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Ruiz-Santiago C, Rodríguez-Pinacho CV, Pérez-Sánchez G, Acosta-Cruz E. Effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on endocrine system (Review). Biomed Rep 2024; 21:128. [PMID: 39070109 PMCID: PMC11273194 DOI: 10.3892/br.2024.1816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically prescribed for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) due to their high efficacy. These drugs function by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin [also termed 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)], which raises the levels of 5-HT in the synaptic cleft, leading to prolonged activation of postsynaptic 5-HT receptors. Despite the therapeutic benefits of SSRIs, this mechanism of action also disturbs the neuroendocrine response. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity is strongly linked to both MDD and the response to antidepressants, owing to the intricate interplay within the serotonergic system, which regulates feeding, water intake, sexual drive, reproduction and circadian rhythms. The aim of the present review was to provide up-to-date evidence for the proposed effects of SSRIs, such as fluoxetine, citalopram, escitalopram, paroxetine, sertraline and fluvoxamine, on the endocrine system. For this purpose, the literature related to the effects of SSRIs on the endocrine system was searched using the PubMed database. According to the available literature, SSRIs may have an adverse effect on glucose metabolism, sexual function and fertility by dysregulating the function of the HPA axis, pancreas and gonads. Therefore, considering that SSRIs are often prescribed for extended periods, it is crucial to monitor the patient closely with particular attention to the function of the endocrine system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Ruiz-Santiago
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Saltillo Coahuila 25280, México
| | | | - Gilberto Pérez-Sánchez
- Laboratory of Psychoimmunology, National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente Muñíz, México City 14370, México
| | - Erika Acosta-Cruz
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Saltillo Coahuila 25280, México
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2
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Seblani M, Brezun JM, Féron F, Hoquet T. Rethinking plasticity: Analysing the concept of "destructive plasticity" in the light of neuroscience definitions. Eur J Neurosci 2024. [PMID: 39092545 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
As a multilevel and multidisciplinary field, neuroscience is designed to interact with various branches of natural and applied sciences as well as with humanities and philosophy. The continental tradition in philosophy, particularly over the past 20 years, tended to establish strong connections with biology and neuroscience findings. This cross fertilization can however be impeded by conceptual intricacies, such as those surrounding the concept of plasticity. The use of this concept has broadened as scientists applied it to explore an ever-growing range of biological phenomena. Here, we examine the consequences of this ambiguity in an interdisciplinary context through the analysis of the concept of "destructive plasticity" in the philosophical writings of Catherine Malabou. The term "destructive plasticity" was coined by Malabou in 2009 to refer to all processes leading to psycho-cognitive and emotional alterations following traumatic or nontraumatic brain injuries or resulting from neurodevelopmental disorders. By comparing it with the neuroscientific definitions of plasticity, we discuss the epistemological obstacles and possibilities related to the integration of this concept into neuroscience. Improving interdisciplinary exchanges requires an advanced and sophisticated manipulation of neurobiological concepts. These concepts are not only intended to guide research programmes within neuroscience but also to organize and frame the dialogue between different theoretical backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Seblani
- Institut des Sciences du Mouvement: Etienne-Jules MAREY (ISM), CNRS, Aix Marseille Univ, UMR 7287, Campus Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille Cedex 09, France
- Institute of NeuroPhysiopathology (INP), CNRS, Aix Marseille University, UMR 7051, Marseille Cedex 5, France
- Department of Philosophy, University Paris Nanterre, Nanterre Cedex, France
| | - Jean-Michel Brezun
- Institut des Sciences du Mouvement: Etienne-Jules MAREY (ISM), CNRS, Aix Marseille Univ, UMR 7287, Campus Scientifique de Luminy, Marseille Cedex 09, France
| | - François Féron
- Institute of NeuroPhysiopathology (INP), CNRS, Aix Marseille University, UMR 7051, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Thierry Hoquet
- Department of Philosophy, University Paris Nanterre, Nanterre Cedex, France
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3
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Schwarting RKW, Wöhr M, Engler H, Sungur AÖ, Schedlowski M. Behaviorally conditioned effects of psychoactive drugs in experimental animals: What we have learned from nearly a century of research and what remains to be learned. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 162:105721. [PMID: 38754716 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Continuous treatment with drugs is a crucial requirement for managing various clinical conditions, including chronic pain and neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression or schizophrenia. Associative learning processes, i.e. Pavlovian conditioning, can play an important role for the effects of drugs and could open new avenues for optimizing patient treatment. In this narrative literature review, we summarize available data in experimental animals regarding the behaviorally conditioned effects of psychostimulants such as d-amphetamine and cocaine, the dopamine receptor agonist apomorphine, the dopamine receptor antagonist haloperidol, morphine and antidepressant drugs. In each section, the drug under discussion is briefly introduced, followed by a detailed examination of conditioning features, including doses and dosing regimens, characteristics of the conditioning process such as test environments or specific conditioned stimuli, testing and conditioned response characteristics, possible extinction or reconditioning or reversal training, neural mechanisms, and finally, the potential clinical relevance of the research area related to the drug. We focus on key outcomes, delve into methodical issues, identify gaps in current knowledge, and suggest future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer K W Schwarting
- Philipps-University of Marburg, Faculty of Psychology, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Marburg D-35032, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Marburg D-35032, Germany
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Philipps-University of Marburg, Faculty of Psychology, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Marburg D-35032, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Marburg D-35032, Germany; KU Leuven, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Research Unit Brain and Cognition, Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Social and Affective Neuroscience Research Group, Leuven B-3000, Belgium; KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven B-3000, Belgium
| | - Harald Engler
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational Neuro-, and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen D-45147, Germany
| | - A Özge Sungur
- Philipps-University of Marburg, Faculty of Psychology, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Marburg D-35032, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Marburg D-35032, Germany; KU Leuven, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Research Unit Brain and Cognition, Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Social and Affective Neuroscience Research Group, Leuven B-3000, Belgium; KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven B-3000, Belgium
| | - Manfred Schedlowski
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational Neuro-, and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen D-45147, Germany; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden
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4
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Page CE, Epperson CN, Novick AM, Duffy KA, Thompson SM. Beyond the serotonin deficit hypothesis: communicating a neuroplasticity framework of major depressive disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02625-2. [PMID: 38816586 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02625-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The serotonin deficit hypothesis explanation for major depressive disorder (MDD) has persisted among clinicians and the general public alike despite insufficient supporting evidence. To combat rising mental health crises and eroding public trust in science and medicine, researchers and clinicians must be able to communicate to patients and the public an updated framework of MDD: one that is (1) accessible to a general audience, (2) accurately integrates current evidence about the efficacy of conventional serotonergic antidepressants with broader and deeper understandings of pathophysiology and treatment, and (3) capable of accommodating new evidence. In this article, we summarize a framework for the pathophysiology and treatment of MDD that is informed by clinical and preclinical research in psychiatry and neuroscience. First, we discuss how MDD can be understood as inflexibility in cognitive and emotional brain circuits that involves a persistent negativity bias. Second, we discuss how effective treatments for MDD enhance mechanisms of neuroplasticity-including via serotonergic interventions-to restore synaptic, network, and behavioral function in ways that facilitate adaptive cognitive and emotional processing. These treatments include typical monoaminergic antidepressants, novel antidepressants like ketamine and psychedelics, and psychotherapy and neuromodulation techniques. At the end of the article, we discuss this framework from the perspective of effective science communication and provide useful language and metaphors for researchers, clinicians, and other professionals discussing MDD with a general or patient audience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe E Page
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - C Neill Epperson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Depression Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Andrew M Novick
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Korrina A Duffy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Scott M Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
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5
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Poggini S, Matte Bon G, Ciano Albanese N, Karpova N, Castrén E, D'Andrea I, Branchi I. Subjective experience of the environment determines serotoninergic antidepressant treatment outcome in male mice. J Affect Disord 2024; 350:900-908. [PMID: 38246279 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effects of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the first-line antidepressant treatment, have been proposed to be affected, at least in part, by the living environment. Since the quality of the environment depends not only on its objective features, but also on the subjective experience, we hypothesized that the latter plays a key role in determining SSRI treatment outcome. METHODS We chronically administered the SSRI fluoxetine to two groups of adult CD-1 male mice that reportedly show distinct subjective experiences of the environment measured as consistent and significantly different responses to the same emotional and social stimuli. These distinct socioemotional profiles were generated by rearing mice either in standard laboratory conditions (SN) or in a communal nest (CN) where three dams breed together their offspring, sharing caregiving behavior. RESULTS At adulthood, CN mice displayed higher levels of agonistic and anxiety-like behaviors than SN mice, indicating that they experience the environment as more socially challenging and potentially dangerous. We then administered fluoxetine, which increased offensive and anxious response in SN, while producing opposite effects in CN mice. BDNF regulation was modified by the treatment accordingly. LIMITATIONS Subjective experience in mice was assessed as behavioral response to the environment. CONCLUSIONS These results show that the subjective experience of the environment determines fluoxetine outcome. In a translational perspective, our findings suggest considering not only the objective quality, but also the subjective appraisal, of the patient's living environment for developing effective personalized therapeutic approaches in psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Poggini
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Gloria Matte Bon
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Naomi Ciano Albanese
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Nina Karpova
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eero Castrén
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ivana D'Andrea
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) UMR-S 1270, Sorbonne Université, Sciences and Engineering Faculty, Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
| | - Igor Branchi
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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6
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Gencturk S, Unal G. Rodent tests of depression and anxiety: Construct validity and translational relevance. COGNITIVE, AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2024; 24:191-224. [PMID: 38413466 PMCID: PMC11039509 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-024-01171-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Behavioral testing constitutes the primary method to measure the emotional states of nonhuman animals in preclinical research. Emerging as the characteristic tool of the behaviorist school of psychology, behavioral testing of animals, particularly rodents, is employed to understand the complex cognitive and affective symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders. Following the symptom-based diagnosis model of the DSM, rodent models and tests of depression and anxiety focus on behavioral patterns that resemble the superficial symptoms of these disorders. While these practices provided researchers with a platform to screen novel antidepressant and anxiolytic drug candidates, their construct validity-involving relevant underlying mechanisms-has been questioned. In this review, we present the laboratory procedures used to assess depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors in rats and mice. These include constructs that rely on stress-triggered responses, such as behavioral despair, and those that emerge with nonaversive training, such as cognitive bias. We describe the specific behavioral tests that are used to assess these constructs and discuss the criticisms on their theoretical background. We review specific concerns about the construct validity and translational relevance of individual behavioral tests, outline the limitations of the traditional, symptom-based interpretation, and introduce novel, ethologically relevant frameworks that emphasize simple behavioral patterns. Finally, we explore behavioral monitoring and morphological analysis methods that can be integrated into behavioral testing and discuss how they can enhance the construct validity of these tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinem Gencturk
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Boğaziçi University, 34342, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gunes Unal
- Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Boğaziçi University, 34342, Istanbul, Turkey.
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7
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Branchi I. Uncovering the determinants of brain functioning, behavior and their interplay in the light of context. Eur J Neurosci 2024. [PMID: 38558227 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Notwithstanding the huge progress in molecular and cellular neuroscience, our ability to understand the brain and develop effective treatments promoting mental health is still limited. This can be partially ascribed to the reductionist, deterministic and mechanistic approaches in neuroscience that struggle with the complexity of the central nervous system. Here, I introduce the Context theory of constrained systems proposing a novel role of contextual factors and genetic, molecular and neural substrates in determining brain functioning and behavior. This theory entails key conceptual implications. First, context is the main driver of behavior and mental states. Second, substrates, from genes to brain areas, have no direct causal link to complex behavioral responses as they can be combined in multiple ways to produce the same response and different responses can impinge on the same substrates. Third, context and biological substrates play distinct roles in determining behavior: context drives behavior, substrates constrain the behavioral repertoire that can be implemented. Fourth, since behavior is the interface between the central nervous system and the environment, it is a privileged level of control and orchestration of brain functioning. Such implications are illustrated through the Kitchen metaphor of the brain. This theoretical framework calls for the revision of key concepts in neuroscience and psychiatry, including causality, specificity and individuality. Moreover, at the clinical level, it proposes treatments inducing behavioral changes through contextual interventions as having the highest impact to reorganize the complexity of the human mind and to achieve a long-lasting improvement in mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Branchi
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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8
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Wu R, Xiong Y, Gu Y, Cao LY, Zhang SY, Song ZX, Fan P, Lin L. Traditional Pediatric Massage Enhanced Hippocampal GR, BDNF and IGF-1 Expressions and Exerted an Anti-depressant Effect in an Adolescent Rat Model of CUMS-induced Depression. Neuroscience 2024; 542:47-58. [PMID: 38364964 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the anti-depressant effect of traditional pediatric massage (TPM) in adolescent rats and its possible mechanism. The adolescent depression model in rats was established by using chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). All rats were randomly divided into five groups (seven per group), including the groups of control (CON), CUMS, CUMS with TPM, CUMS with back stroking massage (BSM) and CUMS with fluoxetine (FLX). The tests of sucrose preference, Morris water maze and elevated plus maze were used to evaluate depression-related behaviors. Plasma corticosterone (CORT) level was measured by ELISA. The gene and protein expressions of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were measured by RT-qPCR and IHC respectively. The results showed that CUMS induced depression-related behaviors in the adolescent rats, along with decreased weight gain and reduced hippocampal expressions of GR, IGF-1 and BDNF. TPM could effectively prevent depression-related behaviors in CUMS-exposed adolescent rats, manifested as increasing weight gain, sucrose consumption, ratio of open-arm entry, times of crossing the specific quadrant and shortening escape latency. TPM also decreased CORT level in plasma, together with enhancing expressions of GR, IGF-1 and BDNF in the hippocampus. These results may support the clinical application of TPM to prevent and treat adolescent depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Wu
- College of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Xiong
- College of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yun Gu
- College of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Li-Yue Cao
- College of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shu-Ying Zhang
- College of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi-Xiu Song
- College of Health and Rehabilitation, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Pu Fan
- College of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Lin
- College of Acupuncture Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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9
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Wang W, Li Y, Wang L, Chen X, Lan T, Wang C, Chen S, Yu S. FBXL20 promotes synaptic impairment in depression disorder via degrading vesicle-associated proteins. J Affect Disord 2024; 349:132-144. [PMID: 38211741 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Synaptic plasticity changes in presynaptic terminals or postsynaptic membranes play a critical role in cognitive impairments and emotional disorders, but the underlying molecular mechanisms in depression remain largely unknown. METHODS The regulation effects of F-box and leucine-rich repeat protein 20 (FBXL20), vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) and vesicle-associated membrane protein 1 (VAMP1) on synaptic plasticity and depressive-like behaviors examined by proteomics analysis, viral stereotaxic injection, transmission electron microscope and biochemical methods. The glutamate release detected by fluorescent probe in cultured primary pyramidal neurons. RESULTS We found that chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) induced significant synaptic deficits within hippocampus of depressed rats, accompanied with the decreased expression of VGLUT1 and VAMP1. Moreover, knockdown of VGLUT1 or VAMP1 in hippocampal pyramidal neurons resulted in abnormal glutamatergic neurotransmitter release. In addition, we found that the E3 ubiquitin ligase FBXL20 was increased within hippocampus, which may promote ubiquitination and degradation of VGLUT1 and VAMP1, and thus resulted in the reduction of glutamatergic neurotransmitter release, the disruptions of synaptic transmission and the induction of depression-like behaviors in rats. In contrast, shRNA knockdown of FBXL20 within the hippocampus of depressed rats significantly ameliorated synaptic damage and depression-like behaviors. LIMITATION Only one type of depression model was used in the present study, while other animal models should be used in the future to confirm the underlying mechanisms reported here. CONCLUSIONS This study provides new insights that inhibiting FBXL20 pathway in depressed rats may be an effective strategy to rescue synaptic transmission and depression-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Ye Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Liyan Wang
- Morphological Experimental Center, Shandong University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, 44 Wenhuaxilu Road, Jinan, Shandong Province 250012, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Tian Lan
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Changmin Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Shihong Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Ji'nan, Shandong 250033, China.
| | - Shuyan Yu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China.
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10
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Gründer G, Brand M, Mertens LJ, Jungaberle H, Kärtner L, Scharf DJ, Spangemacher M, Wolff M. Treatment with psychedelics is psychotherapy: beyond reductionism. Lancet Psychiatry 2024; 11:231-236. [PMID: 38101439 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(23)00363-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Treatment of psychiatric disorders with psychedelic substances represents one of the most promising current treatment approaches in psychiatry. Since its inception in the 1950s, therapy with psychedelics has been conceptualised as psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy-ie, a form of psychotherapy that uses the profound biological effects of this class of substances as a catalyst for changing thinking, emotions, and behaviour. In this view, the psychotherapy component of the treatment is considered as being of the utmost importance for both the safety and efficacy of the therapy. This conceptualisation has been challenged by the idea that the latest clinical studies suggest that the potential therapeutic effects of psychedelics must be attributed solely to the substance itself, with no role for psychotherapy. Here, accompaniment by therapists is understood as mere psychological support, to maintain the safety of the substance administration. In this Personal View, we contrast these two views and argue that the characterisation of treatment with psychedelics as a biological intervention (with psychological support as a purely safety-related component) represents an outdated and reductionistic dualism that has dominated psychiatric treatment and research for far too long. This discussion has important implications for the study and the regulation of these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Gründer
- Department of Molecular Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany; OVID Health Systems, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Manuela Brand
- Department of Molecular Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lea J Mertens
- Department of Molecular Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Henrik Jungaberle
- MIND Foundation, Berlin, Germany; OVID Health Systems, Berlin, Germany
| | - Laura Kärtner
- Department of Molecular Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Dennis J Scharf
- Department of Molecular Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Moritz Spangemacher
- Department of Molecular Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Max Wolff
- MIND Foundation, Berlin, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
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11
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Qian X, Zhong ZD, Zhang Y, Qiu LQ, Tan HJ. Fluoxetine mitigates depressive-like behaviors in mice via anti-inflammation and enhancing neuroplasticity. Brain Res 2024; 1825:148723. [PMID: 38101693 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Neuroplasticity and inflammation represent a common final pathway for effective antidepressant treatment. SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed medications for depression and have demonstrated efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms. However, the precise impact of SSRIs on neuroplasticity and inflammation remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the influence of long-term treatment with SSRIs on hippocampal neuron, inflammation, synaptic function and morphology. Our findings revealed that fluoxetine treatment significantly alleviated behavioral despair, anhedonia, and anxiety in reserpine-treated mice. Moreover, fluoxetine mitigated hippocampal neuron impairment, inhibited inflammatory release, and increased the expression of synaptic proteins markers (SYP and PSD95) in mice. Notably, fluoxetine also suppressed reserpine-induced synapse loss in the hippocampus. Based on these results, fluoxetine has been demonstrated effectively to ameliorate depressive mood and cognitive dysfunction, possibly through the enhancement of synaptic plasticity. Overall, our study contributes to a further understanding of the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of fluoxetine and its potential role in improving depressive symptoms and cognitive impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Qian
- School of Chemistry, Guangdong Key Lab of Chiral Molecules and Drug Discovery, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
| | - Zuo-Dong Zhong
- School of Pharmacy, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command, Nanjing 210016, China
| | - Li-Qin Qiu
- School of Chemistry, Guangdong Key Lab of Chiral Molecules and Drug Discovery, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Hui-Jun Tan
- School of Chemistry, Guangdong Key Lab of Chiral Molecules and Drug Discovery, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
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12
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Yin YY, Yan JZ, Lai SX, Wei QQ, Sun SR, Zhang LM, Li YF. Gamma oscillations in the mPFC: A potential predictive biomarker of depression and antidepressant effects. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 129:110893. [PMID: 37949392 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Gamma oscillations have attracted much attention in the field of mood disorders, but their role in depression remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate whether gamma oscillations in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) could serve as a predictive biomarker of depression. Chronic restraint stress (CRS) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used to induce depression-like behaviors in mice; local field potentials (LFPs) in the mPFC were recorded by electrophysiological techniques; We found that both CRS and LPS induced significant depression-like behaviors in mice, including increasing immobility durations in the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) and increasing the latency to feed in the novelty-suppressed feeding test (NSFT). Electrophysiological results suggested that CRS and LPS significantly reduced low and high gamma oscillations in the mPFC. Furthermore, a single injection of ketamine or scopolamine for 24 h significantly increased gamma oscillations and elicited rapid-acting antidepressant-like effects. In addition, fluoxetine treatment for 21 days significantly increased gamma oscillations and elicited antidepressant-like effects. Taken together, our findings suggest that gamma oscillations are strongly associated with depression, yielding new insights into investigating the predictive biomarkers of depression and the time course of antidepressant effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Yu Yin
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing, China.
| | - Jiao-Zhao Yan
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shi-Xin Lai
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen campus, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qian-Qian Wei
- School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Si-Rui Sun
- Beijing Ditan Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Ming Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing, China
| | - Yun-Feng Li
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing, China; Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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13
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Domschke K, Seuling PD, Schiele MA, Bandelow B, Batelaan NM, Bokma WA, Branchi I, Broich K, Burkauskas J, Davies SJC, Dell'Osso B, Fagan H, Fineberg NA, Furukawa TA, Hofmann SG, Hood S, Huneke NTM, Latas M, Lidbetter N, Masdrakis V, McAllister-Williams RH, Nardi AE, Pallanti S, Penninx BWJH, Perna G, Pilling S, Pini S, Reif A, Seedat S, Simons G, Srivastava S, Steibliene V, Stein DJ, Stein MB, van Ameringen M, van Balkom AJLM, van der Wee N, Zwanzger P, Baldwin DS. The definition of treatment resistance in anxiety disorders: a Delphi method-based consensus guideline. World Psychiatry 2024; 23:113-123. [PMID: 38214637 PMCID: PMC10785995 DOI: 10.1002/wps.21177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are very prevalent and often persistent mental disorders, with a considerable rate of treatment resistance which requires regulatory clinical trials of innovative therapeutic interventions. However, an explicit definition of treatment-resistant anxiety disorders (TR-AD) informing such trials is currently lacking. We used a Delphi method-based consensus approach to provide internationally agreed, consistent and clinically useful operational criteria for TR-AD in adults. Following a summary of the current state of knowledge based on international guidelines and an available systematic review, a survey of free-text responses to a 29-item questionnaire on relevant aspects of TR-AD, and an online consensus meeting, a panel of 36 multidisciplinary international experts and stakeholders voted anonymously on written statements in three survey rounds. Consensus was defined as ≥75% of the panel agreeing with a statement. The panel agreed on a set of 14 recommendations for the definition of TR-AD, providing detailed operational criteria for resistance to pharmacological and/or psychotherapeutic treatment, as well as a potential staging model. The panel also evaluated further aspects regarding epidemiological subgroups, comorbidities and biographical factors, the terminology of TR-AD vs. "difficult-to-treat" anxiety disorders, preferences and attitudes of persons with these disorders, and future research directions. This Delphi method-based consensus on operational criteria for TR-AD is expected to serve as a systematic, consistent and practical clinical guideline to aid in designing future mechanistic studies and facilitate clinical trials for regulatory purposes. This effort could ultimately lead to the development of more effective evidence-based stepped-care treatment algorithms for patients with anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Patrik D Seuling
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Miriam A Schiele
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Borwin Bandelow
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Neeltje M Batelaan
- Department of Psychiatry and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wicher A Bokma
- Department of Psychiatry and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Igor Branchi
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Karl Broich
- Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, Bonn, Germany
| | - Julius Burkauskas
- Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Palanga, Lithuania
| | - Simon J C Davies
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bernardo Dell'Osso
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Mental Health and Addictions, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Harry Fagan
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Naomi A Fineberg
- University of Hertfordshire & Hertfordshire Partnership, University NHS Foundation Trust, Hatfield, UK
| | - Toshi A Furukawa
- Department of Health Promotion and Human Behavior, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine/School of Public Health, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Stefan G Hofmann
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sean Hood
- Division of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Nathan T M Huneke
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Milan Latas
- Clinic for Psychiatry, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
- Belgrade University School of Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Vasilios Masdrakis
- First Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - R Hamish McAllister-Williams
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle, UK
| | - Antonio E Nardi
- Panic & Respiration Laboratory, Institute of Psychiatry, Medical School, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Stefano Pallanti
- Institute of Neuroscience, Florence, Italy
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brenda W J H Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Giampaolo Perna
- Department of Biological Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Steve Pilling
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Effectiveness, Research Department of Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Stefano Pini
- University of Pisa School of Medicine, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andreas Reif
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Soraya Seedat
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Gemma Simons
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Solent NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
| | | | - Vesta Steibliene
- Neuroscience Institute and Clinic of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Dan J Stein
- South African Medical Research Council Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Murray B Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and School of Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Michael van Ameringen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Anton J L M van Balkom
- Department of Psychiatry and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nic van der Wee
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Zwanzger
- Clinical Center for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Kbo-Inn-Salzach Hospital, Wasserburg am Inn, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwigs-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - David S Baldwin
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
- South African Medical Research Council Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Biskupiak Z, Ha VV, Rohaj A, Bulaj G. Digital Therapeutics for Improving Effectiveness of Pharmaceutical Drugs and Biological Products: Preclinical and Clinical Studies Supporting Development of Drug + Digital Combination Therapies for Chronic Diseases. J Clin Med 2024; 13:403. [PMID: 38256537 PMCID: PMC10816409 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Limitations of pharmaceutical drugs and biologics for chronic diseases (e.g., medication non-adherence, adverse effects, toxicity, or inadequate efficacy) can be mitigated by mobile medical apps, known as digital therapeutics (DTx). Authorization of adjunct DTx by the US Food and Drug Administration and draft guidelines on "prescription drug use-related software" illustrate opportunities to create drug + digital combination therapies, ultimately leading towards drug-device combination products (DTx has a status of medical devices). Digital interventions (mobile, web-based, virtual reality, and video game applications) demonstrate clinically meaningful benefits for people living with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, chronic pain, epilepsy, depression, and anxiety. In the respective animal disease models, preclinical studies on environmental enrichment and other non-pharmacological modalities (physical activity, social interactions, learning, and music) as surrogates for DTx "active ingredients" also show improved outcomes. In this narrative review, we discuss how drug + digital combination therapies can impact translational research, drug discovery and development, generic drug repurposing, and gene therapies. Market-driven incentives to create drug-device combination products are illustrated by Humira® (adalimumab) facing a "patent-cliff" competition with cheaper and more effective biosimilars seamlessly integrated with DTx. In conclusion, pharma and biotech companies, patients, and healthcare professionals will benefit from accelerating integration of digital interventions with pharmacotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zack Biskupiak
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Victor Vinh Ha
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Aarushi Rohaj
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- The Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84113, USA
| | - Grzegorz Bulaj
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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15
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Greenway KT. Context is a Critical for Psychoactive Drug Effects. CNS Drugs 2023; 37:1065-1068. [PMID: 37999869 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-023-01053-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kyle T Greenway
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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16
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Dandi Ε, Theotokis P, Petri MC, Sideropoulou V, Spandou E, Tata DA. Environmental enrichment initiated in adolescence restores the reduced expression of synaptophysin and GFAP in the hippocampus of chronically stressed rats in a sex-specific manner. Dev Psychobiol 2023; 65:e22422. [PMID: 37796476 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
This study aims at investigating whether environmental enrichment (EE) initiated in adolescence can alter chronic unpredictable stress (CUS)-associated changes in astroglial and synaptic plasticity markers in male and female rats. To this end, we studied possible alterations in hippocampal glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and synaptophysin (SYN) in CUS rats previously housed in EE. Wistar rats on postnatal day (PND) 23 were housed for 10 weeks in standard housing (SH) or enriched conditions. On PND 66, animals were exposed to CUS for 4 weeks. SYN and GFAP expressions were evaluated in CA1 and CA3 subfields and dentate gyrus (DG). CUS reduced the expression of SYN in all hippocampal areas, whereas lower GFAP expression was evident only in CA1 and CA3. The reduced expression of SYN in DG and CA3 was evident to male SH/CUS rats, whereas the reduced GFAP expression in CA1 and CA3 was limited to SH/CUS females. EE housing increased the hippocampal expression of both markers and protected against CUS-associated decreases. Our findings indicate that the decreases in the expression of SYN and GFAP following CUS are region and sex-specific and underline the neuroprotective role of EE against these CUS-associated changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Εvgenia Dandi
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Paschalis Theotokis
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology, 2nd Department of Neurology, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Christina Petri
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vaia Sideropoulou
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia Spandou
- Laboratory of Experimental Physiology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Despina A Tata
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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17
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Zhang Y, Guo Z, Yang L, Cheng C, Gai C, Gao Y, Zhang Y, Sun H, Hu D. Possible Involvement of Perineuronal Nets in Anti-Depressant Effects of Electroacupuncture in Chronic-Stress-Induced Depression in Rats. Neurochem Res 2023; 48:3146-3159. [PMID: 37347359 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-03970-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Acupuncture can alleviate depression-like behaviors. However, the neural mechanisms behind the anti-depressive effect remain unknown. Perineuronal net (PNN) abnormalities have been reported in multiple psychiatric disorders. This study investigated the modulation and neural mechanism of PNNs in the anti-depressant process of electroacupuncture (EA) at Baihui (GV20) and Yintang (GV29) points. A rat depression model was induced by chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS). The results revealed that CUMS, applied for four weeks, specifically reduces PNNs around parvalbumin (PV). In addition, EA and fluoxetine treatments reverse the decrease in PNNs+ cell density and the ratio of PV and PNN double-positive cells to PV+ neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) after CUMS. Furthermore, EA treatment can reverse the decrease in the protein expression of PNN components (aggrecan and brevican) in the mPFC caused by stress. After EA treatment, the decreased expression of GAD67, GLuA1, and PSD95 in the mPFC induced by CUMS for four weeks was also reversed. PNN degradation in mPFC brain areas potentially interferes with the anti-depressant benefits of EA in rats with depression induced by CUMS. EA treatment did not increase PNNs+ cell density and the ratio of PV and PNN double-positive cells to PV+ neurons after PNNs degradation in the mPFC brain region of rats. This finding indicated that the mechanism of acupuncture's anti-depressant effect may be based on reversing the CUMS-induced decline in PNN expression, the functional impairment of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons, and the regulation of excitatory synaptic proteins expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute of Metabolic Diseases, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenyu Guo
- Department of Anatomy, School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Luping Yang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Cuicui Cheng
- Department of Anatomy, School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Cong Gai
- Department of Anatomy, School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yushan Gao
- Department of Anatomy, School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hongmei Sun
- Department of Anatomy, School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Die Hu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
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18
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Zhao J, Zeng X, Liu J, Liu X, Liu Z, Wang B, Chen Z, Dong Y, Guo S, Cui M, Xiao H, Liu X. Marasmius androsaceus mitigates depression-exacerbated intestinal radiation injuries through reprogramming hippocampal miRNA expression. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115157. [PMID: 37454593 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cancer patients commonly experience high levels of psychological stress, which poses significant risks to their well-being. Radiotherapy is a primary treatment modality for cancer; however, it often leads to intestinal injuries in these patients. Nevertheless, the impact of mental stress on radiotherapy-intertwined complications remains unclear. METHODS To induce intestinal injury, we employed total abdominal irradiation in our experimental model. We conducted high-throughput sequencing to analyze the expression profile of miRNAs in the hippocampus. RESULTS We observed that mice with depression exhibited more severe intestinal injuries following total abdominal irradiation. Remarkably, oral administration of Marasmius androsaceus not only alleviated the depressive phenotype but also mitigated radiation-induced intestinal toxicity. Notably, this radioprotective effect was not observed in mice without depression. Depression disrupted the hippocampal miRNA expression profile in mice subjected to local irradiation of the abdomen, leading to the accumulation of miR-139-5p and miR-184-3p in the hippocampus, serum, and small intestine tissues. However, treatment with Marasmius androsaceus reprogrammed the miRNA expression signature in mice with depression. Furthermore, intravenous injection of antagomirs targeting miR-139-5p and miR-184-3p ameliorated depression, up-regulated Spn expression, reduced radiation enteritis, and improved the integrity of the small intestine in irradiated mice. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate the efficacy of Marasmius androsaceus, a small mushroom, in alleviating depression-aggravated intestinal toxicity following radiotherapy by reprogramming hippocampal miRNA expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of MolecularMicrobiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xiaozhou Zeng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 238 Baidi Road, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Jia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of MolecularMicrobiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xiaojing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of MolecularMicrobiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Zhihong Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Dushuhu Campus, Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 238 Baidi Road, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Zhiyuan Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 238 Baidi Road, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Yanxi Dong
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 238 Baidi Road, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Suping Guo
- Shanxi Institute of Medicine and Life Science, 61 Pingyang Road, Taiyuan 030012, China; Shanxi Kangxin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 1 West Ring Road, Luliang 030082, China
| | - Ming Cui
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 238 Baidi Road, Tianjin 300192, China.
| | - Huiwen Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of MolecularMicrobiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China.
| | - Xingzhong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of MolecularMicrobiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China.
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19
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Kahnau P, Jaap A, Urmersbach B, Diederich K, Lewejohann L. Development of an IntelliCage-based cognitive bias test for mice. OPEN RESEARCH EUROPE 2023; 2:128. [PMID: 37799631 PMCID: PMC10548109 DOI: 10.12688/openreseurope.15294.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The cognitive bias test is used to measure the emotional state of animals with regard to future expectations. Thus, the test offers a unique possibility to assess animal welfare with regard to housing and testing conditions of laboratory animals. So far, however, performing such a test is time-consuming and requires the presence of an experimenter. Therefore, we developed an automated and home-cage based cognitive bias test based on the IntelliCage system. We present several developmental steps to improve the experimental design leading to a successful measurement of cognitive bias in group-housed female C57BL/6J mice. The automated and home-cage based test design allows to obtain individual data from group-housed mice, to test the mice in their familiar environment, and during their active phase. By connecting the test-cage to the home-cage via a gating system, the mice participated in the test on a self-chosen schedule, indicating high motivation to actively participate in the experiment. We propose that this should have a positive effect on the animals themselves as well as on the data. Unexpectedly, the mice showed an optimistic cognitive bias after enrichment was removed and additional restraining. An optimistic expectation of the future as a consequence of worsening environmental conditions, however, can also be interpreted as an active coping strategy in which a potential profit is sought to be maximized through a higher willingness to take risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Kahnau
- Laboratory Animal Science, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, 10589, Germany
| | - Anne Jaap
- Laboratory Animal Science, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, 10589, Germany
| | - Birk Urmersbach
- Laboratory Animal Science, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, 10589, Germany
| | - Kai Diederich
- Laboratory Animal Science, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, 10589, Germany
| | - Lars Lewejohann
- Laboratory Animal Science, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, 10589, Germany
- Insitute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, 14163, Germany
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20
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Kahnau P, Jaap A, Urmersbach B, Diederich K, Lewejohann L. Development of an IntelliCage-based cognitive bias test for mice. OPEN RESEARCH EUROPE 2023; 2:128. [PMID: 37799631 PMCID: PMC10548109 DOI: 10.12688/openreseurope.15294.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
The cognitive bias test is used to measure the emotional state of animals with regard to future expectations. Thus, the test offers a unique possibility to assess animal welfare with regard to housing and testing conditions of laboratory animals. So far, however, performing such a test is time-consuming and requires the presence of an experimenter. Therefore, we developed an automated and home-cage based cognitive bias test based on the IntelliCage system. We present several developmental steps to improve the experimental design leading to a successful measurement of cognitive bias in group-housed female C57BL/6J mice. The automated and home-cage based test design allows to obtain individual data from group-housed mice, to test the mice in their familiar environment, and during their active phase. By connecting the test-cage to the home-cage via a gating system, the mice participated in the test on a self-chosen schedule, indicating high motivation to actively participate in the experiment. We propose that this should have a positive effect on the animals themselves as well as on the data. Unexpectedly, the mice showed an optimistic cognitive bias after enrichment was removed and additional restraining. An optimistic expectation of the future as a consequence of worsening environmental conditions, however, can also be interpreted as an active coping strategy in which a potential profit is sought to be maximized through a higher willingness to take risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Kahnau
- Laboratory Animal Science, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, 10589, Germany
| | - Anne Jaap
- Laboratory Animal Science, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, 10589, Germany
| | - Birk Urmersbach
- Laboratory Animal Science, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, 10589, Germany
| | - Kai Diederich
- Laboratory Animal Science, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, 10589, Germany
| | - Lars Lewejohann
- Laboratory Animal Science, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, 10589, Germany
- Insitute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, 14163, Germany
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21
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Dandi Ε, Spandou E, Dalla C, Tata DA. Τhe neuroprotective role of environmental enrichment against behavioral, morphological, neuroendocrine and molecular changes following chronic unpredictable mild stress: A systematic review. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 58:3003-3025. [PMID: 37461295 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Environmental factors interact with biological and genetic factors influencing the development and well-being of an organism. The interest in better understanding the role of environment on behavior and physiology led to the development of animal models of environmental manipulations. Environmental enrichment (EE), an environmental condition that allows cognitive and sensory stimulation as well as social interaction, improves cognitive function, reduces anxiety and depressive-like behavior and promotes neuroplasticity. In addition, it exerts protection against neurodegenerative disorders, cognitive aging and deficits aggravated by stressful experiences. Given the beneficial effects of EE on the brain and behavior, preclinical studies have focused on its protective role as an alternative, non-invasive manipulation, to help an organism to cope better with stress. A valid, reliable and effective animal model of chronic stress that enhances anxiety and depression-like behavior is the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The variety of stressors and the unpredictability in the time and sequence of exposure to prevent habituation, render CUMS an ethologically relevant model. CUMS has been associated with dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, elevation in the basal levels of stress hormones, reduction in brain volume, dendritic atrophy and alterations in markers of synaptic plasticity. Although numerous studies have underlined the compensatory role of EE against the negative effects of various chronic stress regimens (e.g. restraint and social isolation), research concerning the interaction between EE and CUMS is sparse. The purpose of the current systematic review is to present up-to-date research findings regarding the protective role of EE against the negative effects of CUMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Εvgenia Dandi
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia Spandou
- Laboratory of Experimental Physiology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Christina Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Despina A Tata
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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22
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Moliner R, Girych M, Brunello CA, Kovaleva V, Biojone C, Enkavi G, Antenucci L, Kot EF, Goncharuk SA, Kaurinkoski K, Kuutti M, Fred SM, Elsilä LV, Sakson S, Cannarozzo C, Diniz CRAF, Seiffert N, Rubiolo A, Haapaniemi H, Meshi E, Nagaeva E, Öhman T, Róg T, Kankuri E, Vilar M, Varjosalo M, Korpi ER, Permi P, Mineev KS, Saarma M, Vattulainen I, Casarotto PC, Castrén E. Psychedelics promote plasticity by directly binding to BDNF receptor TrkB. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:1032-1041. [PMID: 37280397 PMCID: PMC10244169 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01316-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 90.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Psychedelics produce fast and persistent antidepressant effects and induce neuroplasticity resembling the effects of clinically approved antidepressants. We recently reported that pharmacologically diverse antidepressants, including fluoxetine and ketamine, act by binding to TrkB, the receptor for BDNF. Here we show that lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocin directly bind to TrkB with affinities 1,000-fold higher than those for other antidepressants, and that psychedelics and antidepressants bind to distinct but partially overlapping sites within the transmembrane domain of TrkB dimers. The effects of psychedelics on neurotrophic signaling, plasticity and antidepressant-like behavior in mice depend on TrkB binding and promotion of endogenous BDNF signaling but are independent of serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2A) activation, whereas LSD-induced head twitching is dependent on 5-HT2A and independent of TrkB binding. Our data confirm TrkB as a common primary target for antidepressants and suggest that high-affinity TrkB positive allosteric modulators lacking 5-HT2A activity may retain the antidepressant potential of psychedelics without hallucinogenic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Moliner
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mykhailo Girych
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Vera Kovaleva
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Caroline Biojone
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Giray Enkavi
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lina Antenucci
- Department of Chemistry, Nanoscience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Erik F Kot
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, RAS, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Sergey A Goncharuk
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, RAS, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Katja Kaurinkoski
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mirjami Kuutti
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Senem M Fred
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri V Elsilä
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sven Sakson
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Cassiano R A F Diniz
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nina Seiffert
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna Rubiolo
- Neuroscience, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Hele Haapaniemi
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Elsa Meshi
- Biomedical Sciences, Hellenic University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Elina Nagaeva
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tiina Öhman
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tomasz Róg
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Esko Kankuri
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marçal Vilar
- Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration Unit, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, Valencia, Spain
| | - Markku Varjosalo
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Esa R Korpi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Perttu Permi
- Department of Chemistry, Nanoscience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Nanoscience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Structural and Quantitative Biology Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Instruct-HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Konstantin S Mineev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, RAS, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mart Saarma
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilpo Vattulainen
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | | | - Eero Castrén
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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23
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Minocycline treatment improves cognitive and functional plasticity in a preclinical mouse model of major depressive disorder. Behav Brain Res 2023; 441:114295. [PMID: 36641083 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic, recurring, and potentially life-threatening illness, which affects over 300 million people worldwide. MDD affects not only the emotional and social domains but also cognition. However, the currently available treatments targeting cognitive deficits in MDD are limited. Minocycline, an antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties recently identified as a potential antidepressant, has been shown to attenuate learning and memory deficits in animal models of cognitive impairment. Here, we explored whether minocycline recovers the deficits in cognition in a mouse model of depression. C57BL6/J adult male mice were exposed to two weeks of chronic unpredictable mild stress to induce a depressive-like phenotype. Immediately afterward, mice received either vehicle or minocycline for three weeks in standard housing conditions. We measured anhedonia as a depressive-like response, and place learning to assess cognitive abilities. We also recorded long-term potentiation (LTP) as an index of hippocampal functional plasticity and ran immunohistochemical assays to assess microglial proportion and morphology. After one week of treatment, cognitive performance in the place learning test was significantly improved by minocycline, as treated mice displayed a higher number of correct responses when learning novel spatial configurations. Accordingly, minocycline-treated mice displayed higher LTP compared to controls. However, after three weeks of treatment, no difference between treated and control animals was found for behavior, neural plasticity, and microglial properties, suggesting that minocycline has a fast but short effect on cognition, without lasting effects on microglia. These findings together support the usefulness of minocycline as a potential treatment for cognitive impairment associated with MDD.
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24
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Therapeutic treatment with fluoxetine using the chronic unpredictable stress model induces changes in neurotransmitters and circulating miRNAs in extracellular vesicles. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13442. [PMID: 36852042 PMCID: PMC9958461 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The most widely prescribed antidepressant, fluoxetine (FLX), is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects when administered post-stress. Few studies have evaluated the effects of FLX treatment when chronic stress has induced deleterious effects in patients. Our objective was to evaluate FLX treatment (20 mg/kg/day, i.v.) once these effects are manifested, and the drug's relation to extracellular circulating microRNAs associated with inflammation, a hedonic response (sucrose intake), the forced swim test (FST), and corticosterone levels (CORT) and monoamine concentrations in limbic areas. A group of Wistar rats was divided into groups: Control; FLX; CUMS (for six weeks of exposure to chronic, unpredictable mild stress); and CUMS + FLX, a mixed group. After CUMS, the rats performed the FST, and serum levels of CORT and six microRNAs (miR-16, -21, -144, -155, -146a, -223) were analyzed, as were levels of dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus. CUMS reduced body weight, sucrose intake, and hippocampal noradrenaline levels, but increased CORT, immobility behavior on the FST, dopamine concentrations in the prefrontal cortex, and all miRNAs except miR-146a expression. Administering FLX during CUMS reduced CORT levels and immobility behavior on the FST and increased the expression of miR-16, -21, -146a, -223, and dopamine. FLX protects against the deleterious effects of stress by reducing CORT and has an antidepressant effect on the FST, with minimally-modified neurotransmitter levels. FLX increased the expression of miRNAs as part of the antidepressant effect. It also regulates both neuroinflammation and serotoninergic neurotransmission through miRNAs, such as the miR-16.
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25
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The importance of a multidimensional approach to the preclinical study of major depressive disorder and apathy. Emerg Top Life Sci 2022; 6:479-489. [PMID: 36413089 PMCID: PMC9788393 DOI: 10.1042/etls20220004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Both the neuropsychiatric syndrome of apathy and major depressive disorder comprise a heterogenous cluster of symptoms which span multiple behavioural domains. Despite this heterogeneity, there is a tendency in the preclinical literature to conclude a MDD or apathy-like phenotype from a single dimensional behavioural task used in isolation, which may lead to inaccurate phenotypic interpretation. This is significant, as apathy and major depressive disorder are clinically distinct with different underlying mechanisms and treatment approaches. At the clinical level, apathy and major depressive disorder can be dissociated in the negative valence (loss) domain of the Research Domain Criteria. Symptoms of MDD in the negative valence (loss) domain can include an exaggerated response to emotionally salient stimuli and low mood, while in contrast apathy is characterised by an emotionally blunted state. In this article, we highlight how using a single dimensional approach can limit psychiatric model interpretation. We discuss how integrating behavioural findings from both the positive and negative (loss) valence domains of the Research Domain Criteria can benefit interpretation of findings. We focus particularly on behaviours relating to the negative valence (loss) domain, which may be used to distinguish between apathy and major depressive disorder at the preclinical level. Finally, we consider how future approaches using home cage monitoring may offer a new opportunity to detect distinct behavioural profiles and benefit the overall translatability of findings.
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26
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Casarotto P, Umemori J, Castrén E. BDNF receptor TrkB as the mediator of the antidepressant drug action. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1032224. [PMID: 36407765 PMCID: PMC9666396 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1032224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling through its receptor TrkB has for a long time been recognized as a critical mediator of the antidepressant drug action, but BDNF signaling has been considered to be activated indirectly through the action of typical and rapid-acting antidepressants through monoamine transporters and glutamate NMDA receptors, respectively. However, recent findings demonstrate that both typical and the fast-acting antidepressants directly bind to TrkB and thereby allosterically potentiate BDNF signaling, suggesting that TrkB is the direct target for antidepressant drugs. Increased TrkB signaling particularly in the parvalbumin-expressing interneurons orchestrates iPlasticity, a state of juvenile-like enhanced plasticity in the adult brain. iPlasticity sensitizes neuronal networks to environmental influences, enabling rewiring of networks miswired by adverse experiences. These findings have dramatically changed the position of TrkB in the antidepressant effects and they propose a new end-to-end model of the antidepressant drug action. This model emphasizes the enabling role of antidepressant treatment and the active participation of the patient in the process of recovery from mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Plinio Casarotto
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juzoh Umemori
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Gene and Cell Technology, A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Eero Castrén
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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27
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Hif-1α regulates Tet1-c-Myc binding involved in depression-like behavior in prenatal hypoxia offspring. Neuroscience 2022; 502:41-51. [PMID: 36041588 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal hypoxia (PH) is one of the most common adverse stimulation during pregnancy. The brain is fragile in the fetal period and sensitive to hypoxia. The offspring who have experienced PH may be at increased risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders after birth and various neuropsychiatric diseases after adulthood. In this study, pregnant mice used to generate PH offspring were treated with hypoxia (10.5% oxygen) from gestational day 12.5 to 17.5. Compared with control mice, the birth weight of offspring in the PH group was significantly lower and the male adult offspring exhibited significant depression-like behavior. The expression of the oxygen-sensitive subunit of hypoxia-inducible factor (Hif-1α) was significantly elevated, whereas Ten-eleven translocated methylcytosine dioxygenase 1 (Tet1) and c-Myc, which is closely related to cell proliferation, was significantly decreased in the hippocampus of the male offspring in the PH group. In addition, the PH group showed increased binding of Hif-1α to Tet1, and decreased binding of Tet1 to c-Myc, resulting in increased ubiquitinated degradation of c-Myc and decreased neurogenesis in the hippocampus of the male offspring. These findings suggest that Hif-1α regulates Tet1-c-Myc binding involved in depression-like behavior in PH offspring and Hif-1α can be used as a detection index of stress-related diseases.
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28
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Xu G, Zou T, Deng L, Yang G, Guo T, Wang Y, Niu C, Cheng Q, Yang X, Dong J, Zhang J. Nonerythropoietic Erythropoietin Mimetic Peptide ARA290 Ameliorates Chronic Stress-Induced Depression-Like Behavior and Inflammation in Mice. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:896601. [PMID: 36046815 PMCID: PMC9421426 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.896601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent psychiatric disorder. But the treatment of depression remains challenging. Anti-inflammatory treatments frequently produce antidepressant effects. EPO-derived helix-B peptide ARA290 has been reported to retain the anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective functions of EPO without erythropoiesis-stimulating effects. The effects of ARA290 on MDD remain elusive. This study established chronic unpredictable mild stress and chronic social defeat stress mouse models. Daily administration of ARA290 during chronic stress induction in two mouse models ameliorated depression-like behavior, similar to fluoxetine. With marginal effects on peripheral blood hemoglobin and red cells, ARA290 and fluoxetine reversed chronic stress-induced increased frequencies and/or numbers of CD11b+Ly6Ghi neutrophils and CD11b+Ly6Chi monocytes in the bone marrow and meninges. Furthermore, both drugs reversed chronic stress-induced microglia activation. Thus, ARA290 ameliorated chronic stress-induced depression-like behavior in mice through, at least partially, its anti-inflammatory effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanglei Xu
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Zou
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lijiao Deng
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guang Yang
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Guo
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunxiao Niu
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qianqian Cheng
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiqin Yang
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Dong
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiyan Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Jiyan Zhang,
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29
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Zhao Y, Zhang H, Zhang Y, Fang Z, Xu C. Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Deprivation Enhances Adenosine Receptor Activation and the CREB1/YAP1/c-Myc Axis to Alleviate Depressive-like Behaviors in Rats. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:2298-2308. [PMID: 35838172 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
As neuromodulators, adenosine and its receptors are mediators of sleep-wake regulation. A putative correlation between CREB1 and depression has been predicted in our bioinformatics analyses, and its expression was also predicted to be upregulated in response to sleep deprivation. Therefore, this study aims to elaborate the A1 and A2A adenosine receptors and CREB1-associated mechanism underlying the antidepressant effect of rapid eye movement sleep deprivation (REMSD) in rats with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depressive-like behaviors. The modeled rats were injected with adenosine A1 receptor antagonist DPCPX or adenosine A2A receptor antagonist ZM241385 to assess the role of adenosine receptors in depression. In addition, ectopic expression and depletion experiments of CREB1 and YAP1 were also conducted in vivo and in vitro. It was found that REMSD alleviated depressive-like behaviors in CUMS rats, as shown by increased spontaneous activity, sucrose consumption and percentage, and shortened escape latency and immobility duration. Meanwhile, A1 or A2A adenosine receptor antagonists negated the antidepressant effect of REMSD. REMSD enhanced adenosine receptor activation and promoted the phosphorylation of CREB1, thus increasing the expression of CREB1. In addition, the overexpression of CREB1 activated the YAP1/c-Myc axis and consequently alleviated depressive-like behaviors. Collectively, our results provide new mechanistic insights for an understanding of the antidepressant effect of REMSD, which is associated with the activation of adenosine receptors and the CREB1/YAP1/c-Myc axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinglin Zhao
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Shantou University Mental Health Center, Shantou 515041, P. R. China
| | - Handi Zhang
- Biological Psychiatry Laboratory, Shantou University Mental Health Center, Shantou 515041, P. R. China
| | - Yinnan Zhang
- Rehabilitation Division, Shantou University Mental Health Center, Shantou 515041, P. R. China
| | - Zeman Fang
- Biological Psychiatry Laboratory, Shantou University Mental Health Center, Shantou 515041, P. R. China
| | - Chongtao Xu
- Shantou University Mental Health Center, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, P. R. China
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30
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Delli Colli C, Borgi M, Poggini S, Chiarotti F, Cirulli F, Penninx BWJH, Benedetti F, Vai B, Branchi I. Time moderates the interplay between 5-HTTLPR and stress on depression risk: gene x environment interaction as a dynamic process. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:274. [PMID: 35821204 PMCID: PMC9276704 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02035-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The serotonin-transporter-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) has been widely investigated as contributing to depression vulnerability. Nevertheless, empirical research provides wide contrasting findings regarding its involvement in the etiopathogenesis of the disorder. Our hypothesis was that such discrepancy can be explained considering time as moderating factor. We explored this hypothesis, exploiting a meta analytic approach. We searched PubMed, PsychoINFO, Scopus and EMBASE databases and 1096 studies were identified and screened, resulting in 22 studies to be included in the meta-analyses. The effect of the 5-HTTLPR x stress interaction on depression risk was found to be moderated by the following temporal factors: the duration of stress (i.e. chronic vs. acute) and the time interval between end of stress and assessment of depression (i.e. within 1 year vs. more than 1 year). When stratifying for the duration of stress, the effect of the 5-HTTLPR x stress interaction emerged only in the case of chronic stress, with a significant subgroup difference (p = 0.004). The stratification according to time interval revealed a significant interaction only for intervals within 1 year, though no difference between subgroups was found. The critical role of time interval clearly emerged when considering only chronic stress: a significant effect of the 5-HTTLPR and stress interaction was confirmed exclusively within 1 year and a significant subgroup difference was found (p = 0.01). These results show that the 5-HTTLPR x stress interaction is a dynamic process, producing different effects at different time points, and indirectly confirm that s-allele carriers are both at higher risk and more capable to recover from depression. Overall, these findings expand the current view of the interplay between 5-HTTLPR and stress adding the temporal dimension, that results in a three-way interaction: gene x environment x time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Delli Colli
- grid.416651.10000 0000 9120 6856Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy ,grid.7841.aPhD program in Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Borgi
- grid.416651.10000 0000 9120 6856Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Poggini
- grid.416651.10000 0000 9120 6856Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Chiarotti
- grid.416651.10000 0000 9120 6856Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Cirulli
- grid.416651.10000 0000 9120 6856Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Brenda W. J. H. Penninx
- grid.12380.380000 0004 1754 9227Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Francesco Benedetti
- grid.18887.3e0000000417581884Psychiatry & Clinical Psychobiology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy ,grid.15496.3f0000 0001 0439 0892Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Benedetta Vai
- grid.18887.3e0000000417581884Psychiatry & Clinical Psychobiology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy ,grid.15496.3f0000 0001 0439 0892Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Igor Branchi
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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31
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Branchi I. Recentering neuroscience on behavior: The interface between brain and environment is a privileged level of control of neural activity. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 138:104678. [PMID: 35487322 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite the huge and constant progress in the molecular and cellular neuroscience fields, our capability to understand brain alterations and treat mental illness is still limited. Therefore, a paradigm shift able to overcome such limitation is warranted. Behavior and the associated mental states are the interface between the central nervous system and the living environment. Since, in any system, the interface is a key regulator of system organization, behavior is proposed here as a unique and privileged level of control and orchestration of brain structure and activity. This view has relevant scientific and clinical implications. First, the study of behavior represents a singular starting point for the investigation of neural activity in an integrated and comprehensive fashion. Second, behavioral changes, accomplished through psychotherapy or environmental interventions, are expected to have the highest impact to specifically reorganize the complexity of the human mind and thus achieve a solid and long-lasting improvement in mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Branchi
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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32
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Plasticity in mental health: A network theory. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 138:104691. [PMID: 35568207 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Plasticity is the ability to modify brain and behavior, ultimately promoting an amplification of the impact of the context on the individual's mental health. Thus, plasticity is not beneficial per se but its value depends on contextual factors, such as the quality of the living environment. High plasticity is beneficial in a favorable environment, but can be detrimental in adverse conditions, while the opposite applies to low plasticity. Resilience and vulnerability are not univocally associated to high or low plasticity. Consequently, individuals should undergo different preventive and therapeutic strategies according to their plasticity levels and living conditions. Here, an operationalization of plasticity relying on network theory is proposed: the strength of the connection among the network elements defining the individual, such as its symptoms, is a measure of plasticity. This theoretical framework represents a promising tool to investigate research questions related to changes in neural structure and activity and in behavior, and to improve therapeutic strategies for psychiatric disorders, such as major depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Puścian
- Nencki-EMBL Partnership for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders – BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur 3 Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewelina Knapska
- Nencki-EMBL Partnership for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders – BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur 3 Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
- Corresponding author
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Shin J, Lee J, Choi J, Ahn BT, Jang SC, You SW, Koh DY, Maeng S, Cha SY. Rapid-Onset Antidepressant-Like Effect of Nelumbinis semen in Social Hierarchy Stress Model of Depression. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2022; 2022:6897359. [PMID: 35677378 PMCID: PMC9168086 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6897359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Depression is a disease with increasing prevalence worldwide, and it is necessary to develop a therapeutic agent with better efficacy than existing antidepressant drugs. Antidepressants that act on the glutamatergic nervous system, such as ketamine, have a rapid-onset antidepressant effect and are effective against treatment-resistant depression. However, because of the addictive potential of ketamine, alternative substances without psychological side effects are recommended. In particular, many natural compounds have been tested for their antidepressant effects. The antidepressant effects of Nelumbinis semen (NS) have been tested in many studies, along with the various actions of NS on the glutamatergic system. Thus, it was expected that NS might have a rapid-onset antidepressant effect. To test the antidepressant potential, despair and anhedonic behaviors were measured after administering NS to mice exposed to social hierarchy stress (SHS), and biochemical changes in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were analyzed. NS reduced despair-like responses in the forced swim test and tail suspension test. Mice exposed to SHS showed depression-like responses such as increased despair, reduced hedonia, and an anxiety-like response in the novelty suppressed feeding test. NS, but not fluoxetine, improved those depression-like behaviors after acute treatment, and NBQX, an AMPA receptor blocker, inhibited the antidepressant-like effects of NS. The antidepressant-like effect of NS was related to enhanced phosphorylation of mTOR in the prefrontal cortex and dephosphorylation of GluR1 S845 in the hippocampus. Since NS has shown antidepressant-like potential in a preclinical model, it may be considered as a candidate for the development of antidepressants in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihwan Shin
- Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yong-in 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeonghun Lee
- Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yong-in 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Junhyuk Choi
- Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yong-in 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Taek Ahn
- Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yong-in 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Chul Jang
- Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yong-in 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Won You
- Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yong-in 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Do-Yeon Koh
- Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yong-in 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungho Maeng
- Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yong-in 17104, Republic of Korea
- AgeTech-Service Convergence Major, Graduated School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Young-in 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Yun Cha
- Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yong-in 17104, Republic of Korea
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Luoma JB, Shahar B, Kati Lear M, Pilecki B, Wagner A. Potential processes of change in MDMA-Assisted therapy for social anxiety disorder: Enhanced memory reconsolidation, self-transcendence, and therapeutic relationships. Hum Psychopharmacol 2022; 37:e2824. [PMID: 34739165 PMCID: PMC9285360 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Researchers have suggested that psychotherapy may be enhanced by the addition of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), particularly in the treatment of disorders wherein interpersonal dysfunction is central, such as social anxiety disorder. We review literature pertaining to three potential processes of change that may be instigated during sessions involving MDMA administration in the treatment of social anxiety disorder. DESIGN This is a narrative review that integrates research on the etiology and maintenance of social anxiety disorder and mechanisms of action of MDMA to examine how MDMA may enhance psychotherapy outcomes. RESULTS We first outline how MDMA may enhance memory reconsolidation in social anxiety disorder. We then discuss how MDMA may induce experiences of self-transcendence and self-transcendent emotions such as compassion, love, and awe; and how these experiences may be therapeutic in the context of social anxiety disorder. We subsequently discuss the possibility that MDMA may enhance the strength and effectiveness of the therapeutic relationship which is a robust predictor of outcomes across many disorders as well as a potential key ingredient in treating disorders where shame and social disconnection are central factors. CONCLUSION We discuss how processes of change may extend beyond the MDMA dosing sessions themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason B. Luoma
- Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training CenterPortlandOregonUSA
| | - Ben Shahar
- The Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - M. Kati Lear
- Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training CenterPortlandOregonUSA
| | - Brian Pilecki
- Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training CenterPortlandOregonUSA
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Chai Y, Cai Y, Fu Y, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Zhu L, Miao M, Yan T. Salidroside Ameliorates Depression by Suppressing NLRP3-Mediated Pyroptosis via P2X7/NF-κB/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:812362. [PMID: 35496273 PMCID: PMC9039222 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.812362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a common and serious mental disorder. Data on its pathogenesis remain unclear and the options of drug treatments are limited. Here, we explored the role of pyroptosis, a novel pro-inflammatory programmed cell death process, in depression as well as the anti-depression effects and mechanisms of salidroside (Sal), a bioactive extract from Rhodiola rosea L. We established a corticosterone (CORT)-induced or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mice in vivo, and CORT, or nigericin (NLRP3 agonist)-induced PC12 cells in vitro. Our findings demonstrated that Sal profoundly mediated CORT or LPS-induced depressive behavior and improved synaptic plasticity by upregulating the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene. The data showed upregulation of proteins associated with NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis, including NLRP3, cleaved Caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18, and cleaved GSDMD. The molecular docking simulation predicted that Sal would interact with P2X7 of the P2X7/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. In addition, our findings showed that the NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis was regulated by P2X7/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. Interestingly, Sal was shown to ameliorate depression via suppression of the P2X7/NF-κB/NLRP3 mediated pyroptosis, and rescued nigericin-induced pyroptosis in the PC12 cells. Besides, knock down of the NLRP3 gene by siRNA markedly increased the inhibitory effects of Sal on pyroptosis and proinflammatory responses. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that pyroptosis plays a crucial role in depression, and Sal ameliorates depression by suppressing the P2X7/NF-κB/NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis. Thus, our study provides new insights into the potential treatment options for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhui Chai
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutic University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yawen Cai
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutic University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Fu
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutic University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingdi Wang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutic University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yiming Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutic University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutic University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lingpeng Zhu
- Center of Clinical Research, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
- *Correspondence: Lingpeng Zhu, ; Mingxing Miao, ; Tianhua Yan,
| | - Mingxing Miao
- Center of National Pharmaceutical Experimental Teaching Demonstration, China Pharmaceutic University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Lingpeng Zhu, ; Mingxing Miao, ; Tianhua Yan,
| | - Tianhua Yan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutic University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Lingpeng Zhu, ; Mingxing Miao, ; Tianhua Yan,
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Vanicek T, Reed MB, Unterholzner J, Klöbl M, Godbersen GM, Handschuh PA, Spurny-Dworak B, Ritter V, Gryglewski G, Kraus C, Winkler D, Lanzenberger R, Seiger R. Escitalopram administration, relearning, and neuroplastic effects: A diffusion tensor imaging study in healthy individuals. J Affect Disord 2022; 301:426-432. [PMID: 35016914 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.12.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroplastic processes are influenced by serotonergic agents, which reportedly alter white matter microstructure in humans in conjunction with learning. The goal of this double-blind, placebo-controlled imaging study was to investigate the neuroplastic properties of escitalopram and cognitive training on white matter plasticity during (re)learning as a model for antidepressant treatment and environmental factors. METHODS Seventy-one healthy individuals (age=25.6 ± 5.0, 43 females) underwent three diffusion magnetic resonance imaging scans: at baseline, after 3 weeks of associative learning (emotional/non-emotional content), and after relearning shuffled associations for an additional 3 weeks. During the relearning phase, participants received a daily dose of 10 mg escitalopram or placebo orally. Fractional anisotropy (FA), and mean (MD), axial (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) were calculated within the FMRIB software library and analyzed using tract-based spatial statistics. RESULTS In a three-way repeated-measures marginal model with sandwich estimator standard errors, we found no significant effects of escitalopram and content on AD, FA, MD, and RD during both learning and relearning periods (pFDR>0.05). When testing for escitalopram or content effects separately, we also demonstrated no significant findings (pFDR>0.05) for any of the diffusion tensor imaging metrics. LIMITATIONS The intensity of the study interventions might have been too brief to induce detectable white matter changes. DISCUSSION Previous studies examining the effects of SSRIs on white matter tracts in humans have yielded inconclusive outcomes. Our results indicate that relearning under escitalopram does not affect the white matter microstructures in healthy individuals when administered for 3 weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Vanicek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - M B Reed
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - J Unterholzner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - M Klöbl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - G M Godbersen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - P A Handschuh
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - B Spurny-Dworak
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - V Ritter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - G Gryglewski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - C Kraus
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - D Winkler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - R Lanzenberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
| | - R Seiger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
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Aaldijk E, Vermeiren Y. The role of serotonin within the microbiota-gut-brain axis in the development of Alzheimer's disease: A narrative review. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 75:101556. [PMID: 34990844 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for more than 50 million patients worldwide. Current evidence suggests the exact mechanism behind this devastating disease to be of multifactorial origin, which seriously complicates the quest for an effective disease-modifying therapy, as well as impedes the search for strategic preventative measures. Of interest, preclinical studies point to serotonergic alterations, either induced via selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin receptor (ant)agonists, in mitigating AD brain neuropathology next to its clinical symptoms, the latter being supported by a handful of human intervention trials. Additionally, a substantial amount of preclinical trials highlight the potential of diet, fecal microbiota transplantations, as well as pre- and probiotics in modulating the brain's serotonergic neurotransmitter system, starting from the gut. Whether such interventions could truly prevent, reverse or slow down AD progression likewise, should be initially tested in preclinical studies with AD mouse models, including sufficient analytical measurements both in gut and brain. Thereafter, its potential therapeutic effect could be confirmed in rigorously randomized controlled trials in humans, preferentially across the Alzheimer's continuum, but especially from the prodromal up to the mild stages, where both high adherence to such therapies, as well as sufficient room for noticeable enhancement are feasible still. In the end, such studies might aid in the development of a comprehensive approach to tackle this complex multifactorial disease, since serotonin and its derivatives across the microbiota-gut-brain axis might serve as possible biomarkers of disease progression, next to forming a valuable target in AD drug development. In this narrative review, the available evidence concerning the orchestrating role of serotonin within the microbiota-gut-brain axis in the development of AD is summarized and discussed, and general considerations for future studies are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Aaldijk
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Chair Group of Nutritional Biology, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Yannick Vermeiren
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Chair Group of Nutritional Biology, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Wageningen, Netherlands; Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Translational Neurosciences, Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
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Serotonergic modulation of effective connectivity in an associative relearning network during task and rest. Neuroimage 2022; 249:118887. [PMID: 34999203 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.118887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
An essential core function of one's cognitive flexibility is the use of acquired knowledge and skills to adapt to ongoing environmental changes. Animal models have highlighted the influence serotonin has on neuroplasticity. These effects have been predominantly demonstrated during emotional relearning which is theorized as a possible model for depression. However, translation of these mechanisms is in its infancy. To this end, we assessed changes in effective connectivity at rest and during associative learning as a proxy of neuroplastic changes in healthy volunteers. 76 participants underwent 6 weeks of emotional or non-emotional (re)learning (face-matching or Chinese character-German noun matching). During relearning participants either self-administered 10 mg/day of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram or placebo in a double-blind design. Associative learning tasks, resting-state and structural images were recorded before and after both learning phases (day 1, 21 and 42). Escitalopram intake modulated relearning changes in a network encompassing the right insula, anterior cingulate cortex and right angular gyrus. Here, the process of relearning during SSRI intake showed a greater decrease in effective connectivity from the right insula to both the anterior cingulate cortex and right angular gyrus, with increases in the opposite direction when compared to placebo. In contrast, intrinsic connections and those at resting-state were only marginally affected by escitalopram. Further investigation of gray matter volume changes in these functionally active regions revealed no significant SSRI-induced structural changes. These findings indicate that the right insula plays a central role in the process of relearning and SSRIs further potentiate this effect. In sum, we demonstrated that SSRIs amplify learning-induced effective connections rather than affecting the intrinsic task connectivity or that of resting-state.
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Leite-Almeida H, Castelhano-Carlos MJ, Sousa N. New Horizons for Phenotyping Behavior in Rodents: The Example of Depressive-Like Behavior. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 15:811987. [PMID: 35069144 PMCID: PMC8766962 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.811987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolution of the field of behavioral neuroscience is significantly dependent on innovative disruption triggered by our ability to model and phenotype animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders. The ability to adequately elicit and measure behavioral parameters are the fundaments on which the behavioral neuroscience community establishes the pathophysiological mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disorders as well as contributes to the development of treatment strategies for those conditions. Herein, we review how mood disorders, in particular depression, are currently modeled in rodents, focusing on the limitations of these models and particularly on the analyses of the data obtained with different behavioral tests. Finally, we propose the use of new paradigms to study behavior using multidimensional strategies that better encompasses the complexity of psychiatric conditions, namely depression; these paradigms provide holistic phenotyping that is applicable to other conditions, thus promoting the emergence of novel findings that will leverage this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center—Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Magda J. Castelhano-Carlos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center—Braga, Braga, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Nuno Sousa,
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Carhart-Harris RL, Wagner AC, Agrawal M, Kettner H, Rosenbaum JF, Gazzaley A, Nutt DJ, Erritzoe D. Can pragmatic research, real-world data and digital technologies aid the development of psychedelic medicine? J Psychopharmacol 2022; 36:6-11. [PMID: 33888025 PMCID: PMC8801625 DOI: 10.1177/02698811211008567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Favourable regulatory assessments, liberal policy changes, new research centres and substantial commercial investment signal that psychedelic therapy is making a major comeback. Positive findings from modern trials are catalysing developments, but it is questionable whether current confirmatory trials are sufficient for advancing our understanding of safety and best practice. Here we suggest supplementing traditional confirmatory trials with pragmatic trials, real-world data initiatives and digital health solutions to better support the discovery of optimal and personalised treatment protocols and parameters. These recommendations are intended to help support the development of safe, effective and cost-efficient psychedelic therapy, which, given its history, is vulnerable to excesses of hype and regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin L Carhart-Harris
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, UK,Robin L Carhart-Harris, Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, Burlington Danes Building, London W12 0NN, UK.
| | - Anne C Wagner
- Remedy, Toronto, Canada,Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Manish Agrawal
- Maryland Oncology and Hematology, Rockville, USA,Aquilino Cancer Center, Rockville, USA
| | - Hannes Kettner
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Adam Gazzaley
- Neuroscape, Department of Neurology, Physiology and Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - David J Nutt
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - David Erritzoe
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Escitalopram modulates learning content-specific neuroplasticity of functional brain networks. Neuroimage 2021; 247:118829. [PMID: 34923134 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Learning-induced neuroplastic changes, further modulated by content and setting, are mirrored in brain functional connectivity (FC). In animal models, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been shown to facilitate neuroplasticity. This is especially prominent during emotional relearning, such as fear extinction, which may translate to clinical improvements in patients. To investigate a comparable modulation of neuroplasticity in humans, 99 healthy subjects underwent three weeks of emotional (matching faces) or non-emotional learning (matching Chinese characters to unrelated German nouns). Shuffled pairings of the original content were subsequently relearned for the same time. During relearning, subjects received either a daily dose of the SSRI escitalopram or placebo. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and after the (re-)learning phases. FC changes in a network comprising Broca's area, the medial prefrontal cortex, the right inferior temporal and left lingual gyrus were modulated by escitalopram intake. More specifically, it increased the bidirectional connectivity between medial prefrontal cortex and lingual gyrus for non-emotional and the connectivity from medial prefrontal cortex to Broca's area for emotional relearning. The context dependence of these effects together with behavioral correlations supports the assumption that SSRIs in clinical practice improve neuroplasticity rather than psychiatric symptoms per se. Beyond expanding the complexities of learning, these findings emphasize the influence of external factors on human neuroplasticity.
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Bahmad HF, Daher D, Aljamal AA, Elajami MK, Oh KS, Alvarez Moreno JC, Delgado R, Suarez R, Zaldivar A, Azimi R, Castellano A, Sackstein R, Poppiti RJ. Repurposing of Anticancer Stem Cell Drugs in Brain Tumors. J Histochem Cytochem 2021; 69:749-773. [PMID: 34165342 PMCID: PMC8647630 DOI: 10.1369/00221554211025482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors in adults may be infrequent when compared with other cancer etiologies, but they remain one of the deadliest with bleak survival rates. Current treatment modalities encompass surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. However, increasing resistance rates are being witnessed, and this has been attributed, in part, to cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are a subpopulation of cancer cells that reside within the tumor bulk and have the capacity for self-renewal and can differentiate and proliferate into multiple cell lineages. Studying those CSCs enables an increasing understanding of carcinogenesis, and targeting CSCs may overcome existing treatment resistance. One approach to weaponize new drugs is to target these CSCs through drug repurposing which entails using drugs, which are Food and Drug Administration-approved and safe for one defined disease, for a new indication. This approach serves to save both time and money that would otherwise be spent in designing a totally new therapy. In this review, we will illustrate drug repurposing strategies that have been used in brain tumors and then further elaborate on how these approaches, specifically those that target the resident CSCs, can help take the field of drug repurposing to a new level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisham F. Bahmad
- Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology
and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach,
Florida
| | - Darine Daher
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of
Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Abed A. Aljamal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai
Medical Center, Miami Beach, Florida
| | - Mohamad K. Elajami
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai
Medical Center, Miami Beach, Florida
| | - Kei Shing Oh
- Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology
and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach,
Florida
| | - Juan Carlos Alvarez Moreno
- Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology
and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach,
Florida
| | - Ruben Delgado
- Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology
and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach,
Florida
| | - Richard Suarez
- Department of Pathology, Herbert Wertheim
College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida
| | - Ana Zaldivar
- Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology
and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach,
Florida
| | - Roshanak Azimi
- Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology
and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach,
Florida
| | - Amilcar Castellano
- Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology
and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach,
Florida
- Department of Pathology, Herbert Wertheim
College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida
| | - Robert Sackstein
- Department of Translational Medicine,
Translational Glycobiology Institute, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine,
Florida International University, Miami, Florida
| | - Robert J. Poppiti
- Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology
and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach,
Florida
- Department of Pathology, Herbert Wertheim
College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida
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Maratha S, Sharma V, Walia V. Antidepressant Like Effect of Ascorbic Acid in Mice: Possible Involvement of NO-sGC-cGMP Signaling. Neurochem Res 2021; 47:967-978. [PMID: 34825298 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03496-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The present study was designed to determine the antidepressant like activity of ascorbic acid (AA) in mice. Further the influence of NO-sGC-cGMP signaling in the antidepressant like effect of AA in mice was determined. Male swiss albino mice were used in the present study. Mice in the control group received saline and fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was used as the standard antidepressant drug. AA (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to the mice and depression related behavior were determined using tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST). Further the whole brain nitrite and serotonin levels were also determined. It was observed that the administration of AA (100 mg/kg, i.p.) reversed the depression like behavior in mice in TST and FST. AA (100 mg/kg, i.p.) treatment decreased the level of nitrite and increased the level of serotonin in the brain of mice significantly as compared to control. Further the behavioral and neurochemical effect of AA (50 mg/kg, i.p) was studied in NO modulator [NO donor: L-Arginine (50 mg/kg, i.p); NO-sGC inhibitor: methylene blue (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and cGMP modulator: sildenafil (1 mg/kg, i.p.)] pretreated mice. It was observed that the pretreatment of NO donor and cGMP modulator counteracted the effect conferred by AA (50 mg/kg, i.p). While the pretreatment of NO-sGC inhibitor potentiated the effect conferred by AA (50 mg/kg, i.p). The present study suggested that the AA confer antidepressant like effect in mice and NO-sGC-cGMP signaling pathway influence the antidepressant like effect of AA in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushma Maratha
- SGT College of Pharmacy, SGT University, Gurugram, India
| | - Vijay Sharma
- SGT College of Pharmacy, SGT University, Gurugram, India
| | - Vaibhav Walia
- SGT College of Pharmacy, SGT University, Gurugram, India.
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Benham RS, Choi C, Hodgson NW, Hewage NB, Kastli R, Donahue RJ, Muschamp JW, Engin E, Carlezon WA, Hensch TK, Rudolph U. α2-containing γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors promote stress resiliency in male mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:2197-2206. [PMID: 34408277 PMCID: PMC8505491 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01144-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Brain α2-containing GABAA receptors play a critical role in the modulation of anxiety- and fear-like behavior. However, it is unknown whether these receptors also play a role in modulating resilience to chronic stress, and in which brain areas and cell types such an effect would be mediated. We evaluated the role of α2-containing GABAA receptors following chronic social defeat stress using male mice deficient in the α2 subunit globally or conditionally in dopamine D1- or D2-receptor-expressing neurons, e.g., within the nucleus accumbens (NAc). In addition, we examined the effect of the lack of the α2 subunit on intermediates of the glutathione synthesis pathway. We found that α2-containing GABAA receptors on D2-receptor-positive but not on D1-receptor-positive neurons promote resiliency to chronic social defeat stress, as reflected in social interaction tests. The pro-resiliency effects of α2-containing GABAA receptors on D2-receptor-positive neurons do not appear to be directly related to alterations in anxiety-like behavior, as reflected in the elevated plus-maze, light-dark box, and novel open field tests. Increases in indices of oxidative stress-reflected by increases in cystathionine levels and reductions in GSH/GSSG ratios-were found in the NAc and prefrontal cortex but not in the hippocampus of mice lacking α2-containing GABAA receptors. We conclude that α2-containing GABAA receptors within specific brain areas and cell populations promote stress resiliency independently of direct effects on anxiety-like behaviors. A potential mechanism contributing to this increased resiliency is the protection that α2-containing GABAA receptors provide against oxidative stress in NAc and the prefrontal cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca S Benham
- Laboratory of Genetic Neuropharmacology, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Catherine Choi
- Laboratory of Genetic Neuropharmacology, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nathaniel W Hodgson
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Brain Science, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nishani B Hewage
- Laboratory of Genetic Neuropharmacology, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rahel Kastli
- Laboratory of Genetic Neuropharmacology, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rachel J Donahue
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - John W Muschamp
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elif Engin
- Laboratory of Genetic Neuropharmacology, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William A Carlezon
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Takao K Hensch
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Brain Science, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Uwe Rudolph
- Laboratory of Genetic Neuropharmacology, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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46
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Short Daily Exposure to Environmental Enrichment, Fluoxetine, or Their Combination Reverses Deterioration of the Coat and Anhedonia Behaviors with Differential Effects on Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Chronically Stressed Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222010976. [PMID: 34681636 PMCID: PMC8535985 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222010976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a neuropsychiatric disorder with a high impact on the worldwide population. To overcome depression, antidepressant drugs are the first line of treatment. However, pre-clinical studies have pointed out that antidepressants are not entirely efficacious and that the quality of the living environment after stress cessation may play a relevant role in increasing their efficacy. As it is unknown whether a short daily exposure to environmental enrichment during chronic stress and antidepressant treatment will be more effective than just the pharmacological treatment, this study analyzed the effects of fluoxetine, environmental enrichment, and their combination on depressive-associated behavior. Additionally, we investigated hippocampal neurogenesis in mice exposed to chronic mild stress. Our results indicate that fluoxetine reversed anhedonia. Besides, fluoxetine reversed the decrement of some events of the hippocampal neurogenic process caused by chronic mild stress. Conversely, short daily exposure to environmental enrichment changed the deterioration of the coat and anhedonia. Although, this environmental intervention did not produce significant changes in the neurogenic process affected by chronic mild stress, fluoxetine plus environmental enrichment showed similar effects to those caused by environmental enrichment to reverse depressive-like behaviors. Like fluoxetine, the combination reversed the declining number of Ki67, doublecortin, calretinin cells and mature newborn neurons. Finally, this study suggests that short daily exposure to environmental enrichment improves the effects of fluoxetine to reverse the deterioration of the coat and anhedonia in chronically stressed mice. In addition, the combination of fluoxetine with environmental enrichment produces more significant effects than those caused by fluoxetine alone on some events of the neurogenic process. Thus, environmental enrichment improves the benefits of pharmacological treatment by mechanisms that need to be clarified.
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Picard K, Bisht K, Poggini S, Garofalo S, Golia MT, Basilico B, Abdallah F, Ciano Albanese N, Amrein I, Vernoux N, Sharma K, Hui CW, C Savage J, Limatola C, Ragozzino D, Maggi L, Branchi I, Tremblay MÈ. Microglial-glucocorticoid receptor depletion alters the response of hippocampal microglia and neurons in a chronic unpredictable mild stress paradigm in female mice. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 97:423-439. [PMID: 34343616 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic psychological stress is one of the most important triggers and environmental risk factors for neuropsychiatric disorders. Chronic stress can influence all organs via the secretion of stress hormones, including glucocorticoids by the adrenal glands, which coordinate the stress response across the body. In the brain, glucocorticoid receptors (GR) are expressed by various cell types including microglia, which are its resident immune cells regulating stress-induced inflammatory processes. To study the roles of microglial GR under normal homeostatic conditions and following chronic stress, we generated a mouse model in which the GR gene is depleted in microglia specifically at adulthood to prevent developmental confounds. We first confirmed that microglia were depleted in GR in our model in males and females among the cingulate cortex and the hippocampus, both stress-sensitive brain regions. Then, cohorts of microglial-GR depleted and wild-type (WT) adult female mice were housed for 3 weeks in a standard or stressful condition, using a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) paradigm. CUMS induced stress-related behavior in both microglial-GR depleted and WT animals as demonstrated by a decrease of both saccharine preference and progressive ratio breakpoint. Nevertheless, the hippocampal microglial and neural mechanisms underlying the adaptation to stress occurred differently between the two genotypes. Upon CUMS exposure, microglial morphology was altered in the WT controls, without any apparent effect in microglial-GR depleted mice. Furthermore, in the standard environment condition, GR depleted-microglia showed increased expression of pro-inflammatory genes, and genes involved in microglial homeostatic functions (such as Trem2, Cx3cr1 and Mertk). On the contrary, in CUMS condition, GR depleted-microglia showed reduced expression levels of pro-inflammatory genes and increased neuroprotective as well as anti-inflammatory genes compared to WT-microglia. Moreover, in microglial-GR depleted mice, but not in WT mice, CUMS led to a significant reduction of CA1 long-term potentiation and paired-pulse ratio. Lastly, differences in adult hippocampal neurogenesis were observed between the genotypes during normal homeostatic conditions, with microglial-GR deficiency increasing the formation of newborn neurons in the dentate gyrus subgranular zone independently from stress exposure. Together, these findings indicate that, although the deletion of microglial GR did not prevent the animal's ability to respond to stress, it contributed to modulating hippocampal functions in both standard and stressful conditions, notably by shaping the microglial response to chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Picard
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada; Molecular Medicine Department, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Kanchan Bisht
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Silvia Poggini
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Garofalo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Golia
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Bernadette Basilico
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; Institute of Science and Technology (IST) Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Fatima Abdallah
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Naomi Ciano Albanese
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy; Institute of Science and Technology (IST) Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Irmgard Amrein
- Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Vernoux
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Kaushik Sharma
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Chin Wai Hui
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Julie C Savage
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Cristina Limatola
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Davide Ragozzino
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Maggi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Igor Branchi
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada; Molecular Medicine Department, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada; The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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Martins-Macedo J, Salgado AJ, Gomes ED, Pinto L. Adult brain cytogenesis in the context of mood disorders: From neurogenesis to the emergent role of gliogenesis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:411-428. [PMID: 34555383 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders severely impact patients' lives. Motivational, cognitive and emotional deficits are the most common symptoms observed in these patients and no effective treatment is still available, either due to the adverse side effects or the low rate of efficacy of currently available drugs. Neurogenesis recovery has been one important focus in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, which undeniably contributes to the therapeutic action of antidepressants. However, glial plasticity is emerging as a new strategy to explore the deficits observed in mood disorders and the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. Thus, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms behind glio- and neurogenesis to better define treatments and preventive therapies, once adult cytogenesis is of pivotal importance to cognitive and emotional components of behavior, both in healthy and pathological contexts, including in psychiatric disorders. Here, we review the concepts and history of neuro- and gliogenesis, providing as well a reflection on the functional importance of cytogenesis in the context of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Martins-Macedo
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - António J Salgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Eduardo D Gomes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Luísa Pinto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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Santucci D, Racca A, Alleva E. When Nerve Growth Factor Met Behavior. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1331:205-214. [PMID: 34453300 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-74046-7_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Since its first characterization in the early 1950s, the role of the polypeptidic nerve growth factor (NGF) in controlling behavior remained elusive. Since the mid-1980s, we undertook a series of experiments aimed at elucidating the biological role(s) played by neurotrophins, particularly NGF, in adult rodents. At the beginning, we concentrated on the submandibular salivary gland of the male mouse, which was known to store massive amount of NGF. We found that under specific stress conditions, the salivary NGF is released in the bloodstream: intermale fighting between isolated males was the first reported context in which salivary NGF was released, thus providing a physiological significance for its presence in the adult, territorial males. We also found that dominant males release less NGF than subordinates and provided a loop-type model which includes intermale social confrontation, adrenal gland size, and functional status, corticosterone release, a model resulting in likelihood to be stabilized in a "dominant" or a "subordinate" social status. A variety of social anxiety contexts of mammals, humans included, has been described since then, and further studies carried out on humans showed that NGF is released in the bloodstream of parachutists at their first skydiving experience and in the case of ranking high on the Passionate Love Scale (amour fou). Ethological data from lab rodents helped in understanding NGF function in subtly controlling social "status" of male mice: the considerations about the interplay among neurobiological, physiological, and behavioral factors in structuring the dominant vs subordinate phenotypes may well apply to other vertebrate species, specifically addressing the underlying role of neurotrophins in relating behavior and brain neuroplasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Santucci
- Reference Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Arianna Racca
- Reference Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Alleva
- Reference Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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Sacchi V, Mattei G, Musetti L, Galeazzi GM. Impact of Antidepressant Prescriptions on Suicidal Behavior in Times of Severe Financial Strain. J Nerv Ment Dis 2021; 209:558-563. [PMID: 34009863 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT This descriptive study observes the relationship between antidepressant prescriptions and the suicide rate in Italy in the 2000s to the mid-2010s, which includes a period of severe economic crisis. The observation period was from 2000 to 2015. Suicide and unemployment rates disaggregated by age and sex were collected from the Italian Institute of Statistics. Statistical analyses were performed using correlations between suicide rates and the defined daily dose, with reference to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and other types of antidepressants. Fixed-effects panel regressions were also run. Increases in SSRIs prescriptions were associated with decreases in suicide rates among both men and women. However, when the analyses were adjusted for the rate of growth of the unemployment rate and for gross domestic product, the associations were weaker. The potential protective factor of SSRIs with respect to suicidal behavior may be reduced by severe recessions, especially when unemployment increases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laura Musetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Pisa
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