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Viejo-Romero M, Whalley HC, Shen X, Stolicyn A, Smith DJ, Howard DM. An epidemiological study of season of birth, mental health, and neuroimaging in the UK Biobank. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300449. [PMID: 38776272 PMCID: PMC11111058 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300449] [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: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Environmental exposures during the perinatal period are known to have a long-term effect on adult physical and mental health. One such influential environmental exposure is the time of year of birth which affects the amount of daylight, nutrients, and viral load that an individual is exposed to within this key developmental period. Here, we investigate associations between season of birth (seasonality), four mental health traits (n = 137,588) and multi-modal neuroimaging measures (n = 33,212) within the UK Biobank. Summer births were associated with probable recurrent Major Depressive Disorder (β = 0.026, pcorr = 0.028) and greater mean cortical thickness in temporal and occipital lobes (β = 0.013 to 0.014, pcorr<0.05). Winter births were associated with greater white matter integrity globally, in the association fibers, thalamic radiations, and six individual tracts (β = -0.013 to -0.022, pcorr<0.05). Results of sensitivity analyses adjusting for birth weight were similar, with an additional association between winter birth and white matter microstructure in the forceps minor and between summer births, greater cingulate thickness and amygdala volume. Further analyses revealed associations between probable depressive phenotypes and a range of neuroimaging measures but a paucity of interactions with seasonality. Our results suggest that seasonality of birth may affect later-life brain structure and play a role in lifetime recurrent Major Depressive Disorder. Due to the small effect sizes observed, and the lack of associations with other mental health traits, further research is required to validate birth season effects in the context of different latitudes, and by co-examining genetic and epigenetic measures to reveal informative biological pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Viejo-Romero
- Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Heather C. Whalley
- Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Xueyi Shen
- Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Aleks Stolicyn
- Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel J. Smith
- Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David M. Howard
- Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Institute of Psychiatry, Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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Lewis P, Gottlieb JF, Morfeld P, Hellmich M, Erren TC. Perinatal photoperiod associations with bipolar disorder and depression: A systematic literature review and cross-sectional analysis of the UK Biobank database. Psychiatry Res 2024; 335:115878. [PMID: 38581863 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115878] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Season-of-birth associations with psychiatric disorders point to environmental (co-)aetiological factors such as natural photoperiod that, if clarified, may allow interventions toward prevention. We systematically reviewed the literature concerning season-of-birth and bipolar disorder and depression and explored associations between the perinatal natural photoperiod and these outcomes in a cross-sectional analysis of the UK Biobank database. We used mean daily photoperiod and relative photoperiod range (relative to the mean) in the 3rd trimester and, separately, in the first 3 months post birth as metrics. From review, increased risk of depression with late spring birth is compatible with increased odds of probable single episode-, probable recurrent-, and diagnosed depression (OR 2.85 95 %CI 1.6-5.08, OR 2.20 95 %CI 1.57-3.1, and OR 1.48 95 %CI 1.11-1.97, respectively) with increasing 3rd trimester relative photoperiod range for participants who experienced relatively non-extreme daily photoperiods. Risk of bipolar disorder with winter-spring birth contrasted with no consistent patterns of perinatal photoperiod metric associations with bipolar disorder in the UK Biobank. As natural photoperiod varies by both time-of-year and latitude, perinatal natural photoperiods (and a hypothesized mechanism of action via the circadian timing system and/or serotonergic circuitry associated with the dorsal raphe nucleus) may reconcile inconsistencies in season-of-birth associations. Further studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Lewis
- Institute and Policlinic for Occupational Medicie, Environmental Medicine, and Prevention Research, Medical Faculty and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
| | - John F Gottlieb
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Peter Morfeld
- Institute and Policlinic for Occupational Medicie, Environmental Medicine, and Prevention Research, Medical Faculty and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Martin Hellmich
- Institute of Medical Statistics and Computational Biology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas C Erren
- Institute and Policlinic for Occupational Medicie, Environmental Medicine, and Prevention Research, Medical Faculty and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Jameson AN, Siemann JK, Grueter CA, Grueter B, McMahon DG. Effects of age and sex on photoperiod modulation of nucleus accumbens monoamine content and release in adolescence and adulthood. Neurobiol Sleep Circadian Rhythms 2024; 16:100103. [PMID: 38585223 PMCID: PMC10990739 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbscr.2024.100103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Day length, or photoperiod, is a reliable environmental cue encoded by the brain's circadian clock that indicates changing seasons and induces seasonal biological processes. In humans, photoperiod, age, and sex have been linked to seasonality in neuropsychiatric disorders, as seen in Seasonal Affective Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder. The nucleus accumbens is a key locus for the regulation of motivated behaviors and neuropsychiatric disorders. Using periadolescent and young adult male and female mice, here we assessed photoperiod's effect on serotonin and dopamine tissue content in the nucleus accumbens core, as well as on accumbal synaptic dopamine release and uptake. We found greater serotonin and dopamine tissue content in the nucleus accumbens from young adult mice raised in a Short winter-like photoperiod. In addition, dopamine release and clearance were greater in the nucleus accumbens from young adult mice raised in a Long summer-like photoperiod. Importantly, we found that photoperiod's effects on accumbal dopamine tissue content and release were sex-specific to young adult females. These findings support that in mice there are interactions across age, sex, and photoperiod that impact critical monoamine neuromodulators in the nucleus accumbens which may provide mechanistic insight into the age and sex dependencies in seasonality of neuropsychiatric disorders in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis N. Jameson
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Justin K. Siemann
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Carrie A. Grueter
- Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - BradA. Grueter
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Douglas G. McMahon
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
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Liu J, Xu Y, Wang Y, Zhang J, Fu Y, Liufu S, Jiang D, Pan J, Ouyang H, Huang Y, Tian Y, Shen X. The DNA methylation status of the serotonin metabolic pathway associated with reproductive inactivation induced by long-light exposure in Magang geese. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:355. [PMID: 37365488 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09342-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Domestic geese are seasonal breeders and have the lowest reproductive capacity among all poultry species. Magang geese is a topical short-day breeder, short photoperiod exposure stimulates its reproductive activity while long photoperiod inhibits. To explore epigenetic change that could influence reproductive activity, we performed whole genome bisulfite sequencing and transcriptome sequencing in the hypothalamus at three reproductive stages during long-light exposure in male Magang geese. RESULTS A total number of 10,602 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified among three comparison groups. We observed that the vast majority of DMRs were enriched in intron regions. By integrating the BS-sequencing and RNA-seq data, the correlation between methylation changes of CG DMRs and expression changes of their associated genes was significant only for genes containing CG DMRs in their intron. A total of 278 DMR-associated DEGs were obtained among the three stages. KEGG analysis revealed that the DMR-associated DEGs were mainly involved in 11 pathways. Among them, the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway was significantly enriched in both two comparisons (RA vs.RD and RD vs.RI); the Wnt signaling pathway, apelin signaling pathway, melanogenesis, calcium signaling pathway, focal adhesion, and adherens junction were significantly enriched in the RA vs. RI comparison. In addition, the expression level of two serotonin-metabolic genes was significantly altered during reproductive axis inactivation by the methylation status of their promoter region (TPH2) and intron region (SLC18A2), respectively. These results were confirmed by Bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP), pyrosequencing, and real-time qPCR, indicating that serotonin metabolic signaling may play a key role in decreasing the reproductive activity of Magang geese induced by long-light exposure. Furthermore, we performed a metabolomics approach to investigate the concentration of neurotransmitters among the three stages, and found that 5-HIAA, the last product of the serotonin metabolic pathway, was significantly decreased in the hypothalamus during RI. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals that the methylation status of the serotonin metabolic pathway in the hypothalamus is associated with reproductive inactivation, and provided new insight into the effect of DNA methylation on the reproductive regulation of the hypothalamus in Magang geese.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Yanglong Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Yushuai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510275, China
| | - Jinning Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510275, China
| | - Yuting Fu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Sui Liufu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Danli Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Jianqiu Pan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Hongjia Ouyang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Yunmao Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China.
| | - Yunbo Tian
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China.
| | - Xu Shen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China.
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Xu Y, Jiang D, Liu J, Fu Y, Song Y, Fan D, Huang X, Liufu S, Pan J, Ouyang H, Tian Y, Shen X, Huang Y. Photoperiodic Changes in Both Hypothalamus Neurotransmitters and Circulating Gonadal Steroids Metabolomic Profiles in Relation to Seasonal Reproduction in Male Quail. Front Physiol 2022; 13:824228. [PMID: 35399254 PMCID: PMC8993408 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.824228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Both hypothalamic neurotransmitters and serum steroid hormones are impacted by photoperiod and have effects on physiology and seasonal reproductive. However, the relationship between circulating gonadal steroids and hypothalamic neurotransmitters underlying different photoperiod is still unclear. To further understand the crosstalk of neurotransmitters and steroids in seasonal reproduction, metabolic changes of 27 neurotransmitters concentrated in hypothalamus tissues and 42 steroids hormones in serum were assessed during two artificial photoperiodic programs. The results showed that photoperiod induce testicular atrophy and recrudescence. In L-to-S groups, significantly decreased levels of testosterone concentration were found in serum (P < 0.001) and increased 11-Dehydrocorticosterone (P < 0.05); Testosterone were almost undetectable at SD_14d. In addition, the hypothalamus exhibited significantly increased arginine and 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration and decreased serotonin and epinephrine content (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Accordingly, serum testosterone and androstenedione became detectable at LD_3d in the S-to-L group and were markedly increase at LD_7d. Furthermore, Serum androstenedione showed a significant increase with long light expose (P < 0.01). Additionally, the hypothalamus exhibited both significantly increased L.Tryptophan and phenylalanine concentration, as well as decreased L-glutamine and L-glutamine.acid content (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Serotonin metabolism showed significant differences between L-to-S group and S-to-L group. Furthermore, in the correlation analysis, serum testosterone had a positive correlation with 5-Hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA), while Androstenedione was significantly negative with L.Tryptophan in L-to-S (P < 0.05). However, in S-to-L group, serum testosterone showed strong negative correlation with both serotonin and 5-HIAA (P < 0.05), but positive correlation with L.Tryptophan (P < 0.01), while Androstenedione was significantly negative correlation with both serotonin (P < 0.05) and L-Glutamine (P < 0.01). Photoperiod also had significant effects on the mRNA expression. We found significant differences in gene expression patterns of both serotonin signaling and steroid biosynthesis, while MAOB, NR5A1, and 3β-HSD showed an opposite tendency between two groups. Taken together, our results revealed that circulating gonadal steroids and hypothalamic neurotransmitters were significantly impact quail’s seasonal reproduction. Circulating gonadal steroids have different effects on neurotransmitter at different photoperiodism, which may coordinately influence the seasonal reproduction of quails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanglong Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou, China
| | - Danli Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaxin Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuting Fu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Song
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou, China
| | - Di Fan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuefei Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sui Liufu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianqiu Pan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongjia Ouyang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunbo Tian
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xu Shen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunmao Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, Guangzhou, China
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Siemann JK, Grueter BA, McMahon DG. Rhythms, Reward, and Blues: Consequences of Circadian Photoperiod on Affective and Reward Circuit Function. Neuroscience 2020; 457:220-234. [PMID: 33385488 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Circadian disruptions, along with altered affective and reward states, are commonly associated with psychiatric disorders. In addition to genetics, the enduring influence of environmental factors in programming neural networks is of increased interest in assessing the underpinnings of mental health. The duration of daylight or photoperiod is known to impact both the serotonin and dopamine systems, which are implicated in mood and reward-based disorders. This review first examines the effects of circadian disruption and photoperiod in the serotonin system in both human and preclinical studies. We next highlight how brain regions crucial for the serotoninergic system (i.e., dorsal raphe nucleus; DRN), and dopaminergic (i.e., nucleus accumbens; NAc and ventral tegmental area; VTA) system are intertwined in overlapping circuitry, and play influential roles in the pathology of mood and reward-based disorders. We then focus on human and animal studies that demonstrate the impact of circadian factors on the dopaminergic system. Lastly, we discuss how environmental factors such as circadian photoperiod can impact the neural circuits that are responsible for regulating affective and reward states, offering novel insights into the biological mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology, systems, and therapeutic treatments necessary for mood and reward-based disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin K Siemann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Brad A Grueter
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Douglas G McMahon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA.
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