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Arora I, Mal P, Arora P, Paul A, Kumar M. GABAergic implications in anxiety and related disorders. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 724:150218. [PMID: 38865810 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150218] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Evidence indicates that anxiety disorders arise from an imbalance in the functioning of brain circuits that govern the modulation of emotional responses to possibly threatening stimuli. The circuits under consideration in this context include the amygdala's bottom-up activity, which signifies the existence of stimuli that may be seen as dangerous. Moreover, these circuits encompass top-down regulatory processes that originate in the prefrontal cortex, facilitating the communication of the emotional significance associated with the inputs. Diverse databases (e.g., Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Google Scholar) were searched for literature using a combination of different terms e.g., "anxiety", "stress", "neuroanatomy", and "neural circuits", etc. A decrease in GABAergic activity is present in both anxiety disorders and severe depression. Research on cerebral functional imaging in depressive individuals has shown reduced levels of GABA within the cortical regions. Additionally, animal studies demonstrated that a reduction in the expression of GABAA/B receptors results in a behavioral pattern resembling anxiety. The amygdala consists of inhibitory networks composed of GABAergic interneurons, responsible for modulating anxiety responses in both normal and pathological conditions. The GABAA receptor has allosteric sites (e.g., α/γ, γ/β, and α/β) which enable regulation of neuronal inhibition in the amygdala. These sites serve as molecular targets for anxiolytic medications such as benzodiazepine and barbiturates. Alterations in the levels of naturally occurring regulators of these allosteric sites, along with alterations to the composition of the GABAA receptor subunits, could potentially act as mechanisms via which the extent of neuronal inhibition is diminished in pathological anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indu Arora
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Pankaj Mal
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Poonam Arora
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Anushka Paul
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India.
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2
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Braga JD, Komaru T, Umino M, Nagao T, Matsubara K, Egusa A, Yanaka N, Nishimura T, Kumrungsee T. Histidine-containing dipeptide deficiency links to hyperactivity and depression-like behaviors in old female mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 729:150361. [PMID: 38972141 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150361] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Carnosine, anserine, and homocarnosine are histidine-containing dipeptides (HCDs) abundant in the skeletal muscle and nervous system in mammals. To date, studies have extensively demonstrated effects of carnosine and anserine, the predominant muscular HCDs, on muscular functions and exercise performance. However, homocarnosine, the predominant brain HCD, is underexplored. Moreover, roles of homocarnosine and its related HCDs in the brain and behaviors remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated potential roles of endogenous brain homocarnosine and its related HCDs in behaviors by using carnosine synthase-1-deficient (Carns1-/-) mice. We found that old Carns1-/- mice (female 12 months old) exhibited hyperactivity- and depression-like behaviors with higher plasma corticosterone levels on light-dark transition and forced swimming tests, but had no defects in spontaneous locomotor activity, repetitive behavior, olfactory functions, and learning and memory abilities, as compared with their age-matched wild-type (WT) mice. We confirmed that homocarnosine and its related HCDs were deficient across brain areas of Carns1-/- mice. Homocarnosine deficiency exhibited small effects on its constituent γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, in which GABA levels in hypothalamus and olfactory bulb were higher in Carns1-/- mice than in WT mice. In WT mice, homocarnosine and GABA were highly present in hypothalamus, thalamus, and olfactory bulb, and their brain levels did not decrease in old mice when compared with younger mice (3 months old). Our present findings provide new insights into roles of homocarnosine and its related HCDs in behaviors and neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason D Braga
- Program of Food and AgriLife Science, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, 739-8527, Japan; Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Natural Resources, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite, 4122, Philippines
| | - Takumi Komaru
- Program of Food and AgriLife Science, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, 739-8527, Japan
| | - Mitsuki Umino
- Department of Human Life Science Education, Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, 739-8527, Japan
| | - Tomoka Nagao
- Program of Food and AgriLife Science, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, 739-8527, Japan
| | - Kiminori Matsubara
- Department of Human Life Science Education, Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, 739-8527, Japan
| | - Ai Egusa
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, 180-8602, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Yanaka
- Program of Food and AgriLife Science, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, 739-8527, Japan
| | - Toshihide Nishimura
- Department of Food Nutrition, Kagawa Nutrition University, Saitama, 350-0214, Japan
| | - Thanutchaporn Kumrungsee
- Program of Food and AgriLife Science, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, 739-8527, Japan; Smart Agriculture, Graduate School of Innovation and Practice for Smart Society, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, 739-8527, Japan.
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Qin Y, Huang W, Wang Z, Wang C, Wang C, Zhang M, Wu S, Wang G, Zhao F. 1,2-Dichloroethane causes anxiety and cognitive dysfunction in mice by disturbing GABA metabolism and inhibiting the cAMP-PKA-CREB signaling pathway. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 279:116464. [PMID: 38759534 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
1,2-Dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) is a powerfully toxic neurotoxin, which is a common environmental pollutant. Studies have indicated that 1,2-DCE long-term exposure can result in adverse effects. Nevertheless, the precise mechanism remains unknown. In this study, behavioral results revealed that 1,2-DCE long-term exposure could cause anxiety and learning and memory ability impairment in mice. The contents of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamine (Gln) in mice's prefrontal cortex decreased, whereas that of glutamate (Glu) increased. With the increase in dose, the activities of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) decreased and those of GABA transaminase (GABA-T) increased. The protein and mRNA expressions of GABA transporter-3 (GAT-3), vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT), GABA A receptor α2 (GABAARα2), GABAARγ2, K-Cl cotransporter isoform 2 (KCC2), GABA B receptor 1 (GABABR1), GABABR2, protein kinase A (PKA), cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), p-CREB, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), c-fos, c-Jun and the protein of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and PKA-C were decreased, while the expression levels of GABA transporter-1 (GAT-1) and Na-K-2Cl cotransporter isoform 1 (NKCC1) were increased. However, there was no significant change in the protein content of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH). The expressions of adenylate cyclase (AC) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) contents were also reduced. In conclusion, the results of this study show that exposure to 1,2-DCE could lead to anxiety and cognitive impairment in mice, which may be related to the disturbance of GABA metabolism and its receptors along with the cAMP-PKA-CREB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Qin
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control & Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiyu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control & Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Zijiang Wang
- Liaoning Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunting Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control & Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control & Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control & Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengting Wu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control & Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Gaoyang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control & Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Fenghong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Stress and Chronic Disease Control & Prevention (China Medical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
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4
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Johnstone N, Cohen Kadosh K. Excitatory and inhibitory neurochemical markers of anxiety in young females. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2024; 66:101363. [PMID: 38447470 PMCID: PMC10925933 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2024.101363] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Between the ages of 10-25 years the maturing brain is sensitive to a multitude of changes, including neurochemical variations in metabolites. Of the different metabolites, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has long been linked neurobiologically to anxiety symptomology, which begins to manifest in adolescence. To prevent persistent anxiety difficulties into adulthood, we need to understand the maturational trajectories of neurochemicals and how these relate to anxiety levels during this sensitive period. We used magnetic resonance spectroscopy in a sample of younger (aged 10-11) and older (aged 18-25) females to estimate GABA and glutamate levels in brain regions linked to emotion regulation processing, as well as a conceptually distinct control region. Within the Bayesian framework, we found that GABA increased and glutamate decreased with age, negative associations between anxiety and glutamate and GABA ratios in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and a positive relationship of GABA with anxiety levels. The results support the neural over-inhibition hypothesis of anxiety based on GABAergic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Johnstone
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK.
| | - Kathrin Cohen Kadosh
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK.
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Long J, Song X, Wang C, Peng L, Niu L, Li Q, Huang R, Zhang R. Global-brain functional connectivity related with trait anxiety and its association with neurotransmitters and gene expression profiles. J Affect Disord 2024; 348:248-258. [PMID: 38159654 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.12.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous studies have explored the neural correlates of trait anxiety, a predisposing factor for several stress-related disorders. However, the findings from previous studies are inconsistent, which might be due to the limited regions of interest (ROI). A recent approach, named global-brain functional connectivity (GBC), has been demonstrated to address the shortcomings of ROI-based analysis. Furthermore, research on the transcriptome-connectome association has provided an approach to link the microlevel transcriptome profile with the macroscale brain network. In this paper, we aim to explore the neurobiology of trait anxiety with an imaging transcriptomic approach using GBC, biological neurotransmitters, and transcriptome profiles. METHODS Using a sample of resting-state fMRI data, we investigated trait anxiety-related alteration in GBC. We further used behavioral analysis, spatial correlation analysis, and postmortem gene expression to separately assess the cognitive functions, neurotransmitters, and transcriptional profiles related to alteration in GBC in individuals with trait anxiety. RESULTS GBC values in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the precuneus were negatively correlated with levels of trait anxiety. This alteration was correlated with behavioral terms including social cognition, emotion, and memory. A strong association was revealed between trait anxiety-related alteration in GBC and neurotransmitters, including dopaminergic, serotonergic, GABAergic, and glutamatergic systems in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the precuneus. The transcriptional profiles explained the functional connectivity, with correlated genes enriched in transmembrane signaling. LIMITATIONS Several limitations should be taken into account in this research. For example, future research should consider using some different approaches based on dynamic or task-based functional connectivity analysis, include more neurotransmitter receptors, additional gene expression data from different samples or more genes related to other stress-related disorders. Meanwhile, it is of great significance to include a larger sample size of individuals with a diagnosis of major depression disorder or other disorders for analysis and comparison and apply stricter multiple-comparison correction and threshold settings in future research. CONCLUSIONS Our research employed multimodal data to investigate GBC in the context of trait anxiety and to establish its associations with neurotransmitters and transcriptome profiles. This approach may improve understanding of the neural mechanism, together with the biological and molecular genetic foundations of GBC in trait anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixin Long
- Laboratory of Cognitive Control and Brain Healthy, Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqi Song
- Laboratory of Cognitive Control and Brain Healthy, Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chanyu Wang
- Laboratory of Cognitive Control and Brain Healthy, Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Head and Skin, Ghent Experimental Psychiatry (GHEP) lab, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lanxin Peng
- Laboratory of Cognitive Control and Brain Healthy, Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lijing Niu
- Laboratory of Cognitive Control and Brain Healthy, Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian Li
- Laboratory of Cognitive Control and Brain Healthy, Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruiwang Huang
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruibin Zhang
- Laboratory of Cognitive Control and Brain Healthy, Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Psychiatry, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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6
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Zhang YM, Zong HC, Qi YB, Chang LL, Gao YN, Zhou T, Yin T, Liu M, Pan KJ, Chen WG, Guo HR, Guo F, Peng YM, Wang M, Feng LY, Zang Y, Li Y, Li J. Anxiolytic effect of antidiabetic metformin is mediated by AMPK activation in mPFC inhibitory neurons. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3955-3965. [PMID: 37798418 PMCID: PMC10730396 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02283-w] [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: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Diabetic patients receiving the antidiabetic drug metformin have been observed to exhibit a lower prevalence of anxiety disorders, yet the precise mechanism behind this phenomenon is unclear. In our study, we found that anxiety induces a region-specific reduction in AMPK activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Concurrently, transgenic mice with brain-specific AMPK knockout displayed abnormal anxiety-like behaviors. Treatment with metformin or the overexpression of AMPK restored normal AMPK activity in the mPFC and mitigated social stress-induced anxiety-like behaviors. Furthermore, the specific genetic deletion of AMPK in the mPFC not only instigated anxiety in mice but also nullified the anxiolytic effects of metformin. Brain slice recordings revealed that GABAergic excitation and the resulting inhibitory inputs to mPFC pyramidal neurons were selectively diminished in stressed mice. This reduction led to an excitation-inhibition imbalance, which was effectively reversed by metformin treatment or AMPK overexpression. Moreover, the genetic deletion of AMPK in the mPFC resulted in a similar defect in GABAergic inhibitory transmission and a consequent hypo-inhibition of mPFC pyramidal neurons. We also generated a mouse model with AMPK knockout specific to GABAergic neurons. The anxiety-like behaviors in this transgenic mouse demonstrated the unique role of AMPK in the GABAergic system in relation to anxiety. Therefore, our findings suggest that the activation of AMPK in mPFC inhibitory neurons underlies the anxiolytic effects of metformin, highlighting the potential of this primary antidiabetic drug as a therapeutic option for treating anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Mei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hai-Chao Zong
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ying-Bei Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Liu-Liu Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ya-Nan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China
| | - Ting Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Tao Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Meng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Kai-Jun Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China
| | - Wen-Gang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China
| | - Hao-Ran Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fei Guo
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Department of Neuropharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yan-Min Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Min Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lin-Yin Feng
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Department of Neuropharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yi Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Lin Gang Laboratory, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| | - Yang Li
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Department of Neuropharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
| | - Jia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China.
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Tsuihang New District, Zhongshan, Guangzhou, 528400, China.
- Drug Discovery Shandong Laboratory, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, Shandong, 264117, China.
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7
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Bramson B, Meijer S, van Nuland A, Toni I, Roelofs K. Anxious individuals shift emotion control from lateral frontal pole to dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4880. [PMID: 37573436 PMCID: PMC10423291 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40666-3] [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: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Anxious individuals consistently fail in controlling emotional behavior, leading to excessive avoidance, a trait that prevents learning through exposure. Although the origin of this failure is unclear, one candidate system involves control of emotional actions, coordinated through lateral frontopolar cortex (FPl) via amygdala and sensorimotor connections. Using structural, functional, and neurochemical evidence, we show how FPl-based emotional action control fails in highly-anxious individuals. Their FPl is overexcitable, as indexed by GABA/glutamate ratio at rest, and receives stronger amygdalofugal projections than non-anxious male participants. Yet, high-anxious individuals fail to recruit FPl during emotional action control, relying instead on dorsolateral and medial prefrontal areas. This functional anatomical shift is proportional to FPl excitability and amygdalofugal projections strength. The findings characterize circuit-level vulnerabilities in anxious individuals, showing that even mild emotional challenges can saturate FPl neural range, leading to a neural bottleneck in the control of emotional action tendencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bob Bramson
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6525 EN, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Behavioral Science Institute (BSI), Radboud University Nijmegen, 6525 HR, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Sjoerd Meijer
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6525 EN, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Annelies van Nuland
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6525 EN, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ivan Toni
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6525 EN, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Karin Roelofs
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6525 EN, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Behavioral Science Institute (BSI), Radboud University Nijmegen, 6525 HR, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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8
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Zhao K, Fonzo GA, Xie H, Oathes DJ, Keller CJ, Carlisle N, Etkin A, Garza-Villarreal EA, Zhang Y. A generalizable functional connectivity signature characterizes brain dysfunction and links to rTMS treatment response in cocaine use disorder. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.04.21.23288948. [PMID: 37162878 PMCID: PMC10168499 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.21.23288948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a prevalent substance abuse disorder, and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown potential in reducing cocaine cravings. However, a robust and replicable biomarker for CUD phenotyping is lacking, and the association between CUD brain phenotypes and treatment response remains unclear. Our study successfully established a cross-validated functional connectivity signature for accurate CUD phenotyping, using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging from a discovery cohort, and demonstrated its generalizability in an independent replication cohort. We identified phenotyping FCs involving increased connectivity between the visual network and dorsal attention network, and between the frontoparietal control network and ventral attention network, as well as decreased connectivity between the default mode network and limbic network in CUD patients compared to healthy controls. These abnormal connections correlated significantly with other drug use history and cognitive dysfunctions, e.g., non-planning impulsivity. We further confirmed the prognostic potential of the identified discriminative FCs for rTMS treatment response in CUD patients and found that the treatment-predictive FCs mainly involved the frontoparietal control and default mode networks. Our findings provide new insights into the neurobiological mechanisms of CUD and the association between CUD phenotypes and rTMS treatment response, offering promising targets for future therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanhao Zhao
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA
| | - Gregory A. Fonzo
- Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, USA
| | - Hua Xie
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
- George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Desmond J. Oathes
- Center for Neuromodulation in Depression and Stress, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, PA, USA
| | - Corey J. Keller
- Wu Tsai Neuroscience Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nancy Carlisle
- Department of Psychology, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA
| | - Amit Etkin
- Alto Neuroscience, Inc., Los Altos, CA, USA
| | - Eduardo A Garza-Villarreal
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México campus Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA
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Zacharopoulos G, Sella F, Cohen Kadosh K, Emir U, Cohen Kadosh R. The effect of parietal glutamate/GABA balance on test anxiety levels in early childhood in a cross-sectional and longitudinal study. Cereb Cortex 2022; 32:3243-3253. [PMID: 34963130 PMCID: PMC9340388 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The increased prevalence of test anxiety in our competitive society makes it a health issue of public concern. However, its neurobiological basis, especially during the years of formal education, is currently scant. Previous research has highlighted the association between neural excitation/inhibition balance and psychopathology and disease. We examined whether the glutamate/GABA profile tracks test anxiety levels in development, using a cross-sectional and longitudinal design in a cohort spanning from early childhood to early adulthood (N = 289), reassessed approximately 21 months later (N = 194). We used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to noninvasively quantify glutamate and gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and the middle frontal gyrus. We show that the glutamate/GABA balance within the IPS relates to current individual variation in test anxiety levels and predict future test anxiety approximately 21 months later. Critically, this relationship was observed during early childhood but not during the later developmental stages. Our results extend the use of the excitation/inhibition balance framework to characterize the psychopathology mechanisms of test anxiety, an underexplored yet widespread and debilitating condition that can impact early child development. Our findings provide a better understanding of the neurotransmitter basis underlying the emergence of anxiety disorders during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Zacharopoulos
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
- School of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Francesco Sella
- Centre for Mathematical Cognition, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK
| | - Kathrin Cohen Kadosh
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Uzay Emir
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2051, USA
| | - Roi Cohen Kadosh
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
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10
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Yao H, Zhang D, Yu H, Shen H, Lan X, Liu H, Chen X, Wu X, Zhang G, Wang X. Chronic ethanol exposure induced anxiety‐like behaviour by altering gut microbiota and GABA system. Addict Biol 2022; 27:e13203. [DOI: 10.1111/adb.13203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Yao
- Department of Forensic Pathology China Medical University School of Forensic Medicine Shenyang Liaoning China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio‐evidence Sciences Shenyang Liaoning China
- China Medical University Center of Forensic Investigation Shenyang Liaoning China
| | - Dalin Zhang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery The 1st Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang China
| | - Hao Yu
- Department of Forensic Pathology China Medical University School of Forensic Medicine Shenyang Liaoning China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio‐evidence Sciences Shenyang Liaoning China
- China Medical University Center of Forensic Investigation Shenyang Liaoning China
| | - Hui Shen
- Department of Forensic Pathology China Medical University School of Forensic Medicine Shenyang Liaoning China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio‐evidence Sciences Shenyang Liaoning China
- China Medical University Center of Forensic Investigation Shenyang Liaoning China
| | - Xinze Lan
- Department of Forensic Pathology China Medical University School of Forensic Medicine Shenyang Liaoning China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio‐evidence Sciences Shenyang Liaoning China
- China Medical University Center of Forensic Investigation Shenyang Liaoning China
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Forensic Pathology China Medical University School of Forensic Medicine Shenyang Liaoning China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio‐evidence Sciences Shenyang Liaoning China
- China Medical University Center of Forensic Investigation Shenyang Liaoning China
| | - Xiaohuan Chen
- Department of Forensic Pathology China Medical University School of Forensic Medicine Shenyang Liaoning China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio‐evidence Sciences Shenyang Liaoning China
- China Medical University Center of Forensic Investigation Shenyang Liaoning China
| | - Xu Wu
- Department of Forensic Pathology China Medical University School of Forensic Medicine Shenyang Liaoning China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio‐evidence Sciences Shenyang Liaoning China
- China Medical University Center of Forensic Investigation Shenyang Liaoning China
| | - Guohua Zhang
- Department of Forensic Pathology China Medical University School of Forensic Medicine Shenyang Liaoning China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio‐evidence Sciences Shenyang Liaoning China
- China Medical University Center of Forensic Investigation Shenyang Liaoning China
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- Department of Forensic Pathology China Medical University School of Forensic Medicine Shenyang Liaoning China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Forensic Bio‐evidence Sciences Shenyang Liaoning China
- China Medical University Center of Forensic Investigation Shenyang Liaoning China
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11
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Milbocker KA, Campbell TS, Collins N, Kim S, Smith IF, Roth TL, Klintsova AY. Glia-Driven Brain Circuit Refinement Is Altered by Early-Life Adversity: Behavioral Outcomes. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:786234. [PMID: 34924972 PMCID: PMC8678604 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.786234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Early-life adversity (ELA), often clinically referred to as "adverse childhood experiences (ACE)," is the exposure to stress-inducing events in childhood that can result in poor health outcomes. ELA negatively affects neurodevelopment in children and adolescents resulting in several behavioral deficits and increasing the risk of developing a myriad of neuropsychiatric disorders later in life. The neurobiological mechanisms by which ELA alters neurodevelopment in childhood have been the focus of numerous reviews. However, a comprehensive review of the mechanisms affecting adolescent neurodevelopment (i.e., synaptic pruning and myelination) is lacking. Synaptic pruning and myelination are glia-driven processes that are imperative for brain circuit refinement during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Failure to optimize brain circuitry between key brain structures involved in learning and memory, such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, leads to the emergence of maladaptive behaviors including increased anxiety or reduced executive function. As such, we review preclinical and clinical literature to explore the immediate and lasting effects of ELA on brain circuit development and refinement. Finally, we describe a number of therapeutic interventions best-suited to support adolescent neurodevelopment in children with a history of ELA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Anna Y. Klintsova
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
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12
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Suzuki Y, Tanaka SC. Functions of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex in emotion regulation under stress. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18225. [PMID: 34521947 PMCID: PMC8440524 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97751-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent neuroimaging studies suggest that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) contributes to regulation of emotion. However, the adaptive response of the vmPFC under acute stress is not understood. We used fMRI to analyse brain activity of people viewing and rating the emotional strength of emotional images after acute social stress. Here, we show that the vmPFC is strongly activated by highly emotional images, indicating its involvement in emotional regulation, and that the midbrain is activated as a main effect of stress during the emotional response. vmPFC activation also exhibits individual differences in behavioural scores reflecting individual reactions to stress. Moreover, functional connectivity between the vmPFC and midbrain under stress reflects stress-induced emotion regulation. Those results suggest that the functions of the network including the vmPFC in emotion regulation is affected by stress depending on the individuals' level of reaction to the stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukihiro Suzuki
- Faculty of Information Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, Japan. .,Brain Information Communication Research Laboratory Group, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institutes International, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Saori C Tanaka
- Faculty of Information Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, Japan. .,Brain Information Communication Research Laboratory Group, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institutes International, Kyoto, Japan.
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13
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Liu S, Zhang X, Wang Q, Xu Y, Huang X, Liu T, Yang Z, Xiang Z, Lu C, Chen Y, Chen J, Yang J. Increased attentional network activity in premature ejaculation patients with anxiety revealed by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:5417-5426. [PMID: 34327757 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Psychological account hypothesizes that premature ejaculation (PE) is a learned pattern of rapid ejaculation maintained by anxiety about sexual failure, whereas neuropsychological accounts hypothesizes that PE is the result of dysfunction of central nervous system regulating ejaculatory. However, the central neural mechanism underlying PE patients with anxiety remains unclear. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were collected in 20 PE (diagnoses based on PE Guidelines drafted by the International Society for Sexual Medicine [ISSM]) patients with anxiety and 25 matched healthy controls (HCs) from January 2019 to December 2020. The values of fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) were compared between groups. Moreover, the correlations between fALFF and the severity of PE and anxiety of patients were examined. PE patients with anxiety had increased fALFF values in the right inferior frontal gyrus (opercular part) and middle frontal gyrus. In addition, significant positive correlations were found between the scores of PE diagnostic tool (PEDT) and fALFF values of the right inferior frontal gyrus (opercular part), as well as the right middle frontal gyrus. Moreover, fALFF values of the right inferior frontal gyrus (opercular part) and middle frontal gyrus were positively correlated with the scores of self-rating anxiety scale (SAS). Our results suggested that increased attentional network activity might play a critical role in the neural basis of PE patients with anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaowei Liu
- Department of Radiology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Andrology, Yangzhou Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Yangzhou, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinfei Huang
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhaoxu Yang
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ziliang Xiang
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Chao Lu
- Department of Radiology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianhuai Chen
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Urology, Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Urology, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, China
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14
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Carrarini C, Russo M, Dono F, Barbone F, Rispoli MG, Ferri L, Di Pietro M, Digiovanni A, Ajdinaj P, Speranza R, Granzotto A, Frazzini V, Thomas A, Pilotto A, Padovani A, Onofrj M, Sensi SL, Bonanni L. Agitation and Dementia: Prevention and Treatment Strategies in Acute and Chronic Conditions. Front Neurol 2021; 12:644317. [PMID: 33935943 PMCID: PMC8085397 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.644317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Agitation is a behavioral syndrome characterized by increased, often undirected, motor activity, restlessness, aggressiveness, and emotional distress. According to several observations, agitation prevalence ranges from 30 to 50% in Alzheimer's disease, 30% in dementia with Lewy bodies, 40% in frontotemporal dementia, and 40% in vascular dementia (VaD). With an overall prevalence of about 30%, agitation is the third most common neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in dementia, after apathy and depression, and it is even more frequent (80%) in residents of nursing homes. The pathophysiological mechanism underlying agitation is represented by a frontal lobe dysfunction, mostly involving the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), respectively, meaningful in selecting the salient stimuli and subsequent decision-making and behavioral reactions. Furthermore, increased sensitivity to noradrenergic signaling has been observed, possibly due to a frontal lobe up-regulation of adrenergic receptors, as a reaction to the depletion of noradrenergic neurons within the locus coeruleus (LC). Indeed, LC neurons mainly project toward the OFC and ACC. These observations may explain the abnormal reactivity to weak stimuli and the global arousal found in many patients who have dementia. Furthermore, agitation can be precipitated by several factors, e.g., the sunset or low lighted environments as in the sundown syndrome, hospitalization, the admission to nursing residencies, or changes in pharmacological regimens. In recent days, the global pandemic has increased agitation incidence among dementia patients and generated higher distress levels in patients and caregivers. Hence, given the increasing presence of this condition and its related burden on society and the health system, the present point of view aims at providing an extensive guide to facilitate the identification, prevention, and management of acute and chronic agitation in dementia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Carrarini
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Mirella Russo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Fedele Dono
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Filomena Barbone
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Marianna G Rispoli
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Laura Ferri
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Martina Di Pietro
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Anna Digiovanni
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Paola Ajdinaj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Rino Speranza
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Alberto Granzotto
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology-CAST, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Institute for Mind Impairments and Neurological Disorders-iMIND, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Valerio Frazzini
- Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology-CAST, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, INSERM UMRS 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France.,AP-HP, GH Pitie-Salpêtrière-Charles Foix, Epilepsy Unit and Neurophysiology Department, Paris, France
| | - Astrid Thomas
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Andrea Pilotto
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre, FERB ONLUS-S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy
| | - Alessandro Padovani
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Onofrj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology-CAST, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefano L Sensi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology-CAST, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Laura Bonanni
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology-CAST, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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15
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Trait anxiety, a personality risk factor associated with Alzheimer's Disease. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 105:110124. [PMID: 33035604 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease in elderly population and the leading cause of dementia worldwide. While senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles have been proposed as the principal histopathologic hallmarks of AD, the exact etiology of this disease is still far from being clearly understood. AD has been recognized as pathological consequences of complex interactions among genetic, aging, medical, life style and psychosocial factors. Recently, the roles of neuroticism personality traits in AD incidence and progression have come into focus. More specifically, increasing evidence has further shown that the trait anxiety, one major component of neuroticism predicting the individual vulnerability in response to stress, is a risk factor for AD and may correlated with various AD pathologies. In this review, we summarized recent literature on the association of trait anxiety with AD. We also discussed the possible neuroendocrinological and neurochemical mechanisms of this association, which may provide clinical implications for AD diagnosis and therapy.
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16
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Clinical and Functional Connectivity Outcomes of 5-Hz Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as an Add-on Treatment in Cocaine Use Disorder: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2021; 6:745-757. [PMID: 33508499 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a global condition lacking effective treatment. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may reduce craving and frequency of cocaine use, but little is known about its efficacy and neural effects. We sought to elucidate short- and long-term clinical benefits of 5-Hz rTMS as an add-on to standard treatment in patients with CUD and discern underlying functional connectivity effects using magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS A total of 44 patients with CUD were randomly assigned to complete the 2-week double-blind randomized controlled trial (acute phase) (sham [n = 20, 2 female] and active [n = 24, 4 female]), in which they received two daily sessions of rTMS on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (PFC). Subsequently, 20 patients with CUD continued to an open-label maintenance phase for 6 months (two weekly sessions for up to 6 mo). RESULTS rTMS plus standard treatment for 2 weeks significantly reduced craving (baseline: 3.9 ± 3.6; 2 weeks: 1.5 ± 2.4, p = .013, d = 0.77) and impulsivity (baseline: 64.8 ± 16.8; 2 weeks: 53.1 ± 17.4, p = .011, d = 0.79) in the active group. We also found increased functional connectivity between the left dorsolateral PFC and ventromedial PFC and between the ventromedial PFC and right angular gyrus. Clinical and functional connectivity effects were maintained for 3 months, but they dissipated by 6 months. We did not observe reduction in positive results for cocaine in urine; however, self-reported frequency and grams consumed for 6 months were reduced. CONCLUSIONS With this randomized controlled trial, we show that 5-Hz rTMS has potential promise as an adjunctive treatment for CUD and merits further research.
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17
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Green TA, Baracz SJ, Everett NA, Robinson KJ, Cornish JL. Differential effects of GABA A receptor activation in the prelimbic and orbitofrontal cortices on anxiety. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:3237-3247. [PMID: 32666257 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05606-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The development of effective anxiety treatments has been hindered by limited understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms involved in anxiety regulation. Whilst gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is one mechanism consistently implicated in anxiety regulation, PFC subregions may contribute uniquely. OBJECTIVES The present study examined the effects of inactivating the PFC subregions of the prelimbic cortex (PrL) or orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) through GABAA receptor (GABAAR) activation, on anxiety behaviours in male Wistar rats. METHODS Sixty-six male Wistar rats were surgically implanted with bilateral cannulae into the PrL (n = 33) or the OFC (n = 33). Rats then received a microinjection of either the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol or vehicle prior to each experiment, conducted 1 week apart. Measures of anxiety were examined using the elevated plus maze (EPM) and the emergence test (ET). The effect on locomotor activity (baseline or methamphetamine-induced) was also tested. RESULTS Differential effects of brain region inactivation on anxiety-like behaviour were shown by measures in the EPM and ET; muscimol infused into the PrL-reduced anxiety-like behaviour, yet had no significant effect when infused into the OFC, compared with control treated rats. No effects on locomotor activity at baseline or following methamphetamine treatment were found. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights that activation of GABAARs specifically within the PrL, but not OFC, reduces anxiety behaviours in male rats. This suggests that activity of the PrL plays a more important role than the OFC in the neurobiological mechanisms of unconditioned anxiety and should be targeted for future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trudy A Green
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Sarah J Baracz
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.,Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Nick A Everett
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Katherine J Robinson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Jennifer L Cornish
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia. .,Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
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18
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Qiao J, Tao S, Wang X, Shi J, Chen Y, Tian S, Yao Z, Lu Q. Brain functional abnormalities in the amygdala subregions is associated with anxious depression. J Affect Disord 2020; 276:653-659. [PMID: 32871697 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.06.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional neuroimaging studies have provided strong support for the critical role the amygdala plays in emotional processing. The amygdala is composed of three primary distinct nuclei that have different functions in emotional regulation. Anxious depression (AD) was considered as a common dimensional symptom of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). However, the neuroimaging basis of this special MDD subtype remains largely unknown. Therefore, it is necessary to study the functional connectivity of the amygdala's subregions in AD patients. METHODS Eighty-three patients with AD, 70 non-anxious depression (NAD) patients, and 62 healthy controls were collected. Age and gender were well-matched. The functional connectivity of three amygdala subregions, including centromedial (CM), laterobasal (LB), and superficial (SF), were compared among the AD, NAD, and HC groups. The correlation between functional connectivity in the amygdala subregions and the HAMD factor scores were further analyzed. RESULTS Patients with AD showed decreased functional connectivity between the right CM/LB and the right middle frontal gyrus relative to the NAD group. The NAD patients showed decreased functional connectivity between the right precentral gyrus and the right CM/SF compared to the HC group. The functional connectivity between the right CM and the right middle frontal gyrus was negatively correlated with the anxiety/somatization factor. CONCLUSION The functional connectivity between the right CM/LB and the right middle frontal gyrus might be the neurobiological mechanism of anxious depression. The FC between the right CM and the right middle frontal gyrus may help to explain the special clinical feature of the AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Qiao
- Department of Psychiatry, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China; Department of Psychiatry, Xuzhou Oriental Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Shiwan Tao
- Department of Psychiatry, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Xinyi Wang
- School of Biological Sciences & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; Child Development and Learning Science, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, China
| | - Jiabo Shi
- Department of Psychiatry, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China; Nanjing Brain Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China; Nanjing Brain Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Shui Tian
- School of Biological Sciences & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; Child Development and Learning Science, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, China
| | - Zhijian Yao
- Department of Psychiatry, the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China; Nanjing Brain Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
| | - Qing Lu
- School of Biological Sciences & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; Child Development and Learning Science, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, China.
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19
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Ferreira RDS, Mendonça LABM, Ribeiro CFA, Calças NC, Guimarães RDCA, Nascimento VAD, Gielow KDCF, Carvalho CME, Castro APD, Franco OL. Relationship between intestinal microbiota, diet and biological systems: an integrated view. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2020; 62:1166-1186. [PMID: 33115284 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2020.1836605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The health-disease process can be influenced by the intestinal microbiota. As this plays a fundamental role in protecting the organism, the importance of studying the composition and diversity of this community becomes increasingly evident. Changes in the composition of the intestinal bacterial community may result in dysbiosis, and this process may contribute to triggering various diseases in all biological systems. This imbalance of intestinal microbiota homeostasis may alter commensal bacteria and the host metabolism, as well as immune function. Dysbiosis also causes an increase in intestinal permeability due to exposure to molecular patterns associated with the pathogen and lipopolysaccharides, leading to a chronic inflammatory process that can result in diseases for all biological systems. In this context, dietary intervention through the use of probiotics, prebiotics and antioxidant foods can be considered a contribution to the modulation of intestinal microbiota. Probiotics have been used to provide up to 10 billion colony forming units, and probiotic foods, Kefir and fermented natural yogurt are also used. Prebiotics, in turn, are found in supplemental formulations of processed foods and in functional foods that are also sources of phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. In this review, we will discuss the relationship between an imbalance in the intestinal microbiota with the development of diseases, besides indicating the need for future studies that can establish bacterial parameters for the gastrointestinal tract by modulating the intestinal microbiota, associated with the adoption of healthy habits during all life cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosângela Dos Santos Ferreira
- S-Inova Biotech, Post Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Catholic University Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Camila Fontoura Acosta Ribeiro
- S-Inova Biotech, Post Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Catholic University Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Natali Camposano Calças
- S-Inova Biotech, Post Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Catholic University Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rita de Cássia Avellaneda Guimarães
- Post Graduate Program in Health and Development in the Central-West Region of Brazil, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Valter Aragão do Nascimento
- Post Graduate Program in Health and Development in the Central-West Region of Brazil, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Karine de Cássia Freitas Gielow
- Post Graduate Program in Health and Development in the Central-West Region of Brazil, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Alinne Pereira de Castro
- S-Inova Biotech, Post Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Catholic University Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Octávio Luiz Franco
- S-Inova Biotech, Post Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Catholic University Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.,Center of Proteomic and Biochemical Analysis, Post Graduate Program in Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Distrito Federal, Brazil
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20
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Delli Pizzi S, Franciotti R, Ferretti A, Edden RA, Zöllner HJ, Esposito R, Bubbico G, Aiello C, Calvanese F, Sensi SL, Tartaro A, Onofrj M, Bonanni L. High
γ‐Aminobutyric
Acid Content Within the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Is a Functional Signature of Somatic Symptoms Disorder in Patients With Parkinson's Disease. Mov Disord 2020; 35:2184-2192. [DOI: 10.1002/mds.28221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Delli Pizzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐Pescara Chieti Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), “G. d'Annunzio” University Chieti‐Pescara Italy
- Center of Aging Sciences and Translational Medicine University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐Pescara Chieti Italy
| | - Raffaella Franciotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐Pescara Chieti Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), “G. d'Annunzio” University Chieti‐Pescara Italy
- Center of Aging Sciences and Translational Medicine University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐Pescara Chieti Italy
| | - Antonio Ferretti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐Pescara Chieti Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), “G. d'Annunzio” University Chieti‐Pescara Italy
| | - Richard A.E. Edden
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore Maryland USA
- F.M. Kirby Center for Functional MRI Kennedy Krieger Institute Baltimore Maryland USA
| | - Helge J. Zöllner
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore Maryland USA
- F.M. Kirby Center for Functional MRI Kennedy Krieger Institute Baltimore Maryland USA
| | | | - Giovanna Bubbico
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐Pescara Chieti Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), “G. d'Annunzio” University Chieti‐Pescara Italy
| | - Claudia Aiello
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐Pescara Chieti Italy
| | - Francesco Calvanese
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐Pescara Chieti Italy
| | - Stefano L. Sensi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐Pescara Chieti Italy
- Center of Aging Sciences and Translational Medicine University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐Pescara Chieti Italy
| | - Armando Tartaro
- Department of Medical Sciences, Oral and Biotechnology University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐Pescara Chieti Italy
| | - Marco Onofrj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐Pescara Chieti Italy
- Center of Aging Sciences and Translational Medicine University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐Pescara Chieti Italy
| | - Laura Bonanni
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐Pescara Chieti Italy
- Center of Aging Sciences and Translational Medicine University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐Pescara Chieti Italy
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21
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Icenhour A, Tapper S, Bednarska O, Witt ST, Tisell A, Lundberg P, Elsenbruch S, Walter S. Elucidating the putative link between prefrontal neurotransmission, functional connectivity, and affective symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13590. [PMID: 31537890 PMCID: PMC6753205 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50024-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered neural mechanisms are well-acknowledged in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a disorder of brain-gut-communication highly comorbid with anxiety and depression. As a key hub in corticolimbic inhibition, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) may be involved in disturbed emotion regulation in IBS. However, aberrant mPFC excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission potentially contributing to psychological symptoms in IBS remains unknown. Using quantitative magnetic resonance spectroscopy (qMRS), we compared mPFC glutamate + glutamine (Glx) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA+) concentrations in 64 women with IBS and 32 age-matched healthy women (HCs) and investigated their association with anxiety and depression in correlational and subgroup analyses. Applying functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we explored whether altered neurotransmission was paralleled by aberrant mPFC resting-state functional connectivity (FC). IBS patients did not differ from HCs with respect to mPFC GABA+ or Glx levels. Anxiety was positively associated with mPFC GABA+ concentrations in IBS, whereas Glx was unrelated to psychological or gastrointestinal symptoms. Subgroup comparisons of patients with high or low anxiety symptom severity and HCs revealed increased GABA+ in patients with high symptom severity, and lower mPFC FC with adjacent anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a crucial region of emotion modulation. Our findings provide novel evidence that altered prefrontal inhibitory neurotransmission may be linked to anxiety in IBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriane Icenhour
- Department of Gastroenterology and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Sofie Tapper
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Olga Bednarska
- Department of Gastroenterology and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Suzanne T Witt
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anders Tisell
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Radiation Physics, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Radiology, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Peter Lundberg
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Radiation Physics, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Radiology, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Sigrid Elsenbruch
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Susanna Walter
- Department of Gastroenterology and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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22
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Page CE, Coutellier L. Prefrontal excitatory/inhibitory balance in stress and emotional disorders: Evidence for over-inhibition. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 105:39-51. [PMID: 31377218 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Chronic stress-induced emotional disorders like anxiety and depression involve imbalances between the excitatory glutamatergic system and the inhibitory GABAergic system in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). However, the precise nature and trajectory of excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) imbalances in these conditions is not clear, with the literature reporting glutamatergic and GABAergic findings that are at times contradictory and inconclusive. Here we propose and discuss the hypothesis that chronic stress-induced emotional dysfunction involves hypoactivity of the PFC due to increased inhibition. We will also discuss E/I imbalances in the context of sex differences. In this review, we will synthesize research about how glutamatergic and GABAergic systems are perturbed by chronic stress and in related emotional disorders like anxiety and depression and propose ideas for reconciling contradictory findings in support of the hypothesis of over-inhibition. We will also discuss evidence for how aspects of the GABAergic system such as parvalbumin (PV) cells can be targeted therapeutically for reinstating activity and plasticity in the PFC and treating stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe E Page
- Department of Neuroscience, Ohio State University, Columbus OH, United States
| | - Laurence Coutellier
- Department of Neuroscience, Ohio State University, Columbus OH, United States; Department of Psychology, Ohio State University, Columbus OH, United States.
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23
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Jovicich J, Babiloni C, Ferrari C, Marizzoni M, Moretti DV, Del Percio C, Lizio R, Lopez S, Galluzzi S, Albani D, Cavaliere L, Minati L, Didic M, Fiedler U, Forloni G, Hensch T, Molinuevo JL, Bartrés Faz D, Nobili F, Orlandi D, Parnetti L, Farotti L, Costa C, Payoux P, Rossini PM, Marra C, Schönknecht P, Soricelli A, Noce G, Salvatore M, Tsolaki M, Visser PJ, Richardson JC, Wiltfang J, Bordet R, Blin O, Frisoniand GB. Two-Year Longitudinal Monitoring of Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients with Prodromal Alzheimer’s Disease Using Topographical Biomarkers Derived from Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Electroencephalographic Activity. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 69:15-35. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-180158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Jovicich
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Italy
| | - Claudio Babiloni
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Hospital San Raffaele Pisana of Rome and Cassino, Rome and Cassino, Italy
| | - Clarissa Ferrari
- Unit of Statistics, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Moira Marizzoni
- Lab Alzheimer’s Neuroimaging & Epidemiology, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Davide V. Moretti
- Alzheimer’s Epidemiology and Rehabilitation in Alzheimer’s disease Operative Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Lizio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna Lopez
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Samantha Galluzzi
- Lab Alzheimer’s Neuroimaging & Epidemiology, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Diego Albani
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milano, Italy
| | - Libera Cavaliere
- Lab Alzheimer’s Neuroimaging & Epidemiology, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Mira Didic
- Aix-Marseille Université, INSERM, INS UMR_S 1106, Marseille, France; Service de Neurologie et Neuropsychologie, APHM Hôpital Timone Adultes, Marseille, France
- APHM, Timone, Service de Neurologie et Neuropsychologie, APHM Hôpital Timone Adultes, Marseille, France
| | - Ute Fiedler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LVR-Hospital Essen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Gianluigi Forloni
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milano, Italy
| | - Tilman Hensch
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - José Luis Molinuevo
- Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders unit, Neurology Service, ICN Hospital Clinic i Universitari and Pasqual Maragall Foundation Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Bartrés Faz
- Department of Medicine, Medical Psychology Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Flavio Nobili
- Department of Neuroscience (DINOGMI), Neurology Clinic, University of Genoa, Italy
- U.O. Clinica Neurologica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Daniele Orlandi
- Lab Alzheimer’s Neuroimaging & Epidemiology, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Lucilla Parnetti
- Clinica Neurologica, Università di Perugia, Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Lucia Farotti
- Clinica Neurologica, Università di Perugia, Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Cinzia Costa
- Clinica Neurologica, Università di Perugia, Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Pierre Payoux
- ToNIC, Toulouse NeuroImaging Center, Université de Toulouse, Inserm, UPS, France
| | - Paolo Maria Rossini
- Department of Gerontology, Neurosciences & Orthopedics, Catholic University, Policlinic A. Gemelli Foundation-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Camillo Marra
- Department of Gerontology, Neurosciences & Orthopedics, Catholic University, Policlinic A. Gemelli Foundation-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Peter Schönknecht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Magda Tsolaki
- 1st University Department of Neurology, AHEPA Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Makedonia, Greece
| | - Pieter Jelle Visser
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Centre, VU Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jill C. Richardson
- Neurosciences Therapeutic Area, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, UK
| | - Jens Wiltfang
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LVR-Hospital Essen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LVR-Hospital Essen, Faculty of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Régis Bordet
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1171 - Degenerative and vascular cognitive disorders, Lille, France
| | - Olivier Blin
- Aix Marseille University, UMR-CNRS 7289, Service de Pharmacologie Clinique, AP-HM, Marseille, France
| | - Giovanni B. Frisoniand
- Lab Alzheimer’s Neuroimaging & Epidemiology, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
- Memory Clinic and LANVIE - Laboratory of Neuroimaging of Aging, University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Glutamate Within the Marmoset Anterior Hippocampus Interacts with Area 25 to Regulate the Behavioral and Cardiovascular Correlates of High-Trait Anxiety. J Neurosci 2019; 39:3094-3107. [PMID: 30718320 PMCID: PMC6468106 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2451-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
High-trait anxiety is a risk factor for the development of affective disorders and has been associated with decreased cardiovascular and behavioral responsivity to acute stressors in humans that may increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Although human neuroimaging studies of high-trait anxiety reveals dysregulation in primate cingulate areas 25 and 32 and the anterior hippocampus (aHipp) and rodent studies reveal the importance of aHipp glutamatergic hypofunction, the causal involvement of aHipp glutamate and its interaction with these areas in the primate brain is unknown. Accordingly, we correlated marmoset trait anxiety scores to their postmortem aHipp glutamate levels and showed that low glutamate in the right aHipp is associated with high-trait anxiety in marmosets. Moreover, pharmacologically increasing aHipp glutamate reduced anxiety levels in highly anxious marmosets in two uncertainty-based tests of anxiety: exposure to a human intruder with uncertain intent and unpredictable loud noise. In the human intruder test, increasing aHipp glutamate decreased anxiety by increasing approach to the intruder. In the unpredictable threat test, animals showed blunted behavioral and cardiovascular responsivity after control infusions, which was normalized by increasing aHipp glutamate. However, this aHipp-mediated anxiolytic effect was blocked by simultaneous pharmacological inactivation of area 25, but not area 32, areas which when inactivated independently reduced and had no effect on anxiety, respectively. These findings provide causal evidence in male and female primates that aHipp glutamatergic hypofunction and its regulation by area 25 contribute to the behavioral and cardiovascular symptoms of endogenous high-trait anxiety.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT High-trait anxiety predisposes sufferers to the development of anxiety and depression. Although neuroimaging of these disorders and rodent modeling implicate dysregulation in hippocampal glutamate and the subgenual/perigenual cingulate cortices (areas 25/32), the causal involvement of these structures in endogenous high-trait anxiety and their interaction are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that increased trait anxiety in marmoset monkeys correlates with reduced hippocampal glutamate and that increasing hippocampal glutamate release in high-trait-anxious monkeys normalizes the aberrant behavioral and cardiovascular responsivity to potential threats. This normalization was blocked by simultaneous inactivation of area 25, but not area 32. These findings provide casual evidence in primates that hippocampal glutamatergic hypofunction regulates endogenous high-trait anxiety and the hippocampal-area 25 circuit is a potential therapeutic target.
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The role of mid-insula in the relationship between cardiac interoceptive attention and anxiety: evidence from an fMRI study. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17280. [PMID: 30467392 PMCID: PMC6250688 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35635-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Interoception refers to the perception of the internal bodily states. Recent accounts highlight the role of the insula in both interoception and the subjective experience of anxiety. The current study aimed to delve deeper into the neural correlates of cardiac interoception; more specifically, the relationship between interoception-related insular activity, interoceptive accuracy, and anxiety. This was done using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in an experimental design in which 40 healthy volunteers focused on their heartbeat and anxious events. Interoceptive accuracy and anxiety levels were measured using the Heartbeat Perception Task and State Trait Anxiety Inventory, respectively. The results showed posterior, mid and anterior insular activity during cardiac interoception, whereas anxiety-related activation showed only anterior insular activity. Activation of the anterior insula when focused on cardiac interoception was positively correlated to state and trait anxiety levels, respectively. Moreover, the mid-insular activity during the cardiac attention condition not only related to individuals’ interoceptive accuracy but also to their levels of state and trait anxiety, respectively. These findings confirm that there are distinct neural representations of heartbeat attention and anxious experience across the insular regions, and suggest the mid-insula as a crucial link between cardiac interoception and anxiety.
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26
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Rosa LA. Solving the prefrontal conundrum of high-order anxiety: conciliating HOTEC and hypofrontality. A theoretical review. Cogn Neuropsychiatry 2018; 23:335-349. [PMID: 30256715 DOI: 10.1080/13546805.2018.1527217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION According to the High-order Theory of Emotional Consciousness (HOTEC), every emotional process is a conscious and high-order state of mind carried out by the General Networks of Cognition (GNC), which consists mainly of prefrontal mechanisms. This means that anxiety is also an emotional state of mind carried out by the GNC (positive correlation). However, numerous studies have suggested what is commonly called "hypofrontality" during states of anxiety (negative correlation), which seems to give rise to a theoretical and empirical contraction. METHODS I present a theoretical review to address the following issue: how to advocate a HOTEC view of anxiety in the face of a growing paradigm of hypofrontality during states of anxiety? RESULTS Here I propose that dmPFC, the dACC, and the anterior insula are GNC areas positively correlated with anxiety, which, along with the prefrontal areas responsible for regulating the activation of survival circuits and driving the attention to adaptive ways to overcome potential threats, form an interconnective model of anticipatory and regulatory mechanisms related to learned threats based on autobiographical memories. CONCLUSIONS Through this model, I propose that HOTEC is still a valid way to approach and understand both healthy and unhealthy anxious states of mind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Augusto Rosa
- a Psychology of Learning Laboratory (LPA), Department of Psychology , Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) , São Carlos , Brazil
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27
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Weger M, Sandi C. High anxiety trait: A vulnerable phenotype for stress-induced depression. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 87:27-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Revised: 01/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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28
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Manippa V, Padulo C, van der Laan LN, Brancucci A. Gender Differences in Food Choice: Effects of Superior Temporal Sulcus Stimulation. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 11:597. [PMID: 29270120 PMCID: PMC5725471 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The easy availability of food has caused a shift from eating for survival to hedonic eating. Women, compared to men, have shown to respond differently to food cues in the environment on a behavioral and a neural level, in particular to energy rich (compared to low energy) foods. It has been demonstrated that the right posterior superior temporal sulcus (STS) is the only region exhibiting greater activation for high vs. low calorie food choices. In order to test for a possible causal role of STS in food choice, we applied high frequency transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) on STS assuming a different response pattern between males and females. Our participants (18 females, 17 males) performed a forced choice task between food pairs matched for individual liking but differed in calorie, during the left STS, right STS stimulation and sham condition. Male participants showed a general preference for low calorie (LC) foods compared to females. In addition, we observed in males, but not in females, an increase of high calorie (HC) food choice during right STS tRNS compared to sham condition and left STS tRNS. Finally, we found an increase of missed choices during right STS stimulation compared to sham condition and left STS stimulation. In conclusion, thanks to tRNS evidence, we both confirm the involvement and suggest a causal role of right posterior STS in feeding behavior. Moreover, we suggest that gender differences exist in STS mechanisms underlying food choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Manippa
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Caterina Padulo
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Health, and the Territory, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Laura N van der Laan
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Alfredo Brancucci
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Health, and the Territory, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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Delli Pizzi S, Bellomo RG, Carmignano SM, Ancona E, Franciotti R, Supplizi M, Barassi G, Onofrj M, Bonanni L, Saggini R. Rehabilitation program based on sensorimotor recovery improves the static and dynamic balance and modifies the basal ganglia neurochemistry: A pilot 1H-MRS study on Parkinson's disease patients. Medicine (Baltimore) 2017; 96:e8732. [PMID: 29390267 PMCID: PMC5815679 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000008732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rehabilitation interventions represent an alternative strategy to pharmacological treatment in order to slow or reverse some functional aspects of disability in Parkinson's disease (PD). To date, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying rehabilitation-mediated improvement in PD patients are still poorly understood. Interestingly, growing evidence has highlighted a key role of the glutamate in neurogenesis and brain plasticity. The brain levels of glutamate, and of its precursor glutamine, can be detected in vivo and noninvasively as "Glx" by means of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS). In the present pilot study, 7 PD patients with frequent falls and axial dystonia underwent 8-week rehabilitative protocol focused on sensorimotor improvement. Clinical evaluation and Glx quantification were performed before and after rehabilitation. The Glx assessment was focused on the basal ganglia in agreement with their key role in the motor functions. We found that the rehabilitation program improves the static and dynamic balance in PD patients, promoting a better global motor performance. Moreover, we observed that the levels of Glx within the left basal ganglia were higher after rehabilitation as compared with baseline. Thus, we posit that our sensorimotor rehabilitative protocol could stimulate the glutamate metabolism in basal ganglia and, in turn, neuroplasticity processes. We also hypothesize that these mechanisms could prepare the ground to restore the functional interaction among brain areas deputed to motor controls, which are affected in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Delli Pizzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara
| | - Rosa Grazia Bellomo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Oral and Biotechnology, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Simona Maria Carmignano
- Department of Medical Sciences, Oral and Biotechnology, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Emilio Ancona
- Department of Medical Sciences, Oral and Biotechnology, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Raffaella Franciotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara
| | - Marco Supplizi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Oral and Biotechnology, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giovanni Barassi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Oral and Biotechnology, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Marco Onofrj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara
| | - Laura Bonanni
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara
| | - Raoul Saggini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Oral and Biotechnology, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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Delli Pizzi S, Chiacchiaretta P, Mantini D, Bubbico G, Edden RA, Onofrj M, Ferretti A, Bonanni L. GABA content within medial prefrontal cortex predicts the variability of fronto-limbic effective connectivity. Brain Struct Funct 2017; 222:3217-3229. [PMID: 28386778 PMCID: PMC5630505 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-017-1399-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The amygdala-medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) circuit plays a key role in social behavior. The amygdala and mPFC are bidirectionally connected, functionally and anatomically, via the uncinate fasciculus. Recent evidence suggests that GABA-ergic neurotransmission within the mPFC could be central to the regulation of amygdala activity related to emotions and anxiety processing. However, the functional and neurochemical interactions within amygdala-mPFC circuits are unclear. In the current study, multimodal magnetic resonance imaging techniques were combined to investigate effective connectivity within the amygdala-mPFC network and its relationship with mPFC neurotransmission in 22 healthy subjects aged between 41 and 88 years. Effective connectivity in the amygdala-mPFC circuit was assessed on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data using spectral dynamic causal modelling. State and trait anxiety were also assessed. The mPFC was shown to be the target of incoming outputs from the amygdalae and the source of exciting inputs to the limbic system. The amygdalae were reciprocally connected by excitatory projections. About half of the variance relating to the strength of top-down endogenous connection between right amygdala and mPFC was explained by mPFC GABA levels. State anxiety was correlated with the strength of the endogenous connections between right amygdala and mPFC. We suggest that mPFC GABA content predicts variability in the effective connectivity within the mPFC-amygdala circuit, providing new insights on emotional physiology and the underlying functional and neurochemical interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Delli Pizzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
- Center of Aging Sciences and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Piero Chiacchiaretta
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Dante Mantini
- Research Centre for Motor Control and Neuroplasticity, KU Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Neural Control of Movement Lab, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Giovanna Bubbico
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Richard A Edden
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- F.M. Kirby Center for Functional MRI, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marco Onofrj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Center of Aging Sciences and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Antonio Ferretti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Laura Bonanni
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy.
- Center of Aging Sciences and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
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31
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Levar N, van Leeuwen JMC, Puts NAJ, Denys D, van Wingen GA. GABA Concentrations in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex Are Associated with Fear Network Function and Fear Recovery in Humans. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 11:202. [PMID: 28496404 PMCID: PMC5406467 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Relapse of fear after successful treatment is a common phenomenon in patients with anxiety disorders. Animal research suggests that the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) plays a key role in the maintenance of extinguished fear. Here, we combined magnetic resonance spectroscopy and functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the role of GABA in fear recovery in 70 healthy male participants. We associated baseline GABA levels in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) to indices of fear recovery as defined by changes in skin conductance responses (SCRs), blood oxygen level dependent responses, and functional connectivity from fear extinction to fear retrieval. The results showed that high GABA levels were associated with increased SCRs, enhanced activation of the right amygdala, and reduced amygdala-ventromedial prefrontal cortex connectivity during fear recovery. Follow-up analyses exclusively for the extinction phase showed that high GABA levels were associated with reduced amygdala activation and enhanced amygdala-ventromedial prefrontal cortex connectivity, despite the absence of correlations between GABA and physiological responses. Follow-up analyses for the retrieval phase did not show any significant associations with GABA. Together, the association between GABA and increases in SCRs from extinction to retrieval, without associations during both phases separately, suggests that dACC GABA primarily inhibits the consolidation of fear extinction. In addition, the opposite effects of GABA on amygdala activity and connectivity during fear extinction compared to fear recovery suggest that dACC GABA may initially facilitate extinction learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Levar
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical CenterAmsterdam, Netherlands.,Brain Imaging Center, Academic Medical CenterAmsterdam, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Brain and Cognition, University of AmsterdamAmsterdam, Netherlands.,Spinoza Center for NeuroimagingAmsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Judith M C van Leeuwen
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical CenterAmsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrecht, Netherlands
| | - Nicolaas A J Puts
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD, USA.,FM Kirby Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger InstituteBaltimore, MD, USA
| | - Damiaan Denys
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical CenterAmsterdam, Netherlands.,Brain Imaging Center, Academic Medical CenterAmsterdam, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Brain and Cognition, University of AmsterdamAmsterdam, Netherlands.,Spinoza Center for NeuroimagingAmsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Guido A van Wingen
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical CenterAmsterdam, Netherlands.,Brain Imaging Center, Academic Medical CenterAmsterdam, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Brain and Cognition, University of AmsterdamAmsterdam, Netherlands.,Spinoza Center for NeuroimagingAmsterdam, Netherlands
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Delli Pizzi S, Chiacchiaretta P, Mantini D, Bubbico G, Ferretti A, Edden RA, Di Giulio C, Onofrj M, Bonanni L. Functional and neurochemical interactions within the amygdala-medial prefrontal cortex circuit and their relevance to emotional processing. Brain Struct Funct 2017; 222:1267-1279. [PMID: 27566606 PMCID: PMC5549263 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-016-1276-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The amygdala-medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) circuit plays a key role in emotional processing. GABA-ergic inhibition within the mPFC has been suggested to play a role in the shaping of amygdala activity. However, the functional and neurochemical interactions within the amygdala-mPFC circuits and their relevance to emotional processing remain unclear. To investigate this circuit, we obtained resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and proton MR spectroscopy in 21 healthy subjects to assess the potential relationship between GABA levels within mPFC and the amygdala-mPFC functional connectivity. Trait anxiety was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y2). Partial correlations were used to measure the relationships among the functional connectivity outcomes, mPFC GABA levels and STAI-Y2 scores. Age, educational level and amount of the gray and white matters within 1H-MRS volume of interest were included as nuisance variables. The rs-fMRI signals of the amygdala and the vmPFC were significantly anti-correlated. This negative functional coupling between the two regions was inversely correlated with the GABA+/tCr level within the mPFC and the STAI-Y2 scores. We suggest a close relationship between mPFC GABA levels and functional interactions within the amygdala-vmPFC circuit, providing new insights in the physiology of emotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Delli Pizzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, ''G. d'Annunzio'' University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), ''G. d'Annunzio'' University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Aging Research Centre, ''G. d'Annunzio'' University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Piero Chiacchiaretta
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, ''G. d'Annunzio'' University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), ''G. d'Annunzio'' University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Dante Mantini
- Research Centre for Motor Control and Neuroplasticity, KU Leuven, Louvain, Belgium
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Neural Control of Movement Lab, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Giovanna Bubbico
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, ''G. d'Annunzio'' University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), ''G. d'Annunzio'' University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Antonio Ferretti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, ''G. d'Annunzio'' University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB), ''G. d'Annunzio'' University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Richard A Edden
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- F.M. Kirby Center for Functional MRI, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Camillo Di Giulio
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, ''G. d'Annunzio'' University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Marco Onofrj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, ''G. d'Annunzio'' University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Aging Research Centre, ''G. d'Annunzio'' University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Laura Bonanni
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, ''G. d'Annunzio'' University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
- Aging Research Centre, ''G. d'Annunzio'' University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
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33
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GABA levels in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex during the viewing of appetitive and disgusting food images. Neuroscience 2016; 333:114-22. [PMID: 27436536 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Revised: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Characterizing how the brain appraises the psychological dimensions of reward is one of the central topics of neuroscience. It has become clear that dopamine neurons are implicated in the transmission of both rewarding information and aversive and alerting events through two different neuronal populations involved in encoding the motivational value and the motivational salience of stimuli, respectively. Nonetheless, there is less agreement on the role of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and the related neurotransmitter release during the processing of biologically relevant stimuli. To address this issue, we employed magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), a non-invasive methodology that allows detection of some metabolites in the human brain in vivo, in order to assess the role of the vmPFC in encoding stimulus value rather than stimulus salience. Specifically, we measured gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and, with control purposes, Glx levels in healthy subjects during the observation of appetitive and disgusting food images. We observed a decrease of GABA and no changes in Glx concentration in the vmPFC in both conditions. Furthermore, a comparatively smaller GABA reduction during the observation of appetitive food images than during the observation of disgusting food images was positively correlated with the scores obtained to the body image concerns sub-scale of Body Uneasiness Test (BUT). These results are consistent with the idea that the vmPFC plays a crucial role in processing both rewarding and aversive stimuli, possibly by encoding stimulus salience through glutamatergic and/or noradrenergic projections to deeper mesencephalic and limbic areas.
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