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Saxon D, Alderman PJ, Sorrells SF, Vicini S, Corbin JG. Neuronal Subtypes and Connectivity of the Adult Mouse Paralaminar Amygdala. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0119-24.2024. [PMID: 38811163 PMCID: PMC11208988 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0119-24.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The paralaminar nucleus of the amygdala (PL) comprises neurons that exhibit delayed maturation. PL neurons are born during gestation but mature during adolescent ages, differentiating into excitatory neurons. These late-maturing PL neurons contribute to the increase in size and cell number of the amygdala between birth and adulthood. However, the function of the PL upon maturation is unknown, as the region has only recently begun to be characterized in detail. In this study, we investigated key defining features of the adult mouse PL; the intrinsic morpho-electric properties of its neurons, and its input and output circuit connectivity. We identify two subtypes of excitatory neurons in the PL based on unsupervised clustering of electrophysiological properties. These subtypes are defined by differential action potential firing properties and dendritic architecture, suggesting divergent functional roles. We further uncover major axonal inputs to the adult PL from the main olfactory network and basolateral amygdala. We also find that axonal outputs from the PL project reciprocally to these inputs and to diverse targets including the amygdala, frontal cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and brainstem. Thus, the adult mouse PL is centrally placed to play a major role in the integration of olfactory sensory information, to coordinate affective and autonomic behavioral responses to salient odor stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Saxon
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC 20011
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007
| | - Pia J Alderman
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Shawn F Sorrells
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Stefano Vicini
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007
| | - Joshua G Corbin
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC 20011
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2
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Horata E, Ay H, Aslan D. Autistic-like behaviour and changes in thalamic cell numbers a rat model of valproic acid-induced autism; A behavioural and stereological study. Brain Res 2024; 1840:149047. [PMID: 38823508 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.149047] [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: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
The contribution of the thalamus to the development and behavioural changes in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), a neurodevelopmental syndrome, remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in thalamic volume and cell number in the valproic acid (VPA)-induced ASD model using stereological methods and to clarify the relationship between thalamus and ASD-like behaviour. Ten pregnant rats were administered a single dose (600 mg/kg) of VPA intraperitoneally on G12.5 (VPA group), while five pregnant rats were injected with 5 ml saline (control group). Behavioural tests were performed to determine appropriate subjects and ASD-like behaviours. At P55, the brains of the subjects were removed. The sagittal sections were stained with cresyl violet and toluidine blue. The thalamic and hemispheric volumes with their ratios, the total number of thalamic cells, neurons and non-neuronal cells were calculated using stereological methods. Data were compared using a t-test and a Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between behaviour and stereological outcomes. VPA-treated rats had lower sociability and sociability indexes. There was no difference in social novelty preference and anxiety. The VPA group had larger hemispheric volume, lower thalamic volume, and fewer neurons. The highest percentage decrease was in non-neuronal cells. There was a moderate positive correlation between the number of non-neuronal cells and sociability, thalamic volume and the number of neurons as well as the time spent in the light box. The correlation between behaviour and stereological data suggests that the thalamus is associated with ASD-like behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erdal Horata
- Orthopedic Prosthesis Orthotics, Atatürk Health Services Vocational School, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
| | - Hakan Ay
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Duygu Aslan
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Kafkas University, Kars, Turkey
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3
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Liu J, Girault JB, Nishino T, Shen MD, Kim SH, Burrows CA, Elison JT, Marrus N, Wolff JJ, Botteron KN, Estes AM, Dager SR, Hazlett HC, McKinstry RC, Schultz RT, Snyder AZ, Styner M, Zwaigenbaum L, Pruett Jr JR, Piven J, Gao W. Atypical functional connectivity between the amygdala and visual, salience regions in infants with genetic liability for autism. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:30-39. [PMID: 38696599 PMCID: PMC11065105 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The amygdala undergoes a period of overgrowth in the first year of life, resulting in enlarged volume by 12 months in infants later diagnosed with ASD. The overgrowth of the amygdala may have functional consequences during infancy. We investigated whether amygdala connectivity differs in 12-month-olds at high likelihood (HL) for ASD (defined by having an older sibling with autism), compared to those at low likelihood (LL). We examined seed-based connectivity of left and right amygdalae, hypothesizing that the HL and LL groups would differ in amygdala connectivity, especially with the visual cortex, based on our prior reports demonstrating that components of visual circuitry develop atypically and are linked to genetic liability for autism. We found that HL infants exhibited weaker connectivity between the right amygdala and the left visual cortex, as well as between the left amygdala and the right anterior cingulate, with evidence that these patterns occur in distinct subgroups of the HL sample. Amygdala connectivity strength with the visual cortex was related to motor and communication abilities among HL infants. Findings indicate that aberrant functional connectivity between the amygdala and visual regions is apparent in infants with genetic liability for ASD and may have implications for early differences in adaptive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janelle Liu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Imaging, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 116 N. Robertson Bldv., Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jessica B Girault
- Department of Psychiatry, UNC Chapel Hill, 333 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, UNC Chapel Hill , 101 Renee Lynne Court, Carrboro, NC 27510, USA
| | - Tomoyuki Nishino
- Institute for Child Development, University of Minnesota, 51 East River Rd., Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
| | - Mark D Shen
- Department of Psychiatry, UNC Chapel Hill, 333 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, UNC Chapel Hill , 101 Renee Lynne Court, Carrboro, NC 27510, USA
| | - Sun Hyung Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, UNC Chapel Hill, 333 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Catherine A Burrows
- Institute for Child Development, University of Minnesota, 51 East River Rd., Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
| | - Jed T Elison
- Institute for Child Development, University of Minnesota, 51 East River Rd., Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
| | - Natasha Marrus
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jason J Wolff
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota, 56 E River Rd., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kelly N Botteron
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Annette M Estes
- Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, 1417 NE 42nd St., Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Stephen R Dager
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Heather C Hazlett
- Department of Psychiatry, UNC Chapel Hill, 333 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, UNC Chapel Hill , 101 Renee Lynne Court, Carrboro, NC 27510, USA
| | - Robert C McKinstry
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Robert T Schultz
- Center for Autism Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 2716 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Abraham Z Snyder
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Martin Styner
- Department of Psychiatry, UNC Chapel Hill, 333 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
| | - Lonnie Zwaigenbaum
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2R3, CA
| | - John R Pruett Jr
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Joseph Piven
- Department of Psychiatry, UNC Chapel Hill, 333 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, UNC Chapel Hill , 101 Renee Lynne Court, Carrboro, NC 27510, USA
| | - Wei Gao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Imaging, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 116 N. Robertson Bldv., Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Garduño BM, Hanni P, Hays C, Cogram P, Insel N, Xu X. How the forebrain transitions to adulthood: developmental plasticity markers in a long-lived rodent reveal region diversity and the uniqueness of adolescence. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1365737. [PMID: 38456144 PMCID: PMC10917993 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1365737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Maturation of the forebrain involves transitions from higher to lower levels of synaptic plasticity. The timecourse of these changes likely differs between regions, with the stabilization of some networks scaffolding the development of others. To gain better insight into neuroplasticity changes associated with maturation to adulthood, we examined the distribution of two molecular markers for developmental plasticity. We conducted the examination on male and female degus (Octodon degus), a rodent species with a relatively long developmental timecourse that offers a promising model for studying both development and age-related neuropathology. Immunofluorescent staining was used to measure perineuronal nets (PNNs), an extracellular matrix structure that emerges during the closure of critical plasticity periods, as well as microglia, resident immune cells that play a crucial role in synapse remodeling during development. PNNs (putatively restricting plasticity) were found to be higher in non-juvenile (>3 month) degus, while levels of microglia (putatively mediating plasticity) decreased across ages more gradually, and with varying timecourses between regions. Degus also showed notable variation in PNN levels between cortical layers and hippocampal subdivisions that have not been previously reported in other species. These results offer a glimpse into neuroplasticity changes occurring during degu maturation and highlight adolescence as a unique phase of neuroplasticity, in which PNNs have been established but microglia remain relatively high.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. Maximiliano Garduño
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Patrick Hanni
- Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
| | - Chelsea Hays
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Patricia Cogram
- Department of Ecological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- The Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Nathan Insel
- Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Xiangmin Xu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- The Center for Neural Circuit Mapping, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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5
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Alderman PJ, Saxon D, Torrijos-Saiz LI, Sharief M, Page CE, Baroudi JK, Biagiotti SW, Butyrkin VA, Melamed A, Kuo CT, Vicini S, García-Verdugo JM, Herranz-Pérez V, Corbin JG, Sorrells SF. Delayed maturation and migration of excitatory neurons in the juvenile mouse paralaminar amygdala. Neuron 2024; 112:574-592.e10. [PMID: 38086370 PMCID: PMC10922384 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The human amygdala paralaminar nucleus (PL) contains many immature excitatory neurons that undergo prolonged maturation from birth to adulthood. We describe a previously unidentified homologous PL region in mice that contains immature excitatory neurons and has previously been considered part of the amygdala intercalated cell clusters or ventral endopiriform cortex. Mouse PL neurons are born embryonically, not from postnatal neurogenesis, despite a subset retaining immature molecular and morphological features in adults. During juvenile-adolescent ages (P21-P35), the majority of PL neurons undergo molecular, structural, and physiological maturation, and a subset of excitatory PL neurons migrate into the adjacent endopiriform cortex. Alongside these changes, PL neurons develop responses to aversive and appetitive olfactory stimuli. The presence of this homologous region in both humans and mice points to the significance of this conserved mechanism of neuronal maturation and migration during adolescence, a key time period for amygdala circuit maturation and related behavioral changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia J Alderman
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - David Saxon
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC 20011, USA; Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA
| | - Lucía I Torrijos-Saiz
- Laboratory of Comparative Neurobiology, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Comparative Neurobiology, University of Valencia, CIBERNED-ISCIII, Valencia 46980, Spain
| | - Malaz Sharief
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Chloe E Page
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Jude K Baroudi
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Sean W Biagiotti
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Vladimir A Butyrkin
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC 20011, USA; Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Anna Melamed
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Chay T Kuo
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Stefano Vicini
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA
| | - Jose M García-Verdugo
- Laboratory of Comparative Neurobiology, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Comparative Neurobiology, University of Valencia, CIBERNED-ISCIII, Valencia 46980, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of Valencia, Burjassot 46100, Spain
| | - Vicente Herranz-Pérez
- Laboratory of Comparative Neurobiology, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Comparative Neurobiology, University of Valencia, CIBERNED-ISCIII, Valencia 46980, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of Valencia, Burjassot 46100, Spain
| | - Joshua G Corbin
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC 20011, USA
| | - Shawn F Sorrells
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA; Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
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6
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Rexrode LE, Hartley J, Showmaker KC, Challagundla L, Vandewege MW, Martin BE, Blair E, Bollavarapu R, Antonyraj RB, Hilton K, Gardiner A, Valeri J, Gisabella B, Garrett MR, Theoharides TC, Pantazopoulos H. Molecular profiling of the hippocampus of children with autism spectrum disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02441-8. [PMID: 38355786 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02441-8] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Several lines of evidence point to a key role of the hippocampus in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Altered hippocampal volume and deficits in memory for person and emotion related stimuli have been reported, along with enhanced ability for declarative memories. Mouse models have demonstrated a critical role of the hippocampus in social memory dysfunction, associated with ASD, together with decreased synaptic plasticity. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), a family of extracellular matrix molecules, represent a potential key link between neurodevelopment, synaptic plasticity, and immune system signaling. There is a lack of information regarding the molecular pathology of the hippocampus in ASD. We conducted RNAseq profiling on postmortem human brain samples containing the hippocampus from male children with ASD (n = 7) and normal male children (3-14 yrs old), (n = 6) from the NIH NeuroBioBank. Gene expression profiling analysis implicated molecular pathways involved in extracellular matrix organization, neurodevelopment, synaptic regulation, and immune system signaling. qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to confirm several of the top markers identified. The CSPG protein BCAN was examined with multiplex immunofluorescence to analyze cell-type specific expression of BCAN and astrocyte morphology. We observed decreased expression of synaptic proteins PSD95 (p < 0.02) and SYN1 (p < 0.02), increased expression of the extracellular matrix (ECM) protease MMP9 (p < 0.03), and decreased expression of MEF2C (p < 0.03). We also observed increased BCAN expression with astrocytes in children with ASD, together with altered astrocyte morphology. Our results point to alterations in immune system signaling, glia cell differentiation, and synaptic signaling in the hippocampus of children with ASD, together with alterations in extracellular matrix molecules. Furthermore, our results demonstrate altered expression of genes implicated in genetic studies of ASD including SYN1 and MEF2C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay E Rexrode
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Joshua Hartley
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | | | - Lavanya Challagundla
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | | | - Brigitte E Martin
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Estelle Blair
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Ratna Bollavarapu
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Rhenius B Antonyraj
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Keauna Hilton
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Alex Gardiner
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Jake Valeri
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Barbara Gisabella
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Michael R Garrett
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Theoharis C Theoharides
- Institute of Neuro-Immune Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Clearwater, FL, USA
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Harry Pantazopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA.
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, MS, USA.
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7
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Nakamura T, Ueda J, Mizuno S, Honda K, Kazuno AA, Yamamoto H, Hara T, Takata A. Topologically associating domains define the impact of de novo promoter variants on autism spectrum disorder risk. CELL GENOMICS 2024; 4:100488. [PMID: 38280381 PMCID: PMC10879036 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2024.100488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) studies of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have demonstrated the roles of rare promoter de novo variants (DNVs). However, most promoter DNVs in ASD are not located immediately upstream of known ASD genes. In this study analyzing WGS data of 5,044 ASD probands, 4,095 unaffected siblings, and their parents, we show that promoter DNVs within topologically associating domains (TADs) containing ASD genes are significantly and specifically associated with ASD. An analysis considering TADs as functional units identified specific TADs enriched for promoter DNVs in ASD and indicated that common variants in these regions also confer ASD heritability. Experimental validation using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) showed that likely deleterious promoter DNVs in ASD can influence multiple genes within the same TAD, resulting in overall dysregulation of ASD-associated genes. These results highlight the importance of TADs and gene-regulatory mechanisms in better understanding the genetic architecture of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takumi Nakamura
- Laboratory for Molecular Pathology of Psychiatric Disorders, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Junko Ueda
- Laboratory for Molecular Pathology of Psychiatric Disorders, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Shota Mizuno
- Laboratory for Molecular Pathology of Psychiatric Disorders, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Kurara Honda
- Laboratory for Molecular Pathology of Psychiatric Disorders, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - An-A Kazuno
- Laboratory for Molecular Pathology of Psychiatric Disorders, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hirona Yamamoto
- Laboratory for Molecular Pathology of Psychiatric Disorders, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
| | - Tomonori Hara
- Laboratory for Molecular Pathology of Psychiatric Disorders, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Department of Organ Anatomy, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
| | - Atsushi Takata
- Laboratory for Molecular Pathology of Psychiatric Disorders, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Research Institute for Diseases of Old Age, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan.
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8
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Napoli AJ, Laderwager S, Zoodsma JD, Biju B, Mucollari O, Schubel SK, Aprea C, Sayed A, Morgan K, Napoli A, Flanagan S, Wollmuth LP, Sirotkin HI. Developmental loss of NMDA receptors results in supernumerary forebrain neurons through delayed maturation of transit-amplifying neuroblasts. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3395. [PMID: 38336823 PMCID: PMC10858180 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53910-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Developmental neurogenesis is a tightly regulated spatiotemporal process with its dysregulation implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. NMDA receptors are glutamate-gated ion channels that are widely expressed in the early nervous system, yet their contribution to neurogenesis is poorly understood. Notably, a variety of mutations in genes encoding NMDA receptor subunits are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. To rigorously define the role of NMDA receptors in developmental neurogenesis, we used a mutant zebrafish line (grin1-/-) that lacks all NMDA receptors yet survives to 10 days post-fertilization, offering the opportunity to study post-embryonic neurodevelopment in the absence of NMDA receptors. Focusing on the forebrain, we find that these fish have a progressive supernumerary neuron phenotype confined to the telencephalon at the end of embryonic neurogenesis, but which extends to all forebrain regions during postembryonic neurogenesis. This enhanced neuron population does not arise directly from increased numbers or mitotic activity of radial glia cells, the principal neural stem cells. Rather, it stems from a lack of timely maturation of transit-amplifying neuroblasts into post-mitotic neurons, as indicated by a decrease in expression of the ontogenetically-expressed chloride transporter, KCC2. Pharmacological blockade with MK-801 recapitulates the grin1-/- supernumerary neuron phenotype, indicating a requirement for ionotropic signaling. Thus, NMDA receptors are required for suppression of indirect, transit amplifying cell-driven neurogenesis by promoting maturational termination of mitosis. Loss of suppression results in neuronal overpopulation that can fundamentally change brain circuitry and may be a key factor in pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders caused by NMDA receptor dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalia J Napoli
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Stephanie Laderwager
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Josiah D Zoodsma
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Bismi Biju
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Olgerta Mucollari
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Sarah K Schubel
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Christieann Aprea
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Aaliya Sayed
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Kiele Morgan
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Annelysia Napoli
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Stephanie Flanagan
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Lonnie P Wollmuth
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5215, USA
- Center for Nervous System Disorders, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA
| | - Howard I Sirotkin
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5230, USA.
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9
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Reis SL, Monteiro P. From synaptic dysfunction to atypical emotional processing in autism. FEBS Lett 2024; 598:269-282. [PMID: 38233224 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition mainly characterized by social impairments and repetitive behaviors. Among these core symptoms, a notable aspect of ASD is the presence of emotional complexities, including high rates of anxiety disorders. The inherent heterogeneity of ASD poses a unique challenge in understanding its etiological origins, yet the utilization of diverse animal models replicating ASD traits has enabled researchers to dissect the intricate relationship between autism and atypical emotional processing. In this review, we delve into the general findings about the neural circuits underpinning one of the most extensively researched and evolutionarily conserved emotional states: fear and anxiety. Additionally, we explore how distinct ASD animal models exhibit various anxiety phenotypes, making them a crucial tool for dissecting ASD's multifaceted nature. Overall, to a proper display of fear response, it is crucial to properly process and integrate sensorial and visceral cues to the fear-induced stimuli. ASD individuals exhibit altered sensory processing, possibly contributing to the emergence of atypical phobias, a prevailing anxiety disorder manifested in this population. Moreover, these individuals display distinctive alterations in a pivotal fear and anxiety processing hub, the amygdala. By examining the neurobiological mechanisms underlying fear and anxiety regulation, we can gain insights into the factors contributing to the distinctive emotional profile observed in individuals with ASD. Such insights hold the potential to pave the way for more targeted interventions and therapies that address the emotional challenges faced by individuals within the autism spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara L Reis
- Department of Biomedicine - Experimental Biology Unit, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Patricia Monteiro
- Department of Biomedicine - Experimental Biology Unit, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Portugal
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10
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Saxon D, Alderman PJ, Sorrells SF, Vicini S, Corbin JG. Neuronal subtypes and connectivity of the adult mouse paralaminar amygdala. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.11.575250. [PMID: 38260244 PMCID: PMC10802617 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.11.575250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The paralaminar nucleus of the amygdala (PL) is comprised of neurons which exhibit delayed maturation. PL neurons are born during gestation but mature during adolescent ages, differentiating into excitatory neurons. The PL is prominent in the adult amygdala, contributing to its increased neuron number and relative size compared to childhood. However, the function of the PL is unknown, as the region has only recently begun to be characterized in detail. In this study, we investigated key defining features of the adult PL; the intrinsic morpho-electric properties of its neurons, and its input and output connectivity. We identify two subtypes of excitatory neurons in the PL based on unsupervised clustering of electrophysiological properties. These subtypes are defined by differential action potential firing properties and dendritic architecture, suggesting divergent functional roles. We further uncover major axonal inputs to the adult PL from the main olfactory network and basolateral amygdala. We also find that axonal outputs from the PL project reciprocally to major inputs, and to diverse targets including the amygdala, frontal cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and brainstem. Thus, the adult PL is centrally placed to play a major role in the integration of olfactory sensory information, likely coordinating affective and autonomic behavioral responses to salient odor stimuli. Significance Statement Mammalian amygdala development includes a growth period from childhood to adulthood, believed to support emotional and social learning. This amygdala growth is partly due to the maturation of neurons during adolescence in the paralaminar amygdala. However, the functional properties of these neurons are unknown. In our recent studies, we characterized the paralaminar amygdala in the mouse. Here, we investigate the properties of the adult PL in the mouse, revealing the existence of two neuronal subtypes that may play distinct functional roles in the adult brain. We further reveal the brain-wide input and output connectivity of the PL, indicating that the PL combines olfactory cues for emotional processing and delivers information to regions associated with reward and autonomic states.
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11
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Mulc D, Smilović D, Krsnik Ž, Junaković-Munjas A, Kopić J, Kostović I, Šimić G, Vukšić M. Fetal development of the human amygdala. J Comp Neurol 2024; 532:e25580. [PMID: 38289194 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The intricate development of the human amygdala involves a complex interplay of diverse processes, varying in speed and duration. In humans, transient cytoarchitectural structures deliquesce, leading to the formation of functionally distinct nuclei as a result of multiple interdependent developmental events. This study compares the amygdala's cytoarchitectural development in conjunction with specific antibody reactivity for neuronal, glial, neuropil, and radial glial fibers, synaptic, extracellular matrix, and myelin components in 39 fetal human brains. We recognized that the early fetal period, as a continuation of the embryonic period, is still dominated by relatively uniform histogenetic processes. The typical appearance of ovoid cell clusters in the lateral nucleus during midfetal period is most likely associated with the cell migration and axonal growth processes in the developing human brain. Notably, synaptic markers are firstly detected in the corticomedial group of nuclei, while immunoreactivity for the panaxonal neurofilament marker SMI 312 is found dorsally. The late fetal period is characterized by a protracted migration process evidenced by the presence of doublecortin and SOX-2 immunoreactivity ventrally, in the prospective paralaminar nucleus, reinforced by vimentin immunoreactivity in the last remaining radial glial fibers. Nearing the term period, SMI 99 immunoreactivity indicates that perinatal myelination becomes prominent primarily along major axonal pathways, laying the foundation for more pronounced functional maturation. This study comprehensively elucidates the rate and sequence of maturational events in the amygdala, highlighting the key role of prenatal development in its behavioral, autonomic, and endocrine regulation, with subsequent implications for both normal functioning and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damir Mulc
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, Scientific Centre of Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dinko Smilović
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, Scientific Centre of Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Željka Krsnik
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, Scientific Centre of Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Alisa Junaković-Munjas
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, Scientific Centre of Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Janja Kopić
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, Scientific Centre of Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivica Kostović
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, Scientific Centre of Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Goran Šimić
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, Scientific Centre of Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mario Vukšić
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, Scientific Centre of Excellence for Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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12
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Sreenivas N, Maes M, Padmanabha H, Dharmendra A, Chakkera P, Paul Choudhury S, Abdul F, Mullapudi T, Gowda VK, Berk M, Vijay Sagar Kommu J, Debnath M. Comprehensive immunoprofiling of neurodevelopmental disorders suggests three distinct classes based on increased neurogenesis, Th-1 polarization or IL-1 signaling. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 115:505-516. [PMID: 37972879 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.11.013] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a spectrum of conditions with commonalities as well as differences in terms of phenome, symptomatome, neuropathology, risk factors and underlying mechanisms. Immune dysregulation has surfaced as a major pathway in NDDs. However, it is not known if neurodevelopmental disorders share a common immunopathogenetic mechanism. In this study, we explored the possibility of a shared immune etiology in three early-onset NDDs, namely Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Intellectual Disability Disorder (IDD). A panel of 48 immune pathway-related markers was assayed in 135 children with NDDs, represented by 45 children with ASD, ADHD and IDD in each group, along with 35 typically developing children. The plasma levels of 48 immune markers were analyzed on the Multiplex Suspension Assay platform using Pro Human cytokine 48-plex kits. Based on the cytokine/chemokine/growth factor levels, different immune profiles were computed. The primary characteristics of NDDs are depletion of the compensatory immune-regulatory system (CIRS) (z composite of IL-4, IL-10, sIL-1RA, and sIL-2R), increased interleukin (IL)-1 signaling associated with elevated IL-1α and decreased IL-1-receptor antagonist levels, increased neurogenesis, M1/M2 macrophage polarization and increased IL-4 as well as C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2) levels. With a cross-validated sensitivity of 81.8% and specificity of 94.4%, these aberrations seem specific for NDDs. Many immunological abnormalities are shared by ASD, ADHD and IDD, which are distinguished by minor differences in IL-9, IL-17 and CCL12. In contrast, machine learning reveals that NDD group consists of three immunologically distinct clusters, with enhanced neurogenesis, Th-1 polarization, or IL-1 signaling as the defining features. NDD is characterized by immune abnormalities that have functional implications for neurogenesis, neurotoxicity, and neurodevelopment. Using machine learning, NDD patients could be classified into subgroups with qualitatively distinct immune disorders that may serve as novel drug targets for the treatment of NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhitha Sreenivas
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Michael Maes
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Research Center, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Korea; Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Key Laboratory of Psychosomatic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Hansashree Padmanabha
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Apoorva Dharmendra
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Priyanka Chakkera
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Saptamita Paul Choudhury
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Fazal Abdul
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Thrinath Mullapudi
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Vykuntaraju K Gowda
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, Bangalore, India
| | - Michael Berk
- Deakin University, IMPACT Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Geelong, Australia; Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, The Department of Psychiatry, and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - John Vijay Sagar Kommu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Monojit Debnath
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India.
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13
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Estévez-López F, Dall’Aglio L, Rodriguez-Ayllon M, Xu B, You Y, Hillman CH, Muetzel RL, Tiemeier H. Levels of Physical Activity at Age 10 Years and Brain Morphology Changes From Ages 10 to 14 Years. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2333157. [PMID: 37796507 PMCID: PMC10556964 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.33157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Physical activity may promote healthy brain development in children, but previous research was predominantly cross-sectional and included small samples, providing limited knowledge. Objective To investigate the longitudinal associations of physical activity with brain morphology changes. Design, Setting, and Participants A 4-year longitudinal population-based cohort study in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, embedded in Generation R, a cohort from fetal life onward. From the women enrolled during pregnancy, children who had repeated measures of brain structure at ages 10 (range 8 to 12) years and 14 (range 13 to 15) years were included. Data were collected from March 2013 to November 2015 (baseline) and from October 2016 to January 2020 (follow-up). Data were analyzed from April to December 2022. Exposure At age 10 years, both the child and their primary caregiver reported the child's levels of physical activity with regard to sport participation, outdoor play, and total physical activity. Primary analyses were based on an average multi-informant report. Main outcomes and measures Brain morphology was quantified by magnetic resonance imaging. Hypothesized regions of interest were the bilateral amygdala and hippocampal volumes. Global brain measures were studied to test the specificity of the hypothesis. Results Data were available for 1088 children (566 girls [52%]; 693 [64%] Dutch). Their mean (SD) age at baseline was 10.1 (0.6) years. For amygdala volume change, positive associations with multi-informant reports of total physical activity (β = 2.6; 95% CI, 0.3-4.9) were found. Total physical activity was associated with hippocampal volume increases only when reported by the child (β = 3.1; 95% CI, 0.4-5.8). No robust associations with global brain measures were found. Conclusions and relevance In this cohort study of 1088 children, more physical activity at 10 years was consistently associated with an increase in amygdala volume in children aged 10 to 14 years. Physical activity and increases in hippocampal volume were found using child reports of physical activity only. These findings suggest physical activity in late childhood was prospectively associated with volumetric changes in specific subcortical structures, but not to global brain development, from late childhood to early adolescence. These findings may inform the design of future public health interventions to best facilitate neurodevelopment with physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Estévez-López
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, SPORT Research Group and CERNEP Research Center, University of Almería, Almería, Spain
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lorenza Dall’Aglio
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - María Rodriguez-Ayllon
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bing Xu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Yueyue You
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Charles H. Hillman
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ryan L. Muetzel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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14
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Shackman AJ, Gee DG. Maternal Perinatal Stress Associated With Offspring Negative Emotionality, But the Underlying Mechanisms Remain Elusive. Am J Psychiatry 2023; 180:708-711. [PMID: 37777854 PMCID: PMC10558087 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J. Shackman
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
- Department of Maryland Neuroimaging Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Dylan G. Gee
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
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15
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Wronski ML, Geisler D, Bernardoni F, Seidel M, Bahnsen K, Doose A, Steinhäuser JL, Gronow F, Böldt LV, Plessow F, Lawson EA, King JA, Roessner V, Ehrlich S. Differential alterations of amygdala nuclei volumes in acutely ill patients with anorexia nervosa and their associations with leptin levels. Psychol Med 2023; 53:6288-6303. [PMID: 36464660 PMCID: PMC10358440 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722003609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The amygdala is a subcortical limbic structure consisting of histologically and functionally distinct subregions. New automated structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) segmentation tools facilitate the in vivo study of individual amygdala nuclei in clinical populations such as patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) who show symptoms indicative of limbic dysregulation. This study is the first to investigate amygdala nuclei volumes in AN, their relationships with leptin, a key indicator of AN-related neuroendocrine alterations, and further clinical measures. METHODS T1-weighted MRI scans were subsegmented and multi-stage quality controlled using FreeSurfer. Left/right hemispheric amygdala nuclei volumes were cross-sectionally compared between females with AN (n = 168, 12-29 years) and age-matched healthy females (n = 168) applying general linear models. Associations with plasma leptin, body mass index (BMI), illness duration, and psychiatric symptoms were analyzed via robust linear regression. RESULTS Globally, most amygdala nuclei volumes in both hemispheres were reduced in AN v. healthy control participants. Importantly, four specific nuclei (accessory basal, cortical, medial nuclei, corticoamygdaloid transition in the rostral-medial amygdala) showed greater volumetric reduction even relative to reductions of whole amygdala and total subcortical gray matter volumes, whereas basal, lateral, and paralaminar nuclei were less reduced. All rostral-medially clustered nuclei were positively associated with leptin in AN independent of BMI. Amygdala nuclei volumes were not associated with illness duration or psychiatric symptom severity in AN. CONCLUSIONS In AN, amygdala nuclei are altered to different degrees. Severe volume loss in rostral-medially clustered nuclei, collectively involved in olfactory/food-related reward processing, may represent a structural correlate of AN-related symptoms. Hypoleptinemia might be linked to rostral-medial amygdala alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Louis Wronski
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Geisler
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Fabio Bernardoni
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maria Seidel
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Klaas Bahnsen
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Arne Doose
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jonas L. Steinhäuser
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Franziska Gronow
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Luisa V. Böldt
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Franziska Plessow
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Lawson
- Neuroendocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph A. King
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Veit Roessner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan Ehrlich
- Translational Developmental Neuroscience Section, Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Eating Disorder Treatment and Research Center, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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16
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László K, Vörös D, Correia P, Fazekas CL, Török B, Plangár I, Zelena D. Vasopressin as Possible Treatment Option in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2603. [PMID: 37892977 PMCID: PMC10603886 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is rather common, presenting with prevalent early problems in social communication and accompanied by repetitive behavior. As vasopressin was implicated not only in salt-water homeostasis and stress-axis regulation, but also in social behavior, its role in the development of ASD might be suggested. In this review, we summarized a wide range of problems associated with ASD to which vasopressin might contribute, from social skills to communication, motor function problems, autonomous nervous system alterations as well as sleep disturbances, and altered sensory information processing. Beside functional connections between vasopressin and ASD, we draw attention to the anatomical background, highlighting several brain areas, including the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, medial preoptic area, lateral septum, bed nucleus of stria terminalis, amygdala, hippocampus, olfactory bulb and even the cerebellum, either producing vasopressin or containing vasopressinergic receptors (presumably V1a). Sex differences in the vasopressinergic system might underline the male prevalence of ASD. Moreover, vasopressin might contribute to the effectiveness of available off-label therapies as well as serve as a possible target for intervention. In this sense, vasopressin, but paradoxically also V1a receptor antagonist, were found to be effective in some clinical trials. We concluded that although vasopressin might be an effective candidate for ASD treatment, we might assume that only a subgroup (e.g., with stress-axis disturbances), a certain sex (most probably males) and a certain brain area (targeting by means of virus vectors) would benefit from this therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristóf László
- Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary; (K.L.); (D.V.); (P.C.); (C.L.F.); (B.T.); (I.P.)
- Center of Neuroscience, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
- Szentágothai Research Center, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
| | - Dávid Vörös
- Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary; (K.L.); (D.V.); (P.C.); (C.L.F.); (B.T.); (I.P.)
- Center of Neuroscience, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
- Szentágothai Research Center, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
| | - Pedro Correia
- Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary; (K.L.); (D.V.); (P.C.); (C.L.F.); (B.T.); (I.P.)
- Center of Neuroscience, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
- Szentágothai Research Center, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
- Hungarian Research Network, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Csilla Lea Fazekas
- Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary; (K.L.); (D.V.); (P.C.); (C.L.F.); (B.T.); (I.P.)
- Center of Neuroscience, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
- Szentágothai Research Center, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
- Hungarian Research Network, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bibiána Török
- Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary; (K.L.); (D.V.); (P.C.); (C.L.F.); (B.T.); (I.P.)
- Center of Neuroscience, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
- Szentágothai Research Center, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
- Hungarian Research Network, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Imola Plangár
- Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary; (K.L.); (D.V.); (P.C.); (C.L.F.); (B.T.); (I.P.)
- Center of Neuroscience, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
- Szentágothai Research Center, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
| | - Dóra Zelena
- Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary; (K.L.); (D.V.); (P.C.); (C.L.F.); (B.T.); (I.P.)
- Center of Neuroscience, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
- Szentágothai Research Center, University of Pécs, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
- Hungarian Research Network, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 1083 Budapest, Hungary
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17
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Napoli AJ, Laderwager S, Zoodsma JD, Biju B, Mucollari O, Schubel SK, Aprea C, Sayed A, Morgan K, Napoli A, Flanagan S, Wollmuth LP, Sirotkin HI. Loss of NMDA receptor function during development results in decreased KCC2 expression and increased neurons in the zebrafish forebrain. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.25.554812. [PMID: 37786708 PMCID: PMC10541604 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.25.554812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Developmental neurogenesis is a tightly regulated spatiotemporal process with its dysregulation implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. NMDA receptors are glutamate-gated ion channels that are widely expressed in the early nervous system, yet their contribution to neurogenesis is poorly understood. Notably, a variety of mutations in genes encoding NMDA receptor subunits are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. To rigorously define the role of NMDA receptors in developmental neurogenesis, we used a mutant zebrafish line ( grin1 -/- ) that lacks all NMDA receptors yet survives to 10 days post-fertilization, offering the opportunity to study post-embryonic neurodevelopment in the absence of NMDA receptors. Focusing on the forebrain, we find that these fish have a progressive supernumerary neuron phenotype confined to the telencephalon at the end of embryonic neurogenesis, but which extends to all forebrain regions during postembryonic neurogenesis. This enhanced neuron population does not arise directly from increased numbers or mitotic activity of radial glia cells, the principal neural stem cells. Rather, it stems from a lack of timely maturation of transit-amplifying neuroblasts into post-mitotic neurons, as indicated by a decrease in expression of the ontogenetically-expressed chloride transporter, KCC2. Pharmacological blockade with MK-801 recapitulates the grin1 -/- supernumerary neuron phenotype, indicating a requirement for ionotropic signaling. Thus, NMDA receptors are required for suppression of indirect, transit amplifying cell-driven neurogenesis by promoting maturational termination of mitosis. Loss of suppression results in neuronal overpopulation that can fundamentally change brain circuitry and may be a key factor in pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders caused by NMDA receptor dysfunction.
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18
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Giacometti C, Amiez C, Hadj-Bouziane F. Multiple routes of communication within the amygdala-mPFC network: A comparative approach in humans and macaques. CURRENT RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 5:100103. [PMID: 37601951 PMCID: PMC10432920 DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2023.100103] [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: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The network formed by the amygdala (AMG) and the medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC), at the interface between our internal and external environment, has been shown to support some important aspects of behavioral adaptation. Whether and how the anatomo-functional organization of this network evolved across primates remains unclear. Here, we compared AMG nuclei morphological characteristics and their functional connectivity with the mPFC in humans and macaques to identify potential homologies and differences between these species. Based on selected studies, we highlight two subsystems within the AMG-mPFC circuits, likely involved in distinct temporal dynamics of integration during behavioral adaptation. We also show that whereas the mPFC displays a large expansion but a preserved intrinsic anatomo-functional organization, the AMG displays a volume reduction and morphological changes related to specific nuclei. We discuss potential commonalities and differences in the dialogue between AMG nuclei and mPFC in humans and macaques based on available data.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Giacometti
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, 69500, Bron, France
| | - C. Amiez
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, 69500, Bron, France
| | - F. Hadj-Bouziane
- Integrative Multisensory Perception Action & Cognition Team (ImpAct), INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (CRNL), University of Lyon 1, Lyon, France
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19
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McHale-Matthews AC, DeCampo DM, Love T, Cameron JL, Fudge JL. Immature neurons in the primate amygdala: Changes with early development and disrupted early environment. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2023; 61:101248. [PMID: 37120994 PMCID: PMC10173404 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2023.101248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In human and nonhuman primates, the amygdala paralaminar nucleus (PL) contains immature neurons. To explore the PL's potential for cellular growth during development, we compared PL neurons in (1) infant and adolescent macaques (control, maternally-reared), and in (2) infant macaques that experienced separation from their mother in the first month of life compared to control maternally-reared infants. In maternally-reared animals, the adolescent PL had fewer immature neurons, more mature neurons, and larger immature soma volumes compared to infant PL. There were also fewer total neurons (immature plus mature) in adolescent versus infant PL, suggesting that some neurons move out of the PL by adolescence. Maternal separation did not change mean immature or mature neuron counts in infant PL. However, across all infant animals, immature neuron soma volume was strongly correlated with mature neuron counts. TBR1 mRNA, a transcript required for glutamatergic neuron maturation, is significantly reduced in the maternally-separated infant PL (DeCampo et al., 2017), and was also positively correlated with mature neuron counts in infant PL. We conclude that immature neurons gradually mature by adolescence, and that the stress of maternal separation may shift this trajectory, as revealed by correlations between TBR1 mRNA and mature neuron numbers across animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C McHale-Matthews
- University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Neuroscience, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | | | - Tanzy Love
- University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Biostatistics, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Judy L Cameron
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Julie L Fudge
- University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Neuroscience, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Psychiatry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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20
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Charbonneau JA, Bennett JL, Chau K, Bliss-Moreau E. Reorganization in the macaque interoceptive-allostatic network following anterior cingulate cortex damage. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:4334-4349. [PMID: 36066407 PMCID: PMC10110454 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that the adult brain is capable of significant structural change following damage-a capacity once thought to be largely limited to developing brains. To date, most existing research on adult plasticity has focused on how exteroceptive sensorimotor networks compensate for damage to preserve function. Interoceptive networks-those that represent and process sensory information about the body's internal state-are now recognized to be critical for a wide range of physiological and psychological functions from basic energy regulation to maintaining a sense of self, but the extent to which these networks remain plastic in adulthood has not been established. In this report, we used detailed histological analyses to pinpoint precise changes to gray matter volume in the interoceptive-allostatic network in adult rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) who received neurotoxic lesions of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and neurologically intact control monkeys. Relative to controls, monkeys with ACC lesions had significant and selective unilateral expansion of the ventral anterior insula and significant relative bilateral expansion of the lateral nucleus of the amygdala. This work demonstrates the capacity for neuroplasticity in the interoceptive-allostatic network which, given that changes included expansion rather than atrophy, is likely to represent an adaptive response following damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joey A Charbonneau
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California Davis, 1544 Newton Court, Davis, CA 95618, United States
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Jeffrey L Bennett
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 2230 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
- The MIND Institute, University of California Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - Kevin Chau
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Eliza Bliss-Moreau
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of California Davis, 135 Young Hall One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, United States
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21
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Zhang P, Omanska A, Ander B, Gandal M, Stamova B, Schumann C. Neuron-specific transcriptomic signatures indicate neuroinflammation and altered neuronal activity in ASD temporal cortex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2206758120. [PMID: 36862688 PMCID: PMC10013873 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2206758120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heterogeneous disorder, yet transcriptomic profiling of bulk brain tissue has identified substantial convergence among dysregulated genes and pathways in ASD. However, this approach lacks cell-specific resolution. We performed comprehensive transcriptomic analyses on bulk tissue and laser-capture microdissected (LCM) neurons from 59 postmortem human brains (27 ASD and 32 controls) in the superior temporal gyrus (STG) of individuals ranging from 2 to 73 years of age. In bulk tissue, synaptic signaling, heat shock protein-related pathways, and RNA splicing were significantly altered in ASD. There was age-dependent dysregulation of genes involved in gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) (GAD1 and GAD2) and glutamate (SLC38A1) signaling pathways. In LCM neurons, AP-1-mediated neuroinflammation and insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathways were upregulated in ASD, while mitochondrial function, ribosome, and spliceosome components were downregulated. GABA synthesizing enzymes GAD1 and GAD2 were both downregulated in ASD neurons. Mechanistic modeling suggested a direct link between inflammation and ASD in neurons, and prioritized inflammation-associated genes for future study. Alterations in small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) associated with splicing events suggested interplay between snoRNA dysregulation and splicing disruption in neurons of individuals with ASD. Our findings supported the fundamental hypothesis of altered neuronal communication in ASD, demonstrated that inflammation was elevated at least in part in ASD neurons, and may reveal windows of opportunity for biotherapeutics to target the trajectory of gene expression and clinical manifestation of ASD throughout the human lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Alicja Omanska
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA95817
- University of California, Davis, MIND Institute, Sacramento, CA95817
| | - Bradley P. Ander
- University of California, Davis, MIND Institute, Sacramento, CA95817
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA95817
| | - Michael J. Gandal
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Lifespan Brain Institute, Penn Med and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Boryana Stamova
- University of California, Davis, MIND Institute, Sacramento, CA95817
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA95817
| | - Cynthia M. Schumann
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA95817
- University of California, Davis, MIND Institute, Sacramento, CA95817
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22
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Li YN, Hu DD, Cai XL, Wang Y, Yang C, Jiang J, Zhang QL, Tu T, Wang XS, Wang H, Tu E, Wang XP, Pan A, Yan XX, Wan L. Doublecortin-Expressing Neurons in Human Cerebral Cortex Layer II and Amygdala from Infancy to 100 Years Old. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:3464-3485. [PMID: 36879137 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03261-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
A cohort of morphologically heterogenous doublecortin immunoreactive (DCX +) "immature neurons" has been identified in the cerebral cortex largely around layer II and the amygdala largely in the paralaminar nucleus (PLN) among various mammals. To gain a wide spatiotemporal view on these neurons in humans, we examined layer II and amygdalar DCX + neurons in the brains of infants to 100-year-old individuals. Layer II DCX + neurons occurred throughout the cerebrum in the infants/toddlers, mainly in the temporal lobe in the adolescents and adults, and only in the temporal cortex surrounding the amygdala in the elderly. Amygdalar DCX + neurons occurred in all age groups, localized primarily to the PLN, and reduced in number with age. The small-sized DCX + neurons were unipolar or bipolar, and formed migratory chains extending tangentially, obliquely, and inwardly in layers I-III in the cortex, and from the PLN to other nuclei in the amygdala. Morphologically mature-looking neurons had a relatively larger soma and weaker DCX reactivity. In contrast to the above, DCX + neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus were only detected in the infant cases in parallelly processed cerebral sections. The present study reveals a broader regional distribution of the cortical layer II DCX + neurons than previously documented in human cerebrum, especially during childhood and adolescence, while both layer II and amygdalar DCX + neurons persist in the temporal lobe lifelong. Layer II and amygdalar DCX + neurons may serve as an essential immature neuronal system to support functional network plasticity in human cerebrum in an age/region-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Li
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Dan-Dan Hu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Xiao-Lu Cai
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Juan Jiang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Qi-Lei Zhang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Tian Tu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.,Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Xiao-Sheng Wang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Ewen Tu
- Department of Neurology, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410007, Hunan, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410031, Hunan, China
| | - Aihua Pan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
| | - Xiao-Xin Yan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Lily Wan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
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23
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Kimbler A, McMakin DL, Tustison NJ, Mattfeld AT. Differential effects of emotional valence on mnemonic performance with greater hippocampal maturity. Learn Mem 2023; 30:55-62. [PMID: 36921982 PMCID: PMC10027236 DOI: 10.1101/lm.053628.122] [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: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
The hippocampal formation (HF) facilitates declarative memory, with subfields providing unique contributions to memory performance. Maturational differences across subfields facilitate a shift toward increased memory specificity, with peripuberty sitting at the inflection point. Peripuberty is also a sensitive period in the development of anxiety disorders. We believe HF development during puberty is critical to negative overgeneralization, a common feature of anxiety disorders. To investigate this claim, we examined the relationship between mnemonic generalization and a cross-sectional pubertal maturity index (PMI) derived from partial least squares correlation (PLSC) analyses of subfield volumes and structural connectivity from T1-weighted and diffusion-weighted scans, respectively. Participants aged 9-14 yr, from clinical and community sources, performed a recognition task with emotionally valent (positive, negative, and neutral) images. HF volumetric PMI was positively associated with generalization for negative images. Hippocampal-medial prefrontal cortex connectivity PMI evidenced a behavioral relationship similar to that of the HF volumetric approach. These findings reflect a novel developmentally related balance between generalization behavior supported by the hippocampus and its connections with other regions, with maturational differences in this balance potentially contributing to negative overgeneralization during peripuberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Kimbler
- Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, USA
| | - Dana L McMakin
- Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, USA
- Clinical Science Program, Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, USA
- Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, USA
| | - Nicholas J Tustison
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, USA
| | - Aaron T Mattfeld
- Cognitive Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, USA
- Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, USA
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24
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McHale-Matthews AC, DeCampo DM, Love T, Cameron JL, Fudge JL. Immature neurons in the primate amygdala: changes with early development and disrupted early environment. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.10.528076. [PMID: 36798176 PMCID: PMC9934690 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.10.528076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
In human and nonhuman primates, the amygdala paralaminar nucleus (PL) contains immature neurons. To explore the PL’s potential for cellular growth during development, we compared PL cells in 1) infant and adolescent macaques (control, maternally-reared), and in 2) infant macaques that experienced separation from their mother in the first month of life. In maternally-reared animals, the adolescent PL had fewer immature neurons, more mature neurons, and larger immature soma volumes compared to infant PL. There were also fewer total neurons (immature plus mature) in adolescent versus infant PL, suggesting that some neurons move out of the PL by adolescence. Maternal separation did not change mean immature or mature neuron counts in infant PL. However, across all infant animals, immature neuron soma volume was strongly correlated with mature neuron counts. tbr-1 mRNA, a transcript required for glutamatergic neuron maturation, is significantly reduced in the maternally-separated infant PL (DeCampo et al, 2017), and was also positively correlated with mature neuron counts in infant PL. We conclude that immature neurons gradually mature by adolescence, and that the stress of maternal separation may shift this trajectory, as revealed by correlations between tbr1mRNA and mature neuron numbers across animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tanzy Love
- University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Biostatistics, Rochester, NY 14642
| | - Judy L Cameron
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Julie L Fudge
- University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry Department of Neuroscience Rochester, NY 14642
- University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Psychiatry Rochester, NY 14642
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25
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Guerra KTK, Renner J, Vásquez CE, Rasia‐Filho AA. Human cortical amygdala dendrites and spines morphology under open‐source three‐dimensional reconstruction procedures. J Comp Neurol 2022; 531:344-365. [PMID: 36355397 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Visualizing nerve cells has been fundamental for the systematic description of brain structure and function in humans and other species. Different approaches aimed to unravel the morphological features of neuron types and diversity. The inherent complexity of the human nervous tissue and the need for proper histological processing have made studying human dendrites and spines challenging in postmortem samples. In this study, we used Golgi data and open-source software for 3D image reconstruction of human neurons from the cortical amygdaloid nucleus to show different dendrites and pleomorphic spines at different angles. Procedures required minimal equipment and generated high-quality images for differently shaped cells. We used the "single-section" Golgi method adapted for the human brain to engender 3D reconstructed images of the neuronal cell body and the dendritic ramification by adopting a neuronal tracing procedure. In addition, we elaborated 3D reconstructions to visualize heterogeneous dendritic spines using a supervised machine learning-based algorithm for image segmentation. These tools provided an additional upgrade and enhanced visual display of information related to the spatial orientation of dendritic branches and for dendritic spines of varied sizes and shapes in these human subcortical neurons. This same approach can be adapted for other techniques, areas of the central or peripheral nervous system, and comparative analysis between species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kétlyn T. Knak Guerra
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre Brazil
| | - Josué Renner
- Department of Basic Sciences/Physiology Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre Porto Alegre Brazil
- Graduate Program in Biosciences Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre Porto Alegre Brazil
| | - Carlos E. Vásquez
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre Brazil
| | - Alberto A. Rasia‐Filho
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre Brazil
- Department of Basic Sciences/Physiology Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre Porto Alegre Brazil
- Graduate Program in Biosciences Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre Porto Alegre Brazil
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26
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Beopoulos A, Géa M, Fasano A, Iris F. Autism spectrum disorders pathogenesis: Toward a comprehensive model based on neuroanatomic and neurodevelopment considerations. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:988735. [PMID: 36408388 PMCID: PMC9671112 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.988735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involves alterations in neural connectivity affecting cortical network organization and excitation to inhibition ratio. It is characterized by an early increase in brain volume mediated by abnormal cortical overgrowth patterns and by increases in size, spine density, and neuron population in the amygdala and surrounding nuclei. Neuronal expansion is followed by a rapid decline from adolescence to middle age. Since no known neurobiological mechanism in human postnatal life is capable of generating large excesses of frontocortical neurons, this likely occurs due to a dysregulation of layer formation and layer-specific neuronal migration during key early stages of prenatal cerebral cortex development. This leads to the dysregulation of post-natal synaptic pruning and results in a huge variety of forms and degrees of signal-over-noise discrimination losses, accounting for ASD clinical heterogeneities, including autonomic nervous system abnormalities and comorbidities. We postulate that sudden changes in environmental conditions linked to serotonin/kynurenine supply to the developing fetus, throughout the critical GW7 - GW20 (Gestational Week) developmental window, are likely to promote ASD pathogenesis during fetal brain development. This appears to be driven by discrete alterations in differentiation and patterning mechanisms arising from in utero RNA editing, favoring vulnerability outcomes over plasticity outcomes. This paper attempts to provide a comprehensive model of the pathogenesis and progression of ASD neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alessio Fasano
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, United States
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Center for Celiac Research and Treatment, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, United States
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27
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Hennessy A, Seguin D, Correa S, Wang J, Martinez-Trujillo JC, Nicolson R, Duerden EG. Anxiety in children and youth with autism spectrum disorder and the association with amygdala subnuclei structure. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2022; 27:1053-1067. [PMID: 36278283 PMCID: PMC10108338 DOI: 10.1177/13623613221127512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is clinically characterized by social and communication difficulties as well as repetitive behaviors. Many children with ASD also suffer from anxiety, which has been associated with alterations in amygdala structure. In this work, the association between amygdala subnuclei volumes and anxiety was assessed in a cohort of 234 participants (mean age = 11.0 years, SD = 3.9, 95 children with ASD, 139 children were non-autistic). Children underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Amygdala subnuclei volumes were extracted automatically. Anxiety was assessed using the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders, the Child Behavior Checklist, and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire. Children with ASD had higher anxiety scores relative to non-autistic children on all anxiety measures (all, p < 0.05). Anxiety levels were significantly predicted in children with ASD by right basal (right: B = 0.235, p = 0.002) and paralaminar (PL) (B = −0.99, p = 0.009) volumes. Basal nuclei receive multisensory information from cortical and subcortical areas and have extensive projections within the limbic system while the PL nuclei are involved in emotional processing. Alterations in basal and PL nuclei in children with ASD and the association with anxiety may reflect morphological changes related to in the neurocircuitry of anxiety in ASD. Lay abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is clinically characterized by social communication difficulties as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. In addition, children with ASD are more likely to experience anxiety compared with their peers who do not have ASD. Recent studies suggest that atypical amygdala structure, a brain region involved in emotions, may be related to anxiety in children with ASD. However, the amygdala is a complex structure composed of heterogeneous subnuclei, and few studies to date have focused on how amygdala subnuclei relate to in anxiety in this population. The current sample consisted of 95 children with ASD and 139 non-autistic children, who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and assessments for anxiety. The amygdala volumes were automatically segmented. Results indicated that children with ASD had elevated anxiety scores relative to peers without ASD. Larger basal volumes predicted greater anxiety in children with ASD, and this association was not seen in non-autistic children. Findings converge with previous literature suggesting ASD children suffer from higher levels of anxiety than non-autistic children, which may have important implications in treatment and interventions. Our results suggest that volumetric estimation of amygdala’s subregions in MRI may reveal specific anxiety-related associations in children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Emma G Duerden
- Western University, Canada
- The University of Western Ontario, Canada
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28
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Mansour Y, Burchell A, Kulesza R. Abnormal vestibular brainstem structure and function in an animal model of autism spectrum disorder. Brain Res 2022; 1793:148056. [PMID: 35985362 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2022.148056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that includes several key neuropathological changes and behavioral impairments. In utero exposure to the anti-epileptic valproic acid (VPA) increases risk of an ASD diagnosis in human subjects and timed in utero exposure to VPA is a clinically relevant animal model of ASD. Many human subjects with ASD have cerebellar hypoplasia, fewer Purkinje cells, difficulties with balance, ophthalmic dysfunction and abnormal responses to vestibular stimulation and such vestibular difficulties are likely under reported in ASD. We have recently shown that animals exposed to VPA in utero have fewer neurons in their auditory brainstem, reduced axonal projections to the auditory midbrain and thalamus, reduced expression of the calcium binding protein calbindin (CB) in the brainstem and cerebellum, smaller and occasionally ectopic cerebellar Purkinje cells and ataxia on several motor tasks. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that in utero VPA exposure similarly impacts structure and function of the vestibular brainstem. We investigated this hypothesis using quantitative morphometric analyses, immunohistochemistry for CB, a battery of vestibular challenges, recording of vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials and spontaneous eye movements. Our results indicate that VPA exposure results in fewer neurons in the vestibular nuclei, fewer CB-positive puncta, difficulty on certain motor tasks, longer latency VEMPs and significantly more horizontal eye movements. These findings indicate that the vestibular nuclei are impacted by in utero VPA exposure and provide a basis for further study of vestibular circuits in human cases of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusra Mansour
- Department of Anatomy, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA, United States; Henry Ford Macomb Hospital, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Clinton Township, MI, United States
| | - Alyson Burchell
- Department of Anatomy, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA, United States
| | - Randy Kulesza
- Department of Anatomy, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA, United States.
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Lee JK, Andrews DS, Ozturk A, Solomon M, Rogers S, Amaral DG, Nordahl CW. Altered Development of Amygdala-Connected Brain Regions in Males and Females with Autism. J Neurosci 2022; 42:6145-6155. [PMID: 35760533 PMCID: PMC9351637 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0053-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Altered amygdala development is implicated in the neurobiology of autism, but little is known about the coordinated development of the brain regions directly connected with the amygdala. Here we investigated the volumetric development of an amygdala-connected network, defined as the set of brain regions with monosynaptic connections with the amygdala, in autism from early to middle childhood. A total of 950 longitudinal structural MRI scans were acquired from 282 children (93 female) with autism and 128 children with typical development (61 female) at up to four time points (mean ages: 39, 52, 64, and 137 months, respectively). Volumes from 32 amygdala-connected brain regions were examined using mixed effects multivariate distance matrix regression. The Social Responsiveness Scale-2 was administered to assess degree of autistic traits and social impairments. The amygdala-connected network exhibited persistent diagnostic differences (p values ≤ 0.03) that increased over time (p values ≤ 0.02). These differences were most prominent in autistics with more impacted social functioning at baseline. This pattern was not observed across regions without monosynaptic amygdala connection. We observed qualitative sex differences. In males, the bilateral subgenual anterior cingulate cortices were most affected, while in females the left fusiform and superior temporal gyri were most affected. In conclusion, (1) autism is associated with widespread alterations to the development of brain regions connected with the amygdala, which were associated with autistic social behaviors; and (2) autistic males and females exhibited different patterns of alterations, adding to a growing body of evidence of sex differences in the neurobiology of autism.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Global patterns of development across brain regions with monosynaptic connection to the amygdala differentiate autism from typical development, and are modulated by social functioning in early childhood. Alterations to brain regions within the amygdala-connected network differed in males and females with autism. Results also indicate larger volumetric differences in regions having monosynaptic connection with the amygdala than in regions without monosynaptic connection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua K Lee
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California 95817
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | - Derek S Andrews
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California 95817
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | - Arzu Ozturk
- Department of Radiology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California 95817
| | - Marjorie Solomon
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California 95817
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | - Sally Rogers
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California 95817
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | - David G Amaral
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California 95817
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | - Christine Wu Nordahl
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California 95817
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
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30
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Immature excitatory neurons in the amygdala come of age during puberty. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2022; 56:101133. [PMID: 35841648 PMCID: PMC9289873 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2022.101133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The human amygdala is critical for emotional learning, valence coding, and complex social interactions, all of which mature throughout childhood, puberty, and adolescence. Across these ages, the amygdala paralaminar nucleus (PL) undergoes significant structural changes including increased numbers of mature neurons. The PL contains a large population of immature excitatory neurons at birth, some of which may continue to be born from local progenitors. These progenitors disappear rapidly in infancy, but the immature neurons persist throughout childhood and adolescent ages, indicating that they develop on a protracted timeline. Many of these late-maturing neurons settle locally within the PL, though a small subset appear to migrate into neighboring amygdala subnuclei. Despite its prominent growth during postnatal life and possible contributions to multiple amygdala circuits, the function of the PL remains unknown. PL maturation occurs predominately during late childhood and into puberty when sex hormone levels change. Sex hormones can promote developmental processes such as neuron migration, dendritic outgrowth, and synaptic plasticity, which appear to be ongoing in late-maturing PL neurons. Collectively, we describe how the growth of late-maturing neurons occurs in the right time and place to be relevant for amygdala functions and neuropsychiatric conditions.
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Amaral DG, Nordahl CW. Amygdala Involvement in Autism: Early Postnatal Changes, But What Are the Behavioral Consequences? Am J Psychiatry 2022; 179:522-524. [PMID: 35921392 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20220509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David G Amaral
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento
| | - Christine Wu Nordahl
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento
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Shen MD, Swanson MR, Wolff JJ, Elison JT, Girault JB, Kim SH, Smith RG, Graves MM, Weisenfeld LAH, Flake L, MacIntyre L, Gross JL, Burrows CA, Fonov VS, Collins DL, Evans AC, Gerig G, McKinstry RC, Pandey J, St John T, Zwaigenbaum L, Estes AM, Dager SR, Schultz RT, Styner MA, Botteron KN, Hazlett HC, Piven J. Subcortical Brain Development in Autism and Fragile X Syndrome: Evidence for Dynamic, Age- and Disorder-Specific Trajectories in Infancy. Am J Psychiatry 2022; 179:562-572. [PMID: 35331012 PMCID: PMC9762548 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.21090896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous research has demonstrated that the amygdala is enlarged in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the precise onset of this enlargement during infancy, how it relates to later diagnostic behaviors, whether the timing of enlargement in infancy is specific to the amygdala, and whether it is specific to ASD (or present in other neurodevelopmental disorders, such as fragile X syndrome) are all unknown. METHODS Longitudinal MRIs were acquired at 6-24 months of age in 29 infants with fragile X syndrome, 58 infants at high likelihood for ASD who were later diagnosed with ASD, 212 high-likelihood infants not diagnosed with ASD, and 109 control infants (1,099 total scans). RESULTS Infants who developed ASD had typically sized amygdala volumes at 6 months, but exhibited significantly faster amygdala growth between 6 and 24 months, such that by 12 months the ASD group had significantly larger amygdala volume (Cohen's d=0.56) compared with all other groups. Amygdala growth rate between 6 and 12 months was significantly associated with greater social deficits at 24 months when the infants were diagnosed with ASD. Infants with fragile X syndrome had a persistent and significantly enlarged caudate volume at all ages between 6 and 24 months (d=2.12), compared with all other groups, which was significantly associated with greater repetitive behaviors. CONCLUSIONS This is the first MRI study comparing fragile X syndrome and ASD in infancy, demonstrating strikingly different patterns of brain and behavior development. Fragile X syndrome-related changes were present from 6 months of age, whereas ASD-related changes unfolded over the first 2 years of life, starting with no detectable group differences at 6 months. Increased amygdala growth rate between 6 and 12 months occurs prior to social deficits and well before diagnosis. This gradual onset of brain and behavior changes in ASD, but not fragile X syndrome, suggests an age- and disorder-specific pattern of cascading brain changes preceding autism diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Shen
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Meghan R Swanson
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Jason J Wolff
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Jed T Elison
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Jessica B Girault
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Sun Hyung Kim
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Rachel G Smith
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Michael M Graves
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Leigh Anne H Weisenfeld
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Lisa Flake
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Leigh MacIntyre
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Julia L Gross
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Catherine A Burrows
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Vladimir S Fonov
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - D Louis Collins
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Alan C Evans
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Guido Gerig
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Robert C McKinstry
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Juhi Pandey
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Tanya St John
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Lonnie Zwaigenbaum
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Annette M Estes
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Stephen R Dager
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Robert T Schultz
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Martin A Styner
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Kelly N Botteron
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Heather C Hazlett
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
| | - Joseph Piven
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and Department of Psychiatry (Shen, Girault, Kim, Smith, Graves, Weisenfeld, Gross, Styner, Hazlett, Piven) and UNC Neuroscience Center (Shen), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill; Department of Educational Psychology (Wolff), Institute of Child Development (Elison), and Department of Pediatrics (Elison, Burrows), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis (Flake, McKinstry, Botteron); Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle (Dager); Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Pandey, Schultz); Computer Science and Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (Gerig); Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal (MacIntyre, Fonov, Collins, Evans); Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (Zwaigenbaum); Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Washington, Seattle (St. John, Estes); School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas (Swanson)
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Chu MC, Wu HF, Lee CW, Chung YJ, Chi H, Chen PS, Lin HC. Generational synaptic functions of GABA A receptor β3 subunit deteriorations in an animal model of social deficit. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:51. [PMID: 35821032 PMCID: PMC9277936 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00835-w] [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: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disruption of normal brain development is implicated in numerous psychiatric disorders with neurodevelopmental origins, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Widespread abnormalities in brain structure and functions caused by dysregulations of neurodevelopmental processes has been recently shown to exert adverse effects across generations. An imbalance between excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) transmission is the putative hypothesis of ASD pathogenesis, supporting by the specific implications of inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic system in autistic individuals and animal models of ASD. However, the contribution of GABAergic system in the neuropathophysiology across generations of ASD is still unknown. Here, we uncover profound alterations in the expression and function of GABAA receptors (GABAARs) in the amygdala across generations of the VPA-induced animal model of ASD. METHODS The F2 generation was produced by mating an F1 VPA-induced male offspring with naïve females after a single injection of VPA on embryonic day (E12.5) in F0. Autism-like behaviors were assessed by animal behavior tests. Expression and functional properties of GABAARs and related proteins were examined by using western blotting and electrophysiological techniques. RESULTS Social deficit, repetitive behavior, and emotional comorbidities were demonstrated across two generations of the VPA-induced offspring. Decreased synaptic GABAAR and gephyrin levels, and inhibitory transmission were found in the amygdala from two generations of the VPA-induced offspring with greater reductions in the F2 generation. Weaker association of gephyrin with GABAAR was shown in the F2 generation than the F1 generation. Moreover, dysregulated NMDA-induced enhancements of gephyrin and GABAAR at the synapse in the VPA-induced offspring was worsened in the F2 generation than the F1 generation. Elevated glutamatergic modifications were additionally shown across generations of the VPA-induced offspring without generation difference. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these findings revealed the E/I synaptic abnormalities in the amygdala from two generations of the VPA-induced offspring with GABAergic deteriorations in the F2 generation, suggesting a potential therapeutic role of the GABAergic system to generational pathophysiology of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Chia Chu
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Han-Fang Wu
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Chi-Wei Lee
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Yueh-Jung Chung
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Hsiang Chi
- grid.260539.b0000 0001 2059 7017Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan, 112 Taiwan
| | - Po See Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 704, Taiwan. .,Institute of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 704, Taiwan.
| | - Hui-Ching Lin
- Department and Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan. .,Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, 110, Taiwan. .,Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
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Humanized substitutions of Vmat1 in mice alter amygdala-dependent behaviors associated with the evolution of anxiety. iScience 2022; 25:104800. [PMID: 35992083 PMCID: PMC9385864 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Gee DG, Hanson C, Caglar LR, Fareri DS, Gabard-Durnam LJ, Mills-Finnerty C, Goff B, Caldera CJ, Lumian DS, Flannery J, Hanson SJ, Tottenham N. Experimental evidence for a child-to-adolescent switch in human amygdala-prefrontal cortex communication: A cross-sectional pilot study. Dev Sci 2022; 25:e13238. [PMID: 35080089 PMCID: PMC9232876 DOI: 10.1111/desc.13238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Interactions between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex are fundamental to human emotion. Despite the central role of frontoamygdala communication in adult emotional learning and regulation, little is known about how top-down control emerges during human development. In the present cross-sectional pilot study, we experimentally manipulated prefrontal engagement to test its effects on the amygdala during development. Inducing dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) activation resulted in developmentally-opposite effects on amygdala reactivity during childhood versus adolescence, such that dACC activation was followed by increased amygdala reactivity in childhood but reduced amygdala reactivity in adolescence. Bayesian network analyses revealed an age-related switch between childhood and adolescence in the nature of amygdala connectivity with the dACC and ventromedial PFC (vmPFC). Whereas adolescence was marked by information flow from dACC and vmPFC to amygdala (consistent with that observed in adults), the reverse information flow, from the amygdala to dACC and vmPFC, was dominant in childhood. The age-related switch in information flow suggests a potential shift from bottom-up co-excitatory to top-down regulatory frontoamygdala connectivity and may indicate a profound change in the circuitry supporting maturation of emotional behavior. These findings provide novel insight into the developmental construction of amygdala-cortical connections and implications for the ways in which childhood experiences may influence subsequent prefrontal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan G. Gee
- Yale University, Department of Psychology, 2 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511
- To whom correspondence should be addressed: ,
| | - Catherine Hanson
- Rutgers University, Department of Psychology, 101 Warren Street, Newark, NJ 07102
| | - Leyla Roksan Caglar
- Rutgers University, Department of Psychology, 101 Warren Street, Newark, NJ 07102
| | - Dominic S. Fareri
- Adelphi University, Department of Psychology, Blodgett Hall, Garden City, NY 11530
| | | | | | - Bonnie Goff
- University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Psychology, 1285 Franz Hall, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Christina J. Caldera
- University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Psychology, 1285 Franz Hall, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Daniel S. Lumian
- University of Denver, Department of Psychology, 2155 S. Race Street, Denver, CO 80210
| | - Jessica Flannery
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Department of Psychology, 235 E. Cameron Ave, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Stephen J. Hanson
- Rutgers University, Department of Psychology, 101 Warren Street, Newark, NJ 07102
| | - Nim Tottenham
- Columbia University, Department of Psychology, 406 Schermerhorn Hall, 1190 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027
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36
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Andrews DS, Aksman L, Kerns CM, Lee JK, Winder-Patel BM, Harvey DJ, Waizbard-Bartov E, Heath B, Solomon M, Rogers SJ, Altmann A, Nordahl CW, Amaral DG. Association of Amygdala Development With Different Forms of Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:977-987. [PMID: 35341582 PMCID: PMC9116934 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The amygdala is widely implicated in both anxiety and autism spectrum disorder. However, no studies have investigated the relationship between co-occurring anxiety and longitudinal amygdala development in autism. Here, the authors characterize amygdala development across childhood in autistic children with and without traditional DSM forms of anxiety and anxieties distinctly related to autism. METHODS Longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging scans were acquired at up to four time points for 71 autistic and 55 typically developing (TD) children (∼2.5-12 years, 411 time points). Traditional DSM anxiety and anxieties distinctly related to autism were assessed at study time 4 (∼8-12 years) using a diagnostic interview tailored to autism: the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule-IV with the Autism Spectrum Addendum. Mixed-effects models were used to test group differences at study time 1 (3.18 years) and time 4 (11.36 years) and developmental differences (age-by-group interactions) in right and left amygdala volume between autistic children with and without DSM or autism-distinct anxieties and TD children. RESULTS Autistic children with DSM anxiety had significantly larger right amygdala volumes than TD children at both study time 1 (5.10% increase) and time 4 (6.11% increase). Autistic children with autism-distinct anxieties had significantly slower right amygdala growth than TD, autism-no anxiety, and autism-DSM anxiety groups and smaller right amygdala volumes at time 4 than the autism-no anxiety (-8.13% decrease) and autism-DSM anxiety (-12.05% decrease) groups. CONCLUSIONS Disparate amygdala volumes and developmental trajectories between DSM and autism-distinct forms of anxiety suggest different biological underpinnings for these common, co-occurring conditions in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek Sayre Andrews
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, California.
| | - Leon Aksman
- Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California,Centre for Medical Image Computing, Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Connor M. Kerns
- Department of Psychology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Joshua K. Lee
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Breanna M. Winder-Patel
- MIND Institute and Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Danielle Jenine Harvey
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Einat Waizbard-Bartov
- MIND Institute and Department of Psychology, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Brianna Heath
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Marjorie Solomon
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Sally J. Rogers
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Andre Altmann
- Centre for Medical Image Computing, Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christine Wu Nordahl
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - David G. Amaral
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, California
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Dufour A, Dumon C, Gouty-Colomer LA, Eftekhari S, Ferrari DC, Ben-Ari Y. Prenatal reduction of E14.5 embryonically fate-mapped pyramidal neurons in a mouse model of autism. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 56:3875-3888. [PMID: 35636970 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Although several observations suggest that the constitutive biological, genetic or physiological changes leading to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) start in utero, their early impact on the number and density of neurons in the brain remains unknown. Using genetic fate mapping associated with the iDISCO clearing method we identified and counted a selective population of neocortical and hippocampal pyramidal neurons in the in utero valproate (VPA) mouse model of autism. We report that one day before birth the number of pyramidal neurons born at E14.5 in the neocortex and hippocampus of VPA-mice is smaller than in age-matched controls. VPA also induced a reduction of the neocortical -but not hippocampal- volume one day before birth. Interestingly, VPA-mice present an increase in both neocortical and hippocampal volumes 2 days after birth compared to controls. These results suggest that the VPA-exposed hippocampus and neocortex differ substantially from controls during the highly complex perinatal period, and specially one day before birth, reflecting the early pathogenesis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Dufour
- Fundamental Research Department, Neurochlore, Marseille, France
| | - Camille Dumon
- Fundamental Research Department, Neurochlore, Marseille, France
| | | | - Sanaz Eftekhari
- Fundamental Research Department, Neurochlore, Marseille, France
| | - Diana C Ferrari
- Fundamental Research Department, Neurochlore, Marseille, France
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Ocklenburg S, Peterburs J, Mundorf A. Hemispheric asymmetries in the amygdala: a comparative primer. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 214:102283. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Roeder SS, Burkardt P, Rost F, Rode J, Brusch L, Coras R, Englund E, Håkansson K, Possnert G, Salehpour M, Primetzhofer D, Csiba L, Molnár S, Méhes G, Tonchev AB, Schwab S, Bergmann O, Huttner HB. Evidence for postnatal neurogenesis in the human amygdala. Commun Biol 2022; 5:366. [PMID: 35440676 PMCID: PMC9018740 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03299-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The human amygdala is involved in processing of memory, decision-making, and emotional responses. Previous studies suggested that the amygdala may represent a neurogenic niche in mammals. By combining two distinct methodological approaches, lipofuscin quantification and 14C-based retrospective birth dating of neurons, along with mathematical modelling, we here explored whether postnatal neurogenesis exists in the human amygdala. We investigated post-mortem samples of twelve neurologically healthy subjects. The average rate of lipofuscin-negative neurons was 3.4%, representing a substantial proportion of cells substantially younger than the individual. Mass spectrometry analysis of genomic 14C-concentrations in amygdala neurons compared with atmospheric 14C-levels provided evidence for postnatal neuronal exchange. Mathematical modelling identified a best-fitting scenario comprising of a quiescent and a renewing neuronal population with an overall renewal rate of >2.7% per year. In conclusion, we provide evidence for postnatal neurogenesis in the human amygdala with cell turnover rates comparable to the hippocampus. Lipofuscin labeling and 14 C retrospective birth-dating of neurons, along with mathematical modelling, here suggest continued postnatal neurogenesis in the human amygdala, rather than protracted maturation of developmentally generated neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian S Roeder
- Department of Neurology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Petra Burkardt
- Department of Neurology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Fabian Rost
- Center for Regenerative Therapies (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Information Services and High Performance Computing (ZIH), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, DRESDEN-concept Genome Center, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Julian Rode
- Center for Information Services and High Performance Computing (ZIH), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lutz Brusch
- Center for Information Services and High Performance Computing (ZIH), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Roland Coras
- Department of Neuropathology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Karl Håkansson
- Tandem Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Mehran Salehpour
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Daniel Primetzhofer
- Tandem Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - László Csiba
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.,MTA-DE Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Research Group, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Sarolta Molnár
- Department of Pathology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gábor Méhes
- Department of Pathology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Anton B Tonchev
- Departments of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Stem Cell Biology, Medical University Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Stefan Schwab
- Department of Neurology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Olaf Bergmann
- Center for Regenerative Therapies (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hagen B Huttner
- Department of Neurology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany. .,Department of Neurology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
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40
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Benedetti B, Couillard-Despres S. Why Would the Brain Need Dormant Neuronal Precursors? Front Neurosci 2022; 16:877167. [PMID: 35464307 PMCID: PMC9026174 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.877167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dormant non-proliferative neuronal precursors (dormant precursors) are a unique type of undifferentiated neuron, found in the adult brain of several mammalian species, including humans. Dormant precursors are fundamentally different from canonical neurogenic-niche progenitors as they are generated exquisitely during the embryonic development and maintain a state of protracted postmitotic immaturity lasting up to several decades after birth. Thus, dormant precursors are not pluripotent progenitors, but to all effects extremely immature neurons. Recently, transgenic models allowed to reveal that with age virtually all dormant precursors progressively awaken, abandon the immature state, and become fully functional neurons. Despite the limited common awareness about these cells, the deep implications of recent discoveries will likely lead to revisit our understanding of the adult brain. Thus, it is timely to revisit and critically assess the essential evidences that help pondering on the possible role(s) of these cells in relation to cognition, aging, and pathology. By highlighting pivoting findings as well as controversies and open questions, we offer an exciting perspective over the field of research that studies these mysterious cells and suggest the next steps toward the answer of a crucial question: why does the brain need dormant neuronal precursors?
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Benedetti
- Institute of Experimental Neuroregeneration, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sebastien Couillard-Despres
- Institute of Experimental Neuroregeneration, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
- *Correspondence: Sebastien Couillard-Despres,
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41
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Li G, Chen MH, Li G, Wu D, Lian C, Sun Q, Rushmore RJ, Wang L. Volumetric Analysis of Amygdala and Hippocampal Subfields for Infants with Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2022; 53:2475-2489. [PMID: 35389185 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05535-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated abnormal brain overgrowth in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the development of specific brain regions, such as the amygdala and hippocampal subfields in infants, is incompletely documented. To address this issue, we performed the first MRI study of amygdala and hippocampal subfields in infants from 6 to 24 months of age using a longitudinal dataset. A novel deep learning approach, Dilated-Dense U-Net, was proposed to address the challenge of low tissue contrast and small structural size of these subfields. We performed a volume-based analysis on the segmentation results. Our results show that infants who were later diagnosed with ASD had larger left and right volumes of amygdala and hippocampal subfields than typically developing controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guannan Li
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China.,Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, Bioinformatics Building, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 130 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Meng-Hsiang Chen
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, Bioinformatics Building, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 130 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Chunfeng Lian
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, Bioinformatics Building, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 130 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Quansen Sun
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China
| | - R Jarrett Rushmore
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Center for Morphometric Analysis, Massachusetts General Hospital, 149 Thirteenth Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, Bioinformatics Building, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 130 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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42
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Antunes ASM, Martins-de-Souza D. Single-cell RNA-seq and its Applications in the Study of Psychiatric Disorders. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2022. [PMID: 37519459 PMCID: PMC10382703 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2022.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroscience is currently one of the most challenging research fields owing to the enormous complexity of the mammalian nervous system. We are yet to understand precise transcriptional programs that govern cell fate during neurodevelopment, resolve the connectome of the mammalian brain, and determine the etiology of various neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Technological advances in the past decade, notably single-cell RNA sequencing, have enabled huge progress in our understanding of such features. Our current knowledge of the transcriptome is largely derived from bulk RNA sequencing, which reveals only the average gene expression of millions of cells, potentially missing out on minor transcriptome differences between cells detectable only at single-cell resolution. Since 2009, several single-cell RNA sequencing techniques have emerged that enable the accurate classification of neuronal and glial cell subtypes beyond classical molecular markers and electrophysiological features and allow the identification of previously unknown cell types. Furthermore, it enables the interrogation of molecular and disease-relevant mechanisms and offers further possibilities for the discovery of new drug targets and disease biomarkers. This review intends to familiarize the reader with the main single-cell RNA sequencing techniques developed throughout the past decade and discusses their application in the fields of brain cell taxonomy, neurodevelopment, and psychiatric disorders.
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43
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Zhou B, Zheng X, Chen Y, Yan X, Peng J, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Tang L, Wen M. The Changes of Amygdala Transcriptome in Autism Rat Model After Arginine Vasopressin Treatment. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:838942. [PMID: 35401102 PMCID: PMC8990166 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.838942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Some studies have shown that arginine vasopressin (AVP) can significantly improve the social interaction disorder of autism, but the mechanism remains unclear. Methods Female Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with VPA or normal saline at embryonic day 12.5 to establish an autism model or normal control in their offspring. Male offspring prenatally exposed to VPA were randomly assigned to two groups: the VPA-induced autism model group and the AVP group. The rats in the AVP group were treated with intranasal AVP at postnatal day (PND) 21 and for 3 weeks. The VPA-induced autism model group was given the same dose of normal saline in the same way. Behavioral responses were evaluated in the open field and three-chambered social test apparatus; the expression levels of AVP in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, and the gene expression levels on the amygdala were measured by RNA-seq at PND42. Results Intranasal administration of AVP can significantly improve the social interaction disorder and elevate the levels of AVP in serum. Transcriptome sequencing results showed that 518 differently expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the VPA-induced autism model group compared with the control in this study. Gene Ontology biological process enrichment analysis of DEGs showed that the VPA-induced autism model group had significant nervous system developmental impairments compared with the normal group, particularly in gliogenesis, glial cell differentiation, and oligodendrocyte differentiation. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) enrichment analysis also showed that biological process of oligodendrocyte differentiation, axoneme assembly, and axon ensheathment were inhibited in the VPA-induced autism model group. Pathway enrichment analysis of DEGs between the control and VPA-induced autism model group showed that the PI3K/AKT and Wnt pathways were significantly dysregulated in the VPA-induced autism model group. Few DEGs were found when compared with the transcriptome between the VPA-induced autism model group and the AVP treatment group. GSEA enrichment analysis showed deficits in oligodendrocyte development and function were significantly improved after AVP treatment; the pathways were mainly enriched in the NOTCH, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and focal adhesion signaling pathways, but not in the PI3K/AKT and Wnt pathways. The expression patterns analysis also showed the same results. Conclusion AVP can significantly improve the social interaction disorder of VPA-induced autism model, and AVP may target behavioral symptoms in autism by modulating the vasopressin pathways, rather than primary disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Guizhou Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- College of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xiaoli Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Guizhou Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- College of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yunhua Chen
- College of Basic Medical, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xuehui Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Guizhou Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- College of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jinggang Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Guizhou Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- College of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yibu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Guizhou Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- College of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Guizhou Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- College of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Lei Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Guizhou Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- College of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- *Correspondence: Lei Tang,
| | - Min Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Guizhou Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- College of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Min Wen,
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44
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Rosen BQ, Halgren E. An estimation of the absolute number of axons indicates that human cortical areas are sparsely connected. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001575. [PMID: 35286306 PMCID: PMC8947121 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The tracts between cortical areas are conceived as playing a central role in cortical information processing, but their actual numbers have never been determined in humans. Here, we estimate the absolute number of axons linking cortical areas from a whole-cortex diffusion MRI (dMRI) connectome, calibrated using the histologically measured callosal fiber density. Median connectivity is estimated as approximately 6,200 axons between cortical areas within hemisphere and approximately 1,300 axons interhemispherically, with axons connecting functionally related areas surprisingly sparse. For example, we estimate that <5% of the axons in the trunk of the arcuate and superior longitudinal fasciculi connect Wernicke's and Broca's areas. These results suggest that detailed information is transmitted between cortical areas either via linkage of the dense local connections or via rare, extraordinarily privileged long-range connections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burke Q Rosen
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Eric Halgren
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Departments of Neurosciences & Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
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45
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Campbell CE, Mezher AF, Tyszka JM, Nagel BJ, Eckel SP, Herting MM. Associations between testosterone, estradiol, and androgen receptor genotype with amygdala subregions in adolescents. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 137:105604. [PMID: 34971856 PMCID: PMC8925279 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105604] [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: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Much is known about the development of the whole amygdala, but less is known about its structurally and functionally diverse subregions. One notable distinguishing feature is their wide range of androgen and estrogen receptor densities. Given the rise in pubertal hormones during adolescence, sex steroid levels as well as receptor sensitivity could influence age-related subregion volumes. Therefore, our goal was to evaluate the associations between the total amygdala and its subregion volumes in relation to sex hormones - estradiol and free testosterone (FT) - as a function of age and genetic differences in androgen receptor (AR) sensitivity in a sample of 297 adolescents (46% female). In males, we found small effects of FT-by-age interactions in the total amygdala, portions of the basolateral complex, and the cortical and medial nuclei (CMN), with the CMN effects being moderated by AR sensitivity. For females, small effects were seen with increased genetic AR sensitivity relating to smaller basolateral complexes. However, none of these small effects passed multiple comparisons. Future larger studies are necessary to replicate these small, yet possibly meaningful effects of FT-by-age associations and modulation by AR sensitivity on amygdala development to ultimately determine if they contribute to known sex differences in emotional neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E. Campbell
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA 90033,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA 90089-2520
| | - Adam F. Mezher
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA 90033,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA 90089-2520
| | - J. Michael Tyszka
- Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA 91125
| | - Bonnie J. Nagel
- Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA 97239-3098
| | - Sandrah P. Eckel
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA 90033
| | - Megan M. Herting
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA 90033
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46
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Makris G, Agorastos A, Chrousos GP, Pervanidou P. Stress System Activation in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:756628. [PMID: 35095389 PMCID: PMC8793840 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.756628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mission of the human stress system is the maintenance of homeostasis in the presence of real or perceived, acute or chronic stressors. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) are the stress system-related neuroendocrine pathways. There is abundant evidence that children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may exhibit atypical function within the HPA axis and the ANS both at the resting state and during the presence of social and/or non-social stressors. The aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date summary of the findings regarding stress system alterations in children and adolescents with ASD. We focus on the variations of stress hormones circadian rhythms, specifically cortisol and alpha-amylase (i.e., a surrogate index of epinephrine/norepinephrine secretion), and on the alterations of stress system responsivity to different stressors. Also, we present imaging and immunological findings that have been associated with stress system dysregulation in children and adolescents with ASD. Finally, we review the pivotal role of HPA axis-ANS coordination, the developmental trajectory of the stress system in ASD, and the possible role of early life stress in the dysregulation of the stress system demonstrated in children and adolescents with ASD. This synthesis will hopefully provide researchers with a foundation for an integrated approach to future research into stress system variations in children and adolescents with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerasimos Makris
- Unit of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, First Department of Pediatrics, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- *Correspondence: Gerasimos Makris,
| | - Agorastos Agorastos
- Department of Psychiatry II, Division of Neurosciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - George P. Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Pervanidou
- Unit of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, First Department of Pediatrics, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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47
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Meisner OC, Nair A, Chang SWC. Amygdala connectivity and implications for social cognition and disorders. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2022; 187:381-403. [PMID: 35964984 PMCID: PMC9436700 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-823493-8.00017-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The amygdala is a hub of subcortical region that is crucial in a wide array of affective and motivation-related behaviors. While early research contributed significantly to our understanding of this region's extensive connections to other subcortical and cortical regions, recent methodological advances have enabled researchers to better understand the details of these circuits and their behavioral contributions. Much of this work has focused specifically on investigating the role of amygdala circuits in social cognition. In this chapter, we review both long-standing knowledge and novel research on the amygdala's structure, function, and involvement in social cognition. We focus specifically on the amygdala's circuits with the medial prefrontal cortex, the orbitofrontal cortex, and the hippocampus, as these regions share extensive anatomic and functional connections with the amygdala. Furthermore, we discuss how dysfunction in the amygdala may contribute to social deficits in clinical disorders including autism spectrum disorder, social anxiety disorder, and Williams syndrome. We conclude that social functions mediated by the amygdala are orchestrated through multiple intricate interactions between the amygdala and its interconnected brain regions, endorsing the importance of understanding the amygdala from network perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia C Meisner
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Amrita Nair
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Steve W C Chang
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.
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Chernikova MA, Flores GD, Kilroy E, Labus JS, Mayer EA, Aziz-Zadeh L. The Brain-Gut-Microbiome System: Pathways and Implications for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13124497. [PMID: 34960049 PMCID: PMC8704412 DOI: 10.3390/nu13124497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal dysfunction is one of the most prevalent physiological symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A growing body of largely preclinical research suggests that dysbiotic gut microbiota may modulate brain function and social behavior, yet little is known about the mechanisms that underlie these relationships and how they may influence the pathogenesis or severity of ASD. While various genetic and environmental risk factors have been implicated in ASD, this review aims to provide an overview of studies elucidating the mechanisms by which gut microbiota, associated metabolites, and the brain interact to influence behavior and ASD development, in at least a subgroup of individuals with gastrointestinal problems. Specifically, we review the brain-gut-microbiome system and discuss findings from current animal and human studies as they relate to social-behavioral and neurological impairments in ASD, microbiota-targeted therapies (i.e., probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation) in ASD, and how microbiota may influence the brain at molecular, structural, and functional levels, with a particular interest in social and emotion-related brain networks. A deeper understanding of microbiome-brain-behavior interactions has the potential to inform new therapies aimed at modulating this system and alleviating both behavioral and physiological symptomatology in individuals with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A. Chernikova
- USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (M.A.C.); (G.D.F.); (E.K.)
- Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- Psychology Department, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA
| | - Genesis D. Flores
- USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (M.A.C.); (G.D.F.); (E.K.)
- Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- Psychology Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA 91768, USA
| | - Emily Kilroy
- USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (M.A.C.); (G.D.F.); (E.K.)
- Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Jennifer S. Labus
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
- Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Gonda (Goldschmied) Neuroscience and Genetics Research Center, Brain Research Institute UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Emeran A. Mayer
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
- Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Correspondence: (E.A.M.); (L.A.-Z.)
| | - Lisa Aziz-Zadeh
- USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (M.A.C.); (G.D.F.); (E.K.)
- Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- Correspondence: (E.A.M.); (L.A.-Z.)
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Shanmugam H, Ganguly S, Priya B. Plant food bioactives and its effects on gut microbiota profile modulation for better brain health and functioning in Autism Spectrum Disorder individuals: A review. FOOD FRONTIERS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/fft2.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Haripriya Shanmugam
- Department of Nano Science and Technology Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Coimbatore India
| | | | - Badma Priya
- Molecular Biophysics Unit Indian Institute of Science Bangalore India
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50
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Volumetric alterations in subregions of the amygdala in adults with major depressive disorder. J Affect Disord 2021; 295:108-115. [PMID: 34419778 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.08.012] [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: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although major depressive disorder (MDD) has been associated with volumetric abnormalities in the amygdala, studies investigating the association between structural alterations of the amygdala and depression have yielded varying results. Since the amygdala comprises several subregions, it is difficult to detect subtle regional changes by measuring the total amygdala volume. This study aimed to examine the volume in each amygdala subregion in adults with and without a diagnosis of MDD. METHODS A total of 147 participants with a current history of major depression and 144 healthy participants ranging in age from 19 to 64 years underwent 3T magnetic resonance imaging scanning. Automatic segmentation of the nine nuclei of the amygdala was performed using FreeSurfer. One-way analysis of covariance, with individual volumes as dependent variables, and age, sex, and total intracranial volume as covariates, was performed to analyze volume differences. RESULTS Patients with MDD had significantly lower volumes of the entire amygdala and subregions, including the lateral nucleus and anterior amygdaloid area, than healthy volunteers (HCs). There were no significant associations between subregion volumes and antidepressant use, illness duration, or depression severity. LIMITATIONS Our cross-sectional design cannot provide a causal relationship between the volume change in the amygdala subregion and the risk of MDD. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that specific amygdala subregions are more susceptible to volumetric alterations in patients with MDD than in HCs. These findings may advance our understanding of the neuroanatomic basis on MDD.
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