low model for end-stage liver disease scores or the long-term follow-up period are in a relatively activated immune condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Pan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Medical Research Center, Beijing Organ Transplant Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuang Cao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Medical Research Center, Beijing Organ Transplant Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xian-Liang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Medical Research Center, Beijing Organ Transplant Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Nan Jia
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Medical Research Center, Beijing Organ Transplant Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruo-Lin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Medical Research Center, Beijing Organ Transplant Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang He
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Medical Research Center, Beijing Organ Transplant Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ji-Qiao Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Medical Research Center, Beijing Organ Transplant Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Butler MI, Long-Smith C, Moloney GM, Morkl S, O'Mahony SM, Cryan JF, Clarke G, Dinan TG. The immune-kynurenine pathway in social anxiety disorder. Brain Behav Immun 2022; 99:317-326. [PMID: 34758380 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tryptophan-kynurenine pathway is of major interest in psychiatry and is altered in patients with depression, schizophrenia and panic disorder. Stress and immune alterations can impact this system, through cortisol- and cytokine-induced activation. In addition, there is emerging evidence that the kynurenine pathway is associated with suicidality. There have been no studies to date exploring the immune-kynurenine system in social anxiety disorder (SAD), and indeed very limited human studies on the kynurenine pathway in any clinical anxiety disorder. METHODS We investigated plasma levels of several kynurenine pathway markers, including kynurenine (KYN), tryptophan (TRYP) and kynurenic acid (KYNA), along with the KYN/TRYP and KYNA/KYN ratios, in a cohort of 32 patients with SAD and 36 healthy controls. We also investigated a broad array of both basal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated blood cytokine levels including IFN-γ, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. RESULTS SAD patients had elevated plasma KYNA levels and an increased KYNA/KYN ratio compared to healthy controls. No differences in KYN, TRYP or the KYN/TRYP ratio were seen between the two groups. SAD patients with a history of past suicide attempt showed elevated plasma KYN levels and a higher KYN/TRYP ratio compared to patients without a history of suicide attempt. No differences were seen in basal or LPS-stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokine levels between the patients and controls. However, unstimulated IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, was significantly lower in the SAD group. A significant sex influence was evident with SAD males having lower levels of IL-10 compared to healthy males but no difference seen between SAD females and healthy females. CONCLUSIONS The peripheral kynurenine pathway is altered in SAD and preferentially directed towards KYNA synthesis. Additionally, kynurenine pathway activation, as evidenced by elevated KYN and KYN/TRYP ratio, is evident in SAD patients with a history of past suicide attempt. While no differences in pro-inflammatory cytokines is apparent in SAD patients, lower anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels are seen in SAD males. Further investigation of the role of the immune-kynurenine pathway in SAD and other clinical anxiety disorders is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary I Butler
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland.
| | | | - Gerard M Moloney
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Sabrina Morkl
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Siobhain M O'Mahony
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Gerard Clarke
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Timothy G Dinan
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland
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6
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Petersen CL, Chen JQ, Salas LA, Christensen BC. Altered immune phenotype and DNA methylation in panic disorder. Clin Epigenetics 2020; 12:177. [PMID: 33208194 PMCID: PMC7672933 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-020-00972-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Multiple studies have related psychiatric disorders and immune alterations. Panic disorder (PD) has been linked with changes in leukocytes distributions in several small studies using different methods for immune characterization. Additionally, alterations in the methylation of repetitive DNA elements, such as LINE-1, have been associated with mental disorders. Here, we use peripheral blood DNA methylation data from two studies and an updated DNA methylation deconvolution library to investigate the relation of leukocyte proportions and methylation status of repetitive elements in 133 patients with panic disorder compared with 118 controls. Methods and results We used DNA methylation data to deconvolute leukocyte cell-type proportions and to infer LINE-1 element methylation comparing PD cases and controls. We also identified differentially methylated CpGs associated with PD using an epigenome-wide association study approach (EWAS), with models adjusting for sex, age, and cell-type proportions. Individuals with PD had a lower proportion of CD8T cells (OR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.78–0.96, P-adj = 0.030) when adjusting for age, sex, and study compared with controls. Also, PD cases had significantly lower LINE-1 repetitive element methylation than controls (P < 0.001). The EWAS identified 61 differentially methylated CpGs (58 hypo- and 3 hypermethylated) in PD (Bonferroni adjusted P < 1.33 × 10–7). Conclusions These results suggest that those with panic disorder have changes to their immune system and dysregulation of repeat elements relative to controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Curtis L Petersen
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Lebanon, NH, 03766, USA.,Quantitative Biomedical Science Program, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, 03766, USA
| | - Ji-Qing Chen
- Program for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, 03766, USA
| | - Lucas A Salas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, 03766, USA
| | - Brock C Christensen
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, 03766, USA. .,Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, 03766, USA. .,Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Dr, 660 Williamson Translation Research Building, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA.
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7
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Won E, Kim YK. Neuroinflammation-Associated Alterations of the Brain as Potential Neural Biomarkers in Anxiety Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186546. [PMID: 32906843 PMCID: PMC7555994 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress-induced changes in the immune system, which lead to neuroinflammation and consequent brain alterations, have been suggested as possible neurobiological substrates of anxiety disorders, with previous literature predominantly focusing on panic disorder, agoraphobia, and generalized anxiety disorder, among the anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders have frequently been associated with chronic stress, with chronically stressful situations being reported to precipitate the onset of anxiety disorders. Also, chronic stress has been reported to lead to hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and autonomic nervous system disruption, which may in turn induce systemic proinflammatory conditions. Preliminary evidence suggests anxiety disorders are also associated with increased inflammation. Systemic inflammation can access the brain, and enhance pro-inflammatory cytokine levels that have been shown to precipitate direct and indirect neurotoxic effects. Prefrontal and limbic structures are widely reported to be influenced by neuroinflammatory conditions. In concordance with these findings, various imaging studies on panic disorder, agoraphobia, and generalized anxiety disorder have reported alterations in structure, function, and connectivity of prefrontal and limbic structures. Further research is needed on the use of inflammatory markers and brain imaging in the early diagnosis of anxiety disorders, along with the possible efficacy of anti-inflammatory interventions on the prevention and treatment of anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunsoo Won
- Department of Psychiatry, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam 13496, Korea;
| | - Yong-Ku Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan 15355, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-31-412-5140; Fax: +82-31-412-5144
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Vismara M, Girone N, Cirnigliaro G, Fasciana F, Vanzetto S, Ferrara L, Priori A, D’Addario C, Viganò C, Dell’Osso B. Peripheral Biomarkers in DSM-5 Anxiety Disorders: An Updated Overview. Brain Sci 2020; 10:E564. [PMID: 32824625 PMCID: PMC7464377 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10080564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are prevalent and highly disabling mental disorders. In recent years, intensive efforts focused on the search for potential neuroimaging, genetic, and peripheral biomarkers in order to better understand the pathophysiology of these disorders, support their diagnosis, and characterize the treatment response. Of note, peripheral blood biomarkers, as surrogates for the central nervous system, represent a promising instrument to characterize psychiatric disorders, although their role has not been extensively applied to clinical practice. In this report, the state of the art on peripheral biomarkers of DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition) Anxiety Disorders is presented, in order to examine their role in the pathogenesis of these conditions and their potential application for diagnosis and treatment. Available data on the cerebrospinal fluid and blood-based biomarkers related to neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, neurotrophic factors, and the inflammation and immune system are reviewed. Despite the wide scientific literature and the promising results in the field, only a few of the proposed peripheral biomarkers have been defined as a specific diagnostic instrument or have been identified as a guide in the treatment response to DSM-5 Anxiety Disorders. Therefore, further investigations are needed to provide new biological insights into the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders, to help in their diagnosis, and to tailor a treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Vismara
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; (N.G.); (G.C.); (F.F.); (S.V.); (L.F.); (C.V.); (B.D.)
| | - Nicolaja Girone
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; (N.G.); (G.C.); (F.F.); (S.V.); (L.F.); (C.V.); (B.D.)
| | - Giovanna Cirnigliaro
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; (N.G.); (G.C.); (F.F.); (S.V.); (L.F.); (C.V.); (B.D.)
| | - Federica Fasciana
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; (N.G.); (G.C.); (F.F.); (S.V.); (L.F.); (C.V.); (B.D.)
| | - Simone Vanzetto
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; (N.G.); (G.C.); (F.F.); (S.V.); (L.F.); (C.V.); (B.D.)
| | - Luca Ferrara
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; (N.G.); (G.C.); (F.F.); (S.V.); (L.F.); (C.V.); (B.D.)
| | - Alberto Priori
- Department of Health Sciences, Aldo Ravelli Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutic, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy;
| | - Claudio D’Addario
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy;
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Caterina Viganò
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; (N.G.); (G.C.); (F.F.); (S.V.); (L.F.); (C.V.); (B.D.)
| | - Bernardo Dell’Osso
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; (N.G.); (G.C.); (F.F.); (S.V.); (L.F.); (C.V.); (B.D.)
- Department of Health Sciences, Aldo Ravelli Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutic, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy;
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Bipolar Disorders Clinic, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- “Centro per lo studio dei meccanismi molecolari alla base delle patologie neuro-psico-geriatriche”, University of Milan, 20100 Milan, Italy
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Gurok MG, Yılmaz S, Temizkan A, Ustundag B, Atmaca M. Levels of basophils and eosinophils are elevated while lymphocytes are reduced in patients with panic disorder compared to controls: a preliminary study. PSYCHIAT CLIN PSYCH 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/24750573.2018.1478191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Gurkan Gurok
- School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Fırat University, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Seda Yılmaz
- Elazig Mental Health Hospital, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Abdulgani Temizkan
- Department of Psychiatry, Adiyaman University Training and Research Hospital, Adiyaman, Turkey
| | - Bilal Ustundag
- School of Medicine, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Fırat University, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Murad Atmaca
- School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Fırat University, Elazig, Turkey
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10
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Inflammation in Fear- and Anxiety-Based Disorders: PTSD, GAD, and Beyond. Neuropsychopharmacology 2017; 42:254-270. [PMID: 27510423 PMCID: PMC5143487 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2016.146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 397] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2016] [Revised: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The study of inflammation in fear- and anxiety-based disorders has gained interest as growing literature indicates that pro-inflammatory markers can directly modulate affective behavior. Indeed, heightened concentrations of inflammatory signals, including cytokines and C-reactive protein, have been described in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), and phobias (agoraphobia, social phobia, etc.). However, not all reports indicate a positive association between inflammation and fear- and anxiety-based symptoms, suggesting that other factors are important in future assessments of inflammation's role in the maintenance of these disorders (ie, sex, co-morbid conditions, types of trauma exposure, and behavioral sources of inflammation). The most parsimonious explanation of increased inflammation in PTSD, GAD, PD, and phobias is via the activation of the stress response and central and peripheral immune cells to release cytokines. Dysregulation of the stress axis in the face of increased sympathetic tone and decreased parasympathetic activity characteristic of anxiety disorders could further augment inflammation and contribute to increased symptoms by having direct effects on brain regions critical for the regulation of fear and anxiety (such as the prefrontal cortex, insula, amygdala, and hippocampus). Taken together, the available data suggest that targeting inflammation may serve as a potential therapeutic target for treating these fear- and anxiety-based disorders in the future. However, the field must continue to characterize the specific role pro-inflammatory signaling in the maintenance of these unique psychiatric conditions.
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Shimada-Sugimoto M, Otowa T, Miyagawa T, Khor SS, Kashiwase K, Sugaya N, Kawamura Y, Umekage T, Kojima H, Saji H, Miyashita A, Kuwano R, Kaiya H, Kasai K, Tanii H, Okazaki Y, Tokunaga K, Sasaki T. Immune-related pathways including HLA-DRB1(∗)13:02 are associated with panic disorder. Brain Behav Immun 2015; 46:96-103. [PMID: 25582808 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2015.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Revised: 12/26/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Panic disorder (PD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by panic attacks and anticipatory anxiety. Both genetic and environmental factors are thought to trigger PD onset. Previously, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for PD and focused on candidate SNPs with the lowest P values. However, there seemed to be a number of polymorphisms which did not reach genome-wide significance threshold due to their low allele frequencies and odds ratios, even though they were truly involved in pathogenesis. Therefore we performed pathway analyses in order to overcome the limitations of conventional single-marker analysis and identify associated SNPs with modest effects. Each pathway analysis indicated that pathways related to immunity showed the strongest association with PD (DAVID, P=2.08×10(-6); i-GSEA4GWAS, P<10(-3); ICSNPathway, P<10(-3)). Based on the results of pathway analyses and the previously performed GWAS for PD, we focused on and investigated HLA-B and HLA-DRB1 as candidate susceptibility genes for PD. We typed HLA-B and HLA-DRB1 in 744 subjects with PD and 1418 control subjects. Patients with PD were significantly more likely to carry HLA-DRB1(∗)13:02 (P=2.50×10(-4), odds ratio=1.54). Our study provided initial evidence that HLA-DRB1(∗)13:02 and genes involved in immune-related pathways are associated with PD. Future studies are necessary to confirm these results and clarify the underlying mechanisms causing PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihoko Shimada-Sugimoto
- Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Otowa
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Taku Miyagawa
- Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seik-Soon Khor
- Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi Kashiwase
- Japanese Red Cross Kanto-Koshinetsu Block Blood Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nagisa Sugaya
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoshiya Kawamura
- Department of Psychiatry, Sakae Seijinkai Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tadashi Umekage
- Division for Environment, Health and Safety, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Akinori Miyashita
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Center for Bioresources, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Ryozo Kuwano
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Center for Bioresources, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hisanobu Kaiya
- Panic Disorder Research Center, Warakukai Med. Corp., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyoto Kasai
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hisashi Tanii
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Life Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Mie University, Mie, Japan
| | - Yuji Okazaki
- Tokyo Metropolitan Matsuzawa Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsushi Tokunaga
- Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Sasaki
- Department of Physical and Health Education, Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Moylan S, Jacka FN, Pasco JA, Berk M. How cigarette smoking may increase the risk of anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders: a critical review of biological pathways. Brain Behav 2013; 3:302-26. [PMID: 23785661 PMCID: PMC3683289 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2012] [Revised: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 02/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple studies have demonstrated an association between cigarette smoking and increased anxiety symptoms or disorders, with early life exposures potentially predisposing to enhanced anxiety responses in later life. Explanatory models support a potential role for neurotransmitter systems, inflammation, oxidative and nitrosative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, neurotrophins and neurogenesis, and epigenetic effects, in anxiety pathogenesis. All of these pathways are affected by exposure to cigarette smoke components, including nicotine and free radicals. This review critically examines and summarizes the literature exploring the role of these systems in increased anxiety and how exposure to cigarette smoke may contribute to this pathology at a biological level. Further, this review explores the effects of cigarette smoke on normal neurodevelopment and anxiety control, suggesting how exposure in early life (prenatal, infancy, and adolescence) may predispose to higher anxiety in later life. A large heterogenous literature was reviewed that detailed the association between cigarette smoking and anxiety symptoms and disorders with structural brain changes, inflammation, and cell-mediated immune markers, markers of oxidative and nitrosative stress, mitochondrial function, neurotransmitter systems, neurotrophins and neurogenesis. Some preliminary data were found for potential epigenetic effects. The literature provides some support for a potential interaction between cigarette smoking, anxiety symptoms and disorders, and the above pathways; however, limitations exist particularly in delineating causative effects. The literature also provides insight into potential effects of cigarette smoke, in particular nicotine, on neurodevelopment. The potential treatment implications of these findings are discussed in regards to future therapeutic targets for anxiety. The aforementioned pathways may help mediate increased anxiety seen in people who smoke. Further research into the specific actions of nicotine and other cigarette components on these pathways, and how these pathways interact, may provide insights that lead to new treatment for anxiety and a greater understanding of anxiety pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Moylan
- Deakin University School of Medicine Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
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Moylan S, Eyre HA, Maes M, Baune BT, Jacka FN, Berk M. Exercising the worry away: how inflammation, oxidative and nitrogen stress mediates the beneficial effect of physical activity on anxiety disorder symptoms and behaviours. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2013; 37:573-84. [PMID: 23415701 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2012] [Revised: 11/27/2012] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Regular physical activity exerts positive effects on anxiety disorder symptoms, although the biological mechanisms underpinning this effect are incompletely understood. Numerous lines of evidence support inflammation and oxidative and nitrogen stress (O&NS) as important in the pathogenesis of mood and anxiety disorders, and physical activity is known to influence these same pathways. This paper reviews the inter-relationships between anxiety disorders, physical activity and inflammation and O&NS, to explore whether modulation of inflammation and O&NS may in part underpin the positive effect of physical activity on anxiety disorders. Numerous studies support the notion that physical activity operates as an anti-inflammatory and anti-O&NS agent which potentially exerts positive effects on neuroplasticity, the expression of neurotrophins and normal neuronal functions. These effects may therefore influence the expression and evolution of anxiety disorders. Further exploration of this area may elicit a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders, and inform the development of integrated programmes including PA specifically suited to the treatment and prevention of anxiety disorders and symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Moylan
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.
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Tükel R, Arslan BA, Ertekin BA, Ertekin E, Oflaz S, Ergen A, Kuruca SE, Isbir T. Decreased IFN-γ and IL-12 levels in panic disorder. J Psychosom Res 2012; 73:63-7. [PMID: 22691562 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2012.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2011] [Revised: 04/24/2012] [Accepted: 04/24/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to assess the measures of proinflammatory cytokines in patients with panic disorder in comparison with the healthy subjects. METHODS Twenty three patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia and twenty three controls were recruited for the study. Plasma samples of all subjects were analyzed for TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-12 concentrations and NK-cell activity is measured in the peripheral blood samples of the subjects. RESULTS We found significant differences on the mean values of IL-12 (p=0.01) and IFN-γ (p=0.02) between the panic disorder and control groups. In a logistic regression analysis, IFN-γ values were significant statistical predictors of the presence of panic disorder (B=-0.07, SE=0.03, p=0.04). CONCLUSION The most important implication of our results is to suggest a relation between panic disorder and low levels of IFN-γ, compatible with the results of the animal studies showing that IFN-γ plays a role by acting to regulate the development of anxiety-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raşit Tükel
- Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Istanbul University, Capa, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Koh KB, Sohn SH, Kang JI, Lee YJ, Lee JD. Relationship between neural activity and immunity in patients with undifferentiated somatoform disorder. Psychiatry Res 2012; 202:252-6. [PMID: 22801462 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2011.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2011] [Revised: 10/06/2011] [Accepted: 11/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
It has been suggested that somatoform disorders are related to both the brain and the immune system, and that immune functions may be influenced by cerebral asymmetry. However, few studies have examined the relationship between brain activity and immune function in somatoform disorders. Thirty-two patients with non-medicated undifferentiated somatoform disorder were enrolled in this study. Blastogenic responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were used to measure immunity. Regional cerebral perfusion was measured by 99m-Tc-ethyl cysteinate dimer single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Significant hypoperfusion was found at the left inferior parietal lobule and the left supramarginal gyrus in the more immune-suppressed (MIS) subgroup compared with the less immune-suppressed (LIS) subgroup. However, no regions of significant hyperperfusion were found in the MIS subgroup compared with the LIS subgroup. Decreased cerebral blood flow in the left inferior parietal lobule and the left supramarginal gyrus in the patient group was also significantly associated with reduced blastogenic responses to PHA regardless of sex and age. These results suggest that the left inferior parietal lobule and the left supramarginal gyrus might play an immunomodulating role in patients with undifferentiated somatoform disorder. In addition, these results suggest the role of cerebral asymmetry in altered immunity in the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Bong Koh
- Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, Republic of Korea.
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Fluitman S, Denys D, Vulink N, Schutters S, Heijnen C, Westenberg H. Lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine production in obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized social anxiety disorder. Psychiatry Res 2010; 178:313-6. [PMID: 20452055 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2009.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2008] [Revised: 05/12/2009] [Accepted: 05/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The immune system is implicated in the pathophysiology of various psychiatric disorders. In anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and generalized social anxiety disorder (GSAD), immunological findings are equivocal and sparse. In this study, we investigated the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- stimulated cytokine levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) by peripheral blood leukocytes in 26 OCD patients, 26 GSAD patients, and 52 healthy controls. We found that leukocytes of OCD patients produced less IL-6 compared with matched controls, whereas no cytokine differences were found between GSAD patients and matched controls. When both patient groups were compared, a trend toward lower IL-6 levels in OCD patients was observed. This supports the idea of immunological involvement in the pathophysiology of OCD and suggests that GSAD and OCD might be different in immunological respect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sjoerd Fluitman
- The Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Başterzi AD, Yazici K, Buturak V, Cimen B, Yazici A, Eskandari G, Tot Acar S, Taşdelen B. Effects of venlafaxine and fluoxetine on lymphocyte subsets in patients with major depressive disorder: a flow cytometric analysis. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2010; 34:70-5. [PMID: 19804808 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2009.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2009] [Revised: 09/14/2009] [Accepted: 09/27/2009] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have yielded conflicting results concerning flow cytometric lymphocyte analyses in patients with depression. Data about the effect of antidepressants on lymphocyte subsets are also contradictory. The aim of this study was to determine effects of venlafaxine versus fluoxetine on lymphocyte subsets in depressive patients. METHODS Sixty-nine patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) according to DSM-IV and 36 healthy controls are included in the study. Sixty-nine patients were randomized to take fluoxetine (FLX) (n=33) or venlafaxine (VEN) (n=36). Serum lymphocyte subsets included CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16/56, CD19, CD45, Anti-HLA-DR which were measured by flow cytometric analyses at baseline and 6 weeks after the start of treatment. The severity of depression was evaluated with Hamilton rating scale for depression. RESULTS At baseline, patients with MDD had significantly lower CD16/56 ratio and higher CD45 ratio compared to the controls. Although numerically higher in the VEN treated patients, treatment response rates between the FLX (53%) and the VEN (75%) groups were not different statistically. CD45 values decreased significantly in the VEN group at the end of the 6 week treatment period whereas no difference was observed in the FLX group. By the 6th week, treatment responders showed a significantly higher CD16/56 ratio than non-responders. Baseline severity of depression and anxiety was positively correlated with baseline CD45 ratio and negatively correlated with baseline CD16/56 ratio. We did not observe consistent changes in the absolute number of circulating B or T cells, nor in the helper/inducer (CD4) or suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8) subsets. CONCLUSIONS CD16/56 was lower in patients with MDD and increased in treatment responders at 6th week. CD45 ratio was higher in patients with MDD than healthy subjects; it decreased with antidepressant treatment and was positively correlated with the severity of depression. Antidepressant treatment contributes to immune regulation in patients with major depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayşe Devrim Başterzi
- Department of Psychiatry, Mersin University Faculty of Medicine, Zeytinlibahçe Cad., 33079-Mersin, Turkey.
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van Duinen MA, Schruers KRJ, Kenis GRL, Wauters A, Delanghe J, Griez EJL, Maes MHJ. Effects of experimental panic on neuroimmunological functioning. J Psychosom Res 2008; 64:305-10. [PMID: 18291246 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2007.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2007] [Revised: 09/18/2007] [Accepted: 10/04/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Psychoimmunological research in panic disorder (PD) so far focussed on single time point evaluation in resting conditions. No robust evidence for changes in the immune system was found using this method. However, PD is characterized by the occurrence of unexpected panic attacks (PAs). The current research focuses on cytokine and acute phase protein (APP) levels and mitogen-induced cytokine secretion following 35% CO(2) inhalation-induced panic. METHODS Eighteen PD patients and 18 matched healthy control subjects underwent both a placebo and a 35% CO(2) inhalation on separate days. Blood samples for cytokine and APP determination were taken before and after the inhalation. In addition to serum determination, whole blood samples were cultured and stimulated with mitogens for assessment of the functional capacity of the immune system. RESULTS The 35% CO(2) inhalation induced significantly higher levels of anxiety in PD patients as compared to the control subjects, but no differences in immune parameters were found, either in basal conditions or after experimental panic induction. CONCLUSION In our sample we do not find any changes in serum levels or functional capacity of several immunological parameters in the experimentally provoked PAs. Similar results have been found in social phobia, whereas in other affective disorders such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder, immune changes are evident. Changes seem to coincide with alterations in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. Therefore, the bidirectional communication pathway between the immune system and the HPA axis might play a role in some affective disorders, but it does not specifically seem to be involved in the etiology of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlies A van Duinen
- School of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.
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Sperner-Unterweger B. Immunological aetiology of major psychiatric disorders: evidence and therapeutic implications. Drugs 2005; 65:1493-520. [PMID: 16033289 DOI: 10.2165/00003495-200565110-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Historically, immunological research in psychiatry was based on empirical findings and early epidemiological studies indicating a possible relationship between psychiatric symptoms and acute infectious diseases. However, aetiopathological explanations for psychiatric disorders are no longer closely related to acute infection. Nevertheless, immune hypotheses have been discussed in schizophrenia, affective disorders and infantile autism in the last decades. Although the variability between the results of the epidemiological studies conducted to date is strikingly high, there is still some evidence that the immune system might play a role in the aetiopathogenesis of these three psychiatric diseases, at least in subgroups of patients. In anxiety disorders immunological research is still very much in its infancy, and the few and inconsistent data of immune changes in these patients are believed to reflect the influence of short- or long-term stress exposure. Nevertheless, there are also some hints raising the possibility that autoimmune mechanisms could interrupt neurotransmission, which would be of significance in certain patients with anxiety and panic disorders. Drug and alcohol (ethanol) dependence are not believed to be primarily influenced by an immunological aetiology. On the other hand, immune reactions due to different drugs of abuse and alcohol may directly or indirectly influence the course of concomitant somatic diseases. In different organic brain disorders the underlying somatic disease is defined as a primary immune or autoimmune disorder, for instance HIV infection or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). For other neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, immunoaetiopathological mechanisms are supported by experimental and clinical studies. Treatment strategies based on immune mechanisms have been investigated in patients with schizophrenia and affective disorders. Furthermore, some antipsychotics and most antidepressants are known to have direct or indirect effects on the immune system. Different immunotherapies have been used in autism, including transfer factor, pentoxifylline, intravenous immunoglobulins and corticosteroids. Immunosuppressive and/or immunomodulating agents are well established methods for treating the neuropsychiatric sequelae of immune or autoimmune disorders, for example AIDS and SLE. Therapeutic approaches in Alzheimer's disease also apply immunological methods such as strategies of active/passive immunisation and NSAIDs. Considering the comprehensive interactive network between mind and body, future research should focus on approaches linking targets of the different involved systems.
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Abstract
This study was conducted to examine lymphocyte subset counts and mood states in panic disorder patients. Twenty patients with panic disorder and 20 age- and gender-matched normal healthy subjects were recruited for the study. We used the Spielberger State (STAIS) & Trait (STAIT) Anxiety Inventory, Hamilton Depression Rating scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating scale (HAMA) to measure mood states in all subjects. Lymphocyte subsets counts were made by flow cytometry. Panic patients showed significantly higher scores for anxiety and depression than normal subjects. Panic patients showed no differences in terms of the numbers of immune cells, as compared with normal healthy subjects, other than a lower proportion of T suppressor cells and a higher T helper cell/T suppressor cell ratio. HAMA and STAIS scores were common factors that could predict T cell numbers and proportions, T helper cell numbers, and natural killer cell proportions in panic disorder patients. We suggest that anxiety levels are related to the T-cell population in panic disorder patients and that quantitative immune differences may reflect altered immunity in this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo-Eon Park
- Department of Psychiatry, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang-Wook Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Quehn Park
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Do-Un Jeong
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Bum-Hee Yu
- Department of Psychiatry, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Kim YR, Park Q, Yu BH. Changes in lymphocyte subsets after short-term pharmacotherapy in patients with panic disorder. Psychiatry Res 2004; 128:183-90. [PMID: 15488961 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2004.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2003] [Accepted: 05/21/2004] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Panic disorder is associated with a high frequency of comorbid immunological diseases, such as allergies and asthma, although the psychoneuroimmunology of panic disorder is relatively unexplored. The objective of this study was to determine whether panic patients have different immunological findings compared with normal healthy subjects and whether changes in immune function are associated with short-term pharmacotherapy. We also examined whether immunological variables were associated with clinical severity and serum catecholamine levels. Patients with panic disorder (n=26) and healthy control subjects (n=26) were recruited for this study. All patients were treated with paroxetine for 3 months. We measured the lymphocyte subsets, psychopathological characteristics and serum catecholamine (norepinephrine and epinephrine) levels. Panic patients did not differ initially from control subjects in peripheral lymphocyte phenotypic markers. After drug therapy, however, percentages of circulating CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes were significantly increased, while the percentage of CD19+ B lymphocytes was significantly decreased in the patients. The difference in the percentage of CD8+ T lymphocytes before and after treatment was negatively correlated with pretreatment Global Clinical Impression scores. The lymphocyte subsets were not significantly associated with serum catecholamine levels in panic patients. In conclusion, panic patients showed increased CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte proportions and a decreased B lymphocyte proportion after 3 months of drug therapy. This finding suggests that pharmacological treatment may affect immune function in panic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youl-Ri Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 50 Ilwon-Dong, Kangnam-Ku, 135-710, Seoul, South Korea
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Koh KB, Lee Y. Reduced anxiety level by therapeutic interventions and cell-mediated immunity in panic disorder patients. PSYCHOTHERAPY AND PSYCHOSOMATICS 2004; 73:286-92. [PMID: 15292626 DOI: 10.1159/000078845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined the relationship between reduced anxiety level by therapeutic interventions and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in patients with panic disorder. METHODS The subjects consisted of 42 patients with panic disorder and 42 normal gender- and age-matched controls. Among the patients, 21 were randomly assigned to a combined treatment of cognitive-behavioral therapy and the benzodiazepine antianxiety agent ethyl loflazepate (2 mg daily), and 21 were assigned to the antianxiety agent only. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks. Cell-mediated immune function was measured by the lymphocyte proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. The anxiety level was assessed by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety and the anxiety subscale of the Symptom Checklist-90 Revised. RESULTS Prior to treatment, the panic disorder patients had significantly lower IL-2 production and blastogenic response to PHA than the normal controls. However, no significant differences in CMI were found between the pretreatment and posttreatment period in either the patient group receiving medication only or the combined treatment group, though after treatment, patients were significantly less anxious than before treatment in both intervention groups. The delta change (posttreatment value minus pretreatment value) in the self-reported anxiety level was significantly associated with the delta change in the blastogenic response in the combined treatment group. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that panic disorder may be associated with decreased CMI, and the reduced level of self-reported anxiety in the patients who underwent combined therapeutic intervention is likely to increase the blastogenic response. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of treatment on immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Bong Koh
- Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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Atanackovic D, Kröger H, Serke S, Deter HC. Immune parameters in patients with anxiety or depression during psychotherapy. J Affect Disord 2004; 81:201-9. [PMID: 15337324 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-0327(03)00165-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2002] [Revised: 06/12/2003] [Accepted: 06/16/2003] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous studies have described distinctive immunological findings in patients with depression. In contrast, only very little is known about the possible influence of anxiety disorders on the immune system. It is also unknown whether treatment with psychotherapy alone has any influence on immunological variations in patients with psychiatric disorders. METHODS We measured immunological and psychological parameters in patients with minor depression (N=10) or anxiety disorder (N=13) over an 8-week course of inpatient psychotherapy. Data for patients and a group of healthy controls (N=11) were recorded three times in 4-week intervals. A FACS analysis revealed the composition of lymphocyte subpopulations. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by phagocytes was analyzed using lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. RESULTS On admission, patients with anxiety disorder showed a markedly elevated ratio of CD4(+) (T helper) versus CD8(+) (T suppressor/cytotoxic) lymphocytes compared to healthy controls (P<0.001) and minor depressives (P<0.01). The increased ratio in patients with anxiety disorder could mainly be attributed to a reduced count in CD8(+) T cells compared to healthy controls (P<0.01) and depressives (P<0.05). There were no differences between patients with depression and healthy controls with respect to the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio. We did not observe any differences in the production of ROS by phagocytes in patients compared to healthy controls. The CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio remained elevated in patients with anxiety disorders during the following 8 weeks. There were no significant changes in this parameter over the course of the inpatient treatment. LIMITATIONS As a pilot study on the immune status in patients with anxiety disorders, the study's main limitation is the relatively low number of patients observed. CONCLUSIONS In this study we demonstrated for the first time marked immunological changes in patients with anxiety disorders. In addition, our results provide preliminary evidence that these immunological variations are not reversible by an 8-week course of inpatient psychotherapy alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Atanackovic
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Medical University Clinic Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
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Gladkevich A, Kauffman HF, Korf J. Lymphocytes as a neural probe: potential for studying psychiatric disorders. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2004; 28:559-76. [PMID: 15093964 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2004.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 283] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/30/2004] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
There is an increasing body evidence pointing to a close integration between the central nervous system (CNS) and immunological functions with lymphocytes playing therein a central role. The authors provide arguments to consider blood lymphocytes as a convenient probe of--an albeit--limited number of cellular functions, including gene expression. The use of brain biopsies of living patients is unrealistic for biochemical investigation, therefore lymphocytes may be a convenient and accessible alternative. Numerous studies showed similarities between receptor expression and mechanisms of transduction processes of cells in the nervous system (e.g. neurons and glia) and lymphocytes. In several neuropsychiatric disorders, alteration of metabolism and cellular functions in the CNS, as well as disturbances in the main neurotransmitter and hormonal systems are concomitant with altered function and metabolism of blood lymphocytes. We summarize relevant investigations on depression, stress, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and schizophrenia. New techniques such as cDNA microarray gene expression and proteomics may give clues to define molecular abnormalities in psychiatric disorders and could eventually reveal information for diagnostic and treatment purposes. Taken together, these considerations suggest that lymphocyte could reflect the metabolism of brain cells, and may be exploited as a neural and possible genetic probe in studies of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anatoliy Gladkevich
- Department of Biological Psychiatry, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The interaction between immune cells, neurotransmitters and the neuroendocrinological systems plays a role in affective disorders, especially depression. Although panic disorder (PD) shares a lot of features with depression, it is clearly a distinct disorder. Reports on immunological parameters in PD don't provide a clear picture of the immunological status of PD patients. This can partly be attributed to methodological differences between studies and small patient groups. OBJECTIVE The present study aims to assemble all studies on immunological parameters in PD in order to combine all available data to gain a broader perspective on this matter. METHOD PubMed was searched for studies describing immunological parameters in PD patients without comorbid disorders or medication use. All studies had to include a healthy control group and the outcome measures had to be shared by at least one other study. RESULTS Fourteen articles were found. Although the T-lymphocytic branch and the innate immune system were normal, the B-lymphocytic branch showed some differences between PD patients and healthy controls. B-cell counts were increased in PD patients, which was underlined by increased human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR counts and increased immunoglobulin A levels. However, B-cell activity following mitogen stimulation was normal. CONCLUSIONS PD patients show increased B-cell numbers. The finding that B-cell activity is not increased can possibly be attributed to functional exhaustion of these cells. The meaning of this finding remains unclear, although it may be potentially important in affective disorders as the same has been found in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A van Duinen
- 1Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology and Vijverdal Academic Anxiety Center, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - K R J Schruers
- 1Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology and Vijverdal Academic Anxiety Center, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - E J L Griez
- 1Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology and Vijverdal Academic Anxiety Center, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - M Maes
- 1Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology and Vijverdal Academic Anxiety Center, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Schleifer SJ, Keller SE, Bartlett JA. Panic disorder and immunity: few effects on circulating lymphocytes, mitogen response, and NK cell activity. Brain Behav Immun 2002; 16:698-705. [PMID: 12480500 DOI: 10.1016/s0889-1591(02)00022-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered immune measures are commonly found in major depression (MD), however, less is known about the immune system in anxiety disorders. We examined quantitative and functional in vitro immune measures in patients with panic disorder (PD), which is often comorbid with MD. Fourteen otherwise healthy medication-free adults (ages 23-49; 11 female) meeting SCID-UP DSM-IIIR criteria for PD with agoraphobia and without current MD, were compared with 14 subjects free of PD, MD, or other major psychiatric disorders, matched by gender, age, and racial background. PD was associated with decreased percentage (p<.03) and total (p<.03) circulating CD19+ B lymphocytes, but no differences in other enumerative lymphocyte measures. Mitogen responses (Con A, PHA, PWM) did not differ except for possibly decreased PHA in PD (p<.06). NK cell activity did not differ between PD and control subjects. The few immune measure changes in PD contrast with those found in MD, providing further evidence for the specificity of immune changes in psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Schleifer
- Department of Psychiatry, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
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Slattery MJ, Klein DF, Mannuzza S, Moulton JL, Pine DS, Klein RG. Relationship between separation anxiety disorder, parental panic disorder, and atopic disorders in children: a controlled high-risk study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2002; 41:947-54. [PMID: 12162630 DOI: 10.1097/00004583-200208000-00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the hypotheses that rates of atopic disorders are elevated in offspring of parents with panic disorder (PD) and in children with separation anxiety disorder (SAD). METHOD Rates of atopic disorders were assessed in 343 offspring (aged 6-17 years) of parents with PD, nonpanic psychiatric disorders, and no psychiatric disorder. Lifetime history of atopic disorders was determined by parental responses to a clinician-administered questionnaire assessing medical treatment for asthma and allergies. Logistic regression analyses assessed the association between atopic disorders and parental PD, and between atopic disorders and probable or definite childhood SAD. Analyses controlled for age, sex, socioeconomic status, and treatment for other medical illnesses. RESULTS Increased rates of atopic disorders were found in offspring of parents with PD (odds ratio [OR] = 2.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.27-5.16, p = .009) and in children with SAD (OR = 2.71, 95% Cl = 1.22-6.03, p = .015). Associations remained significant when both parental PD and SAD were included in the model, suggesting that each contributed independently to increased rates of atopy. The interaction of parental PD and child SAD was not significant. CONCLUSIONS Atopic disorders in children are associated with parental PD and with childhood SAD. Results do not appear to support that having both childhood SAD and a parent with PD confers increased risk for atopic disorders above and beyond either condition alone.
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Hernández E, Lastra S, Urbina M, Carreira I, Lima L. Serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and serotonin transporter in blood peripheral lymphocytes of patients with generalized anxiety disorder. Int Immunopharmacol 2002; 2:893-900. [PMID: 12188031 DOI: 10.1016/s1567-5769(02)00025-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Several immune system modifications have been reported in pathological anxiety, such as generalized anxiety, panic and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Since serotonin transporter is a marker of peripheral blood lymphocytes and it is modified in major depression, the aim of the present work was to evaluate this transporter by the binding of [3H]paroxetine to membrane preparations of blood peripheral lymphocytes from control subjects and patients with generalized anxiety disorder. The number of transporters and the affinity for the ligand did not differ among the two groups. Serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) were determined in platelet-rich and -poor plasma, and in lymphocytes. Nonsignificant changes were found in the patients as compared to controls. However, there was a significant positive correlation between serotonin concentration in platelet-poor plasma and in lymphocytes in the patients, but not in the controls. This finding might be an indication of a poor regulation of the transporter function by which serotonin plasma concentration might influence lymphocyte serotonin concentration. Previous results indicate that serotonin transporter is reduced in these cells in major depression disorder; however, in generalized anxiety disorder, the number of transporters was not modified, although the functional efficiency of serotonin transporter might be altered.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Hernández
- Laboratorio de Neuroquímica, Centro de Biofísica y Bioquímica, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Caracas, Venezuela
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