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Sæther LS, Szabo A, Akkouh IA, Haatveit B, Mohn C, Vaskinn A, Aukrust P, Ormerod MBEG, Eiel Steen N, Melle I, Djurovic S, Andreassen OA, Ueland T, Ueland T. Cognitive and inflammatory heterogeneity in severe mental illness: Translating findings from blood to brain. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 118:287-299. [PMID: 38461955 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.03.014] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent findings link cognitive impairment and inflammatory-immune dysregulation in schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar (BD) spectrum disorders. However, heterogeneity and translation between the periphery and central (blood-to-brain) mechanisms remains a challenge. Starting with a large SZ, BD and healthy control cohort (n = 1235), we aimed to i) identify candidate peripheral markers (n = 25) associated with cognitive domains (n = 9) and elucidate heterogenous immune-cognitive patterns, ii) evaluate the regulation of candidate markers using human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived astrocytes and neural progenitor cells (n = 10), and iii) evaluate candidate marker messenger RNA expression in leukocytes using microarray in available data from a subsample of the main cohort (n = 776), and in available RNA-sequencing deconvolution analysis of postmortem brain samples (n = 474) from the CommonMind Consortium (CMC). We identified transdiagnostic subgroups based on covariance between cognitive domains (measures of speed and verbal learning) and peripheral markers reflecting inflammatory response (CRP, sTNFR1, YKL-40), innate immune activation (MIF) and extracellular matrix remodelling (YKL-40, CatS). Of the candidate markers there was considerable variance in secretion of YKL-40 in iPSC-derived astrocytes and neural progenitor cells in SZ compared to HC. Further, we provide evidence of dysregulated RNA expression of genes encoding YKL-40 and related signalling pathways in a high neuroinflammatory subgroup in the postmortem brain samples. Our findings suggest a relationship between peripheral inflammatory-immune activity and cognitive impairment, and highlight YKL-40 as a potential marker of cognitive functioning in a subgroup of individuals with severe mental illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linn Sofie Sæther
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Attila Szabo
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; K.G. Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ibrahim A Akkouh
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital/University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Beathe Haatveit
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christine Mohn
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; National Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anja Vaskinn
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Centre for Research and Education in Forensic Psychiatry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pål Aukrust
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; Section of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Monica B E G Ormerod
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo Norway
| | - Nils Eiel Steen
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingrid Melle
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Srdjan Djurovic
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; K.G. Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital/University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ole A Andreassen
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Torill Ueland
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Thor Ueland
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway; K.G. Jebsen Thrombosis Research and Expertise Centre, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway
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Taylor JH, Bermudez-Gomez J, Zhou M, Gómez O, Ganz-Leary C, Palacios-Ordonez C, Huque ZM, Barzilay R, Goldsmith DR, Gur RE. Immune and oxidative stress biomarkers in pediatric psychosis and psychosis-risk: Meta-analyses and systematic review. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 117:1-11. [PMID: 38141839 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE While genetic and cohort studies suggest immune and reduction/oxidation (redox) alterations occur in psychosis, less is known about potential alterations in children and adolescents. METHODS We conducted a systematic review to identify immune and redox biomarker studies in children and adolescents (mean age ≤ 18 years old) across the psychosis spectrum: from psychotic like experiences, which are common in children, to threshold psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. We conducted meta-analyses when at least three studies measured the same biomarker. RESULTS The systematic review includes 38 pediatric psychosis studies. The meta-analyses found that youth with threshold psychotic disorders had higher neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (Hedge's g = 0.40, 95 % CI 0.17 - 0.64), tumor necrosis factor (Hedge's g = 0.38, 95 % CI 0.06 - 0.69), C-reactive protein (Hedge's g = 0.38, 95 % CI 0.05 - 0.70), interleukin-6 (Hedge's g = 0.35; 95 % CI 0.11 - 0.64), and total white blood cell count (Hedge's g = 0.29, 95 % CI 0.12 - 0.46) compared to youth without psychosis. Other immune and oxidative stress meta-analytic findings were very heterogeneous. CONCLUSION Results from several studies are consistent with the hypothesis that signals often classified as "proinflammatory" are elevated in threshold pediatric psychotic disorders. Data are less clear for immune markers in subthreshold psychosis and redox markers across the subthreshold and threshold psychosis spectrum. Immune and redox biomarker intervention studies are lacking, and research investigating interventions targeting the immune system in threshold pediatric psychosis is especially warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome Henry Taylor
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, PA, USA; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Lifespan Brain Institute of CHOP and Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Julieta Bermudez-Gomez
- National Institute of Psychiatry Ramon de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico City, Mexico; Statiscripts, LLC, USA
| | - Marina Zhou
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Oscar Gómez
- Statiscripts, LLC, USA; Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Casey Ganz-Leary
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, PA, USA; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Lifespan Brain Institute of CHOP and Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Cesar Palacios-Ordonez
- Statiscripts, LLC, USA; Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Zeeshan M Huque
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Lifespan Brain Institute of CHOP and Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ran Barzilay
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, PA, USA; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Lifespan Brain Institute of CHOP and Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Raquel E Gur
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, PA, USA; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Lifespan Brain Institute of CHOP and Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Fritze S, Brandt GA, Benedyk A, Moldavski A, Geiger-Primo LS, Andoh J, Volkmer S, Braun U, Kubera KM, Wolf RC, von der Goltz C, Schwarz E, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Tost H, Hirjak D. Psychomotor slowing in schizophrenia is associated with cortical thinning of primary motor cortex: A three cohort structural magnetic resonance imaging study. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2023; 77:53-66. [PMID: 37717350 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2023.08.499] [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: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Psychomotor slowing (PS) is characterized by slowed movements and lower activity levels. PS is frequently observed in schizophrenia (SZ) and distressing because it impairs performance of everyday tasks and social activities. Studying brain topography contributing to PS in SZ can help to understand the underlying neurobiological mechanisms as well as help to develop more effective treatments that specifically target affected brain areas. Here, we conducted structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) of three independent cohorts of right-handed SZ patients (SZ#1: n = 72, SZ#2: n = 37, SZ#3: n = 25) and age, gender and education matched healthy controls (HC) (HC#1: n = 40, HC#2: n = 37, HC#3: n = 38). PS severity in the three SZ cohorts was determined using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) item #G7 (motor retardation) and Trail-Making-Test B (TMT-B). FreeSurfer v7.2 was used for automated parcellation and segmentation of cortical and subcortical regions. SZ#1 patients showed reduced cortical thickness in right precentral gyrus (M1; p = 0.04; Benjamini-Hochberg [BH] corr.). In SZ#1, cortical thinning in right M1 was associated with PANSS item #G7 (p = 0.04; BH corr.) and TMT-B performance (p = 0.002; BH corr.). In SZ#1, we found a significant correlation between PANSS item #G7 and TMT-B (p = 0.005, ρ=0.326). In conclusion, PANSS G#7 and TMT-B might have a surrogate value for predicting PS in SZ. Cortical thinning of M1 rather than alterations of subcortical structures may point towards cortical pathomechanism underlying PS in SZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Fritze
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Geva A Brandt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Anastasia Benedyk
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Research Group System Neuroscience in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Alexander Moldavski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Research Group System Neuroscience in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Lena S Geiger-Primo
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Research Group System Neuroscience in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Jamila Andoh
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Research Group System Neuroscience in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Sebastian Volkmer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Hector Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Urs Braun
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Katharina M Kubera
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of General Psychiatry, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Robert C Wolf
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of General Psychiatry, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Emanuel Schwarz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Hector Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Research Group System Neuroscience in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Heike Tost
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Research Group System Neuroscience in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Dusan Hirjak
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
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Chandra A, Miller BJ, Goldsmith DR. Predictors of successful anti-inflammatory drug trials in patients with schizophrenia: A meta-regression and critical commentary. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 114:154-162. [PMID: 37607662 PMCID: PMC10592013 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.08.001] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Given evidence pointing toward a role for immune dysregulation in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, anti-inflammatory agents are promising adjunctive treatments that have potential to support a causal relationship for inflammation and psychopathology and lead to novel treatments for individuals. Indeed, previous meta-analyses have demonstrated small-to-medium effect sizes (ES) in favor of various anti-inflammatory agents, though there is significant heterogeneity and challenges in the interpretation of this literature. Identifying predictors, including sociodemographic variables, trial duration, and/or symptoms themselves, of successful anti-inflammatory trials may help identify which patients who might benefit from these compounds. We performed a meta-regression analysis of 63 adjunctive anti-inflammatory trial arms (2232 patients randomized to adjunctive anti-inflammatory agents and 2207 patients randomized to placebo).Potential predictors of effect size estimates for changes in psychopathology scores from baseline to endpoint included geography, trial duration, sample size, age, sex, race, smoking, body mass index, illness duration, age of onset of psychosis, study quality score and psychopathology scores (total and subscale) at baseline. Geography (β = 0.31, p = 0.011), smaller sample size (β = 0.33, p = 0.009), and higher study quality score (β = 0.44, p < 0.001) were significant predictors of larger ES estimates for change in total psychopathology in favor of anti-inflammatory agents. Smaller sample size (β = 0.37, p = 0.034) and higher study quality score (β = 0.55, p = 0.003) were significant predictors of larger ES estimates for change in negative psychopathology in favor of anti-inflammatory agents. Higher study quality score (β = 0.46, p = 0.019) was a significant predictor of larger ES estimates for change in general psychopathology in favor of anti-inflammatory agents. These findings should be interpreted with caution given concerns of publication bias regarding the geographic differences and small study effects. The lack of an association with other demographic variables should be seen as a primary limitation of the literature that needs to be considered in future studies. The association with study quality score suggests that future anti-inflammatory trials must consider demographic variables known to be associated with inflammation (e.g., BMI and smoking) and evidence of increased baseline inflammation should be incorporated in study design. Moreover, evidence of target engagement and endpoints thoughts to be associated with increased inflammation should be considered as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali Chandra
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Brian J Miller
- Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - David R Goldsmith
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.
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5
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Fenn-Moltu S, Deakin B, Drake R, Howes OD, Lawrie SM, Lewis S, Nikkheslat N, Walters JTR, MacCabe JH, Mondelli V, Egerton A. The association between peripheral inflammation, brain glutamate and antipsychotic response in Schizophrenia: Data from the STRATA collaboration. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 111:343-351. [PMID: 37182555 PMCID: PMC7615624 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamate and increased inflammation have been separately implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and the extent of clinical response to antipsychotic treatment. Despite the mechanistic links between pro-inflammatory and glutamatergic pathways, the relationships between peripheral inflammatory markers and brain glutamate in schizophrenia have not yet been investigated. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that peripheral levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines would be positively associated with brain glutamate levels in schizophrenia. Secondary analyses determined whether this relationship differed according to antipsychotic treatment response. The sample consisted of 79 patients with schizophrenia, of whom 40 were rated as antipsychotic responders and 39 as antipsychotic non-responders. Brain glutamate levels were assessed in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and caudate using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) and blood samples were collected for cytokine assay on the same study visit (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF- α and IFN-γ). Across the whole patient sample, there was a positive relationship between interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and caudate glutamate levels (r = 0.31, p = 0.02). In the antipsychotic non-responsive group only, there was a positive relationship between interleukin-8 (IL-8) and caudate glutamate (r = 0.46, p = 0.01). These findings provide evidence to link specific peripheral inflammatory markers and caudate glutamate in schizophrenia and may suggest that this relationship is most marked in patients who show a poor response to antipsychotic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunniva Fenn-Moltu
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Bill Deakin
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Richard Drake
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Oliver D Howes
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, King's College London, London, UK; Psychiatric Imaging Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Shôn Lewis
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Naghmeh Nikkheslat
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - James T R Walters
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - James H MacCabe
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Valeria Mondelli
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Alice Egerton
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, King's College London, London, UK
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6
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Patlola SR, Donohoe G, McKernan DP. The relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and cognitive dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 121:110668. [PMID: 36283512 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder that includes positive and negative symptoms but also debilitating cognitive deficits. Current pharmacological interventions do not target these deficits. Recent evidence suggests a connection between some inflammatory markers (including C-reactive protein) and cognitive impairment, but did not address other inflammatory markers. In the current study, we try to fill the gap by focusing on the association of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and CRP with cognitive dysfunction. METHODS PUBMED and Web of Science databases were searched for all studies published until July 2022. A total of 25 studies were included in an analysis of the association between cognitive performance and variation in IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and CRP. RESULTS A total of 2398 patients were included in this study. Meta-analyses results showed a significant inverse relationship between performance in five cognitive domains (attention-processing speed, executive function, working memory, verbal and visual learning and memory) and systemic IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and CRP plasma levels in patients with schizophrenia. The meta-analyses results showed a significant decline in the cognitive performances with the evaluated inflammatory markers with effect sizes ranging from -0.136 to -0.181 for IL-6, -0.188 to -0.38 for TNF-α -0.372 to -0.476 for IL-1β and - 0.168 to -0.311 for CRP. CONCLUSION Findings from the current study shows that cognitive deficits are reflective of elevated proinflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and CRP) levels. The results obtained indicate relatedness between inflammation and cognitive decline in patients with schizophrenia. Understanding the underlying pathways between them could have a significant impact on the disease progression and quality of life in schizophrenia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saahithh Redddi Patlola
- Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
| | - Gary Donohoe
- School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
| | - Declan P McKernan
- Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland.
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7
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Goldsmith DR, Bekhbat M, Mehta ND, Felger JC. Inflammation-Related Functional and Structural Dysconnectivity as a Pathway to Psychopathology. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 93:405-418. [PMID: 36725140 PMCID: PMC9895884 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Findings from numerous laboratories and across neuroimaging modalities have consistently shown that exogenous administration of cytokines or inflammatory stimuli that induce cytokines disrupts circuits and networks involved in motivation and motor activity, threat detection, anxiety, and interoceptive and emotional processing. While inflammatory effects on neural circuits and relevant behaviors may represent adaptive responses promoting conservation of energy and heightened vigilance during immune activation, chronically elevated inflammation may contribute to symptoms of psychiatric illnesses. Indeed, biomarkers of inflammation such as cytokines and acute phase reactants are reliably elevated in a subset of patients with unipolar or bipolar depression, anxiety-related disorders, and schizophrenia and have been associated with differential treatment responses and poor clinical outcomes. A growing body of literature also describes higher levels of endogenous inflammatory markers and altered, typically lower functional or structural connectivity within these circuits in association with transdiagnostic symptoms such as anhedonia and anxiety in psychiatric and at-risk populations. This review presents recent evidence that inflammation and its effects on the brain may serve as one molecular and cellular mechanism of dysconnectivity within anatomically and/or functionally connected cortical and subcortical regions in association with transdiagnostic symptoms. We also discuss the need to establish reproducible methods to assess inflammation-associated dysconnectivity in relation to behavior for use in translational studies or biomarker-driven clinical trials for novel pharmacological or behavioral interventions targeting inflammation or its effects on the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Goldsmith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Mandakh Bekhbat
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Neeti D Mehta
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Neuroscience Graduate Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jennifer C Felger
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
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8
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Muehlenbein MP, Gassen J, Nowak TJ, Henderson AD, Thum E, Weaver SP, Baker EJ. Exploring links between pathogen avoidance motivation, COVID-19 case counts, and immune function. Am J Hum Biol 2023; 35:e23833. [PMID: 36382790 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The selection pressures exerted by pathogens have played important roles in shaping the biology and behavior of animals, including humans. Immune systems recognize and respond to cues of infection or damage by coordinating cellular, humoral, and metabolic shifts that promote recovery. Moreover, animals also possess a repertoire of behavioral tools to help combat the threat of pathogens, often referred to as the behavioral immune system. Recently, researchers have begun to examine how cognitive, affective, and behavioral disease avoidance mechanisms interact with the biological immune system. METHODS The present study explored relationships among individual differences in behavioral immune system activity (e.g., pathogen disgust), shifts in SARS-CoV-2 infection risk (i.e., 7-day case averages), and immune function in a community cohort from McLennan County, Texas, USA (n = 387). RESULTS Levels of disease concern were not consistently associated with immune markers. However, serum levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-8, as well as serum killing ability of Escherichia coli, each varied with case counts. Additional analyses found that case counts also predicted changes in stress physiology, but not subjective measures of distress. However, follow-up mediation models did not provide evidence that relationships between case counts and immunological outcomes were mediated through levels of stress. CONCLUSIONS The present project provides initial evidence that markers of immune function may be sensitive to changes in infection risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. This adds to the growing body of research finding relationships among behavioral and biological pathogen management mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeffrey Gassen
- Department of Anthropology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Tomasz J Nowak
- Department of Anthropology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | | | - Edward Thum
- Department of Anthropology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | | | - Erich J Baker
- Department of Computer Science, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
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Yuhas Y, Ashkenazi S, Berent E, Weizman A. Clozapine Suppresses the Gene Expression and the Production of Cytokines and Up-Regulates Cyclooxygenase 2 mRNA in Human Astroglial Cells. Brain Sci 2022; 12:1703. [PMID: 36552163 PMCID: PMC9775287 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12121703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a chronic neurodevelopmental psychotic disorder. The immune system and neuroinflammation seem to play a central role in the pathophysiology of SCZ. Clozapine is an effective atypical antipsychotic used for treatment-resistant SCZ. Life-threatening side effects, such as myocarditis, limit its use. We investigated the immunomodulatory effects of clozapine in an astroglial model of neuroinflammation. We thus assessed the effect of clozapine on the production of inflammatory mediators in human-derived astroglial (A172) cells, stimulated with a cytokine mix (TNFα, IL-1β, IFNγ). RT-PCR and ELISA analyses demonstrated that clozapine suppressed gene expression and production of TNFα, IL-1β and IL-8 and increased COX2 mRNA 24 h after stimulation. Clozapine inhibited Akt phosphorylation induced by the cytokine mix at 10 min and 40 min, as assessed by Western blot analysis with anti-pT308Akt antibody. Pretreatment with the Akt inhibitor MK-2206 increased COX2 gene expression in cytokine-stimulated cells, suggesting that Akt inhibition may be involved in COX2 gene expression upregulation. Clozapine may possess dual beneficial effects: inhibiting astroglial production of proinflammatory cytokines, thus attenuating neuroinflammation, and upregulating COX2 expression that may be relevant to improvement of neural functioning while accounting for some of its detrimental effects. Patients with TRS and neuroinflammatory markers may benefit particularly from clozapine treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Yuhas
- Laboratory of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petach Tikva 4941492, Israel
| | - Shai Ashkenazi
- Laboratory of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petach Tikva 4941492, Israel
| | - Eva Berent
- Laboratory of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petach Tikva 4941492, Israel
| | - Abraham Weizman
- Laboratory of Molecular and Biological Psychiatry, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petach Tikva 4941492, Israel
- Department of Psychiatry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Research Unit, Geha Mental Health Center, Petach Tikva 4941492, Israel
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10
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Matits L, Gumpp AM, Kolassa IT, Behnke A, Mack M. Störungsspezifische und transdiagnostische Veränderung der Inflammationsaktivität bei psychischen Störungen. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR KLINISCHE PSYCHOLOGIE UND PSYCHOTHERAPIE 2022. [DOI: 10.1026/1616-3443/a000666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Empirische Befunde deuten vermehrt auf eine erhöhte Entzündungsaktivität im Zusammenhang mit psychischen Störungen hin. Inwieweit sich inflammatorische Veränderungen über Störungen hinweg unterscheiden bzw. ob Inflammation ein transdiagnostisches Korrelat psychischer Störungen darstellt, ist bisher jedoch noch nicht eindeutig beantwortet. Fragestellung: Liegen spezifische inflammatorische Marker (z. B. Zytokine) über psychische Störungen hinweg verändert vor und/oder gibt es störungsspezifische Zytokinveränderungen bei Major Depression (MDD), Bipolarer Störung, Schizophrenie und Angststörungen inkl. Posttraumatischer Belastungsstörung (PTBS). Methode: Basierend auf einer Literaturrecherche werden aktuelle metaanalytische Befunde, die Studien bei Patient_innen mit MDD, Bipolarer Störung, Schizophrenie oder Angststörungen inkl. PTBS im Vergleich zu gesunden Kontrollen betrachten, zusammengetragen und vergleichend dargestellt. Ergebnisse: Aktuelle Evidenz verweist relativ konsistent auf Veränderungen des Immunsystems, wobei v. a. das Zytokin Interleukin (IL–) 6 und das C-reaktive Protein (CRP) störungsübergreifend leicht erhöht sind. Schlussfolgerungen: Perspektivisch könnten Patient_innen mit chronisch inflammatorischen Erkrankungen und psychischen Störungen von psychotherapiebegleitenden antiinflammatorischen Maßnahmen wie bspw. körperlicher Aktivität, antiinflammatorischer Ernährung und Entspannungsverfahren profitieren.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Matits
- Sektion Sport- und Rehabilitationsmedizin, Innere Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Deutschland
- Klinische & Biologische Psychologie, Institut für Psychologie und Pädagogik, Universität Ulm, Deutschland
| | - Anja Maria Gumpp
- Klinische & Biologische Psychologie, Institut für Psychologie und Pädagogik, Universität Ulm, Deutschland
| | - Iris-Tatjana Kolassa
- Klinische & Biologische Psychologie, Institut für Psychologie und Pädagogik, Universität Ulm, Deutschland
| | - Alexander Behnke
- Klinische & Biologische Psychologie, Institut für Psychologie und Pädagogik, Universität Ulm, Deutschland
| | - Matthias Mack
- Klinische & Biologische Psychologie, Institut für Psychologie und Pädagogik, Universität Ulm, Deutschland
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11
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Distinct effects of interleukin-6 and interferon-γ on differentiating human cortical neurons. Brain Behav Immun 2022; 103:97-108. [PMID: 35429607 PMCID: PMC9278892 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2022.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Translational evidence suggests that cytokines involved in maternal immune activation (MIA), such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), can cross the placenta, injure fetal brain, and predispose to neuropsychiatric disorders. To elaborate developmental neuronal sequelae of MIA, we differentiated human pluripotent stem cells to cortical neurons over a two-month period, exposing them to IL-6 or IFN-γ. IL-6 impacted expression of genes regulating extracellular matrix, actin cytoskeleton and TGF-β signaling while IFN-γ impacted genes regulating antigen processing, major histocompatibility complex and endoplasmic reticulum biology. IL-6, but not IFN-γ, altered mitochondrial respiration while IFN-γ, but not IL-6, induced reduction in dendritic spine density. Pre-treatment with folic acid, which has known neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, ameliorated IL-6 effects on mitochondrial respiration and IFN-γ effects on dendritic spine density. These findings suggest distinct mechanisms for how fetal IL-6 and IFN-γ exposure influence risk for neuropsychiatric disorders, and how folic acid can mitigate such risk.
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12
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Proma MA, Daria S, Nahar Z, Ashraful Islam SM, Bhuiyan MA, Islam MR. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels are associated with major depressive disorder. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2022; 33:735-741. [PMID: 34983131 DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2021-0132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a distressing condition characterized by persistent low mood, loss of interest in daily activities. Researchers consider several biological, psycho-social, and genetic factors are involved in depression. The present study aimed to investigate the serum levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in MDD patients to explore its role in depression. METHODS This case-control study recruited 114 MDD patients and 106 healthy controls (HCs) matched by age and gender. A specialized psychiatrist diagnosed the cases and evaluated the controls based on the diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders, 5th edition. We quantified serum MCP-1 levels using commercially available enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay kits. Also, we applied the Hamilton depression rating scale (Ham-D) to measure the severity of depression. RESULTS We observed the decreased levels of serum MCP-1 in MDD patients compared to HCs. Also, we obtained a significant negative correlation between serum MCP-1 levels and Ham-D scores. Moreover, female MDD patients with higher Ham-D scores exhibited lower serum MCP-1 levels. The receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated the good diagnostic value of MCP-1 with the area under the curve at 0.837. CONCLUSIONS The depression-related alteration of serum MCP-1 may be more complicated than the current assumption and depends on the characteristics of the individual patients. Our study suggests that the serum MCP-1 levels might involve in the pathophysiology and mechanism of MDD. The present findings, along with the diagnostic evaluation, might be used to evaluate depressive patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sohel Daria
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Zabun Nahar
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Md Rabiul Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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13
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Abstract
ABSTRACT Inflammatory phenomena are found in many psychiatric disorders-notably, depression, schizophrenia, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Inflammation has been linked to severity and treatment resistance, and may both contribute to, and result from, the pathophysiology of some psychiatric illnesses. Emerging research suggests that inflammation may contribute to symptom domains of reward, motor processing, and threat reactivity across different psychiatric diagnoses. Reward-processing deficits contribute to motivational impairments in depression and schizophrenia, and motor-processing deficits contribute to psychomotor slowing in both depression and schizophrenia. A number of experimental models and clinical trials suggest that inflammation produces deficits in reward and motor processing through common pathways connecting the cortex and the striatum, which includes the nucleus accumbens, caudate nucleus, and putamen.The observed effects of inflammation on psychiatric disorders may cut across traditional conceptualizations of psychiatric diagnoses. Further study may lead to targeted immunomodulating treatments that address difficult-to-treat symptoms in a number of psychiatric disorders. In this review, we use a Research Domain Criteria framework to discuss proposed mechanisms for inflammation and its effects on the domains of reward processing, psychomotor slowing, and threat reactivity. We also discuss data that support contributing roles of metabolic dysregulation and sex differences on the behavioral outcomes of inflammation. Finally, we discuss ways that future studies can help disentangle this complex topic to yield fruitful results that will help advance the field of psychoneuroimmunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Thylur
- From the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University
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14
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Larsen JB, Reitan SK, Løberg EM, Rettenbacher M, Bruserud Ø, Larsen TK, Anda L, Bartz-Johannessen C, Johnsen E, Kroken RA. The association between cytokines and psychomotor speed in a spectrum of psychotic disorders: A longitudinal study. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 18:100392. [PMID: 34877553 PMCID: PMC8633579 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In schizophrenia, impaired psychomotor speed is a common symptom predicting worse functional outcome. Inflammation causes changes in white matter integrity, which may lead to reduced psychomotor speed. Therefore, we wanted to investigate if peripheral inflammation assessed with cytokines affected performance on psychomotor speed in patients with a spectrum of psychotic disorders. Methods The current study is a prospective cohort study, including participants from a pragmatic, randomised controlled trial comparing three atypical antipsychotics in patients with a spectrum of psychotic disorders. For the purposes of this sub-study, we analysed drug treatment groups collectively. Psychomotor speed was assessed at baseline, and at weeks 6, 12, 26 and 52 of follow-up, using the neuropsychological tests trail making test (TMT) A and B, and symbol coding. Serum concentration of the following cytokines were measured: interleukin (IL)-β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL12 p70, IL-17a, interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after 1, 3, 6, 12, 26, 39 and 52 weeks. We analysed the effect of cytokines levels on psychomotor speed over time in linear mixed effects models. Results In our linear mixed effects models controlling for possible confounders, IFN-γ had a significant negative effect on TMT-A and symbol coding performance. None of the other tests for psychomotor speed were significantly associated with cytokines. Overall psychomotor speed performance increased significantly across the study period while cytokine levels remained stable. Conclusion Our study indicates a negative association between IFN-γ and psychomotor speed, which might be of importance when understanding the mechanisms behind psychomotor deviations in psychotic disorders. The cytokine interferon (IFN) – γ is related to psychomotor speed in patients with psychotic disorders. For majority of cytokines, we found no significant association with psychomotor speed. Cytokines remained stable during the study period of 52 weeks.
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Key Words
- BMI, body mass index
- Cognition
- Cytokines
- IL, interleukin
- Immune markers
- Inflammation
- MRI, magnetic resonance imaging
- MS, multiple sclerosis
- PANSS, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale
- Psychomotor performance
- Psychomotor speed
- RCT, randomised controlled trial
- SCID-I, Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders
- Schizophrenia
- TMT, Trail Making Test
- TNF, tumor necrosis factor
- hs-CRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette Brun Larsen
- Department of Mental Health, St. Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Solveig Klæbo Reitan
- Department of Mental Health, St. Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Else-Marie Løberg
- NORMENT, Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Maria Rettenbacher
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Øystein Bruserud
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Tor Ketil Larsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Regional Centre for Clinical Research in Psychosis, TIPS, Stavanger University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Liss Anda
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Social Studies, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
| | | | - Erik Johnsen
- NORMENT, Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Rune A Kroken
- NORMENT, Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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15
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The interaction of lipids and inflammatory markers predict negative symptom severity in patients with schizophrenia. NPJ SCHIZOPHRENIA 2021; 7:50. [PMID: 34671033 PMCID: PMC8528914 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-021-00179-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Finding biological predictors and novel mechanisms underlying negative symptoms of schizophrenia is of significant importance given the lack of effective treatments. Increasing data support a role for metabolic dysfunction and inflammation in reward processing deficits in psychiatric illness. Herein, we found an interaction between lipids and inflammation as a predictor of worse negative symptom severity in individuals with schizophrenia. Future studies may seek to further elucidate this relationship and thereby reveal novel treatment targets for negative symptoms.
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16
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Grave J, Madeira N, Martins MJ, Silva S, Korb S, Soares SC. Slower access to visual awareness but otherwise intact implicit perception of emotional faces in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Conscious Cogn 2021; 93:103165. [PMID: 34274640 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2021.103165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia-spectrum disorders are characterized by deficits in social domains. Extant research has reported an impaired ability to perceive emotional faces in schizophrenia. Yet, it is unclear if these deficits occur already in the access to visual awareness. To investigate this question, 23 people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and 22 healthy controls performed a breaking continuous flash suppression task with fearful, happy, and neutral faces. Response times were analysed with generalized linear mixed models. People with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders were slower than controls in detecting faces, but did not show emotion-specific impairments. Moreover, happy faces were detected faster than neutral and fearful faces, across all participants. Although caution is needed when interpreting the main effect of group, our findings may suggest an elevated threshold for visual awareness in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, but an intact implicit emotion perception. Our study provides a new insight into the mechanisms underlying emotion perception in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Grave
- William James Center for Research, Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Nuno Madeira
- Psychiatry Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Prof. Mota Pinto, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine - University of Coimbra, Portugal, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria João Martins
- Institute of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine - University of Coimbra, Portugal, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Ocupational Health and Safety Management Services, University of Coimbra Social Services, Rua Doutor Guilherme Moreira 12, 3000-210 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Samuel Silva
- Department of Electronics, Telecommunication and Informatics (DETI)/Institute of Electronics and Informatics Engineering (IEETA), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sebastian Korb
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex, CO4 3SQ Colchester, United Kingdom; Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5 1010, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandra Cristina Soares
- William James Center for Research, Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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17
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Klaus F, Mitchell K, Liou SC, Eyler LT, Nguyen TT. Chemokine MCP1 is associated with cognitive flexibility in schizophrenia: A preliminary analysis. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 138:139-145. [PMID: 33852994 PMCID: PMC8192469 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peripheral levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers have been shown to be altered in schizophrenia (SZ) and associated with cognitive impairments, but their relevance to specific cognitive domains remains unclear. METHODS Plasma levels of cytokines, chemokines, and vascular biomarkers were quantified and compared between SZ and healthy comparison (HC) groups. Cognition was assessed using the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System Trail Making (TM) and Color Word Interference (CWI) tests. Linear regression analyses examined differential relationships of inflammatory biomarkers with executive function between groups. RESULTS Plasma levels of TNFα, ICAM1, and MCP1 were higher in individuals with SZ compared to HCs. Higher level of MCP1 was associated with increased CWI Inhibition Switching Errors in SZ but not HCs. CONCLUSION Like other studies, we found evidence for increased peripheral inflammation in SZ. We also showed that SZ with particularly high MCP1 levels had poor cognitive flexibility. Interventions to reduce chemokine elevations might prove beneficial for cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Klaus
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA,VA San Diego Healthcare System, Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kyle Mitchell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA,VA San Diego Healthcare System, Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sharon C. Liou
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lisa T. Eyler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA,VA San Diego Healthcare System, Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tanya T. Nguyen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA,VA San Diego Healthcare System, Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), La Jolla, CA, USA,Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA,Corresponding author: Tanya T. Nguyen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive #0664, La Jolla, CA 92093-0664, Phone: (858)-246-5347, Fax: (858)-543-5475,
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