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Burenkova OV, Grigorenko EL. The role of epigenetic mechanisms in the long-term effects of early-life adversity and mother-infant relationship on physiology and behavior of offspring in laboratory rats and mice. Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22479. [PMID: 38470450 PMCID: PMC10959231 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22479] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Maternal care during the early postnatal period of altricial mammals is a key factor in the survival and adaptation of offspring to environmental conditions. Natural variations in maternal care and experimental manipulations with maternal-child relationships modeling early-life adversity (ELA) in laboratory rats and mice have a strong long-term influence on the physiology and behavior of offspring in rats and mice. This literature review is devoted to the latest research on the role of epigenetic mechanisms in these effects of ELA and mother-infant relationship, with a focus on the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. An important part of this review is dedicated to pharmacological interventions and epigenetic editing as tools for studying the causal role of epigenetic mechanisms in the development of physiological and behavioral profiles. A special section of the manuscript will discuss the translational potential of the discussed research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V. Burenkova
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Texas Institute for Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elena L. Grigorenko
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Texas Institute for Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Cognitive Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
- Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics and Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Research Administration, Moscow State University for Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russia
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Victor TS, Jacquet B, El Massioui F. Exploring stress response's role in executive function impairments among adults with early adverse childhood experiences. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4081. [PMID: 38374227 PMCID: PMC10876952 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53819-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are recognised as precursors to numerous physical and mental health challenges. However, research on their impact on inhibitory control and working memory, particularly among healthy young adults, remains limited. The role played by the stress response as a moderator in these effects is likewise underexplored. Our study addresses this gap by examining cognitive impairments in non-clinical adults with early childhood trauma, specifically trauma before the age of 13 years, and by assessing the influence of the stress response on these effects. A total of 15 participants with early ACEs were compared with a control group (n = 18) using the Corsi Block Tapping Test (CBTT) and Stroop Word Colour Test (SCWT). Results showed that participants with early ACEs exhibited lower scores on the SCWT but not the CBTT. The stress response emerged as a potential factor in the relationship between early ACEs and cognitive performance. The implications of these findings are then discussed in relation to the existing literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taïna Steevine Victor
- Université Paris 8, UFR Psychologie, 93200, Saint-Denis, France.
- Laboratoire Cognition Humaine et Artificielle (CHArt, RNSR 200515259U), 93322, Aubervilliers, France.
| | - Baptiste Jacquet
- Université Paris 8, UFR Psychologie, 93200, Saint-Denis, France
- Laboratoire Cognition Humaine et Artificielle (CHArt, RNSR 200515259U), 93322, Aubervilliers, France
| | - Farid El Massioui
- Université Paris 8, UFR Psychologie, 93200, Saint-Denis, France
- Laboratoire Cognition Humaine et Artificielle (CHArt, RNSR 200515259U), 93322, Aubervilliers, France
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3
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von Werdt L, Binz TM, O’Gorman RT, Schmid A, Naef N, Rousson V, Kretschmar O, Liamlahi R, Latal B, Ehrler M. Stress Markers, Executive Functioning, and Resilience Among Early Adolescents With Complex Congenital Heart Disease. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2355373. [PMID: 38334997 PMCID: PMC10858402 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.55373] [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: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Infants with complex congenital heart disease (cCHD) may experience prolonged and severe stress when undergoing open heart surgery. However, little is known about long-term stress and its role in neurodevelopmental impairments in this population. Objective To investigate potential differences between early adolescents aged 10 to 15 years with cCHD and healthy controls in physiological stress markers by hair analysis, executive function (EF) performance, and resilience. Design, Setting, and Participants This single-center, population-based case-control study was conducted at the University Children's Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. Patients with different types of cCHD who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass surgery during the first year of life and who did not have a genetic disorder were included in a prospective cohort study between 2004 and 2012. A total of 178 patients were eligible for assessment at ages 10 to 15 years. A control group of healthy term-born individuals was cross-sectionally recruited. Data assessment was between 2019 and 2021. Statistical analysis was performed from January to April 2023. Exposure Patients with cCHD who underwent infant open heart surgery. Main Outcomes and Measures Physiological stress markers were quantified by summing cortisol and cortisone concentrations measured with liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry in a 3-centimeter hair strand. EFs were assessed with a neuropsychological test battery to produce an age-adjusted EF summary score. Resilience was assessed with a standardized self-report questionnaire. Results The study included 100 patients with cCHD and 104 controls between 10 and 15 years of age (mean [SD] age, 13.3 [1.3] years); 110 (53.9%) were male and 94 (46.1%) were female. When adjusting for age, sex, and parental education, patients had significantly higher sums of hair cortisol and cortisone concentrations (β, 0.28 [95% CI, 0.12 to 0.43]; P < .001) and lower EF scores (β, -0.36 [95% CI, -0.49 to -0.23]; P < .001) than controls. There was no group difference in self-reported resilience (β, -0.04 [95% CI, -0.23 to 0.12]; P = .63). A significant interaction effect between stress markers and EFs was found, indicating a stronger negative association in patients than controls (β, -0.65 [95% CI, -1.15 to -0.15]; P = .01). The contrast effects were not significant in patients (β, -0.21 [95% CI, -0.43 to -0.00]; P = .06) and controls (β, 0.09 [95% CI, -0.11 to 0.30]; P = .38). Conclusions and Relevance This case-control study provides evidence for altered physiological stress levels in adolescents with cCHD and an association with poorer EF. These results suggest that future studies are needed to better understand the neurobiological mechanisms and timing of alterations in the stress system and its role in neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian von Werdt
- Child Development Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tina M. Binz
- Center for Forensic Hair Analytics, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ruth Tuura O’Gorman
- Children’s Research Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
- Center for MR Research, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alenka Schmid
- Child Development Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nadja Naef
- Child Development Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Valentin Rousson
- Division of Biostatistics, Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Kretschmar
- Children’s Research Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
- Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Heart Center, Department of Surgery, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rabia Liamlahi
- Child Development Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bea Latal
- Child Development Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
- University Research Priority Program (URPP), Adaptive Brain Circuits in Development and Learning (AdaBD), University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Ehrler
- Child Development Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Centre, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
- University Research Priority Program (URPP), Adaptive Brain Circuits in Development and Learning (AdaBD), University of Zurich, Switzerland
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Koszałka A, Lustyk K, Pytka K. Sex-dependent differences in animal cognition. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105374. [PMID: 37634555 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
The differences in cognitive processes driven by biological sex are the issues that have gotten growing attention recently. Considering the increasing population suffering from various cognitive impairments and the development of therapeutic strategies, it is essential that we recognize the mechanisms responsible for discrepancies observed in male and female learning and memory functions. In this review, we discuss recent reports from preclinical studies on rodents regarding selected cognitive domains to explore the state of knowledge on sex-dependent differences and point to challenges encountered during such research. We focus on spatial, recognition, and emotional memory, as well as on executive functions, such as attention, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. This review will help to acknowledge sex-related differences in cognition and indicate some fields that lack sufficient data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Koszałka
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland; Jagiellonian University Medical College, Doctoral School of Medical and Health Sciences, Św. Łazarza 16, 31-530 Krakow, Poland
| | - Klaudia Lustyk
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Karolina Pytka
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland.
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Rubinstein MR, Burgueño AL, Quiroga S, Wald MR, Genaro AM. Current Understanding of the Roles of Gut-Brain Axis in the Cognitive Deficits Caused by Perinatal Stress Exposure. Cells 2023; 12:1735. [PMID: 37443769 PMCID: PMC10340286 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131735] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The term 'perinatal environment' refers to the period surrounding birth, which plays a crucial role in brain development. It has been suggested that dynamic communication between the neuro-immune system and gut microbiota is essential in maintaining adequate brain function. This interaction depends on the mother's status during pregnancy and/or the newborn environment. Here, we show experimental and clinical evidence that indicates that the perinatal period is a critical window in which stress-induced immune activation and altered microbiota compositions produce lasting behavioral consequences, although a clear causative relationship has not yet been established. In addition, we discuss potential early treatments for preventing the deleterious effect of perinatal stress exposure. In this sense, early environmental enrichment exposure (including exercise) and melatonin use in the perinatal period could be valuable in improving the negative consequences of early adversities. The evidence presented in this review encourages the realization of studies investigating the beneficial role of melatonin administration and environmental enrichment exposure in mitigating cognitive alteration in offspring under perinatal stress exposure. On the other hand, direct evidence of microbiota restoration as the main mechanism behind the beneficial effects of this treatment has not been fully demonstrated and should be explored in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Roxana Rubinstein
- Laboratorio de Psiconeuroendocrinoinmunologia, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)—Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires C1107AFF, Argentina; (A.L.B.); (S.Q.); (M.R.W.)
| | | | | | | | - Ana María Genaro
- Laboratorio de Psiconeuroendocrinoinmunologia, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)—Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires C1107AFF, Argentina; (A.L.B.); (S.Q.); (M.R.W.)
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6
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Barczyk ZA, Foulds JA, Porter RJ, Douglas KM. Childhood trauma and cognitive functioning in mood disorders: A systematic review. Bipolar Disord 2023; 25:263-277. [PMID: 36949602 DOI: 10.1111/bdi.13321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment is a core feature of mood disorders and has been identified as an important treatment target. A better understanding of the factors contributing to cognitive impairment in mood disorders would be beneficial in developing interventions to address cognitive impairment. One key factor is childhood trauma. The aim of this review was to systematically synthesise and review research examining associations between reported childhood trauma and cognitive functioning in mood disorders. METHODS Studies in adult samples examining the relationship between objective cognitive function and reported childhood trauma in major depressive disorder and/or bipolar disorder (in-episode or euthymia) were identified. Searches were conducted on PubMed, Embase and PsycINFO until January 2022. A narrative review technique was used due to the heterogeneity of group comparisons, cognitive tests and data analysis across studies. RESULTS Seventeen studies met the criteria for inclusion (mood disorders N = 1723, healthy controls N = 797). Evidence for childhood trauma being related to poorer cognitive functioning was consistent across global cognitive functioning and executive function domains for euthymic patients and psychomotor speed for in-episode patients. There was mixed evidence for verbal learning and memory and executive function for in-episode patients. Identification of patterns within other domains was difficult due to limited number of studies. CONCLUSION Findings from this review suggest childhood trauma is associated with poorer cognitive functioning in people with mood disorders. Targeted interventions to improve cognition may be warranted for this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe A Barczyk
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, 8011, New Zealand
| | - James A Foulds
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, 8011, New Zealand
| | - Richard J Porter
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, 8011, New Zealand
- Specialist Mental Health Services, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch, 8024, New Zealand
| | - Katie M Douglas
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, 8011, New Zealand
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Yang Y, Zhong Z, Wang B, Wang Y, Ding W. Activation of D1R signaling in the medial prefrontal cortex rescues maternal separation-induced behavioral deficits through restoration of excitatory neurotransmission. Behav Brain Res 2023; 441:114287. [PMID: 36627054 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Lack of maternal care and attention during infancy and childhood increases the likelihood of developing a range of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as social deficits, working memory impairment, and anxiety-like behaviors, in adulthood. However, the neuroregulatory signaling through which early-life stress causes behavioral and cognitive abnormalities in the offspring is largely unexplored. Here, we show that in mice, unpredictable maternal separation (MS) during the early postnatal period impairs neuronal development in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and results in long-lasting behavioral changes. Additionally, MS disrupts excitatory neurotransmission and inhibits the neuronal activity of pyramidal neurons in the mPFC. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data of mPFC showed that dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) was significantly downregulated in MS animals. Finally, we show that pharmacological activation of D1R signaling specifically in the mPFC improves neuronal excitability and rescues behavioral and cognitive dysfunction of MS mice, whereas pharmacologically inhibiting of D1R in the mPFC mimics MS-induced behavioral abnormalities in control mice. Together, our results identify D1R signaling in the mPFC, at least in part, as a potential therapeutic target for the behavioral and cognitive abnormalities caused by deprivation of maternal care in early life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youjun Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1166 Liutai Road, Chengdu 611137, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, 999078, Macao Special Administrative Region of China.
| | - Zhanqiong Zhong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1166 Liutai Road, Chengdu 611137, PR China
| | - Baojia Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1166 Liutai Road, Chengdu 611137, PR China
| | - Yili Wang
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, PR China
| | - Weijun Ding
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1166 Liutai Road, Chengdu 611137, PR China
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Mattheiss SR, Levinson H, Rosenberg-Lee M, Graves WW. Exposure to violence is associated with decreased neural connectivity in emotion regulation and cognitive control, but not working memory, networks after accounting for socioeconomic status: a preliminary study. BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN FUNCTIONS : BBF 2022; 18:15. [PMID: 36503615 PMCID: PMC9743673 DOI: 10.1186/s12993-022-00201-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Previous research has demonstrated behavioral and neural differences associated with experiencing adversity. However, adversity is unlikely to be a monolithic construct, and we expect that examining effects of more specific components such as exposure to violence in the home community will yield more concretely interpretable results. Here we account for effects of low socioeconomic status (SES) to examine the specific effects of exposure to violence on functional connectivity between brain areas known to be related to emotion regulation and working memory. Decreased resting state functional connectivity for individuals exposed to high compared to low levels of violence during childhood was predicted for two sets of areas: (1) bilateral amygdala with anterior medial regions involved in cognitive control of emotion, and (2) the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) with frontal and parietal regions implicated in working memory. Consistent with our predictions, increasing exposure to violence was related to decreased resting state functional connectivity between the right amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex, even after accounting for SES. Also after accounting for SES, exposure to violence was related to reductions in connectivity between the right dlPFC and frontal regions, but not with parietal regions typically associated with working memory. Overall, this pattern suggests increased exposure to violence in childhood is associated with reduced connectivity among key areas of the circuitry involved in emotion regulation and cognitive control, but not working memory. These results offer insight into the neural underpinnings of behavioral outcomes associated with exposure to violence, laying the foundation for ultimately designing interventions to address the effects of such exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha R. Mattheiss
- grid.454556.30000 0000 9565 5747Psychology Department, Felician University, Lodi, NJ USA
| | - Hillary Levinson
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Psychology Department, Rutgers University - Newark, Newark, NJ USA
| | - Miriam Rosenberg-Lee
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Psychology Department, Rutgers University - Newark, Newark, NJ USA
| | - William W. Graves
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Psychology Department, Rutgers University - Newark, Newark, NJ USA
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Gentry SV, Paterson BA. Does screening or routine enquiry for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) meet criteria for a screening programme? A rapid evidence summary. J Public Health (Oxf) 2022; 44:810-822. [PMID: 34231848 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events in childhood that can have impacts throughout life. It has been suggested that ACEs should be 'screened' for, or routinely enquired about, in childhood or adulthood. The aim of this work is to review evidence for this against the United Kingdom National Screening Committee (UKNSC) programme criteria. METHODS A rapid review of evidence on ACEs screening was conducted using the approach of the UKNSC. RESULTS Good quality evidence was identified from meta-analyses for associations between ACEs and a wide range of adverse outcomes. There was no consistent evidence on the most suitable screening tool, setting of administration, and time or frequency of use. Routine enquiry among adults was feasible and acceptable to service users and professionals in various settings. A wide range of potentially effective interventions was identified. Limited evidence was available on the potential for screening or routine enquiry to reduce morbidity and mortality or possible harms of screening. CONCLUSIONS Based on the application of available evidence to UKNSC screening criteria, there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend the implementation of a screening programme for ACEs. Further research is needed to determine whether routine enquiry can improve morbidity, mortality, health and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- S V Gentry
- Public Health England East of England Centre, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5XA, UK.,Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - B A Paterson
- Public Health England East of England Centre, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5XA, UK
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Lynch KS, Widom CS. Childhood maltreatment and cognitive functioning in middle adulthood. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 132:105791. [PMID: 35907334 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105791] [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: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood maltreatment (physical abuse, sexual abuse, and/or neglect) is associated with cognitive deficits in adulthood. Little is known about how childhood maltreatment affects the trajectory of cognitive functioning during early to middle adulthood. OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship between childhood maltreatment and change in cognitive functioning over a 10-year period in adulthood. METHODS Utilizing a prospective cohort design, a large group of court-substantiated cases of childhood maltreatment (ages 0-11) and demographically matched controls were followed into adulthood (N = 1196). Verbal intelligence and reading ability were assessed at age 29, and executive functioning was assessed at age 41. Linear, mixed-effects modeling was used to evaluate childhood maltreatment as a predictor of cognitive functioning and change in cognitive functioning over time. RESULTS Childhood maltreatment was associated with lower cognitive functioning at age 29 compared to controls (β = -0.28, p < .001), and this association was stronger for childhood neglect (β = -0.33, p < .001). Controls declined in cognitive functioning over the 10-year period (β = -0.12, p = .039), whereas childhood maltreatment overall was associated with no change. Adults with histories of neglect demonstrated an increase in cognitive functioning (β = 0.13, p = .021). CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that childhood maltreatment is associated with cognitive functioning deficits in adulthood and suggest that cognitive change in adulthood may be differentially impacted by type of maltreatment. The initial deficit demonstrated by adults with childhood neglect was largely erased by a subsequent increase in cognitive functioning over 10 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin S Lynch
- Psychology Department, John Jay College, City University of New York, United States of America; Graduate Center, City University of New York, United States of America.
| | - Cathy Spatz Widom
- Psychology Department, John Jay College, City University of New York, United States of America; Graduate Center, City University of New York, United States of America
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Grochecki P, Smaga I, Surowka P, Marszalek-Grabska M, Kalaba P, Dragacevic V, Kotlinska P, Filip M, Lubec G, Kotlinska JH. Novel Dopamine Transporter Inhibitor, CE-123, Ameliorates Spatial Memory Deficits Induced by Maternal Separation in Adolescent Rats: Impact of Sex. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810718. [PMID: 36142621 PMCID: PMC9503873 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal separation (MS) is a key contributor to neurodevelopmental disorders, including learning disabilities. To test the hypothesis that dopamine signaling is a major factor in this, an atypical new dopamine transporter (DAT) inhibitor, CE-123, was assessed for its potential to counteract the MS-induced spatial learning and memory deficit in male and female rats. Hence, neonatal rats (postnatal day (PND)1 to 21) were exposed to MS (180 min/day). Next, the acquisition of spatial learning and memory (Barnes maze task) and the expression of dopamine D1 receptor, dopamine transporter (DAT), and the neuronal GTPase, RIT2, which binds DAT in the vehicle-treated rats were evaluated in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in the adolescent animals. The results show that MS impairs the acquisition of spatial learning and memory in rats, with a more severe effect in females. Moreover, the MS induced upregulation of DAT and dopamine D1 receptors expression in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in adolescent rats. Regarding RIT2, the expression was decreased in the hippocampus for both the males and females, however, in the prefrontal cortex, reduction was found only in the females, suggesting that there are region-specific differences in DAT endocytic trafficking. CE-123 ameliorated the behavioral deficits associated with MS. Furthermore, it decreased the MS-induced upregulation of D1 receptor expression level in the hippocampus. These effects were more noted in females. Overall, CE-123, an atypical DAT inhibitor, is able to restore cognitive impairment and dopamine signaling in adolescent rats exposed to MS—with more evident effect in females than males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Grochecki
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University, Chodzki 4A, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Irena Smaga
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
| | - Paulina Surowka
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
| | - Marta Marszalek-Grabska
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University, Jaczewskiego 8B, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Predrag Kalaba
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria
- Paracelsus Private Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Vladimir Dragacevic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Malgorzata Filip
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
| | - Gert Lubec
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria
- Paracelsus Private Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Jolanta H. Kotlinska
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University, Chodzki 4A, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-81-448-7255; Fax: +48-81-448-7250
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Draheim C, Pak R, Draheim AA, Engle RW. The role of attention control in complex real-world tasks. Psychon Bull Rev 2022; 29:1143-1197. [PMID: 35167106 PMCID: PMC8853083 DOI: 10.3758/s13423-021-02052-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Working memory capacity is an important psychological construct, and many real-world phenomena are strongly associated with individual differences in working memory functioning. Although working memory and attention are intertwined, several studies have recently shown that individual differences in the general ability to control attention is more strongly predictive of human behavior than working memory capacity. In this review, we argue that researchers would therefore generally be better suited to studying the role of attention control rather than memory-based abilities in explaining real-world behavior and performance in humans. The review begins with a discussion of relevant literature on the nature and measurement of both working memory capacity and attention control, including recent developments in the study of individual differences of attention control. We then selectively review existing literature on the role of both working memory and attention in various applied settings and explain, in each case, why a switch in emphasis to attention control is warranted. Topics covered include psychological testing, cognitive training, education, sports, police decision-making, human factors, and disorders within clinical psychology. The review concludes with general recommendations and best practices for researchers interested in conducting studies of individual differences in attention control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Draheim
- Department of Psychology, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI, USA.
- School of Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Richard Pak
- Department of Psychology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Amanda A Draheim
- Department of Psychology, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI, USA
| | - Randall W Engle
- School of Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
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13
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Adverse Childhood Experiences and Neurocognition in Borderline Personality Disorder: A Call-to-Action Perspective Review. Harv Rev Psychiatry 2022; 30:248-260. [PMID: 35849742 DOI: 10.1097/hrp.0000000000000344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) contribute to the development of personality traits leading to adult borderline personality disorder (BPD). Neurocognitive changes could partly mediate the association between ACEs and BPD. We discuss how exposure to ACEs could induce alterations in neurocognition, which, in turn, would contribute to the development of BPD. We conducted a review of MEDLINE articles through 2021, documenting a link between ACEs, neurocognitive impairments, and BPD, and also focusing on the pairwise associations. ACEs appear to have a strong impact on neurocognition and are a predictive factor for BPD. Maltreated, abused, and emotionally invalidated children are more likely to present BPD traits. Neurocognitive impairments in adults exposed to ACEs and in patients with BPD arise from similar brain alterations in the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. These impairments seem to be linked with clinical dimensions of BPD: increased impulsivity to altered inhibitory control; dissociative experiences to nonspecific autobiographical memory; and emotionally biased facial recognition to unstable interpersonal relationships. This perspective review highlights the contributory role of neurocognition in the association between ACEs and BPD. Additional research is needed, however, on the interconnections among ACEs, neurocognition, and BPD. Future studies could also focus on developing tools to assess early adversity in BPD specifically and on psychotherapeutic approaches to promptly remedy neurocognitive impairments.
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Turkish Version of the Working Memory Questionnaire: Reliability and Validity. JOURNAL OF BASIC AND CLINICAL HEALTH SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.30621/jbachs.1003491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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15
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Schellhaas S, Schmahl C, Bublatzky F. Social threat and safety learning in individuals with adverse childhood experiences: electrocortical evidence on face processing, recognition, and working memory. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2022; 13:2135195. [PMID: 36325256 PMCID: PMC9621267 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2022.2135195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are often associated with stress and anxiety-related disorders in adulthood, and learning and memory deficits have been suggested as a potential link between ACEs and psychopathology. OBJECTIVE In this preregistered study, the impact of social threat learning on the processing, encoding, and recognition of unknown faces as well as their contextual settings was measured by recognition performance and event-related brain potentials. METHOD Sixty-four individuals with ACEs encoded neutral faces within threatening or safe context conditions. During recognition, participants had to decide whether a face was new or had been previously presented in what context (item-source memory), looking at old and new faces. For visual working memory, participants had to detect changes in low and high load conditions during contextual threat or safety. RESULTS Results showed a successful induction of threat expectation in persons with ACEs. In terms of face and source recognition, overall recognition of safe and new faces was better compared to threatening face-compounds, with more socially anxious individuals having an advantage in remembering threatening faces. For working memory, an effect of task load was found on performance, irrespective of threat or safety context. Regarding electrocortical activity, an old/new recognition effect and threat-selective processing of face-context information was observed during both encoding and recognition. Moreover, neural activity associated with change detection was found for faces in a threatening context, but only at high task load, suggesting reduced capacity for faces in potentially harmful situations when cognitive resources are limited. CONCLUSION While individuals with ACE showed intact social threat and safety learning overall, threat-selective face processing was observed for item/source memory, and a threatening context required more processing resources for visual working memory. Further research is needed to investigate the psychophysiological processes involved in functional and dysfunctional memory systems and their importance as vulnerability factors for stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Schellhaas
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Christian Schmahl
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Florian Bublatzky
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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16
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Mooney KE, Prady SL, Barker MM, Pickett KE, Waterman AH. The association between socioeconomic disadvantage and children's working memory abilities: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260788. [PMID: 34855871 PMCID: PMC8639069 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Working memory is an essential cognitive skill for storing and processing limited amounts of information over short time periods. Researchers disagree about the extent to which socioeconomic position affects children's working memory, yet no study has systematically synthesised the literature regarding this topic. The current review therefore aimed to investigate the relationship between socioeconomic position and working memory in children, regarding both the magnitude and the variability of the association. METHODS The review protocol was registered on PROSPERO and the PRISMA checklist was followed. Embase, Psycinfo and MEDLINE were comprehensively searched via Ovid from database inception until 3rd June 2021. Studies were screened by two reviewers at all stages. Studies were eligible if they included typically developing children aged 0-18 years old, with a quantitative association reported between any indicator of socioeconomic position and children's working memory task performance. Studies were synthesised using two data-synthesis methods: random effects meta-analyses and a Harvest plot. KEY FINDINGS The systematic review included 64 eligible studies with 37,737 individual children (aged 2 months to 18 years). Meta-analyses of 36 of these studies indicated that socioeconomic disadvantage was associated with significantly lower scores working memory measures; a finding that held across different working memory tasks, including those that predominantly tap into storage (d = 0.45; 95% CI 0.27 to 0.62) as well as those that require processing of information (d = 0.52; 0.31 to 0.72). A Harvest plot of 28 studies ineligible for meta-analyses further confirmed these findings. Finally, meta-regression analyses revealed that the association between socioeconomic position and working memory was not moderated by task modality, risk of bias, socioeconomic indicator, mean age in years, or the type of effect size. CONCLUSION This is the first systematic review to investigate the association between socioeconomic position and working memory in children. Socioeconomic disadvantage was associated with lower working memory ability in children, and that this association was similar across different working memory tasks. Given the strong association between working memory, learning, and academic attainment, there is a clear need to share these findings with practitioners working with children, and investigate ways to support children with difficulties in working memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate E. Mooney
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, England
| | | | - Mary M. Barker
- Diabetes Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, England
| | - Kate E. Pickett
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, England
| | - Amanda H. Waterman
- School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, England
- Centre for Applied Education Research, Wolfson Centre for Applied Health Research, Bradford, England
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17
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Testing whether implicit emotion regulation mediates the association between discrimination and symptoms of psychopathology in late childhood: An RDoC perspective. Dev Psychopathol 2021; 33:1634-1647. [PMID: 34323206 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579421000638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Discrimination has been associated with adverse mental health outcomes, though it is unclear how early in life this association becomes apparent. Implicit emotion regulation, developing during childhood, is a foundational skill tied to a range of outcomes. Implicit emotion regulation has yet to be tested as an associated process for mental illness symptoms that can often emerge during this sensitive developmental period. Youth aged 9-11 were recruited for the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Associations between psychotic-like experiences, depressive symptoms, and total discrimination (due to race, ethnicity, nationality, weight, or sexual minority status) were tested, as well as associations with implicit emotion regulation measures (emotional updating working memory and inhibitory control). Analyses examined whether associations with symptoms were mediated by implicit emotion regulation. Discrimination related to decreased implicit emotion regulation performance, and increased endorsement of depressive symptoms and psychotic-like experiences. Emotional updating working memory performance partially mediated the association between discrimination and psychotic-like experiences, while emotional inhibitory control did not. Discrimination and implicit emotion regulation could serve as putative transdiagnostic markers of vulnerability. Results support the utility of using multiple units of analysis to improve understanding of complex emerging neurocognitive functions and developmentally sensitive periods.
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18
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Golm D, Sarkar S, Mackes NK, Fairchild G, Mehta MA, Rutter M, Sonuga-Barke EJ. The impact of childhood deprivation on adult neuropsychological functioning is associated with ADHD symptom persistence. Psychol Med 2021; 51:2675-2684. [PMID: 32419675 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291720001294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Institutional deprivation in early childhood is associated with neuropsychological deficits in adolescence. Using 20-year follow-up data from a unique natural experiment - the large-scale adoption of children exposed to extreme deprivation in Romanian institutions in the 1980s -we examined, for the first time, whether such deficits are still present in adulthood and whether they are associated with deprivation-related symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS Adult neuropsychological functioning was assessed across five domains (inhibitory control, emotion recognition, decision-making, prospective memory and IQ) in 70 previously institutionalized adoptees (mean age = 25.3, 50% female) and 22 non-deprived UK adoptees (comparison group, mean age = 24.6, 41% female). ADHD and ASD symptoms were assessed using parent-completed questionnaires. RESULTS Early institutionalization was associated with impaired performance on all tasks in adulthood. Prospective memory deficits persisted after controlling for IQ. ADHD and ASD symptoms were positively correlated. After controlling for ASD symptoms, ADHD symptoms remained associated with deficits in IQ, prospective memory, proactive inhibition, decision-making quality and emotion recognition. ASD symptoms were not independently associated with neuropsychological deficits when accounting for their overlap with ADHD symptoms. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the link between childhood deprivation and adult ADHD symptoms was statistically explained by deprivation-related differences in adult IQ and prospective memory. CONCLUSIONS These results represent some of the most compelling evidence to date of the enduring power of early, time-limited childhood adversity to impair long-term neuropsychological functioning across the lifespan - effects that are linked specifically to deprivation-related adult ADHD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Golm
- Centre for Innovation in Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Sagari Sarkar
- Cognitive Neuroscience & Neuropsychiatry Section, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nuria K Mackes
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Mitul A Mehta
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Michael Rutter
- MRC Social Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Edmund J Sonuga-Barke
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Becker ES, Vanderhasselt MA, Koster EHW, Vrijsen JN. “Memories Warm You Up from the Inside. But They also Tear You Apart”: Editorial for the Special Issue on Memory Training for Emotional Disorders. COGNITIVE THERAPY AND RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10608-021-10249-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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20
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Fariborzi M, Park SB, Ozgur A, Lur G. Sex-dependent long-term effects of prepubescent stress on the posterior parietal cortex. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 14:100295. [PMID: 33521171 PMCID: PMC7820135 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescence is a time of intense cortical development and a period of heightened sensitivity to insult. To determine how sex affects the short- and long-term outcomes of early-adolescent stress exposure, we subjected prepubescent (postnatal day 30) male and female mice to repeated multiple concurrent stressors (RMS). In the posterior parietal cortex (PPC), RMS caused the elimination of excitatory synapses in deeper layers while inhibitory synapse density was predominantly diminished in superficial layers. These short-term effects coincided with reduced visuo-spatial working memory and were similar in both sexes. The loss of excitatory synapses and impaired working memory persisted in males past a 30-day recovery period. In contrast, we observed a remarkable recovery of excitatory transmission and behavioral performance in females. Inhibitory synapse density recovered in both sexes. We have also observed a late onset anxiety phenotype in RMS exposed females that was absent in males. Overall, our results indicate that there are marked sex differences in the long-term effects of prepubescent stress on cortical synapses and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Fariborzi
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, 1215 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Soo Bin Park
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, 1215 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Ali Ozgur
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, 1215 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Gyorgy Lur
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, 1215 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
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21
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Working memory moderates the relation between the brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and psychotherapy outcome for depression. J Psychiatr Res 2020; 130:424-432. [PMID: 32891918 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.07.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insight into patient characteristics that predict response to treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) may help to personalize treatment and improve outcomes. One mechanism that has been linked to the success of treatment for MDD is brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). BDNF is implicated in learning and memory and may play a role in the effects of psychotherapy that involves changing cognitions and behaviors. In addition, only in individuals with low BDNF, low working memory capacity has been associated with increased symptoms of depression. However, the role of BDNF and working memory capacity in psychotherapy outcome is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of BDNF and its interaction with working memory capacity in psychotherapy outcomes for MDD. METHOD Adult patients with MDD were randomized to weekly or twice weekly sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal psychotherapy. BDNF Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265) (n = 138) was defined and serum BDNF was quantified before (n = 138) and after psychotherapy (n = 82). RESULTS Baseline serum BDNF and the Val66Met polymorphism were not associated with outcome and associations did not differ between treatment conditions. Working memory capacity significantly moderated the relation between baseline serum BDNF and outcome: high serum BDNF at baseline was related to less depressive symptoms following psychotherapy in the presence of high working memory capacity, but not low working memory capacity. DISCUSSION These findings, if replicated, might indicate that while BDNF may not be related to psychotherapy outcomes in general, they may play a role in the presence of specific learning processes such as working memory capacity.
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22
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Wu J, Guo Z, Gao X, Kou Y. The relations between early-life stress and risk, time, and prosocial preferences in adulthood: A meta-analytic review. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2020.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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23
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Easton SD, Kong J. Childhood Adversities, Midlife Health, and Elder Abuse Victimization: A Longitudinal Analysis based on Cumulative Disadvantage Theory. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2020; 76:2086-2097. [PMID: 32745210 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbaa095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Elder abuse victimization is increasingly recognized as a pressing public health concern. However, few empirical studies have investigated whether early life course adversities and midlife sequelae heighten risks for abuse in late life. Guided by cumulative disadvantage theory, the current study examined whether compromised health in middle adulthood (physical, psychological, cognitive) mediates the association between child abuse and elder abuse. METHODS This secondary analysis was based on data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, a population-based, multi-wave dataset. We analyzed responses from 5,968 participants (mean age = 71 years; 54% female) on adapted versions of standardized measures: elder abuse victimization (outcome variable), childhood adversities (independent variable), and midlife health (physical health, depressive symptoms, cognitive functioning; mediator variables). Serial multiple mediation models were conducted, controlling for background characteristics. RESULTS Rates for any elder abuse and child adversities were, respectively, 16.34% and 47.98%. Multivariate analyses supported the cumulative disadvantage hypothesis. Childhood adversities (0.11, p < .001) and midlife health (physical, -0.10, p < .05; depressive symptoms, 0.09, p < .001; cognitive functioning, 0.02, p < .05) had significant direct effects on elder abuse victimization. Childhood adversities also had an indirect effect on elder abuse through physical health (0.002, p < .05) and depressive symptoms (0.01, p < .001), both in serial. DISCUSSION This innovative study advances our understanding mechanisms through which childhood trauma influences abuse in late life. Boosting health in middle adulthood could help prevent elder abuse. Other implications for clinical practice, treatment, and future research on elder abuse are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott D Easton
- Boston College School of Social Work, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jooyoung Kong
- School of Social Work, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
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24
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Corcoran M, Hawkins EL, O'Hora D, Whalley HC, Hall J, Lawrie SM, Dauvermann MR. Are working memory and glutamate concentrations involved in early-life stress and severity of psychosis? Brain Behav 2020; 10:e01616. [PMID: 32385970 PMCID: PMC7303391 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Occurrences of early-life stress (ELS) are associated with the severity of psychotic symptoms and working memory (WM) deficits in patients with psychosis (PSY). This study investigated potential mediation roles of WM behavioral performance and glutamate concentrations in prefrontal brain regions on the association between ELS and psychotic symptom severity in PSY. METHOD Forty-seven patients with PSY (established schizophrenia, n = 30; bipolar disorder, n = 17) completed measures of psychotic symptom severity. In addition, data on ELS and WM performance were collected in both patients with PSY and healthy controls (HC; n = 41). Resting-state glutamate concentrations in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) were also assessed with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy for both PSY and HC groups. t tests, analyses of variance, and regression analyses were utilized. RESULTS Participants with PSY reported significantly more ELS occurrences and showed poorer WM performance than HC. Furthermore, individuals with PSY displayed lower glutamate concentrations in the left DLPFC than HC. Neither ELS nor WM performance were predictive of severity of psychotic symptoms in participants with PSY. However, we found a significant negative correlation between glutamate concentrations in the left DLPFC and ELS occurrence in HC only. CONCLUSION In individuals with PSY, the current study found no evidence that the association between ELS and psychotic symptoms is mediated by WM performance or prefrontal glutamate concentrations. In HC, the association between ELS experience and glutamate concentrations may indicate a neurometabolite effect of ELS that is independent of an illness effect in psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Corcoran
- School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Emma L Hawkins
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Denis O'Hora
- School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | | | - Jeremy Hall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Maria R Dauvermann
- School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.,McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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25
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Sun X, Zhang Y, Li X, Liu X, Qin C. Early-Life Neglect Alters Emotional and Cognitive Behavior in a Sex-Dependent Manner and Reduces Glutamatergic Neuronal Excitability in the Prefrontal Cortex. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:572224. [PMID: 33574771 PMCID: PMC7870800 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.572224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life neglect in critical developmental periods has been associated with emotional and cognitive consequences. Maternal separation (MS) has been commonly used as a rodent model to identify the developmental effects of child neglect. However, reports have shown considerable variability in behavioral results from MS studies in both mice and rats. Difficulties in developing reliable child neglect models have impeded advances in identifying the effects of early-life stress. Accumulating evidence shows that neuronal intrinsic excitability plays an important role in information processing and storage in the brain. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) integrates information from many cortical and subcortical structures. No studies to date have examined the impact of early-life stress on glutamatergic neuronal excitability in the PFC. This study aimed to develop a reliable child neglect rat model and observe glutamatergic neuronal excitability in the PFC. An MS with early weaning (MSEW) rat model was developed. Rats were separated from the dam for 4 h per day on postnatal days (PNDs) 2-5 and for 8 h per day on PNDs 6-16 and then weaned on PND 17. A battery of behavioral tests was used to assess anxiety-like behavior, coping behavior, working memory, spatial reference memory, and fear memory. The action potentials (APs) of glutamatergic neuronal membranes were recorded. MSEW resulted in anxiety-like behavior, a passive coping strategy and increased fear memory in male rats and decreased locomotor activity in both sexes. MSEW slightly impaired working memory during non-stressful situations in female rats but did not change spatial reference memory or associative learning under stressful circumstances in either sex. MSEW reduced the number of glutamatergic neuron APs in male rats. Our findings showed that MS with early weaning induced anxiety-like behavior in male rats. The reduced glutamatergic neuronal excitability may be associated with the emotional alteration induced by MSEW in male rats. In addition, MSEW induced adaptive modification, which depended on a non-stressful context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuping Sun
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Xianglei Li
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Xinmin Liu
- Peking Union Medical College, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Chuan Qin
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Beijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) & Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing, China
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