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Singh N, Nandy SK, Jyoti A, Saxena J, Sharma A, Siddiqui AJ, Sharma L. Protein Kinase C (PKC) in Neurological Health: Implications for Alzheimer's Disease and Chronic Alcohol Consumption. Brain Sci 2024; 14:554. [PMID: 38928554 PMCID: PMC11201589 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14060554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein kinase C (PKC) is a diverse enzyme family crucial for cell signalling in various organs. Its dysregulation is linked to numerous diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and neurological problems. In the brain, PKC plays pivotal roles in synaptic plasticity, learning, memory, and neuronal survival. Specifically, PKC's involvement in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathogenesis is of significant interest. The dysregulation of PKC signalling has been linked to neurological disorders, including AD. This review elucidates PKC's pivotal role in neurological health, particularly its implications in AD pathogenesis and chronic alcohol addiction. AD, characterised by neurodegeneration, implicates PKC dysregulation in synaptic dysfunction and cognitive decline. Conversely, chronic alcohol consumption elicits neural adaptations intertwined with PKC signalling, exacerbating addictive behaviours. By unravelling PKC's involvement in these afflictions, potential therapeutic avenues emerge, offering promise for ameliorating their debilitating effects. This review navigates the complex interplay between PKC, AD pathology, and alcohol addiction, illuminating pathways for future neurotherapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishtha Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University of Biotechnology, and Management Sciences, Solan 173229, Himachal Pradesh, India; (N.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Shouvik Kumar Nandy
- School of Pharmacy, Techno India University, Sector-V, Kolkata 700091, West Bengal, India;
| | - Anupam Jyoti
- Department of Life Science, Parul Institute of Applied Science, Parul University, Vadodara 391760, Gujarat, India;
| | - Juhi Saxena
- Department of Biotechnology, Parul Institute of Technology, Parul University, Vadodara 391760, Gujarat, India;
| | - Aditi Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University of Biotechnology, and Management Sciences, Solan 173229, Himachal Pradesh, India; (N.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Arif Jamal Siddiqui
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Hail, Hail 55476, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lalit Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University of Biotechnology, and Management Sciences, Solan 173229, Himachal Pradesh, India; (N.S.); (A.S.)
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Mudyanselage AW, Wijamunige BC, Kocoń A, Turner R, McLean D, Morentin B, Callado LF, Carter WG. Alcohol Triggers the Accumulation of Oxidatively Damaged Proteins in Neuronal Cells and Tissues. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:580. [PMID: 38790685 PMCID: PMC11117938 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13050580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Alcohol is toxic to neurons and can trigger alcohol-related brain damage, neuronal loss, and cognitive decline. Neuronal cells may be vulnerable to alcohol toxicity and damage from oxidative stress after differentiation. To consider this further, the toxicity of alcohol to undifferentiated SH-SY5Y cells was compared with that of cells that had been acutely differentiated. Cells were exposed to alcohol over a concentration range of 0-200 mM for up to 24 h and alcohol effects on cell viability were evaluated via MTT and LDH assays. Effects on mitochondrial morphology were examined via transmission electron microscopy, and mitochondrial functionality was examined using measurements of ATP and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Alcohol reduced cell viability and depleted ATP levels in a concentration- and exposure duration-dependent manner, with undifferentiated cells more vulnerable to toxicity. Alcohol exposure resulted in neurite retraction, altered mitochondrial morphology, and increased the levels of ROS in proportion to alcohol concentration; these peaked after 3 and 6 h exposures and were significantly higher in differentiated cells. Protein carbonyl content (PCC) lagged behind ROS production and peaked after 12 and 24 h, increasing in proportion to alcohol concentration, with higher levels in differentiated cells. Carbonylated proteins were characterised by their denatured molecular weights and overlapped with those from adult post-mortem brain tissue, with levels of PCC higher in alcoholic subjects than matched controls. Hence, alcohol can potentially trigger cell and tissue damage from oxidative stress and the accumulation of oxidatively damaged proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusha W. Mudyanselage
- Clinical Toxicology Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Uttoxeter Road, Derby DE22 3DT, UK; (A.W.M.); (B.C.W.); (A.K.); (R.T.)
- Department of Export Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihuloya 70140, Sri Lanka
| | - Buddhika C. Wijamunige
- Clinical Toxicology Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Uttoxeter Road, Derby DE22 3DT, UK; (A.W.M.); (B.C.W.); (A.K.); (R.T.)
- Department of Export Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihuloya 70140, Sri Lanka
| | - Artur Kocoń
- Clinical Toxicology Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Uttoxeter Road, Derby DE22 3DT, UK; (A.W.M.); (B.C.W.); (A.K.); (R.T.)
| | - Ricky Turner
- Clinical Toxicology Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Uttoxeter Road, Derby DE22 3DT, UK; (A.W.M.); (B.C.W.); (A.K.); (R.T.)
| | - Denise McLean
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK;
| | - Benito Morentin
- Section of Forensic Pathology, Basque Institute of Legal Medicine, E-48001 Bilbao, Spain;
| | - Luis F. Callado
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country-UPV/EHU, E-48940 Leioa, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Spain
| | - Wayne G. Carter
- Clinical Toxicology Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Uttoxeter Road, Derby DE22 3DT, UK; (A.W.M.); (B.C.W.); (A.K.); (R.T.)
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Lindberg O, Ahlner F, Tsevis T, Pereira JB, Westman E, Skoog I, Wahlund LO. Effects of current alcohol use on brain volume among older adults in the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort study 2014-16. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024; 274:363-373. [PMID: 37725137 PMCID: PMC10914911 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-023-01691-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Brain gray- and white matter changes is well described in alcohol-dependent elderly subjects; however, the effect of lower levels of alcohol consumption on the brain is poorly understood. We investigated the impact of different amounts of weekly alcohol consumption on brain structure in a population-based sample of 70-year-olds living in Gothenburg, Sweden. Cross-sectional data from 676 participants from The Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Study 2014-16 were included. Current alcohol consumers were divided into seven groups based on self-reported weekly amounts of alcohol consumption in grams (g) (0-50 g/week, used as reference group, 51-100 g/week, 101-150 g/week, 151-200 g/week, 201-250 g/week, 251-300 g/week, and > 300 g/week). Subcortical volumes and cortical thickness were assessed on T1-weighted structural magnetic resonance images using FreeSurfer 5.3, and white matter integrity assessed on diffusion tensor images, using tract-based statistics in FSL. General linear models were carried out to estimate associations between alcohol consumption and gray- and white matter changes in the brain. Self-reported consumption above 250 g/week was associated with thinning in the bilateral superior frontal gyrus, the right precentral gyrus, and the right lateral occipital cortex, in addition to reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased mean diffusivity (MD) diffusively spread in many tracts all over the brain. No changes were found in subcortical gray matter structures. These results suggest that there is a non-linear relationship between alcohol consumption and structural brain changes, in which loss of cortical thickness only occur in non-demented 70-year-olds who consume more than 250 g/week.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olof Lindberg
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Neo Floor 7 SE, 141 83, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Centre for Ageing and Health (AgeCap), Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Felicia Ahlner
- Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Centre for Ageing and Health (AgeCap), Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Theofanis Tsevis
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Neo Floor 7 SE, 141 83, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joana B Pereira
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Neo Floor 7 SE, 141 83, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eric Westman
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Neo Floor 7 SE, 141 83, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neuroimaging, Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ingmar Skoog
- Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Centre for Ageing and Health (AgeCap), Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Psychiatry, Cognition and Old Age Psychiatry Clinic, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lars-Olof Wahlund
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Neo Floor 7 SE, 141 83, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
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Wu Y, Zhao K, Chen Y, Wu L, Qiu F, Yuan Y, Shen G, Wang K, Kang Y, Jiang Y, Wang W, Chen L, Liu Y, Pan X, Wang F, Xie L. The interaction between the major vault protein rs4788186 polymorphism, alcohol dependence, and depression among male Chinese problem drinkers. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1111712. [PMID: 37547216 PMCID: PMC10402753 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1111712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the second most prevalent mental disorder and might be related to depression. Major vault protein (MVP) is a cytoplasmic protein related to vesicle transport. The present study aimed to investigate the interaction between a genetic variant (MVP rs4788186) and depression in adult male Han Chinese with AUD during withdrawal. Methods All participants (N = 435) were diagnosed with AUD. Alcohol dependence level was measured using the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test, and depression was measured using the self-rating depression scale. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and genotyped. Results Hierarchical regression analysis identified an interaction between MVP rs4788186 and alcohol dependence level for depression (β = -0.17, p < 0.05). Then, a region of significance test was performed to interpret the interaction effect. Re-parameterized regression models revealed that the interaction between MVP rs4788186 and alcohol problem severity fit the strong differential susceptibility model (R2 = 0.08, p < 0.001), suggesting that the AA homozygotes would be more likely subjects with the G allele to experience major depression symptoms. Conclusion Carriers of the AA homozygote of MVP rs4788186 may be more susceptible to severe alcohol problems and higher levels of depression during withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyu Wu
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Affiliated Wenzhou Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou, China
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ke Zhao
- Lishui Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, China
| | - Yingjie Chen
- Cixi Biomedical Research Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, China
| | - Liujun Wu
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Affiliated Wenzhou Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou, China
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Cixi Biomedical Research Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, China
- Applied Psychology (Ningbo) Research Center, Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, China
| | - Feng Qiu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yuying Yuan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Guanghui Shen
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Affiliated Wenzhou Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou, China
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Kexin Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Affiliated Wenzhou Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou, China
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yimin Kang
- Key Laboratory of Psychosomatic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Huhhot, China
| | - Yongsheng Jiang
- The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Affiliated Wenzhou Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou, China
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Li Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Affiliated Wenzhou Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou, China
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yanlong Liu
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Affiliated Wenzhou Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou, China
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xuebo Pan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Fan Wang
- Beijing Hui-Long-Guan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Longteng Xie
- The Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Ningbo, China
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de la Monte SM, Tong M, Delikkaya B. Differential Early Mechanistic Frontal Lobe Responses to Choline Chloride and Soy Isoflavones in an Experimental Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:7595. [PMID: 37108779 PMCID: PMC10145811 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is the most common preventable cause of neurodevelopmental defects, and white matter is a major target of ethanol neurotoxicity. Therapeutic interventions with choline or dietary soy could potentially supplement public health preventive measures. However, since soy contains abundant choline, it would be important to know if its benefits are mediated by choline or isoflavones. We compared early mechanistic responses to choline and the Daidzein+Genistein (D+G) soy isoflavones in an FASD model using frontal lobe tissue to assess oligodendrocyte function and Akt-mTOR signaling. Long Evans rat pups were binge administered 2 g/Kg of ethanol or saline (control) on postnatal days P3 and P5. P7 frontal lobe slice cultures were treated with vehicle (Veh), Choline chloride (Chol; 75 µM), or D+G (1 µM each) for 72 h without further ethanol exposures. The expression levels of myelin oligodendrocyte proteins and stress-related molecules were measured by duplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), and mTOR signaling proteins and phosphoproteins were assessed using 11-plex magnetic bead-based ELISAs. Ethanol's main short-term effects in Veh-treated cultures were to increase GFAP and relative PTEN phosphorylation and reduce Akt phosphorylation. Chol and D+G significantly modulated the expression of oligodendrocyte myelin proteins and mediators of insulin/IGF-1-Akt-mTOR signaling in both control and ethanol-exposed cultures. In general, the responses were more robust with D+G; the main exception was that RPS6 phosphorylation was significantly increased by Chol and not D+G. The findings suggest that dietary soy, with the benefits of providing complete nutrition together with Choline, could be used to help optimize neurodevelopment in humans at risk for FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne M. de la Monte
- Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medicine, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, Lifespan Academic Institutions, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
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Listabarth S, Groemer M, Waldhoer T, Vyssoki B, Pruckner N, Vyssoki S, Glahn A, König-Castillo DM, König D. Cognitive decline and alcohol consumption in the aging population-A longitudinal analysis of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. Eur Psychiatry 2022; 65:e83. [PMID: 36398412 PMCID: PMC9748981 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.2344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prevalence of cognitive decline and dementia is rising globally, with more than 10 million new cases every year. These conditions cause a significant burden for individuals, their caregivers, and health care systems. As no causal treatment for dementia exists, prevention of cognitive decline is of utmost importance. Notably, alcohol is among the most significant modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline. METHODS Longitudinal data across 15 years on 6,967 individuals of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe were used to analyze the effect of alcohol consumption and further modifiable (i.e., smoking, depression, and educational obtainment) and non-modifiable risk factors (sex and age) on cognitive functioning (i.e., memory and verbal fluency). For this, a generalized estimating equation linear model was estimated for every cognitive test domain assessed. RESULTS Consistent results were revealed in all three regression models: A nonlinear association between alcohol consumption and cognitive decline was found-moderate alcohol intake was associated with overall better global cognitive function than low or elevated alcohol consumption or complete abstinence. Furthermore, female sex and higher educational obtainment were associated with better cognitive function, whereas higher age and depression were associated with a decline in cognitive functioning. No significant association was found for smoking. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that alcohol use is a relevant risk factor for cognitive decline in older adults. Furthermore, evidence-based therapeutic concepts to reduce alcohol consumption exist and should be of primary interest in prevention measures considering the aging European population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Listabarth
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Magdalena Groemer
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Waldhoer
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benjamin Vyssoki
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nathalie Pruckner
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandra Vyssoki
- Department of Health Sciences, St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, Sankt Pölten, Austria
| | - Alexander Glahn
- Department for Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Daniel König
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Yalcin EB, Delikkaya BN, Pelit W, Tong M, De La Monte SM, Rounds S. The Differential Effects of Chronic Alcohol and Cigarette Smoke Exposures on Cognitive-Behavioral Dysfunction in Long Evans Rats. JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN SCIENCE 2022; 12:413-432. [PMID: 36860550 PMCID: PMC9974143 DOI: 10.4236/jbbs.2022.129024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objective Chronic heavy alcohol consumption and daily cigarette smoking are the most prevalent substance use problems in the U.S., including Veterans. Excessive alcohol use causes neurocognitive and behavioral deficits that can be linked to neurodegeneration. Similarly, preclinical and clinical data suggest that smoking also leads to brain atrophy. This study examines the differential and additive effects of alcohol and cigarette smoke (CS) exposures on cognitive-behavioral function. Methods A 4-way experimental model of chronic alcohol and CS exposures was generated using 4-week-old male and female Long Evans rats that were pair-fed with Lieber-deCarli isocaloric liquid diets containing 0% or 24% ethanol for 9 weeks. Half of the rats in the control and ethanol groups were exposed to CS for 4 hours/day and 4 days/week for 9 weeks. All rats were subjected to Morris Water Maze, Open Field, and Novel Object Recognition testing in the last experimental week. Results Chronic alcohol exposure impaired spatial learning as shown by significantly increased latency to locate the platform, and it caused anxiety-like behavior marked by the significantly reduced percentage of entries to the center of the arena. Chronic CS exposure impaired recognition memory as suggested by significantly less time spent at the novel object. Combined exposures to alcohol and CS did not show any significant additive or interactive effect on cognitive-behavioral function. Conclusion Chronic alcohol exposure was the main driver of spatial learning, while the effect of secondhand CS exposure was not robust. Future studies need to mimic direct CS exposure effects in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emine B Yalcin
- Division of Research, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA.,Liver Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital and the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Büşra Nur Delikkaya
- Division of Research, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA.,Liver Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital and the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - William Pelit
- Chemical Biology and English, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Ming Tong
- Liver Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital and the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Suzanne M De La Monte
- Liver Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital and the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.,Departments of Medicine, Neurology, and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Sharon Rounds
- Division of Research, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA.,Departments of Medicine and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Vascular Research Laboratory, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
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Mori S, Onda K, Fujita S, Suzuki T, Ikeda M, Zay Yar Myint K, Hikage J, Abe O, Tomimoto H, Oishi K, Taguchi J. Brain atrophy in middle age using magnetic resonance imaging scans from Japan’s health screening programme. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac211. [PMID: 36043138 PMCID: PMC9416065 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although health screening plays a key role in the management of chronic diseases associated with lifestyle choices, brain health is not generally monitored, remaining a black box prior to the manifestation of clinical symptoms. Japan is unique in this regard, as brain MRI scans have been widely performed for more than two decades as part of Brain Dock, a comprehensive health screening programme. A vast number of stored images (well over a million) of longitudinal scans and extensive health data are available, offering a valuable resource for investigating the prevalence of various types of brain-related health conditions occurring throughout adulthood. In this paper, we report on the findings of our preliminary quantitative analysis of T1-weighted MRIs of the brain obtained from 13 980 subjects from three participating sites during the period 2015–19. We applied automated segmentation analysis and observed age-dependent volume loss of various brain structures. We subsequently investigated the effects of scan protocols and the feasibility of calibration for pooling the data. Last, the degree of brain atrophy was correlated with four known risk factors of dementia; blood glucose level, hypertension, obesity, and alcohol consumption. In this initial analysis, we identified brain ventricular volume as an effective marker of age-dependent brain atrophy, being highly sensitive to ageing and evidencing strong robustness against protocol variability. We established the normal range of ventricular volumes at each age, which is an essential first step for establishing criteria used to interpret data obtained for individual participants. We identified a subgroup of individuals at midlife with ventricles that substantially exceeded the average size. The correlation studies revealed that all four risk factors were associated with greater ventricular volumes at midlife, some of which reached highly significant sizes. This study demonstrates the feasibility of conducting a large-scale quantitative analysis of existing Brain Dock data in Japan. It will importantly guide future efforts to investigate the prevalence of large ventricles at midlife and the potential reduction of this prevalence, and hence of dementia risk, through lifestyle changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Mori
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine , 330 Traylor Bldg, 217 Rutland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21205 , USA
| | - Kengo Onda
- Tokyo Medical and Dental University , 1 Chome-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0034 , Japan
| | - Shohei Fujita
- Department of Radiology, The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Medicine , 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0033 , Japan
| | - Toshiaki Suzuki
- Resorttrust.Inc, Engyou Bldg.8F , Roppongi 7-15-14, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032 , Japan
| | - Mikimasa Ikeda
- Resorttrust.Inc, Engyou Bldg.8F , Roppongi 7-15-14, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032 , Japan
| | - Khin Zay Yar Myint
- Advanced Medical Care Inc. , Midtown Tower 6F, Akasaka 9-7-1, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6206 , Japan
| | - Jun Hikage
- Resorttrust.Inc, Engyou Bldg.8F , Roppongi 7-15-14, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032 , Japan
| | - Osamu Abe
- Department of Radiology, The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Medicine , 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0033 , Japan
| | - Hidekazu Tomimoto
- Department of Neurology, Hidekazu Tomimoto, Mie University 2-174 , Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-0001 , Japan
| | - Kenichi Oishi
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine , 330 Traylor Bldg, 217 Rutland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21205 , USA
| | - Junichi Taguchi
- Tokyo Midtown Clinic , 9-7-1-6F Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo 107-6206 , Japan
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Saiyasit N, Butlig EAR, Chaney SD, Traylor MK, Hawley NA, Randall RB, Bobinger HV, Frizell CA, Trimm F, Crook ED, Lin M, Hill BD, Keller JL, Nelson AR. Neurovascular Dysfunction in Diverse Communities With Health Disparities-Contributions to Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:915405. [PMID: 35844216 PMCID: PMC9279126 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.915405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) are an expanding worldwide crisis. In the absence of scientific breakthroughs, the global prevalence of ADRD will continue to increase as more people are living longer. Racial or ethnic minority groups have an increased risk and incidence of ADRD and have often been neglected by the scientific research community. There is mounting evidence that vascular insults in the brain can initiate a series of biological events leading to neurodegeneration, cognitive impairment, and ADRD. We are a group of researchers interested in developing and expanding ADRD research, with an emphasis on vascular contributions to dementia, to serve our local diverse community. Toward this goal, the primary objective of this review was to investigate and better understand health disparities in Alabama and the contributions of the social determinants of health to those disparities, particularly in the context of vascular dysfunction in ADRD. Here, we explain the neurovascular dysfunction associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) as well as the intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors contributing to dysfunction of the neurovascular unit (NVU). Next, we ascertain ethnoregional health disparities of individuals living in Alabama, as well as relevant vascular risk factors linked to AD. We also discuss current pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical treatment options for neurovascular dysfunction, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD, including relevant studies and ongoing clinical trials. Overall, individuals in Alabama are adversely affected by social and structural determinants of health leading to health disparities, driven by rurality, ethnic minority status, and lower socioeconomic status (SES). In general, these communities have limited access to healthcare and healthy food and other amenities resulting in decreased opportunities for early diagnosis of and pharmaceutical treatments for ADRD. Although this review is focused on the current state of health disparities of ADRD patients in Alabama, future studies must include diversity of race, ethnicity, and region to best be able to treat all individuals affected by ADRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Napatsorn Saiyasit
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Evan-Angelo R. Butlig
- Department of Neurology, Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Samantha D. Chaney
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Miranda K. Traylor
- Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Sport, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Nanako A. Hawley
- Department of Psychology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Ryleigh B. Randall
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Hanna V. Bobinger
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Carl A. Frizell
- Department of Physician Assistant Studies, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Franklin Trimm
- College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Errol D. Crook
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Mike Lin
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Benjamin D. Hill
- Department of Psychology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Joshua L. Keller
- Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Sport, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Amy R. Nelson
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
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10
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Tong M, Ziplow JL, Mark P, de la Monte SM. Dietary Soy Prevents Alcohol-Mediated Neurocognitive Dysfunction and Associated Impairments in Brain Insulin Pathway Signaling in an Adolescent Rat Model. Biomolecules 2022; 12:676. [PMID: 35625605 PMCID: PMC9139005 DOI: 10.3390/biom12050676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol-related brain degeneration is linked to cognitive-motor deficits and impaired signaling through insulin/insulin-like growth factor type 1 (IGF-1)-Akt pathways that regulate cell survival, plasticity, metabolism, and homeostasis. In addition, ethanol inhibits Aspartyl-asparaginyl-β-hydroxylase (ASPH), a downstream target of insulin/IGF-1-Akt signaling and an activator of Notch networks. Previous studies have suggested that early treatment with insulin sensitizers or dietary soy could reduce or prevent the long-term adverse effects of chronic ethanol feeding. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to assess the effects of substituting soy isolate for casein to prevent or reduce ethanol's adverse effects on brain structure and function. METHODS Young adolescent male and female Long Evans were used in a 4-way model as follows: Control + Casein; Ethanol + Casein; Control + Soy; Ethanol + Soy; Control = 0% ethanol; Ethanol = 26% ethanol (caloric). Rats were fed isocaloric diets from 4 to 11 weeks of age. During the final experimental week, the Morris Water maze test was used to assess spatial learning (4 consecutive days), after which the brains were harvested to measure the temporal lobe expression of the total phospho-Akt pathway and downstream target proteins using multiplex bead-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and duplex ELISAs. RESULTS Ethanol inhibited spatial learning and reduced brain weight, insulin signaling through Akt, and the expression of ASPH when standard casein was provided as the protein source. The substitution of soy isolate for casein largely abrogated the adverse effects of chronic ethanol feeding. In contrast, Notch signaling protein expression was minimally altered by ethanol or soy isolate. CONCLUSIONS These novel findings suggest that the insulin sensitizer properties of soy isolate may prevent some of the adverse effects that chronic ethanol exposure has on neurobehavioral function and insulin-regulated metabolic pathways in adolescent brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Tong
- Liver Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02808, USA; (M.T.); (J.L.Z.); (P.M.)
| | - Jason L. Ziplow
- Liver Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02808, USA; (M.T.); (J.L.Z.); (P.M.)
| | - Princess Mark
- Liver Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02808, USA; (M.T.); (J.L.Z.); (P.M.)
| | - Suzanne M. de la Monte
- Liver Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Departments of Medicine, Neurology and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI 02808, USA
- Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI 02808, USA
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11
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Homans C, Yalcin EB, Tong M, Gallucci G, Bautista D, Moriel N, de la Monte S. Therapeutic Effects of Myriocin in Experimental Alcohol-Related Neurobehavioral Dysfunction and Frontal Lobe White Matter Biochemical Pathology. JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN SCIENCE 2022; 12:23-42. [PMID: 36815096 PMCID: PMC9942847 DOI: 10.4236/jbbs.2022.122003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background & Objective Chronic excessive alcohol consumption causes white matter degeneration with myelin loss and impaired neuronal conductivity. Subsequent rarefaction of myelin accounts for the sustained deficits in cognition, learning, and memory. Correspondingly, chronic heavy or repeated binge alcohol exposures in humans and experimental models alter myelin lipid composition leading to build-up of ceramides which can be neurotoxic and broadly inhibitory to brain functions. Methods This study examined the effects of chronic + binge alcohol exposures (8 weeks) and intervention with myriocin, a ceramide inhibitor, on neurobehavioral functions (Open Field, Novel Object Recognition, and Morris Water Maze tests) and frontal lobe white matter myelin lipid biochemical pathology in an adult Long-Evans rat model. Results The ethanol-exposed group had significant deficits in executive functions with increased indices of anxiety and impairments in spatial learning acquisition. Myriocin partially remediated these effects of ethanol while not impacting behavior in the control group. Ethanol-fed rats had significantly smaller brains with broadly reduced expression of sulfatides and reduced expression of two of the three sphingomyelins detected in frontal white matter. Myriocin partially resolved these effects corresponding with improvements in neurobehavioral function. Conclusion Therapeutic strategies that support cerebral white matter myelin expression of sulfatide and sphingomyelin may help remediate cognitive-behavioral dysfunction following chronic heavy alcohol consumption in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Homans
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Emine B. Yalcin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA,Liver Research Center, Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Ming Tong
- Liver Research Center, Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Gina Gallucci
- Liver Research Center, Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - David Bautista
- Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA,Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Natalia Moriel
- Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Suzanne de la Monte
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA,Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA,
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12
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Kokkinou M, Beishon LC, Smailagic N, Noel-Storr AH, Hyde C, Ukoumunne O, Worrall RE, Hayen A, Desai M, Ashok AH, Paul EJ, Georgopoulou A, Casoli T, Quinn TJ, Ritchie CW. Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid ABeta42 for the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease dementia in participants diagnosed with any dementia subtype in a specialist care setting. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021; 2:CD010945. [PMID: 33566374 PMCID: PMC8078224 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd010945.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dementia is a syndrome that comprises many differing pathologies, including Alzheimer's disease dementia (ADD), vascular dementia (VaD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). People may benefit from knowing the type of dementia they live with, as this could inform prognosis and may allow for tailored treatment. Beta-amyloid (1-42) (ABeta42) is a protein which decreases in both the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of people living with ADD, when compared to people with no dementia. However, it is not clear if changes in ABeta42 are specific to ADD or if they are also seen in other types of dementia. It is possible that ABeta42 could help differentiate ADD from other dementia subtypes. OBJECTIVES To determine the accuracy of plasma and CSF ABeta42 for distinguishing ADD from other dementia subtypes in people who meet the criteria for a dementia syndrome. SEARCH METHODS We searched MEDLINE, and nine other databases up to 18 February 2020. We checked reference lists of any relevant systematic reviews to identify additional studies. SELECTION CRITERIA We considered cross-sectional studies that differentiated people with ADD from other dementia subtypes. Eligible studies required measurement of participant plasma or CSF ABeta42 levels and clinical assessment for dementia subtype. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Seven review authors working independently screened the titles and abstracts generated by the searches. We collected data on study characteristics and test accuracy. We used the second version of the 'Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies' (QUADAS-2) tool to assess internal and external validity of results. We extracted data into 2 x 2 tables, cross-tabulating index test results (ABeta42) with the reference standard (diagnostic criteria for each dementia subtype). We performed meta-analyses using bivariate, random-effects models. We calculated pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In the primary analysis, we assessed accuracy of plasma or CSF ABeta42 for distinguishing ADD from other mixed dementia types (non-ADD). We then assessed accuracy of ABeta42 for differentiating ADD from specific dementia types: VaD, FTD, dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), alcohol-related cognitive disorder (ARCD), Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). To determine test-positive cases, we used the ABeta42 thresholds employed in the respective primary studies. We then performed sensitivity analyses restricted to those studies that used common thresholds for ABeta42. MAIN RESULTS We identified 39 studies (5000 participants) that used CSF ABeta42 levels to differentiate ADD from other subtypes of dementia. No studies of plasma ABeta42 met the inclusion criteria. No studies were rated as low risk of bias across all QUADAS-2 domains. High risk of bias was found predominantly in the domains of patient selection (28 studies) and index test (25 studies). The pooled estimates for differentiating ADD from other dementia subtypes were as follows: ADD from non-ADD: sensitivity 79% (95% CI 0.73 to 0.85), specificity 60% (95% CI 0.52 to 0.67), 13 studies, 1704 participants, 880 participants with ADD; ADD from VaD: sensitivity 79% (95% CI 0.75 to 0.83), specificity 69% (95% CI 0.55 to 0.81), 11 studies, 1151 participants, 941 participants with ADD; ADD from FTD: sensitivity 85% (95% CI 0.79 to 0.89), specificity 72% (95% CI 0.55 to 0.84), 17 studies, 1948 participants, 1371 participants with ADD; ADD from DLB: sensitivity 76% (95% CI 0.69 to 0.82), specificity 67% (95% CI 0.52 to 0.79), nine studies, 1929 participants, 1521 participants with ADD. Across all dementia subtypes, sensitivity was greater than specificity, and the balance of sensitivity and specificity was dependent on the threshold used to define test positivity. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Our review indicates that measuring ABeta42 levels in CSF may help differentiate ADD from other dementia subtypes, but the test is imperfect and tends to misdiagnose those with non-ADD as having ADD. We would caution against the use of CSF ABeta42 alone for dementia classification. However, ABeta42 may have value as an adjunct to a full clinical assessment, to aid dementia diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Kokkinou
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Lucy C Beishon
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Nadja Smailagic
- Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge , Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Chris Hyde
- Exeter Test Group, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter , UK
| | - Obioha Ukoumunne
- NIHR CLAHRC South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC), University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | | | - Anja Hayen
- Department of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Meera Desai
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Abhishekh Hulegar Ashok
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College , London, UK
| | - Eleanor J Paul
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Tiziana Casoli
- Center for Neurobiology of Aging, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy
| | - Terry J Quinn
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Craig W Ritchie
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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13
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Rao R, Topiwala A. Alcohol use disorders and the brain. Addiction 2020; 115:1580-1589. [PMID: 32112474 DOI: 10.1111/add.15023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
A diagnosis of alcohol use disorder is associated with a higher risk of dementia, but a dose-response relationship between alcohol intake consumption and cognitive impairment remains unclear. Alcohol is associated with a range of effects on the central nervous system at different doses and acts on a number of receptors. Acute disorders include Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE), traumatic brain injury, blackouts, seizures, stroke and hepatic encephalopathy. The most common manifestations of chronic alcohol consumption are Korsakoff's syndrome (KS) and alcohol-related dementia (ARD). There is limited evidence for benefit from memantine in the treatment of ARD, but stronger evidence for the use of high-dose parenteral thiamine in the progression of neuropsychiatric symptoms for WE. Accumulating evidence exists for pharmacological treatment in the prevention of hepatic encephalopathy. Rehabilitation of people with ARD may take several years, and requires an approach that addresses physical and psychosocial factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Rao
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Old Age Psychiatry, London, UK.,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Psychological Medicine and Older Adults Directorate, London, UK
| | - Anya Topiwala
- University of Oxford, Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Population Health
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14
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Sampedro-Piquero P, J. Santín L, Castilla-Ortega E. Aberrant Brain Neuroplasticity and Function in Drug Addiction: A Focus on Learning-Related Brain Regions. Behav Neurosci 2019. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.85280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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15
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Min EJ, Kim SG, Lee JS, Seo B, Jung WY, Huh SY, Park JH, Hong CH, Yu HJ. Difference in Cognitive Function by First Onset Age of Alcohol Induced Blackout and Its Duration. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE 2019; 17:503-508. [PMID: 31671487 PMCID: PMC6852685 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2019.17.4.503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Objective Alcohol-induced blackout (blackout) is a typical early symptom of cognitive impairment caused by drinking. However, the first onset age of blackout or the duration after onset of blackout has not been directly compared in previous studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in cognitive function to the first start age of blackouts and their duration. Methods Thirty-one male subjects were included in this study. Their age at the first blackout and the duration after the onset of blackout were investigated. Neuropsychological tests were conducted to determine their attention, memory, and executive function. Subjects were divided into three groups according to their age of the first onset blackout (group O1, < 20 years; group O2, 21–39 years; and group O3, > 40 years). Subjects were also divided into three groups by duration after the onset of blackout (P1, < 10 years; P2, 10–29 years; and P3, > 30 years). We then examined differences in neurocognitive function among these groups. Results O1 tended to have a lower memory score than O2 (F = 3.28, p = 0.053). Significant differences were observed in attention and executive function between groups P1 and P3 (Digit Span_backward: F = 6.07, p < 0.05; visual span_forward: F = 4.19, p < 0.05; executive intelligence quotient: F = 3.55, p < 0.05). Conclusion Greater memory impairment was detected in subjects having an earlier age of the first blackout. The longer the duration after the onset of blackout, the more impaired their attention and executive function skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Jeong Min
- Department of Psychiatry, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea
| | - Sung-Gon Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Korea
| | - Jin-Seong Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Korea
| | - Bia Seo
- Department of Psychiatry, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea
| | - Woo-Young Jung
- Department of Psychiatry, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea
| | - Sung-Young Huh
- Department of Psychiatry, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea
| | | | - Chang-Hee Hong
- Department of Psychology, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea
| | - Hee Jung Yu
- Department of Social Welfare & Counseling, Catholic University of Pusan, Busan, Korea
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16
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Sampedro-Piquero P, Ladrón de Guevara-Miranda D, Pavón FJ, Serrano A, Suárez J, Rodríguez de Fonseca F, Santín LJ, Castilla-Ortega E. Neuroplastic and cognitive impairment in substance use disorders: a therapeutic potential of cognitive stimulation. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 106:23-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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17
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Sullivan EV, Pfefferbaum A. Brain-behavior relations and effects of aging and common comorbidities in alcohol use disorder: A review. Neuropsychology 2019; 33:760-780. [PMID: 31448945 PMCID: PMC7461729 DOI: 10.1037/neu0000557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a complex, dynamic condition that waxes and wanes with unhealthy drinking episodes and varies in drinking patterns and effects on brain structure and function with age. Its excessive use renders chronically heavy drinkers vulnerable to direct alcohol toxicity and a variety of comorbidities attributable to nonalcohol drug misuse, viral infections, and accelerated or premature aging. AUD affects widespread brain systems, commonly, frontolimbic, frontostriatal, and frontocerebellar networks. METHOD AND RESULTS Multimodal assessment using selective neuropsychological testing and whole-brain neuroimaging provides evidence for AUD-related specific brain structure-function relations established with double dissociations. Longitudinal study using noninvasive imaging provides evidence for brain structural and functional improvement with sustained sobriety and further decline with relapse. Functional imaging suggests the possibility that some alcoholics in recovery can compensate for impairment by invoking brain systems typically not used for a target task but that can enable normal-level performance. CONCLUSIONS Evidence for AUD-aging interactions, indicative of accelerated aging, together with increasing alcohol consumption in middle-age and older adults, put aging drinkers at special risk for developing cognitive decline and possibly dementia. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith V. Sullivan
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Adolf Pfefferbaum
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA
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18
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Choi SH, Lee AY, Park CH, Shin YS, Cho EJ. Protective effect of Carthamus tinctorius L. seed on oxidative stress and cognitive impairment induced by chronic alcohol consumption in mice. Food Sci Biotechnol 2018; 27:1475-1484. [PMID: 30319858 DOI: 10.1007/s10068-018-0472-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic alcohol consumption induces damage to the brain that can cause various forms of dementia. An abundance of acetaldehyde is produced by excessive alcohol consumption and accumulates in the body to induce oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation in neuronal cells, which results in learning and cognitive decline. In the present study, C57BL/N mice were orally administered alcohol (16%) and Carthamus tinctorius L. seed (CTS) (100 and 200 mg/kg/day). Behavioral experiments showed that memory and cognitive abilities were significantly higher in the CTS groups than the alcohol-treated control group in the T-maze test, novel object recognition test, and Morris water maze test. In addition, CTS inhibited alcohol-induced lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide production in the brain, kidney, and liver. Moreover, alcohol increased acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain, but this was significantly decreased by the administration of CTS. Therefore, CTS may play role in the prevention of alcohol-related dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Hak Choi
- 1Department of Food Science and Nutrition, and Kimchi Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241 Republic of Korea
| | - Ah Young Lee
- 1Department of Food Science and Nutrition, and Kimchi Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241 Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Hum Park
- 2Department of Medicinal Crop Research, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Eumseong, 27709 Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Su Shin
- 2Department of Medicinal Crop Research, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Eumseong, 27709 Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Ju Cho
- 1Department of Food Science and Nutrition, and Kimchi Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241 Republic of Korea
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19
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Labisso WL, Raulin AC, Nwidu LL, Kocon A, Wayne D, Erdozain AM, Morentin B, Schwendener D, Allen G, Enticott J, Gerdes HK, Johnson L, Grzeskowiak J, Drizou F, Tarbox R, Osna NA, Kharbanda KK, Callado LF, Carter WG. The Loss of α- and β-Tubulin Proteins Are a Pathological Hallmark of Chronic Alcohol Consumption and Natural Brain Ageing. Brain Sci 2018; 8:brainsci8090175. [PMID: 30208635 PMCID: PMC6162390 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8090175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 08/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Repetitive excessive alcohol intoxication leads to neuronal damage and brain shrinkage. We examined cytoskeletal protein expression in human post-mortem tissue from Brodmann's area 9 of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Brain samples from 44 individuals were divided into equal groups of 11 control, 11 alcoholic, 11 non-alcoholic suicides, and 11 suicide alcoholics matched for age, sex, and post-mortem delay. Tissue from alcoholic cohorts displayed significantly reduced expression of α- and β-tubulins, and increased levels of acetylated α-tubulin. Protein levels of histone deacetylase-6 (HDAC6), and the microtubule-associated proteins MAP-2 and MAP-tau were reduced in alcoholic cohorts, although for MAPs this was not significant. Tubulin gene expressions increased in alcoholic cohorts but not significantly. Brains from rats administered alcohol for 4 weeks also displayed significantly reduced tubulin protein levels and increased α-tubulin acetylation. PFC tissue from control subjects had reduced tubulin protein expression that was most notable from the sixth to the eighth decade of life. Collectively, loss of neuronal tubulin proteins are a hallmark of both chronic alcohol consumption and natural brain ageing. The reduction of cytosolic tubulin proteins could contribute to the brain volumetric losses reported for alcoholic patients and the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wajana L Labisso
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby DE22 3DT, UK.
- School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia.
| | - Ana-Caroline Raulin
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby DE22 3DT, UK.
- École nationale supérieure de chimie de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France.
| | - Lucky L Nwidu
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby DE22 3DT, UK.
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt 500262, Rivers State, Nigeria.
| | - Artur Kocon
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby DE22 3DT, UK.
| | - Declan Wayne
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby DE22 3DT, UK.
| | - Amaia M Erdozain
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby DE22 3DT, UK.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, Leioa-Erandio 48940, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Madrid 28029, Spain.
| | - Benito Morentin
- Section of Forensic Pathology, Basque Institute of Legal Medicine, Bilbao 48001, Spain.
| | - Daniela Schwendener
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby DE22 3DT, UK.
| | - George Allen
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby DE22 3DT, UK.
| | - Jack Enticott
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby DE22 3DT, UK.
| | - Henry K Gerdes
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby DE22 3DT, UK.
| | - Laura Johnson
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby DE22 3DT, UK.
| | - John Grzeskowiak
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby DE22 3DT, UK.
| | - Fryni Drizou
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby DE22 3DT, UK.
| | - Rebecca Tarbox
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby DE22 3DT, UK.
| | - Natalia A Osna
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, USA.
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA.
| | - Kusum K Kharbanda
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, USA.
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA.
| | - Luis F Callado
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, Leioa-Erandio 48940, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, Madrid 28029, Spain.
| | - Wayne G Carter
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby DE22 3DT, UK.
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Ross DE, Seabaugh J, Cooper L, Seabaugh J. NeuroQuant® and NeuroGage® reveal effects of traumatic brain injury on brain volume. Brain Inj 2018; 32:1437-1441. [PMID: 29953249 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2018.1489980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
This report describes the case of a 58-year-old man with moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) and pre-accident brain disorders who had multiple persistent neuropsychiatric symptoms. NeuroQuant® 2.0 and NeuroGage® 2.0 MRI brain volume analyses were used during the chronic stage of injury (> 1 year after injury) to help understand the effects of the TBI on his brain volume. NeuroQuant® showed widespread cross-sectional atrophy, especially in the frontal and temporal lobes, consistent with encephalomalacia seen on the MRIs. Several of his clinical symptoms were consistent with the volume abnormalities. NeuroGage® longitudinal analyses of volume change from the time 1 to time 2 magnetic resonance imaging showed abnormally rapid atrophy and ventricular enlargement. The high rates of volume change were much more consistent with the relatively recent effects of TBI than with effects of the much more chronic pre-accident brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Ross
- a Virginia Institute of Neuropsychiatry , Midlothian , VA , USA.,b NeuroGage LLC , Midlothian , VA , USA.,c Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , VA, USA
| | - John Seabaugh
- a Virginia Institute of Neuropsychiatry , Midlothian , VA , USA.,b NeuroGage LLC , Midlothian , VA , USA
| | - Leah Cooper
- a Virginia Institute of Neuropsychiatry , Midlothian , VA , USA.,b NeuroGage LLC , Midlothian , VA , USA.,d Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , Blacksburg , VA, USA
| | - Jan Seabaugh
- a Virginia Institute of Neuropsychiatry , Midlothian , VA , USA.,b NeuroGage LLC , Midlothian , VA , USA
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21
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Zou X, Durazzo TC, Meyerhoff DJ. Regional Brain Volume Changes in Alcohol-Dependent Individuals During Short-Term and Long-Term Abstinence. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2018; 42:1062-1072. [PMID: 29672876 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Widespread brain atrophy in alcohol-dependent individuals (ALC) has been consistently documented in pathological and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. Longitudinal MRI studies have shown that the regional brain volume losses in ALC are partially reversible during abstinence from alcohol. The goal of this study was to determine volume reductions in cortical and subcortical regions functionally important to substance use behavior and their changes during short-term (1 week to 1 month) and long-term abstinence (1 to 7 months) from alcohol. The regions of interest (ROIs) were as follows: anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), insula, amygdala, and hippocampus. METHODS A total of 85 unique ALC were assessed at 1 week (n = 65), 1 month (n = 82), and 7 months (n = 36) of abstinence. In addition, 17 light/nondrinking healthy controls (CON) were assessed at baseline and follow-up over a 10-month interval. Regional brain volumes were derived from FreeSurfer. Cross-sectional statistical analyses using 1-way analysis of variance or Fisher's exact test were applied to identify group differences. Longitudinal statistical analyses using linear mixed models were applied to identify regional volume increases and nonlinear volume recovery trajectories. RESULTS We demonstrated significant regional volume reductions in ACC, DLPFC, and hippocampus. Older age was associated with smaller DLPFC and OFC, and higher average monthly drinking over 1 year prior to study was associated with smaller OFC. We also demonstrated significant volume increases of all ROIs except amygdala in ALC and significant nonlinear volume recovery trajectories of DLPFC, OFC, and insula. CONCLUSIONS Results showed significant volume reductions in key regions of the executive control, salience, and emotion networks in ALC at entry into treatment and significant volume increases during short-term and long-term abstinence that were nonlinear over the entire abstinence period for the DLPFC, OFC, and insula. This gray matter plasticity during alcohol abstinence may have important neurobiological and neurocognitive implications in ALC, and it may contribute to an individual's ability to maintain abstinence from alcohol at different phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Zou
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIND), Veterans Administration Medical Center, San Francisco, California
| | - Timothy C Durazzo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California.,Mental Illness Research and Education Clinical Centers and Sierra-Pacific War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Livermore, California
| | - Dieter J Meyerhoff
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIND), Veterans Administration Medical Center, San Francisco, California
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22
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Imaging mass spectrometry of frontal white matter lipid changes in human alcoholics. Alcohol 2018; 67:51-63. [PMID: 29425959 PMCID: PMC5864118 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic alcohol use disorders (AUD) are associated with white matter (WM) degeneration with altered myelin integrity. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) enables high throughput analysis of myelin lipid biochemical histopathology to help characterize disease mechanisms. PURPOSE This study utilized MALDI-IMS to investigate frontal lobe WM myelin lipid abnormalities in AUD. METHODS Standardized cores of formalin-fixed WM from Brodmann Area 4 (BA4) and BA8/9 of 20 postmortem AUD and 19 control adult human brains were embedded in carboxymethyl-cellulose, cryo-sectioned (8 μm), thaw-mounted onto indium tin oxide (ITO) -coated glass slides, and sublimed with 2,5-dihydroxybenzxoic acid (DHB) matrix. Lipids were imaged by MALDI-time of flight in the negative ionization mode. Data were visualized with FlexImaging software v4.0 and analyzed with ClinProTools v3.0. RESULTS Principal component analysis (PCA) and data bar plots of MALDI-IMS data differentiated AUD from control WM. The dominant effect of AUD was to broadly reduce expression of sphingolipids (sulfatides and ceramides) and phospholipids. Data bar plots demonstrated overall similar responses to AUD in BA4 and BA8/9. However, differential regional effects of AUD on WM lipid profiles were manifested by non-overlapping expression or discordant responses to AUD for a subset of lipid ions. CONCLUSIONS Human AUD is associated with substantial inhibition of frontal lobe WM lipid expression with regional variability in these effects. MALDI-IMS can be used to characterize the nature of AUD-associated lipid biochemical abnormalities for correlation with lifetime exposures and WM degeneration, altered gene expression, and responses to abstinence or treatment.
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23
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Topiwala A, Ebmeier KP. Effects of drinking on late-life brain and cognition. EVIDENCE-BASED MENTAL HEALTH 2018; 21:12-15. [PMID: 29273599 PMCID: PMC10270452 DOI: 10.1136/eb-2017-102820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol consumption is common in Western countries and has been increasing in older adults. Latest figures from Great Britain suggest 75% of those over 65 years drink, an increase from 71% 10 years ago. Chronic heavy intake is a well-established cause of brain atrophy and dementia, with a recent long-term prospective study from the USA reporting a doubling of the odds of later severe memory impairment in those with a history of an alcohol use disorder. Drinking of moderate amounts has been reported to be protective for brain health in a number of epidemiological studies, including some claims of possibly reducing dementia risk. Rigorous recent research has questioned this belief, with new evidence of harmful associations in moderate drinkers compared with abstainers. This has raised suspicion that reported protective effects of moderate drinking were due to confounding by socioeconomic class and intelligence. Clinicians should look out for cognitive impairment in heavy drinkers, considering that abstinence may induce a degree of clinical improvement. Discussions with patients regarding moderate drinking should be informed by recent research. Health benefits of moderate drinking at least for cognitive function are questionable, and if they exist are probably limited to one unit of alcohol daily with respect to other body systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya Topiwala
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Klaus Peter Ebmeier
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
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24
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von Bartheld CS. Myths and truths about the cellular composition of the human brain: A review of influential concepts. J Chem Neuroanat 2017; 93:2-15. [PMID: 28873338 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Over the last 50 years, quantitative methodology has made important contributions to our understanding of the cellular composition of the human brain. Not all of the concepts that emerged from quantitative studies have turned out to be true. Here, I examine the history and current status of some of the most influential notions. This includes claims of how many cells compose the human brain, and how different cell types contribute and in what ratios. Additional concepts entail whether we lose significant numbers of neurons with normal aging, whether chronic alcohol abuse contributes to cortical neuron loss, whether there are significant differences in the quantitative composition of cerebral cortex between male and female brains, whether superior intelligence in humans correlates with larger numbers of brain cells, and whether there are secular (generational) changes in neuron number. Do changes in cell number or changes in ratios of cell types accompany certain diseases, and should all counting methods, even the theoretically unbiased ones, be validated and calibrated? I here examine the origin and the current status of major influential concepts, and I review the evidence and arguments that have led to either confirmation or refutation of such concepts. I discuss the circumstances, assumptions and mindsets that perpetuated erroneous views, and the types of technological advances that have, in some cases, challenged longstanding ideas. I will acknowledge the roles of key proponents of influential concepts in the sometimes convoluted path towards recognition of the true cellular composition of the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher S von Bartheld
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Mailstop 352, Reno, NV 89557, USA.
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25
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Tong M, Gonzalez-Navarrete H, Kirchberg T, Gotama B, Yalcin EB, Kay J, de la Monte SM. Ethanol-Induced White Matter Atrophy Is Associated with Impaired Expression of Aspartyl-Asparaginyl- β-Hydroxylase (ASPH) and Notch Signaling in an Experimental Rat Model. JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESEARCH 2017; 6:236033. [PMID: 29204305 PMCID: PMC5711436 DOI: 10.4303/jdar/236033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol-induced white matter (WM) degeneration is linked to cognitive-motor deficits and impairs insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and Notch networks regulating oligodendrocyte function. Ethanol downregulates Aspartyl-Asparaginyl-β-Hydroxylase (ASPH) which drives Notch. These experiments determined if alcohol-related WM degeneration was linked to inhibition of ASPH and Notch. Adult Long Evans rats were fed for 3, 6 or 8 weeks with liquid diets containing 26% ethanol (caloric) and in the last two weeks prior to each endpoint they were binged with 2 g/kg ethanol, 3×/week. Controls were studied in parallel. Histological sections of the frontal lobe and cerebellar vermis were used for image analysis. Frontal WM proteins were used for Western blotting and duplex ELISAs. The ethanol exposures caused progressive reductions in frontal and cerebellar WM. Ethanol-mediated frontal WM atrophy was associated with reduced expression of ASPH, Jagged 1, HES-1, and HIF-1α. These findings link ethanol-induced WM atrophy to inhibition of ASPH expression and signaling through Notch networks, including HIF-1α.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Tong
- Liver Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
- Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | | | | | - Billy Gotama
- Molecular Pharmacology and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
- Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Emine B. Yalcin
- Liver Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
- Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Jared Kay
- Liver Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Suzanne M. de la Monte
- Liver Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Pathology, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
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26
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Abstract
Alcohol abuse and dependence are serious medical and economic problems in Western countries. Brain changes encountered in alcoholism are manifold and encompass brain atrophy, selective neuronal loss, astroglial, and microglial changes. Alcohol-related disorders are complex multifactorial disorders where the interaction of multiple genes and environment plays an important role in the pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serge Weis
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology and Neuropathology, Kepler University Hospital and School of Medicine, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria.
| | - Andreas Büttner
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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27
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Bora E, Zorlu N. Social cognition in alcohol use disorder: a meta-analysis. Addiction 2017; 112:40-48. [PMID: 27287050 DOI: 10.1111/add.13486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Revised: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emre Bora
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Carlton South, Victoria, Australia.,6328 Sok no:38/2, Yali Mahallesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Nabi Zorlu
- Department of Psychiatry, Katip Celebi University, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
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28
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Phillips JG, Ogeil RP. Cannabis, alcohol use, psychological distress, and decision-making style. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2016; 39:670-681. [PMID: 27876440 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2016.1255311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There have been suggestions of hypofrontality in cannabis users. To understand cannabis-related differences in decisional processes, Janis and Mann's conflict model of decision making was applied to recreational cannabis smokers who varied in their alcohol use and level of psychological distress. METHOD An online sample of recreational substance users (114 male, 119 female) completed the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Kessler's Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) for cannabis. RESULTS Multivariate analysis of variance examined self-reported decision-making styles as a function of gender, recent cannabis use, risky alcohol consumption, and levels of psychological distress. Psychological distress was associated with lower decisional self-esteem and higher levels of procrastination and buck-passing. There were gender differences associated with cannabis use. Female cannabis users reported higher levels of hypervigilance, while male cannabis users reported lower levels of buck-passing. CONCLUSIONS Although there was little indication of an avoidant decisional style in cannabis users, the results suggest that cannabis affects decisional processes, contributing to panic in females and impulsivity in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- James G Phillips
- a Psychology Department , Auckland University of Technology , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Rowan P Ogeil
- b Eastern Health Clinical School , Monash University, and Turning Point, Eastern Health , Clayton , Australia
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29
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Huang WJ, Zhang X, Chen WW. Association between alcohol and Alzheimer's disease. Exp Ther Med 2016; 12:1247-1250. [PMID: 27588045 PMCID: PMC4998119 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2016.3455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by dense deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) protein in the brain, failure of the memory and dementia. At present, there is no cure for AD and current treatments only provide a temporary reduction of symptoms. Thus, there is a need for effective preventive/curative strategic approaches. Accordingly, epidemiological studies have reported a reduction in the prevalence of AD in individuals ingesting low amounts of alcohol, while a moderate consumption of ethanol may protect against Aβ. These data are conflicting with other observations that assigned detrimental effects of heavy alcohol use on brain function, which are apparently similar to those observed in AD. These discrepancies questioned whether or not alcohol is a protective agent against the development of AD, whether the probable protective effects are influenced by the quantity and/or frequency of drinking. These issues are addressed in this review with the aim to suggest the real risk of alcohol for developing or preventing AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Juan Huang
- Department of Neurology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221009, P.R. China
| | - Xia Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221009, P.R. China
| | - Wei-Wei Chen
- Department of Neurology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221009, P.R. China
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30
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Vourc'h M, Feuillet F, Mahe PJ, Sebille V, Asehnoune K. Baclofen to prevent agitation in alcohol-addicted patients in the ICU: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials 2016; 17:415. [PMID: 27542731 PMCID: PMC4992221 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-016-1539-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alcohol is the leading psychoactive substance consumed in France, with about 15 million regular consumers. The National institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) considers alcohol abuse to be more than 14 units of alcohol a week for men and 7 units for women. The specific complication of alcoholism is the alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Its incidence reaches up to 30 % and its main complications are delirium tremens, restlessness, extended hospital stay, higher morbidity, and psychiatric and cognitive impairment. Without appropriate treatment, delirium tremens can lead to death in up to 50 % of patients. Methods/design This prospective, double-blind, randomised controlled study versus placebo will be conducted in twelve French intensive care units (ICU). Patients with an alcohol intake level higher than the NIAAA threshold, who are under mechanical ventilation, will be included. The primary objective is to determine whether baclofen is more efficient than placebo in preventing restlessness-related side effects in the ICU. Secondary outcomes include mechanical ventilation duration, length of ICU stay, and cumulative doses of sedatives and painkillers received within 28 days of ICU admission. Restlessness-related side effects in the ICU are defined as unplanned extubation, medical disposal removal (such as urinary catheter, venous or arterial line or surgical drain), falling out of bed, ICU runaway (leaving ICU without physician's approval), immobilisation device removal, self-aggression or aggression towards medical staff. Daily doses of baclofen/placebo will be guided by daily creatinine clearance assessment. Discussion Restlessness in alcoholic patients is a life-threatening issue in ICUs. BACLOREA is a randomised study assessing the capacity of baclofen to prevent agitation in mechanically ventilated patients. Enrolment of 314 patients will begin in June 2016 and is expected to end in October 2018. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02723383, registered on 3 March 2016. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1539-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickael Vourc'h
- Departments of Anaesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care, Hôtel-Dieu, University Hospital of Nantes, 44093, Nantes, France
| | - Fanny Feuillet
- Biometry Platform, Research Promotion Department, University Hospital of Nantes, 44093, Nantes, France.,EA 4275 SPHERE Methods for Patient-centered Outcomes and Health Research, Nantes University, 44035, Nantes, France
| | - Pierre-Joachim Mahe
- Departments of Anaesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care, Hôtel-Dieu, University Hospital of Nantes, 44093, Nantes, France
| | - Véronique Sebille
- Biometry Platform, Research Promotion Department, University Hospital of Nantes, 44093, Nantes, France.,EA 4275 SPHERE Methods for Patient-centered Outcomes and Health Research, Nantes University, 44035, Nantes, France
| | - Karim Asehnoune
- Departments of Anaesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care, Hôtel-Dieu, University Hospital of Nantes, 44093, Nantes, France.
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Yang X, Tian F, Zhang H, Zeng J, Chen T, Wang S, Jia Z, Gong Q. Cortical and subcortical gray matter shrinkage in alcohol-use disorders: a voxel-based meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 66:92-103. [PMID: 27108216 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Revised: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xun Yang
- School of Sociality and Psychology, Southwest University for Nationalities, Chengdu 610041, China; Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Fangfang Tian
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Handi Zhang
- School of Sociality and Psychology, Southwest University for Nationalities, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jianguang Zeng
- School of Accounting, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Taolin Chen
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Song Wang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhiyun Jia
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Department of Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Department of Psychology, School of Public Administration, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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32
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The effects of chronic smoking on the pathology of alcohol-related brain damage. Alcohol 2016; 53:35-44. [PMID: 27286935 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2016.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Revised: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Both pathological and neuroimaging studies demonstrate that chronic alcohol abuse causes brain atrophy with widespread white matter loss limited gray matter loss. Recent neuroimaging studies suggest that tobacco smoking also causes brain atrophy in both alcoholics and neurologically normal individuals; however, this has not been confirmed pathologically. In this study, the effects of smoking and the potential additive effects of concomitant alcohol and tobacco consumption were investigated in autopsied human brains. A total of 44 cases and controls were divided into four groups: 16 non-smoking controls, nine smoking controls, eight non-smoking alcoholics, and 11 smoking alcoholics. The volumes of 26 gray and white matter regions were measured using an established point-counting technique. The results showed trends for widespread white matter loss in alcoholics (p < 0.007) but no effect on gray matter regions. In contrast, smoking alone had no effect on brain atrophy and the combination of smoking and alcohol showed no additional effect. Neuronal density was analyzed as a more sensitive assay of gray matter integrity. Similar to the volumetric analysis, there was a reduction in neurons (29%) in the prefrontal cortex of alcoholics, albeit this was only a trend when adjusted for potential confounders (p < 0.06). There were no smoking or combinatorial effects on neuronal density in any of the three regions examined. These results do not support the hypothesis that smoking exacerbates alcohol-related brain damage. The trends here support previous studies that alcohol-related brain damage is characterized by focal neuronal loss and generalized white matter atrophy. These disparate effects suggest that two different pathogenic mechanisms may be operating in the alcoholic brain. Future studies using ultrastructural or molecular techniques will be required to determine if smoking has more subtle effects on the brain and how chronic alcohol consumption leads to widespread white matter loss.
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33
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Monnig MA, Yeo RA, Tonigan JS, McCrady BS, Thoma RJ, Sabbineni A, Hutchison KE. Associations of White Matter Microstructure with Clinical and Demographic Characteristics in Heavy Drinkers. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142042. [PMID: 26529515 PMCID: PMC4631485 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Damage to the brain’s white matter is a signature injury of alcohol use disorders (AUDs), yet understanding of risks associated with clinical and demographic characteristics is incomplete. This study investigated alcohol problem severity, recent drinking behavior, and demographic factors in relation to white matter microstructure in heavy drinkers. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), were collected from 324 participants (mean age = 30.9 ± 9.1 years; 30% female) who reported five or more heavy drinking episodes in the past 30 days. Drinking history and alcohol problem severity were assessed. A common white matter factor was created from fractional anisotropy (FA) values of five white matter tracts: body of corpus callosum, fornix, external capsule, superior longitudinal fasciculus, and cingulate gyrus. Previous research has implicated these tracts in heavy drinking. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses tested the hypothesis that, after controlling for duration of alcohol exposure, clinical and behavioral measures of alcohol use severity would be associated with lower white matter factor scores. Potential interactions with smoking status, gender, age, treatment-seeking status, and depression or anxiety symptoms also were tested. Controlling for number of years drinking, greater alcohol problem severity and recent drinking frequency were significantly associated with lower white matter factor scores. The effect of drinking frequency differed significantly for men and women, such that higher drinking frequency was linked to lower white matter factor scores in women but not in men. In conclusion, alcohol problem severity was a significant predictor of lower white matter FA in heavy drinkers, after controlling for duration of alcohol exposure. In addition, more frequent drinking contributed to lower FA in women but not men, suggesting gender-specific vulnerability to alcohol neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mollie A. Monnig
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Ronald A. Yeo
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - J. Scott Tonigan
- Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Barbara S. McCrady
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
- Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Robert J. Thoma
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Amithrupa Sabbineni
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Kent E. Hutchison
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
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Tong M, Yu R, Silbermann E, Zabala V, Deochand C, de la Monte SM. Differential Contributions of Alcohol and Nicotine-Derived Nitrosamine Ketone (NNK) to White Matter Pathology in the Adolescent Rat Brain. Alcohol Alcohol 2015; 50:680-9. [PMID: 26373813 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agv102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated high rates of smoking among alcoholics, and neuroimaging studies have detected white matter atrophy and degeneration in both smokers and individuals with alcohol-related brain disease (ARBD). These findings suggest that tobacco smoke exposure may be a co-factor in ARBD. The present study examines the differential and additive effects of tobacco-specific nitrosamine (NNK) and ethanol exposures on the structural and functional integrity of white matter in an experimental model. METHODS Adolescent Long Evans rats were fed liquid diets containing 0 or 26% ethanol for 8 weeks. In weeks 3-8, rats were treated with nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone (NNK) (2 mg/kg, 3×/week) or saline by i.p. injection. In weeks 7-8, the ethanol group was binge-administered ethanol (2 g/kg; 3×/week). RESULTS Ethanol, NNK and ethanol + NNK caused striking degenerative abnormalities in white matter myelin and axons, with accompanying reductions in myelin-associated glycoprotein expression. Quantitative RT-PCR targeted array and heatmap analyses demonstrated that ethanol modestly increased, whereas ethanol + NNK sharply increased expression of immature and mature oligodendroglial genes, and that NNK increased immature but inhibited mature oligodendroglial genes. In addition, NNK modulated expression of neuroglial genes in favor of growth cone collapse and synaptic disconnection. Ethanol- and NNK-associated increases in FOXO1, FOXO4 and NKX2-2 transcription factor gene expression could reflect compensatory responses to brain insulin resistance in this model. CONCLUSION Alcohol and tobacco exposures promote ARBD by impairing myelin synthesis, maturation and integrity via distinct but overlapping mechanisms. Public health measures to reduce ARBD should target both alcohol and tobacco abuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Tong
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, and the Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Rosa Yu
- Departments of Pathology and Neurology, and the Division of Neuropathology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | | | - Valerie Zabala
- Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology Graduate Program, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Chetram Deochand
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Suzanne M de la Monte
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, and the Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA Departments of Pathology and Neurology, and the Division of Neuropathology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
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Retson TA, Hoek JB, Sterling RC, Van Bockstaele EJ. Amygdalar neuronal plasticity and the interactions of alcohol, sex, and stress. Brain Struct Funct 2014; 220:3211-32. [PMID: 25081549 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-014-0851-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are major medical problems affecting both men and women. Previous animal studies reported a difference in c-Fos neuronal activation after chronic alcohol exposure; however, females remain an understudied population. To model chronic alcohol exposure match-pair fed adult male and female rats were administered 14 days of a liquid ethanol containing diet. Analysis focused on the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), a region integral to stress sensitivity and substance abuse. Immunocytochemical approaches identified cells containing ΔFosB, a marker of sustained neuronal activation, and activity patterns within the CeA were mapped by subdivision and rostral-caudal extent. Significant interactions were present between all groups, with gender differences noted among control groups, and ethanol exposed animals having the greatest number of ΔFosB immunoreactive cells indicating baseline dysregulation. Compared with c-Fos, a marker of recent neuronal activation, male ethanol treated animals had similar activity to controls, indicating a neuronal habituation not seen in females. Next, a cohort of animals were exposed to the forced swim test (FST), and c-Fos was examined in addition to FST behavior. Neuronal activity was increased in ethanol exposed animals compared to controls, and control females compared to males, indicating a potentiated stress response. Further, a population of activated neurons were shown to contain either corticotropin releasing factor or enkephalin. The present data suggest that dysregulation in the CeA neuronal activity may underlie some of the negative sequelae of alcohol abuse, and may, in part, underlie the distinctive response seen between genders to alcohol use.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Retson
- Department of Neuroscience, Farber Institute for Neurosciences, Thomas Jefferson University, 900 Walnut Street, Suite 417, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
| | - J B Hoek
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - R C Sterling
- Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - E J Van Bockstaele
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
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Abstract
Alcohol abuse and dependence are serious public health problems worldwide, resulting in significant morbidity, mortality, and legal implications. Therefore, sudden unexpected, suspicious, or violent death in alcohol consuming persons are frequently seen in the forensic setting. Alcohol-induced brain damage is predominantly caused by nutritional deficiencies and repeated withdrawal syndrome. Brain lesions associated with heavy alcohol consumption include brain atrophy, hepatic encephalopathy, and central pontine myelinolysis. In addition, the dementing conditions Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, acquired hepatocerebral degeneration, Marchiafava-Bignami disease, and pellagrous encephalopathy are closely associated with chronic alcohol consumption. In neuroradiological and autopsy studies, cerebral and cerebellar atrophy has been demonstrated in alcoholics. There is a regional selectivity, with the frontal lobes being particularly affected. Moreover, a disproportionate loss of cerebral white matter relative to cerebral cortex suggests that a major neurotoxic effect of chronic alcohol consumption predominantly affects the white matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Büttner
- Forensic Pathology and the Institute of Legal Medicine at the Medical University of Rostock, Germany
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Charlet K, Beck A, Jorde A, Wimmer L, Vollstädt-Klein S, Gallinat J, Walter H, Kiefer F, Heinz A. Increased neural activity during high working memory load predicts low relapse risk in alcohol dependence. Addict Biol 2014; 19:402-14. [PMID: 24147643 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Working memory (WM) impairments are often observed in alcohol-dependent individuals, especially in early abstinence, which may contribute to an increased relapse risk after detoxification. Brain imaging studies on visuospatial WM in alcohol-dependent patients compared to controls indicate that information processing requires compensatory increased neural activation to perform at a normal level. However, to date, no study tested whether such increased neural WM activation patterns or the lack thereof predict relapse behavior in alcohol-dependent individuals, and whether such differences persist when adequately correcting for individual grey matter differences. We combined analyses of neural activation during an n-back task and local grey matter volumes using Biological Parametric Mapping in 40 detoxified alcohol-dependent patients and 40 matched healthy controls (HC), and assessed prospective relapse risk during a 7-month follow-up period. Despite equal task performance, we found increased functional activation during high versus low cognitive WM load (2-back-0-back) in bilateral rostral prefrontal cortex (BA10) and bilateral ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (BA45,47) in prospective abstainers versus relapsers, and further in left/right lateral/medial premotor cortex (BA6,8) in abstainers versus HC. In prospective abstainers, but not relapsers, subtle cognitive impairment was associated with increased neural task activity in the premotor cortex. These findings suggest that in prospective abstainers, higher functional engagement of presumably less impaired neural resources in executive behavioral control brain areas (BA10, 45, 47, 6, 8) may constitute a resilience factor associated with good treatment outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Charlet
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Germany
| | - Anne Beck
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Germany
| | - Anne Jorde
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine; Central Institute of Mental Health; Medical Faculty Mannheim; Heidelberg University; Germany
| | - Lioba Wimmer
- Department of Medical Psychology; Zentrum für Nervenheilkunde; Universitätsklinikum Bonn; Germany
| | - Sabine Vollstädt-Klein
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine; Central Institute of Mental Health; Medical Faculty Mannheim; Heidelberg University; Germany
| | - Jürgen Gallinat
- Charité Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; St Hedwig Krankenhaus; Germany
| | - Henrik Walter
- Department of Medical Psychology; Zentrum für Nervenheilkunde; Universitätsklinikum Bonn; Germany
- Division of Mind and Brain Research; Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Germany
| | - Falk Kiefer
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine; Central Institute of Mental Health; Medical Faculty Mannheim; Heidelberg University; Germany
| | - Andreas Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Germany
- Charité Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; St Hedwig Krankenhaus; Germany
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Monnig MA, Thayer RE, Caprihan A, Claus ED, Yeo RA, Calhoun VD, Hutchison KE. White matter integrity is associated with alcohol cue reactivity in heavy drinkers. Brain Behav 2014; 4:158-70. [PMID: 24683509 PMCID: PMC3967532 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Revised: 11/17/2013] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroimaging studies have shown that white matter damage accompanies excessive alcohol use, but the functional correlates of alcohol-related white matter disruption remain unknown. This study applied tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) to diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data from 332 heavy drinkers (mean age = 31.2 ± 9.4; 31% female) to obtain averaged fractional anisotropy (FA) values of 18 white matter tracts. Statistical analyses examined correlations of FA values with blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) response to an alcohol taste cue, measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). FA values of nine white matter tracts (anterior corona radiata, body of corpus callosum, cingulate gyrus, external capsule, fornix, inferior frontooccipital fasciculus, posterior corona radiata, retrolenticular limb of internal capsule, and superior longitudinal fasciculus) were significantly, negatively correlated with BOLD activation in medial frontal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, fusiform gyrus, cingulum, thalamus, caudate, putamen, insula, and cerebellum. The inverse relation between white matter integrity and functional activation during the alcohol taste cue provides support for the hypothesis that lower white matter integrity in frontoparietal and corticolimbic networks is a factor in loss of control over alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mollie A Monnig
- Mind Research Network Albuquerque, 87106, New Mexico ; University of New Mexico Albuquerque, 87106, New Mexico
| | | | | | - Eric D Claus
- Mind Research Network Albuquerque, 87106, New Mexico ; University of New Mexico Albuquerque, 87106, New Mexico
| | - Ronald A Yeo
- Mind Research Network Albuquerque, 87106, New Mexico ; University of New Mexico Albuquerque, 87106, New Mexico
| | - Vince D Calhoun
- Mind Research Network Albuquerque, 87106, New Mexico ; University of New Mexico Albuquerque, 87106, New Mexico
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Segobin SH, Chételat G, Le Berre AP, Lannuzel C, Boudehent C, Vabret F, Eustache F, Beaunieux H, Pitel AL. Relationship between brain volumetric changes and interim drinking at six months in alcohol-dependent patients. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2014; 38:739-48. [PMID: 24483366 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2013] [Accepted: 09/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic alcohol consumption results in brain damage potentially reversible with abstinence. It is however difficult to gauge the degree of recovery of brain tissues with abstinence since changes are subtle and a significant portion of patients relapse. State-of-the-art morphometric methods are increasingly used in neuroimaging studies to detect subtle brain changes at a voxel level. Our aim was to use the most refined morphometric methods to observe in alcohol dependence the relationship between volumetric changes and interim drinking over a 6-month follow-up. METHODS Overall, 19 patients with alcohol dependence received volumetric T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after detoxification. A 6-month follow-up study was then conducted, during which 11 of them received a second MRI scan. First, correlations were conducted between gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes of patients at alcohol treatment entry and the amount of alcohol consumed between treatment entry and follow-up. Second, longitudinal analyses were performed from pairs of MRI scans using tensor-based morphometry in the 11 patients, and correlations were computed between the resultant Jacobian maps of GM and WM and interim drinking. RESULTS Our preliminary results showed that, among others, alcoholics with smaller thalamus at alcohol treatment entry tended to resume with heavy alcohol consumption (p < 0.005 uncorrected [unc.]). Our longitudinal study revealed an overall inverse relationship between recovery of brain structures like the cerebellum, striatum, and cingulate gyrus, and the amount of alcohol consumed over the 6-month follow-up (p < 0.005 unc.). The recovery could be observed not only with strict abstinence but also in cases of moderate resumption of alcohol consumption, when there had been no drastic relapse into alcohol dependence. CONCLUSIONS Those preliminary findings indicate that the volume of the thalamus at treatment entry may have an influence on subsequent interim drinking. There is recovery of certain brain regions even when patients resume with moderate, but not drastic, alcohol consumption.
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Kokkinou M, Smailagic N, Noel-Storr AH, Hyde C, Ukoumunne O, Worrall RE, Hayen A, Desai M, Ritchie C. Plasma and Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Abeta42 for the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease dementia in participants diagnosed with any dementia subtype in a specialist care setting. THE COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd010945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nadja Smailagic
- University of Cambridge; Institute of Public Health; Forvie Site Robinson Way Cambridge UK CB2 0SR
| | - Anna H Noel-Storr
- University of Oxford; Radcliffe Department of Medicine; Room 4401c (4th Floor) John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington Oxford UK OX3 9DU
| | - Chris Hyde
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter; Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG); Veysey Building Salmon Pool Lane Exeter UK EX2 4SG
| | - Obioha Ukoumunne
- University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter; Peninsula CLAHRC; Veysey Building Salmon Pool Lane Exeter Devon UK EX2 4SG
| | - Rosie E Worrall
- Oxford University Medical School; Keble College, Parks Road Oxford UK OX13PG
| | - Anja Hayen
- University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital; Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences; Headley Way Oxford UK OX3 9DU
| | - Meera Desai
- University of Oxford; Department of Experimental Psychology; South Parks Road Oxford Oxfordshire UK OX1 3UD
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Asano M, Taki Y, Hashizume H, Takeuchi H, Thyreau B, Sassa Y, Asano K, Kawashima R. Correlations between brain structures and study time at home in healthy children: a longitudinal analysis. Brain Behav 2014; 4:801-11. [PMID: 25365804 PMCID: PMC4212108 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2013] [Revised: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Like sleeping and eating habits, the study habits adopted by children when they are at home are important contributors to lifestyle and they affect cognitive ability. It has recently been reported that sleeping and eating habits change the brain structure of children. However, no research on the effect of study habits at home on the brain structure of children has been conducted thus far. We investigated the effects of study habits at home on the brain structures of healthy children by examining correlations between study time at home and changes in brain structure over the course of 3 years. METHODS We used the brain magnetic resonance images of 229 healthy children aged 5.6-18.4 years and computed the changes (time 2-time 1) in regional gray matter and white matter volume (rWMV) using voxel-based morphometry. Whole-brain multiple regression analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between study time at home and changes in rWMV in the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG). Behaviorally, we found a significant positive correlation between study time at home and change in the verbal comprehension index (VCI), one of the subscales of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-third edition (WISC-III). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Given that the SFG is involved in memory control and that the VCI measures abilities related to vocabulary, our results indicate that greater SFG involvement in the memorization component of longer study times may result in greater increases in the number of axons and more axon branching and myelination, causing plastic changes in the neural network involved in memory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiko Asano
- Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University Sendai, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Taki
- Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University Sendai, Japan ; Department of Nuclear Medicine & Radiology, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University Sendai, Japan ; Division of Medical Neuroimaging Analysis, Department of Community Medical Supports, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Hashizume
- Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University Sendai, Japan
| | - Hikaru Takeuchi
- Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University Sendai, Japan
| | - Benjamin Thyreau
- Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University Sendai, Japan ; Division of Medical Neuroimaging Analysis, Department of Community Medical Supports, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University Sendai, Japan
| | - Yuko Sassa
- Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University Sendai, Japan
| | - Kohei Asano
- Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University Sendai, Japan
| | - Ryuta Kawashima
- Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University Sendai, Japan ; Smart Ageing International Research Centre, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University Sendai, Japan ; Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University Sendai, Japan
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Meyerhoff DJ. Brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of alcohol use disorders. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2014; 125:313-37. [PMID: 25307583 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-62619-6.00019-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
This chapter critically reviews brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS) studies performed since 1994 in individuals with alcohol use disorders (AUD). We describe the neurochemicals that can be measured in vivo at the most common magnetic field strengths, summarize our knowledge about their general brain functions, and briefly explain some basic human (1)H MRS methods. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal research of individuals in treatment and of treatment-naïve individuals with AUD are discussed and interpreted on the basis of reported neuropathology. As AUDs are highly comorbid with chronic cigarette smoking and illicit substance abuse, we also summarize reports on their respective influences on regional proton metabolite levels. After reviewing research on neurobiologic correlates of relapse and genetic influences on brain metabolite levels, we finish with suggestions on future directions for (1)H MRS studies in AUDs. The review demonstrates that brain metabolic alterations associated with AUDs as well as their cognitive correlates are not simply a consequence of chronic alcohol consumption. Future MR research of AUDs in general has to be better prepared - and supported - to study clinically complex relationships between personality characteristics, comorbidities, neurogenetics, lifestyle, and living environment, as all these factors critically affect an individual's neurometabolic profile. (1)H MRS is uniquely positioned to tackle these complexities by contributing to a comprehensive biopsychosocial profile of individuals with AUD: it can provide non-invasive biochemical information on select regions of the brain at comparatively low overall cost for the ultimate purpose of informing more efficient treatments of AUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter J Meyerhoff
- Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Abstract
This chapter provides an overview of current knowledge on the molecular and clinical aspects of chronic alcohol effects on the central nervous system. This drug is almost ubiquitous, widely enjoyed socially, but produces a diverse spectrum of neurologic disease when abused. Acutely, alcohol interacts predominantly with γ-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA-A) and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, but triggers diverse signaling events within well-defined neural pathways. These events result in adaptive changes in gene expression that ultimately produce two major states: addiction and toxicity. Epigenetic modifications of chromatin could lead to long-lived or even transgenerational changes in gene expression, thus producing aspects of the heritability of alcohol use disorders (AUD) and long-term behaviors such as recidivism. The diverse clinical syndromes produced by chronic alcohol actions in the central nervous system reflect the molecular pathology and predominantly involve aspects of tolerance/withdrawal, selective vulnerability (manifest as central pontine myelinolysis, Marchiafava-Bignami disease), and additional environmental factors (e.g., thiamine deficiency in Wernicke-Korsakoff's syndrome). Additionally, deleterious aspects of chronic alcohol on signaling, synaptic transmission, and cell toxicity lead to primary alcoholic dementia. Genetically determined aspects of myelin structure and alcohol actions on myelin gene expression may be a prominent molecular mechanism resulting in a predisposition to, or causation of, AUD and multiple other neurologic complications of chronic alcohol. The dramatic progress made in understanding molecular actions of alcohol holds great promise for our eventual treatment or prevention of AUD and neurologic complications resulting from chronic alcohol abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- B N Costin
- Virginia Commonwealth University Alcohol Research Center and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - M F Miles
- Virginia Commonwealth University Alcohol Research Center, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Study of Biological Complexity and Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
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Mitchell AS, Chakraborty S. What does the mediodorsal thalamus do? Front Syst Neurosci 2013; 7:37. [PMID: 23950738 PMCID: PMC3738868 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2013.00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2013] [Accepted: 07/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Dense amnesia can result from damage to the medial diencephalon in humans and in animals. In humans this damage is diffuse and can include the mediodorsal nuclei of the thalamus. In animal models, lesion studies have confirmed the mediodorsal thalamus (MD) has a role in memory and other cognitive tasks, although the extent of deficits is mixed. Anatomical tracing studies confirm at least three different subgroupings of the MD: medial, central, and lateral, each differentially interconnected to the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Moreover, these subgroupings of the MD also receive differing inputs from other brain structures, including the basal ganglia thus the MD subgroupings form key nodes in interconnected frontal-striatal-thalamic neural circuits, integrating critical information within the PFC. We will provide a review of data collected from non-human primates and rodents after selective brain injury to the whole of the MD as well as these subgroupings to highlight the extent of deficits in various cognitive tasks. This research highlights the neural basis of memory and cognitive deficits associated with the subgroupings of the MD and their interconnected neural networks. The evidence shows that the MD plays a critical role in many varied cognitive processes. In addition, the MD is actively processing information and integrating it across these neural circuits for successful cognition. Having established that the MD is critical for memory and cognition, further research is required to understand how the MD specifically influences these cognitive processing carried out by the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S. Mitchell
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Oxford UniversityOxford, UK
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Toda A, Tagata Y, Nakada T, Komatsu M, Shibata N, Arai H. Changes in Mini-Mental State Examination score in Alzheimer's disease patients after stopping habitual drinking. Psychogeriatrics 2013; 13:94-8. [PMID: 23909966 DOI: 10.1111/psyg.12008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2012] [Revised: 02/06/2013] [Accepted: 02/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is becoming an increasing problem as the population ages, and the effects of lifestyle factors on cognitive decline need to be better understood. This study examined the effects of alcohol abstinence on cognitive decline in AD. METHODS Cognitive function after alcohol abstinence was retrospectively reviewed in AD patients (high and low alcohol consumption groups) and then compared with an alcohol-naïve AD group. The alcohol-naïve AD group included 18 outpatients with no history of habitual drinking. The alcohol-abstinence AD group included 20 outpatients who stopped drinking after their diagnoses. The latter group was classified into high and low groups depending on the amount of they drank before abstinence. Cognitive function was evaluated with the Mini-Mental State Examination at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. For statistical analyses, a repeated measures, two-factor anova and post-hoc multiple comparisons were performed using the Bonferroni method. RESULTS There was a significant effect of time on Mini-Mental State Examination score, but there was no difference in the baseline scores of the alcohol-naïve and alcohol-abstinence AD groups. The score was significantly lower at 6 and 12 months than at baseline in the alcohol-naïve group, but no significant difference was seen in the alcohol-abstinence group. There was a significant interaction between time and alcohol consumption subgroup on the score, with no difference in baseline score between the low and high consumption groups. The score was significantly lower only in the high consumption group at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS : In AD patients with a history of habitual drinking, abstinence was effective for reducing cognitive decline during the clinical course. However, such an effect was not seen in patients who had consumed high amounts of alcohol before diagnosis of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiko Toda
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.
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Chandrasekar R. Alcohol and NMDA receptor: current research and future direction. Front Mol Neurosci 2013; 6:14. [PMID: 23754976 PMCID: PMC3664776 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2013.00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 05/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The brain is one of the major targets of alcohol actions. Most of the excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system is mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. However, one of the most devastating effects of alcohol leads to brain shrinkage, loss of nerve cells at specific regions through a mechanism involving excitotoxicity, oxidative stress. Earlier studies have indicated that chronic exposure to ethanol both in vivo and in vitro, increases NR1 and NR2B gene expression and their polypeptide levels. The effect of alcohol and molecular changes on the regulatory process, which modulates NMDAR functions including factors altering transcription, translation, post-translational modifications, and protein expression, as well as those influencing their interactions with different regulatory proteins (downstream effectors) are incessantly increasing at the cellular level. Further, I discuss the various genetically altered mice approaches that have been used to study NMDA receptor subunits and their functional implication. In a recent countable review, epigenetic dimension (i.e., histone modification-induced chromatin remodeling and DNA methylation, in the process of alcohol related neuroadaptation) is one of the key molecular mechanisms in alcohol mediated NMDAR alteration. Here, I provide a recount on what has already been achieved, current trends and how the future research/studies of the NMDA receptor might lead to even greater engagement with many possible new insights into the neurobiology and treatment of alcoholism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raman Chandrasekar
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology Core Facility, Kansas State University Manhattan, KS, USA
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Monnig MA, Tonigan JS, Yeo RA, Thoma RJ, McCrady BS. White matter volume in alcohol use disorders: a meta-analysis. Addict Biol 2013; 18:581-92. [PMID: 22458455 DOI: 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2012.00441.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Atrophy of brain white matter (WM) often is considered a signature injury of alcohol use disorders (AUDs). However, investigations into AUD-related changes in WM volume have yielded complex findings that are difficult to synthesize in a narrative review. The objective of this study was to obtain an averaged effect size (ES) for WM volume reduction associated with AUD diagnosis and to test potential moderators of ES. Study inclusion criteria were: (1) English language; (2) peer reviewed; (3) published before December 2011; (4) use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); (5) human participants; (6) inclusion of AUD group; (7) inclusion of non-AUD comparison group; and (8) reporting or testing of total or cerebral WM volume. Moderators included study design, MRI methodology and AUD characteristics. Nineteen studies with a total of 1302 participants (70% male) were included, and calculated ESs were confirmed by the corresponding author for 12 studies. The magnitude of the averaged ES adjusted for small sample bias (Hedges' g) for WM reduction in AUDs was 0.304 (standard error = 0.134, range = -0.57-1.21). Hierarchical linear modeling indicated that the overall ES differed significantly from 0, t(18) = 2.257, P = 0.037, and that the distribution of the 19 ESs showed significant heterogeneity beyond sampling error, χ(2) (18) = 52.400, P < 0.001. Treatment-seeking status and length of abstinence were significant moderators of ES distribution. These results are suggestive of WM recovery with sustained abstinence and point to the need for further investigation of factors related to treatment-seeking status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mollie A Monnig
- Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions, University of New Mexico, 2650 Yale Boulevard SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA.
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van Holst RJ, de Ruiter MB, van den Brink W, Veltman DJ, Goudriaan AE. A voxel-based morphometry study comparing problem gamblers, alcohol abusers, and healthy controls. Drug Alcohol Depend 2012; 124:142-8. [PMID: 22270405 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2011] [Revised: 12/23/2011] [Accepted: 12/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are associated with smaller grey matter volumes in cortical and subcortical brain regions which are related to cognitive impairments often found in these disorders. Similar cognitive impairments have been found in patients suffering from problem gambling behaviour. However, in contrast to AUDs, gambling behaviour does not entail brain exposure to toxic agents. Although there are many clinical, neuropsychological, and neurobiological similarities between PG and substance use disorders it has not yet been established whether pathological gambling, similar to alcohol use disorders, is associated with abnormal regional grey matter volumes. METHODS With whole-brain voxel-based morphometry we compared a group of 40 treatment seeking problem gamblers, 36 subjects with an alcohol use disorder, and 54 healthy controls to evaluate potential group differences in regional grey matter volumes, corrected for age, IQ, smoking status, and total intracranial volume (TIV). RESULTS Significantly smaller grey matter volumes in left superior frontal cortex, left precentral cortex, right insula, right putamen, left thalamus, bilateral superior parietal cortex and right supramarginal cortex were present in subjects with an alcohol use disorder compared to healthy controls and problem gamblers. No significant grey matter volume differences were present between problem gamblers and healthy controls. CONCLUSION In conclusion, we replicated previous findings of smaller grey matter volumes in subjects with an alcohol use disorder and found no significant morphological brain abnormalities in problem gamblers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth J van Holst
- Academic Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 5, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Alcohol dependence associated with increased utilitarian moral judgment: a case control study. PLoS One 2012; 7:e39882. [PMID: 22761922 PMCID: PMC3386169 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2011] [Accepted: 05/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies indicate that emotional processes, mediated by the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPC), are of great importance for moral judgment. Neurological patients with VMPC dysfunction have been shown to generate increased utilitarian moral judgments, i.e. are more likely to endorse emotionally aversive actions in order to maximize aggregate welfare, when faced with emotionally salient personal moral dilemmas. Patients with alcohol dependence (AD) also exhibit impairments in functions mediated by the prefrontal cortex, but whether they exhibit increased utilitarian moral reasoning has not previously been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate moral judgment in AD patients (n = 20) compared to healthy controls (n = 20) matched by sex, age and education years. Each subject responded to a battery of 50 hypothetical dilemmas categorized as non-moral, moral impersonal and moral personal. They also responded to a questionnaire evaluating explicit knowledge of social and moral norms. Results confirmed our hypothesis that AD patients generated increased utilitarian moral judgment compared to controls when faced with moral personal dilemmas. Crucially, there was no difference in their responses to non-moral or impersonal moral dilemmas, nor knowledge of explicit social and moral norms. One possible explanation is that damage to the VMPC, caused by long term repeated exposure to alcohol results in emotional dysfunction, predisposing to utilitarian moral judgment. This work elucidates a novel aspect of the neuropsychological profile of AD patients, namely a tendency to generate utilitarian moral judgment when faced with emotionally salient moral personal dilemmas.
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Sternberg Z, Cesario A, Rittenhouse-Olson K, Sobel RA, Leung YK, Pankewycz O, Zhu B, Whitcomb T, Sternberg DS, Munschauer FE. Acamprosate modulates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Inflammopharmacology 2011; 20:39-48. [PMID: 22090150 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-011-0097-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2011] [Accepted: 09/24/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This pilot study aimed to determine the efficacy of acamprosate (N-acetyl homotaurine) in reducing the pathological features of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) which is an animal model for multiple sclerosis (MS). BACKGROUND The amino acid taurine has multiple biological activities including immunomodulation and neuromodulation. The synthetic acetylated taurine derivative, acamprosate, which crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily compared to taurine, is currently being used for the prevention of alcohol withdrawal symptoms associated with enhanced glutamatergic receptor function and GABA receptor hypofunction. METHODS EAE was induced in C57BL/6 female mice with myelin oligodendrocyte glyocoprotein, amino acid 35-55. Mice were treated with 20, 100 and 500 mg/kg acamprosate for 21 days. RESULTS Neurological scores at disease peak were reduced by 21, 64 and 9% in the 20, 100 and 500 mg/kg groups, respectively. Neurological improvement in the 100 mg/kg group correlated with a reduction in numbers of inflammatory lesions and the extent of CNS demyelination. Blood TNF-α levels were significantly reduced in the 500 mg/kg group. DISCUSSION Acamprosate and other taurine analogs have a potential for future MS therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Sternberg
- Department of Neurology, Baird MS Center, Jacobs Neurological Institute, 100 High Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
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