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Hackett MJ. A commentary on studies of brain iron accumulation during ageing. J Biol Inorg Chem 2024; 29:385-394. [PMID: 38735007 PMCID: PMC11186910 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-024-02060-2] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Brain iron content is widely reported to increase during "ageing", across multiple species from nematodes, rodents (mice and rats) and humans. Given the redox-active properties of iron, there has been a large research focus on iron-mediated oxidative stress as a contributor to tissue damage during natural ageing, and also as a risk factor for neurodegenerative disease. Surprisingly, however, the majority of published studies have not investigated brain iron homeostasis during the biological time period of senescence, and thus knowledge of how brain homeostasis changes during this critical stage of life largely remains unknown. This commentary examines the literature published on the topic of brain iron homeostasis during ageing, providing a critique on limitations of currently used experimental designs. The commentary also aims to highlight that although much research attention has been given to iron accumulation or iron overload as a pathological feature of ageing, there is evidence to support functional iron deficiency may exist, and this should not be overlooked in studies of ageing or neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Hackett
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia.
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia.
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Bali ZK, Nagy LV, Bruszt N, Bodó K, Engelmann P, Hernádi Z, Göntér K, Tadepalli SA, Hernádi I. Increased brain cytokine level associated impairment of vigilance and memory in aged rats can be alleviated by alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist treatment. GeroScience 2024; 46:645-664. [PMID: 37994990 PMCID: PMC10828177 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-01019-6] [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: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related neurocognitive disorders are common problems in developed societies. Aging not only affects memory processes, but may also disturb attention, vigilance, and other executive functions. In the present study, we aimed to investigate age-related cognitive deficits in rats and associated molecular alterations in the brain. We also aimed to test the effects of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist PHA-543613 on memory as well as on the sustained attention and vigilance of aged rats. Short- and long-term spatial memories of the rats were tested using the Morris water maze (MWM) task. To measure attention and vigilance, we designed a rat version of the psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) that is frequently used in human clinical examinations. At the end of the behavioral experiments, mRNA and protein expression of alpha7 nAChRs, cytokines, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were quantitatively measured in the hippocampus, frontal cortex, striatum, and cerebellum. Aged rats showed marked cognitive deficits in both the MWM and the PVT. The deficit was accompanied by increased IL-1beta and TNFalpha mRNA expression and decreased BDNF protein expression in the hippocampus. PHA-543613 significantly improved the reaction time of aged rats in the PVT, especially for unexpectedly appearing stimuli, while only slightly (non-significantly) alleviating spatial memory deficits in the MWM. These results indicate that targeting alpha7 nAChRs may be an effective strategy for the amelioration of attention and vigilance deficits in age-related neurocognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Kristóf Bali
- Grastyán Endre Translational Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
- Translational Neuroscience Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
| | - Lili Veronika Nagy
- Grastyán Endre Translational Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Translational Neuroscience Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Nóra Bruszt
- Grastyán Endre Translational Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Kornélia Bodó
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- National Laboratory of Virology, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Péter Engelmann
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Zsófia Hernádi
- Translational Neuroscience Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Kitti Göntér
- Translational Neuroscience Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Sai Ambika Tadepalli
- Translational Neuroscience Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - István Hernádi
- Grastyán Endre Translational Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Translational Neuroscience Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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Inoue R, Nishimune H. Neuronal Plasticity and Age-Related Functional Decline in the Motor Cortex. Cells 2023; 12:2142. [PMID: 37681874 PMCID: PMC10487126 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172142] [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: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Physiological aging causes a decline of motor function due to impairment of motor cortex function, losses of motor neurons and neuromuscular junctions, sarcopenia, and frailty. There is increasing evidence suggesting that the changes in motor function start earlier in the middle-aged stage. The mechanism underlining the middle-aged decline in motor function seems to relate to the central nervous system rather than the peripheral neuromuscular system. The motor cortex is one of the responsible central nervous systems for coordinating and learning motor functions. The neuronal circuits in the motor cortex show plasticity in response to motor learning, including LTP. This motor cortex plasticity seems important for the intervention method mechanisms that revert the age-related decline of motor function. This review will focus on recent findings on the role of plasticity in the motor cortex for motor function and age-related changes. The review will also introduce our recent identification of an age-related decline of neuronal activity in the primary motor cortex of middle-aged mice using electrophysiological recordings of brain slices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritsuko Inoue
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Aging, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 35-2 Sakaecho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan;
| | - Hiroshi Nishimune
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Aging, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 35-2 Sakaecho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan;
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-8-1 Harumicho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo 183-8538, Japan
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Banerjee M, Shenoy RR. Emphasizing roles of BDNF promoters and inducers in Alzheimer's disease for improving impaired cognition and memory. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2023; 34:125-136. [PMID: 34751526 DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2021-0182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a crucial neurotrophic factor adding to neurons' development and endurance. The amount of BDNF present in the brain determines susceptibility to various neurodegenerative diseases. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), often it is seen that low levels of BDNF are present, which primarily contributes to cognition deficit by regulating long-term potentiation (LTP) and synaptic plasticity. Molecular mechanisms underlying the synthesis, storage and release of BDNF are widely studied. New molecules are found, which contribute to the signal transduction pathway. Two important receptors of BDNF are TrkB and p75NTR. When BDNF binds to the TrkB receptor, it activates three main signalling pathways-phospholipase C, MAPK/ERK, PI3/AKT. BDNF holds an imperative part in LTP and dendritic development, which are essential for memory formation. BDNF supports synaptic integrity by influencing LTP and LTD. This action is conducted by modulating the glutamate receptors; AMPA and NMDA. This review paper discusses the aforesaid points along with inducers of BDNF. Drugs and herbals promote neuroprotection by increasing the hippocampus' BDNF level in various disease-induced animal models for neurodegeneration. Advancement in finding pertinent molecules contributing to the BDNF signalling pathway has been discussed, along with the areas that require further research and study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhuparna Banerjee
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Udupi District, Karnataka, India
| | - Rekha R Shenoy
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Udupi District, Karnataka, India
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Woodburn SC, Asrat HS, Flurer JK, Schwierling HC, Bollinger JL, Vollmer LL, Wohleb ES. Depletion of microglial BDNF increases susceptibility to the behavioral and synaptic effects of chronic unpredictable stress. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 109:127-138. [PMID: 36681359 PMCID: PMC10023455 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In the medial prefrontal cortex (PFC), chronic stress reduces synaptic expression of glutamate receptors, leading to decreased excitatory signaling from layer V pyramidal neurons and working memory deficits. One key element driving these changes is a reduction in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling. BDNF is a potent mediator of synaptic growth and deficient BDNF signaling has been linked to stress susceptibility. Prior studies indicated that neurons are the primary source of BDNF, but more recent work suggests that microglia are also an important source of BDNF. Adding to this, our work showed that 14 days of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) reduced Bdnf transcript in PFC microglia, evincing its relevance in the effects of stress. To explore this further, we utilized transgenic mice with microglia-specific depletion of BDNF (Cx3cr1Cre/+:Bdnffl/fl) and genotype controls (Cx3cr1Cre/+:Bdnf+/+). In the following experiments, mice were exposed to a shortened CUS paradigm (7 days) to determine if microglial Bdnf depletion promotes stress susceptibility. Analyses of PFC microglia revealed that Cx3cr1Cre/+:Bdnffl/fl mice had shifts in phenotypic markers and gene expression. In a separate cohort, synaptoneurosomes were collected from the PFC and western blotting was performed for synaptic markers. These experiments showed that Cx3cr1Cre/+:Bdnffl/fl mice had baseline deficits in GluN2B, and that 7 days of CUS additionally reduced GluN2A levels in Cx3cr1Cre/+:Bdnffl/fl mice, but not genotype controls. Behavioral and cognitive testing showed that this coincided with exacerbated stress effects on temporal object recognition in Cx3cr1Cre/+:Bdnffl/fl mice. These results indicate that microglial BDNF promotes glutamate receptor expression in the PFC. As such, mice with deficient microglial BDNF had increased susceptibility to the behavioral and cognitive consequences of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel C Woodburn
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Helina S Asrat
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - James K Flurer
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Hana C Schwierling
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Justin L Bollinger
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Lauren L Vollmer
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Eric S Wohleb
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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Impact of the Age of Cecal Material Transfer Donors on Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology in 5xFAD Mice. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122548. [PMID: 34946148 PMCID: PMC8708188 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting around 30 million patients worldwide. The predominant sporadic variant remains enigmatic as the underlying cause has still not been identified. Since efficient therapeutic treatments are still lacking, the microbiome and its manipulation have been considered as a new, innovative approach. 5xFAD Alzheimer’s disease model mice were subjected to one-time fecal material transfer after antibiotics-treatment using two types of inoculation: material derived from the caecum of age-matched (young) wild type mice or from middle aged, 1 year old (old) wild type mice. Mice were profiled after transfer for physiological parameters, microbiome, behavioral tasks, and amyloid deposition. A single time transfer of cecal material from the older donor group established an aged phenotype in the recipient animals as indicated by elevated cultivatable fecal Enterobacteriaceae and Lactobacillaceae representative bacteria, a decreased Firmicutes amount as assessed by qPCR, and by increased levels of serum LPS binding protein. While behavioral deficits were not accelerated, single brain regions (prefrontal cortex and dentate gyrus) showed higher plaque load after transfer of material from older animals. We could demonstrate that the age of the donor of cecal material might affect early pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. This could be relevant when considering new microbiome-based therapies for this devastating disorder.
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Differential effects of ergometer-cycling and Whole-Body-Vibration training on serological BDNF and IGF-1 in the treatment of adolescent depression - is there an impact of BDNFp.Val66Met variants? Physiol Behav 2021; 241:113596. [PMID: 34536433 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathogenesis and treatment of adolescent depression may be influenced by growth-factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). We investigated, if treatment response to two different add-on exercise-therapies in juvenile depression, differ in the changes of BDNF and IGF-1 serology. A subgroup analysis for genetic variations in BDNF p.Val66Met-variants was added. METHODS Included subjects in the study (N = 64), aged 13 to 17 years, were diagnosed with major depression, controls received inpatient treatment as usual (TAU). Intervention groups performed as add-on to TAU two different forms of exercise-therapy: endurance ergometer cycling (EC) and muscle strengthening whole body vibration (WBV). We expected both exercise-forms to increase BDNF and IGF-1 serology and by this pathway to improve depression scores significantly stronger than the control group. RESULTS None of the experimental groups showed significant changes in BDNF between measurement time points. However, after 6 weeks exercise, BDNF of both intervention groups were significantly higher compared to TAU,. The IGF-1 increase after 6 weeks intervention was significant for EC only. No correlations of BDNF and IGF-1 to depression scores were found. Group analysis in BDNF p.Val66Met variants showed a trend for better response in depression scores to exercise-treatment for the Val66Val group. LIMITATIONS A small sample size, the non-randomized controls and the neglect of psychosocial factors have to be considered as limitations. CONCLUSIONS Endurance and muscle strengthening trainings seem to influence serological BDNF and IGF-1 differentially. However, the changes in growth factors did not correlate to the decreases in depression scores. BDNF p.Val66Val variant seems to be more receptive for exercise treatment. Identifying biomarkers (growth factors, genetic variants) in adolescent depression could help to develop tailored treatment strategies.
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l-Theanine Ameliorates d-Galactose-Induced Brain Damage in Rats via Inhibiting AGE Formation and Regulating Sirtuin1 and BDNF Signaling Pathways. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:8850112. [PMID: 34336115 PMCID: PMC8315880 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8850112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The maintenance of homeostasis is essential for mitigating stress and delaying degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is generally defined as the abnormal production of β-amyloid (Aβ) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The effects of l-theanine on Aβ and AGE generation were investigated in this study. Decreased AGEs and Aβ1-42 levels were reflected by increased acetylcholine (ACh) concentration and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity inhibition compared to model rats. l-Theanine also inhibited nuclear factor-κB (p65) protein expression by activating sirtuin1 (SIRT1), reducing inflammatory factor expression, and downregulating the mRNA and protein expression of AGE receptors (RAGE). Superoxide dismutase 2 and catalase protein expressions were markedly upregulated by l-theanine, whereas oxidative stress-related injury was alleviated. The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) was also found to be increased. H&E staining showed that the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons was mitigated by decreased Bax and cleaved-caspase-3 protein expression and the increase of Bcl-2 protein expression. Moreover, l-theanine increased the gene and protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). These findings suggest that the potential preventive effects of l-theanine against AD may be attributed to its regulation of SIRT1 and BDNF proteins and its mitigation of AGEs/RAGE signaling pathways in the brain tissue of AD model rats.
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Afzal M, I. Alzarea S, Mohsin Qua A, Kazmi I, Zafar A, Imam F, O. Al-Harb N, Saad Alhar K, Alruwaili NK. Boswellic Acid Attenuates Scopolamine-Induced Neurotoxicity and Dementia in Rats: Possible Mechanism of Action. INT J PHARMACOL 2021. [DOI: 10.3923/ijp.2021.499.505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Sun W, Cheng H, Yang Y, Tang D, Li X, An L. Requirements of Postnatal proBDNF in the Hippocampus for Spatial Memory Consolidation and Neural Function. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:678182. [PMID: 34336832 PMCID: PMC8319730 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.678182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its downstream signaling pathways have been implicated in regulating postnatal development and functioning of rodent brain. However, the biological role of its precursor pro-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (proBDNF) in the postnatal brain remains unknown. The expression of hippocampal proBDNF was blocked in postnatal weeks, and multiple behavioral tests, Western blot and morphological techniques, and neural recordings were employed to investigate how proBDNF played a role in spatial cognition in adults. The peak expression and its crucial effects were found in the fourth but not in the second or eighth postnatal week. Blocking proBDNF expression disrupted spatial memory consolidation rather than learning or memory retrieval. Structurally, blocking proBDNF led to the reduction in spine density and proportion of mature spines. Although blocking proBDNF did not affect N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) subunits, the learning-induced phosphorylation of the GluN2B subunit level declined significantly. Functionally, paired-pulse facilitation, post-low-frequency stimulation (LFS) transiently enhanced depression, and GluN2B-dependent short-lasting long-term depression in the Schaffer collateral-CA1 pathway were weakened. The firing rate of pyramidal neurons was significantly suppressed around the target region during the memory test. Furthermore, the activation of GluN2B-mediated signaling could effectively facilitate neural function and mitigate memory impairment. The findings were consistent with the hypothesis that postnatal proBDNF played an essential role in synaptic and cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Sun
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China.,Department of Pediatric, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Hong Cheng
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China.,Department of Neurology, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Pediatric, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Dongxin Tang
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Xiaolian Li
- Department of Neurology, Jinan Geriatric Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Lei An
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China.,Department of Pediatric, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China.,Department of Neurology, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China.,Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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Durieux LJA, Gilissen SRJ, Arckens L. Endocannabinoids and cortical plasticity: CB1R as a possible regulator of the excitation/inhibition balance in health and disease. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 55:971-988. [PMID: 33427341 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system has been linked to neurological disorders in which the excitation inhibition (E/I) balance in the neocortex is dysregulated, such as schizophrenia. The main endocannabinoid receptor type 1 of the central nervous system-CB1R-is expressed on different cell types, that when activated, modulate the cortical E/I balance. Here we review how CB1R signalling contributes to phases of heightened plasticity of the neocortex. We review the major role of the CB1R in cortical plasticity throughout life, including the early life sensory critical periods, the later maturation phase of the association cortex in adolescence, and the adult phase of sensory deprivation-induced cortical plasticity. Endocannabinoid-mediated long-term potentiation and depression of synapse strength fine-tune the E/I balance in visual, somatosensory and association areas. We emphasize how a distinct set of key endocannabinoid-regulated elements such as GABA and glutamate release, basket parvalbumin interneurons, somatostatin interneurons and astrocytes, are essential for normal cortical plasticity and dysregulated in schizophrenia. Even though a lot of data has been gathered, mechanistic knowledge about the exact CB1R-based modulation of excitation and/or inhibition is still lacking depending on cortical area and maturation phase in life. We emphasize the importance of creating such detailed knowledge for a better comprehension of what underlies the dysregulation of the neocortex in schizophrenic patients in adulthood. We propose that taking age, brain area and cell type into consideration when modulating the cortical E/I imbalance via cannabinoid-based pharmacology may pave the way for better patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas J A Durieux
- KU Leuven, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sara R J Gilissen
- KU Leuven, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- KU Leuven, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
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Shajarian M, Alsahebfosoul F, Etemadifar M. The Effect of IFN-β Treatment on Plasma Levels of BDNF and IL-6 in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients. Neuroimmunomodulation 2021; 28:150-157. [PMID: 34182566 DOI: 10.1159/000515595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent investigations addressing neurodegenerative diseases, especially multiple sclerosis (MS), the roles of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been examined. METHODS Forty-five relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients, including 32 IFN-β-treated and 13 newly identified untreated cases as well as 45 sex- and age-matched healthy controls, were recruited in the study. Plasma levels of BDNF and IL-6 were assessed using the ELISA method. Data were analyzed by SPSS (ver.21). RESULTS There were significant differences between the case and healthy control groups in terms of the plasma levels of BDNF (p value = 0.044) and IL-6 (p value <0.001). Besides, the treatment with IFN-β had no significant impact on the level of BDNF or IL-6 in RRMS patients as compared to healthy controls (p value = 0.716 and 0.623 for BDNF and IL-6, respectively). Furthermore, the increase in the plasma levels of BDNF and IL-6 indicated a direct correlation in the case group (r = 0.508, p value = 0.008). In detail, following the classification of the case group into 2 subgroups of IFN-β-treated and untreated patients, a direct positive correlation was observed between the plasma levels of BDNF and IL-6 in IFN-β-treated patients (r = 0.495, p value = 0.026). CONCLUSION The IFN-β treatment seems not to be effective for upregulating BDNF and IL-6 in RRMS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansour Shajarian
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Alsahebfosoul
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Masoud Etemadifar
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Kang SG, Lee JH, Lee K, Kim HC, Seo WS, Won S. The rs6265 Polymorphism of the BDNF Gene Is Related to Higher-Lethality Suicide Attempts in the Korean Population. Psychiatry Investig 2020; 17:417-423. [PMID: 32295326 PMCID: PMC7265018 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2020.0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Since the risk of suicide cannot be predicted by clinical symptoms alone, and suicide is known to have a genetic component, the discovery of genetic markers that can predict the lethality of suicide attempts is a clinically important topic. There have been many studies aiming to determine whether the rs6265 polymorphism of the BDNF gene is associated with suicidality; however, the results have been mixed, and there have been few studies investigating the relationship between this polymorphism and suicide attempt lethality. METHODS We assessed suicide lethality in 258 individuals who had attempted suicide using the relative risk ratio (RRR) scale and by genotyping the rs6265 polymorphism of the BDNF gene. RESULTS The RRR score for suicide attempts was higher in subjects with Met/Val and Val/Val genotypes than in that with a Met/Met genotype (p=0.015). The RRR score for suicide attempts was also higher in Val allele carriers (Met/Val+Val/Val) than in Met/Met homozygotes (p=0.006). CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the possibility that the rs6265 polymorphism of the BDNF gene could be used as a genetic marker to predict the lethality of suicide attempts, but more replication studies are needed for the application of this result in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Gul Kang
- Department of Psychiatry, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Hun Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwanghun Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Cheol Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Wan Seok Seo
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Seunghee Won
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
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Cerebral Mitochondrial Function and Cognitive Performance during Aging: A Longitudinal Study in NMRI Mice. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2020; 2020:4060769. [PMID: 32377297 PMCID: PMC7180425 DOI: 10.1155/2020/4060769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Brain aging is one of the major risk factors for the development of several neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in processes of both, brain aging and neurodegeneration. Aged mice including NMRI mice are established model organisms to study physiological and molecular mechanisms of brain aging. However, longitudinal data evaluated in one cohort are rare but are important to understand the aging process of the brain throughout life, especially since pathological changes early in life might pave the way to neurodegeneration in advanced age. To assess the longitudinal course of brain aging, we used a cohort of female NMRI mice and measured brain mitochondrial function, cognitive performance, and molecular markers every 6 months until mice reached the age of 24 months. Furthermore, we measured citrate synthase activity and respiration of isolated brain mitochondria. Mice at the age of three months served as young controls. At six months of age, mitochondria-related genes (complex IV, creb-1, β-AMPK, and Tfam) were significantly elevated. Brain ATP levels were significantly reduced at an age of 18 months while mitochondria respiration was already reduced in middle-aged mice which is in accordance with the monitored impairments in cognitive tests. mRNA expression of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis (cAMP response element-binding protein 1 (creb-1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1-α), nuclear respiratory factor-1 (Nrf-1), mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam), growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43), and synaptophysin 1 (SYP1)) and the antioxidative defense system (catalase (Cat) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2)) was measured and showed significantly decreased expression patterns in the brain starting at an age of 18 months. BDNF expression reached, a maximum after 6 months. On the basis of longitudinal data, our results demonstrate a close connection between the age-related decline of cognitive performance, energy metabolism, and mitochondrial biogenesis during the physiological brain aging process.
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Carmichael O, Stuchlik P, Pillai S, Biessels GJ, Dhullipudi R, Madden-Rusnak A, Martin S, Hsia DS, Fonseca V, Bazzano L. High-Normal Adolescent Fasting Plasma Glucose Is Associated With Poorer Midlife Brain Health: Bogalusa Heart Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 104:4492-4500. [PMID: 31058974 PMCID: PMC6736207 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2018-02750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT It is unclear how adolescent glycemic status relates to brain health in adulthood. OBJECTIVE To assess the association between adolescent fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and MRI-based brain measures in midlife. DESIGN Between 1973 and 1992, the Bogalusa Heart Study (BHS) collected FPG from children, 3 to 18 years old, and followed up between 1992 and 2018. Cognitive tests and brain MRI were collected in 2013 to 2016 and 2018. SETTING Observational longitudinal cohort study. PARTICIPANTS Of 1298 contacted BHS participants, 74 completed screening, and 50 completed MRI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Mean FPG per participant at ages <20, 20 to 40, and over 40 years old; brain white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume, gray matter volume, and functional MRI (fMRI) activation to a Stroop task; tests of logical and working memory, executive function, and semantic fluency. RESULTS At MRI, participants were middle aged (51.3 ± 4.4 years) and predominantly female (74%) and white (74%). Mean FPG was impaired for zero, two, and nine participants in pre-20, 20 to 40, and over-40 periods. The pre-20 mean FPG above the pre-20 median value (i.e., above 83.5 mg/dL) was associated with greater WMH volume [mean difference: 0.029% of total cranial volume, CI: (0.0059, 0.052), P = 0.015] and less fMRI activation [-1.41 units (-2.78, -0.05), P = 0.043] on midlife MRI compared with below-median mean FPG. In controlling for over-40 mean FPG status did not substantially modify the associations. Cognitive scores did not differ by pre-20 mean FPG. CONCLUSIONS High-normal adolescent FPG may be associated with preclinical brain changes in midlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owen Carmichael
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Correspondence and Reprint Requests: Owen Carmichael, PhD, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808. E-mail:
| | | | | | - Geert-Jan Biessels
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ram Dhullipudi
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | | | - Shane Martin
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - Daniel S Hsia
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - Vivian Fonseca
- Section of Endocrinology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Lydia Bazzano
- Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
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16
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Early exercise induces long-lasting morphological changes in cortical and hippocampal neurons throughout of a sedentary period of rats. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13684. [PMID: 31548605 PMCID: PMC6757043 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50218-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Life experiences at early ages, such as physical activity in childhood and adolescence, can result in long-lasting brain effects able to reduce future risk of brain disorders and to enhance lifelong brain functions. However, how early physical exercise promotes these effects remains unclear. A possible hypothesis is that physical exercise increases the expression of neurotrophic factors and stimulates neuronal growth, resulting in a neural reserve to be used at later ages. Basing our study on this hypothesis, we evaluated the absolute number and morphology of neuronal cells, as well as the expression of growth, proliferation and survival proteins (BDNF, Akt, mTOR, p70S6K, ERK and CREB) in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal formation throughout of a sedentary period of rats who were physically active during youth. To do this, male Wistar rats were submitted to an aerobic exercise protocol from the 21st to the 60th postnatal days (P21–P60), and evaluated at 0 (P60), 30 (P90) and 60 (P120) days after the last exercise session. Results showed that juvenile exercise increased, and maintained elevated, the number of cortical and hippocampal neuronal cells and dendritic arborization, when evaluated at the above post-exercise ages. Hippocampal BDNF levels and cortical mTOR expression were found to be increased at P60, but were restored to control levels at P90 and P120. Overall, these findings indicate that, despite the short-term effects on growth and survival proteins, early exercise induces long-lasting morphological changes in cortical and hippocampal neurons even during a sedentary period of rats.
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17
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Houlton J, Abumaria N, Hinkley SFR, Clarkson AN. Therapeutic Potential of Neurotrophins for Repair After Brain Injury: A Helping Hand From Biomaterials. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:790. [PMID: 31427916 PMCID: PMC6688532 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Stroke remains the leading cause of long-term disability with limited options available to aid in recovery. Significant effort has been made to try and minimize neuronal damage following stroke with use of neuroprotective agents, however, these treatments have yet to show clinical efficacy. Regenerative interventions have since become of huge interest as they provide the potential to restore damaged neural tissue without being limited by a narrow therapeutic window. Neurotrophins, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and their high affinity receptors are actively produced throughout the brain and are involved in regulating neuronal activity and normal day-to-day function. Furthermore, neurotrophins are known to play a significant role in both protection and recovery of function following neurodegenerative diseases such as stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Unfortunately, exogenous administration of these neurotrophins is limited by a lack of blood-brain-barrier (BBB) permeability, poor half-life, and rapid degradation. Therefore, we have focused this review on approaches that provide a direct and sustained neurotrophic support using pharmacological therapies and mimetics, physical activity, and potential drug delivery systems, including discussion around advantages and limitations for use of each of these systems. Finally, we discuss future directions of biomaterial drug-delivery systems, including the incorporation of heparan sulfate (HS) in conjunction with neurotrophin-based interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh Houlton
- Brain Health Research Centre, Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Nashat Abumaria
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institute of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Simon F. R. Hinkley
- The Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Petone, New Zealand
| | - Andrew N. Clarkson
- Brain Health Research Centre, Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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18
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Kroeze Y, Oti M, van Beusekom E, Cooijmans RHM, van Bokhoven H, Kolk SM, Homberg JR, Zhou H. Transcriptome Analysis Identifies Multifaceted Regulatory Mechanisms Dictating a Genetic Switch from Neuronal Network Establishment to Maintenance During Postnatal Prefrontal Cortex Development. Cereb Cortex 2019; 28:833-851. [PMID: 28108491 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhw407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is one of the latest brain regions to mature, which allows the acquisition of complex cognitive abilities through experience. To unravel the underlying gene expression changes during postnatal development, we performed RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) in the rat medial PFC (mPFC) at five developmental time points from infancy to adulthood, and analyzed the differential expression of protein-coding genes, long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs), and alternative exons. We showed that most expression changes occur in infancy, and that the number of differentially expressed genes reduces toward adulthood. We observed 137 differentially expressed lincRNAs and 796 genes showing alternative exon usage during postnatal development. Importantly, we detected a genetic switch from neuronal network establishment in infancy to maintenance of neural networks in adulthood based on gene expression dynamics, involving changes in protein-coding and lincRNA gene expression as well as alternative exon usage. Our gene expression datasets provide insights into the multifaceted transcriptional regulation of the developing PFC. They can be used to study the basic developmental processes of the mPFC and to understand the mechanisms of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Our study provides an important contribution to the ongoing efforts to complete the "brain map", and to the understanding of PFC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvet Kroeze
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 EZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Human Genetics, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Oti
- Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute (IBCCF), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ellen van Beusekom
- Department of Human Genetics, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Roel H M Cooijmans
- Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans van Bokhoven
- Department of Human Genetics, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sharon M Kolk
- Department of Molecular Animal Physiology, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Judith R Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 EZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Huiqing Zhou
- Department of Human Genetics, Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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19
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Stroke Induces a BDNF-Dependent Improvement in Cognitive Flexibility in Aged Mice. Neural Plast 2019; 2019:1460890. [PMID: 31191635 PMCID: PMC6525942 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1460890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Stroke remains a leading cause of disability worldwide. Recently, we have established an animal model of stroke that results in delayed impairment in spatial memory, allowing us to better investigate cognitive deficits. Young and aged brains show different recovery profiles after stroke; therefore, we assessed aged-related differences in poststroke cognition. As neurotrophic support diminishes with age, we also investigated the involvement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in these differences. Young (3-6 months old) and aged (16-21 months old) mice were trained in operant touchscreen chambers to complete a visual pairwise discrimination (VD) task. Stroke or sham surgery was induced using the photothrombotic model to induce a bilateral prefrontal cortex stroke. Five days poststroke, an additional cohort of aged stroke animals were treated with intracerebral hydrogels loaded with the BDNF decoy, TrkB-Fc. Following treatment, animals underwent the reversal and rereversal task to identify stroke-induced cognitive deficits at days 17 and 37 poststroke, respectively. Assessment of sham animals using Cox regression and log-rank analyses showed aged mice exhibit an increased impairment on VD reversal and rereversal learning compared to young controls. Stroke to young mice revealed no impairment on either task. In contrast, stroke to aged mice facilitated a significant improvement in reversal learning, which was dampened in the presence of the BDNF decoy, TrkB-Fc. In addition, aged stroke control animals required significantly less consecutive days and correction trials to master the reversal task, relative to aged shams, an effect dampened by TrkB-Fc. Our findings support age-related differences in recovery of cognitive function after stroke. Interestingly, aged stroke animals outperformed their sham counterparts, suggesting reopening of a critical window for recovery that is being mediated by BDNF.
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20
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Kirschen GW, Ge S. Young at heart: Insights into hippocampal neurogenesis in the aged brain. Behav Brain Res 2019; 369:111934. [PMID: 31054278 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.111934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
While the existence and importance of adult hippocampal neurogenesis in young adult rodents has been well-established, such qualities in aged animals and humans have remained poorly understood. Most evidence in humans has come from hippocampal volumetric changes that provide no direct proof of new neurons in adulthood. Here, we review the basic neurobiological evidence for adult hippocampal neurogenesis in the aged brain of experimental animals with short and long lifespans, and humans. The rate of cell cycling and addition of new hippocampal neurons to the existing hippocampal circuit undoubtedly decreases with age. Yet, neural stem/progenitor cells that persist into senescence may activate and produce a substantial number of functional new neurons that exhibit enhanced survival and integration given the right set of conditions. There thus exists remarkable potential for newly-generated neurons in the senescent hippocampus to make important circuit- and behavioral-level contributions, which may serve as a target for future therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory W Kirschen
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, 101 Nicolls Rd, Stony Brook, NY 11794, United States.
| | - Shaoyu Ge
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, United States
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21
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Barfield ET, Gourley SL. Prefrontal cortical trkB, glucocorticoids, and their interactions in stress and developmental contexts. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 95:535-558. [PMID: 30477984 PMCID: PMC6392187 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The tropomyosin/tyrosine receptor kinase B (trkB) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) regulate neuron structure and function and the hormonal stress response. Meanwhile, disruption of trkB and GR activity (e.g., by chronic stress) can perturb neuronal morphology in cortico-limbic regions implicated in stressor-related illnesses like depression. Further, several of the short- and long-term neurobehavioral consequences of stress depend on the developmental timing and context of stressor exposure. We review how the levels and activities of trkB and GR in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) change during development, interact, are modulated by stress, and are implicated in depression. We review evidence that trkB- and GR-mediated signaling events impact the density and morphology of dendritic spines, the primary sites of excitatory synapses in the brain, highlighting effects in adolescents when possible. Finally, we review the role of neurotrophin and glucocorticoid systems in stress-related metaplasticity. We argue that better understanding the long-term effects of developmental stressors on PFC trkB, GR, and related factors may yield insights into risk for chronic, remitting depression and related neuropsychiatric illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth T Barfield
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
| | - Shannon L Gourley
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Program, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
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22
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Larsen B, Luna B. Adolescence as a neurobiological critical period for the development of higher-order cognition. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 94:179-195. [PMID: 30201220 PMCID: PMC6526538 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 303] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The transition from adolescence to adulthood is characterized by improvements in higher-order cognitive abilities and corresponding refinements of the structure and function of the brain regions that support them. Whereas the neurobiological mechanisms that govern early development of sensory systems are well-understood, the mechanisms that drive developmental plasticity of association cortices, such as prefrontal cortex (PFC), during adolescence remain to be explained. In this review, we synthesize neurodevelopmental findings at the cellular, circuit, and systems levels in PFC and evaluate them through the lens of established critical period (CP) mechanisms that guide early sensory development. We find remarkable correspondence between these neurodevelopmental processes and the mechanisms driving CP plasticity, supporting the hypothesis that adolescent development is driven by CP mechanisms that guide the rapid development of neurobiology and cognitive ability during adolescence and their subsequent stability in adulthood. Critically, understanding adolescence as a CP not only provides a mechanism for normative adolescent development, it provides a framework for understanding the role of experience and neurobiology in the emergence of psychopathology that occurs during this developmental period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Larsen
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, United States; Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, United States.
| | - Beatriz Luna
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, United States
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23
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Ihara K, Fuchikami M, Hashizume M, Okada S, Kawai H, Obuchi S, Hirano H, Fujiwara Y, Hachisu M, Hongyong K, Morinobu S. The influence of aging on the methylation status of brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene in blood. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2018; 33:1312-1318. [PMID: 29953671 DOI: 10.1002/gps.4927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders in adults and elderly individuals, and as a result, the DNA methylation (DNAm) of the BDNF gene in peripheral tissues including blood has been extensively examined to develop a useful biomarker for psychiatric disorders. However, studies to date have not previously investigated the effect of age on DNAm of the BDNF gene in blood. In this context, we measured DNAm of 39 CpG units in the CpG island at the promoter of exon I of the BDNF gene. METHODS We analyzed genomic DNA from peripheral blood of 105 health Japanese women 20 to 80 years of age to identify aging-associated change in DNAm of the BDNF gene. In addition, we examined the relationship between total MMSE scores, numbers of stressful life events, and serum BDNF levels on DNAm of the BDNF gene. The DNAm rate at each CpG unit was measured using a MassArray® system (Agena Bioscience), and serum BDNF levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS There was a significant correlation between DNAm and age in 13 CpGs. However, there was no significant correlation between DNAm and total MMSE scores, numbers of life events, or serum BDNF levels. CONCLUSION Despite the small number of subjects and the inclusion of only female subjects, our results suggest that DNAm of 13 CpGs of the BDNF gene may be an appropriate biomarker for aging and useful for predicting increased susceptibility to age-related psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazushige Ihara
- Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, Aomori, Japan
| | | | - Masahiro Hashizume
- Toho University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Okada
- Hiroshima University, Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Division of Frontier Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hisashi Kawai
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Human Care Research Team, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuichi Obuchi
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Human Care Research Team, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirohiko Hirano
- Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital, Department of Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Fujiwara
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsugu Hachisu
- Showa University, Department of Pharmaceutical therapeutics, Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmacy School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kim Hongyong
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Research Team for Promoting Independence of the Elderly, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeru Morinobu
- Kochi University, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kochi Medical School, Nankoku, Japan.,Kibi International University, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Science and Social Welfare, Takahashi, Japan
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24
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Alkadhi KA. Neuroprotective Effects of Nicotine on Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation in Brain Disorders. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2018; 366:498-508. [DOI: 10.1124/jpet.118.247841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
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de Araujo CM, Zugman A, Swardfager W, Belangero SIN, Ota VK, Spindola LM, Hakonarson H, Pellegrino R, Gadelha A, Salum GA, Pan PM, de Moura LM, Del Aquilla M, Picon FA, Amaro E, Sato JR, Brietzke E, Grassi-Oliveira R, Rohde LAP, Miguel EC, Bressan RA, Jackowski AP. Effects of the brain-derived neurotropic factor variant Val66Met on cortical structure in late childhood and early adolescence. J Psychiatr Res 2018; 98:51-58. [PMID: 29288952 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 11/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265) has been associated with several neuropsychiatric disorders and regional structural brain changes in adults, but little is known about Val66Met's effect on brain morphology during typical or atypical neurodevelopment. Windows of vulnerability to psychopathology may be associated with the different alleles of the Val66Met polymorphism during childhood and adolescence. METHODOLOGY We investigated the effect of Val66Met on cortical thickness in MRI scans of 718 children and adolescents (6-12 years old) with typical development, and in those meeting DSM criteria for a psychiatric disorder. RESULTS Val66Met had a significant effect on cortical thickness. Considering the typically developing group, Met-carriers presented thicker parietal and occipital lobes and prefrontal cortices compared to Val homozygotes. Met-carriers with psychiatric disorders presented thicker medial and lateral temporal cortices than Val homozygotes. Furthermore, a significant genotype × psychiatric diagnosis interaction was found: Met-carriers with a psychiatric diagnosis presented thinner bilateral prefrontal cortices than Val homozygotes. CONCLUSION This study provides evidence that Val66Met is associated with cortical maturation in children and adolescents with and without psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Maria de Araujo
- National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents (INCT-CNPq), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Andre Zugman
- National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents (INCT-CNPq), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Walter Swardfager
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sintia Iole Nogueira Belangero
- National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents (INCT-CNPq), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Kiyomi Ota
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leticia Maria Spindola
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Hakon Hakonarson
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Renata Pellegrino
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ary Gadelha
- National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents (INCT-CNPq), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Giovanni Abrahão Salum
- National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents (INCT-CNPq), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Pedro Mario Pan
- National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents (INCT-CNPq), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Marco Del Aquilla
- National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents (INCT-CNPq), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felipe Almeida Picon
- National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents (INCT-CNPq), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Edson Amaro
- Institute of Radiology (INRAD), Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João Ricardo Sato
- National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents (INCT-CNPq), São Paulo, Brazil; Mathematics & Statistics Institute, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, Brazil
| | - Elisa Brietzke
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory (DCNL), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Luis Augusto P Rohde
- National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents (INCT-CNPq), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Euripedes Constantino Miguel
- National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents (INCT-CNPq), São Paulo, Brazil; Department & Institute of Psychiatry (IPq), Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo A Bressan
- National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents (INCT-CNPq), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andrea Parolin Jackowski
- National Institute of Developmental Psychiatry for Children and Adolescents (INCT-CNPq), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil
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Machaalani R, Chen H. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), its tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) and nicotine. Neurotoxicology 2018; 65:186-195. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2018.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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27
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Wang YJ, Chen KY, Kuo LN, Wang WC, Hsu YW, Wong HSC, Lin CM, Liao KH, Zhang YF, Chiang YH, Chang WC. The association between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and emotional symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury. BMC MEDICAL GENETICS 2018; 19:13. [PMID: 29357818 PMCID: PMC5776765 DOI: 10.1186/s12881-017-0518-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is one of the most abundant neurotrophins in the adult brain, and it plays important roles in modulating synaptic plasticity and synaptogenesis. This study attempted to elucidate the role of the BDNF variant rs6265 in emotional symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). METHODS To investigate the association between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265) and emotional symptoms in mTBI patients, we recruited 192 mTBI patients and evaluated their Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores in the first and sixth week after mTBI. RESULTS The patients carrying the T allele of rs6265 had significantly higher BAI scores in the first week following mTBI. In addition, the patients carrying the T allele also showed higher scores of BDI in the first week. In the gender-specific subgroup analysis, the male patients carrying the T allele of rs6265 had higher scores of both BAI and BDI in the first and sixth week. Meanwhile, female patients carrying the T allele also had significantly higher scores of BDI in the first week following mTBI. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence for the association between the BDNF variant rs6265 and emotional symptoms following mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jia Wang
- Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Pharmacy, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Yun Chen
- Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Na Kuo
- Department of Pharmacy, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chang Wang
- Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wen Hsu
- Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Henry Sung-Ching Wong
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Min Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Hsing Liao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Feng Zhang
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL USA
| | - Yung-Hsiao Chiang
- Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chiao Chang
- Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Pharmacy, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Master Program for Clinical Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoproteomics, School of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Center for Biomarkers and Biotech Drugs, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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28
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Barfield ET, Gourley SL. Adolescent Corticosterone and TrkB Pharmaco-Manipulations Sex-Dependently Impact Instrumental Reversal Learning Later in Life. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:237. [PMID: 29270114 PMCID: PMC5725412 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life trauma can increase the risk for, and severity of, several psychiatric illnesses. These include drug use disorders, and some correlations appear to be stronger in women. Understanding the long-term consequences of developmental stressor or stress hormone exposure and possible sex differences is critically important. So-called “reversal learning” tasks are commonly used in rodents to model cognitive deficits in stress- and addiction-related illnesses in humans. Here, we exposed mice to the primary stress hormone corticosterone (CORT) during early adolescence (postnatal days 31–42), then tested behavioral flexibility in adulthood using an instrumental reversal learning task. CORT-exposed female, but not male, mice developed perseverative errors. Despite resilience to subchronic CORT exposure, males developed reversal performance impairments following exposure to physical stressors. Administration of a putative tyrosine kinase receptor B (trkB) agonist, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), during adolescence blocked CORT-induced errors in females and improved performance in males. Conversely, blockade of trkB by ANA-12 impaired performance. These data suggest that trkB-based interventions could have certain protective benefits in the context of early-life stressor exposure. We consider the implications of our findings in an extended “Discussion” section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth T Barfield
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Shannon L Gourley
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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29
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Yang N, Levey E, Gelaye B, Zhong QY, Rondon MB, Sanchez SE, Williams MA. Correlates of early pregnancy serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in a Peruvian population. Arch Womens Ment Health 2017; 20:777-785. [PMID: 28752260 PMCID: PMC5693738 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-017-0759-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge about factors that influence serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations during early pregnancy is lacking. The aim of the study is to examine the correlates of early pregnancy serum BDNF concentrations. A total of 982 women attending prenatal care clinics in Lima, Peru, were recruited in early pregnancy. Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated to evaluate the relation between BDNF concentrations and continuous covariates. Analysis of variance and generalized linear models were used to compare the unadjusted and adjusted BDNF concentrations according to categorical variables. Multivariable linear regression models were applied to determine the factors that influence early pregnancy serum BDNF concentrations. In bivariate analysis, early pregnancy serum BDNF concentrations were positively associated with maternal age (r = 0.16, P < 0.001) and early pregnancy body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.17, P < 0.001), but inversely correlated with gestational age at sample collection (r = -0.21, P < 0.001) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations (r = -0.07, P < 0.05). In the multivariable linear regression model, maternal age (β = 0.11, P = 0.001), early pregnancy BMI (β = 1.58, P < 0.001), gestational age at blood collection (β = -0.33, P < 0.001), and serum CRP concentrations (β = -0.57, P = 0.002) were significantly associated with early pregnancy serum BDNF concentrations. Participants with moderate antepartum depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score ≥ 10) had lower serum BDNF concentrations compared with participants with no/mild antepartum depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 score < 10). Maternal age, early pregnancy BMI, gestational age, and the presence of moderate antepartum depressive symptoms were statistically significantly associated with early pregnancy serum BDNF concentrations in low-income Peruvian women. Biological changes of CRP during pregnancy may affect serum BDNF concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA,Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Elizabeth Levey
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachussets General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Bizu Gelaye
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, K505F, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Qiu-Yue Zhong
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marta B. Rondon
- Department of Medicine, Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University, Lima, Peru
| | - Sixto E. Sanchez
- Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima Peru,Asociación Civil PROESA, Lima, Peru
| | - Michelle A. Williams
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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30
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Weissleder C, Kondo MA, Yang C, Fung SJ, Rothmond DA, Wong MW, Halliday GM, Herman MM, Kleinman JE, Webster MJ, Shannon Weickert C. Early-life decline in neurogenesis markers and age-related changes of TrkB splice variant expression in the human subependymal zone. Eur J Neurosci 2017; 46:1768-1778. [PMID: 28612959 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Neurogenesis in the subependymal zone (SEZ) declines across the human lifespan, and reduced local neurotrophic support is speculated to be a contributing factor. While tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) signalling is critical for neuronal differentiation, maturation and survival, little is known about subependymal TrkB expression changes during postnatal human life. In this study, we used quantitative PCR and in situ hybridisation to determine expression of the cell proliferation marker Ki67, the immature neuron marker doublecortin (DCX) and both full-length (TrkB-TK+) and truncated TrkB receptors (TrkB-TK-) in the human SEZ from infancy to middle age (n = 26-35, 41 days to 43 years). We further measured TrkB-TK+ and TrkB-TK- mRNAs in the SEZ from young adulthood into ageing (n = 50, 21-103 years), and related their transcript levels to neurogenic and glial cell markers. Ki67, DCX and both TrkB splice variant mRNAs significantly decreased in the SEZ from infancy to middle age. In contrast, TrkB-TK- mRNA increased in the SEZ from young adulthood into ageing, whereas TrkB-TK+ mRNA remained stable. TrkB-TK- mRNA positively correlated with expression of neural precursor (glial fibrillary acidic protein delta and achaete-scute homolog 1) and glial cell markers (vimentin and pan glial fibrillary acidic protein). TrkB-TK+ mRNA positively correlated with expression of neuronal cell markers (DCX and tubulin beta 3 class III). Our results indicate that cells residing in the human SEZ maintain their responsiveness to neurotrophins; however, this capability may change across postnatal life. We suggest that TrkB splice variants may differentially influence neuronal and glial differentiation in the human SEZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christin Weissleder
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Margarete Ainsworth Building, 139 Barker Street, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia.,Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mari A Kondo
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Margarete Ainsworth Building, 139 Barker Street, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia.,Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chunhui Yang
- Section on Neuropathology, Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, Intramural Research Program, NIMH, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Samantha J Fung
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Margarete Ainsworth Building, 139 Barker Street, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia.,Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Debora A Rothmond
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Margarete Ainsworth Building, 139 Barker Street, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia.,Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew W Wong
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Margarete Ainsworth Building, 139 Barker Street, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia.,Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Glenda M Halliday
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Mary M Herman
- Section on Neuropathology, Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, Intramural Research Program, NIMH, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Joel E Kleinman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Maree J Webster
- Laboratory of Brain Research, Stanley Medical Research Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Cynthia Shannon Weickert
- Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Margarete Ainsworth Building, 139 Barker Street, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia.,Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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31
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Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression in Individuals With Schizophrenia and Healthy Aging: Testing the Accelerated Aging Hypothesis of Schizophrenia. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2017; 19:36. [PMID: 28534294 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-017-0794-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Schizophrenia has been hypothesized to be a syndrome of accelerated aging. Brain plasticity is vulnerable to the normal aging process and affected in schizophrenia: brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important neuroplasticity molecule. The present review explores the accelerated aging hypothesis of schizophrenia by comparing changes in BDNF expression in schizophrenia with aging-associated changes. RECENT FINDINGS Individuals with schizophrenia show patterns of increased overall mortality, metabolic abnormalities, and cognitive decline normally observed later in life in the healthy population. An overall decrease is observed in BDNF expression in schizophrenia compared to healthy controls and in older individuals compared to a younger cohort. There is a marked decrease in BDNF levels in the frontal regions and in the periphery among older individuals and those with schizophrenia; however, data for BDNF expression in the occipital, parietal, and temporal cortices and the hippocampus is inconclusive. Accelerated aging hypothesis is supported based on frontal regions and peripheral studies; however, further studies are needed in other brain regions.
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32
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Shapiro LP, Parsons RG, Koleske AJ, Gourley SL. Differential expression of cytoskeletal regulatory factors in the adolescent prefrontal cortex: Implications for cortical development. J Neurosci Res 2017; 95:1123-1143. [PMID: 27735056 PMCID: PMC5352542 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Revised: 09/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and drug and alcohol use disorders peaks during adolescence. Further, up to 50% of "adult" mental health disorders emerge in adolescence. During adolescence, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) undergoes dramatic structural reorganization, in which dendritic spines and synapses are refined, pruned, and stabilized. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie these processes should help to identify factors that influence the development of psychiatric illness. Here we briefly discuss the anatomical connections of the medial and orbital prefrontal cortex (mPFC and OFC, respectively). We then present original findings suggesting that dendritic spines on deep-layer excitatory neurons in the mouse mPFC and OFC prune at different adolescent ages, with later pruning in the OFC. In parallel, we used Western blotting to define levels of several cytoskeletal regulatory proteins during early, mid-, and late adolescence, focusing on tropomyosin-related kinase receptor B (TrkB) and β1-integrin-containing receptors and select signaling partners. We identified regional differences in the levels of several proteins in early and midadolescence that then converged in early adulthood. We also observed age-related differences in TrkB levels, both full-length and truncated isoforms, Rho-kinase 2, and synaptophysin in both PFC subregions. Finally, we identified changes in protein levels in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus that were distinct from those in the PFC. We conclude with a general review of the manner in which TrkB- and β1-integrin-mediated signaling influences neuronal structure in the postnatal brain. Elucidating the role of cytoskeletal regulatory factors throughout adolescence may identify critical mechanisms of PFC development. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren P Shapiro
- Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ryan G Parsons
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Institute, Graduate Program in Integrative Neuroscience, Program in Neuroscience, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Anthony J Koleske
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Department of Neurobiology, Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Shannon L Gourley
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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33
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Hueston CM, Cryan JF, Nolan YM. Stress and adolescent hippocampal neurogenesis: diet and exercise as cognitive modulators. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1081. [PMID: 28375209 PMCID: PMC5416690 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Revised: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Adolescence is a critical period for brain maturation. Deciphering how disturbances to the central nervous system at this time affect structure, function and behavioural outputs is important to better understand any long-lasting effects. Hippocampal neurogenesis occurs during development and continues throughout life. In adulthood, integration of these new cells into the hippocampus is important for emotional behaviour, cognitive function and neural plasticity. During the adolescent period, maturation of the hippocampus and heightened levels of hippocampal neurogenesis are observed, making alterations to neurogenesis at this time particularly consequential. As stress negatively affects hippocampal neurogenesis, and adolescence is a particularly stressful time of life, it is important to investigate the impact of stressor exposure at this time on hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function. Adolescence may represent not only a time for which stress can have long-lasting effects, but is also a critical period during which interventions, such as exercise and diet, could ameliorate stress-induced changes to hippocampal function. In addition, intervention at this time may also promote life-long behavioural changes that would aid in fostering increased hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function. This review addresses both the acute and long-term stress-induced alterations to hippocampal neurogenesis and cognition during the adolescent period, as well as changes to the stress response and pubertal hormones at this time which may result in differential effects than are observed in adulthood. We hypothesise that adolescence may represent an optimal time for healthy lifestyle changes to have a positive and long-lasting impact on hippocampal neurogenesis, and to protect against stress-induced deficits. We conclude that future research into the mechanisms underlying the susceptibility of the adolescent hippocampus to stress, exercise and diet and the consequent effect on cognition may provide insight into why adolescence may be a vital period for correct conditioning of future hippocampal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Hueston
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - J F Cryan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Y M Nolan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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34
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Jasińska KK, Molfese PJ, Kornilov SA, Mencl WE, Frost SJ, Lee M, Pugh KR, Grigorenko EL, Landi N. The BDNF Val 66Met polymorphism is associated with structural neuroanatomical differences in young children. Behav Brain Res 2017; 328:48-56. [PMID: 28359883 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Revised: 02/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has been associated with individual differences in brain structure and function, and cognition. Research on BDNF's influence on brain and cognition has largely been limited to adults, and little is known about the association of this gene, and specifically the Val66Met polymorphism, with developing brain structure and emerging cognitive functions in children. We performed a targeted genetic association analysis on cortical thickness, surface area, and subcortical volume in 78 children (ages 6-10) who were Val homozygotes (homozygous Val/Val carriers) or Met carriers (Val/Met, Met/Met) for the Val66Met locus using Atlas-based brain segmentation. We observed greater cortical thickness for Val homozygotes in regions supporting declarative memory systems (anterior temporal pole/entorhinal cortex), consistent with adult findings. Met carriers had greater surface area in the prefrontal and parietal cortices and greater cortical thickness in lateral occipital/parietal cortex in contrast to prior adult findings that may relate to performance on cognitive tasks supported by these regions in Met carriers. Finally, we found larger right hippocampal volume in Met carriers, although inconsistent with adult findings (generally reports larger volumes for Val homozygotes), is consistent with a recent finding in children. Gene expression levels vary across different brain regions and across development and our findings highlight the need to consider this developmental change in explorations of BDNF-brain relationships. The impact of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on the structure of the developing brain therefore reflects regionally-specific developmental changes in BDNF expression and cortical maturation trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaja K Jasińska
- University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA; Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Peter J Molfese
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, USA; University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Sergey A Kornilov
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, USA; University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation; Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - W Einar Mencl
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | | | - Kenneth R Pugh
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, USA; University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA; Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Elena L Grigorenko
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation; Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation; Moscow State University for Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Nicole Landi
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, USA; University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA; Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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35
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Neshatdoust S, Saunders C, Castle SM, Vauzour D, Williams C, Butler L, Lovegrove JA, Spencer JPE. High-flavonoid intake induces cognitive improvements linked to changes in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor: Two randomised, controlled trials. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 4:81-93. [PMID: 28035345 PMCID: PMC5166520 DOI: 10.3233/nha-1615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recent clinical studies have indicated the beneficial impact of dietary flavonoid intake on human cognitive performance. Although the mechanisms that mediate such improvements are currently unclear, animal and human trial data suggest that changes in neurotrophin expression, and related signalling apparatus, may be involved. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the link between changes in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and changes in human cognitive performance following flavonoid intake. METHODS: The relationship between serum levels of BDNF and age, gender, BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure and cognition at baseline, and following flavonoid intake, was investigated in two distinct randomised, controlled clinical trials. Trial 1 was conducted in men and women (aged 26–70 y; consuming an average of 3 portions of fruit and vegetables per day) and delivered high-flavonoid (>15 mg/100 g) or low-flavonoid (<5 mg/100 g) fruit and vegetables and increased intake by 2 portions every 6 weeks. The control arm was habitual diet over the same time frame. Trial 2 was conducted in an older males and female cohort (aged 62–75 y) intervening with a high-flavanol cocoa drink (494 mg total flavanols) and a low-flavanol cocoa drink (23 mg total flavanols) for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Serum BDNF levels increased linearly to the age of 65, after which BDNF levels were found to decrease markedly. All other physiological and anthropometric measurements proved to not be significantly associated with serum BDNF levels (p > 0.05), although higher levels in males compared to females almost achieved significance (p = 0.056). At baseline, higher serum BDNF levels were associated with significantly better global cognition scores, relative to individuals with lower serum levels. In addition, following intervention for 18 weeks, high-flavonoid, but not low-flavonoid, fruit and vegetable intake induced significant improvements in cognitive performance and increases in serum BDNF levels (p = <0.001). Flavanol intervention for 12 weeks also resulted in significant increases in serum BDNF (p = <0.001), and such increases were correlated with improvements in global cognitive performance. CONCLUSION: Increases in global cognition induced by high flavonoid fruit and vegetables, and cocoa flavanols were paralleled by concurrent changes in serum BDNF levels, suggesting a role for BDNF in flavonoid-induced cognitive improvements. Furthermore, we provide further data suggesting that serum BDNF levels may represent a biomarker of cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Neshatdoust
- Hugh Sinclair Unit for Human Nutrition, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading , Reading, UK
| | - Caroline Saunders
- Hugh Sinclair Unit for Human Nutrition, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading , Reading, UK
| | - Sophie M Castle
- Hugh Sinclair Unit for Human Nutrition, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading , Reading, UK
| | - David Vauzour
- Department of Nutrition, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia , Norwich, UK
| | - Claire Williams
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading , Reading, UK
| | - Laurie Butler
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading , Reading, UK
| | - Julie A Lovegrove
- Hugh Sinclair Unit for Human Nutrition, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading , Reading, UK
| | - Jeremy P E Spencer
- Hugh Sinclair Unit for Human Nutrition, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading , Reading, UK
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Age Effects on Cognitive and Physiological Parameters in Familial Caregivers of Alzheimer's Disease Patients. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162619. [PMID: 27706235 PMCID: PMC5051952 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Older familial caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease patients are subjected to stress-related cognitive and psychophysiological dysfunctions that may affect their quality of life and ability to provide care. Younger caregivers have never been properly evaluated. We hypothesized that they would show qualitatively similar cognitive and psychophysiological alterations to those of older caregivers. Method The cognitive measures of 17 young (31–58 years) and 18 old (63–84 years) caregivers and of 17 young (37–57 years) and 18 old (62–84 years) non-caregiver controls were evaluated together with their salivary cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels, as measured by radioimmunoassays and ELISA assays of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in serum. Results Although younger caregivers had milder impairments in memory and executive functions than older caregivers, their performances fell to the same or lower levels as those of the healthy older controls. Decreases in DHEA and BDNF levels were correlated with the cognitive dysfunctions observed in the older and younger caregivers, respectively. Cortisol at 10PM increased in both caregiver groups. Discussion Younger caregivers were prone to cognitive impairments similar to older caregivers, although the degree and the neuropsychological correlates of the cognitive dysfunctions were somewhat different between the two groups. This work has implications for caregiver and care-recipient health and for research on the neurobiology of stress-related cognitive dysfunctions.
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Jasińska KK, Molfese PJ, Kornilov SA, Mencl WE, Frost SJ, Lee M, Pugh KR, Grigorenko EL, Landi N. The BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism Influences Reading Ability and Patterns of Neural Activation in Children. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157449. [PMID: 27551971 PMCID: PMC4995017 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding how genes impact the brain’s functional activation for learning and cognition during development remains limited. We asked whether a common genetic variant in the BDNF gene (the Val66Met polymorphism) modulates neural activation in the young brain during a critical period for the emergence and maturation of the neural circuitry for reading. In animal models, the bdnf variation has been shown to be associated with the structure and function of the developing brain and in humans it has been associated with multiple aspects of cognition, particularly memory, which are relevant for the development of skilled reading. Yet, little is known about the impact of the Val66Met polymorphism on functional brain activation in development, either in animal models or in humans. Here, we examined whether the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism (dbSNP rs6265) is associated with children’s (age 6–10) neural activation patterns during a reading task (n = 81) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), genotyping, and standardized behavioral assessments of cognitive and reading development. Children homozygous for the Val allele at the SNP rs6265 of the BDNF gene outperformed Met allele carriers on reading comprehension and phonological memory, tasks that have a strong memory component. Consistent with these behavioral findings, Met allele carriers showed greater activation in reading–related brain regions including the fusiform gyrus, the left inferior frontal gyrus and left superior temporal gyrus as well as greater activation in the hippocampus during a word and pseudoword reading task. Increased engagement of memory and spoken language regions for Met allele carriers relative to Val/Val homozygotes during reading suggests that Met carriers have to exert greater effort required to retrieve phonological codes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaja K. Jasińska
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Peter J. Molfese
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States of America
| | - Sergey A. Kornilov
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States of America
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States of America
- Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - W. Einar Mencl
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | | | - Maria Lee
- Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Kenneth R. Pugh
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States of America
- Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Elena L. Grigorenko
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States of America
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States of America
- Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation
- Moscow City University for Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Nicole Landi
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States of America
- Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
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Neurochemical correlation between major depressive disorder and neurodegenerative diseases. Life Sci 2016; 158:121-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2016.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Revised: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Marusak HA, Kuruvadi N, Vila AM, Shattuck DW, Joshi SH, Joshi AA, Jella PK, Thomason ME. Interactive effects of BDNF Val66Met genotype and trauma on limbic brain anatomy in childhood. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2016; 25:509-18. [PMID: 26286685 PMCID: PMC4760899 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-015-0759-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Childhood trauma is a major precipitating factor in psychiatric disease. Emerging data suggest that stress susceptibility is genetically determined, and that risk is mediated by changes in limbic brain circuitry. There is a need to identify markers of disease vulnerability, and it is critical that these markers be investigated in childhood and adolescence, a time when neural networks are particularly malleable and when psychiatric disorders frequently emerge. In this preliminary study, we evaluated whether a common variant in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene (Val66Met; rs6265) interacts with childhood trauma to predict limbic gray matter volume in a sample of 55 youth high in sociodemographic risk. We found trauma-by-BDNF interactions in the right subcallosal area and right hippocampus, wherein BDNF-related gray matter changes were evident in youth without histories of trauma. In youth without trauma exposure, lower hippocampal volume was related to higher symptoms of anxiety. These data provide preliminary evidence for a contribution of a common BDNF gene variant to the neural correlates of childhood trauma among high-risk urban youth. Altered limbic structure in early life may lay the foundation for longer term patterns of neural dysfunction, and hold implications for understanding the psychiatric and psychobiological consequences of traumatic stress on the developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary A. Marusak
- Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child and Family Development, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Nisha Kuruvadi
- Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lynchburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Angela M. Vila
- Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child and Family Development, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - David W. Shattuck
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Shantanu H. Joshi
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Anand A. Joshi
- Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California USA,Signal and Image Processing Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Pavan K. Jella
- Department of Radiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Moriah E. Thomason
- Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child and Family Development, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA,Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI USA,Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHSS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
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Carlino D, Francavilla R, Baj G, Kulak K, d'Adamo P, Ulivi S, Cappellani S, Gasparini P, Tongiorgi E. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor serum levels in genetically isolated populations: gender-specific association with anxiety disorder subtypes but not with anxiety levels or Val66Met polymorphism. PeerJ 2015; 3:e1252. [PMID: 26539329 PMCID: PMC4631459 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 08/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders (ADs) are disabling chronic disorders with exaggerated behavioral response to threats. This study was aimed at testing the hypothesis that ADs may be associated with reduced neurotrophic activity, particularly of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and determining possible effects of genetics on serum BDNF concentrations. In 672 adult subjects from six isolated villages in North-Eastern Italy with high inbreeding, we determined serum BDNF levels and identified subjects with different ADs subtypes such as Social and Specific Phobias (PHSOC, PHSP), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and Panic Disorder (PAD). Analysis of the population as a whole or individual village showed no significant correlation between serum BDNF levels and Val66Met polymorphism and no association with anxiety levels. Stratification of subjects highlighted a significant decrease in serum BDNF in females with GAD and males with PHSP. This study indicates low heritability and absence of any impact of the Val66Met polymorphism on circulating concentrations of BDNF. Our results show that BDNF is not a general biomarker of anxiety but serum BDNF levels correlate in a gender-specific manner with ADs subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Carlino
- Psychiatric Clinic, Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences, University of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Baj
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
| | - Karolina Kulak
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
| | - Pio d'Adamo
- Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences, University of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
| | - Sheila Ulivi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo" , Trieste , Italy
| | - Stefania Cappellani
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo" , Trieste , Italy
| | - Paolo Gasparini
- Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences, University of Trieste , Trieste , Italy ; Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo" , Trieste , Italy
| | - Enrico Tongiorgi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste , Trieste , Italy
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McKinney BC, Lin CW, Oh H, Tseng GC, Lewis DA, Sibille E. Hypermethylation of BDNF and SST Genes in the Orbital Frontal Cortex of Older Individuals: A Putative Mechanism for Declining Gene Expression with Age. Neuropsychopharmacology 2015; 40:2604-13. [PMID: 25881116 PMCID: PMC4569950 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2015.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and somatostatin (SST) mRNAs in the brain decreases progressively and robustly with age, and lower BDNF and SST expression in the brain has been observed in many brain disorders. BDNF is known to regulate SST expression; however, the mechanisms underlying decreased expression of both genes are not understood. DNA methylation (DNAm) is an attractive candidate mechanism. To investigate the contribution of DNAm to the age-related decline in BDNF and SST expression, the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 Beadchip Array was used to quantify DNAm of BDNF (26 CpG loci) and SST (9 CpG loci) in the orbital frontal cortices of postmortem brains from 22 younger (age <42 years) and 22 older individuals (age >60 years) with known age-dependent BDNF and SST expression differences. Relative to the younger individuals, 10 of the 26 CpG loci in BDNF and 8 of the 9 CpG loci in SST were significantly hypermethylated in the older individuals. DNAm in BDNF exons/promoters I, II, and IV negatively correlated with BDNF expression (r=-0.37, p<0.05; r=-0.40, p<0.05; r=-0.24, p=0.07), and DNAm in SST 5' UTR and first exon/intron negatively correlated with SST expression (r=-0.48, p<0.01; r=-0.63, p<0.001), respectively. An expanded set of BDNF- and GABA-related genes exhibited similar age-related changes in DNAm and correlation with gene expression. These results suggest that DNAm may be a proximal mechanism for decreased expression of BDNF, SST, and other BDNF- and GABA-related genes with brain aging and, by extension, for brain disorders in which their expression is decreased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon C McKinney
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Chien-Wei Lin
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Hyunjung Oh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, PA, USA,Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - George C Tseng
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - David A Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, PA, USA,Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Etienne Sibille
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, PA, USA,Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA,Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute of CAMH, Departments of Psychiatry, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), 250 College Street, Room 134, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada, Tel: +1 416 535 8501, ext 36571, E-mail:
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42
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Wei Z, Liao J, Qi F, Meng Z, Pan S. Evidence for the contribution of BDNF-TrkB signal strength in neurogenesis: An organotypic study. Neurosci Lett 2015; 606:48-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2015.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Revised: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Interactive actions of Bdnf methylation and cell metabolism for building neural resilience under the influence of diet. Neurobiol Dis 2014; 73:307-18. [PMID: 25283985 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2014.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Revised: 09/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Quality nutrition during the period of brain formation is a predictor of brain functional capacity and plasticity during adulthood; however it is not clear how this conferred plasticity imparts long-term neural resilience. Here we report that early exposure to dietary omega-3 fatty acids orchestrates key interactions between metabolic signals and Bdnf methylation creating a reservoir of neuroplasticity that can protect the brain against the deleterious effects of switching to a Western diet (WD). We observed that the switch to a WD increased Bdnf methylation specific to exon IV, in proportion to anxiety-like behavior, in Sprague Dawley rats reared in low omega-3 fatty acid diet, and these effects were abolished by the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. Blocking methylation also counteracted the reducing action of WD on the transcription regulator CTCF binding to Bdnf promoter IV. In vitro studies confirmed that CTCF binding to Bdnf promoter IV is essential for the action of DHA on BDNF regulation. Diet is also intrinsically associated to cell metabolism, and here we show that the switch to WD downregulated cell metabolism (NAD/NADH ratio and SIRT1). The fact that DNA methyltransferase inhibitor did not alter these parameters suggests they occur upstream to methylation. In turn, the methylation inhibitor counteracted the action of WD on PGC-1α, a mitochondrial transcription co-activator and BDNF regulator, suggesting that PGC-1α is an effector of Bdnf methylation. Results support a model in which diet can build an "epigenetic memory" during brain formation that confers resilience to metabolic perturbations occurring in adulthood.
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Abstract
The clinical symptoms and cognitive and functional deficits of schizophrenia typically begin to gradually emerge during late adolescence and early adulthood. Recent findings suggest that disturbances of a specific subset of inhibitory neurons that contain the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV), which may regulate the course of postnatal developmental experience-dependent synaptic plasticity in the cerebral cortex, including the prefrontal cortex (PFC), may be involved in the pathogenesis of the onset of this illness. Specifically, converging lines of evidence suggest that oxidative stress, extracellular matrix (ECM) deficit and impaired glutamatergic innervation may contribute to the functional impairment of PV neurons, which may then lead to aberrant developmental synaptic pruning of pyramidal cell circuits during adolescence in the PFC. In addition to promoting the functional integrity of PV neurons, maturation of ECM may also play an instrumental role in the termination of developmental PFC synaptic pruning; thus, ECM deficit can directly lead to excessive loss of synapses by prolonging the course of pruning. Together, these mechanisms may contribute to the onset of schizophrenia by compromising the integrity, stability, and fidelity of PFC connectional architecture that is necessary for reliable and predictable information processing. As such, further characterization of these mechanisms will have implications for the conceptualization of rational strategies for the diagnosis, early intervention, and prevention of this debilitating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Ung W Woo
- Laboratory of Cellular Neuropathology, MRC303E, McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA,
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45
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Chen SL, Lee SY, Chang YH, Chen SH, Chu CH, Wang TY, Chen PS, Lee IH, Yang YK, Hong JS, Lu RB. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in Han Chinese patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2014; 51:99-104. [PMID: 24468644 PMCID: PMC7137229 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2014.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2013] [Revised: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) is widely distributed in the peripheral and central nervous systems. BDNF and its gene polymorphism may be important in synaptic plasticity and neuron survival, and may become a key target in the physiopathology of several mental illnesses. To elucidate the role of BDNF, we compared the plasma BDNF levels and the BDNF Val66Met gene variants effect in several mental disorders. METHOD We enrolled 644 participants: 177 patients with bipolar I disorder (BP-I), 190 with bipolar II disorder (BP-II), 151 with schizophrenia, and 126 healthy controls. Their plasma BDNF levels and BDNF Val66Met single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were checked before pharmacological treatment. RESULTS Plasma levels of BDNF were significantly lower in patients with schizophrenia than in healthy controls and patients with bipolar disorder (F = 37.667, p<0.001); the distribution of the BDNF Val66Met SNP was not different between groups (χ(2) = 5.289, p = 0.507). Nor were plasma BDNF levels significantly different between Met/Met, Met/Val, and Val/Val carriers in each group, which indicated that the BDNF Val66Met SNP did not influence plasma BDNF levels in our participants. Plasma BDNF levels were, however, significantly negatively correlated with depression scores in patients with bipolar disorder and with negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. CONCLUSION We conclude that plasma BDNF profiles in different mental disorders are not affected by BDNF Val66Met gene variants, but by the process and progression of the illness itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiou-Lan Chen
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan.
| | - Sheng-Yu Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University,Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University;,Addiction Research Center, National Cheng Kung University
| | - Yun-Hsuan Chang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University,Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University
| | - Shih-Heng Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University,Neuropharmacology Section, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Chemistry, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Chun-Hsien Chu
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University,Neuropharmacology Section, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Chemistry, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Tzu-Yun Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University,Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University;,Department of Psychiatry, Tainan Hospital, Department of Health, Executive Yuan, Tainan
| | - Po-See Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University,Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University;,Addiction Research Center, National Cheng Kung University
| | - I-Hui Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University,Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University;,Addiction Research Center, National Cheng Kung University
| | - Yen-Kuang Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University,Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University;,Addiction Research Center, National Cheng Kung University
| | - Jau-Shyong Hong
- Neuropharmacology Section, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Chemistry, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ru-Band Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan; National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Taiwan; Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan; Addiction Research Center, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan; Institute of Behavior Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan; Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan.
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Verhagen M, van Roekel E, Engels RCME. Involvement of the BDNF gene in loneliness in adolescence: a report of opposite gene effects in boys and girls. PLoS One 2014; 9:e92768. [PMID: 24647525 PMCID: PMC3960275 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous research has shown that loneliness has a heritable component and that genes within the serotonin-, dopamine-, and oxytocin systems are related to loneliness in adolescence. In the present study, the relation between the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and loneliness in adolescent boys and girls was examined in a longitudinal study spanning five annual waves (N = 305). Latent growth curve modeling (LGCM) was used to examine the baseline level and the change in loneliness over time. The main finding was that the BDNF gene was not related to loneliness in the total sample. A BDNF by sex interaction was found, in that Met carrying girls had the highest levels of loneliness at baseline, whereas in boys the ValVal genotype was related to higher levels of loneliness. Our results underline the importance of sex-stratified analyses when examining effects of the BDNF genotype and the necessity of conducting gene studies to intermediate phenotypes of loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike Verhagen
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Eeske van Roekel
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Interdisciplinary Center of Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Han JC, Thurm A, Golden Williams C, Joseph LA, Zein WM, Brooks BP, Butman JA, Brady SM, Fuhr SR, Hicks MD, Huey AE, Hanish AE, Danley KM, Raygada MJ, Rennert OM, Martinowich K, Sharp SJ, Tsao JW, Swedo SE. Association of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) haploinsufficiency with lower adaptive behaviour and reduced cognitive functioning in WAGR/11p13 deletion syndrome. Cortex 2013; 49:2700-10. [PMID: 23517654 PMCID: PMC3762943 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2013.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2012] [Revised: 02/08/2013] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In animal studies, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important regulator of central nervous system development and synaptic plasticity. WAGR (Wilms tumour, Aniridia, Genitourinary anomalies, and mental Retardation) syndrome is caused by 11p13 deletions of variable size near the BDNF locus and can serve as a model for studying human BDNF haploinsufficiency (+/-). We hypothesized that BDNF+/- would be associated with more severe cognitive impairment in subjects with WAGR syndrome. Twenty-eight subjects with WAGR syndrome (6-28 years), 12 subjects with isolated aniridia due to PAX6 mutations/microdeletions (7-54 years), and 20 healthy controls (4-32 years) received neurocognitive assessments. Deletion boundaries for the subjects in the WAGR group were determined by high-resolution oligonucleotide array comparative genomic hybridization. Within the WAGR group, BDNF+/- subjects (n = 15), compared with BDNF intact (+/+) subjects (n = 13), had lower adaptive behaviour (p = .02), reduced cognitive functioning (p = .04), higher levels of reported historical (p = .02) and current (p = .02) social impairment, and higher percentage meeting cut-off score for autism (p = .047) on Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised. These differences remained nominally significant after adjusting for visual acuity. Using diagnostic measures and clinical judgement, 3 subjects (2 BDNF+/- and 1 BDNF+/+) in the WAGR group (10.7%) were classified with autism spectrum disorder. A comparison group of visually impaired subjects with isolated aniridia had cognitive functioning comparable to that of healthy controls. In summary, among subjects with WAGR syndrome, BDNF+/- subjects had a mean Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Compose score that was 14-points lower and a mean intelligence quotient (IQ) that was 20-points lower than BDNF+/+ subjects. Our findings support the hypothesis that BDNF plays an important role in human neurocognitive development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan C Han
- Unit on Metabolism and Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; Section on Growth and Obesity, Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, NICHD, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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48
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Sears C, Wilson J, Fitches A. Investigating the role of BDNF and CCK system genes in suicidality in a familial bipolar cohort. J Affect Disord 2013; 151:611-617. [PMID: 23890582 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2013.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2013] [Revised: 07/04/2013] [Accepted: 07/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicidal behaviour is a phenotype widely associated with psychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. However, recent evidence indicates that part of the heritability of suicidal behaviour is independent of the heritability of individual psychiatric disorders. This allows investigation into genetic risk factors for suicidal behaviour within a disorder using a candidate gene association approach. METHODS We used family-based association testing in a cohort of 130 multiplex bipolar pedigrees, comprising 795 individuals, to look for associations between suicidal behaviour and 32 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from across the genes brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cholecystokinin (CCK) and the cholecystokinin beta-receptor (CCKBR). RESULTS We found associations (p≤0.05) between suicide attempt and 12 SNPs of CCKBR and five SNPs of BDNF. After correction for multiple testing, seven SNPs of CCKBR remained significantly associated. No association was found between CCK and suicidal behaviour. LIMITATIONS The study relied on retrospective self-reporting by individuals to determine phenotype, and the sample size was relatively small. CONCLUSIONS The results of the study support the hypothesis that some CCKBR polymorphisms may contribute to an underlying predisposition towards suicidal behaviour in bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Sears
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, P.O. Box 913, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Julia Wilson
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, P.O. Box 913, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Alison Fitches
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, P.O. Box 913, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
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Holtzman CW, Trotman HD, Goulding SM, Ryan AT, Macdonald AN, Shapiro DI, Brasfield JL, Walker EF. Stress and neurodevelopmental processes in the emergence of psychosis. Neuroscience 2013; 249:172-91. [PMID: 23298853 PMCID: PMC4140178 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2012] [Revised: 11/24/2012] [Accepted: 12/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The notion that stress plays a role in the etiology of psychotic disorders, especially schizophrenia, is longstanding. However, it is only in recent years that the potential neural mechanisms mediating this effect have come into sharper focus. The introduction of more sophisticated models of the interplay between psychosocial factors and brain function has expanded our opportunities for conceptualizing more detailed psychobiological models of stress in psychosis. Further, scientific advances in our understanding of adolescent brain development have shed light on a pivotal question that has challenged researchers; namely, why the first episode of psychosis typically occurs in late adolescence/young adulthood. In this paper, we begin by reviewing the evidence supporting associations between psychosocial stress and psychosis in diagnosed patients as well as individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis. We then discuss biological stress systems and examine changes that precede and follow psychosis onset. Next, research findings on structural and functional brain characteristics associated with psychosis are presented; these findings suggest that normal adolescent neuromaturational processes may go awry, thereby setting the stage for the emergence of psychotic syndromes. Finally, a model of neural mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of psychosis is presented and directions for future research strategies are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. W. Holtzman
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - H. D. Trotman
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - S. M. Goulding
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - A. T. Ryan
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - A. N. Macdonald
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - D. I. Shapiro
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - J. L. Brasfield
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - E. F. Walker
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
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50
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Abstract
Major depression is characterized by low mood, a reduced ability to experience pleasure and frequent cognitive, physiological and high anxiety symptoms. It is also the leading cause of years lost due to disability worldwide in women and men, reflecting a lifelong trajectory of recurring episodes, increasing severity and progressive treatment resistance. Yet, antidepressant drugs at best treat only one out of every two patients and have not fundamentally changed since their discovery by chance >50 yr ago. This status quo may reflect an exaggerated emphasis on a categorical disease classification that was not intended for biological research and on oversimplified gene-to-disease models for complex illnesses. Indeed, genetic, molecular and cellular findings in major depression suggest shared risk and continuous pathological changes with other brain-related disorders. So, an alternative is that pathological findings in major depression reflect changes in vulnerable brain-related biological modules, each with their own aetiological factors, pathogenic mechanisms and biological/environment moderators. In this model, pathological entities have low specificity for major depression and instead co-occur, combine and interact within individual subjects across disorders, contributing to the expression of biological endophenotypes and potentially clinical symptom dimensions. Here, we discuss current limitations in depression research, review concepts of gene-to-disease biological scales and summarize human post-mortem brain findings related to pyramidal neurons, γ-amino butyric acid neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, as prototypical brain circuit biological modules. Finally we discuss nested aetiological factors and implications for dimensional pathology. Evidence suggests that a focus on local cell circuits may provide an appropriate integration point and a critical link between underlying molecular mechanisms and neural network dysfunction in major depression.
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