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Matsoukas MT, Panagiotopoulos V, Karageorgos V, Chrousos GP, Venihaki M, Liapakis G. Structural and Functional Insights into CRF Peptides and Their Receptors. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:120. [PMID: 38392338 PMCID: PMC10886364 DOI: 10.3390/biology13020120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing factor or hormone (CRF or CRH) and the urocortins regulate a plethora of physiological functions and are involved in many pathophysiological processes. CRF and urocortins belong to the family of CRF peptides (CRF family), which includes sauvagine, urotensin, and many synthetic peptide and non-peptide CRF analogs. Several of the CRF analogs have shown considerable therapeutic potential in the treatment of various diseases. The CRF peptide family act by interacting with two types of plasma membrane proteins, type 1 (CRF1R) and type 2 (CRF2R), which belong to subfamily B1 of the family B G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). This work describes the structure of CRF peptides and their receptors and the activation mechanism of the latter, which is compared with that of other GPCRs. It also discusses recent structural information that rationalizes the selective binding of various ligands to the two CRF receptor types and the activation of receptors by different agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minos-Timotheos Matsoukas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
| | - Vasilis Panagiotopoulos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
| | - Vlasios Karageorgos
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine and UNESCO, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Livadias 8, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Venihaki
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - George Liapakis
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
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Vu T, Smith JA. The pathophysiology and management of depression in cardiac surgery patients. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1195028. [PMID: 37928924 PMCID: PMC10623009 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1195028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Depression is common in the cardiac surgery population. This contemporary narrative review aims to explore the main pathophysiological disturbances underpinning depression specifically within the cardiac surgery population. The common non-pharmacological and pharmacological management strategies used to manage depression within the cardiac surgery patient population are also explored. Methods A total of 1291 articles were identified through Ovid Medline and Embase. The findings from 39 studies were included for qualitative analysis in this narrative review. Results Depression is associated with several pathophysiological and behavioral factors which increase the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease which may ultimately require surgical intervention. The main pathophysiological factors contributing to depression are well characterized and include autonomic nervous system dysregulation, excessive inflammation and disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. There are also several behavioral factors in depressed patients associated with the development of coronary heart disease including poor diet, insufficient exercise, poor compliance with medications and reduced adherence to cardiac rehabilitation. The common preventative and management modalities used for depression following cardiac surgery include preoperative and peri-operative education, cardiac rehabilitation, cognitive behavioral therapy, religion/prayer/spirituality, biobehavioral feedback, anti-depressant medications, and statins. Conclusion This contemporary review explores the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to depression following cardiac surgery and the current management modalities. Further studies on the preventative and management strategies for postoperative depression in the cardiac surgery patient population are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Vu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Julian A. Smith
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Ronan PJ, Korzan WJ, Johnson PL, Lowry CA, Renner KJ, Summers CH. Prior stress and vasopressin promote corticotropin-releasing factor inhibition of serotonin release in the central nucleus of the amygdala. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1148292. [PMID: 37064300 PMCID: PMC10098171 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1148292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is essential for coordinating endocrine and neural responses to stress, frequently facilitated by vasopressin (AVP). Previous work has linked CRF hypersecretion, binding site changes, and dysfunctional serotonergic transmission with anxiety and affective disorders, including clinical depression. Crucially, CRF can alter serotonergic activity. In the dorsal raphé nucleus and serotonin (5-HT) terminal regions, CRF effects can be stimulatory or inhibitory, depending on the dose, site, and receptor type activated. Prior stress alters CRF neurotransmission and CRF-mediated behaviors. Lateral, medial, and ventral subdivisions of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) produce CRF and coordinate stress responsiveness. The purpose of these experiments was to determine the effect of intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of CRF and AVP on extracellular 5-HT as an index of 5-HT release in the CeA, using in vivo microdialysis in freely moving rats and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. We also examined the effect of prior stress (1 h restraint, 24 h prior) on CRF- and AVP-mediated release of 5-HT within the CeA. Our results show that icv CRF infusion in unstressed animals had no effect on 5-HT release in the CeA. Conversely, in rats with prior stress, CRF caused a profound dose-dependent decrease in 5-HT release within the CeA. This effect was long-lasting (240 min) and was mimicked by CRF plus AVP infusion without stress. Thus, prior stress and AVP functionally alter CRF-mediated neurotransmission and sensitize CRF-induced inhibition of 5-HT release, suggesting that this is a potential mechanism underlying stress-induced affective reactivity in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J. Ronan
- Research Service, Sioux Falls VA Health Care System, Sioux Falls, SD, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD, United States
- Laboratory for Clinical and Translational Research in Psychiatry, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO, United States
- Neuroscience Group, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, United States
- Kenneth J. Renner,
| | - Wayne J. Korzan
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, The University of West Alabama, Livingston, AL, United States
| | - Philip L. Johnson
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, United States
| | - Christopher A. Lowry
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Kenneth J. Renner
- Neuroscience Group, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, United States
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, United States
- Patrick J. Ronan,
| | - Cliff H. Summers
- Research Service, Sioux Falls VA Health Care System, Sioux Falls, SD, United States
- Neuroscience Group, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, United States
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, United States
- *Correspondence: Cliff H. Summers,
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Ibarguen-Vargas Y, Leman S, Palme R, Belzung C, Surget A. CRF-R1 Antagonist Treatment Exacerbates Circadian Corticosterone Secretion under Chronic Stress, but Preserves HPA Feedback Sensitivity. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13122114. [PMID: 34959395 PMCID: PMC8707167 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13122114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite promising initial reports, corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type-1 (CRF-R1) antagonists have mostly failed to display efficacy in clinical trials for anxiety or depression. Rather than broad-spectrum antidepressant/anxiolytic-like drugs, they may represent an ‘antistress’ solution for single stressful situations or for patients with chronic stress conditions. However, the impact of prolonged CRF-R1 antagonist treatments on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis under chronic stress conditions remained to be characterized. Hence, our study investigated whether a chronic CRF-R1 antagonist (crinecerfont, formerly known as SSR125543, 20 mg·kg−1·day−1 ip, 5 weeks) would alter HPA axis basal circadian activity and negative feedback sensitivity in mice exposed to either control or chronic stress conditions (unpredictable chronic mild stress, UCMS, 7 weeks), through measures of fecal corticosterone metabolites, plasma corticosterone, and dexamethasone suppression test. Despite preserving HPA axis parameters in control non-stressed mice, the 5-week crinercerfont treatment improved the negative feedback sensitivity in chronically stressed mice, but paradoxically exacerbated their basal corticosterone secretion nearly all along the circadian cycle. The capacity of chronic CRF-R1 antagonists to improve the HPA negative feedback in UCMS argues in favor of a potential therapeutic benefit against stress-related conditions. However, the treatment-related overactivation of HPA circadian activity in UCMS raise questions about possible physiological outcomes with long-standing treatments under ongoing chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadira Ibarguen-Vargas
- UMR1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, 37200 Tours, France; (Y.I.-V.); (S.L.)
- EUK-CVL, Université d’Orléans, 45100 Orléans, France
| | - Samuel Leman
- UMR1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, 37200 Tours, France; (Y.I.-V.); (S.L.)
| | - Rupert Palme
- Department of Biomedical Sciences/Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Catherine Belzung
- UMR1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, 37200 Tours, France; (Y.I.-V.); (S.L.)
- Correspondence: (C.B.); (A.S.); Tel.: +33-2-47366994 (C.B.); +33-2-47367305 (A.S.)
| | - Alexandre Surget
- UMR1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, 37200 Tours, France; (Y.I.-V.); (S.L.)
- Correspondence: (C.B.); (A.S.); Tel.: +33-2-47366994 (C.B.); +33-2-47367305 (A.S.)
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PSD-93 up-regulates the synaptic activity of corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons in the paraventricular nucleus in depression. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 142:1045-1064. [PMID: 34536123 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02371-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Since the discovery of ketamine anti-depressant effects in last decade, it has effectively revitalized interest in investigating excitatory synapses hypothesis in the pathogenesis of depression. In the present study, we aimed to reveal the excitatory synaptic regulation of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neuron in the hypothalamus, which is the driving force in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation. This study constitutes the first observation of an increased density of PSD-93-CRH co-localized neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of patients with major depression. PSD-93 overexpression in CRH neurons in the PVN induced depression-like behaviors in mice, accompanied by increased serum corticosterone level. PSD-93 knockdown relieved the depression-like phenotypes in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression model. Electrophysiological data showed that PSD-93 overexpression increased CRH neurons synaptic activity, while PSD-93 knockdown decreased CRH neurons synaptic activity. Furthermore, we found that LPS induced increased the release of glutamate from microglia to CRH neurons resulted in depression-like behaviors using fiber photometry recordings. Together, these results show that PSD-93 is involved in the pathogenesis of depression via increasing the synaptic activity of CRH neurons in the PVN, leading to the hyperactivity of the HPA axis that underlies depression-like behaviors.
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Su B, Zhang QY, Li XS, Yu HM, Li P, Ma JH, Cao HM, Sun F, Zhao SX, Zheng CX, Ru Y, Song HD. The expression of mimecan in adrenal tissue plays a role in an organism's responses to stress. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:13087-13107. [PMID: 33971622 PMCID: PMC8148509 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Mimecan encodes a secretory protein that is secreted into the human serum as two mature proteins with molecular masses of 25 and 12 kDa. We found 12-kDa mimecan to be a novel satiety hormone mediated by the upregulation of the expression of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in the hypothalamus. Mimecan was found to be expressed in human pituitary corticotroph cells and was up-regulated by glucocorticoids, while the secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in pituitary corticotroph AtT-20 cells was induced by mimecan. However, the effects of mimecan in adrenal tissue on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis functions remain unknown. We demonstrated that the expression of mimecan in adrenal tissues is significantly downregulated by hypoglycemia and scalded stress. It was down-regulated by ACTH, but upregulated by glucocorticoids through in vivo and in vitro studies. We further found that 12-kDa mimecan fused protein increased the corticosterone secretion of adrenal cells in vivo and in vitro. Interestingly, compared to litter-mate mice, the diurnal rhythm of corticosterone secretion was disrupted under basal conditions, and the response to restraint stress was stronger in mimecan knockout mice. These findings suggest that mimecan stimulates corticosterone secretion in the adrenal tissues under basal conditions; however, the down-regulated expression of mimecan by increased ACTH secretion after stress in adrenal tissues might play a role in maintaining the homeostasis of an organism’s responses to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Su
- Department of Blood Transfusion and Endocrinology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Qian-Yue Zhang
- The Core Laboratory in Medical Center of Clinical Research, Department of Molecular Diagnostic and Endocrinology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Jiao tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Xue-Song Li
- Department of Endocrine Metabolism, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201199, China
| | - Hui-Min Yu
- The Core Laboratory in Medical Center of Clinical Research, Department of Molecular Diagnostic and Endocrinology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Jiao tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Ping Li
- The Core Laboratory in Medical Center of Clinical Research, Department of Molecular Diagnostic and Endocrinology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Jiao tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Jun-Hua Ma
- The Core Laboratory in Medical Center of Clinical Research, Department of Molecular Diagnostic and Endocrinology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Jiao tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Huang-Ming Cao
- The Core Laboratory in Medical Center of Clinical Research, Department of Molecular Diagnostic and Endocrinology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Jiao tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Fei Sun
- The Core Laboratory in Medical Center of Clinical Research, Department of Molecular Diagnostic and Endocrinology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Jiao tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Shuang-Xia Zhao
- The Core Laboratory in Medical Center of Clinical Research, Department of Molecular Diagnostic and Endocrinology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Jiao tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Cui-Xia Zheng
- Department of Respiration, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200090, China
| | - Ying Ru
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Anhui Provincial Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, Anhui, China.,Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Huai-Dong Song
- The Core Laboratory in Medical Center of Clinical Research, Department of Molecular Diagnostic and Endocrinology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Jiao tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
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Demin KA, Taranov AS, Ilyin NP, Lakstygal AM, Volgin AD, de Abreu MS, Strekalova T, Kalueff AV. Understanding neurobehavioral effects of acute and chronic stress in zebrafish. Stress 2021; 24:1-18. [PMID: 32036720 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2020.1724948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress is a common cause of neuropsychiatric disorders, evoking multiple behavioral, endocrine and neuro-immune deficits. Animal models have been extensively used to understand the mechanisms of stress-related disorders and to develop novel strategies for their treatment. Complementing rodent and clinical studies, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) is one of the most important model organisms in biomedicine. Rapidly becoming a popular model species in stress neuroscience research, zebrafish are highly sensitive to both acute and chronic stress, and show robust, well-defined behavioral and physiological stress responses. Here, we critically evaluate the utility of zebrafish-based models for studying acute and chronic stress-related CNS pathogenesis, assess the advantages and limitations of these aquatic models, and emphasize their relevance for the development of novel anti-stress therapies. Overall, the zebrafish emerges as a powerful and sensitive model organism for stress research. Although these fish generally display evolutionarily conserved behavioral and physiological responses to stress, zebrafish-specific aspects of neurogenesis, neuroprotection and neuro-immune responses may be particularly interesting to explore further, as they may offer additional insights into stress pathogenesis that complement (rather than merely replicate) rodent findings. Compared to mammals, zebrafish models are also characterized by increased availability of gene-editing tools and higher throughput of drug screening, thus being able to uniquely empower translational research of genetic determinants of stress and resilience, as well as to foster innovative CNS drug discovery and the development of novel anti-stress therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin A Demin
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine, Almazov National Medical Research Center, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alexander S Taranov
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Laboratory of Preclinical Bioscreening, Granov Russian Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Pesochny, Russia
| | - Nikita P Ilyin
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Laboratory of Preclinical Bioscreening, Granov Russian Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Pesochny, Russia
| | - Anton M Lakstygal
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Laboratory of Preclinical Bioscreening, Granov Russian Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Pesochny, Russia
| | - Andrey D Volgin
- Laboratory of Preclinical Bioscreening, Granov Russian Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Pesochny, Russia
| | - Murilo S de Abreu
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil
- The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell, LA, USA
| | - Tatyana Strekalova
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Research Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
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Salimando GJ, Hyun M, Boyt KM, Winder DG. BNST GluN2D-Containing NMDA Receptors Influence Anxiety- and Depressive-like Behaviors and ModulateCell-Specific Excitatory/Inhibitory Synaptic Balance. J Neurosci 2020; 40:3949-3968. [PMID: 32277042 PMCID: PMC7219300 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0270-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Excitatory signaling mediated by NMDARs has been shown to regulate mood disorders. However, current treatments targeting NMDAR subtypes have shown limited success in treating patients, highlighting a need for alternative therapeutic targets. Here, we identify a role for GluN2D-containing NMDARs in modulating emotional behaviors and neural activity in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Using a GluN2D KO mouse line (GluN2D-/-), we assessed behavioral phenotypes across tasks modeling emotional behavior. We then used a combination of ex vivo electrophysiology and in vivo fiber photometry to assess changes in BNST plasticity, cell-specific physiology, and cellular activity profiles. GluN2D-/- male mice exhibit evidence of exacerbated negative emotional behavior, and a deficit in BNST synaptic potentiation. We also found that GluN2D is functionally expressed on corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-positive BNST cells implicated in driving negative emotional states, and recordings in mice of both sexes revealed increased excitatory and reduced inhibitory drive onto GluN2D-/- BNST-CRF cells ex vivo and increased activity in vivo Using a GluN2D conditional KO line (GluN2Dflx/flx) to selectively delete the subunit from the BNST, we find that BNST-GluN2Dflx/flx male mice exhibit increased depressive-like behaviors, as well as altered NMDAR function and increased excitatory drive onto BNST-CRF neurons. Together, this study supports a role for GluN2D-NMDARs in regulating emotional behavior through their influence on excitatory signaling in a region-specific manner, and suggests that these NMDARs may serve as a novel target for selectively modulating glutamate signaling in stress-responsive structures and cell populations.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Excitatory signaling mediated through NMDARs plays an important role in shaping emotional behavior; however, the receptor subtypes/brain regions through which this occurs are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that loss of GluN2D-containing NMDARs produces an increase in anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors in mice, deficits in BNST synaptic potentiation, and increased activity in BNST-CRF neurons known to drive negative emotional behavior. Further, we determine that deleting GluN2D in the BNST leads to increased depressive-like behaviors and increased excitatory drive onto BNST-CRF cells. Collectively, these results demonstrate a role for GluN2D-NMDARs in regulating the activity of stress-responsive structures and neuronal populations in the adult brain, suggesting them as a potential target for treating negative emotional states in mood-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory J Salimando
- Department of Molecular Physics & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, 37212
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, 37212
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, Tennessee, 37203
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, 37232
| | - Minsuk Hyun
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115
| | - Kristen M Boyt
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599
| | - Danny G Winder
- Department of Molecular Physics & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, 37212
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, 37212
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, Tennessee, 37203
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, 37232
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, 37212
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, 37212
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Is there an association between anxiety symptoms and valsartan treatment? J Affect Disord 2020; 261:111-112. [PMID: 31610311 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Abstract
Stress is associated with the onset of several stress-related mental disorders that occur more frequently in women than in men, such as major depression or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is the major component of the neuroendocrine network responding to internal and external challenges. The proper functioning of the HPA axis is critical for the maintenance of mental and physical health, as dysregulations of the HPA axis have been linked to several mental and physical disorders. Numerous studies have observed distinct sex differences in the regulation of the HPA axis in response to stress, and it is supposed that these differences may partially explain the female predominance in stress-related mental disorders. Preclinical models have clearly shown that the HPA axis in females is activated more rapidly and produces a larger output of stress hormones than in males. However, studies with humans often produced inconsistent findings, which might be traced back to the variation of investigated stressors, the use of contraceptives in some of the studies, and different menstrual cycle stages of the female subjects. This article discusses rodent and human literature of sex differences in the function of the HPA axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Leistner
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Menke
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany; Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany; Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Park Chiemseeblick, Bernau-Felden, Germany.
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Planchez B, Surget A, Belzung C. Animal models of major depression: drawbacks and challenges. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2019; 126:1383-1408. [PMID: 31584111 PMCID: PMC6815270 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-019-02084-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Major depression is a leading contributor to the global burden of disease. This situation is mainly related to the chronicity and/or recurrence of the disorder, and to poor response to antidepressant therapy. Progress in this area requires valid animal models. Current models are based either on manipulating the environment to which rodents are exposed (during the developmental period or adulthood) or biological underpinnings (i.e. gene deletion or overexpression of candidate genes, targeted lesions of brain areas, optogenetic control of specific neuronal populations, etc.). These manipulations can alter specific behavioural and biological outcomes that can be related to different symptomatic and pathophysiological dimensions of major depression. However, animal models of major depression display substantial shortcomings that contribute to the lack of innovative pharmacological approaches in recent decades and which hamper our capabilities to investigate treatment-resistant depression. Here, we discuss the validity of these models, review putative models of treatment-resistant depression, major depression subtypes and recurrent depression. Furthermore, we identify future challenges regarding new paradigms such as those proposing dimensional rather than categorical approaches to depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Catherine Belzung
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France.
- UMR 1253, iBrain, UFR Sciences et Techniques, Parc Grandmont, 37200, Tours, France.
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The influence of personality on the effect of iTBS after being stressed on cortisol secretion. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0223927. [PMID: 31618272 PMCID: PMC6795454 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last years, individualization of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) parameters has been a focus of attention in the field of non-invasive stimulation. It has been proposed that in stress-related disorders personality characteristics may influence the clinical outcome of rTMS. However, the underlying physiological mechanisms as to how personality may affect the rTMS response to stress remains to be clarified. In this sham-controlled crossover study, after being stressed by the Trier Social Stress Test, 38 healthy females received two sessions of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. To take possible personality influences into account, they also completed the Temperament and Character Inventory. Mood and salivary cortisol were assessed throughout the experimental protocol. Overall, two iTBS sessions did not significantly alter mood or influenced cortisol secretion. When taking into account personality features, higher scores on the character dimension Cooperativeness was related to decreased cortisol output, only when active iTBS was administered after the social stressor. In line with other studies, personality features such as the character dimension Cooperativeness may be of particular interest to explain individual neurobiological responses to neurostimulation.
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Seddighnia A, Tadayon Najafabadi B, Ghamari K, Noorbala AA, Ebrahimi Daryani N, Kashani L, Akhondzadeh S. Vortioxetine effects on quality of life of irritable bowel syndrome patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Pharm Ther 2019; 45:97-104. [PMID: 31486103 DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.13032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disease causing a substantial productivity loss with no definite treatment. Our study investigates the effects of vortioxetine vs placebo in enhancing the IBS patients' quality of life. METHODS In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, adults with IBS, according to the ROME IV criteria, were randomized to placebo and vortioxetine for 6 weeks. Participants were visited every two weeks to fill IBS quality of life, hospital anxiety and depression scale, and adverse effect questionnaires. RESULTS Eighty patients were randomized, and seventy-two finished the trial. Baseline characteristics of groups were similar. Both placebo and vortioxetine significantly increased the quality of life during course of the study (both P-values < .001), whereas vortioxetine demonstrated a greater increase (P-value < .001). According to the analysis of covariances, this enhancement was irrespective of depression or anxiety score changes (P-value = .002). Adverse effect profile was similar between the groups and can increase IBS patients' quality of life superior to placebo. Vortioxetine effects in our study were observed irrespective of the depression and anxiety levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azadeh Seddighnia
- Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Borna Tadayon Najafabadi
- Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kiandokht Ghamari
- Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Ali Noorbala
- Psychosomatic Research Center, Imam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Naser Ebrahimi Daryani
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Ward, Imam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ladan Kashani
- Arash Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahin Akhondzadeh
- Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Pandey GN, Rizavi HS, Bhaumik R, Ren X. Increased protein and mRNA expression of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), decreased CRF receptors and CRF binding protein in specific postmortem brain areas of teenage suicide subjects. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 106:233-243. [PMID: 31005044 PMCID: PMC7061258 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Overactivity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function has been implicated in depression and suicidal behavior. This is based on the observation of an abnormal dexamethasone (DEX) and DEX-adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) test in patients with depression and suicidal behavior. Recently, some studies have also found abnormalities of glucocorticoid receptors (GR), mineralocorticoid receptors (MR), corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), CRF receptors (CRF-R) and CRF binding protein (CRF-BP) in depressed and suicidal patients. Some investigators have also observed increased levels of CRF in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and altered levels of MR, GR and CRF in the postmortem brain of depressed and suicidal subjects. We have earlier reported decreased protein and mRNA expression of GR and GILZ, a chaperone protein, in the postmortem brain of teenage suicide subjects. We have further studied CRF and its receptors in different areas of the postmortem brain of suicide subjects, i.e., the prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus (HIPPO), subiculum and amygdala (AMY) from teenage suicide subjects. The CRF and its receptors were determined in the PFC (Brodmann area 9), HIPPO, subiculum and different amygdaloid nuclei from 24 normal control subjects and 24 teenage suicide subjects. Protein expression of CRF, its receptors and CRF-BP was determined by immunolabeling using the Western blot technique and mRNA expression was determined by real-time PCR (qPCR) technique. We found that the mRNA levels of CRF were significantly increased in the PFC, in the central amygdaloid nucleus (CeAMY) and in the subiculum. mRNA levels of CRF-R1 and CRF-BP were significantly decreased in the PFC. We did not find any changes in the HIPPO of any of the CRF components we studied. When we compared the protein expression of CRF components we found that CRF was significantly increased and CRF-R1, CRF-R2 and CRF-BP significantly decreased in the PFC. On the other hand, there were no changes in the protein expression of CRF components in the HIPPO. Our results in the postmortem brain suggest that, as found by clinical studies in the CSF, there are significant alterations of CRF and its receptors in the postmortem brain of teenage suicide subjects. These alterations of CRF and its components were region-specific, as changes were not generally observed in the HIPPO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghanshyam N. Pandey
- Corresponding Author: Ghanshyam N. Pandey, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA, Phone (312) 413-4540, Fax: (312) 413-4547,
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Effects of oxytocin on prosocial behavior and the associated profiles of oxytocinergic and corticotropin-releasing hormone receptors in a rodent model of posttraumatic stress disorder. J Biomed Sci 2019; 26:26. [PMID: 30898126 PMCID: PMC6427848 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-019-0514-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traumatic experience may lead to various psychological sequelae including the unforgettable trauma-associated memory as seen in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with a mechanism of impaired fear extinction due to biological imbalance among hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and fear circuit areas such as medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), hippocampus, and amygdala. Recently the impaired sociability seen in PTSD patients received great attention and the involvement of oxytocin (OXT) mediation is worth being investigated. This study examined whether the trauma-altered prosocial behavior can be modulated by OXT manipulation and its relationship with corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) signaling. METHODS Male rats previously exposed to a single prolonged stress (SPS) were evaluated for their performance in social choice test (SCT) and novel object recognition test (NORT) following the introduction of intranasal oxytocin (OXT) and OXT receptor antagonist atosiban (ASB). OXT receptors (OXTR) and CRH receptors (CRHR1, CRHR2) were quantified in both protein and mRNA levels in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), hippocampus, and amygdala. RESULTS SPS reduced inclination of rats staying at the sociable place with performing less prosocial contacts. OXT can amend the deficit but this effect was blocked by ASB. Expression of OXTR became reduced following SPS in mPFC and amygdala, the latter exhibited higher therapeutic specificity to OXT. Expression of CRHR1 appeared more sensitive than CRHR2 to SPS, higher CRHR1 protein levels were found in mPFC and amygdala. CONCLUSION Psychological trauma-impaired sociability is highly associated with OXT signaling pathway. Intranasal OXT restored both the SPS-impaired prosocial contacts and the SPS-reduced OXTR expressions in mPFC and amygdala. OXT may have therapeutic potential to treat PTSD patients with impaired social behaviors.
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Zhou JN, Fang H. Transcriptional regulation of corticotropin-releasing hormone gene in stress response. IBRO Rep 2018; 5:137-146. [PMID: 30591954 PMCID: PMC6303479 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibror.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
As a central player of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the corticotropin -releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) determine the state of HPA axis and play a key role in stress response. Evidence supports that during stress response the transcription and expression of CRH was finely tuned, which involved cis-element-transcriptional factor (TF) interactions and epigenetic mechanisms. Here we reviewed recent progress in CRH transcription regulation from DNA methylation to classic TFs regulation, in which a number of paired receptors were involved. The imbalance of multiple paired receptors in regulating the activity of CRH neurons indicates a possible molecular network mechanisms underlying depression etiology and directs novel therapeutic strategies of depression in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-Ning Zhou
- Corresponding author at: School of Life Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, Anhui, PR China.
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Optogenetic silencing of a corticotropin-releasing factor pathway from the central amygdala to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis disrupts sustained fear. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:914-922. [PMID: 28439099 PMCID: PMC5656568 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The lateral central nucleus of the amygdala (CeAL) and the dorsolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNSTDL) coordinate the expression of shorter- and longer-lasting fears, respectively. Less is known about how these structures communicate with each other during fear acquisition. One pathway, from the CeAL to the BNSTDL, is thought to communicate via corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), but studies have yet to examine its function in fear learning and memory. Thus, we developed an adeno-associated viral-based strategy to selectively target CRF neurons with the optogenetic silencer archaerhodopsin tp009 (CRF-ArchT) to examine the role of CeAL CRF neurons and projections to the BNSTDL during the acquisition of contextual fear. Expression of our CRF-ArchT vector injected into the amygdala was restricted to CeAL CRF neurons. Furthermore, CRF axonal projections from the CeAL clustered around BNSTDL CRF cells. Optogenetic silencing of CeAL CRF neurons during contextual fear acquisition disrupted retention test freezing 24 h later, but only at later time points (>6 min) during testing. Silencing CeAL CRF projections in the BNSTDL during contextual fear acquisition produced a similar effect. Baseline contextual freezing, the rate of fear acquisition, freezing in an alternate context after conditioning and responsivity to foot shock were unaffected by optogenetic silencing. Our results highlight how CeAL CRF neurons and projections to the BNSTDL consolidate longer-lasting components of a fear memory. Our findings have implications for understanding how discrete amygdalar CRF pathways modulate longer-lasting fear in anxiety- and trauma-related disorders.
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Li R, Zhao X, Cai L, Gao WW. Up-regulation of GluR1 in paraventricular nucleus and greater expressions of synapse related proteins in the hypothalamus of chronic unpredictable stress-induced depressive rats. Physiol Behav 2017; 179:451-457. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Revised: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Ma L, Demin KA, Kolesnikova TO, Kharsko SL, Zhu X, Yuan X, Song C, Meshalkina DA, Leonard BE, Tian L, Kalueff AV. Animal inflammation-based models of depression and their application to drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2017; 12:995-1009. [DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2017.1362385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Li Ma
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | | | - Xiaokang Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaodong Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Kailuan General Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Cai Song
- Institute for Marine Drugs and Nutrition, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, and Department of Medical Research, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Darya A. Meshalkina
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine (ITBM), St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Brian E. Leonard
- Department of Pharmacology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Li Tian
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Psychiatry Research Centre, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Allan V. Kalueff
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Institute for Marine Drugs and Nutrition, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine (ITBM), St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Institute of Chemical Technologies, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
- The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell, LA, USA
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Gollan JK, Dong H, Bruno D, Nierenberg J, Nobrega JN, Grothe MJ, Pollock BG, Marmar CR, Teipel S, Csernansky JG, Pomara N. Basal forebrain mediated increase in brain CRF is associated with increased cholinergic tone and depression. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2017; 264:76-81. [PMID: 28477491 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2017.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jackie K Gollan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 North St Clair Street, Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Hongxin Dong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Davide Bruno
- Department of Psychology, Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park, Liverpool L16 9JD, UK; School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Tom Reilly Building, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK.
| | - Jay Nierenberg
- Nathan S. Kline Institute Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, Orangeburg, NY, 10962 USA.
| | - José N Nobrega
- Center for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, College Street Site, 250 College Street, Ste. 271, Toronto, ON, Canada M5T 1R8.
| | - Michel J Grothe
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Gehlsheimer Str. 20, 18147 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Bruce G Pollock
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Center for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, 33 Russell Street, Ste. T109, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 2S1.
| | - Charles R Marmar
- Department of Psychiatry, Steven and Alexandra Cohen Veterans Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, 10962 USA.
| | - Stefan Teipel
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Gehlsheimer Str. 20, 18147 Rostock, Germany.
| | - John G Csernansky
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 446 E Ontario St, Suite 7-100, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Nunzio Pomara
- Department of Psychiatry, Steven and Alexandra Cohen Veterans Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, 10962 USA; Geriatric Psychiatry Division, Nathan S. Kline Institute, 40 Old Orangeburg Road, Bldg 35, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA.
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de la Tremblaye PB, Linares NN, Schock S, Plamondon H. Activation of CRHR1 receptors regulates social and depressive-like behaviors and expression of BDNF and TrkB in mesocorticolimbic regions following global cerebral ischemia. Exp Neurol 2016; 284:84-97. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Barra de la Tremblaye P, Plamondon H. Alterations in the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurocircuitry: Insights into post stroke functional impairments. Front Neuroendocrinol 2016; 42:53-75. [PMID: 27455847 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Although it is well accepted that changes in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis may increase susceptibility to affective disorders in the general population, this link has been less examined in stroke patients. Yet, the bidirectional association between depression and cardiovascular disease is strong, and stress increases vulnerability to stroke. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is the central stress hormone of the HPA axis pathway and acts by binding to CRH receptors (CRHR) 1 and 2, which are located in several stress-related brain regions. Evidence from clinical and animal studies suggests a role for CRH in the neurobiological basis of depression and ischemic brain injury. Given its importance in the regulation of the neuroendocrine, autonomic, and behavioral correlates of adaptation and maladaptation to stress, CRH is likely associated in the pathophysiology of post stroke emotional impairments. The goals of this review article are to examine the clinical and experimental data describing (1) that CRH regulates the molecular signaling brain circuit underlying anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, (2) the influence of CRH and other stress markers in the pathophysiology of post stroke emotional and cognitive impairments, and (3) context and site specific interactions of CRH and BDNF as a basis for the development of novel therapeutic targets. This review addresses how the production and release of the neuropeptide CRH within the various regions of the mesocorticolimbic system influences emotional and cognitive behaviors with a look into its role in psychiatric disorders post stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Barra de la Tremblaye
- School of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Program, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Vanier Building, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - H Plamondon
- School of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience Program, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Vanier Building, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada.
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Varga J, Fodor A, Klausz B, Zelena D. Anxiogenic role of vasopressin during the early postnatal period: maternal separation-induced ultrasound vocalization in vasopressin-deficient Brattleboro rats. Amino Acids 2015; 47:2409-18. [PMID: 26133736 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-015-2034-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Both animal and human studies suggest that in adulthood, plasma vasopressin level correlates well with anxiety. Little is known about the mood regulation during the perinatal period. Here, we aim to investigate the influence of vasopressin on anxiety during the early postnatal age. As a sign of distress, rat pups emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) when they are separated from their mother. This USV was detected in 7- to 8-day-old vasopressin-deficient Brattleboro pups, and they were compared to their heterozygote littermates and wild-type pups. The results were confirmed by V1b antagonist treatment (SSR149415 10 mg/kg ip 30 min before test) in wild-types. Chlordiazepoxide (3 mg/kg ip 30 min before test)-an anxiolytic-was used to test the interaction with the GABAergic system. At the end of the test, stress-hormone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Vasopressin-deficient pups vocalized substantially less than non-deficient counterparts. Treatment with V1b antagonist resulted in similar effect. Chlordiazepoxide reduced the frequency and duration of the vocalization only in wild-types. Reduced vocalization was accompanied by smaller adrenocorticotropin levels but the level of corticosterone was variable. Our results indicate that the anxiolytic effect of vasopressin deficiency (both genetic and pharmacological) exists already during the early postnatal age. Vasopressin interacts with the GABAergic system. As mood regulation does not go parallel with glucocorticoid levels, we suggest that vasopressin might have a direct effect on special brain areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- János Varga
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.,János Szentágothai School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anna Fodor
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.,János Szentágothai School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Barbara Klausz
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dóra Zelena
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.
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Chronic light deprivation inhibits appetitive associative learning induced by ethanol and its respective c-Fos and pCREB expression. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2014; 17:1815-30. [PMID: 24905237 DOI: 10.1017/s1461145714000480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
To address the role of mixed anxiety/mood disorder on appetitive associative learning, we verify whether previous chronic light deprivation changes ethanol-induced conditioned place preference and its respective expression of c-Fos and pCREB, markers of neuronal activity and plasticity. The experimental group was maintained in light deprivation for 24 h for a period of 4 wk. Subsequently, it was adapted to a standard light-dark cycle for 1 wk. As a control, some mice were maintained in standard cycle for a period of 4 wk (Naïve group). Then, all animals were submitted to behavioral tests to assess emotionality: elevated plus maze; open field; and forced swim. After that, they were submitted to ethanol-induced conditioned place preference. Ninety minutes after the place preference test, they were perfused, and their brains processed for c-Fos and pCREB immunohistochemistry. Light deprivation induced anxiety-like trait (elevated plus maze), despair (forced swim), and hyperlocomotion (open field), common features seen in other animal models of depression. Ethanol-induced conditioned place preference was accompanied by increases on c-Fos and pCREB in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and striatum. Interestingly, mice previously submitted to light deprivation did not develop either acquisition and/or expression of ethanol-induced conditioned place preference or increases in c-Fos and pCREB. Therefore, chronic light deprivation mimics several behavioral aspects of other animal models of depression. Furthermore, it could be useful to study the neurochemical mechanisms involved in the dual diagnosis. However, given its likely deleterious effects on appetitive associative memory, it should be used with caution to investigate the cognitive aspects related to the dual diagnosis.
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Lonstein JS, Maguire J, Meinlschmidt G, Neumann ID. Emotion and mood adaptations in the peripartum female:complementary contributions of GABA and oxytocin. J Neuroendocrinol 2014; 26:649-64. [PMID: 25074620 PMCID: PMC5487494 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [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: 01/28/2014] [Revised: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Peripartum hormones and sensory cues from young modify the maternal brain in ways that can render females either at risk for, or resilient to, elevated anxiety and depression. The neurochemical systems underlying these aspects of maternal emotional and mood states include the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA and the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT). Data from laboratory rodents indicate that increased activity at the GABA(A) receptor contributes to the postpartum suppression of anxiety-related behaviour that is mediated by physical contact with offspring, whereas dysregulation in GABAergic signalling results in deficits in maternal care, as well as anxiety- and depression-like behaviours during the postpartum period. Similarly, activation of the brain OXT system accompanied by increased OXT release within numerous brain sites in response to reproductive stimuli also reduces postpartum anxiety- and depression-like behaviours. Studies of peripartum women are consistent with these findings in rodents. Given the similar consequences of elevated central GABA and OXT activity on maternal anxiety and depression, balanced and partly reciprocal interactions between these two systems may be essential for their effects on maternal emotional and mood states, in addition to other aspects of postpartum behaviour and physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Lonstein
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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Kuppast B, Spyridaki K, Liapakis G, Fahmy H. Synthesis of substituted pyrimidines as corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) receptor ligands. Eur J Med Chem 2014; 78:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2013] [Revised: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Strüber N, Strüber D, Roth G. Impact of early adversity on glucocorticoid regulation and later mental disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2014; 38:17-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2013] [Revised: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Angiotensin as stress mediator: Role of its receptor and interrelationships among other stress mediators and receptors. Pharmacol Res 2013; 76:49-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2013.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2013] [Accepted: 07/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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30
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Bethea CL, Reddy AP. The effect of long-term ovariectomy on midbrain stress systems in free ranging macaques. Brain Res 2012; 1488:24-37. [PMID: 23036275 PMCID: PMC3501558 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2012.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2012] [Revised: 09/21/2012] [Accepted: 09/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Communication between the serotonin system and the CRF system plays a pivotal role in the mediation of stress and stress reactivity. CRF appears to be inhibitory of serotonin neurotransmission through the CRF receptor type 1 (CRF-R1). Serotonin neurons also detect the urocortins, which are thought to be anxiolytic. Components of the CRF system in the serotonergic dorsal raphe region were examined in macaques that were ovary-intact or ovariectomized for 3 years living in a relatively natural environment. Female Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) were ovariectomized or tubal-ligated (n=5/group) and returned to their natal troop for 3 years. Quantitation of (1) CRF innervation of the serotonergic dorsal raphe, (2) CRF-Receptor type 1 (CRF-R1) in the dorsal raphe, (3) Urocortin 1 (UCN1) cells near the Edinger-Westfal nucleus and (4) UCN1 axons, was obtained with immunocytochemical staining and image analysis. There was no statistical difference in CRF axonal staining in the dorsal raphe, or in UCN1 axonal staining near the dorsal raphe. However, the average number of detectable UCN1 postive cells was significantly lower in the Ovx group than in the Intact group (p=0.003). Average CRF-R1 positive pixel number and positive cell number were significantly higher in the Ovx group than in the Intact group (p=0.005 and 0.02, respectivly). The higher expression of CRF-R1 and lower expression of UCN1 in the Ovx group indicates they may be more vulnerable to stress. The greater expression of CRF-R1 could cause a greater inhibition of serotonin upon a stress-induced increase in CRF as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia L Bethea
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA.
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31
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Abstract
The effects of brain AngII (angiotensin II) depend on AT(1) receptor (AngII type 1 receptor) stimulation and include regulation of cerebrovascular flow, autonomic and hormonal systems, stress, innate immune response and behaviour. Excessive brain AT(1) receptor activity associates with hypertension and heart failure, brain ischaemia, abnormal stress responses, blood-brain barrier breakdown and inflammation. These are risk factors leading to neuronal injury, the incidence and progression of neurodegerative, mood and traumatic brain disorders, and cognitive decline. In rodents, ARBs (AT(1) receptor blockers) ameliorate stress-induced disorders, anxiety and depression, protect cerebral blood flow during stroke, decrease brain inflammation and amyloid-β neurotoxicity and reduce traumatic brain injury. Direct anti-inflammatory protective effects, demonstrated in cultured microglia, cerebrovascular endothelial cells, neurons and human circulating monocytes, may result not only in AT(1) receptor blockade, but also from PPARγ (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ) stimulation. Controlled clinical studies indicate that ARBs protect cognition after stroke and during aging, and cohort analyses reveal that these compounds significantly reduce the incidence and progression of Alzheimer's disease. ARBs are commonly used for the therapy of hypertension, diabetes and stroke, but have not been studied in the context of neurodegenerative, mood or traumatic brain disorders, conditions lacking effective therapy. These compounds are well-tolerated pleiotropic neuroprotective agents with additional beneficial cardiovascular and metabolic profiles, and their use in central nervous system disorders offers a novel therapeutic approach of immediate translational value. ARBs should be tested for the prevention and therapy of neurodegenerative disorders, in particular Alzheimer's disease, affective disorders, such as co-morbid cardiovascular disease and depression, and traumatic brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Saavedra
- Section on Pharmacology, Division of Intramural Research Programs, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Abstract
Antidepressants have good efficacy in the treatment of mood disorders, with effect sizes that have consistently been found to be greater than those of placebo. The more recent antidepressants do not have better efficacy than the compounds discovered 40 to 50 years ago, but they do have a more favorable configuration of side effects, leading to fewer dropouts. This favorable situation has made it possible to prescribe the newer antidepressants in less severe depression and in several anxiety disorders, with considerable benefit to patients. During the last decades, research into the pathophysiology of mood and anxiety disorders has provided much information on the brain circuitry, neurohormones, and neurotransmitters involved in these disorders. In parallel, biological and behavioral work on antidepressants, using animal models and new biochemical techniques, has led to a broader understanding of the mode of action of these drugs. Despite this impressive list of discoveries, much research remains to be done on the clinical, psychological, neuropsychological, physiological, and neurochemical aspects, before we can obtain a coherent description of the pathophysiological mechanisms of depression and its treatment. This will lead to a better ability to predict the quality of drug response and, therefore, to the individualization of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Schulz
- The Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospital, Switzerland
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Reul JMHM, Holsboer F. On the role of corticotropin-releasing hormone receptors in anxiety and depression. DIALOGUES IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2012. [PMID: 22033745 PMCID: PMC3181666 DOI: 10.31887/dcns.2002.4.1/jreul] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
On the basis of extensive basic and clinical studies, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and its related family members are considered to play a pivotal role in stress-related disorders, such as anxiety and depression. CRH is regarded as the principal mediator in the brain of the stress response, as it mediates neuroendocrine, autonomic, and behavioral responses to stressful challenges. Recently, this neuropeptide family has expanded due to the discovery of two new members, urocortin II (also termed stresscopin-related peptide) and urocortin III (also termed stresscopin), which are selective agonists for the CRH receptor type 2. They show a discrete neuroanatomical localization and are involved in stress-coping responses, such as anxiolysis. Here, on the basis of recent developments, we suggest that CRH, the urocortins, and their receptors form a complex system in the brain, which is recruited during both the acute and the recovery phases of the stress response.
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Feng SF, Shi TY, Wang WN, Chen YC, Tan QR. Long-lasting effects of chronic rTMS to treat chronic rodent model of depression. Behav Brain Res 2012; 232:245-51. [PMID: 22537774 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2012] [Revised: 04/06/2012] [Accepted: 04/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been demonstrated in the pre-clinical and clinical settings to have an antidepressant effect. However, studies on the long-lasting effect of rTMS, especially when the effect is measured after treatment has ceased for a few weeks is lacking. We examined this question in a chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS) rat model of depression. We gave 3 weeks of high frequency (15 Hz) rTMS, venlafaxine, or these two treatments combined to a modified CUMS paradigm, and then investigated the prolonged effect of treatments. Behavioral testing (sucrose preference test, open field test, forced swimming test, novelty suppressed feeding test), plasma hormone level, hippocampal BrdU labeling, and amount of related neurotropic factors were used to assess the effects of stress and treatments. Long-term chronic rTMS significantly reversed andehonic-like behavior, increased hippocampus cell proliferation, BDNF protein level, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 compared with CUMS rats two weeks after the cessation of rTMS treatment. However, the changes in plasma hormone level were not sustained for that amount of time. Venlafaxine had no interaction with the physical stimulation. Our results suggest that high frequency rTMS has long-lasting effects, which may have some relationship with neuroplasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-fang Feng
- Department of Psychosomatics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
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35
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Ahnaou A, Steckler T, Heylen A, Kennis L, Nakazato A, Chaki S, Drinkenburg WHIM. R278995/CRA0450, a corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF(1)) receptor antagonist modulates REM sleep measures in rats: Implication for therapeutic indication. Eur J Pharmacol 2012; 680:63-8. [PMID: 22314225 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2012.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2011] [Revised: 01/17/2012] [Accepted: 01/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Abnormalities in the regulation of the hypothalamic stress hormone corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) are thought to play a critical role in mood disorders. Consequently, CRF receptor antagonists have been proposed as potential novel therapeutic agents of these conditions. Sleep disturbance is common in depressed patients and changed sleep-wake architecture is considered as potential predictor or surrogate marker of response to treatment. The aim of our study was to characterise the effects of oral administration of the corticotropin-releasing factor CRF(1) receptor antagonist R278995/CRA0450 (3 and 10mg/kg) on sleep-wake organization and electroencephalographic (EEG) components in Sprague-Dawley rats, and to determine whether the changes observed in the sleep-EEG pattern resemble those seen with antidepressants. At 3mg/kg, R278995/CRA0450 produced minor changes in sleep behaviour, while an overall reduction in power spectra was observed during deep slow wave sleep. At 10mg/kg, R278995/CRA0450 consistently reduced rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (-75.4%) and increased the REM sleep onset latency (+67%, 92.1±4.9min for vehicle vs. 153.8±24min for R278995/CRA0450), in the absence of systematic changes in spectral EEG pattern, which are characteristic anti-depressant-like effects. These findings in rats indicate that the corticotropin-releasing factor CRF(1) receptor antagonist R278995/CRA0450 is centrally active under standard conditions as it inhibits REM sleep and promotes wakefulness. The characteristic changes found in the sleep EEG model further support the hypothesis that R278995/CRA0450 could exert a non-sedative, antidepressant-like action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdallah Ahnaou
- Janssen Research & Development, Dept. of Neurosciences, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Companies, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium.
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Wegener G, Mathe AA, Neumann ID. Selectively bred rodents as models of depression and anxiety. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2012; 12:139-187. [PMID: 22351423 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2011_192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Stress related diseases such as depression and anxiety have a high degree of co morbidity, and represent one of the greatest therapeutic challenges for the twenty-first century. The present chapter will summarize existing rodent models for research in psychiatry, mimicking depression- and anxiety-related diseases. In particular we will highlight the use of selective breeding of rodents for extremes in stress-related behavior. We will summarize major behavioral, neuroendocrine and neuronal parameters, and pharmacological interventions, assessed in great detail in two rat model systems: The Flinders Sensitive and Flinders Resistant Line rats (FSL/FRL model), and rats selectively bred for high (HAB) or low (LAB) anxiety related behavior (HAB/LAB model). Selectively bred rodents also provide an excellent tool in order to study gene and environment interactions. Although it is generally accepted that genes and environmental factors determine the etiology of mental disorders, precise information is limited: How rigid is the genetic disposition? How do genetic, prenatal and postnatal influences interact to shape adult disease? Does the genetic predisposition determine the vulnerability to prenatal and postnatal or adult stressors? In combination with modern neurobiological methods, these models are important to elucidate the etiology and pathophysiology of anxiety and affective disorders, and to assist in the development of new treatment paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregers Wegener
- Centre for Psychiatric Research, Aarhus University Hospital, 8240, Risskov, Denmark,
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Saavedra JM. Angiotensin II AT(1) receptor blockers ameliorate inflammatory stress: a beneficial effect for the treatment of brain disorders. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2011; 32:667-81. [PMID: 21938488 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-011-9754-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2011] [Accepted: 08/26/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Excessive allostatic load as a consequence of deregulated brain inflammation participates in the development and progression of multiple brain diseases, including but not limited to mood and neurodegenerative disorders. Inhibition of the peripheral and brain Renin-Angiotensin System by systemic administration of Angiotensin II AT(1) receptor blockers (ARBs) ameliorates inflammatory stress associated with hypertension, cold-restraint, and bacterial endotoxin administration. The mechanisms involved include: (a) decreased inflammatory factor production in peripheral organs and their release to the circulation; (b) reduced progression of peripherally induced inflammatory cascades in the cerebral vasculature and brain parenchyma; and (c) direct anti-inflammatory effects in cerebrovascular endothelial cells, microglia, and neurons. In addition, ARBs reduce bacterial endotoxin-induced anxiety and depression. Further pre-clinical experiments reveal that ARBs reduce brain inflammation, protect cognition in rodent models of Alzheimer's disease, and diminish brain inflammation associated with genetic hypertension, ischemia, and stroke. The anti-inflammatory effects of ARBs have also been reported in circulating human monocytes. Clinical studies demonstrate that ARBs improve mood, significantly reduce cognitive decline after stroke, and ameliorate the progression of Alzheimer's disease. ARBs are well-tolerated and extensively used to treat cardiovascular and metabolic disorders such as hypertension and diabetes, where inflammation is an integral pathogenic mechanism. We propose that including ARBs in a novel integrated approach for the treatment of brain disorders such as depression and Alzheimer's disease may be of immediate translational relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Saavedra
- Division of Intramural Research Programs, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Neumann ID, Wegener G, Homberg JR, Cohen H, Slattery DA, Zohar J, Olivier JDA, Mathé AA. Animal models of depression and anxiety: What do they tell us about human condition? Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2011; 35:1357-75. [PMID: 21129431 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2010.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2010] [Revised: 10/24/2010] [Accepted: 11/19/2010] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
While modern neurobiology methods are necessary they are not sufficient to elucidate etiology and pathophysiology of affective disorders and develop new treatments. Achievement of these goals is contingent on applying cutting edge methods on appropriate disease models. In this review, the authors present four rodent models with good face-, construct-, and predictive-validity: the Flinders Sensitive rat line (FSL); the genetically "anxious" High Anxiety-like Behavior (HAB) line; the serotonin transporter knockout 5-HTT(-/-) rat and mouse lines; and the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) model induced by exposure to predator scent, that they have employed to investigate the nature of depression and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- I D Neumann
- Dept of Behavioural Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Bethea CL, Lima FB, Centeno ML, Weissheimer KV, Senashova O, Reddy AP, Cameron JL. Effects of citalopram on serotonin and CRF systems in the midbrain of primates with differences in stress sensitivity. J Chem Neuroanat 2011; 41:200-18. [PMID: 21683135 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2011.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2011] [Revised: 05/02/2011] [Accepted: 05/16/2011] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
This chapter reviews the neurobiological effects of stress sensitivity and s-citalpram (CIT) treatment observed in our nonhuman primate model of functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA). This type of infertility, also known as stress-induced amenorrhea, is exhibited by cynomolgus macaques. In small populations, some individuals are stress-sensitive (SS) and others are highly stress-resilient (HSR). The SS macaques have suboptimal secretion of estrogen and progesterone during normal menstrual cycles. SS monkeys also have decreased serotonin gene expression and increased CRF expression compared to HSR monkeys. Recently, we found that CIT treatment improved ovarian steroid secretion in SS monkeys, but had no effect in HSR monkeys. Examination of the serotonin system revealed that SS monkeys had significantly lower Fev (fifth Ewing variant, rodent Pet1), TPH2 (tryptophan hydroxylase 2), 5HT1A autoreceptor and SERT (serotonin reuptake transporter) expression in the dorsal raphe than SR monkeys. However, CIT did not alter the expression of either Fev, TPH2, SERT or 5HT1A mRNAs. In contrast, SS monkeys tended to have a higher density of CRF fiber innervation of the dorsal raphe than HSR monkeys, and CIT significantly decreased the CRF fiber density in SS animals. In addition, CIT increased CRF-R2 gene expression in the dorsal raphe. We speculate that in a 15-week time frame, the therapeutic effect of S-citalopram may be achieved through a mechanism involving extracellular serotonin inhibition of CRF and stimulation of CRF-R2, rather than alteration of serotonin-related gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia L Bethea
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR 97006, United States.
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40
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Baeken C, De Raedt R. Neurobiological mechanisms of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on the underlying neurocircuitry in unipolar depression. DIALOGUES IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2011. [PMID: 21485753 PMCID: PMC3181968 DOI: 10.31887/dcns.2011.13.1/cbaeken] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
For nearly two decades now, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been available as a noninvasive clinical tool to treat patients suffering from major depression. In this period, a bulk of animal and human studies examined TMS parameters to improve clinical outcome. However, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying mood changes remain an important focus of research. In addition to having an effect on neuroendocrinological processes, neurotransmitter systems, and neurotrophic factors, TMS may not only affect the stimulated cortical regions, but also those connected to them. Therefore, we will review current human data on possible neurobiological mechanisms of repetitive (r) TMS implicated in the deregulated neurocircuitry present in unipolar depression. Furthermore, as the rTMS application can be considered as a “top-down” neuronal intervention, we will focus on the neuronal pathways linked with the stimulated area and we will present an integrative model of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Baeken
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.
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41
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Glucocorticoids and the stress hormone system have been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression and in the mechanism of action of antidepressant response. Many studies have investigated this system in an effort to predict response to antidepressant treatment. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the evidence for using glucocorticoid-related measures for personalized treatment of depression. METHODS We conducted a MEDLINE search from 1966 through 2010 and examined English-language studies reporting on the use of endocrine challenge tests and genetic polymorphisms in genes regulating the stress hormone system as predictors of antidepressant response. RESULTS While measures of glucocorticoid levels using endocrine tests, as well polymorphisms in genes regulating the stress hormone system, show associations with response to antidepressant treatment, these measures will need to be combined with other variables, including clinical information and other biological measures, to realize the goal of highly predictive and clinically relevant biomarkers. DISCUSSION The glucocorticoid system is potentially of great use in predicting antidepressant response. New combinations of biomarkers including these measures should be tested to develop clinically relevant predictors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Horstmann
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry-RG Molecular Genetics of Affective Disorders, Munich, Germany
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Ronan PJ, Summers CH. Molecular Signaling and Translational Significance of the Corticotropin Releasing Factor System. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2011; 98:235-92. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-385506-0.00006-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Saavedra JM, Sánchez-Lemus E, Benicky J. Blockade of brain angiotensin II AT1 receptors ameliorates stress, anxiety, brain inflammation and ischemia: Therapeutic implications. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2011; 36:1-18. [PMID: 21035950 PMCID: PMC2998923 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2010] [Revised: 09/29/2010] [Accepted: 10/01/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Poor adaptation to stress, alterations in cerebrovascular function and excessive brain inflammation play critical roles in the pathophysiology of many psychiatric and neurological disorders such as major depression, schizophrenia, post traumatic stress disorder, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases and traumatic brain injury. Treatment for these highly prevalent and devastating conditions is at present very limited and many times inefficient, and the search for novel therapeutic options is of major importance. Recently, attention has been focused on the role of a brain regulatory peptide, Angiotensin II, and in the translational value of the blockade of its physiological AT(1) receptors. In addition to its well-known cardiovascular effects, Angiotensin II, through AT(1) receptor stimulation, is a pleiotropic brain modulatory factor involved in the control of the reaction to stress, in the regulation of cerebrovascular flow and the response to inflammation. Excessive brain AT(1) receptor activity is associated with exaggerated sympathetic and hormonal response to stress, vulnerability to cerebrovascular ischemia and brain inflammation, processes leading to neuronal injury. In animal models, inhibition of brain AT(1) receptor activity with systemically administered Angiotensin II receptor blockers is neuroprotective; it reduces exaggerated stress responses and anxiety, prevents stress-induced gastric ulcerations, decreases vulnerability to ischemia and stroke, reverses chronic cerebrovascular inflammation, and reduces acute inflammatory responses produced by bacterial endotoxin. These effects protect neurons from injury and contribute to increase the lifespan. Angiotensin II receptor blockers are compounds with a good margin of safety widely used in the treatment of hypertension and their anti-inflammatory and vascular protective effects contribute to reduce renal and cardiovascular failure. Inhibition of brain AT(1) receptors in humans is also neuroprotective, reducing the incidence of stroke, improving cognition and decreasing the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Blockade of AT(1) receptors offers a novel and safe therapeutic approach for the treatment of illnesses of increasing prevalence and socioeconomic impact, such as mood disorders and neurodegenerative diseases of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Saavedra
- Section on Pharmacology, Division of Intramural Research Programs, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 10 Center Drive, Building 10, Room 2D-57, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Pompili M, Serafini G, Innamorati M, Möller-Leimkühler AM, Giupponi G, Girardi P, Tatarelli R, Lester D. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and serotonin abnormalities: a selective overview for the implications of suicide prevention. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2010; 260:583-600. [PMID: 20174927 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-010-0108-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2009] [Accepted: 02/05/2010] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Suicidal behavior and mood disorders are one of the world's largest public health problems. The biological vulnerability for these problems includes genetic factors involved in the regulation of the serotonergic system and stress system. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a neuroendocrine system that regulates the body's response to stress and has complex interactions with brain serotonergic, noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems. Corticotropin-releasing hormone and vasopressin act synergistically to stimulate the secretion of ACTH that stimulates the biosynthesis of corticosteroids such as cortisol from cholesterol. Cortisol is a major stress hormone and has effects on many tissues, including on mineralocorticoid receptors and glucocorticoid receptors in the brain. Glucocorticoids produce behavioral changes, and one important target of glucocorticoids is the hypothalamus, which is a major controlling center of the HPA axis. Stress plays a major role in the various pathophysiological processes associated with mood disorders and suicidal behavior. Serotonergic dysfunction is a well-established substrate for mood disorders and suicidal behavior. Corticosteroids may play an important role in the relationship between stress, mood changes and perhaps suicidal behavior by interacting with 5-HT1A receptors. Abnormalities in the HPA axis in response to increased levels of stress are found to be associated with a dysregulation in the serotonergic system, both in subjects with mood disorders and those who engage in suicidal behavior. HPA over-activity may be a good predictor of mood disorders and perhaps suicidal behavior via abnormalities in the serotonergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Pompili
- Department of Psychiatry, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189, Rome, Italy.
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Sanchez RL, Reddy AP, Bethea CL. Ovarian steroid regulation of the midbrain corticotropin releasing factor and urocortin systems in macaques. Neuroscience 2010; 171:893-909. [PMID: 20833230 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.08.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2010] [Revised: 08/26/2010] [Accepted: 08/30/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
A significant number of postmenopausal women report increased anxiety and vulnerability to stress, which has been linked to decreased secretion of ovarian steroids. Communication between the serotonin system and the corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) system determines stress sensitivity or resilience. This study examines the effects of the ovarian steroids, estradiol (E) and progesterone (P) on the CRF system components that impact serotonin neurons in the midbrain of nonhuman primates. Ovariectomized rhesus macaques were treated with placebo, E alone for 1 month, or E supplemented with P for the last 2 weeks. Quantitative (q)RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry were employed. E±P treatment decreased CRF-R1 and increased CRF-R2 gene expression in hemi-midbrain blocks and in laser captured serotonin neurons. Also in hemi-midbrains, E treatment increased urocortin 1 (UCN1) and CRFBP gene expression, but supplemental P treatment reversed these effects. E±P decreased CRF fiber density in the dorsal, interfascicular and median raphe nuclei and decreased CRF-R1 immunostaining in the dorsal raphe. E increased CRF-R2 immunostaining in the dorsal and median raphe. E±P increased UCN1 immunostaining in the cell bodies and increased UCN1 fiber density in the caudal linear nucleus. Estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), but not ERα was detected in the nucleus of UCN1-positive neurons. While the mechanism of ovarian hormone regulation of the midbrain CRF system requires further investigation, these studies clearly demonstrate another pathway by which ovarian hormones may have positive effects on anxiety and mood regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R L Sanchez
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
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Zhou T, Wang S, Ren H, Qi XR, Luchetti S, Kamphuis W, Zhou JN, Wang G, Swaab DF. Dendritic cell nuclear protein-1, a novel depression-related protein, upregulates corticotropin-releasing hormone expression. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 133:3069-79. [PMID: 20693543 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awq207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The recently discovered dendritic cell nuclear protein-1 is the product of a novel candidate gene for major depression. The A allele encodes full-length dendritic cell nuclear protein-1, while the T allele encodes a premature termination of translation at codon number 117 on chromosome 5. In the present study we investigate whether the two forms of dendritic cell nuclear protein-1 might act on corticotropin-releasing hormone, which plays a crucial role in the stress response and in the pathogenesis of depression. The messenger RNA expression of dendritic cell nuclear protein-1 appeared to be increased in the laser micro-dissected paraventricular nucleus of patients with depression compared with control subjects. Dendritic cell nuclear protein-1 was also found to be co-localized with corticotropin-releasing hormone in paraventricular nucleus neurons. Moreover, full-length dendritic cell nucleus protein-1 bound to and transactivated the promoter of corticotropin-releasing hormone in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. We propose that full-length dendritic cell nucleus protein-1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of depressive disorders by enhancing corticotropin-releasing hormone expression in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Zhou
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Understanding vulnerability for depression from a cognitive neuroscience perspective: A reappraisal of attentional factors and a new conceptual framework. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2010; 10:50-70. [PMID: 20233955 DOI: 10.3758/cabn.10.1.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 367] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
We propose a framework to understand increases in vulnerability for depression after recurrent episodes that links attention processes and schema activation to negative mood states, by integrating cognitive and neurobiological findings. Depression is characterized by a mood-congruent attentional bias at later stages of information processing. The basic idea of our framework is that decreased activity in prefrontal areas, mediated by the serotonin metabolism which the HPA axis controls, is associated with an impaired attenuation of subcortical regions, resulting in prolonged activation of the amygdala in response to stressors in the environment. Reduced prefrontal control in interaction with depressogenic schemas leads to impaired ability to exert attentional inhibitory control over negative elaborative processes such as rumination, leading in turn to sustained negative affect. These elaborative processes are triggered by the activation of negative schemas after confrontation with stressors. In our framework, attentional impairments are postulated as a crucial process in explaining the increasing vulnerability after depressive episodes, linking cognitive and biological vulnerability factors. We review the empirical data on the biological factors associated with the attentional impairments and detail how they are associated with rumination and mood regulation. The aim of our framework is to stimulate translational research.
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Baeken C, De Raedt R, Leyman L, Schiettecatte J, Poppe K, Kaufman L, Haes M, Vanderhasselt MA, Anckaert E, D'Haenen H. The impact of one session of HF-rTMS on salivary cortisol in healthy female subjects. World J Biol Psychiatry 2010; 10:586-90. [PMID: 17886168 DOI: 10.1080/15622970701560351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies in healthy volunteers reported a possible impact of high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) on stress hormones, like cortisol. In this sham-controlled, "single blind", crossover study, we examined whether HF-rTMS had an effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, by analysing salivary cortisol levels. Two studies were conducted. First, HF-rTMS on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was performed in 28 young healthy female volunteers. Second, in a comparable, but different group of 26 healthy females, HF-rTMS was performed on the right DLPFC. Salivary cortisol levels were assessed before, immediately after and 30 min after real and sham HF-rTMS. We found no support for the hypothesis that one single session of HF-rTMS on the left or the right DLPFC has an immediate or delayed impact on the HPA-axis, as measured by salivary cortisol. Although we controlled for several methodological problems in HF-rTMS research, the hypothesis that one single session of HF-rTMS on the left or on the right DLPFC can influence the HPA-axis in healthy volunteers was not supported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Baeken
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic Hospital, Free University of Brussels, UZBrussel, Belgium.
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Paschos KA, Veletza S, Chatzaki E. Neuropeptide and sigma receptors as novel therapeutic targets for the pharmacotherapy of depression. CNS Drugs 2009; 23:755-72. [PMID: 19689166 DOI: 10.2165/11310830-000000000-00000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Among the most prevalent of mental illnesses, depression is increasing in incidence in the Western world. It presents with a wide variety of symptoms that involve both the CNS and the periphery. Multiple pharmacological observations led to the development of the monoamine theory as a biological basis for depression, according to which diminished neurotransmission within the CNS, including that of the dopamine, noradrenaline (norepinephrine) and serotonin systems, is the leading cause of the disorder. Current conventional pharmacological antidepressant therapies, using selective monoamine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, aim to enhance monoaminergic neurotransmission. However, the use of these agents presents severe disadvantages, including a delay in the alleviation of depressive symptoms, significant adverse effects and high frequencies of non-responding patients. Neuroendocrinological data of recent decades reveal that depression and anxiety disorders may occur simultaneously due to hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity. As a result, the stress-diathesis model was developed, which attempts to associate genetic and environmental influences in the aetiology of depression. The amygdala and the hippocampus control the activity of the HPA axis in a counter-balancing way, and a plethora of regulatory neuropeptide signalling pathways are involved. Intervention at these molecular targets may lead to alternative antidepressant therapeutic solutions that are expected to overcome the limitations of existing antidepressants. This prospect is based on preclinical evidence from pharmacological and genetic modifications of the action of neuropeptides such as corticotropin-releasing factor, substance P, galanin, vasopressin and neuropeptide Y. The recent synthesis of orally potent non-peptide micromolecules that can selectively bind to various neuropeptide receptors permits the onset of clinical trials to evaluate their efficacy against depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos A Paschos
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH), Alexandroupolis 68100, Thrace, Greece
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Warnock G, Moechars D, Langlois X, Steckler T. In vivo evidence for ligand-specific receptor activation in the central CRF system, as measured by local cerebral glucose utilization. Peptides 2009; 30:947-54. [PMID: 19428773 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2009.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2008] [Revised: 01/08/2009] [Accepted: 01/09/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is well known for its role in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis and its involvement in stress and anxiety. CRF acts via two main receptor subtypes, CRF(1) and CRF(2). Other endogenous CRF-related peptide ligands are the Urocortins 1 and 2 and Stresscopin. While CRF is thought to mediate its anxiogenic-like properties through CRF(1), the role of CRF(2) and its endogenous ligands Urocortin 2 and Stresscopin are less clear, with a suggested role in mediating the delayed effects of stress. Measurement of local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) provides an estimate of neuronal activity, and is of potential use as a translational tool in comparison to FDG PET. We hypothesized that comparison of the patterns of metabolic changes induced by CRF-related peptides could provide further information on their role in the brain. The present studies examined the effects of CRF-related peptides on LCGU, and the role of CRF(1) and CRF(2) in the CRF-induced LCGU response. CRF induced increases in LCGU in hypothalamic, thalamic, cerebellar and hippocampal regions, and further studies using antagonists or mutant mice lacking a functional CRF(1) receptor clearly suggested a role for CRF(2) in this effect. Urocortin 1 increased LCGU in a dissected hindbrain region. However, central administration of the CRF(2)-selective agonists Urocortin 2 and Stresscopin failed to affect LCGU, which may suggest ligand-dependent receptor activation within the CRF system. The present data supports a role for CRF(2) in the regulation of neuronal glucose metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoff Warnock
- Dept. Psychiatry, RED Europe, Johnson & Johnson PRD, Beerse, Belgium.
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