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Taha A, Alassi A, Gjedde A, Wong DF. Transforming Neurology and Psychiatry: Organ-specific PET Instrumentation and Clinical Applications. PET Clin 2024; 19:95-103. [PMID: 37813719 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpet.2023.06.002] [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] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
PET technology has immense potential for furthering understanding of the brain and associated disorders, including advancements in high-resolution tomographs and hybrid imaging modalities. Novel radiotracers targeting specific neurotransmitter systems and molecular markers provide opportunities to unveil intricate mechanisms underlying neurologic and psychiatric conditions. As PET imaging techniques and analysis methods continue to be refined, the field is poised to make significant contributions to personalized medicine for more targeted and effective interventions. PET instrumentation has advanced the fields of neurology and psychiatry, providing insights into pathophysiology and development of effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Taha
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University in St Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Amer Alassi
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University in St Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Albert Gjedde
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Aarhus University, Denmark; Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dean F Wong
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Departments of Radiology, Psychiatry, Neurology, Neuroscience, Washington University in St Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
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Conradi J, E. Svensson J, V. Larsen S, Frokjaer VG. Is serotonin transporter brain binding associated with the cortisol awakening response? An independent non-replication. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290663. [PMID: 37651457 PMCID: PMC10470919 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serotonergic brain signaling is considered critical for an appropriate and dynamic adaptation to stress, seemingly through modulating limbic system functions, such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis. This interplay is of great interest since it holds promise as a target for preventing stress-related brain disorders, e.g., major depression. Our group has previously observed that prefrontal serotonin transporter (5-HTT) binding, imaged with positron emission tomography (PET), is positively associated with the cortisol awakening response (CAR), an index of HPA axis stress hormone dynamics. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to replicate the previous finding in a larger independent group of healthy individuals. METHODS Molecular imaging and cortisol data were available for 90 healthy individuals. Prefrontal 5-HTT binding was imaged with [11C]DASB brain PET. Non-displaceable 5-HTT binding potential (BPND) was quantified using the Multilinear Reference Tissue Model 2 (MRTM2) with cerebellum as the reference region. CAR was based on five serial salivary cortisol samples within the first hour upon awakening. The association between CAR and prefrontal 5-HTT BPND was evaluated using a multiple linear regression model adjusted for age and sex. Further, we tested for sex differences in the association. Finally, an exploratory analysis of the association, was performed in 8 additional brain regions. RESULTS We observed no statistically significant association between 5-HTT binding and CAR corrected for age and sex in the prefrontal cortex (β = -0.28, p = 0.26). We saw no interaction with sex on the association (p = 0.99). CONCLUSION We could not confirm a positive association between CAR and prefrontal 5-HTT BPND in this independent dataset. Also, sex differences in the association were not apparent. Our data do not exclude that the serotonin transporter system is involved in the regulation of stress responses in at-risk or manifest depressed states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Conradi
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jonas E. Svensson
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren V. Larsen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vibe G. Frokjaer
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Mental Health Services Capital Region Denmark, Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Støier JF, Jørgensen TN, Sparsø T, Rasmussen HB, Kumar V, Newman AH, Blakely RD, Werge T, Gether U, Herborg F. Disruptive mutations in the serotonin transporter associate serotonin dysfunction with treatment-resistant affective disorder. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.08.29.23294386. [PMID: 37693601 PMCID: PMC10491376 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.29.23294386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Affective or mood disorders are a leading cause of disability worldwide. The serotonergic system has been heavily implicated in the complex etiology and serves as a therapeutic target. The serotonin transporter (SERT) is a major regulator of serotonin neurotransmission, yet the disease-relevance of impaired SERT function remains unknown. Here, we present the first identification and functional characterization of disruptive coding SERT variants found in patients with psychiatric diseases. In a unique cohort of 144 patients characterized by treatment-resistant chronic affective disorders with a lifetime history of electroconvulsive therapy, we identified two previously uncharacterized coding SERT variants: SERT-N217S and SERT-A500T. Both variants were significantly enriched in the patient cohort compared to GnomAD (SERT-N217S: OR = 151, P = 0.0001 and SERT-A500T: OR = 1348, P = 0.0022) and ethnicity-matched healthy controls (SERT-N217S: OR ≥ 17.7, P ≤ 0.013 and SERT-A500T: OR = ∞, P = 0.029). Functional investigations revealed that the mutations exert distinct perturbations to SERT function, but their overall effects converge on a partial loss-of-function molecular phenotype. Thus, the SERT-A500T variant compromises the catalytic activity, while SERT-N217S disrupts proper glycosylation of SERT with a resulting dominant-negative trafficking deficiency. Moreover, we demonstrate that the trafficking deficiency of SERT-N217S is amenable to pharmacochaperoning by noribogaine. Collectively, our findings describe the first disease-associated loss-of-function SERT variants and implicate serotonergic disturbances arising from SERT dysfunction as a risk factor for chronic affective disorders.
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Chen CW, Chou YH, Liou YJ, Yang KC, Hu LY, Hsieh WC, Liu MN. Amygdala substructure volumes and serotonin transporter in first-episode, drug- naïve major depressive disorder: A pilot study. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 160:210-216. [PMID: 36857985 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amygdala and serotonergic system abnormalities have been documented in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, most studies have been conducted on recurrent MDD, and only a few have assessed their interaction. This study aimed to concurrently examine both the amygdala and serotonergic systems and their clinical relevance in first-episode, drug-naïve MDD. METHODS This study included 27 patients with first-episode, drug-naïve MDD and 27 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs). The amygdala substructure volumes were performed with Freesurfer from a 1.5 T magnetic resonance image. Serotonin transporter (SERT) availability was detected by single-photon emission computed tomography with 123I-ADAM. The Benjamini-Hochberg method was applied to adjust for multiple comparisons. RESULTS No significant difference was found in the amygdala substructure volume and SERT availability between the two groups, respectively. Within MDD patients, the right medial, cortical nucleus, and centromedial volumes were positively associated with caudate SERT availability, respectively. Moreover, the right lateral nucleus volume in the amygdala was positively correlated with depression severity. However, these significances did not survive correction for multiple testing. CONCLUSIONS There were no significant abnormalities in the amygdala substructure volumes and SERT availability in patients with first-episode, drug-naïve MDD. We did not observe an association between amygdala substructure volume and serotonergic dysregulation and their correlations with depression severity in patients with MDD. A larger sample size is warranted to elucidate the actual correlation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Wen Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, 813414, Taiwan; Department of Pharmacy and Master Program, College of Pharmacy and Health Care, Tajen University, Pingtung, 90741, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Hwa Chou
- Center for Quality Management, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112201, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112201, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112304, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Jay Liou
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112201, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112304, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Chun Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112201, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112304, Taiwan
| | - Li-Yu Hu
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112201, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112304, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chi Hsieh
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112201, Taiwan
| | - Mu-N Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112201, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112304, Taiwan.
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Petrican R, Fornito A. Adolescent neurodevelopment and psychopathology: The interplay between adversity exposure and genetic risk for accelerated brain ageing. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2023; 60:101229. [PMID: 36947895 PMCID: PMC10041470 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2023.101229] [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: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In adulthood, stress exposure and genetic risk heighten psychological vulnerability by accelerating neurobiological senescence. To investigate whether molecular and brain network maturation processes play a similar role in adolescence, we analysed genetic, as well as longitudinal task neuroimaging (inhibitory control, incentive processing) and early life adversity (i.e., material deprivation, violence) data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development study (N = 980, age range: 9-13 years). Genetic risk was estimated separately for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD), two pathologies linked to stress exposure and allegedly sharing a causal connection (MDD-to-AD). Adversity and genetic risk for MDD/AD jointly predicted functional network segregation patterns suggestive of accelerated (GABA-linked) visual/attentional, but delayed (dopamine [D2]/glutamate [GLU5R]-linked) somatomotor/association system development. A positive relationship between brain maturation and psychopathology emerged only among the less vulnerable adolescents, thereby implying that normatively maladaptive neurodevelopmental alterations could foster adjustment among the more exposed and genetically more stress susceptible youths. Transcriptomic analyses suggested that sensitivity to stress may underpin the joint neurodevelopmental effect of adversity and genetic risk for MDD/AD, in line with the proposed role of negative emotionality as a precursor to AD, likely to account for the alleged causal impact of MDD on dementia onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raluca Petrican
- Institute of Population Health, Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Bedford Street South, Liverpool L69 7ZA, United Kingdom.
| | - Alex Fornito
- The Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, and Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Handschuh PA, Murgaš M, Vraka C, Nics L, Hartmann AM, Winkler-Pjrek E, Baldinger-Melich P, Wadsak W, Winkler D, Hacker M, Rujescu D, Domschke K, Lanzenberger R, Spies M. Effect of MAOA DNA Methylation on Human in Vivo Protein Expression Measured by [11C]harmine Positron Emission Tomography. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2023; 26:116-124. [PMID: 36573644 PMCID: PMC9926052 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyac085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation are understood as an intermediary between environmental factors and neurobiology. Cerebral monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) levels are altered in depression, as are DNA methylation levels within the MAOA gene, particularly in the promoter/exon I/intron I region. An effect of MAOA methylation on peripheral protein expression was shown, but the extent to which methylation affects brain MAO-A levels is not fully understood. METHODS Here, the influence of MAOA promoter/exon I/intron I region DNA methylation on global MAO-A distribution volume (VT), an index of MAO-A density, was assessed via [11C]harmine positron emission tomography in 22 patients (14 females) suffering from seasonal affective disorder and 30 healthy controls (17 females). RESULTS No significant influence of MAOA DNA methylation on global MAO-A VT was found, despite correction for health status, sex, season, and MAOA variable number of tandem repeat genotype. However, season affected average methylation in women, with higher levels in spring and summer (Puncorr = .03). We thus did not find evidence for an effect of MAOA DNA methylation on brain MAO-A VT. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to a previous study demonstrating an effect of methylation of a MAOA promoter region located further 5' on brain MAO-A, MAOA methylation of the region assessed here appears to affect brain protein levels to a limited extent at most. The observed effect of season on methylation levels is in accordance with extensive evidence for seasonal effects within the serotonergic system. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER NCT02582398 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02582398).
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Handschuh
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Matej Murgaš
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Chrysoula Vraka
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Nics
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Annette M Hartmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Edda Winkler-Pjrek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Pia Baldinger-Melich
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Wadsak
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
- Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine (CBmed), Graz, Austria
| | - Dietmar Winkler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Marcus Hacker
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Dan Rujescu
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Centre for Basics in Neuromodulation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Rupert Lanzenberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Marie Spies
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
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MANF/EWSR1/ANXA6 pathway might as the bridge between hypolipidemia and major depressive disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:527. [PMID: 36585419 PMCID: PMC9803680 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02287-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) involves changes in lipid metabolism, but previous findings are contradictory. Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is considered to be a regulator of lipid metabolism. To date, the function of MANF has been studied in many brain disorders, but not in MDD. Therefore, to better understand the role of lipids in MDD, this study was conducted to examine lipid levels in the serum of MDD patients and to investigate the potential function of MANF in MDD. First, the data on total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) in serum from 354 MDD patients and 360 healthy controls (HCs) were collected and analyzed. The results showed that there were significantly lower concentrations of TC and LDL-C in MDD patients compared with HCs, and TC levels were positively correlated with LDL-C levels. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that MANF/EWSR1/ANXA6 pathway might serve as the connecting bridge through which hypolipidemia played a functional role in MDD. Second, to verify this hypothesis, serum samples were collected from 143 MDD patients, and 67 HCs to measure the levels of MANF, EWSR1, and ANXA6 using ELISA kits. The results showed that compared to HCs, MDD patients had a significantly lower level of MANF and higher levels of ANXA6 and EWSR1, and these molecules were significantly correlated with both TC level and Hamilton Depression Rating Scales (HDRS) score. In addition, a discriminative model consisting of MANF, EWSR1, and ANXA6 was identified. This model was capable of distinguishing MDD subjects from HCs, yielded an area under curve of 0.9994 in the training set and 0.9569 in the testing set. Taken together, our results suggested that MANF/EWSR1/ANXA6 pathway might act as the bridge between hypolipidemia and MDD, and these molecules held promise as potential biomarkers for MDD.
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Useche Y, Pérez AR, de Meis J, Bonomo A, Savino W. Central nervous system commitment in Chagas disease. Front Immunol 2022; 13:975106. [PMID: 36439149 PMCID: PMC9685529 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.975106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) during human acute and chronic Chagas disease (CD) has been largely reported. Meningoencephalitis is a frequent finding during the acute infection, while during chronic phase the CNS involvement is often accompanied by behavioral and cognitive impairments. In the same vein, several studies have shown that rodents infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) display behavior abnormalities, accompanied by brain inflammation, in situ production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and parasitism in diverse cerebral areas, with involvement of microglia, macrophages, astrocytes, and neurons. However, the mechanisms used by the parasite to reach the brain remain now largely unknown. Herein we discuss the evidence unravelling the CNS involvement and complexity of neuroimmune interactions that take place in acute and chronic CD. Also, we provide some clues to hypothesize brain infections routes in human and experimental acute CD following oral infection by T. cruzi, an infection route that became a major CD related public health issue in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yerly Useche
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Rosa Pérez
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Immunology of Rosario (IDICER CONICET UNR), Rosario, Argentina
- Center for Research and Production of Biological Reagents (CIPReB), Faculty of Medical Sciences National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Juliana de Meis
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Adriana Bonomo
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wilson Savino
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Hjorth O, Frick A, Gingnell M, Engman J, Björkstrand J, Faria V, Alaie I, Carlbring P, Andersson G, Jonasson M, Lubberink M, Antoni G, Reis M, Wahlstedt K, Fredrikson M, Furmark T. Serotonin and dopamine transporter availability in social anxiety disorder after combined treatment with escitalopram and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:436. [PMID: 36202797 PMCID: PMC9537299 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02187-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) are recommended treatments of social anxiety disorder (SAD), and often combined, but their effects on monoaminergic signaling are not well understood. In this multi-tracer positron emission tomography (PET) study, 24 patients with SAD were randomized to treatment with escitalopram+ICBT or placebo+ICBT under double-blind conditions. Before and after 9 weeks of treatment, patients were examined with positron emission tomography and the radioligands [11C]DASB and [11C]PE2I, probing the serotonin (SERT) and dopamine (DAT) transporter proteins respectively. Both treatment combinations resulted in significant improvement as measured by the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). At baseline, SERT-DAT co-expression was high and, in the putamen and thalamus, co-expression showed positive associations with symptom severity. SERT-DAT co-expression was also predictive of treatment success, but predictor-outcome associations differed in direction between the treatments. After treatment, average SERT occupancy in the SSRI + ICBT group was >80%, with positive associations between symptom improvement and occupancy in the nucleus accumbens, putamen and anterior cingulate cortex. Following placebo+ICBT, SERT binding increased in the raphe nuclei. DAT binding increased in both groups in limbic and striatal areas, but relations with symptom improvement differed, being negative for SSRI + ICBT and positive for placebo + ICBT. Thus, serotonin-dopamine transporter co-expression exerts influence on symptom severity and remission rate in the treatment of social anxiety disorder. However, the monoamine transporters are modulated in dissimilar ways when cognitive-behavioral treatment is given concomitantly with either SSRI-medication or pill placebo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olof Hjorth
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Andreas Frick
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden ,grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457The Beijer Laboratory, Department of Medical Sciences, Psychiatry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Malin Gingnell
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden ,grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Medical Sciences, Psychiatry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jonas Engman
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johannes Björkstrand
- grid.4514.40000 0001 0930 2361Department of Psychology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Vanda Faria
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XCenter for Pain and the Brain, Department of Anesthesiology Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Iman Alaie
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Medical Sciences, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Per Carlbring
- grid.10548.380000 0004 1936 9377Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gerhard Andersson
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.5640.70000 0001 2162 9922Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - My Jonasson
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Surgical Sciences, Radiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mark Lubberink
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Surgical Sciences, Radiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Antoni
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Margareta Reis
- grid.5640.70000 0001 2162 9922Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Kurt Wahlstedt
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mats Fredrikson
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden ,grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tomas Furmark
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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In vivo correlation of serotonin transporter and 1B receptor availability in the human brain: a PET study. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1863-1868. [PMID: 35821068 PMCID: PMC9372190 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01369-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Synaptic serotonin levels in the brain are regulated by active transport into the bouton by the serotonin transporter, and by autoreceptors, such as the inhibitory serotonin (5-HT) 1B receptor which, when activated, decreases serotonin release. Animal studies have shown a regulatory link between the two proteins. Evidence of such coupling could translate to an untapped therapeutic potential in augmenting the effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors through pharmacological modulation of 5-HT1B receptors. Here we will for the first time in vivo examine the relationship between 5-HT1B receptors and serotonin transporters in the living human brain. Seventeen healthy individuals were examined with PET twice, using the radioligands [11C]AZ10419369 and [11C]MADAM for quantification of the 5-HT1B receptor and the 5-HT transporter, respectively. The binding potential was calculated for a set of brain regions, and the correlations between the binding estimates of the two radioligands were studied. [11C]AZ10419369 and [11C]MADAM binding was positively correlated in all examined brain regions. In most cortical regions the correlation was strong, e.g., frontal cortex, r(15) = 0.64, p = 0.01 and parietal cortex, r(15) = 0.8, p = 0.0002 while in most subcortical regions, negligible correlations was observed. Though the correlation estimates in cortex should be interpreted with caution due to poor signal to noise ratio of [11C]MADAM binding in these regions, it suggests a link between two key proteins involved in the regulation of synaptic serotonin levels. Our results indicate a need for further studies to address the functional importance of 5-HT1B receptors in treatment with drugs that inhibit serotonin reuptake.
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Bartlett EA, Zanderigo F, Shieh D, Miller J, Hurley P, Rubin-Falcone H, Oquendo MA, Sublette ME, Ogden RT, Mann JJ. Serotonin transporter binding in major depressive disorder: impact of serotonin system anatomy. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:3417-3424. [PMID: 35487966 PMCID: PMC9616969 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01578-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Serotonin transporter (5-HTT) binding deficits are reported in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, most studies have not considered serotonin system anatomy when parcellating brain regions of interest (ROIs). We now investigate 5-HTT binding in MDD in two novel ways: (1) use of a 5-HTT tract-based analysis examining binding along serotonergic axons; and (2) using the Copenhagen University Hospital Neurobiology Research Unit (NRU) 5-HT Atlas, based on brain-wide binding patterns of multiple serotonin receptor types. [11C]DASB 5-HTT PET scans were obtained in 60 unmedicated participants with MDD in a current depressive episode and 31 healthy volunteers (HVs). Binding potential (BPP) was quantified with empirical Bayesian estimation in graphical analysis (EBEGA). Within the [11C]DASB tract, the MDD group showed significantly lower BPP compared with HVs (p = 0.02). This BPP diagnosis difference also significantly varied by tract location (p = 0.02), with the strongest MDD binding deficit most proximal to brainstem raphe nuclei. NRU 5-HT Atlas ROIs showed a BPP diagnosis difference that varied by region (p < 0.001). BPP was lower in MDD in 3/10 regions (p-values < 0.05). Neither [11C]DASB tract or NRU 5-HT Atlas BPP correlated with depression severity, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt history, or antidepressant medication exposure. Future studies are needed to determine the causes of this deficit in 5-HTT binding being more pronounced in proximal axon segments and in only a subset of ROIs for the pathogenesis of MDD. Such regional specificity may have implications for targeting antidepressant treatment, and may extend to other serotonin-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Bartlett
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Area, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Francesca Zanderigo
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Area, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Denise Shieh
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey Miller
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Area, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patrick Hurley
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Area, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Harry Rubin-Falcone
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Area, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria A Oquendo
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - M Elizabeth Sublette
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Area, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - R Todd Ogden
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Area, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - J John Mann
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Area, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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Patterns of activity correlate with symptom severity in major depressive disorder patients. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:226. [PMID: 35654778 PMCID: PMC9163191 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01989-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective measures, such as activity monitoring, can potentially complement clinical assessment for psychiatric patients. Alterations in rest-activity patterns are commonly encountered in patients with major depressive disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate whether features of activity patterns correlate with severity of depression symptoms (evaluated by Montgomery-Åsberg Rating Scale (MADRS) for depression). We used actigraphy recordings collected during ongoing major depressive episodes from patients not undergoing any antidepressant treatment. The recordings were acquired from two independent studies using different actigraphy systems. Data was quality-controlled and pre-processed for feature extraction following uniform procedures. We trained multiple regression models to predict MADRS score from features of activity patterns using brute-force and semi-supervised machine learning algorithms. The models were filtered based on the precision and the accuracy of fitting on training dataset before undergoing external validation on an independent dataset. The features enriched in the models surviving external validation point to high depressive symptom severity being associated with less complex activity patterns and stronger coupling to external circadian entrainers. Our results bring proof-of-concept evidence that activity patterns correlate with severity of depressive symptoms and suggest that actigraphy recordings may be a useful tool for individual evaluation of patients with major depressive disorder.
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Stucky C, Johnson MA. Improved Serotonin Measurement with Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetry: Mitigating Fouling by SSRIs. JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY 2022; 169:045501. [PMID: 36157165 PMCID: PMC9491377 DOI: 10.1149/1945-7111/ac5ec3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been used for decades to treat disorders linked to serotonin dysregulation in the brain. Moreover, SSRIs are often used in studies aimed at measuring serotonin with fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) in living tissues. Here, we show that three different SSRIs - fluoxetine, escitalopram, and sertraline - significantly diminish the faradaic oxidation current of serotonin when employing the commonly used Jackson waveform. Coating carbon-fiber microelectrodes (CFMs) with Nafion resulted in further degradation of peak current, increased response times, and decreased background charging currents compared to bare CFMs. To decrease fouling, we employed a recently published extended serotonin waveform, which scans to a maximum positive potential of +1.3 V, rather than +1.0 V used in the Jackson waveform. Use of this waveform with bare CFMs alleviated the decrease in faradaic current, indicating decreased electrode fouling. Collectively, our results suggest that fouling considerations are important when designing FSCV experiments that employ SSRIs and that they can be overcome by using the appropriate waveform.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael A. Johnson
- Corresponding author: Michael A. Johnson, 2030 Becker Drive, Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047 USA,
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