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Michopoulos V, Rocha M, Hinrichs R, Turkson S, Dyer S, Howell P, Heaton EC, Hart J, Powers A, Mekawi Y, Carter S, Ofotokun I, Jovanovic T, Neigh G. HIV status affects PTSD symptom severity, psychophysiology, and heart rate variability in women with low but not high exposure to childhood maltreatment. Stress 2024; 27:2303634. [PMID: 39022295 PMCID: PMC11250900 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2024.2303634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective People living with HIV (PLWH) experience high rates of childhood trauma exposure, which is a significant risk factor for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Because Black Americans living in urban environments are exposed to high levels of trauma, suffer from chronic PTSD, and are at increased risk for HIV infection, it is important to understand how HIV status interacts with childhood maltreatment to influence PTSD symptom severity and underlying psychophysiology. Methods The current cross-sectional study assessed whether HIV status interacts with childhood maltreatment to influence PTSD symptom severity and heart rate variability during a dark-enhanced startle (DES) task in 88 Black women with (n=30) and without HIV (n=58). Results HIV was associated with greater PTSD symptom severity only in women with low levels of childhood maltreatment (p=.024). Startle potentiation during DES was highest in women living without HIV and with high childhood maltreatment (p=.018). In women who had experienced low levels of childhood maltreatment, respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) was lower during the dark phase of DES in women living without HIV than women living with HIV (WLWH), (p=.046). RSA during the light phase of DES was lower in WLWH than in women living without HIV (p=.042). Conclusion In the current sample of Black women, HIV status was associated with PTSD symptom severity in a manner dependent on level of childhood maltreatment, suggesting that HIV status may be an important factor to consider for behavioral and pharmacological treatment strategies for PTSD. Additionally, HIV status is associated with lower percent potentiation to darkness and lower RSA during the light phase of DES, suggesting physiological mechanisms by which HIV may contribute to PTSD symptoms in individuals exposed to low levels of childhood maltreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Michopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Mariana Rocha
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rebecca Hinrichs
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Susie Turkson
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Samya Dyer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Paul Howell
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | | | - Jakayla Hart
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Abigail Powers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Yara Mekawi
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Sierra Carter
- Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ighovwerha Ofotokun
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
- Grady Health System, Atlanta, GA
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Gretchen Neigh
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
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2
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Rajbhandari AK, Barson JR, Gilmartin MR, Hammack SE, Chen BK. The functional heterogeneity of PACAP: Stress, learning, and pathology. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023; 203:107792. [PMID: 37369343 PMCID: PMC10527199 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) is a highly conserved and widely expressed neuropeptide that has emerged as a key regulator of multiple neural and behavioral processes. PACAP systems, including the various PACAP receptor subtypes, have been implicated in neural circuits of learning and memory, stress, emotion, feeding, and pain. Dysregulation within these PACAP systems may play key roles in the etiology of pathological states associated with these circuits, and PACAP function has been implicated in stress-related psychopathology, feeding and metabolic disorders, and migraine. Accordingly, central PACAP systems may represent important therapeutic targets; however, substantial heterogeneity in PACAP systems related to the distribution of multiple PACAP isoforms across multiple brain regions, as well as multiple receptor subtypes with several isoforms, signaling pathways, and brain distributions, provides both challenges and opportunities for the development of new clinically-relevant strategies to target the PACAP system in health and disease. Here we review the heterogeneity of central PACAP systems, as well as the data implicating PACAP systems in clinically-relevant behavioral processes, with a particular focus on the considerable evidence implicating a role of PACAP in stress responding and learning and memory. We also review data suggesting that there are sex differences in PACAP function and its interactions with sex hormones. Finally, we discuss both the challenges and promise of harnessing the PACAP system in the development of new therapeutic avenues and highlight PACAP systems for their critical role in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica R Barson
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Marieke R Gilmartin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Sayamwong E Hammack
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, 2 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Briana K Chen
- Division of Systems Neuroscience, Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. (RFMH) / New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI), New York, NY, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), New York, NY, United States.
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3
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Danzi BA, La Greca AM. Does age matter in genetics? The role of ADCYAP1R1 in sex-specific risk for posttraumatic stress disorder in trauma-exposed preadolescent children. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 164:291-295. [PMID: 37392718 PMCID: PMC10530440 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Following trauma exposure, children are a vulnerable population and at risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A large body of research has demonstrated the impactful role of genetics in vulnerability for PTSD in adult samples; yet very little research has examined genetic risk for PTSD in children. It is unknown whether genetic associations identified in adults are true for children; replication of findings from adult samples is needed in child samples. This study investigated an estrogen-responsive variant (ADCYAP1R1) that has been well-established to confer sex-specific risk for PTSD in adult samples, but is hypothesized to function differently in children, potentially due to pubertal changes in the estrogen system. Participants were children (n = 87; 57% female) ages 7 to 11 exposed to a natural disaster. Participants were assessed for trauma exposure and symptoms of PTSD. Participants provided a saliva sample, which was genotyped for the ADCYAP1R1 rs2267735 variant. In girls, the ADCYAP1R1 CC genotype was associated with PTSD (OR = 7.30). In boys, evidence for the opposite effect emerged, with the CC genotype attenuating risk for PTSD (OR = 8.25). When investigating specific PTSD symptom clusters, an association between ADCYAP1R1 and arousal emerged. This study is the first to investigate the relationship between ADCYAP1R1 and PTSD in trauma-exposed children. Findings for girls mirrored prior research on adult women, whereas findings for boys diverged from prior research on adult men. These potential differences between children and adults in genetic vulnerability for PTSD underscore the need for more genetic studies in child samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- BreAnne A Danzi
- University of South Dakota, 414 E. Clark St., Vermillion, SD, USA.
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4
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Wang X, Mei D, Lu Z, Zhang Y, Sun Y, Lu T, Yan H, Yue W. Genome-wide association study identified six loci associated with adverse drug reactions to aripiprazole in schizophrenia patients. SCHIZOPHRENIA (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 9:44. [PMID: 37491364 PMCID: PMC10368716 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-023-00369-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Aripiprazole is recommended for routine use in schizophrenia patients. However, the biological mechanism for the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among schizophrenia patients with the antipsychotic drug aripiprazole is far from clear. To explore the potential genetic factors that may cause movement-related adverse antipsychotic effects in patients, we conducted an association analysis between movement-related ADRs and SNPs in schizophrenia patients receiving aripiprazole monotherapy. In this study, multiple ADRs of 384 patients were quantified within 6-week treatment, and the scores of movement-related ADRs at baseline and follow-up time points during treatment were obtained. The highest score record was used as the quantitative index in analysis, and genetic analysis at the genome-wide level was conducted. The SNP rs4149181 in SLC22A8 [P = 2.28 × 10-8] showed genome-wide significance, and rs2284223 in ADCYAP1R1 [P = 9.76 × 10-8], rs73258503 in KCNIP4 [P = 1.39 × 10-7], rs678428 in SMAD9 [P = 4.70 × 10-7], rs6421034 in NAP1L4 [P = 6.80 × 10-7], and rs1394796 in ERBB4 [P = 8.60 × 10-7] were found to be significantly associated with movement-related ADRs. The combined prediction model of these six loci showed acceptable performance in predicting adverse events [area under the curve (AUC): 0.84]. Combined with the function and network of the above genes and other candidate loci (KCNA1, CACNG1, etc.), we hypothesize that SLC22A8 and KCNIP4-Kv channel perform their respective functions as transporter or channel and participate in the in vivo metabolism or effects of aripiprazole. The above results imply the important function of ion transporters and channels in movement-related adverse antipsychotic effects in aripiprazole monotherapy schizophrenia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueping Wang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), 100191, Beijing, China
- Research Unit of Diagnosis and Treatment of Mood Cognitive Disorder, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2018RU006), Beijing, China
| | - Dongli Mei
- School of Nursing, Peking University, 10019, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe Lu
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), 100191, Beijing, China
- Research Unit of Diagnosis and Treatment of Mood Cognitive Disorder, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2018RU006), Beijing, China
| | - Yuyanan Zhang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), 100191, Beijing, China
- Research Unit of Diagnosis and Treatment of Mood Cognitive Disorder, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2018RU006), Beijing, China
| | - Yaoyao Sun
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), 100191, Beijing, China
- Research Unit of Diagnosis and Treatment of Mood Cognitive Disorder, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2018RU006), Beijing, China
| | - Tianlan Lu
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), 100191, Beijing, China
- Research Unit of Diagnosis and Treatment of Mood Cognitive Disorder, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2018RU006), Beijing, China
| | - Hao Yan
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), 100191, Beijing, China.
- Research Unit of Diagnosis and Treatment of Mood Cognitive Disorder, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2018RU006), Beijing, China.
| | - Weihua Yue
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Beijing, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), 100191, Beijing, China.
- Research Unit of Diagnosis and Treatment of Mood Cognitive Disorder, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2018RU006), Beijing, China.
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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5
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Clancy KJ, Devignes Q, Kumar P, May V, Hammack SE, Akman E, Casteen EJ, Pernia CD, Jobson SA, Lewis MW, Daskalakis NP, Carlezon WA, Ressler KJ, Rauch SL, Rosso IM. Circulating PACAP levels are associated with increased amygdala-default mode network resting-state connectivity in posttraumatic stress disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023:10.1038/s41386-023-01593-5. [PMID: 37161077 PMCID: PMC10267202 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01593-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) system is implicated in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related amygdala-mediated arousal and threat reactivity. PTSD is characterized by increased amygdala reactivity to threat and, more recently, aberrant intrinsic connectivity of the amygdala with large-scale resting state networks, specifically the default mode network (DMN). While the influence of PACAP on amygdala reactivity has been described, its association with intrinsic amygdala connectivity remains unknown. To fill this gap, we examined functional connectivity of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in eighty-nine trauma-exposed adults (69 female) screened for PTSD symptoms to examine the association between blood-borne (circulating) PACAP levels and amygdala-DMN connectivity. Higher circulating PACAP levels were associated with increased amygdala connectivity with posterior DMN regions, including the posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus (PCC/Precun) and left angular gyrus (lANG). Consistent with prior work, this effect was seen in female, but not male, participants and the centromedial, but not basolateral, subregions of the amygdala. Clinical association analyses linked amygdala-PCC/Precun connectivity to anxious arousal symptoms, specifically exaggerated startle response. Taken together, our findings converge with previously demonstrated effects of PACAP on amygdala activity in PTSD-related processes and offer novel evidence for an association between PACAP and intrinsic amygdala connectivity patterns in PTSD. Moreover, these data provide preliminary evidence to motivate future work ascertaining the sex- and subregion-specificity of these effects. Such findings may enable novel mechanistic insights into neural circuit dysfunction in PTSD and how the PACAP system confers risk through a disruption of intrinsic resting-state network dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J Clancy
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Quentin Devignes
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Poornima Kumar
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Victor May
- Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | | | - Eylül Akman
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Emily J Casteen
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Cameron D Pernia
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sydney A Jobson
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Michael W Lewis
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nikolaos P Daskalakis
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - William A Carlezon
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Scott L Rauch
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Isabelle M Rosso
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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6
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Ressler KJ, Berretta S, Bolshakov VY, Rosso IM, Meloni EG, Rauch SL, Carlezon WA. Post-traumatic stress disorder: clinical and translational neuroscience from cells to circuits. Nat Rev Neurol 2022; 18:273-288. [PMID: 35352034 PMCID: PMC9682920 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-022-00635-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a maladaptive and debilitating psychiatric disorder, characterized by re-experiencing, avoidance, negative emotions and thoughts, and hyperarousal in the months and years following exposure to severe trauma. PTSD has a prevalence of approximately 6-8% in the general population, although this can increase to 25% among groups who have experienced severe psychological trauma, such as combat veterans, refugees and victims of assault. The risk of developing PTSD in the aftermath of severe trauma is determined by multiple factors, including genetics - at least 30-40% of the risk of PTSD is heritable - and past history, for example, prior adult and childhood trauma. Many of the primary symptoms of PTSD, including hyperarousal and sleep dysregulation, are increasingly understood through translational neuroscience. In addition, a large amount of evidence suggests that PTSD can be viewed, at least in part, as a disorder that involves dysregulation of normal fear processes. The neural circuitry underlying fear and threat-related behaviour and learning in mammals, including the amygdala-hippocampus-medial prefrontal cortex circuit, is among the most well-understood in behavioural neuroscience. Furthermore, the study of threat-responding and its underlying circuitry has led to rapid progress in understanding learning and memory processes. By combining molecular-genetic approaches with a translational, mechanistic knowledge of fear circuitry, transformational advances in the conceptual framework, diagnosis and treatment of PTSD are possible. In this Review, we describe the clinical features and current treatments for PTSD, examine the neurobiology of symptom domains, highlight genomic advances and discuss translational approaches to understanding mechanisms and identifying new treatments and interventions for this devastating syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry J Ressler
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Sabina Berretta
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vadim Y Bolshakov
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Isabelle M Rosso
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Edward G Meloni
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Scott L Rauch
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William A Carlezon
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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7
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Tomasi J, Zai CC, Zai G, Kennedy JL, Tiwari AK. Genetics of human startle reactivity: A systematic review to acquire targets for an anxiety endophenotype. World J Biol Psychiatry 2021; 22:399-427. [PMID: 33040669 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2020.1834619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Startle response is an objective physiological measure integral to the human defense system and a promising target for endophenotype investigations of anxiety. Given the alterations in startle reactivity observed among anxiety and related disorders, we searched for genetic variants associated with startle reactivity as they may be further involved in pathological anxiety risk. METHODS A systematic literature review was performed to identify genetic variants associated with startle reactivity in humans, specifically baseline and fear- or anxiety-potentiated startle. RESULTS The polymorphisms Val66Met (rs6265) from brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Val158Met (rs4680) from catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) from the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) were most commonly studied in human startle. In addition, several other genetic variants have also been identified as potential candidates that warrant further research, especially given their novelty in in the context of anxiety. CONCLUSIONS Similar to psychiatric genetic studies, the studies on startle reactivity primarily focus on candidate genes and are plagued by non-replication. Startle reactivity is a promising endophenotype that requires concerted efforts to collect uniformly assessed, large, well-powered samples and hypothesis-free genome-wide strategies. To further support startle as an endophenotype for anxiety, this review suggests advanced genetic strategies for startle research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Tomasi
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Clement C Zai
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Gwyneth Zai
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,General Adult Psychiatry and Health Systems Division, CAMH, Toronto, Canada
| | - James L Kennedy
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Arun K Tiwari
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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8
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Gilmartin MR, Ferrara NC. Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide in Learning and Memory. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:663418. [PMID: 34239418 PMCID: PMC8258392 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.663418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a highly conserved neuropeptide that regulates neuronal physiology and transcription through Gs/Gq-coupled receptors. Its actions within hypothalamic, limbic, and mnemonic systems underlie its roles in stress regulation, affective processing, neuroprotection, and cognition. Recently, elevated PACAP levels and genetic disruption of PAC1 receptor signaling in humans has been linked to maladaptive threat learning and pathological stress and fear in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PACAP is positioned to integrate stress and memory in PTSD for which memory of the traumatic experience is central to the disorder. However, PACAP's role in memory has received comparatively less attention than its role in stress. In this review, we consider the evidence for PACAP-PAC1 receptor signaling in learning and plasticity, discuss emerging data on sex differences in PACAP signaling, and raise key questions for further study toward elucidating the contribution of PACAP to adaptive and maladaptive fear learning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole C Ferrara
- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
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9
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Martelle SE, Cotella EM, Nawreen N, Chen C, Packard BA, Fitzgerald M, Herman JP. Prefrontal cortex PACAP signaling: organization and role in stress regulation. Stress 2021; 24:196-205. [PMID: 33726625 PMCID: PMC8025233 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2021.1887849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is an excitatory neuromodulatory peptide strongly implicated in nervous stress processing. Human polymorphism of the primary PACAP receptor (PAC1) is linked to psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Prefrontal cortex PACAP signaling is associated with processing of traumatic stress and fear learning, suggesting a potential role in PTSD-related deficits. We used RNAscope to define the cellular location of PACAP and PAC1 in the infralimbic cortex (IL). Subsequent experiments used a pharmacological approach to assess the impact of IL PACAP infusion on behavioral and physiological stress response and fear memory. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were bilaterally microinjected with PACAP (1 ug) or vehicle into the IL, 30 minutes prior to forced swim test (FST). Blood was sampled at 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes for analysis of hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis reactivity. Five days after, animals were tested in a 3-day passive avoidance paradigm with subsequent testing of fear retention two weeks later. We observed that PACAP is highly expressed in putative pyramidal neurons (identified by VGlut1 expression), while PAC1 is enriched in interneurons (identified by GAD). Pretreatment with PACAP increased active coping style in the FST, despite higher levels of ACTH and corticosterone. The treatment was also sufficient to cause an increase in anxiety-like behavior in a dark/light crossover test and enhanced retention of passive avoidance. Our data suggest that IL PACAP plays a role in driving stress responses and in processing of fear memories, likely mediated by inhibition of cortical drive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Martelle
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Wake Forest Innovations, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Evelin M Cotella
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Cincinnati Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Nawshaba Nawreen
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Carrie Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Benjamin A Packard
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Maureen Fitzgerald
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - James P Herman
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Cincinnati Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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10
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Gurel NZ, Jiao Y, Wittbrodt MT, Ko YA, Hankus A, Driggers EG, Ladd SL, Shallenberger L, Murrah N, Huang M, Haffar A, Alkhalaf M, Levantsevych O, Nye JA, Vaccarino V, Shah AJ, Inan OT, Bremner JD, Pearce BD. Effect of transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation on the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) response to stress: A randomized, sham controlled, double blind pilot study. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2020; 4:100012. [PMID: 35755625 PMCID: PMC9216713 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2020.100012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide that plays a key role in the neurobiology of the stress response, and prior studies suggest that its function is dysregulated in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation (tcVNS) acts through PACAP and other neurobiological systems to modulate stress responses and/or symptoms of PTSD. In this pilot study, we examined the effects of tcVNS on PACAP in a three day chronic stress laboratory paradigm involving serial traumatic and mental stress exposures in healthy individuals with a history of exposure to psychological trauma (n = 18) and patients with PTSD (n = 12). Methods A total of 30 subjects with a history of exposure to psychological trauma experience were recruited (12 with PTSD diagnosis) for a three-day randomized double-blinded study of tcVNS or sham stimulation. Subjects underwent a protocol that included both personalized trauma recall and non-personalized mental stressors (public speaking, mental arithmetic) paired to tcVNS or sham stimulation over three days. Blood was collected at baseline and multiple time points after exposure to stressors. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess changes in PACAP over time (in response to stressors) and its relation to active tcVNS or sham stimulation. Results PACAP blood levels increased over the course of three days for both active tcVNS and sham groups. This increase was statistically-significant in the sham group at the end of the second (Cohen’s drm = 0.35, p = 0.04), and third days (drm = 0.41, p = 0.04), but not in the active tcVNS group (drm = 0.21, drm = 0.18, and p > 0.20). Conclusion These pilot findings suggest tcVNS may attenuate this neurobiological stress-response. Larger studies are needed to investigate gender and interaction effects. We examined the effects of tcVNS on PACAP in a three day chronic stress paradigm involving traumatic and mental stress. PACAP levels increased over the course of three days for both groups, the elevation of PACAP was larger in the sham group. These findings suggest that tcVNS may be a potential intervention for stress-related psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nil Z. Gurel
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yunshen Jiao
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Matthew T. Wittbrodt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yi-An Ko
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Allison Hankus
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Emily G. Driggers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stacy L. Ladd
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lucy Shallenberger
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nancy Murrah
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Minxuan Huang
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ammer Haffar
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mhmtjamil Alkhalaf
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Oleksiy Levantsevych
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jonathon A. Nye
- Department of Radiology, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Viola Vaccarino
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amit J. Shah
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Omer T. Inan
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Coulter Department of Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - J. Douglas Bremner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Bradley D. Pearce
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Corresponding author.
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11
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Bremner JD, Gurel NZ, Wittbrodt MT, Shandhi MH, Rapaport MH, Nye JA, Pearce BD, Vaccarino V, Shah AJ, Park J, Bikson M, Inan OT. Application of Noninvasive Vagal Nerve Stimulation to Stress-Related Psychiatric Disorders. J Pers Med 2020; 10:E119. [PMID: 32916852 PMCID: PMC7563188 DOI: 10.3390/jpm10030119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) has been shown to be efficacious for the treatment of depression, but to date, VNS devices have required surgical implantation, which has limited widespread implementation. METHODS New noninvasive VNS (nVNS) devices have been developed which allow external stimulation of the vagus nerve, and their effects on physiology in patients with stress-related psychiatric disorders can be measured with brain imaging, blood biomarkers, and wearable sensing devices. Advantages in terms of cost and convenience may lead to more widespread implementation in psychiatry, as well as facilitate research of the physiology of the vagus nerve in humans. nVNS has effects on autonomic tone, cardiovascular function, inflammatory responses, and central brain areas involved in modulation of emotion, all of which make it particularly applicable to patients with stress-related psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, since dysregulation of these circuits and systems underlies the symptomatology of these disorders. RESULTS This paper reviewed the physiology of the vagus nerve and its relevance to modulating the stress response in the context of application of nVNS to stress-related psychiatric disorders. CONCLUSIONS nVNS has a favorable effect on stress physiology that is measurable using brain imaging, blood biomarkers of inflammation, and wearable sensing devices, and shows promise in the prevention and treatment of stress-related psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Douglas Bremner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (M.T.W.); (M.H.R.)
- Department of Radiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
- Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA; (A.J.S.); (J.P.)
| | - Nil Z. Gurel
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; (N.Z.G.); (M.H.S.); (O.T.I.)
| | - Matthew T. Wittbrodt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (M.T.W.); (M.H.R.)
| | - Mobashir H. Shandhi
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; (N.Z.G.); (M.H.S.); (O.T.I.)
| | - Mark H. Rapaport
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (M.T.W.); (M.H.R.)
| | - Jonathon A. Nye
- Department of Radiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Bradley D. Pearce
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (B.D.P.); (V.V.)
| | - Viola Vaccarino
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (B.D.P.); (V.V.)
- Department of Medicine, Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Amit J. Shah
- Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA; (A.J.S.); (J.P.)
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (B.D.P.); (V.V.)
- Department of Medicine, Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jeanie Park
- Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA; (A.J.S.); (J.P.)
- Department of Medicine, Renal Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Marom Bikson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of New York, New York, NY 10010, USA;
| | - Omer T. Inan
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; (N.Z.G.); (M.H.S.); (O.T.I.)
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
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12
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Chiba Y, Ueda C, Kohno N, Yamashita M, Miyakawa Y, Ando Y, Suto W, Hirabayashi T, Takenoya F, Takasaki I, Kamei J, Sakai H, Shioda S. Attenuation of relaxing response induced by pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide in bronchial smooth muscle of experimental asthma. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2020; 319:L786-L793. [PMID: 32877227 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00315.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bronchomotor tone is regulated by contraction and relaxation of airway smooth muscle (ASM). A weakened ASM relaxation might be a cause of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), a characteristic feature of bronchial asthma. Pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is known as a mediator that causes ASM relaxation. To date, whether or not the PACAP responsiveness is changed in asthmatic ASM is unknown. The current study examined the hypothesis that relaxation induced by PACAP is reduced in bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) of allergic asthma. The ovalbumin (OA)-sensitized mice were repeatedly challenged with aerosolized OA to induce asthmatic reaction. Twenty-four hours after the last antigen challenge, the main bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) tissues were isolated. Tension study showed a BSM hyperresponsiveness to acetylcholine in the OA-challenged mice. Both quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblot analyses revealed a significant decrease in PAC1 receptor expression in BSMs of the diseased mice. Accordingly, in the antigen-challenged group, the PACAP-induced PAC1 receptor-mediated BSM relaxation was significantly attenuated, whereas the relaxation induced by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide was not changed. These findings suggest that the relaxation induced by PACAP is impaired in BSMs of experimental asthma due to a downregulation of its binding partner PAC1 receptor. Impaired BSM responsiveness to PACAP might contribute to the AHR in asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiko Chiba
- Department of Physiology and Molecular Sciences, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chihiro Ueda
- Department of Physiology and Molecular Sciences, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoko Kohno
- Department of Physiology and Molecular Sciences, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michio Yamashita
- Department of Physiology and Molecular Sciences, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yui Miyakawa
- Department of Physiology and Molecular Sciences, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Ando
- Department of Biomolecular Pharmacology, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Wataru Suto
- Department of Physiology and Molecular Sciences, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Hirabayashi
- Peptide Drug Innovation Global Research Center for Innovative Life Science, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumiko Takenoya
- Department of Physiology and Molecular Sciences, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ichiro Takasaki
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Junzo Kamei
- Department of Biomolecular Pharmacology, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Sakai
- Department of Biomolecular Pharmacology, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seiji Shioda
- Peptide Drug Innovation Global Research Center for Innovative Life Science, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan
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13
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Jovanovic T, Stenson AF, Thompson N, Clifford A, Compton A, Minton S, van Rooij SJF, Stevens JS, Lori A, Nugent N, Gillespie CF, Bradley B, Ressler KJ. Impact of ADCYAP1R1 genotype on longitudinal fear conditioning in children: interaction with trauma and sex. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:1603-1608. [PMID: 32590837 PMCID: PMC7421882 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0748-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulated fear conditioned responses have been associated with PTSD in adults, with increased fear-potentiated startle (FPS) serving as a potential intermediate phenotype for PTSD risk. This phenotype has also been associated with stress-related ADCYAP1R1 gene variants in adult women. However, FPS and genotype have not yet been examined during development. The aim of this study was to examine developmental changes in fear conditioning, and to see whether these changes were impacted by genotype and trauma. Differential fear conditioning using FPS was tested in n = 63 children ages 8-13 at two visits (V1, V2) 1 year apart. Startle response was measured using electromyograph recordings of the eyeblink muscle. The rs2267735 SNP of the ADCYAP1R1 gene was extracted from genome-wide (GWAS) analyses. Trauma exposure was assessed using the Violence Exposure Scale-Revised (VEX-R). We found significant Visit by Genotype interactions, with CC genotype increasing FPS from V1 to V2. At V2 there was a Genotype by Violence interaction, with higher FPS in the CC vs G allele groups among those with higher violence exposure (F = 17.46, p = 0.0002). Females with the CC genotype had higher FPS compared to G allele females (F = 12.09, p = 0.002); there were no effects of genotype in males. This study showed Gene × Environment × Development and Gene × Sex effects of ADCYAP1R1 in a high-risk pediatric population. Those with the CC genotype and high levels of violence exposure, as well as females with the CC genotype, showed the greatest conditioned fear responses in adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | - Anaïs F. Stenson
- grid.254444.70000 0001 1456 7807Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI USA
| | - Nadia Thompson
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Aimee Clifford
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Alisha Compton
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Sean Minton
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Sanne J. F. van Rooij
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Jennifer S. Stevens
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Adriana Lori
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Nicole Nugent
- grid.40263.330000 0004 1936 9094Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics Brown Medical School, Providence, RI USA
| | - Charles F. Gillespie
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Bekh Bradley
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA ,grid.414026.50000 0004 0419 4084Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033 USA
| | - Kerry J. Ressler
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XMcLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478 USA
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14
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Biran J, Gliksberg M, Shirat I, Swaminathan A, Levitas-Djerbi T, Appelbaum L, Levkowitz G. Splice-specific deficiency of the PTSD-associated gene PAC1 leads to a paradoxical age-dependent stress behavior. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9559. [PMID: 32533011 PMCID: PMC7292827 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66447-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptor (PAC1, also known as ADCYAP1R1) is associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and modulation of stress response in general. Alternative splicing of PAC1 results in multiple gene products, which differ in their mode of signalling and tissue distribution. However, the roles of distinct splice variants in the regulation of stress behavior is poorly understood. Alternative splicing of a short exon, which is known as the "hop cassette", occurs during brain development and in response to stressful challenges. To examine the function of this variant, we generated a splice-specific zebrafish mutant lacking the hop cassette, which we designated 'hopless'. We show that hopless mutant larvae display increased anxiety-like behavior, including reduced dark exploration and impaired habituation to dark exposure. Conversely, adult hopless mutants displayed superior ability to rebound from an acute stressor, as they exhibited reduced anxiety-like responses to an ensuing novelty stress. We propose that the developmental loss of a specific PAC1 splice variant mimics prolonged mild stress exposure, which in the long term, predisposes the organism's stress response towards a resilient phenotype. Our study presents a unique genetic model demonstrating how early-life state of anxiety paradoxically correlates with reduced stress susceptibility in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Biran
- Department of Poultry and Aquaculture, Agricultural Research Organization, Rishon, Letziyon, 7528809, Israel.
| | - Michael Gliksberg
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Ido Shirat
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Amrutha Swaminathan
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Talia Levitas-Djerbi
- The Faculty of Life Sciences and the Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Lior Appelbaum
- The Faculty of Life Sciences and the Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Gil Levkowitz
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel.
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15
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Biran J, Gliksberg M, Shirat I, Swaminathan A, Levitas-Djerbi T, Appelbaum L, Levkowitz G. Splice-specific deficiency of the PTSD-associated gene PAC1 leads to a paradoxical age-dependent stress behavior. Sci Rep 2020. [PMID: 32533011 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66447-2.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptor (PAC1, also known as ADCYAP1R1) is associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and modulation of stress response in general. Alternative splicing of PAC1 results in multiple gene products, which differ in their mode of signalling and tissue distribution. However, the roles of distinct splice variants in the regulation of stress behavior is poorly understood. Alternative splicing of a short exon, which is known as the "hop cassette", occurs during brain development and in response to stressful challenges. To examine the function of this variant, we generated a splice-specific zebrafish mutant lacking the hop cassette, which we designated 'hopless'. We show that hopless mutant larvae display increased anxiety-like behavior, including reduced dark exploration and impaired habituation to dark exposure. Conversely, adult hopless mutants displayed superior ability to rebound from an acute stressor, as they exhibited reduced anxiety-like responses to an ensuing novelty stress. We propose that the developmental loss of a specific PAC1 splice variant mimics prolonged mild stress exposure, which in the long term, predisposes the organism's stress response towards a resilient phenotype. Our study presents a unique genetic model demonstrating how early-life state of anxiety paradoxically correlates with reduced stress susceptibility in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Biran
- Department of Poultry and Aquaculture, Agricultural Research Organization, Rishon, Letziyon, 7528809, Israel.
| | - Michael Gliksberg
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Ido Shirat
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Amrutha Swaminathan
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Talia Levitas-Djerbi
- The Faculty of Life Sciences and the Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Lior Appelbaum
- The Faculty of Life Sciences and the Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Gil Levkowitz
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel.
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16
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Tomasi J, Zai CC, Zai G, Herbert D, King N, Freeman N, Kennedy JL, Tiwari AK. The effect of polymorphisms in startle-related genes on anxiety symptom severity. J Psychiatr Res 2020; 125:144-151. [PMID: 32289651 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Given the limited effectiveness of treatments for pathological anxiety, there is a pressing need to identify genetic markers that can aid the precise selection of treatments and optimize treatment response. Anxiety and startle response levels demonstrate a direct relationship, and previous literature suggests that exaggerated startle reactivity may serve as an endophenotype of pathological anxiety. In addition, genetic variants related to startle reactivity may play a role in the etiology of pathological anxiety. In the current study, we selected 22 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to startle reactivity in the literature, and examined their association with anxiety symptom severity across psychiatric disorders (n = 508), and in a subset of patients with an anxiety disorder (n = 298). Overall, none of the SNPs pass correction for multiple independent tests. However, across psychiatric patients, rs6323 from the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene and rs324981 from the neuropeptide S receptor 1 (NPSR1) gene were nominally associated with baseline anxiety symptom severity (p = 0.017, 0.023). These preliminary findings provide support for investigating startle-related genetic variants to identify biomarkers of anxiety symptom severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Tomasi
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Clement C Zai
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gwyneth Zai
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; General Adult Psychiatry and Health Systems Division, CAMH, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Deanna Herbert
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nicole King
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Natalie Freeman
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute and Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, CAMH, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - James L Kennedy
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Arun K Tiwari
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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17
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Johnson GC, Parsons RL, May V, Hammack SE. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-induced PAC1 receptor internalization and recruitment of MEK/ERK signaling enhance excitability of dentate gyrus granule cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2020; 318:C870-C878. [PMID: 32186931 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00065.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP; ADCYAP1) is a pleiotropic neuropeptide widely distributed in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. PACAP and its specific cognate PAC1 receptor (ADCYAP1R1) play critical roles in the homeostatic maintenance of multiple physiological and behavioral systems. Notably, maladaptations in the PACAPergic system have been associated with several psychopathologies related to fear and anxiety. PAC1 receptor transcripts are highly expressed in granule cells of the dentate gyrus (DG). Here, we examined the direct effects of PACAP on DG granule cells in brain slices using whole cell patch recordings in current clamp mode. PACAP significantly increased the intrinsic excitability of DG granule cells via PAC1 receptor activation. This increased excitability was not mediated by adenylyl cyclase/cAMP or phospholipase C/PKC activation, but instead via activation of an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway initiated through PAC1 receptor endocytosis/endosomal signaling. PACAP failed to increase excitability in DG granule cells pretreated with the persistent sodium current blocker riluzole, suggesting that the observed PACAP effects required this component of the inward sodium current.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory C Johnson
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Rodney L Parsons
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Victor May
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Sayamwong E Hammack
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
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18
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Liao C, de Molliens MP, Schneebeli ST, Brewer M, Song G, Chatenet D, Braas KM, May V, Li J. Targeting the PAC1 Receptor for Neurological and Metabolic Disorders. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:1399-1417. [PMID: 31284862 PMCID: PMC6761004 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190709092647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)-selective PAC1 receptor (PAC1R, ADCYAP1R1) is a member of the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)/secretin/glucagon family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). PAC1R has been shown to play crucial roles in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The activation of PAC1R initiates diverse downstream signal transduction pathways, including adenylyl cyclase, phospholipase C, MEK/ERK, and Akt pathways that regulate a number of physiological systems to maintain functional homeostasis. Accordingly, at times of tissue injury or insult, PACAP/PAC1R activation of these pathways can be trophic to blunt or delay apoptotic events and enhance cell survival. Enhancing PAC1R signaling under these conditions has the potential to mitigate cellular damages associated with cerebrovascular trauma (including stroke), neurodegeneration (such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease), or peripheral organ insults. Conversely, maladaptive PACAP/PAC1R signaling has been implicated in a number of disorders, including stressrelated psychopathologies (i.e., depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and related abnormalities), chronic pain and migraine, and metabolic diseases; abrogating PAC1R signaling under these pathological conditions represent opportunities for therapeutic intervention. Given the diverse PAC1R-mediated biological activities, the receptor has emerged as a relevant pharmaceutical target. In this review, we first describe the current knowledge regarding the molecular structure, dynamics, and function of PAC1R. Then, we discuss the roles of PACAP and PAC1R in the activation of a variety of signaling cascades related to the physiology and diseases of the nervous system. Lastly, we examine current drug design and development of peptides and small molecules targeting PAC1R based on a number of structure- activity relationship studies and key pharmacophore elements. At present, the rational design of PAC1R-selective peptide or small-molecule therapeutics is largely hindered by the lack of structural information regarding PAC1R activation mechanisms, the PACAP-PAC1R interface, and the core segments involved in receptor activation. Understanding the molecular basis governing the PACAP interactions with its different cognate receptors will undoubtedly provide a basis for the development and/or refinement of receptor-selective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyi Liao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, United States
| | | | - Severin T Schneebeli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, United States
| | - Matthias Brewer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, United States
| | - Gaojie Song
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - David Chatenet
- INRS - Institut Armand-Frappier, 531 boul. des Prairies, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada
| | - Karen M Braas
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, 149 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT 05405, United States
| | - Victor May
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, 149 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT 05405, United States
| | - Jianing Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, United States
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Stevens JS, van Rooij SJH, Jovanovic T. Developmental Contributors to Trauma Response: The Importance of Sensitive Periods, Early Environment, and Sex Differences. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2019; 38:1-22. [PMID: 27830573 PMCID: PMC5425320 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2016_38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review considers early factors that interact with development to contribute to later trauma responses, including developmental sensitive periods, the effects of early environment, and the emergence of sex differences. We also describe development of neural substrates that have been associated with posttraumatic stress disorder and specifically focus on fear behavior and circuitry. Emerging evidence suggests that there may be developmental shifts around age 10 in these underlying circuits that may contribute to vulnerability. We also discuss age-related changes in the importance of caregiver availability as positive buffering factors. Hormonal changes later in development with onset during puberty appear to further shape development trajectories toward risk or resilience. We highlight these recent findings as well as the great need for further longitudinal research from middle childhood through early adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer S Stevens
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 49 Jesse Hill Jr Dr, Suite 331, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Sanne J H van Rooij
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 49 Jesse Hill Jr Dr, Suite 331, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 49 Jesse Hill Jr Dr, Suite 331, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA.
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20
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Mechanisms of Sex Differences in Fear and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 83:876-885. [PMID: 29331353 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Following sexual maturity, females disproportionately have higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and experience greater symptom severity and chronicity as compared with males. This observation has led many to examine sex differences in PTSD risk factors. Though relatively few, these studies reveal that the root causes of PTSD sex differences are complex, and partly represent interactions between sex-specific nonbiological and biological risk factors, which differentially shape PTSD vulnerability. Moreover, these studies suggest that sex-specific PTSD vulnerability is partly regulated by sex differences in fear systems. Fear, which represents a highly conserved adaptive response to threatening environmental stimuli, becomes pathological in trauma- and stress-based psychiatric syndromes, such as PTSD. Over the last 30 years, considerable progress has been made in understanding normal and pathological molecular and behavioral fear processes in humans and animal models. Thus, fear mechanisms represent a tractable PTSD biomarker in the study of sex differences in fear. In this review, we discuss studies that examine nonbiological and biological sex differences that contribute to normal and pathological fear behaviors in humans and animal models. This, we hope, will shed greater light on the potential mechanisms that contribute to increased PTSD vulnerability in females.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review examines the recent literature on biological factors that influence sex differences in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during childhood and adolescence, focusing on neurobiological, hormonal, and genetic factors that may increase risk in girls. RECENT FINDINGS More than 60% of children and adolescents are exposed to traumatic events, and many develop PTSD. There is increasing recognition of gender differences in PTSD, with women having double the rates of the disorder compared to men. These gender differences in symptoms and their underlying neurobiology appear to emerge during adolescence, although it is still unclear which biological mechanisms may play key roles in the development of sex difference. The literature on gender effects in children and adolescents is still in the early stages, and more prospective and longitudinal work is needed; however, estrogen appears to play a key role in increasing risk for PTSD in girls, which emerges in adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristie Garza
- Neuroscience Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Neuroscience Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 49 Jesse Hill Jr Dr NE, Suite 331, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA.
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22
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Ramikie TS, Ressler KJ. Stress-related disorders, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP)ergic system, and sex differences. DIALOGUES IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2017. [PMID: 28179812 PMCID: PMC5286726 DOI: 10.31887/dcns.2016.18.4/kressler] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Trauma-related disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are remarkably common and debilitating, and are often characterized by dysregulated threat responses. Across numerous epidemiological studies, females have been found to have an approximately twofold increased risk for PTSD and other stress-related disorders. Understanding the biological mechanisms of this differential risk is of critical importance. Recent data suggest that the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) pathway is a critical regulator of the stress response across species. Moreover, increasing evidence suggests that this pathway is regulated by both stress and estrogen modulation and may provide an important window into understanding mechanisms of sex differences in the stress response. We have recently shown that PACAP and its receptor (PAC1R) are critical mediators of abnormal processes after psychological trauma. Notably, in heavily traumatized human subjects, there appears to be a robust sex-specific association of PACAP blood levels and PAC1R gene variants with fear physiology, PTSD diagnosis, and symptoms, specifically in females. The sex-specific association occurs within a single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs2267735) that resides in a putative estrogen response element involved in PAC1R gene regulation. Complementing these human data, the PAC1R messenger RNA is induced with fear conditioning or estrogen replacement in rodent models. These data suggest that perturbations in the PACAP-PAC1R pathway are regulated by estrogen and are involved in abnormal fear responses underlying PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teniel S Ramikie
- Department of Psychiatry, McClean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry, McClean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
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23
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Abstract
Stressor exposure is associated with the onset and severity of many psychopathologies that are more common in women than men. Moreover, the maladaptive expression and function of stress-related hormones have been implicated in these disorders. Evidence suggests that PACAP has a critical role in the stress circuits mediating stress-responding, and PACAP may interact with sex hormones to contribute to sex differences in stress-related disease. In this review, we describe the role of the PACAP/PAC1 system in stress biology, focusing on the role of stress-induced alterations in PACAP expression and signaling in the development of stress-induced behavioral change. Additionally, we present more recent data suggesting potential interactions between stress, PACAP, and circulating estradiol in pathological states, including PTSD. These studies suggest that the level of stress and circulating gonadal hormones may differentially regulate the PACAPergic system in males and females to influence anxiety-like behavior and may be one mechanism underlying the discrepancies in human psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bradley King
- a Department of Psychological Science , University of Vermont , Burlington , VT , USA
| | - Donna J Toufexis
- a Department of Psychological Science , University of Vermont , Burlington , VT , USA
| | - Sayamwong E Hammack
- a Department of Psychological Science , University of Vermont , Burlington , VT , USA
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24
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Lind MJ, Marraccini ME, Sheerin CM, Bountress K, Bacanu SA, Amstadter AB, Nugent NR. Association of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder With rs2267735 in the ADCYAP1R1 Gene: A Meta-Analysis. J Trauma Stress 2017; 30:389-398. [PMID: 28746747 PMCID: PMC5706560 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies point to the potential role of the (pituitary) adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide receptor 1 (ADCYAP1R1) gene, which has been implicated in stress response, in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Multiple genetic association studies have examined potential PTSD risk related to this gene, with mixed results. We conducted a meta-analysis of rs2267735 in ADCYAP1R1 in PTSD. A literature search was conducted using PubMed and PsycINFO, resulting in nine studies that met criteria for inclusion in analysis. Biostat's Comprehensive Meta-Analysis was used to conduct the main meta-analysis on the combined sex sample, as well as two subanalyses examining effects separately in female and male participants. Results indicated that the C allele of rs2267735 conferred significant risk for PTSD in the combined sex data, OR = 1.210, 95% CI [1.007, 1.454], p = .042, and in the subsample of women and girls, OR = 1.328, 95% CI [1.026, 1.719], p = .031; but not in the subsample of men and boys, OR = 0.964, 95% CI [0.733, 1.269], p = .796. These results provide evidence for an association between ADCYAP1R1 and PTSD and indicate that there may indeed be sex differences. Implications of these findings, including the role of rs2267735 as one modulator of the stress system, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie J. Lind
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Marisa E. Marraccini
- Bradley/Hasbro Children’s Research Center of Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA,Departments of Psychiatry and Human Behavior and Pediatrics, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Christina M. Sheerin
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Kaitlin Bountress
- National Crime Victims Research & Treatment Center (NCVC), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Silviu-Alin Bacanu
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Ananda B. Amstadter
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA,Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Nicole R. Nugent
- Bradley/Hasbro Children’s Research Center of Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA,Departments of Psychiatry and Human Behavior and Pediatrics, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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25
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Missig G, Mei L, Vizzard MA, Braas KM, Waschek JA, Ressler KJ, Hammack SE, May V. Parabrachial Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide Activation of Amygdala Endosomal Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Signaling Regulates the Emotional Component of Pain. Biol Psychiatry 2017; 81:671-682. [PMID: 28057459 PMCID: PMC5332340 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic pain and stress-related psychopathologies, such as depression and anxiety-associated abnormalities, are mutually reinforcing; however, the neuronal circuits and mechanisms that underlie this reinforcement are still not well understood. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP; Adcyap1) and its cognate PAC1 receptor (Adcyap1r1) are expressed in peripheral nociceptive pathways, participate in anxiety-related responses and have been have been linked to posttraumatic stress disorder and other mental health afflictions. METHODS Using immunocytochemistry, pharmacological treatments and behavioral testing techniques, we have used a rodent partial sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury model (n = 5-8 per group per experiment) to evaluate PACAP plasticity and signaling in nociceptive and stress-related behaviors. RESULTS We show that chronic neuropathic pain increases PACAP expression at multiple tiers along the spinoparabrachioamygdaloid tract. Furthermore, chronic constriction injury bilaterally augments nociceptive amygdala (in the central nucleus of the amygdala [CeA]) PACAP immunoreactivity, extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation, and c-Fos activation, in parallel with heightened anxiety-like behavior and nociceptive hypersensitivity. Acute CeA infusions with the PACAP receptor antagonist PACAP(6-38) blocked chronic constriction injury-induced behavioral responses. Additionally, pretreatments with inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase enzymes or endocytosis to block endosomal PACAP receptor extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling attenuated PACAP-induced CeA neuronal activation and nociceptive responses. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that chronic pain-induced PACAP neuroplasticity and signaling in spinoparabrachioamygdaloid projections have an impact on CeA stress- and nociception-associated maladaptive responses, which can be ameliorated upon receptor antagonism even during injury progression. Thus, the PACAP pathway provides for an important mechanism underlying the intersection of stress and chronic pain pathways via the amygdala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galen Missig
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Linda Mei
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Burlington, Vermont
| | | | - Karen M Braas
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Burlington, Vermont
| | - James A Waschek
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital-Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Sayamwong E Hammack
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Victor May
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Burlington, Vermont.
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26
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Dragan WŁ, Czerski PM, Dragan M. PAC1 receptor ( ADCYAP1R1) genotype and problematic alcohol use in a sample of young women. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2017; 13:1483-1489. [PMID: 28652748 PMCID: PMC5473483 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s137331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies revealed the role of the PAC1 (ADCYAP1R1) gene variability in vulnerability to posttraumatic stress disorder in women. Due to the relatively high comorbidity of posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder, we hypothesized about possible associations between PAC1 gene and problematic alcohol use. METHOD The sample studied consisted of 491 women aged 18-28 years (mean age =21.76 years; SD =1.83) and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test was used to assess drinking problems. We successfully genotyped 17 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the PAC1 gene. RESULTS Single locus analysis revealed a significant (after correction for multiple testing) association between intronic polymorphism rs2302475 and problematic alcohol use (P=0.00048; recessive model). This result was strengthened by the haplotype analysis (P=0.00379). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the PACAP/PAC1 signaling system is implicated in the development of problematic alcohol use in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Łukasz Dragan
- The Interdisciplinary Center for Behavior Genetic Research, Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw
| | - Piotr M Czerski
- Laboratory of Psychiatric Genetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan
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27
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Abstract
Several topics on childhood asthma were addressed in the Paediatric Clinical Year in Review session at the 2015 European Respiratory Society International Congress. With regard to the relationship between lower respiratory tract infections and asthma, it emerges that is the number of respiratory episodes in the first years of life, but not the particular viral trigger, to be associated with later asthma development. Understanding which characteristics of individual patients are associated with an increased risk for asthma exacerbation is a critical step to implement strategies preventing these seasonal events. Recent data suggest the possibility that exhaled volatile organic compounds may qualify as biomarkers in detecting early signs of asthma. Adding information of exhaled volatile organic compounds and expression of inflammation genes to a clinical tool significantly improves asthma prediction in preschool wheezy children. Personal communication with children and adolescents is likely more important than the tools actually used for monitoring asthma. Systemic corticosteroids do not affect the long-term prognosis in children with first viral-induced wheezing episode and should be used cautiously during acute episodes. Finally, stress and a polymorphism upstream of a specific gene are both associated with reduced bronchodilator response in children with asthma.
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28
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Ramikie TS, Ressler KJ. Stress-related disorders, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP)ergic system, and sex differences. DIALOGUES IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2016; 18:403-413. [PMID: 28179812 PMCID: PMC5286726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Trauma-related disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are remarkably common and debilitating, and are often characterized by dysregulated threat responses. Across numerous epidemiological studies, females have been found to have an approximately twofold increased risk for PTSD and other stress-related disorders. Understanding the biological mechanisms of this differential risk is of critical importance. Recent data suggest that the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) pathway is a critical regulator of the stress response across species. Moreover, increasing evidence suggests that this pathway is regulated by both stress and estrogen modulation and may provide an important window into understanding mechanisms of sex differences in the stress response. We have recently shown that PACAP and its receptor (PAC1R) are critical mediators of abnormal processes after psychological trauma. Notably, in heavily traumatized human subjects, there appears to be a robust sex-specific association of PACAP blood levels and PAC1R gene variants with fear physiology, PTSD diagnosis, and symptoms, specifically in females. The sex-specific association occurs within a single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs2267735) that resides in a putative estrogen response element involved in PAC1R gene regulation. Complementing these human data, the PAC1R messenger RNA is induced with fear conditioning or estrogen replacement in rodent models. These data suggest that perturbations in the PACAP-PAC1R pathway are regulated by estrogen and are involved in abnormal fear responses underlying PTSD.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptation, Psychological/physiology
- Animals
- Biomarkers/blood
- Estrogens/physiology
- Fear/physiology
- Female
- Gene-Environment Interaction
- Humans
- Male
- Memory/physiology
- Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide/blood
- Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide/genetics
- Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide/physiology
- Polymorphism, Genetic
- Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide, Type I/genetics
- Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide, Type I/physiology
- Risk Factors
- Sex Characteristics
- Sex Factors
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/blood
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/genetics
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/physiopathology
- Stress, Physiological/genetics
- Stress, Physiological/physiology
- Stress, Psychological/genetics
- Stress, Psychological/physiopathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Teniel S Ramikie
- Department of Psychiatry, McClean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry, McClean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
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29
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Neuroendocrine Underpinnings of Increased Risk for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Women. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2016; 103:53-83. [PMID: 28061976 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Women are particularly vulnerable to the effects of psychological trauma and the development of trauma-, stressor-, and anxiety-related mental illnesses such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the current chapter, we examine the female hormonal systems that interact with psychobiological stress response systems to elicit maladaptive behavior and mental disease states in traumatized female populations. In addition, we provide a contemporary translational example of a stress vulnerability genomic profile (coding for pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide) that may underlie the specific susceptibilities observed in women. Translational scientific investigations such as those described herein may lead to the identification of risk and resilience factors for PTSD as well as enhanced clinical interventions for treating excessive fear and anxiety.
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30
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Lebois LAM, Wolff JD, Ressler KJ. Neuroimaging genetic approaches to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Exp Neurol 2016; 284:141-152. [PMID: 27109180 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 04/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Neuroimaging genetic studies that associate genetic and epigenetic variation with neural activity or structure provide an opportunity to link genes to psychiatric disorders, often before psychopathology is discernable in behavior. Here we review neuroimaging genetics studies with participants who have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Results show that genes related to the physiological stress response (e.g., glucocorticoid receptor and activity, neuroendocrine release), learning and memory (e.g., plasticity), mood, and pain perception are tied to neural intermediate phenotypes associated with PTSD. These genes are associated with and sometimes predict neural structure and function in areas involved in attention, executive function, memory, decision-making, emotion regulation, salience of potential threats, and pain perception. Evidence suggests these risk polymorphisms and neural intermediate phenotypes are vulnerabilities toward developing PTSD in the aftermath of trauma, or vulnerabilities toward particular symptoms once PTSD has developed. Work distinguishing between the re-experiencing and dissociative sub-types of PTSD, and examining other PTSD symptom clusters in addition to the re-experiencing and hyperarousal symptoms, will further clarify neurobiological mechanisms and inconsistent findings. Furthermore, an exciting possibility is that genetic associations with PTSD may eventually be understood through differential intermediate phenotypes of neural circuit structure and function, possibly underlying the different symptom clusters seen within PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A M Lebois
- Department of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jonathan D Wolff
- Department of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
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31
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Sumner JA, Powers A, Jovanovic T, Koenen KC. Genetic influences on the neural and physiological bases of acute threat: A research domain criteria (RDoC) perspective. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2016; 171B:44-64. [PMID: 26377804 PMCID: PMC4715467 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The NIMH Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative aims to describe key dimensional constructs underlying mental function across multiple units of analysis-from genes to observable behaviors-in order to better understand psychopathology. The acute threat ("fear") construct of the RDoC Negative Valence System has been studied extensively from a translational perspective, and is highly pertinent to numerous psychiatric conditions, including anxiety and trauma-related disorders. We examined genetic contributions to the construct of acute threat at two units of analysis within the RDoC framework: (1) neural circuits and (2) physiology. Specifically, we focused on genetic influences on activation patterns of frontolimbic neural circuitry and on startle, skin conductance, and heart rate responses. Research on the heritability of activation in threat-related frontolimbic neural circuitry is lacking, but physiological indicators of acute threat have been found to be moderately heritable (35-50%). Genetic studies of the neural circuitry and physiology of acute threat have almost exclusively relied on the candidate gene method and, as in the broader psychiatric genetics literature, most findings have failed to replicate. The most robust support has been demonstrated for associations between variation in the serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genes with threat-related neural activation and physiological responses. However, unbiased genome-wide approaches using very large samples are needed for gene discovery, and these can be accomplished with collaborative consortium-based research efforts, such as those of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) and Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Consortium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Sumner
- Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Abigail Powers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Karestan C Koenen
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit and Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- The Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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Pohlack ST, Nees F, Ruttorf M, Cacciaglia R, Winkelmann T, Schad LR, Witt SH, Rietschel M, Flor H. Neural Mechanism of a Sex-Specific Risk Variant for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in the Type I Receptor of the Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide. Biol Psychiatry 2015; 78:840-7. [PMID: 25680674 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Revised: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a frequent anxiety disorder with higher prevalence rates in female patients than in male patients (2.5:1). Association with a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs2267735) in the gene ADCYAP1R1 encoding the type I receptor (PAC1-R) of the pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide has been reported with PTSD in female patients. We sought to identify the neural correlates of the described PAC1-R effects on associative learning. METHODS In a reverse genetic approach, we examined two independent healthy samples (N1 = 112, N2 = 73) using functional magnetic resonance imaging during cued and contextual fear conditioning. Skin conductance responses and verbal self-reports of arousal, valence, and contingency were recorded. RESULTS We found that PAC1-R modulates the blood oxygenation level-dependent response of the hippocampus. Specifically, we observed decreased hippocampal activity during contextual, but not during cued, fear conditioning in female participants carrying the PAC1-R risk allele. We observed no significant differences in conditionability for skin conductance responses, verbal reports, or activation in other brain regions between the genotype groups in female participants. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that impaired contextual conditioning in the hippocampal formation may mediate the association between PAC1-R and PTSD symptoms. Our findings potentially identify a missing link between the involvement of PAC1-R in PTSD and the well-established structural and functional hippocampal deficits in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian T Pohlack
- Departments of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Frauke Nees
- Departments of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Michaela Ruttorf
- Central Institute of Mental Health, and Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Raffaele Cacciaglia
- Departments of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Tobias Winkelmann
- Departments of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Lothar R Schad
- Central Institute of Mental Health, and Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Stephanie H Witt
- Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Herta Flor
- Departments of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany.
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Lambert KG, Nelson RJ, Jovanovic T, Cerdá M. Brains in the city: Neurobiological effects of urbanization. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2015; 58:107-22. [PMID: 25936504 PMCID: PMC4774049 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Revised: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
With a majority of humans now living in cities, strategic research is necessary to elucidate the impact of this evolutionarily unfamiliar habitat on neural functions and well-being. In this review, both rodent and human models are considered in the evaluation of the changing physical and social landscapes associated with urban dwellings. Animal models assessing increased exposure to artificial physical elements characteristic of urban settings, as well as exposure to unnatural sources of light for extended durations, are reviewed. In both cases, increased biomarkers of mental illnesses such as major depression have been observed. Additionally, applied human research emphasizing the emotional impact of environmental threats associated with urban habitats is considered. Subjects evaluated in an inner-city hospital reveal the impact of combined specific genetic vulnerabilities and heightened stress responses in the expression of posttraumatic stress disorder. Finally, algorithm-based models of cities have been developed utilizing population-level analyses to identify risk factors for psychiatric illness. Although complex, the use of multiple research approaches, as described herein, results in an enhanced understanding of urbanization and its far-reaching effects--confirming the importance of continued research directed toward the identification of putative risk factors associated with psychiatric illness in urban settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly G Lambert
- Department of Psychology, Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, VA 23005, USA.
| | - Randy J Nelson
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Magdalena Cerdá
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Brehm JM, Ramratnam SK, Tse SM, Croteau-Chonka DC, Pino-Yanes M, Rosas-Salazar C, Litonjua AA, Raby BA, Boutaoui N, Han YY, Chen W, Forno E, Marsland AL, Nugent NR, Eng C, Colón-Semidey A, Alvarez M, Acosta-Pérez E, Spear ML, Martinez FD, Avila L, Weiss ST, Soto-Quiros M, Ober C, Nicolae DL, Barnes KC, Lemanske RF, Strunk RC, Liu A, London SJ, Gilliland F, Sleiman P, March M, Hakonarson H, Duan QL, Kolls JK, Fritz GK, Hu D, Fani N, Stevens JS, Almli LM, Burchard EG, Shin J, McQuaid EL, Ressler K, Canino G, Celedón JC. Stress and Bronchodilator Response in Children with Asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2015; 192:47-56. [PMID: 25918834 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201501-0037oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Stress is associated with asthma morbidity in Puerto Ricans (PRs), who have reduced bronchodilator response (BDR). OBJECTIVES To examine whether stress and/or a gene regulating anxiety (ADCYAP1R1) is associated with BDR in PR and non-PR children with asthma. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of stress and BDR (percent change in FEV1 after BD) in 234 PRs ages 9-14 years with asthma. We assessed child stress using the Checklist of Children's Distress Symptoms, and maternal stress using the Perceived Stress Scale. Replication analyses were conducted in two cohorts. Polymorphisms in ADCYAP1R1 were genotyped in our study and six replication studies. Multivariable models of stress and BDR were adjusted for age, sex, income, environmental tobacco smoke, and use of inhaled corticosteroids. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS High child stress was associated with reduced BDR in three cohorts. PR children who were highly stressed (upper quartile, Checklist of Children's Distress Symptoms) and whose mothers had high stress (upper quartile, Perceived Stress Scale) had a BDR that was 10.2% (95% confidence interval, 6.1-14.2%) lower than children who had neither high stress nor a highly stressed mother. A polymorphism in ADCYAP1R1 (rs34548976) was associated with reduced BDR. This single-nucleotide polymorphism is associated with reduced expression of the gene for the β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) in CD4(+) lymphocytes of subjects with asthma, and it affects brain connectivity of the amygdala and the insula (a biomarker of anxiety). CONCLUSIONS High child stress and an ADCYAP1R1 single-nucleotide polymorphism are associated with reduced BDR in children with asthma. This is likely caused by down-regulation of ADRB2 in highly stressed children.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Brehm
- 1 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and
| | - Sima K Ramratnam
- 1 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and
| | - Sze Man Tse
- 2 Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Damien C Croteau-Chonka
- 2 Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Maria Pino-Yanes
- 3 Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and.,4 Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,5 CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Christian Rosas-Salazar
- 1 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and
| | - Augusto A Litonjua
- 2 Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Benjamin A Raby
- 2 Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nadia Boutaoui
- 1 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and
| | - Yueh-Ying Han
- 1 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and
| | - Wei Chen
- 1 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and
| | - Erick Forno
- 1 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and
| | - Anna L Marsland
- 6 Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Nicole R Nugent
- 7 Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Celeste Eng
- 3 Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and.,4 Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Angel Colón-Semidey
- 8 Behavioral Sciences Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - María Alvarez
- 8 Behavioral Sciences Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Edna Acosta-Pérez
- 8 Behavioral Sciences Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Melissa L Spear
- 3 Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and.,4 Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Fernando D Martinez
- 9 Arizona Respiratory Center and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Lydiana Avila
- 10 Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Hospital Nacional de Niños, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Scott T Weiss
- 2 Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Manuel Soto-Quiros
- 10 Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Hospital Nacional de Niños, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Carole Ober
- 11 Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Dan L Nicolae
- 11 Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kathleen C Barnes
- 12 Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Robert F Lemanske
- 13 Department of Pediatrics and.,14 Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Robert C Strunk
- 15 Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Andrew Liu
- 16 Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado
| | - Stephanie J London
- 17 National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Frank Gilliland
- 18 Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Patrick Sleiman
- 19 The Center for Applied Genomics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,20 Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael March
- 19 The Center for Applied Genomics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Hakon Hakonarson
- 19 The Center for Applied Genomics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,20 Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Qing Ling Duan
- 2 Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jay K Kolls
- 1 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and
| | - Gregory K Fritz
- 7 Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Donglei Hu
- 3 Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and.,4 Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Negar Fani
- 21 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; and
| | - Jennifer S Stevens
- 21 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; and
| | - Lynn M Almli
- 21 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; and
| | - Esteban G Burchard
- 3 Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and.,4 Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Jaemin Shin
- 22 Center for Advanced Brain Imaging, Georgia Institute of Technology and Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Elizabeth L McQuaid
- 7 Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Kerry Ressler
- 21 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; and
| | - Glorisa Canino
- 8 Behavioral Sciences Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Juan C Celedón
- 1 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and
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Glover EM, Jovanovic T, Norrholm SD. Estrogen and extinction of fear memories: implications for posttraumatic stress disorder treatment. Biol Psychiatry 2015; 78:178-85. [PMID: 25796471 PMCID: PMC4757430 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Revised: 01/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric illness whose prevalence in women is more than twice the rate as men. Despite a burgeoning literature characterizing sex differences in PTSD incidence and its disproportionate burden on society, there is a dearth of literature describing biological mechanisms underlying these disparities. However, the recent identification of biomarkers of PTSD by translational neuroscientists offers a promising opportunity to explore sex interactions in PTSD phenotypes. A notable observation is that individuals with PTSD show deficits in their ability to inhibit conditioned fear responding after extinction training. Given that extinction procedures, via exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy, make up one of the predominant modes of treatment in PTSD, there is a critical need for more research on sex interactions in this form of fear regulation. An emerging hypothesis is that fluctuating gonadal hormones, especially estrogen, in the menstrual cycle may play a critical role in fear extinction and, hence, PTSD vulnerability and symptom severity in women. The current review discusses how the study of putative activational effects of estrogen on fear extinction may be harnessed to advance the search for better treatments for PTSD in women. We conclude that estrogen treatment may be a putative pharmacologic adjunct in extinction-based therapies and should be tracked in the menstrual cycle during the course of PTSD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebony M Glover
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta; Department of Psychology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta
| | - Seth Davin Norrholm
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta; Mental Health Service Line , Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia.
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Hammack SE, May V. Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide in stress-related disorders: data convergence from animal and human studies. Biol Psychiatry 2015; 78:167-77. [PMID: 25636177 PMCID: PMC4461555 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The maladaptive expression and function of several stress-associated hormones have been implicated in pathological stress and anxiety-related disorders. Among these, recent evidence has suggested that pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) has critical roles in central neurocircuits mediating stress-related emotional behaviors. We describe the PACAPergic systems, the data implicating PACAP in stress biology, and how altered PACAP expression and signaling may result in psychopathologies. We include our work implicating PACAP signaling within the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in mediating the consequences of stressor exposure and relatedly, describe more recent studies suggesting that PACAP in the central nucleus of the amygdala may impact the emotional aspects of chronic pain states. In aggregate, these results are consistent with data suggesting that PACAP dysregulation is associated with posttraumatic stress disorder in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayamwong E. Hammack
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, John Dewey Hall, 2 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, Vermont 05405-0134, Phone: 802.656.1041, Fax: 802.656.8783
| | - Victor May
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont College of Medicine, 149 Beaumont Avenue, HSRF 428, Burlington, VT 05405, Phone: 802.656.4579
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Gamwell K, Nylocks M, Cross D, Bradley B, Norrholm SD, Jovanovic T. Fear conditioned responses and PTSD symptoms in children: Sex differences in fear-related symptoms. Dev Psychobiol 2015; 57:799-808. [PMID: 26011240 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Fear conditioning studies in adults have found that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with heightened fear responses and impaired discrimination. The objective of the current study was to examine the association between PTSD symptoms and fear conditioned responses in children from a highly traumatized urban population. Children between 8 and 13 years old participated in a fear conditioning study in addition to providing information about their trauma history and PTSD symptoms. Results showed that females showed less discrimination between danger and safety signals during conditioning compared to age-matched males. In boys, intrusive symptoms were predictive of fear responses, even after controlling for trauma exposure. However, in girls, conditioned fear to the danger cue was predictive of self-blame and fear of repeated trauma. This study suggests there are early sex differences in the patterns of fear conditioning and that these sex differences may translate to differential risk for trauma-related psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn Gamwell
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Maria Nylocks
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Dorthie Cross
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Bekh Bradley
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.,Mental Health Service, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Atlanta, GA
| | - Seth D Norrholm
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.,Mental Health Service, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Atlanta, GA
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
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Validation of candidate anxiety disorder genes using a carbon dioxide challenge task. Biol Psychol 2015; 109:61-6. [PMID: 25913301 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2015.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2014] [Revised: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Few replicable genetic variants have been identified in the etiology of heritable anxiety disorders such as panic disorder. Endophenotypic measures that have reduced heterogeneity may provide more powerful targets for gene identification. We assessed hypersensitivity to carbon dioxide (a reliable endophenotype of panic and anxiety) in 174 Caucasian college students, who were genotyped on 26 polymorphic markers from 11 genes previously associated with panic/anxiety. Individual trajectories of respiratory and subjective anxiety response to carbon dioxide were measured and tested for association with these genetic markers. One marker in the acid-sensing ion channel 1 (ASIC1) gene, rs1108923, had a significant association with respiratory rate. No genes had a significant association with subjective anxiety response. Our findings support previously reported associations between ASIC1 and panic/anxiety, but not other genes previously associated with anxiety disorders. The use of endophenotypic markers is a promising avenue for gene identification in anxiety and other complex disorders.
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Acheson DT, Geyer MA, Baker DG, Nievergelt CM, Yurgil K, Risbrough VB. Conditioned fear and extinction learning performance and its association with psychiatric symptoms in active duty Marines. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2015; 51:495-505. [PMID: 25444643 PMCID: PMC4345165 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2014] [Revised: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a major public health concern, especially given the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nevertheless, despite a sharp increase in the incidence of psychiatric disorders in returning veterans, empirically based prevention strategies are still lacking. To develop effective prevention and treatment strategies, it is necessary to understand the underlying biological mechanisms contributing to PTSD and other trauma related symptoms. METHODS The "Marine Resiliency Study II" (MRS-II; October 2011-October 2013) Neurocognition project is an investigation of neurocognitive performance in Marines about to be deployed to Afghanistan. As part of this investigation, 1195 Marines and Navy corpsmen underwent a fear conditioning and extinction paradigm and psychiatric symptom assessment prior to deployment. The current study assesses (1) the effectiveness of the fear potentiated startle paradigm in producing fear learning and extinction and (2) the association of performance in the paradigm with baseline psychiatric symptom classes (healthy: n=923, PTSD symptoms: n=42, anxiety symptoms: n=37, and depression symptoms: n=12). RESULTS Results suggest that the task was effective in producing differential fear learning and fear extinction in this cohort. Further, distinct patterns emerged differentiating the PTSD and anxiety symptom classes from both healthy and depression classes. During fear acquisition, the PTSD symptom group was the only group to show deficient discrimination between the conditioned stimulus (CS+) and safety cue (CS-), exhibiting larger startle responses during the safety cue compared to the healthy group. During extinction learning, the PTSD symptom group showed significantly less reduction in their CS+ responding over time compared to the healthy group, as well as reduced extinction of self-reported anxiety to the CS+ by the end of the extinction session. Conversely, the anxiety symptom group showed normal safety signal discrimination and extinction of conditioned fear, but exhibited increased baseline startle reactivity and potentiated startle to CS+, as well as higher self-reported anxiety to both cues. The depression symptom group showed similar physiological and self-report measures as the healthy group. DISCUSSION These data are consistent with the idea that safety signal discrimination is a relatively specific marker of PTSD symptoms compared to general anxiety and depression symptoms. Further research is needed to determine if deficits in fear inhibition vs. exaggerated fear responding are separate biological "domains" across anxiety disorders that may predict differential biological mechanisms and possibly treatment needs. Future longitudinal analyses will examine whether poor learning of safety signals provides a marker of vulnerability to develop PTSD or is specific to symptom state.
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Affiliation(s)
- D T Acheson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, United States
| | - M A Geyer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, United States; Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA San Diego Healthcare System, United States
| | - D G Baker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, United States; Center for Excellence in Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, United States
| | - C M Nievergelt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, United States; Center for Excellence in Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, United States
| | - K Yurgil
- Center for Excellence in Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, United States
| | - V B Risbrough
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, United States; Center for Excellence in Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, United States.
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Rothbaum BO, Kearns MC, Reiser E, Davis JS, Kerley KA, Rothbaum AO, Mercer KB, Price M, Houry D, Ressler KJ. Early intervention following trauma may mitigate genetic risk for PTSD in civilians: a pilot prospective emergency department study. J Clin Psychiatry 2014; 75:1380-7. [PMID: 25188543 PMCID: PMC4293026 DOI: 10.4088/jcp.13m08715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2013] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Civilian posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and combat PTSD are major public health concerns. Although a number of psychosocial risk factors have been identified related to PTSD risk, there are no accepted, robust biological predictors that identify who will develop PTSD or who will respond to early intervention following trauma. We wished to examine whether genetic risk for PTSD can be mitigated with an early intervention. METHOD 65 emergency department patients recruited in 2009-2010 at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, who met criterion A of DSM-IV PTSD received either 3 sessions of an exposure intervention, beginning in the emergency department shortly after trauma exposure or assessment only. PTSD symptoms were assessed 4 and 12 weeks after trauma exposure. A composite additive risk score was derived from polymorphisms in 10 previously identified genes associated with stress-response (ADCYAP1R1, COMT, CRHR1, DBH, DRD2, FAAH, FKBP5, NPY, NTRK2, and PCLO), and gene x treatment effects were examined. The intervention included 3 sessions of imaginal exposure to the trauma memory and additional exposure homework. The primary outcome measure was the PTSD Symptom Scale-Interview Version or DSM-IV-based PTSD diagnosis in patients related to genotype and treatment group. RESULTS A gene x intervention x time effect was detected for individual polymorphisms, in particular the PACAP receptor, ADCYAP1R1, as well as with a combined genotype risk score created from independent SNP markers. Subjects who did not receive treatment had higher symptoms than those who received intervention. Furthermore, subjects with the "risk" genotypes who did not receive intervention had higher PTSD symptoms compared to those with the "low-risk" or "resilience" genotypes or those who received intervention. Additionally, PTSD symptoms correlated with level of genetic risk at week 12 (P < .005) in the assessment-only group, but with no relationship in the intervention group, even after controlling for age, sex, race, education, income, and childhood trauma. Using logistic regression, the number of risk alleles was significantly associated with likelihood of PTSD diagnosis at week 12 (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS This pilot prospective study suggests that combined genetic variants may serve to predict those most at risk for developing PTSD following trauma. A psychotherapeutic intervention initiated in the emergency department within hours of the trauma may mitigate this risk. The role of genetic predictors of risk and resilience should be further evaluated in larger, prospective intervention and prevention trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00895518.
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Rosenberg SL, Miller GE, Brehm JM, Celedón JC. Stress and asthma: novel insights on genetic, epigenetic, and immunologic mechanisms. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2014; 134:1009-15. [PMID: 25129683 PMCID: PMC4252392 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2014.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2014] [Revised: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In the United States the economically disadvantaged and some ethnic minorities are often exposed to chronic psychosocial stressors and disproportionately affected by asthma. Current evidence suggests a causal association between chronic psychosocial stress and asthma or asthma morbidity. Recent findings suggest potential mechanisms underlying this association, including changes in the methylation and expression of genes that regulate behavioral, autonomic, neuroendocrine, and immunologic responses to stress. There is also evidence suggesting the existence of susceptibility genes that predispose chronically stressed youth to both post-traumatic stress disorder and asthma. In this review we critically examine published evidence and suggest future directions for research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacy L Rosenberg
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
| | - Gregory E Miller
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill
| | - John M Brehm
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
| | - Juan C Celedón
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Roman CW, Lezak KR, Hartsock MJ, Falls WA, Braas KM, Howard AB, Hammack SE, May V. PAC1 receptor antagonism in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) attenuates the endocrine and behavioral consequences of chronic stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2014; 47:151-65. [PMID: 25001965 PMCID: PMC4342758 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Revised: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Chronic or repeated stressor exposure can induce a number of maladaptive behavioral and physiological consequences and among limbic structures, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) has been implicated in the integration and interpretation of stress responses. Previous work has demonstrated that chronic variate stress (CVS) exposure in rodents increases BNST pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP, Adcyap1) and PAC1 receptor (Adcyap1r1) transcript expression, and that acute BNST PACAP injections can stimulate anxiety-like behavior. Here we show that chronic stress increases PACAP expression selectively in the oval nucleus of the dorsolateral BNST in patterns distinct from those for corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH). Among receptor subtypes, BNST PACAP signaling through PAC1 receptors not only heightened anxiety responses as measured by different behavioral parameters but also induced anorexic-like behavior to mimic the consequences of stress. Conversely, chronic inhibition of BNST PACAP signaling by continuous infusion with the PAC1 receptor antagonist PACAP(6-38) during the week of CVS attenuated these stress-induced behavioral responses and changes in weight gain. BNST PACAP signaling stimulated the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and heightened corticosterone release; further, BNST PACAP(6-38) administration blocked corticosterone release in a sensitized stress model. In aggregate with recent associations of PACAP/PAC1 receptor dysregulation with altered stress responses including post-traumatic stress disorder, these data suggest that BNST PACAP/PAC1 receptor signaling mechanisms may coordinate the behavioral and endocrine consequences of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn W. Roman
- Department of Neurological Sciences University of Vermont College of Medicine Burlington, Vermont 05405 USA
| | - Kim R. Lezak
- Department of Psychological Science University of Vermont Burlington, Vermont 05405 USA
| | - Matthew J. Hartsock
- Department of Psychological Science University of Vermont Burlington, Vermont 05405 USA
| | - William A. Falls
- Department of Psychological Science University of Vermont Burlington, Vermont 05405 USA
| | - Karen M. Braas
- Department of Neurological Sciences University of Vermont College of Medicine Burlington, Vermont 05405 USA
| | - Alan B. Howard
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics University of Vermont Burlington, Vermont 05405 USA
| | - Sayamwong E. Hammack
- Department of Psychological Science University of Vermont Burlington, Vermont 05405 USA,Corresponding Authors: Victor May, Ph.D., Department of Neurological Sciences University of Vermont College of Medicine 149 Beaumont Avenue, HSRF 428 Burlington, Vermont 05405, Telephone: 802.656.4579,
| | - Victor May
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
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Rosser FJ, Forno E, Cooper PJ, Celedón JC. Asthma in Hispanics. An 8-year update. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2014; 189:1316-27. [PMID: 24881937 PMCID: PMC4098086 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201401-0186pp] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 04/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
This review provides an update on asthma in Hispanics, a diverse group tracing their ancestry to countries previously under Spanish rule. A marked variability in the prevalence and morbidity from asthma remains among Hispanic subgroups in the United States and Hispanic America. In the United States, Puerto Ricans and Mexican Americans have high and low burdens of asthma, respectively (the "Hispanic Paradox"). This wide divergence in asthma morbidity among Hispanic subgroups is multifactorial, likely reflecting the effects of known (secondhand tobacco smoke, air pollution, psychosocial stress, obesity, inadequate treatment) and potential (genetic variants, urbanization, vitamin D insufficiency, and eradication of parasitic infections) risk factors. Barriers to adequate asthma management in Hispanics include economic and educational disadvantages, lack of health insurance, and no access to or poor adherence with controller medications such as inhaled corticosteroids. Although considerable progress has been made in our understanding of asthma in Hispanic subgroups, many questions remain. Studies of asthma in Hispanic America should focus on environmental or lifestyle factors that are more relevant to asthma in this region (e.g., urbanization, air pollution, parasitism, and stress). In the United States, research studies should focus on risk factors that are known to or may diverge among Hispanic subgroups, including but not limited to epigenetic variation, prematurity, vitamin D level, diet, and stress. Clinical trials of culturally appropriate interventions that address multiple aspects of asthma management in Hispanic subgroups should be prioritized for funding. Ensuring high-quality healthcare for all remains a pillar of eliminating asthma disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska J. Rosser
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Erick Forno
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Philip J. Cooper
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones FEPIS, Quinindé, Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador; and
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St. George’s University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Juan C. Celedón
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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PACAP receptor gene polymorphism impacts fear responses in the amygdala and hippocampus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:3158-63. [PMID: 24516127 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1318954111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We have recently found higher circulating levels of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a highly traumatized cohort of women but not men. Furthermore, a single nucleotide polymorphism in the PACAP receptor gene ADCYAP1R1, adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide 1 receptor type 1, was associated with individual differences in PTSD symptoms and psychophysiological markers of fear and anxiety. The current study outlines an investigation of individual differences in brain function associated with ADCYAP1R1 genotype. Forty-nine women who had experienced moderate to high levels of lifetime trauma participated in a functional MRI task involving passive viewing of threatening and neutral face stimuli. Analyses focused on the amygdala and hippocampus, regions that play central roles in the pathophysiology of PTSD and are known to have high densities of PACAP receptors. The risk genotype was associated with increased reactivity of the amygdala and hippocampus to threat stimuli and decreased functional connectivity between the amygdala and hippocampus. The findings indicate that the PACAP system modulates medial temporal lobe function in humans. Individual differences in ADCYAP1R1 genotype may contribute to dysregulated fear circuitry known to play a central role in PTSD and other anxiety disorders.
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Abstract
Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and debilitating psychiatric disorders. Owing to the complex aetiology of anxiety disorders, translational studies involving multiple approaches, including human and animal genetics, molecular, endocrinological and imaging studies, are needed to get a converging picture of function or dysfunction of anxiety-related circuits. An advantage of anxiety disorders is that the neural circuitry of fear is comparatively well understood, with striking analogies between animal and human models, and this article aims to provide a brief overview of current translational approaches to anxiety. Experimental models that involve similar tasks in animals and humans, such as fear conditioning and extinction, seem particularly promising and can be readily integrated with imaging, behavioural and physiological readouts. The cross-validation between animal and human genetics models is essential to examine the relevance of candidate genes, as well as their neural pathways, for anxiety disorders; a recent example of such cross-validation work is provided by preclinical and clinical work on TMEM132D, which has been identified as a candidate gene for panic disorder. Further integration of epigenetic data and gene × environment interaction are promising approaches, as highlighted by FKPB5 and PACAP, early life trauma and stress-related anxiety disorders. Finally, connecting genetic and epigenetic data with functionally relevant imaging readouts will allow a comparison of overlap and differences across species in mechanistic pathways from genes to brain functioning and behaviour.
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Sink KS, Davis M, Walker DL. CGRP antagonist infused into the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis impairs the acquisition and expression of context but not discretely cued fear. Learn Mem 2013; 20:730-9. [PMID: 24255102 PMCID: PMC3834624 DOI: 10.1101/lm.032482.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) infusions into the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) evoke increases in startle amplitude and increases in anxiety-like behavior in the plus maze. Conversely, intra-BNST infusions of the CGRP antagonist CGRP8–37 block unconditioned startle increases produced by fox odor. Here we evaluate the contribution of CGRP signaling in the BNST to the development and expression of learned fear. Rats received five pairings of a 3.7-sec light and footshock and were tested for fear-potentiated startle one or more days later. Neither pre-training (Experiment 1) nor pre-test (Experiment 2) infusions of the CGRP antagonist CGRP8–37 (800 ng/BNST) disrupted fear-potentiated startle to the 3.7-sec visual cue. However, in both experiments, CGRP8–37 infusions disrupted baseline startle increases that occurred when rats were tested in the same context as that in which they previously received footshock (Experiment 3). Intra-BNST CGRP8–37 infusions did not disrupt shock-evoked corticosterone release (Experiment 4). These data confirm previous findings implicating BNST CGRP receptors in fear and anxiety. They extend those results by showing an important contribution to learned fear and, specifically, to fear evoked by a shock-associated context rather than a discrete cue. This pattern is consistent with previous models of BNST function that have posited a preferential role in sustained anxiety as opposed to phasic fear responses. More generally, the results add to a growing body of evidence indicating behaviorally, possibly clinically, relevant modulation of BNST function by neuroactive peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly S Sink
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, USA
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47
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Rodríguez-Cotto RI, Ortiz-Martínez MG, Rivera- Ramírez E, Méndez LB, Dávila JC, Jiménez-Vélez BD. African Dust Storms Reaching Puerto Rican Coast Stimulate the Secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 and Cause Cytotoxicity to Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells (BEAS-2B). Health (London) 2013; 5:14-28. [PMID: 25002916 PMCID: PMC4082624 DOI: 10.4236/health.2013.510a2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
African dust storm events (ADE) travel across the Atlantic Ocean (ADEAO) and reach the Puerto Rican coast (ADEPRC), potentially impacting air quality and human health. To what extent seasonal variations in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) size fractions, composition and sources trigger respiratory-adverse effects to Puerto Ricans is still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic effects of PM samples harvested during ADEAO (PM10), ADEPRC (PM2.5 and PM10) and Non-ADE (Preand Post-ADEAO and Non-ADEPRC), using BEAS-2B cells. Endotoxins (ENX) in PM2.5 and PM10 extracts and traces of metals (TMET) in PM2.5 extracts were also examined. IL-6 and IL-8 secretion and cytotoxicity were used as endpoints. ADEAO and ADEPRC extracts were found to be more cytotoxic than Non-ADE and ADEAO were more toxic than ADEPRC extracts. PM10 extracts from ADEAO and Post-ADEAO caused significant secretion of IL-8. IL-6 and IL-8 secretion was higher following treatment with PM10 and PM2.5 ADEPRC than with Non-ADEPRC extracts. ENX levels were found to be higher in PM10 ADEAO than in the rest of the samples tested. TMET levels were higher in PM2.5 ADEPRC than in Non-ADEPRC extracts. Deferoxamine significantly reduced cytotoxicity and IL-6 and IL-8 secretion whereas Polymyxin B did not. TMET in PM2.5 fractions is a major determinant in ADEPRC-induced toxicity and work in conjunction with ENX to cause toxicity to lung cells in vitro. ENX and TMET may be responsible, in part, for triggering PM-respiratory adverse responses in susceptible and predisposed individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa I. Rodríguez-Cotto
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Center for Environmental and Toxicological Research, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Mario G. Ortiz-Martínez
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Center for Environmental and Toxicological Research, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Evasomary Rivera- Ramírez
- Center for Environmental and Toxicological Research, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Loyda B. Méndez
- Center for Environmental and Toxicological Research, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Science and Technology School, Eastern University, Carolina, Puerto Rico
| | - Julio C. Dávila
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Center for Environmental and Toxicological Research, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Braulio D. Jiménez-Vélez
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Center for Environmental and Toxicological Research, San Juan, Puerto Rico
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Almli LM, Mercer KB, Kerley K, Feng H, Bradley B, Conneely KN, Ressler KJ. ADCYAP1R1 genotype associates with post-traumatic stress symptoms in highly traumatized African-American females. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2013; 162B:262-72. [PMID: 23505260 PMCID: PMC3738001 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2012] [Accepted: 02/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and its receptor (PAC1) play a critical role in biological processes that mediate stress response and have been implicated in psychological outcome following trauma. Our previous work [Ressler et al. (2011); Nature 470:492-497] demonstrated that a variant, rs2267735, in the gene encoding PAC1 (ADCYAP1R1) is associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a primarily African-American cohort of highly traumatized females. We sought to extend and replicate our previous finding in a similarly trauma-exposed, replicate sample of 1,160 African-American adult male and female patients. Self-reported psychiatric measures were collected, and DNA was obtained for genetic analysis. Using linear regression models to test for association with PTSD symptom severity under an additive (allelic) model, we found a genotype × trauma interaction in females (P < 0.001), but not males (P > 0.1); however, there was no main effect of genotype as in our previous study. The observed interaction suggests a genetic association that increases with the degree of trauma exposure in females only. This interaction remained significant in females, but not males, after controlling for age (P < 0.001), income (P < 0.01), past substance abuse (P < 0.001), depression severity (P = 0.02), or child abuse (P < 0.0005), and all five combined (P = 0.01). No significant effects of genotype (or interactions) were found when modeling depression severity when controlling for comorbid PTSD symptom severity (P > 0.1), demonstrating the relative specificity of this variant for PTSD symptoms. A meta-analysis with the previously reported African-American samples revealed a strong association between PTSD symptom severity and the interaction between trauma and genotype in females (N = 1424, P < 0.0001).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn M. Almli
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kristina B. Mercer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland
| | | | - Hao Feng
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Bekh Bradley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Karen N. Conneely
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia,Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kerry J. Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland,Correspondence to: Kerry J. Ressler, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral, Sciences, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329.
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49
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Towards new approaches to disorders of fear and anxiety. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2013; 23:346-52. [PMID: 23402950 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2013.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Revised: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Fear and anxiety are debilitating conditions that affect a significant number of individuals in their lifetimes. Understanding underlying mechanisms of these disorders affords us the possibility of therapeutic intervention. Such clarity in terms of mechanism and intervention can only come from an amalgamation of research from human to animal studies that attempt to mimic the human condition, both of which are discussed in this review. We begin by presenting an outline of our current understanding of the neurobiological basis of fear and anxiety. This outline spans various levels of organization that include the circuitry, molecular pathways, genetic and epigenetic components of fear and anxiety. Using these organizational levels as a scaffold, we then discuss strategies that are currently used to ameliorate these disorders, and forecast future interventions that hold therapeutic promise. Among these newer promising treatments, we include, optogenetic, pharmacological, and extinction-based approaches, as well as lifestyle modifications, with combinatorial treatment regimens of these holding the most promise.
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Chen W, Boutaoui N, Brehm JM, Han YY, Schmitz C, Cressley A, Acosta-Pérez E, Alvarez M, Colón-Semidey A, Baccarelli AA, Weeks DE, Kolls JK, Canino G, Celedón JC. ADCYAP1R1 and asthma in Puerto Rican children. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2013; 187:584-8. [PMID: 23328528 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201210-1789oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Epigenetic and/or genetic variation in the gene encoding the receptor for adenylate-cyclase activating polypeptide 1 (ADCYAP1R1) has been linked to post-traumatic stress disorder in adults and anxiety in children. Psychosocial stress has been linked to asthma morbidity in Puerto Rican children. OBJECTIVES To examine whether epigenetic or genetic variation in ADCYAP1R1 is associated with childhood asthma in Puerto Ricans. METHODS We conducted a case-control study of 516 children ages 6-14 years living in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We assessed methylation at a CpG site in the promoter of ADCYAP1R1 (cg11218385) using a pyrosequencing assay in DNA from white blood cells. We tested whether cg11218385 methylation (range, 0.4-6.1%) is associated with asthma using logistic regression. We also examined whether exposure to violence (assessed by the Exposure to Violence [ETV] Scale in children 9 yr and older) is associated with cg11218385 methylation (using linear regression) or asthma (using logistic regression). Logistic regression was used to test for association between a single nucleotide polymorphism in ADCYAP1R1 (rs2267735) and asthma under an additive model. All multivariate models were adjusted for age, sex, household income, and principal components. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS EACH 1% increment in cg11218385 methylation was associated with increased odds of asthma (adjusted odds ratio, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.6; P = 0.03). Among children 9 years and older, exposure to violence was associated with cg11218385 methylation. The C allele of single nucleotide polymorphism rs2267735 was significantly associated with increased odds of asthma (adjusted odds ratio, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.67; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Epigenetic and genetic variants in ADCYAP1R1 are associated with asthma in Puerto Rican children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chen
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
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