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Sint Jago SC, Bahabry R, Schreiber AM, Homola J, Ngyuen T, Meijia F, Allendorfer JB, Lubin FD. Aerobic exercise alters DNA hydroxymethylation levels in an experimental rodent model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav Rep 2023; 25:100642. [PMID: 38323091 PMCID: PMC10844942 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2023.100642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic potential of aerobic exercise in mitigating seizures and cognitive issues in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is recognized, yet the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Using a rodent TLE model induced by Kainic acid (KA), we investigated the impact of a single bout of exercise (i.e., acute) or 4 weeks of aerobic exercise (i.e., chronic). Blood was processed for epilepsy-associated serum markers, and DNA methylation (DNAme), and hippocampal area CA3 was assessed for gene expression levels for DNAme-associated enzymes. While acute aerobic exercise did not alter serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) or Interleukin-6 (IL-6), chronic exercise resulted in an exercise-specific decrease in serum BDNF and an increase in serum IL-6 levels in epileptic rats. Additionally, whole blood DNAme levels, specifically 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC), decreased in epileptic animals following chronic exercise. Hippocampal CA3 5-hmC levels and ten-eleven translocation protein (TET1) expression mirrored these changes. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that most 5-hmC changes in response to chronic exercise were neuron-specific within area CA3 of the hippocampus. Together, these findings suggest that DNAme mechanisms in the rodent model of TLE are responsive to chronic aerobic exercise, with emphasis on neuronal 5-hmC DNAme in the epileptic hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rudhab Bahabry
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States
| | | | - Julia Homola
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States
| | - Tram Ngyuen
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States
| | - Fernando Meijia
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States
| | - Jane B. Allendorfer
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Farah D. Lubin
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States
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2
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Jagtap A, Jagtap B, Jagtap R, Lamture Y, Gomase K. Effects of Prenatal Stress on Behavior, Cognition, and Psychopathology: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus 2023; 15:e47044. [PMID: 38022302 PMCID: PMC10643752 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.47044] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal stress is increasingly recognized as a significant factor impacting an individual's life from the beginning. This comprehensive review explores the intricate relationship between prenatal stress and its effects on behaviour, cognition, and psychopathology. Key findings reveal that prenatal stress can lead to a wide range of adverse outcomes in offspring, including neurodevelopmental disorders, emotional dysregulation, cognitive deficits, mood disorders, and an increased risk of psychopathological conditions. These effects' mechanisms involve epigenetic modifications, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, neurodevelopmental alterations, inflammatory processes, and changes in brain structure and function. Moreover, moderating factors such as maternal stress levels, maternal mental health, socioeconomic status, social support, and early-life adversity can significantly influence the impact of prenatal stress. The review also discusses intervention and prevention strategies, emphasizing the importance of prenatal stress reduction programs, maternal mental health support, nutritional interventions, and targeted early interventions for at-risk populations. These findings have substantial implications for public health and clinical practice, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to prenatal care that prioritizes maternal well-being and mitigates the lasting effects of prenatal stress. Addressing this critical issue promises healthier generations and stronger communities in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniket Jagtap
- Surgery, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Balasaheb Jagtap
- Medical Intern, Annasaheb Chaudaman Patil Memorial Medical College, Dhule, IND
| | - Rajlaxmi Jagtap
- Medical Student, Bharti Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Sangali, IND
| | - Yashwant Lamture
- Surgery, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, wardha, IND
| | - Kavita Gomase
- Obstetric and Gynecological Nursing, Srimati Radhikabai Meghe Memorial College of Nursing, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
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3
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Imbe H, Ihara H. Mu opioid receptor expressing neurons in the rostral ventromedial medulla are the source of mechanical hypersensitivity induced by repeated restraint stress. Brain Res 2023:148465. [PMID: 37331575 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Repeated exposure to psychophysical stress often causes an increase in sensitivity and response to pain. This phenomenon is commonly called stress-induced hyperalgesia (SIH). Although psychophysical stress is a well-known risk factor for numerous chronic pain syndromes, the neural mechanism underlying SIH has not yet been elucidated. The rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) is a key output element of the descending pain modulation system. Descending signals from the RVM have a major impact on spinal nociceptive neurotransmission. In the present study, to clarify changes in the descending pain modulatory system in rats with SIH, we examined the expression of Mu opioid receptor (MOR) mRNA, MeCP2 and global DNA methylation in the RVM after repeated restraint stress for 3 weeks. Additionally, we microinjected neurotoxin dermorphin-SAP into the RVM. The repeated restraint stress for 3 weeks induced mechanical hypersensitivity in the hind paw, a significant increase in the expression of MOR mRNA and MeCP2, and a significant decrease in global DNA methylation in the RVM. The MeCP2 binding to MOR gene promoter in the RVM was significantly decreased in rats with repeated restraint stress. Furthermore, microinjection of dermorphin-SAP into the RVM prevented the mechanical hypersensitivity induced by repeated restraint stress. Although, because of the lack of specific antibody to MOR, we could not show a quantitative analysis in the number of MOR-expressing neurons after the microinjection, these results suggest that MOR-expressing neurons in the RVM induce SIH after repeated restraint stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Imbe
- Department of Physiology, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera 811-1, Wakayama City, 641-8509, Japan.
| | - Hayato Ihara
- Radioisotope Laboratory Center, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera 811-1, Wakayama City, 641-8509, Japan
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4
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Smederevac S, Delgado-Cruzata L, Mitrović D, Dinić BM, Bravo TAT, Delgado M, Bugarski Ignjatović V, Sadiković S, Milovanović I, Vučinić N, Branovački B, Prinz M, Budimlija Z, Kušić‐Tišma J, Nikolašević Ž. Differences in MB-COMT DNA methylation in monozygotic twins on phenotypic indicators of impulsivity. Front Genet 2023; 13:1067276. [PMID: 36685886 PMCID: PMC9852709 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1067276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications of the membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase (MB-COMT) gene may affect the enzymatic degradation of dopamine, and consequently, human behavior. This study investigated the association between membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase DNA methylation (DNAm) differences in 92 monozygotic (MZ) twins with phenotypic manifestations of cognitive, behavioral, and personality indicators associated with reward-related behaviors and lack of control. We used pyrosequencing to determine DNAm of the regulatory region of membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase in saliva DNA. Results of intrapair differences in the percentage of membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase DNAm at each of five CpG sites show that there are associations between phenotypic indicators of lack of control and membrane bound catechol-O-methyltransferase DNAm differences on CpG1, CpG2 and CpG4, suggesting the common epigenetic patterns for personality traits, cognitive functions, and risk behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snežana Smederevac
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia,*Correspondence: Selka Sadiković, ; Snežana Smederevac,
| | | | - Dušanka Mitrović
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Bojana M. Dinić
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | | | - Maria Delgado
- Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, United States
| | | | - Selka Sadiković
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia,*Correspondence: Selka Sadiković, ; Snežana Smederevac,
| | - Ilija Milovanović
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Nataša Vučinić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Bojan Branovački
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Mechthild Prinz
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY, United States
| | - Zoran Budimlija
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, New York University, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Jelena Kušić‐Tišma
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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5
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Löscher W, Stafstrom CE. Epilepsy and its neurobehavioral comorbidities: Insights gained from animal models. Epilepsia 2023; 64:54-91. [PMID: 36197310 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
It is well established that epilepsy is associated with numerous neurobehavioral comorbidities, with a bidirectional relationship; people with epilepsy have an increased incidence of depression, anxiety, learning and memory difficulties, and numerous other psychosocial challenges, and the occurrence of epilepsy is higher in individuals with those comorbidities. Although the cause-and-effect relationship is uncertain, a fuller understanding of the mechanisms of comorbidities within the epilepsies could lead to improved therapeutics. Here, we review recent data on epilepsy and its neurobehavioral comorbidities, discussing mainly rodent models, which have been studied most extensively, and emphasize that clinically relevant information can be gained from preclinical models. Furthermore, we explore the numerous potential factors that may confound the interpretation of emerging data from animal models, such as the specific seizure induction method (e.g., chemical, electrical, traumatic, genetic), the role of species and strain, environmental factors (e.g., laboratory environment, handling, epigenetics), and the behavioral assays that are chosen to evaluate the various aspects of neural behavior and cognition. Overall, the interplay between epilepsy and its neurobehavioral comorbidities is undoubtedly multifactorial, involving brain structural changes, network-level differences, molecular signaling abnormalities, and other factors. Animal models are well poised to help dissect the shared pathophysiological mechanisms, neurological sequelae, and biomarkers of epilepsy and its comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Carl E Stafstrom
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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6
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Tao Y, Zhang H, Jin M, Xu H, Zou S, Deng F, Huang L, Zhang H, Wang X, Tang X, Dong Z, Wang Y, Yin L. Co-expression network of mRNA and DNA methylation in first-episode and drug-naive adolescents with major depressive disorder. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1065417. [PMID: 36911124 PMCID: PMC9995926 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1065417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We explored the DNA methylation and messenger RNA (mRNA) co-expression network and hub genes in first-episode, drug-naive adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD). To preliminarily explore whether adolescent MDD has unique mechanisms compared with adult MDD. METHODS We compared DNA methylation and mRNA profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from four first-episode and drug-naive adolescents with MDD and five healthy adolescent controls (HCs). We performed differential expression analysis, constructed co-expression network, and screened the hub genes. And enrichment analysis was performed based on Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). We also downloaded DNA methylation and mRNA datasets of adults with MDD (GSE113725/GSE38206) from the GEO database, and performed differential expression and enrichment analysis. RESULTS Our clinical data showed that 3034 methylation sites and 4190 mRNAs were differentially expressed in first-episode, drug-naive adolescents MDD patients compared with HCs. 19 hub genes were screened out according to the high degree value in the co-expression network. The results from the GEO database showed that compared with adult HCs, there were 290 methylation sites and 127 mRNAs were differentially expressed in adult MDD patients. CONCLUSION Compared with adolescent HCs and adult MDD patients, the DNA methylation and mRNA expression patterns of first-episode, drug-naive adolescent MDD patients were different. The co-expression network of DNA methylation and mRNA and the screened hub genes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of MDD in first-episode, drug-naive adolescents. Compared with adult MDD, adolescent MDD is more enriched in metabolism in terms of function and pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanmei Tao
- Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hang Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Meijiang Jin
- Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hanmei Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shoukang Zou
- Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,The Fourth People's Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fang Deng
- Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,The Fourth People's Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lijuan Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaolan Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaowei Tang
- Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zaiquan Dong
- Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanping Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Li Yin
- Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Institute for Systematic Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Sichuan Clinical Medical Research Center for Mental Disorder, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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7
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Ran LY, Kong YT, Xiang JJ, Zeng Q, Zhang CY, Shi L, Qiu HT, Liu C, Wu LL, Li YL, Chen JM, Ai M, Wang W, Kuang L. Serum extracellular vesicle microRNA dysregulation and childhood trauma in adolescents with major depressive disorder. Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2022; 22:959-971. [PMID: 35659238 PMCID: PMC9589301 DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2022.7110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) seriously endangers adolescent mental and physical health. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are mediators of cellular communication and are involved in many physiological brain processes. Although EV miRNAshave been implicated in adults with major psychiatric disorders, investigation into their effects in adolescent MDDremains scarce. In discovery set, we conducted a genome-wide miRNA sequencing of serum EVs from 9 untreated adolescents with MDD and 8 matched healthy controls (HCs), identifying 32 differentially expressed miRNAs (18 upregulated and 14 downregulated). In the validation set, 8 differentially expressed and highly enriched miRNAs were verified in independent samples using RT-PCR, with 4 (miR-450a-2-3p, miR-3691-5p, miR-556-3p, and miR-2115-3p) of the 8 miRNAs found to be significantly elevated in 34 untreated adolescents with MDD compared with 38 HCs and consistent with the sequencing results. After the Bonferroni correction, we found that three miRNAs (miR-450a-2-3p, miR-556-3p, and miR-2115-3p) were still significantly different. Among them, miR-450a-2-3p showed the most markeddifferential expression and was able to diagnose disease with 67.6% sensitivity and 84.2% specificity. Furthermore, miR-450a-2-3p partially mediated the associations between total childhood trauma, emotional abuse, and physical neglect and adolescent MDD. We also found that the combination of miR-450a-2-3p and emotional abuse could effectively diagnose MDD in adolescents with 82.4% sensitivity and 81.6% specificity. Our data demonstrate the association of serum EV miRNA dysregulation with MDD pathophysiology and, furthermore, show that miRNAs may mediate the relationship between early stress and MDD susceptibility. We also provide a valid integrated model for the diagnosis of adolescent MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu-Yi Ran
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yi-Ting Kong
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiao-Jiao Xiang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qi Zeng
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chen-Yu Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hai-Tang Qiu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chuan Liu
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin-Li Wu
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ya-Lan Li
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jian-Mei Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ming Ai
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wo Wang
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Kuang
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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8
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Early Life Stress Affects Bdnf Regulation: A Role for Exercise Interventions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911729. [PMID: 36233029 PMCID: PMC9569911 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Early life stress (ELS) encompasses exposure to aversive experiences during early development, such as neglect or maltreatment. Animal and human studies indicate that ELS has maladaptive effects on brain development, leaving individuals more vulnerable to developing behavioral and neuropsychiatric disorders later in life. This result occurs in part to disruptions in Brain derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) gene regulation, which plays a vital role in early neural programming and brain health in adulthood. A potential treatment mechanism to reverse the effects of ELS on Bdnf expression is aerobic exercise due to its neuroprotective properties and positive impact on Bdnf expression. Aerobic exercise opens the door to exciting and novel potential treatment strategies because it is a behavioral intervention readily and freely available to the public. In this review, we discuss the current literature investigating the use of exercise interventions in animal models of ELS to reverse or mitigate ELS-induced changes in Bdnf expression. We also encourage future studies to investigate sensitive periods of exercise exposure, as well as sufficient duration of exposure, on epigenetic and behavioral outcomes to help lead to standardized practices in the exercise intervention field.
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9
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Behavioral, Neural, and Molecular Mechanisms of Conditioned Mate Preference: The Role of Opioids and First Experiences of Sexual Reward. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168928. [PMID: 36012194 PMCID: PMC9409009 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although mechanisms of mate preference are thought to be relatively hard-wired, experience with appetitive and consummatory sexual reward has been shown to condition preferences for partner related cues and even objects that predict sexual reward. Here, we reviewed evidence from laboratory species and humans on sexually conditioned place, partner, and ejaculatory preferences in males and females, as well as the neurochemical, molecular, and epigenetic mechanisms putatively responsible. From a comprehensive review of the available data, we concluded that opioid transmission at μ opioid receptors forms the basis of sexual pleasure and reward, which then sensitizes dopamine, oxytocin, and vasopressin systems responsible for attention, arousal, and bonding, leading to cortical activation that creates awareness of attraction and desire. First experiences with sexual reward states follow a pattern of sexual imprinting, during which partner- and/or object-related cues become crystallized by conditioning into idiosyncratic “types” that are found sexually attractive and arousing. These mechanisms tie reward and reproduction together, blending proximate and ultimate causality in the maintenance of variability within a species.
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10
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Craig F, Gioia MC, Muggeo V, Cajiao J, Aloi A, Martino I, Tenuta F, Cerasa A, Costabile A. Effects of maternal psychological distress and perception of COVID-19 on prenatal attachment in a large sample of Italian pregnant women. J Affect Disord 2021; 295:665-672. [PMID: 34509782 PMCID: PMC8428478 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.08.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence concerning the impact of COVID-19-related stress exposure on prenatal attachment in pregnant women is unknown. In this study we sought to assess the effect of psychological distress and risk perception of COVID-19 on prenatal attachment in a Italian sample of pregnant women. METHODS 1179 pregnant women completed an anonymous online survey and self-report questionnaires measuring socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics, psychological distress (STAI Form Y-1-2 and BDI-II), prenatal attachment (PAI) and risk perception of COVID-19. Data were collected from March 2020 to April 2020 referring to the national lockdown period. RESULTS After adjusting for the socio-demographic and obstetric factors in the multivariable analysis, we found out the state anxiety was shown to be a significant predictor (p < 0001) of prenatal attachment. Moreover, the COVID-19-risk perception positively moderate the relationship between trait anxiety and prenatal attachment (p=0008), indicating that when COVID-19-risk perception is high, the effects of trait anxiety on prenatal attachment is attenuated. The synergistic effect between STAI Form Y-1 and COVID-19-risk perception index on PAI is partially mediated by STAI Form Y-2 score. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study showed that state anxiety related to COVID-19 outbreak in pregnant women may affect the prenatal attachment process of the expectant mother negatively. However, an adequate and functional perception of COVID-19 could enhance prenatal attachment. These results underline the importance of monitoring the prenatal attachment process and the mother's mental health during pandemics, to safeguard maternal and infant mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Craig
- Department of Cultures, Education and Society, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Maria Cecilia Gioia
- iGreco Ospedali Riuniti - Sacro Cuore Corso Italia, 50, 87100 Cosenza CS; Associazione di Volontariato Mammachemamme, Cosenza, Italy.
| | - Vito Muggeo
- Department of Economics, Business and Statistics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Juanita Cajiao
- Faculty of Medicine Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,Grupo de Investigación en Salud, Fundación Universitaria CAFAM, Colombia
| | - Alessia Aloi
- Associazione di Volontariato Mammachemamme, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Iolanda Martino
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institutes of Neurology, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Flaviana Tenuta
- Department of Cultures, Education and Society, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Antonio Cerasa
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), 98164, Messina, Italy,S’Anna Institute, 88900 Crotone, Italy
| | - Angela Costabile
- Department of Cultures, Education and Society, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
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11
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Antidepressant treatment is associated with epigenetic alterations of Homer1 promoter in a mouse model of chronic depression. J Affect Disord 2021; 279:501-509. [PMID: 33128940 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.10.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the neurobiology of depression and the mechanism of action of therapeutic measures is currently a research priority. We have shown that the expression of the synaptic protein Homer1a correlates with depression-like behavior and its induction is a common mechanism of action of different antidepressant treatments. However, the mechanism of Homer1a regulation is still unknown. METHODS We combined the chronic despair mouse model (CDM) of chronic depression with different antidepressant treatments. Depression-like behavior was characterized by forced swim and tail suspension tests, and via automatic measurement of sucrose preference in IntelliCage. The Homer1 mRNA expression and promoter DNA methylation were analyzed in cortex and peripheral blood by qRT-PCR and pyrosequencing. RESULTS CDM mice show decreased Homer1a and Homer1b/c mRNA expression in cortex and blood samples, while chronic treatment with imipramine and fluoxetine or acute ketamine application increases their level only in the cortex. The quantitative analyses of the methylation of 7 CpG sites, located on the Homer1 promoter region containing several CRE binding sites, show a significant increase in DNA methylation in the cortex of CDM mice. In contrast, antidepressant treatments reduce the methylation level. LIMITATIONS Homer1 expression and promotor methylation were not analyzed in different blood cell types. Other CpG sites of Homer1 promoter should be investigated in future studies. Our experimental approach does not distinguish between methylation and hydroxymethylation. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that stress-induced depression-like behavior and antidepressant treatments are associated with epigenetic alterations of Homer1 promoter, providing new insights into the mechanism of antidepressant treatment.
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12
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Hazard D, Plisson-Petit F, Moreno-Romieux C, Fabre S, Drouilhet L. Genetic Determinism Exists for the Global DNA Methylation Rate in Sheep. Front Genet 2021; 11:616960. [PMID: 33424937 PMCID: PMC7786236 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.616960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies showed that epigenetic marks, including DNA methylation, influence production and adaptive traits in plants and animals. So far, most studies dealing with genetics and epigenetics considered DNA methylation sites independently. However, the genetic basis of the global DNA methylation rate (GDMR) remains unknown. The main objective of the present study was to investigate genetic determinism of GDMR in sheep. The experiment was conducted on 1,047 Romane sheep allocated into 10 half-sib families. After weaning, all the lambs were phenotyped for global GDMR in blood as well as for production and adaptive traits. GDMR was measured by LUminometric Methylation Analysis (LUMA) using a pyrosequencing approach. Association analyses were conducted on some of the lambs (n = 775) genotyped by using the Illumina OvineSNP50 BeadChip. Blood GDMR varied among the animals (average 70.7 ± 6.0%). Female lambs had significantly higher GDMR than male lambs. Inter-individual variability of blood GDMR had an additive genetic component and heritability was moderate (h2 = 0.20 ± 0.05). No significant genetic correlation was found between GDMR and growth or carcass traits, birthcoat, or social behaviors. Association analyses revealed 28 QTLs associated with blood GDMR. Seven genomic regions on chromosomes 1, 5, 11, 17, 24, and 26 were of most interest due to either high significant associations with GDMR or to the relevance of genes located close to the QTLs. QTL effects were moderate. Genomic regions associated with GDMR harbored several genes not yet described as being involved in DNA methylation, but some are already known to play an active role in gene expression. In addition, some candidate genes, CHD1, NCO3A, KDM8, KAT7, and KAT6A have previously been described to be involved in epigenetic modifications. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that blood GDMR in domestic sheep is under polygenic influence and provide new insights into DNA methylation genetic determinism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Hazard
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, Castanet Tolosan, France
| | | | | | - Stéphane Fabre
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, Castanet Tolosan, France
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Fontana BD, Müller TE, Cleal M, de Abreu MS, Norton WHJ, Demin KA, Amstislavskaya TG, Petersen EV, Kalueff AV, Parker MO, Rosemberg DB. Using zebrafish (Danio rerio) models to understand the critical role of social interactions in mental health and wellbeing. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 208:101993. [PMID: 33440208 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.101993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Social behavior represents a beneficial interaction between conspecifics that is critical for maintaining health and wellbeing. Dysfunctional or poor social interaction are associated with increased risk of physical (e.g., vascular) and psychiatric disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, and substance abuse). Although the impact of negative and positive social interactions is well-studied, their underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Zebrafish have well-characterized social behavior phenotypes, high genetic homology with humans, relative experimental simplicity and the potential for high-throughput screens. Here, we discuss the use of zebrafish as a candidate model organism for studying the fundamental mechanisms underlying social interactions, as well as potential impacts of social isolation on human health and wellbeing. Overall, the growing utility of zebrafish models may improve our understanding of how the presence and absence of social interactions can differentially modulate various molecular and physiological biomarkers, as well as a wide range of other behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara D Fontana
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK.
| | - Talise E Müller
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Laboratory of Experimental Neuropscychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Madeleine Cleal
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK
| | - Murilo S de Abreu
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil
| | - William H J Norton
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell, LA, USA
| | - Konstantin A Demin
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Center, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Scientific Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Elena V Petersen
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Neuroscience and Bioscreening, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China; Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Matthew O Parker
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell, LA, USA
| | - Denis B Rosemberg
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Laboratory of Experimental Neuropscychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell, LA, USA.
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Carola V, Cimino S, Bussone S, Cerniglia L, Tambelli R. Children With Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder and Psychopathological Risk in Their Mothers: The Function of Global DNA Methylation. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:593500. [PMID: 33584381 PMCID: PMC7874238 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.593500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms, in particular DNA methylation, have been implicated in the etiopathogenesis of psychopathologies in adulthood. The significance of this mechanism in child psychopathologies, however, is much less recognized. Here, we examined whether global DNA methylation alteration was associated with the presence of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) in children. Moreover, in light of the relevance of the interplay between children and parents for the onset and maintaining of psychopathology during development, we measured the association between psychological symptoms, attachment styles, and global DNA methylation levels in healthy and DMDD mother-child dyads (mothers: N = 126, age = 38.3 ± 2.5 years; children: N = 150, age = 8.2 ± 0.9 years, gender ratio [f/m] = 72/78). We did not observe any significant differences in global DNA methylation levels in DMDD children when compared with healthy peers, and children's symptoms did not correlate with variations in this parameter. The mothers showed different levels of psychological symptomatology. Notably, mothers with high psychological symptomatology showed the lowest levels of global DNA methylation. Maternal global DNA methylation levels were associated with maternal hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, psychoticism, and general severity index. Moreover, we found an effect of maternal mental health on the severity of children's symptoms, independently from both maternal and child DNA methylation levels. Despite here DNA methylation does not appear to be involved in the maternal inheritance of vulnerability to depression, this biological link could still arise in later stages of the child's development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Carola
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Cimino
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Bussone
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Cerniglia
- Faculty of Psychology, International Telematic University Uninettuno, Rome, Italy
| | - Renata Tambelli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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15
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Cerniglia L, Cimino S, Bevilacqua A, Ballarotto G, Marzilli E, Adriani W, Tambelli R. Patterns of DNA methylation at specific loci of the dopamine transporter 1 gene and psychopathological risk in trios of mothers, fathers and children. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/17405629.2020.1816166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Cerniglia
- Faculty of Psychology, International Telematic University Uninettuno, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Cimino
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Arturo Bevilacqua
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Research Center in Neurobiology Daniel Bovet” (Crin), Rome, Italy
- Systems Biology Group Lab, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Ballarotto
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Marzilli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Walter Adriani
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Renata Tambelli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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16
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Montirosso R, Rosa E, Giorda R, Fazzi E, Orcesi S, Cavallini A, Provenzi L. Early Parenting Intervention - Biobehavioral Outcomes in infants with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (EPI-BOND): study protocol for an Italian multicentre randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e035249. [PMID: 32699128 PMCID: PMC7375429 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neurodevelopmental disability (ND) represents an adverse condition for infants' socio-emotional and behavioural development as well as for caregiving (eg, parental sensitivity) and mother-infant interaction. Adverse exposures are associated with altered neuroendocrine hormones concentrations (eg, oxytocin and cortisol) and epigenetic regulation (eg, methylation of stress-related genes), which in turn may contribute to less-than-optimal mother-infant interaction. Parental sensitivity is a protective factor for childrens' development and early parental interventions (eg, video-feedback intervention) can promote parental caregiving and better developmental outcomes in children. The present multi-centric and longitudinal randomised controlled trial aims to assess if and to which extent early VFI could benefit both infants and mothers in terms of behavioural outcomes as well as neuroendocrine and epigenetic regulation. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Dyads will be randomly assigned to the video-feedback Intervention Group or Control Group ('dummy' intervention: telephone calls). Infants with ND aged 3 to 18 months will be recruited from three major child neuropsychiatric units in northern Italy. A multi-layer approach to intervention effects will include videotapes of mother-infant interaction, maternal reports as well as saliva samples for hormones concentrations and target-gene methylation analysis (eg, BDNF, NR3C1, OXTR and SCL6A4) that will be obtained at each of the four assessment sessions: T0, baseline; T1, post-intervention; T2, short-term follow-up (3 month); T3, long-term follow-up (6 month). Primary effectiveness measures will be infant socio-emotional behaviour and maternal sensitivity. Neuroendocrine hormones concentrations and DNA methylation status of target genes will be secondary outcomes. Feasibility, moderation and confounding variables will be measured and controlled between the two groups. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethics approval has been obtained in all three participating units. Results of the main trial and each of the secondary endpoints will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03853564; Pre-results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Montirosso
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Elisa Rosa
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Roberto Giorda
- Biology Lab, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Elisa Fazzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Unit of Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Simona Orcesi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Anna Cavallini
- Neuropsychiatry and Neurorehabilitation Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Livio Provenzi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
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Guerrero TP, Fickel J, Benhaiem S, Weyrich A. Epigenomics and gene regulation in mammalian social systems. Curr Zool 2020; 66:307-319. [PMID: 32440291 PMCID: PMC7233906 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoaa005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Social epigenomics is a new field of research that studies how the social environment shapes the epigenome and how in turn the epigenome modulates behavior. We focus on describing known gene-environment interactions (GEIs) and epigenetic mechanisms in different mammalian social systems. To illustrate how epigenetic mechanisms integrate GEIs, we highlight examples where epigenetic mechanisms are associated with social behaviors and with their maintenance through neuroendocrine, locomotor, and metabolic responses. We discuss future research trajectories and open questions for the emerging field of social epigenomics in nonmodel and naturally occurring social systems. Finally, we outline the technological advances that aid the study of epigenetic mechanisms in the establishment of GEIs and vice versa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania P Guerrero
- Department Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, Berlin, D-10315, Germany
- Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Str. 4, Freiburg, D-79085, Germany
| | - Jörns Fickel
- Department Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, Berlin, D-10315, Germany
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam, 14476, Germany
| | - Sarah Benhaiem
- Department Ecological Dynamics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, Berlin, D-10315, Germany
| | - Alexandra Weyrich
- Department Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, Berlin, D-10315, Germany
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18
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Lee J, Papa F, Jaini PA, Alpini S, Kenny T. An Epigenetics-Based, Lifestyle Medicine-Driven Approach to Stress Management for Primary Patient Care: Implications for Medical Education. Am J Lifestyle Med 2020; 14:294-303. [PMID: 32477032 PMCID: PMC7232902 DOI: 10.1177/1559827619847436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Over 75% of patients in the primary care setting present with stress-related complaints. Curiously, patients and health care providers all too often see stress as a relatively benign sequela of many common illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, lung disease, dementia, diabetes, and mental illness. Unfortunately, various day-to-day lifestyle choices and environmental factors, unrelated to the presence of any disease, can cause stress sufficient to contribute to the development of various diseases/disorders and suboptimal health. There is evidence suggesting that counseling in stress management-oriented therapeutic interventions (as offered by lifestyle medicine-oriented practitioners) may prevent or reduce the onset, severity, duration, and/or overall burden of stress-related illnesses. Such counseling often involves considerations such as the patient's nutrition, physical activity, interest in/capacity to meditate, drug abuse/cessation, and so on. Unfortunately, lifestyle medicine-oriented approaches to stress management are rarely offered in primary care-the patient care arena wherein such counseling would likely be best received by patients. Would health care outcomes improve if primary care providers offered counseling in both stress management and positive lifestyle choices? The purpose of this article is to provide both primary care practitioners and educators in health care training programs with an introductory overview of epigenetics. An emerging field of science offering insights into how factors such as stress and lifestyle choices interact with our genes in ways that can both positively and negatively impact the various micro (eg, cellular) through macro (eg, physiologic, pathophysiologic) processes that determine our tendencies toward illness or wellness. A deeper understanding of epigenetics, as provided herein, should enable primary care providers and medical educators to more confidently advocate for the primary benefits associated with counseling in both stress reduction and the pursuit of healthy lifestyle choices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Lee
- Preventive Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California (JL)
- UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas (FP, SA, TK)
- John Peter Smith Hospital, Fort Worth, Texas (PJ)
| | - Frank Papa
- Frank Papa, DO, PhD, Medical Education, UNT Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107; e-mail:
| | - Paresh Atu Jaini
- Preventive Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California (JL)
- UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas (FP, SA, TK)
- John Peter Smith Hospital, Fort Worth, Texas (PJ)
| | - Sarah Alpini
- Preventive Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California (JL)
- UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas (FP, SA, TK)
- John Peter Smith Hospital, Fort Worth, Texas (PJ)
| | - Tim Kenny
- Preventive Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California (JL)
- UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas (FP, SA, TK)
- John Peter Smith Hospital, Fort Worth, Texas (PJ)
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19
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Jeremias G, Gonçalves FJM, Pereira JL, Asselman J. Prospects for incorporation of epigenetic biomarkers in human health and environmental risk assessment of chemicals. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:822-846. [PMID: 32045110 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms have gained relevance in human health and environmental studies, due to their pivotal role in disease, gene × environment interactions and adaptation to environmental change and/or contamination. Epigenetic mechanisms are highly responsive to external stimuli and a wide range of chemicals has been shown to determine specific epigenetic patterns in several organisms. Furthermore, the mitotic/meiotic inheritance of such epigenetic marks as well as the resulting changes in gene expression and cell/organismal phenotypes has now been demonstrated. Therefore, epigenetic signatures are interesting candidates for linking environmental exposures to disease as well as informing on past exposures to stressors. Accordingly, epigenetic biomarkers could be useful tools in both prospective and retrospective risk assessment but epigenetic endpoints are currently not yet incorporated into risk assessments. Achieving a better understanding on this apparent impasse, as well as identifying routes to promote the application of epigenetic biomarkers within environmental risk assessment frameworks are the objectives of this review. We first compile evidence from human health studies supporting the use of epigenetic exposure-associated changes as reliable biomarkers of exposure. Then, specifically focusing on environmental science, we examine the potential and challenges of developing epigenetic biomarkers for environmental fields, and discuss useful organisms and appropriate sequencing techniques to foster their development in this context. Finally, we discuss the practical incorporation of epigenetic biomarkers in the environmental risk assessment of chemicals, highlighting critical data gaps and making key recommendations for future research within a regulatory context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Jeremias
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.,CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fernando J M Gonçalves
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.,CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana L Pereira
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.,CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Jana Asselman
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Environmental Toxicology Unit - GhEnToxLab, Ghent University, 9000, Gent, Belgium
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Lecompte V, Robins S, King L, Solomonova E, Khan N, Moss E, Nagy C, Feeley N, Gold I, Hayton B, Turecki G, Zelkowitz P. Examining the role of mother-child interactions and DNA methylation of the oxytocin receptor gene in understanding child controlling attachment behaviors. Attach Hum Dev 2020; 23:37-55. [DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2019.1708422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- V. Lecompte
- Institut Universitaire Jeunes en Difficulté, CIUSSS Centre-Sud-de-l’île-de-Montréal , Montreal, Canada
| | - S. Robins
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal, Canada
| | - L. King
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
| | - E. Solomonova
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
| | - N. Khan
- Department of Medicine, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
| | - E. Moss
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal , Montréal, Canada
| | - C. Nagy
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute , Montreal, Canada
| | - N. Feeley
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal, Canada
- Center for Nursing Research, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal, Canada
- Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
| | - I. Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
- Department of Philosophy, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
| | - B. Hayton
- Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
| | - G. Turecki
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute , Montreal, Canada
| | - P. Zelkowitz
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital , Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
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22
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Modelling resilience in adolescence and adversity: a novel framework to inform research and practice. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:316. [PMID: 31772187 PMCID: PMC6879584 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0651-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent conceptualisations of resilience have advanced the notion that it is a dynamic and multifaceted construct. However, its adaptive components, especially those forged by adversity, have not been fully realised, and its neurobiological and psychosocial underpinnings are yet to be meaningfully integrated. In part, this is because a developmental perspective is often neglected in the formulation of resilience. In this review, we consider the findings of resilience research, with a specific emphasis on the developmental period of adolescence. To bridge the gaps in our current understanding, we propose a model of resilience that is predicated on experiencing adversity. Specifically, our model provides a sophisticated insight into the components of resilience, which, together with intrinsic features, involves facilitation of, and skill acquisition via strengthening processes we term tempering and fortification. The model also points to the potential trajectories of adversity-driven resilience and forms the basis of a framework that allows for individual variance in resilience, and the identification of both neurobiological and psychosocial targets for prevention and therapeutic interventions.
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23
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Meccariello R. Introductory Chapter: Epigenetics in Summary. Epigenetics 2019. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.86541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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24
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Children's DAT1 Polymorphism Moderates the Relationship Between Parents' Psychological Profiles, Children's DAT Methylation, and Their Emotional/Behavioral Functioning in a Normative Sample. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16142567. [PMID: 31323798 PMCID: PMC6678924 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16142567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Parental psychopathological risk is considered as one of the most crucial features associated with epigenetic modifications in offspring, which in turn are thought to be related to their emotional/behavioral profiles. The dopamine active transporter (DAT) gene is suggested to play a significant role in affective/behavioral regulation. On the basis of the previous literature, we aimed at verifying whether children’s DAT1 polymorphisms moderated the relationship between parents’ psychological profiles, children’s emotional/behavioral functioning, and DAT1 methylation in a normative sample of 79 families with school-age children (Ntot = 237). Children’s biological samples were collected through buccal swabs, while Symptom Check-List-90 item Revised, Adult Self Report, and Child Behavior Check-List/6–18 was administered to assess parental and children’s psychological functioning. We found that higher maternal externalizing problems predicted the following: higher levels of children’s DAT1 methylation at M1, but only among children with 10/10 genotype; higher levels of methylation at M2 among children with 10/10 genotype; while lower levels for children with a 9-repeat allele. There was also a positive relationship between fathers’ externalizing problems and children’s externalizing problems, only for children with a 9-repeat allele. Our findings support emerging evidence of the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors in shaping children’ emotional/behavioral functioning, contributing to the knowledge of risk variables for a child’s development and psychological well-being.
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Bihaqi SW. Early life exposure to lead (Pb) and changes in DNA methylation: relevance to Alzheimer’s disease. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2019; 34:187-195. [DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2018-0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Recent advances in neuroepigenetics have revealed its essential role in governing body function and disease. Epigenetics regulates an array of mechanisms that are susceptible to undergoing alteration by intracellular or extracellular factors. DNA methylation, one of the most extensively studied epigenetic markers is involved in the regulation of gene expression and also plays a vital role in neuronal development. The epigenome is most vulnerable during early the embryonic stage and perturbation in DNA methylation during this period can result in a latent outcome which can persist during the entire lifespan. Accumulating evidence suggests that environmental insults during the developmental phase can impart changes in the DNA methylation landscape. Based on reports on human subjects and animal models this review will explore the evidence on how developmental exposure of the known environmental pollutant, lead (Pb), can induce changes in the DNA methylation of genes which later can induce development of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Waseem Bihaqi
- George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience , University of Rhode Island , Avedisian Hall, Lab: 390, 7 Greenhouse Road , Kingston, RI 02881 , USA
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Basso O, Weinberg CR, D'Aloisio AA, Sandler DP. Maternal age at birth and daughters' subsequent childlessness. Hum Reprod 2019; 33:311-319. [PMID: 29211842 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dex350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does maternal age at a daughter's birth predict her subsequent probability of lifelong childlessness? SUMMARY ANSWER In this study population, women born to older mothers were more likely to be childless. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Although maternal age at childbearing is increasing in many countries, there is limited evidence on whether being born to older parents may influence offspring fertility. STUDY DESIGN SIZE AND DURATION This analysis included 43 135 women from the US-based Sister Study, a cohort study of 50 884 sisters of women with breast cancer recruited between 2003 and 2009. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Participants had no breast cancer at baseline. Women were included in the analytic sample if they were born between 1930 and 1964 and were at least 44 years old at enrolment. Median age when reproductive history was last ascertained was 63.8 years. We estimated relative risks (RR) and 95% CI of lifelong childlessness as a function of maternal age at birth, using multivariable log-binomial models, including total number of siblings, birth order, socioeconomic indicators of the family of origin, race and birth cohort. We examined the association in different subgroups and in a sibling-matched analysis including 802 sister pairs discordant for childlessness. MAIN RESULTS AND ROLE OF CHANCE Compared with women born to 20-24-year-old mothers, those born to mothers aged 25-29, 30-34 and ≥35 years were more likely to be childless [RR (95% CI): 1.21 (1.14-1.29), 1.30 (1.22-1.39) and 1.40 (1.31-1.50), respectively]. The association was consistent in strata defined by birth cohort, number of siblings, birth order, and participant's educational level, as well as within sister pairs. Overall, we found weak evidence for an independent contribution of paternal age at birth to the daughter's probability of childlessness. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION All participants had at least one sister, and all information was self-reported. We had no knowledge of whether childlessness was intentional and found only a modest association between maternal age at birth and self-reported indicators of infertility. Still, the association with childlessness was highly consistent. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDING Given the widespread tendency to delay childbearing, evaluating the influence of maternal age at birth on offspring fertility is a public health priority. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This research was supported in part by the Intramural Research Programme of the NIH, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Z01-ES044005). The authors report no conflict of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Basso
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada H4A 3J1.,Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Canada H3A 1A2
| | - C R Weinberg
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park 27709, USA
| | - A A D'Aloisio
- Social & Scientific Systems Inc., Durham, NC 27703, USA
| | - D P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park 27709, USA
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Blood‒Brain Barrier Pathology and CNS Outcomes in Streptococcus pneumoniae Meningitis. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19113555. [PMID: 30423890 PMCID: PMC6275034 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major meningitis-causing pathogen globally, bringing about significant morbidity and mortality, as well as long-term neurological sequelae in almost half of the survivors. Subsequent to nasopharyngeal colonisation and systemic invasion, translocation across the blood‒brain barrier (BBB) by S. pneumoniae is a crucial early step in the pathogenesis of meningitis. The BBB, which normally protects the central nervous system (CNS) from deleterious molecules within the circulation, becomes dysfunctional in S. pneumoniae invasion due to the effects of pneumococcal toxins and a heightened host inflammatory environment of cytokines, chemokines and reactive oxygen species intracranially. The bacteria‒host interplay within the CNS likely determines not only the degree of BBB pathological changes, but also host survival and the extent of neurological damage. This review explores the relationship between S. pneumoniae bacteria and the host inflammatory response, with an emphasis on the BBB and its roles in CNS protection, as well as both the acute and long-term pathogenesis of meningitis.
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Jonsson B, Jonsson N. Egg incubation temperature affects the timing of the Atlantic salmon Salmo salar homing migration. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2018; 93:1016-1020. [PMID: 30259996 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Here, we show that adult Atlantic salmon Salmo salar returned about 2 weeks later from the feeding areas in the North Atlantic Ocean to the Norwegian coast, through a phenotypically plastic mechanism, when they developed as embryos in c. 3°C warmer water than the regular incubation temperature. This finding has relevance to changes in migration timing caused by climate change and for cultivation and release of S. salar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bror Jonsson
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Landscape Ecology Department, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nina Jonsson
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Landscape Ecology Department, Oslo, Norway
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29
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Barker ED, Walton E, Cecil CA, Rowe R, Jaffee SR, Maughan B, O'Connor TG, Stringaris A, Meehan AJ, McArdle W, Relton CL, Gaunt TR. A Methylome-Wide Association Study of Trajectories of Oppositional Defiant Behaviors and Biological Overlap With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Child Dev 2018; 89:1839-1855. [PMID: 28929496 PMCID: PMC6207925 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.12957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In 671 mother-child (49% male) pairs from an epidemiological birth cohort, we investigated (a) prospective associations between DNA methylation (at birth) and trajectories (ages 7-13) of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and the ODD subdimensions of irritable and headstrong; (b) common biological pathways, indexed by DNA methylation, between ODD trajectories and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); (c) genetic influence on DNA methylation; and (d) prenatal risk exposure associations. Methylome-wide significant associations were identified for the ODD and headstrong, but not for irritable. Overlap analysis indicated biological correlates between ODD, headstrong, and ADHD. DNA methylation in ODD and headstrong was (to a degree) genetically influenced. DNA methylation associated with prenatal risk exposures of maternal anxiety (headstrong) and cigarette smoking (ODD and headstrong).
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30
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Köhler JC, Gröger N, Lesse A, Guara Ciurana S, Rether K, Fegert J, Bock J, Braun K. Early-Life Adversity Induces Epigenetically Regulated Changes in Hippocampal Dopaminergic Molecular Pathways. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:3616-3625. [PMID: 30173406 PMCID: PMC6476847 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1199-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Early-life adversity (ELA) represents a major risk factor for the development of behavioral dysfunctions and mental disorders later in life. On the other hand, dependent on type, time point, and duration, ELA exposure can also induce adaptations, which result in better stress coping and resilience later in life. Guided by the hypothesis that chronic exposure to ELA results in dysfunctional brain and behavior, whereas short exposure to ELA may result in resilience, the behavioral and neurobiological consequences of long-term separation stress (LTSS) and short-term separation stress (STSS) were compared in a mouse model for ELA. In line with our hypothesis, we found that LTSS induced depressive-like behavior, whereas STSS reduced depressive-like behavioral symptoms. We then tested the hypothesis that the opposite behavioral outcomes of the two stress paradigms may be mediated by functional, epigenetically regulated changes of dopaminergic modulation in the hippocampal formation. We found that STSS exposure elevated dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1) gene expression and decreased gene expression of its downstream modulator DARPP-32 (32-kDa dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein), which was paralleled by decreased H3 acetylation at its gene promoter region. In contrast, LTSS elevated DARPP-32 gene expression, which was not paralleled by changes in histone acetylation and DRD1 gene expression. These findings indicate that short- and long-term neonatal exposure to ELA induces changes in dopaminergic molecular pathways, some of which are epigenetically regulated and which either alleviate or aggravate depressive-like symptoms later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana C Köhler
- Department of Zoology/Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Straße 44, Bldg. 91, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.,PG "Epigenetics and Structural Plasticity", Institute of Biology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - N Gröger
- Department of Zoology/Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Straße 44, Bldg. 91, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - A Lesse
- Department of Zoology/Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Straße 44, Bldg. 91, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - S Guara Ciurana
- Department of Zoology/Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Straße 44, Bldg. 91, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - K Rether
- Department of Zoology/Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Straße 44, Bldg. 91, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - J Fegert
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie/Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - J Bock
- PG "Epigenetics and Structural Plasticity", Institute of Biology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Braun
- Department of Zoology/Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Straße 44, Bldg. 91, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany. .,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany.
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31
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Palumbo S, Mariotti V, Iofrida C, Pellegrini S. Genes and Aggressive Behavior: Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Individual Susceptibility to Aversive Environments. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:117. [PMID: 29950977 PMCID: PMC6008527 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last two decades, the study of the relationship between nature and nurture in shaping human behavior has encountered a renewed interest. Behavioral genetics showed that distinct polymorphisms of genes that code for proteins that control neurotransmitter metabolic and synaptic function are associated with individual vulnerability to aversive experiences, such as stressful and traumatic life events, and may result in an increased risk of developing psychopathologies associated with violence. On the other hand, recent studies indicate that experiencing aversive events modulates gene expression by introducing stable changes to DNA without modifying its sequence, a mechanism known as “epigenetics”. For example, experiencing adversities during periods of maximal sensitivity to the environment, such as prenatal life, infancy and early adolescence, may introduce lasting epigenetic marks in genes that affect maturational processes in brain, thus favoring the emergence of dysfunctional behaviors, including exaggerate aggression in adulthood. The present review discusses data from recent research, both in humans and animals, concerning the epigenetic regulation of four genes belonging to the neuroendocrine, serotonergic and oxytocinergic pathways—Nuclear receptor subfamily 3-group C-member 1 (NR3C1), oxytocin receptor (OXTR), solute carrier-family 6 member 4 (SLC6A4) and monoamine oxidase A (MAOA)—and their role in modulating vulnerability to proactive and reactive aggressive behavior. Behavioral genetics and epigenetics are shedding a new light on the fine interaction between genes and environment, by providing a novel tool to understand the molecular events that underlie aggression. Overall, the findings from these studies carry important implications not only for neuroscience, but also for social sciences, including ethics, philosophy and law.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Palumbo
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Veronica Mariotti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Pellegrini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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32
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Vogt G. Investigating the genetic and epigenetic basis of big biological questions with the parthenogenetic marbled crayfish: A review and perspectives. J Biosci 2018; 43:189-223. [PMID: 29485126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In the last 15 years, considerable attempts have been undertaken to develop the obligately parthenogenetic marbled crayfish Procambarus virginalis as a new model in biology. Its main advantage is the production of large numbers of offspring that are genetically identical to the mother, making this crustacean particularly suitable for research in epigenetics. Now, a draft genome, transcriptome and genome-wide methylome are available opening new windows for research. In this article, I summarize the biological advantages and genomic and epigenetic features of marbled crayfish and, based on first promising data, discuss what this new model could contribute to answering of ''big'' biological questions. Genome mining is expected to reveal new insights into the genetic specificities of decapod crustaceans, the genetic basis of arthropod reproduction, moulting and immunity, and more general topics such as the genetic underpinning of adaptation to fresh water, omnivory, biomineralization, sexual system change, behavioural variation, clonal genome evolution, and resistance to cancer. Epigenetic investigations with the marbled crayfish can help clarifying the role of epigenetic mechanisms in gene regulation, tissue specification, adult stem cell regulation, cell ageing, organ regeneration and disease susceptibility. Marbled crayfish is further suitable to elucidate the relationship between genetic and epigenetic variation, the transgenerational inheritance of epigenetic signatures and the contribution of epigenetic phenotype variation to the establishment of social hierarchies, environmental adaptation and speciation. These issues can be tackled by experiments with highly standardized laboratory lineages, comparison of differently adapted wild populations and the generation of genetically and epigenetically edited strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunter Vogt
- Faculty of Biosciences, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 234, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany,
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33
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Vogt G. Investigating the genetic and epigenetic basis of big biological questions with the parthenogenetic marbled crayfish: A review and perspectives. J Biosci 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12038-018-9741-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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34
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Boschen KE, Keller SM, Roth TL, Klintsova AY. Epigenetic mechanisms in alcohol- and adversity-induced developmental origins of neurobehavioral functioning. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2018; 66:63-79. [PMID: 29305195 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2017.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The long-term effects of developmental alcohol and stress exposure are well documented in both humans and non-human animal models. Damage to the brain and attendant life-long impairments in cognition and increased risk for psychiatric disorders are debilitating consequences of developmental exposure to alcohol and/or psychological stress. Here we discuss evidence for a role of epigenetic mechanisms in mediating these consequences. While we highlight some of the common ways in which stress or alcohol impact the epigenome, we point out that little is understood of the epigenome's response to experiencing both stress and alcohol exposure, though stress is a contributing factor as to why women drink during pregnancy. Advancing our understanding of this relationship is of critical concern not just for the health and well-being of individuals directly exposed to these teratogens, but for generations to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Boschen
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - S M Keller
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States
| | - T L Roth
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States.
| | - A Y Klintsova
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States.
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35
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Cicchetti D, Handley ED. Methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene, nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group C, member 1 (NR3C1), in maltreated and nonmaltreated children: Associations with behavioral undercontrol, emotional lability/negativity, and externalizing and internalizing symptoms. Dev Psychopathol 2017; 29:1795-1806. [PMID: 29162187 PMCID: PMC5718163 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579417001407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The present study examined the effect of various dimensions of child maltreatment (i.e., developmental timing of maltreatment, number of maltreatment subtypes, and chronicity of maltreatment) on methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene, nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group C, member 1 (NR3C1), and investigated the associations between NR3C1 methylation and child outcomes. Participants included 534 children who attended a research summer camp program for school-aged maltreated (53.4%) and nonmaltreated (46.6%) children from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Results show that children with early onset maltreatment evidence significant hypermethylation compared to nonmaltreated children. Moreover, more maltreatment subtypes experienced and more chronic maltreatment are both related to greater NR3C1 hypermethylation. Findings also indicate that hypermethylation of NR3C1 is linked with a number of negative child outcomes including greater emotional lability-negativity, higher levels of ego undercontrol, more externalizing behavior, and greater depressive symptoms. Together, results highlight the role of methylation of NR3C1 in the effects of child maltreatment on the development of emotion dysregulation and psychopathology.
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36
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Marco EM, Peñasco S, Hernández MD, Gil A, Borcel E, Moya M, Giné E, López-Moreno JA, Guerri C, López-Gallardo M, Rodríguez de Fonseca F. Long-Term Effects of Intermittent Adolescent Alcohol Exposure in Male and Female Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:233. [PMID: 29234279 PMCID: PMC5712378 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol is a serious public health concern that has a differential impact on individuals depending upon age and sex. Patterns of alcohol consumption have recently changed: heavy episodic drinking—known as binge-drinking—has become most popular among the youth. Herein, we aimed to investigate the consequences of intermittent adolescent alcohol consumption in male and female animals. Thus, Wistar rats were given free access to ethanol (20% in drinking water) or tap water for 2-h sessions during 3 days, and for an additional 4-h session on the 4th day; every week during adolescence, from postnatal day (pnd) 28–52. During this period, animals consumed a moderate amount of alcohol despite blood ethanol concentration (BEC) did not achieve binge-drinking levels. No withdrawal signs were observed: no changes were observed regarding anxiety-like responses in the elevated plus-maze or plasma corticosterone levels (pnd 53–54). In the novel object recognition (NOR) test (pnd 63), a significant deficit in recognition memory was observed in both male and female rats. Western Blot analyses resulted in an increase in the expression of synaptophysin in the frontal cortex (FC) of male and female animals, together with a decrease in the expression of the CB2R in the same brain region. In addition, adolescent alcohol induced, exclusively among females, a decrease in several markers of dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission, in which epigenetic mechanisms, i.e., histone acetylation, might be involved. Taken together, further research is still needed to specifically correlate sex-specific brain and behavioral consequences of adolescent alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M Marco
- Departamento de Fisiología (Fisiología Animal II), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Peñasco
- Departamento de Fisiología (Fisiología Animal II), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Donina Hernández
- Departamento de Fisiología (Fisiología Animal II), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anabel Gil
- Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Erika Borcel
- Departamento de Fisiología (Fisiología Animal II), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Moya
- Departamento de Fisiología (Fisiología Animal II), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Giné
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca
- Unidad Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga-Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
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37
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Provenzi L, Guida E, Montirosso R. Preterm behavioral epigenetics: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 84:262-271. [PMID: 28867654 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral epigenetics is revealing new pathways that lead individuals from early adversity exposures to later-in-life detrimental outcomes. Preterm birth constitutes one of the major adverse events in human development. Preterm infants are hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where they are exposed to life-saving yet pain-inducing procedures and to protective care. The application of behavioral epigenetics to the field of preterm studies (i.e., Preterm Behavioral Epigenetics, PBE) is rapidly growing and holds promises to provide valid insights for research and clinical activity. Here, the evidence of the epigenetic correlates of prenatal adversities, NICU-related environment and development of preterm infants is systematically reviewed. The findings suggest that a number of prenatal adverse (e.g., maternal depression and stress) and post-natal (e.g., NICU-related pain-related stress) events affect the developmental trajectories of preterm infants and children via epigenetic alterations of imprinted and stress-related genes. Nonetheless, the potential epigenetic vestiges of early care and protective interventions in NICU have not been investigated yet and this represents a fascinating challenge for future PBE research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livio Provenzi
- 0-3 Centre for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, LC, Italy.
| | - Elena Guida
- 0-3 Centre for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, LC, Italy
| | - Rosario Montirosso
- 0-3 Centre for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, LC, Italy
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39
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Löscher W, Ferland RJ, Ferraro TN. The relevance of inter- and intrastrain differences in mice and rats and their implications for models of seizures and epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2017; 73. [PMID: 28651171 PMCID: PMC5909069 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2017.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
It is becoming increasingly clear that the genetic background of mice and rats, even in inbred strains, can have a profound influence on measures of seizure susceptibility and epilepsy. These differences can be capitalized upon through genetic mapping studies to reveal genes important for seizures and epilepsy. However, strain background and particularly mixed genetic backgrounds of transgenic animals need careful consideration in both the selection of strains and in the interpretation of results and conclusions. For instance, mice with targeted deletions of genes involved in epilepsy can have profoundly disparate phenotypes depending on the background strain. In this review, we discuss findings related to how this genetic heterogeneity has and can be utilized in the epilepsy field to reveal novel insights into seizures and epilepsy. Moreover, we discuss how caution is needed in regards to rodent strain or even animal vendor choice, and how this can significantly influence seizure and epilepsy parameters in unexpected ways. This is particularly critical in decisions regarding the strain of choice used in generating mice with targeted deletions of genes. Finally, we discuss the role of environment (at vendor and/or laboratory) and epigenetic factors for inter- and intrastrain differences and how such differences can affect the expression of seizures and the animals' performance in behavioral tests that often accompany acute and chronic seizure testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Russell J Ferland
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, United States; Department of Neurology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Thomas N Ferraro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, United States
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40
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Cimino S, Cerniglia L, Ballarotto G, Marzilli E, Pascale E, D'Addario C, Adriani W, Tambelli R. DNA Methylation at the DAT Promoter and Risk for Psychopathology: Intergenerational Transmission between School-Age Youths and Their Parents in a Community Sample. Front Psychiatry 2017; 8:303. [PMID: 29375406 PMCID: PMC5767582 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effect of gene polymorphisms and promoter methylation, associated with maladaptive developmental outcomes, vary depending on environmental factors (e.g., parental psychopathology). Most studies have focused on 0- to 5-year-old children, adolescents, or adults, whereas there is dearth of research on school-age youths and pre-adolescents. METHODS In a sample of 21 families recruited at schools, we addressed parents' psychopathological symptoms (through SCL-90-R); offspring emotional-behavioral functioning (through CBCL-6-18); dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) for epigenetic status of the 5'-untranslated region (UTR) and for genotype, i.e., variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism at the 3'-UTR. Possible associations were explored between bio-genetic and psychological characteristics within the same individual and between triplets of children, mothers, and fathers. RESULTS DAT methylation of CpG at positions M1, M6, and M7 in mothers was correlated with maternal (phobic) anxiety, whereas in fathers' position M6 was related to paternal depression, anxiety, hostility, psychoticism, and higher Global Severity Index (GSI). No significant correlations were found between maternal and offspring DAT methylation. Significant correlations were found between fathers' methylation at CpG M1 and children's methylation at CpG M6. Linear regressions showed that mothers and fathers' GSI predicted children's methylation at CpG sites M2, M3, and M6, whereas fathers' GSI predicted children's methylation at CpG sites, particularly M1, M2, and M6. Moreover, offspring methylation of DAT at CpG M2 predicted somatic complaint, internalizing and attention problems; methylation of DAT at CpG M6 predicted withdraw. CONCLUSION This study may have important clinical implication for the prevention and treatment of emotional-behavioral difficulties in children, as it adds to previous knowledge about the role of genetic and environmental factors in predicting psychopathological symptoms within non-clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Cimino
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Cerniglia
- Faculty of Psychology, International Telematic University Uninettuno, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Ballarotto
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Marzilli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Esterina Pascale
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio D'Addario
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Walter Adriani
- Faculty of Psychology, International Telematic University Uninettuno, Rome, Italy.,Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Renata Tambelli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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41
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Allen AP, Kennedy PJ, Dockray S, Cryan JF, Dinan TG, Clarke G. The Trier Social Stress Test: Principles and practice. Neurobiol Stress 2016; 6:113-126. [PMID: 28229114 PMCID: PMC5314443 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Researchers interested in the neurobiology of the acute stress response in humans require a valid and reliable acute stressor that can be used under experimental conditions. The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) provides such a testing platform. It induces stress by requiring participants to make an interview-style presentation, followed by a surprise mental arithmetic test, in front of an interview panel who do not provide feedback or encouragement. In this review, we outline the methodology of the TSST, and discuss key findings under conditions of health and stress-related disorder. The TSST has unveiled differences in males and females, as well as different age groups, in their neurobiological response to acute stress. The TSST has also deepened our understanding of how genotype may moderate the cognitive neurobiology of acute stress, and exciting new inroads have been made in understanding epigenetic contributions to the biological regulation of the acute stress response using the TSST. A number of innovative adaptations have been developed which allow for the TSST to be used in group settings, with children, in combination with brain imaging, and with virtual committees. Future applications may incorporate the emerging links between the gut microbiome and the stress response. Future research should also maximise use of behavioural data generated by the TSST. Alternative acute stress paradigms may have utility over the TSST in certain situations, such as those that require repeat testing. Nonetheless, we expect that the TSST remains the gold standard for examining the cognitive neurobiology of acute stress in humans. The TSST is the human experimental gold standard for evaluating the neurobiology of acute stress. The HPA axis response to the TSST is higher in males and lower in older adults. Genotype and epigenetic factors moderate the neurobiological response to the TSST. Multiple adaptations of the TSST are available for different testing contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Allen
- APC Microbiome Institute, Biosciences Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry & Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Paul J Kennedy
- APC Microbiome Institute, Biosciences Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry & Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Samantha Dockray
- School of Applied Psychology, Enterprise Centre, University College Cork, North Mall, Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- APC Microbiome Institute, Biosciences Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Timothy G Dinan
- APC Microbiome Institute, Biosciences Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry & Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gerard Clarke
- APC Microbiome Institute, Biosciences Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry & Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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42
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Cicchetti D, Hetzel S, Rogosch FA, Handley ED, Toth SL. An investigation of child maltreatment and epigenetic mechanisms of mental and physical health risk. Dev Psychopathol 2016; 28:1305-1317. [PMID: 27691979 PMCID: PMC5087600 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579416000869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In the present investigation, differential methylation analyses of the whole genome were conducted among a sample of 548 school-aged low-income children (47.8% female, 67.7% Black, M age = 9.40 years), 54.4% of whom had a history of child maltreatment. In the context of a summer research camp, DNA samples via saliva were obtained. Using GenomeStudio, Methylation Module, and the Illumina Custom Model, differential methylation analyses revealed a pattern of greater methylation at low methylation sites (n = 197 sites) and medium methylation sites (n = 730 sites) and less methylation at high methylation sites (n = 907 sites) among maltreated children. The mean difference in methylation between the maltreated and nonmaltreated children was 6.2%. The relative risk of maltreatment with known disease biomarkers was also investigated using GenoGo MetaCore Software. A large number of network objects previously associated with mental health, cancer, cardiovascular systems, and immune functioning were identified evidencing differential methylation among maltreated and nonmaltreated children. Site-specific analyses were also conducted for aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing 1 (ANKK1), and nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group C, member 1 (NR3C1) genes, and the results highlight the importance of considering gender and the developmental timing of maltreatment. For ALDH2, the results indicated that maltreated girls evidenced significantly lower methylation compared to nonmaltreated girls, and maltreated boys evidenced significantly higher methylation compared to nonmaltreated boys. Moreover, early onset-not recently maltreated boys evidenced significantly higher methylation at ALDH2 compared to nonmaltreated boys. Similarly, children with early onset-nonrecent maltreatment evidenced significantly higher methylation compared to nonmaltreated children at ANKK1. The site-specific results were not altered by controlling for genotypic variation of respective genes. The findings demonstrate increased risk for adverse physical and mental health outcomes associated with differences in methylation in maltreated children and indicate differences among maltreated children related to developmental timing of maltreatment and gender in genes involved in mental health functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dante Cicchetti
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota
- Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester
| | - Susan Hetzel
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota
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43
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Bolondi A, Caldarelli F, Di Felice F, Durano D, Germani G, Michetti L, Tramutolo A, Micheli G, Camilloni G. What is a Gene? A Two Sided View. Evol Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s11692-016-9392-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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44
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Li Y, Ma Q, Dasgupta C, Halavi S, Hartman RE, Xiao D, Zhang L. Inhibition of DNA Methylation in the Developing Rat Brain Disrupts Sexually Dimorphic Neurobehavioral Phenotypes in Adulthood. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:3988-3999. [PMID: 27311770 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-9957-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates a critical implication of DNA methylation in the brain development. We aim to determine whether the disruption of DNA methylation patterns in the developing brain adversely affects neurobehavioral phenotypes later in life in a sex-dependent manner. 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza), a DNA methylation inhibitor, was administered in newborn rats from postnatal day 1 to 3. Neurobehavioral outcomes were analyzed at 3 months of age. 5-Aza treatment significantly inhibited DNA methyltransferase activity and decreased global DNA methylation levels in neonatal rat brains, resulting in asymmetric growth restriction with the increased brain to body weight ratio in both male and female rats at 14 days and 3 months of age. Compared with the saline control, 5-Aza treatment significantly improved performance of male rats on the rotarod test, and 5-Aza-treated female rats demonstrated less anxiety, less depression-like behaviors, and enhanced spatial learning performance. Of importance, neonatal 5-Aza treatment eliminated the sexually dimorphic differences in several neurobehavioral tests in adult rats. In addition, 5-Aza treatment decreased promoter methylation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene and significantly increased BDNF mRNA and protein abundance in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of female rats in a sex-dependent manner. Thus, brain DNA methylation appears to be essential for sexual differentiations of the brain and neurobehavioral functions. Inhibition of DNA methylation in the developing brain of early life induces aberrant neurobehavioral profiles and disrupts sexually dimorphic neurobehavioral phenotypes in adulthood, of which altered BDNF signaling pathway may be an important mediator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Li
- Center for Perinatal Biology, Division of Pharmacology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | - Qingyi Ma
- Center for Perinatal Biology, Division of Pharmacology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | - Chiranjib Dasgupta
- Center for Perinatal Biology, Division of Pharmacology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | - Shina Halavi
- Department of Psychology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA
| | - Richard E Hartman
- Department of Psychology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 92354, USA
| | - Daliao Xiao
- Center for Perinatal Biology, Division of Pharmacology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | - Lubo Zhang
- Center for Perinatal Biology, Division of Pharmacology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA.
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45
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Dnmt3a in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Regulates Anxiety-Like Behavior in Adult Mice. J Neurosci 2016; 36:730-40. [PMID: 26791204 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0971-15.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, it has been suggested that alterations in DNA methylation mediate the molecular changes and psychopathologies that can occur following trauma. Despite the abundance of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts) in the brain, which are responsible for catalyzing DNA methylation, their roles in behavioral regulation and in response to stressful challenges remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that adult mice which underwent chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) displayed elevated anxiety-like behavior that was accompanied by a reduction in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)-DNA methyltransferase 3a (Dnmt3a) mRNA levels and a subsequent decrease in mPFC-global DNA methylation. To explore the role of mPFC-Dnmt3a in mediating the behavioral responses to stressful challenges we established lentiviral-based mouse models that express lower (knockdown) or higher (overexpression) levels of Dnmt3a specifically within the mPFC. Nonstressed mice injected with knockdown Dnmt3a lentiviruses specifically into the mPFC displayed the same anxiogenic phenotype as the CSDS mice, whereas overexpression of Dnmt3a induced an opposite, anxiolytic, effect in wild-type mice. In addition, overexpression of Dnmt3a in the mPFC of CSDS mice attenuated stress-induced anxiety. Our results indicate a central role for mPFC-Dnmt3a as a mediator of stress-induced anxiety. Significance statement: DNA methylation is suggested to mediate the molecular mechanisms linking environmental challenges, such as chronic stress or trauma, to increased susceptibility to psychopathologies. Here, we show that chronic stress-induced increase in anxiety-like behavior is accompanied by a reduction in DNA methyltransferase 3a (Dnmt3a) mRNA levels and global DNA methylation in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Overexpression or knockdown of mPFC-Dnmt3a levels induces decrease or increase in anxiety-like behavior, respectively. In addition, overexpression of Dnmt3a in the mPFC of chronic stressed mice attenuated stress-induced anxiety. We suggest that mPFC-Dnmt3a levels mediates anxiety-like behavior, which may be a primary molecular link between chronic stress and the development of anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
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46
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Developmental psychopathology in an era of molecular genetics and neuroimaging: A developmental neurogenetics approach. Dev Psychopathol 2016; 27:587-613. [PMID: 25997774 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579415000188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The emerging field of neurogenetics seeks to model the complex pathways from gene to brain to behavior. This field has focused on imaging genetics techniques that examine how variability in common genetic polymorphisms predict differences in brain structure and function. These studies are informed by other complimentary techniques (e.g., animal models and multimodal imaging) and have recently begun to incorporate the environment through examination of Imaging Gene × Environment interactions. Though neurogenetics has the potential to inform our understanding of the development of psychopathology, there has been little integration between principles of neurogenetics and developmental psychopathology. The paper describes a neurogenetics and Imaging Gene × Environment approach and how these approaches have been usefully applied to the study of psychopathology. Six tenets of developmental psychopathology (the structure of phenotypes, the importance of exploring mechanisms, the conditional nature of risk, the complexity of multilevel pathways, the role of development, and the importance of who is studied) are identified, and how these principles can further neurogenetics applications to understanding the development of psychopathology is discussed. A major issue of this piece is how neurogenetics and current imaging and molecular genetics approaches can be incorporated into developmental psychopathology perspectives with a goal of providing models for better understanding pathways from among genes, environments, the brain, and behavior.
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47
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Mahurkar S, Polytarchou C, Iliopoulos D, Pothoulakis C, Mayer EA, Chang L. Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in irritable bowel syndrome. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2016; 28:410-22. [PMID: 26670691 PMCID: PMC4760882 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a stress-sensitive disorder. Environmental factors including stress can trigger epigenetic changes, which have not been well-studied in IBS. We performed a pilot study investigating genome-wide DNA methylation of IBS patients and healthy controls (HCs) to identify potential epigenetic markers and associated pathways. Additionally, we investigated relationships of epigenetic changes in selected genes with clinical traits. METHODS Twenty-seven IBS patients (59% women; 10 IBS-diarrhea, 8 IBS-constipation, 9 IBS-mixed) and 23 age- and sex-matched HCs were examined. DNA methylation from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was measured using HM450 BeadChip, and representative methylation differences were confirmed by bisulphite sequencing. Gene expression was measured using quantitative PCR. Gastrointestinal (GI) and non-GI symptoms were measured using validated questionnaires. Associations were tested using non-parametric methods. KEY RESULTS Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of IBS patients compared with HCs identified 133 differentially methylated positions (DMPs) (mean difference ≥10%; p < 0.05). These genes were associated with gene ontology terms including glutathione metabolism related to oxidative stress and neuropeptide hormone activity. Validation by sequencing confirmed differential methylation of subcommissural organ (SCO)-Spondin (SSPO), glutathione-S-transferases mu 5 (GSTM5), and tubulin polymerization promoting protein genes. Methylation of two promoter CpGs in GSTM5 was associated with epigenetic silencing. Epigenetic changes in SSPO gene were positively correlated with hospital anxiety and depression scores in IBS patients (r > 0.4 and false discovery rate <0.05). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES This study is the first to comprehensively explore the methylome of IBS patients. We identified DMPs in novel candidate genes which could provide new insights into disease mechanisms; however, these preliminary findings warrant confirmation in larger, independent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swapna Mahurkar
- Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress at UCLA; Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
| | - Christos Polytarchou
- Center for Systems Biomedicine, Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
| | - Dimitrios Iliopoulos
- Center for Systems Biomedicine, Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
| | - Charalabos Pothoulakis
- Department of Medicine, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
| | - Emeran A. Mayer
- Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress at UCLA; Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
| | - Lin Chang
- Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress at UCLA; Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
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48
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Matas E, Bock J, Braun K. The Impact of Parent-Infant Interaction on Epigenetic Plasticity Mediating Synaptic Adaptations in the Infant Brain. Psychopathology 2016; 49:201-210. [PMID: 27668788 DOI: 10.1159/000448055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 06/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The development of the brain depends on an individual's nature (genes) and nurture (environments). This interaction between genetic predispositions and environmental events during brain development drives the maturation of functional brain circuits such as sensory, motor, emotional, and complex cognitive pathways. Adverse environmental conditions such as early life stress can interfere with the functional development of emotional and cognitive brain systems and thereby increase the risk of developing psychiatric disorders later in life. In order to develop more efficient and individualized protective and therapeutic interventions, it is essential to understand how environmental stressors during infancy affect cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in brain maturation. Animal models of early life stress have been able to reveal brain structural and metabolic changes in prefrontolimbic circuits, which are time, brain region, neuron, and sex specific. By focusing on animal models of separation stress during infancy, this review highlights epigenetic and cytoarchitectural modifications which are assumed to mediate lasting changes of brain function and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Matas
- Department of Zoology/Developmental Neurobiology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
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49
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Weeland J, Overbeek G, de Castro BO, Matthys W. Underlying Mechanisms of Gene-Environment Interactions in Externalizing Behavior: A Systematic Review and Search for Theoretical Mechanisms. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2015; 18:413-42. [PMID: 26537239 PMCID: PMC4637001 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-015-0196-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade, several candidate genes (i.e., MAOA, DRD4, DRD2, DAT1, 5-HTTLPR, and COMT) have been extensively studied as potential moderators of the detrimental effects of postnatal family adversity on child externalizing behaviors, such as aggression and conduct disorder. Many studies on such candidate gene by environment interactions (i.e., cG × E) have been published, and the first part of this paper offers a systematic review and integration of their findings (n = 53). The overview shows a set of heterogeneous findings. However, because of large differences between studies in terms of sample composition, conceptualizations, and power, it is difficult to determine if different findings indeed illustrate inconsistent cG × E findings or if findings are simply incomparable. In the second part of the paper, therefore, we argue that one way to help resolve this problem is the development of theory-driven a priori hypotheses on which biopsychosocial mechanisms might underlie cG × E. Such a theoretically based approach can help us specify our research strategies, create more comparable findings, and help us interpret different findings between studies. In accordance, we describe three possible explanatory mechanisms, based on extant literature on the concepts of (1) emotional reactivity, (2) reward sensitivity, and (3) punishment sensitivity. For each mechanism, we discuss the link between the putative mechanism and externalizing behaviors, the genetic polymorphism, and family adversity. Possible research strategies to test these mechanisms, and implications for interventions, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce Weeland
- Utrecht Centre for Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, PO Box 15.804, 1001 NH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Geertjan Overbeek
- Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bram Orobio de Castro
- Utrecht Centre for Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, PO Box 15.804, 1001 NH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Walter Matthys
- Department of Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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50
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Lazzaretti C, Kincheski GC, Pandolfo P, Krolow R, Toniazzo AP, Arcego DM, Couto-Pereira NDS, Zeidán-Chuliá F, Galvalisi M, Costa G, Scorza C, Souza TME, Dalmaz C. Neonatal handling causes impulsive behavior and decreased pharmacological response to methylphenidate in male adult wistar rats. J Integr Neurosci 2015; 15:81-95. [PMID: 26620193 DOI: 10.1142/s0219635216500047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonatal handling has an impact on adult behavior of experimental animals and is associated with rapid and increased palatable food ingestion, impaired behavioral flexibility, and fearless behavior to novel environments. These symptoms are characteristic features of impulsive trait, being controlled by the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Impulsive behavior is a key component of many psychiatric disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), manic behavior, and schizophrenia. Others have reported a methylphenidate (MPH)-induced enhancement of mPFC functioning and improvements in behavioral core symptoms of ADHD patients. The aims of the present study were: (i) to find in vivo evidence for an association between neonatal handling and the development of impulsive behavior in adult Wistar rats and (ii) to test whether neonatal handling could have an impact on monoamine levels in the mPFC and the pharmacological response to MPH in vivo. Therefore, experimental animals (litters) were classified as: "non-handled" and "handled" (10[Formula: see text]min/day, postnatal days 1-10). After puberty, they were exposed to either a larger and delayed or smaller and immediate reward (tolerance to delay of reward task). Acute MPH (3[Formula: see text]mg/Kg. i.p.) was used to suppress and/or regulate impulsive behavior. Our results show that only neonatally handled male adult Wistar rats exhibit impulsive behavior with no significant differences in monoamine levels in the medial prefrontal cortex, together with a decreased response to MPH. On this basis, we postulate that early life interventions may have long-term effects on inhibitory control mechanisms and affect the later response to pharmacological agents during adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Lazzaretti
- * Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Pablo Pandolfo
- ‡ Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rachel Krolow
- § Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,¶ Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Comportamento, Universidade Católica de Pelotas (UCPel), Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Toniazzo
- § Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Danusa Mar Arcego
- § Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Natividade de Sá Couto-Pereira
- § Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Fares Zeidán-Chuliá
- § Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Martin Galvalisi
- ∥ Departamento de Neurofarmacología Experimental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gustavo Costa
- ** Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Cecilia Scorza
- ∥ Departamento de Neurofarmacología Experimental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Tadeu Mello E Souza
- * Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,§ Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Carla Dalmaz
- * Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,§ Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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