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Petersson M, Höybye C. Is Oxytocin a Contributor to Behavioral and Metabolic Features in Prader-Willi Syndrome? Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:8767-8779. [PMID: 39194735 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46080518] [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: 06/22/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder typically characterized by decreased social interaction, hyperphagia, poor behavioral control and temper tantrums, together with a high risk of morbid obesity unless food intake is controlled. The genetic defects that cause PWS include paternal 15q deletion (estimated in 60% of cases), chromosome 15 maternal uniparental disomy (UPD) (estimated in 35% of cases) and imprinting defects and translocations. Several studies indicate an oxytocin deficiency in PWS. Oxytocin is a hypothalamic nonapeptide with receptors located in the brain and in various other tissues in the body. It acts as a neuropeptide in several brain areas of great importance for behavioral and metabolic effects, as well as a neurohypophyseal hormone released into the circulation. Oxytocin in both rats and humans has strong and long-lasting behavioral and metabolic effects. Thus, an oxytocin deficiency might be involved in several of the behavioral and metabolic symptoms characterizing PWS. Treatment with oxytocin has, in some studies, shown improvement in psycho-social behavior and hyperphagia in individuals with PWS. This review focus on the behavioral and metabolic effects of oxytocin, the symptoms of a potential oxytocin deficiency in PWS and the effects of oxytocin treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Petersson
- Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Charlotte Höybye
- Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
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Jüres F, Kaufmann C, Riesel A, Grützmann R, Heinzel S, Elsner B, Bey K, Wagner M, Kathmann N, Klawohn J. Heart rate and heart rate variability in obsessive-compulsive disorder: Evidence from patients and unaffected first-degree relatives. Biol Psychol 2024; 189:108786. [PMID: 38531496 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2024.108786] [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: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Altered heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) are common observations in psychiatric disorders. Yet, few studies have examined these cardiac measures in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The current study aimed to investigate HR and HRV, indexed by the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) and further time domain indices, as putative biological characteristics of OCD. Electrocardiogram was recorded during a five-minute resting state. Group differences between patients with OCD (n = 96), healthy participants (n = 112), and unaffected first-degree relatives of patients with OCD (n = 47) were analyzed. As potential moderators of group differences, we examined the influence of age and medication, respectively. As results indicated, patients with OCD showed higher HR and lower HRV compared to healthy participants. These group differences were not moderated by age. Importantly, subgroup analyses showed that only medicated patients displayed lower HRV compared to healthy individuals, while HR alterations were evident in unmedicated patients. Regarding unaffected first-degree relatives, group differences in HRV remained at trend level. Further, an age-moderated group differentiation showed that higher HRV distinguished relatives from healthy individuals in young adulthood, whereas at higher age lower HRV was indicative of relatives. Both the role of familial risk and medication in HRV alterations need further elucidation. Pending future studies, alterations in HR and potentially HRV might serve as useful indices to characterize the pathophysiology of OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Jüres
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychology, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Christian Kaufmann
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja Riesel
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychology, Berlin, Germany; Universität Hamburg, Department of Psychology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rosa Grützmann
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychology, Berlin, Germany; MSB Medical School Berlin, Department of Psychology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan Heinzel
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychology, Berlin, Germany; Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Education and Psychology, Berlin, Germany; TU Dortmund University, Department of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Björn Elsner
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Bey
- University Hospital Bonn, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Wagner
- University Hospital Bonn, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bonn, Germany
| | - Norbert Kathmann
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Klawohn
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychology, Berlin, Germany; MSB Medical School Berlin, Department of Medicine, Berlin, Germany
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Alaerts K, Daniels N, Moerkerke M, Evenepoel M, Tang T, Van der Donck S, Chubar V, Claes S, Steyaert J, Boets B, Prinsen J. At the Head and Heart of Oxytocin's Stress-Regulatory Neural and Cardiac Effects: A Chronic Administration RCT in Children with Autism. PSYCHOTHERAPY AND PSYCHOSOMATICS 2023; 92:315-328. [PMID: 37820592 DOI: 10.1159/000534114] [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: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Intranasal administration of oxytocin presents a promising new approach to reduce disability associated with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Previous investigations have emphasized the amygdala as the neural foundation for oxytocin's acute effects. However, to fully understand oxytocin's therapeutic potential, it is crucial to gain insight into the neuroplastic changes in amygdala circuitry induced from chronic oxytocin administrations, particularly in pediatric populations. OBJECTIVE We aimed to examine the impact of a 4-week course of intranasal oxytocin on amygdala functional connectivity in children with autism, compared to placebo. Additionally, we investigated whether oxytocin improves cardiac autonomic arousal, as indexed by high-frequency heart rate variability. METHODS Fifty-seven children with autism aged 8-12 years (45 boys, 12 girls) participated in a double-blind, randomized pharmaco-neuroimaging trial involving twice-daily administrations of intranasal oxytocin or placebo. Resting-state fMRI scans and simultaneous, in-scanner heart rate recordings were obtained before, immediately after, and 4 weeks after the nasal spray administration period. RESULTS Significant reductions in intrinsic amygdala-orbitofrontal connectivity were observed, particularly at the 4-week follow-up session. These reductions were correlated with improved social symptoms and lower cardiac autonomic arousal. Further, oxytocin's neural and cardiac autonomic effects were modulated by epigenetic modifications of the oxytocin receptor gene. The effects were more pronounced in children with reduced epigenetic methylation, signifying heightened expression of the oxytocin receptor. CONCLUSION These findings underscore that a 4-week oxytocin administration course decreases amygdala connectivity and improves cardiac autonomic balance. Epigenetic modulators may explain inter-individual variation in responses to oxytocin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaat Alaerts
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicky Daniels
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthijs Moerkerke
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Margaux Evenepoel
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tiffany Tang
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephanie Van der Donck
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Stephan Claes
- KU Leuven, University Psychiatric Center, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean Steyaert
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, University Psychiatric Center, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Boets
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jellina Prinsen
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes) Consortium, Leuven, Belgium
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Campos-Martin R, Bey K, Elsner B, Reuter B, Klawohn J, Philipsen A, Kathmann N, Wagner M, Ramirez A. Epigenome-wide analysis identifies methylome profiles linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder, disease severity, and treatment response. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4321-4330. [PMID: 37587247 PMCID: PMC10827661 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02219-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent mental disorder affecting ~2-3% of the population. This disorder involves genetic and, possibly, epigenetic risk factors. The dynamic nature of epigenetics also presents a promising avenue for identifying biomarkers associated with symptom severity, clinical progression, and treatment response in OCD. We, therefore, conducted a comprehensive case-control investigation using Illumina MethylationEPIC BeadChip, encompassing 185 OCD patients and 199 controls recruited from two distinct sites in Germany. Rigorous clinical assessments were performed by trained raters employing the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I). We performed a robust two-step epigenome-wide association study that led to the identification of 305 differentially methylated CpG positions. Next, we validated these findings by pinpointing the optimal set of CpGs that could effectively classify individuals into their respective groups. This approach identified a subset comprising 12 CpGs that overlapped with the 305 CpGs identified in our EWAS. These 12 CpGs are close to or in genes associated with the sweet-compulsive brain hypothesis which proposes that aberrant dopaminergic transmission in the striatum may impair insulin signaling sensitivity among OCD patients. We replicated three of the 12 CpGs signals from a recent independent study conducted on the Han Chinese population, underscoring also the cross-cultural relevance of our findings. In conclusion, our study further supports the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of OCD. By elucidating the underlying molecular alterations associated with OCD, our study contributes to advancing our understanding of this complex disorder and may ultimately improve clinical outcomes for affected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Campos-Martin
- Division of Neurogenetics and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Medical Faculty, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Katharina Bey
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Björn Elsner
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Benedikt Reuter
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Medicine, MSB Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Klawohn
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Medicine, MSB Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexandra Philipsen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Norbert Kathmann
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Wagner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
- Department for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alfredo Ramirez
- Division of Neurogenetics and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Medical Faculty, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany.
- Department for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
- Department of Psychiatry and Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX, USA.
- Cluster of Excellence Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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Wilson C, Gattuso JJ, Hannan AJ, Renoir T. Mechanisms of pathogenesis and environmental moderators in preclinical models of compulsive-like behaviours. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 185:106223. [PMID: 37423502 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106223] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRD) is an emergent class of psychiatric illnesses that contributes substantially to the global mental health disease burden. In particular, the prototypical illness, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), has a profoundly deleterious effect on the quality of life of those with lived experience. Both clinical and preclinical studies have investigated the genetic and environmental influences contributing to the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Significant progress has been made in recent years in our understanding of the genetics of OCD, along with the critical role of common environmental triggers (e.g., stress). Some of this progress can be attributed to the sophistication of rodent models used in the field, particularly genetic mutant models, which demonstrate promising construct, face, and predictive validity. However, there is a paucity of studies investigating how these genetic and environmental influences interact to precipitate the behavioural, cellular, and molecular changes that occur in OCD. In this review, we assert that preclinical studies offer a unique opportunity to carefully manipulate environmental and genetic factors, and in turn to interrogate gene-environment interactions and relevant downstream sequelae. Such studies may serve to provide a mechanistic framework to build our understanding of the pathogenesis of complex neuropsychiatric disorders such as OCD. Furthermore, understanding gene-environment interactions and pathogenic mechanisms will facilitate precision medicine and other future approaches to enhance treatment, reduce side-effects of therapeutic interventions, and improve the lives of those suffering from these devastating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carey Wilson
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - James J Gattuso
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Thibault Renoir
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
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6
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Bendriss G, MacDonald R, McVeigh C. Microbial Reprogramming in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders: A Review of Gut-Brain Communication and Emerging Evidence. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11978. [PMID: 37569349 PMCID: PMC10419219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241511978] [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: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating mental health disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbial composition, has been associated with various health conditions, including mental health disorders, autism, and inflammatory diseases. While the exact mechanisms underlying OCD remain unclear, this review presents a growing body of evidence suggesting a potential link between dysbiosis and the multifaceted etiology of OCD, interacting with genetic, neurobiological, immunological, and environmental factors. This review highlights the emerging evidence implicating the gut microbiota in the pathophysiology of OCD and its potential as a target for novel therapeutic approaches. We propose a model that positions dysbiosis as the central unifying element in the neurochemical, immunological, genetic, and environmental factors leading to OCD. The potential and challenges of microbial reprogramming strategies, such as probiotics and fecal transplants in OCD therapeutics, are discussed. This review raises awareness of the importance of adopting a holistic approach that considers the interplay between the gut and the brain to develop interventions that account for the multifaceted nature of OCD and contribute to the advancement of more personalized approaches.
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Rajkumar RP. SAPAP3, SPRED2, and obsessive-compulsive disorder: the search for fundamental phenotypes. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1095455. [PMID: 37324590 PMCID: PMC10264593 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1095455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
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Ben David G, Amir Y, Salalha R, Sharvit L, Richter-Levin G, Atzmon G. Can Epigenetics Predict Drug Efficiency in Mental Disorders? Cells 2023; 12:1173. [PMID: 37190082 PMCID: PMC10136455 DOI: 10.3390/cells12081173] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders affect millions of individuals and their families worldwide, and the costs to society are substantial and are expected to rise due to a lack of effective treatments. Personalized medicine-customized treatment tailored to the individual-offers a solution. Although most mental diseases are influenced by genetic and environmental factors, finding genetic biomarkers that predict treatment efficacy has been challenging. This review highlights the potential of epigenetics as a tool for predicting treatment efficacy and personalizing medicine for psychiatric disorders. We examine previous studies that have attempted to predict treatment efficacy through epigenetics, provide an experimental model, and note the potential challenges at each stage. While the field is still in its infancy, epigenetics holds promise as a predictive tool by examining individual patients' epigenetic profiles in conjunction with other indicators. However, further research is needed, including additional studies, replication, validation, and application beyond clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gil Ben David
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel; (G.B.D.); (R.S.)
| | - Yam Amir
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel; (Y.A.)
| | - Randa Salalha
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel; (G.B.D.); (R.S.)
| | - Lital Sharvit
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel; (Y.A.)
| | - Gal Richter-Levin
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel; (G.B.D.); (R.S.)
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
- Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBR), University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Gil Atzmon
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel; (Y.A.)
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Pierzynowska K, Gaffke L, Żabińska M, Cyske Z, Rintz E, Wiśniewska K, Podlacha M, Węgrzyn G. Roles of the Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR) in Human Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043887. [PMID: 36835321 PMCID: PMC9966686 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The oxytocin receptor (OXTR), encoded by the OXTR gene, is responsible for the signal transduction after binding its ligand, oxytocin. Although this signaling is primarily involved in controlling maternal behavior, it was demonstrated that OXTR also plays a role in the development of the nervous system. Therefore, it is not a surprise that both the ligand and the receptor are involved in the modulation of behaviors, especially those related to sexual, social, and stress-induced activities. As in the case of every regulatory system, any disturbances in the structures or functions of oxytocin and OXTR may lead to the development or modulation of various diseases related to the regulated functions, which in this case include either mental problems (autism, depression, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorders) or those related to the functioning of reproductive organs (endometriosis, uterine adenomyosis, premature birth). Nevertheless, OXTR abnormalities are also connected to other diseases, including cancer, cardiac disorders, osteoporosis, and obesity. Recent reports indicated that the changes in the levels of OXTR and the formation of its aggregates may influence the course of some inherited metabolic diseases, such as mucopolysaccharidoses. In this review, the involvement of OXTR dysfunctions and OXTR polymorphisms in the development of different diseases is summarized and discussed. The analysis of published results led us to suggest that changes in OXTR expression and OXTR abundance and activity are not specific to individual diseases, but rather they influence processes (mostly related to behavioral changes) that might modulate the course of various disorders. Moreover, a possible explanation of the discrepancies in the published results of effects of the OXTR gene polymorphisms and methylation on different diseases is proposed.
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Wei J, Zheng H, Li G, Chen Z, Fang G, Yan J. Involvement of oxytocin receptor deficiency in psychiatric disorders and behavioral abnormalities. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1164796. [PMID: 37153633 PMCID: PMC10159063 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1164796] [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: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin and its target receptor (oxytocin receptor, OXTR) exert important roles in the regulation of complex social behaviors and cognition. The oxytocin/OXTR system in the brain could activate and transduce several intracellular signaling pathways to affect neuronal functions or responses and then mediate physiological activities. The persistence and outcome of the oxytocin activity in the brain are closely linked to the regulation, state, and expression of OXTR. Increasing evidence has shown that genetic variations, epigenetic modification states, and the expression of OXTR have been implicated in psychiatric disorders characterized by social deficits, especially in autism. Among these variations and modifications, OXTR gene methylation and polymorphism have been found in many patients with psychiatric disorders and have been considered to be associated with those psychiatric disorders, behavioral abnormalities, and individual differences in response to social stimuli or others. Given the significance of these new findings, in this review, we focus on the progress of OXTR's functions, intrinsic mechanisms, and its correlations with psychiatric disorders or deficits in behaviors. We hope that this review can provide a deep insight into the study of OXTR-involved psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbao Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Ningde Municipal Hospital Affiliated to Ningde Normal University, Ningde, Fujian, China
| | - Huanrui Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Women and Children's Critical Diseases Research, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Guokai Li
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Women and Children's Critical Diseases Research, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Zichun Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Ningde Municipal Hospital Affiliated to Ningde Normal University, Ningde, Fujian, China
| | - Gengjing Fang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Women and Children's Critical Diseases Research, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Technical Evaluation of Fertility Regulation for Non-human Primate (Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital), Fuzhou, Fujia, China
- Gengjing Fang
| | - Jianying Yan
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Women and Children's Critical Diseases Research, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- Department of Obstetrics, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- *Correspondence: Jianying Yan
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Caniceiro AB, Bueschbell B, Schiedel AC, Moreira IS. Class A and C GPCR Dimers in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Curr Neuropharmacol 2022; 20:2081-2141. [PMID: 35339177 PMCID: PMC9886835 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220327221830] [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: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases affect over 30 million people worldwide with an ascending trend. Most individuals suffering from these irreversible brain damages belong to the elderly population, with onset between 50 and 60 years. Although the pathophysiology of such diseases is partially known, it remains unclear upon which point a disease turns degenerative. Moreover, current therapeutics can treat some of the symptoms but often have severe side effects and become less effective in long-term treatment. For many neurodegenerative diseases, the involvement of G proteincoupled receptors (GPCRs), which are key players of neuronal transmission and plasticity, has become clearer and holds great promise in elucidating their biological mechanism. With this review, we introduce and summarize class A and class C GPCRs, known to form heterodimers or oligomers to increase their signalling repertoire. Additionally, the examples discussed here were shown to display relevant alterations in brain signalling and had already been associated with the pathophysiology of certain neurodegenerative diseases. Lastly, we classified the heterodimers into two categories of crosstalk, positive or negative, for which there is known evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana B. Caniceiro
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; ,These authors contributed equally to this work.
| | - Beatriz Bueschbell
- PhD Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal; ,These authors contributed equally to this work.
| | - Anke C. Schiedel
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, University of Bonn, D-53121 Bonn, Germany;
| | - Irina S. Moreira
- University of Coimbra, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; ,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal,Address correspondence to this author at the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; E-mail:
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Yu J, Xie M, Song S, Zhou P, Yuan F, Ouyang M, Wang C, Liu N, Zhang N. Functional Connectivity within the Frontal–Striatal Network Differentiates Checkers from Washers of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12080998. [PMID: 36009061 PMCID: PMC9406102 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12080998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder with high clinical heterogeneity manifested by the presence of obsessions and/or compulsions. The classification of the symptom dimensional subtypes is helpful for further exploration of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the clinical heterogeneity of OCD. Washing and checking symptoms are the two major symptom subtypes in OCD, but the neural mechanisms of the different types of symptoms are not yet clearly understood. The purpose of this study was to compare regional and network functional alterations between washing and checking OCD based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Methods: In total, 90 subjects were included, including 15 patients in the washing group, 30 patients in the checking group, and 45 healthy controls (HCs). Regional homogeneity (ReHo) was used to compare the differences in regional spontaneous neural activity among the three groups, and local indicators were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves as imaging markers for the prediction of the clinical subtypes of OCD. Furthermore, differently activated local brain areas, as regions of interest (ROIs), were used to explore differences in altered brain functioning between washing and checking OCD symptoms based on a functional connectivity (FC) analysis. Results: Extensive abnormalities in spontaneous brain activity involving frontal, temporal, and occipital regions were observed in the patients compared to the HCs. The differences in local brain functioning between checking and washing OCD were mainly concentrated in the bilateral middle frontal gyrus, right supramarginal gyrus, right angular gyrus, and right inferior occipital gyrus. The ROC curve analysis revealed that the hyperactivation right middle frontal gyrus had a better discriminatory value for checking and washing OCD. Furthermore, the seed-based FC analysis revealed higher FC between the left medial superior frontal gyrus and right caudate nucleus compared to that in the healthy controls. Conclusions: These findings suggest that extensive local differences exist in intrinsic spontaneous activity among the checking group, washing group, and HCs. The neural basis of checking OCD may be related to dysfunction in the frontal–striatal network, which distinguishes OCD from washing OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianping Yu
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 264 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, China; (J.Y.); (M.X.); (S.S.); (M.O.); (C.W.); (N.Z.)
| | - Minyao Xie
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 264 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, China; (J.Y.); (M.X.); (S.S.); (M.O.); (C.W.); (N.Z.)
| | - Shasha Song
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 264 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, China; (J.Y.); (M.X.); (S.S.); (M.O.); (C.W.); (N.Z.)
| | - Ping Zhou
- Department of Medical Psychology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 264 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, China;
| | - Fangzheng Yuan
- School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, 122 Ninghai Road, Nanjing 210024, China;
| | - Mengyuan Ouyang
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 264 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, China; (J.Y.); (M.X.); (S.S.); (M.O.); (C.W.); (N.Z.)
| | - Chun Wang
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 264 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, China; (J.Y.); (M.X.); (S.S.); (M.O.); (C.W.); (N.Z.)
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Medical Psychology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 264 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, China;
- Correspondence:
| | - Ning Zhang
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 264 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, China; (J.Y.); (M.X.); (S.S.); (M.O.); (C.W.); (N.Z.)
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Schiele MA, Lipovsek J, Schlosser P, Soutschek M, Schratt G, Zaudig M, Berberich G, Köttgen A, Domschke K. Epigenome-wide DNA methylation in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:221. [PMID: 35650177 PMCID: PMC9160220 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01996-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In adult patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), altered DNA methylation has been discerned in several candidate genes, while DNA methylation on an epigenome-wide level has been investigated in only one Chinese study so far. Here, an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) was performed in a sample of 76 OCD patients of European ancestry (37 women, age ± SD: 33.51 ± 10.92 years) and 76 sex- and age-matched healthy controls for the first time using the Illumina MethylationEPIC BeadChip. After quality control, nine epigenome-wide significant quantitative trait methylation sites (QTMs) and 21 suggestive hits were discerned in the final sample of 68 patients and 68 controls. The top hit (cg24159721) and four other significant QTMs (cg11894324, cg01070250, cg11330075, cg15174812) map to the region of the microRNA 12136 gene (MIR12136). Two additional significant CpG sites (cg05740793, cg20450977) are located in the flanking region of the MT-RNR2 (humanin) like 8 gene (MT-RNRL8), while two further QTMs (cg16267121, cg15890734) map to the regions of the MT-RNR2 (humanin) like 3 (MT-RNRL3) and MT-RNR2 (humanin) like 2 (MT-RNRL2) genes. Provided replication of the present findings in larger samples, the identified QTMs might provide more biological insight into the pathogenesis of OCD and thereby could in the future serve as peripheral epigenetic markers of OCD risk with the potential to inform targeted preventive and therapeutic efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam A. Schiele
- grid.5963.9Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hauptstraße 5, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jan Lipovsek
- grid.5963.9Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hauptstraße 5, 79104 Freiburg, Germany ,grid.7708.80000 0000 9428 7911Institute of Genetic Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 49, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Pascal Schlosser
- grid.7708.80000 0000 9428 7911Institute of Genetic Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 49, 79106 Freiburg, Germany ,grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Michael Soutschek
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780ETH Zurich–D-HEST, Institute for Neuroscience, Systems Neuroscience, Building Y17 L48, Winterthurerstraße 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gerhard Schratt
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780ETH Zurich–D-HEST, Institute for Neuroscience, Systems Neuroscience, Building Y17 L48, Winterthurerstraße 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Zaudig
- Psychosomatic Hospital Windach, Schützenstraße 100, 86949 Windach, Germany
| | - Götz Berberich
- Psychosomatic Hospital Windach, Schützenstraße 100, 86949 Windach, Germany
| | - Anna Köttgen
- grid.7708.80000 0000 9428 7911Institute of Genetic Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 49, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hauptstraße 5, 79104, Freiburg, Germany. .,Center for Basics in NeuroModulation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisacher Straße 64, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
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Nutrition, Exercise, and Stress Management for Treatment and Prevention of Psychiatric Disorders. A Narrative Review Psychoneuroendocrineimmunology-Based. ENDOCRINES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/endocrines2030022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychoneuroendocrineimmunology (PNEI) brings together knowledge acquired since the 1930s from endocrinology, immunology, neuroscience, and psychology. With PNEI, a model of research and interpretation of health and disease is emerging, which sees the human body as a structured and interconnected unit, where the psychological and biological systems are mutually coordinated. In the PNEI view, many factors could influence mental health, with the endocrine system involved in mediating the effects of environmental stress on mental health and inflammation in the onset and course of psychiatric disorders as a result of individual and collective conditions and behaviors. Among these, nutrition is one way by which the environment impacts physiology: indeed, many pieces of research showed that several elements (e.g., probiotics, fish oil, zinc) have a positive effect on mental disorders thus being potentially augmentation agents in treatment. Still, physical activity can moderate depressive symptoms, while prolonged stress increases the risk of psychopathology. Taken together, the PNEI-based approach may inform prevention and treatment strategies, also in the field of mental health care.
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