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Chiang DLC, Rice DA, Helsby NA, Somogyi AA, Kluger MT. The incidence, impact, and risk factors for moderate to severe persistent pain after breast cancer surgery: a prospective cohort study. PAIN MEDICINE (MALDEN, MASS.) 2023; 24:1023-1034. [PMID: 37184910 PMCID: PMC10655209 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnad065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few Australasian studies have evaluated persistent pain after breast cancer surgery. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the incidence, impact, and risk factors of moderate to severe persistent pain after breast cancer surgery in a New Zealand cohort. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. METHODS Consented patients were reviewed at 3 timepoints (preoperative, 2 weeks and 6 months postoperative). Pain incidence and interference, psychological distress and upper limb disability were assessed perioperatively. Clinical, demographic, psychological, cancer treatment-related variables, quantitative sensory testing, and patient genotype (COMT, OPRM1, GCH1, ESR1, and KCNJ6) were assessed as risk factors using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS Of the 173 patients recruited, 140 completed the 6-month follow-up. Overall, 15.0% (n = 21, 95% CI: 9.5%-22.0%) of patients reported moderate to severe persistent pain after breast cancer surgery with 42.9% (n = 9, 95% CI: 21.9%-66.0%) reporting likely neuropathic pain. Pain interference, upper limb dysfunction and psychological distress were significantly higher in patients with moderate to severe pain (P < .004). Moderate to severe preoperative pain (OR= 3.60, 95% CI: 1.13-11.44, P = .03), COMT rs6269 GA genotype (OR = 5.03, 95% CI: 1.49-17.04, P = .009) and psychological distress at postoperative day 14 (OR= 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02-1.16, P = .02) were identified as risk factors. Total intravenous anesthesia (OR= 0.31, 95% CI: 0.10 - 0.99, P = .048) was identified as protective. CONCLUSION The incidence of moderate to severe persistent pain after breast cancer surgery is high with associated pain interference, physical disability, and psychological distress. Important modifiable risk factors were identified to reduce this important condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L C Chiang
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine, Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - David A Rice
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine, Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
- Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, School of Clinical Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nuala A Helsby
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrew A Somogyi
- Discipline of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Michal T Kluger
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine, Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Prevalence of Common Alleles of Some Stress Resilience Genes among Adolescents Born in Different Periods Relative to the Socioeconomic Crisis of the 1990s in Russia. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 45:51-65. [PMID: 36661490 PMCID: PMC9857244 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45010004] [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: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Social stress is common among people and is considered one of the causes of the declining birth rate. Predisposition to stress and stress-induced disorders is largely determined genetically. We hypothesized that due to differences in stress resistance, carriers of different genetic variants of genes associated with stress resilience and stress-induced diseases may have dissimilar numbers of offspring under conditions of long-term social stress. To test this hypothesis, a comparative analysis of frequencies of seven common polymorphic regions [exon 3 variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) of the DRD4 gene, rs4680 of COMT, STin2 VNTR and the 5-HTTLPR (rs774676466) insertion/deletion polymorphism of SLC6A4, rs4570625 of TPH2, rs6265 of BDNF, and rs258747 of NR3C1] was performed on standardized groups of randomly selected adolescents born before, during, and after severe socioeconomic deprivation (the crisis of the 1990s in Russia). There were significant differences in frequencies of "long" alleles of the DRD4 gene (p = 0.020, χ2 = 5.492) and rs4680 (p = 0.022, χ2 = 5.289) in the "crisis" group as compared to the combined "noncrisis" population. It is possible that the dopaminergic system had an impact on the successful adaptation of a person to social stress.
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Cruz-Vicente P, Gonçalves AM, Barroca-Ferreira J, Silvestre SM, Romão MJ, Queiroz JA, Gallardo E, Passarinha LA. Unveiling the biopathway for the design of novel COMT inhibitors. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:103328. [PMID: 35907613 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.07.013] [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: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is an enzyme responsible for the O-methylation of biologically active catechol-based molecules. It has been associated with several neurological disorders, especially Parkinson's disease (PD), because of its involvement in catecholamine metabolism, and has been considered an important therapeutic target for central nervous system disorders. In this review, we summarize the biophysical, structural, and therapeutical relevance of COMT; the medicinal chemistry behind the development of COMT inhibitors and the application of computer-aided design to support the design of novel molecules; current methodologies for the biosynthesis, isolation, and purification of COMT; and revise existing bioanalytical approaches for the assessment of enzymatic activity in several biological matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Cruz-Vicente
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Ana M Gonçalves
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Jorge Barroca-Ferreira
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Samuel M Silvestre
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal; CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria J Romão
- UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - João A Queiroz
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Eugénia Gallardo
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal; Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia-UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Luis A Passarinha
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal; Laboratório de Fármaco-Toxicologia-UBIMedical, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal.
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4
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Laue HE, Karagas MR, Coker MO, Bellinger DC, Baker ER, Korrick SA, Madan JC. Sex-specific relationships of the infant microbiome and early-childhood behavioral outcomes. Pediatr Res 2022; 92:580-591. [PMID: 34732816 PMCID: PMC9065210 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-021-01785-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A link between the gut microbiome and behavior is hypothesized, but most previous studies are cross-sectional or in animal models. The modifying role of host sex is poorly characterized. We aimed to identify sex-specific prospective associations between the early-life gut microbiome and preschool-age neurobehavior. METHODS In a prospective cohort, gut microbiome diversity and taxa were estimated with 16S rRNA sequencing at 6 weeks, 1 year, and 2 years. Species and gene pathways were inferred from metagenomic sequencing at 6 weeks and 1 year. When subjects were 3 years old, parents completed the Behavioral Assessment System for Children, second edition (BASC-2). A total of 260 children contributed 523 16S rRNA and 234 metagenomics samples to analysis. Models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS Higher diversity at 6 weeks was associated with better internalizing problems among boys, but not girls [βBoys = -1.86 points/SD Shannon diversity; 95% CI (-3.29, -0.42), pBoys = 0.01, βGirls = 0.22 (-1.43, 1.87), pGirls = 0.8, pinteraction = 0.06]. Among other taxa-specific associations, Bifidobacterium at 6 weeks was associated with Adaptive Skills scores in a sex-specific manner. We observed relationships between functional features and BASC-2 scores, including vitamin B6 biosynthesis pathways and better Depression scores. CONCLUSIONS This study advances our understanding of microbe-host interactions with implications for childhood behavioral health. IMPACT This is one of the first studies to examine the early-life microbiome and neurobehavior, and the first to examine prospective sex-specific associations. Infant and early-childhood microbiomes relate to neurobehavior including anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and social behaviors in a time- and sex-specific manner. Our findings suggest future studies should evaluate whether host sex impacts the relationship between the gut microbiome and behavioral health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E. Laue
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH,Correspondence to: Dr. Hannah E. Laue, One Medical Center Dr, WTRB 700 Lebanon NH 03766, , Phone: 1-603-646-5426
| | - Margaret R. Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
| | - Modupe O. Coker
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH,Oral Biology Department, School of Dental Medicine, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ
| | - David C. Bellinger
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Emily R. Baker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH
| | - Susan A. Korrick
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA,Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Juliette C. Madan
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH,Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH,These authors contributed equally
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5
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Carmichael J, Hicks AJ, Spitz G, Gould KR, Ponsford J. Moderators of gene-outcome associations following traumatic brain injury. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 130:107-124. [PMID: 34411558 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The field of genomics is the principal avenue in the ongoing development of precision/personalised medicine for a variety of health conditions. However, relating genes to outcomes is notoriously complex, especially when considering that other variables can change, or moderate, gene-outcome associations. Here, we comprehensively discuss moderation of gene-outcome associations in the context of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a common, chronically debilitating, and costly neurological condition that is under complex polygenic influence. We focus our narrative review on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of three of the most studied genes (apolipoprotein E, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and catechol-O-methyltransferase) and on three demographic variables believed to moderate associations between these SNPs and TBI outcomes (age, biological sex, and ethnicity). We speculate on the mechanisms which may underlie these moderating effects, drawing widely from biomolecular and behavioural research (n = 175 scientific reports) within the TBI population (n = 72) and other neurological, healthy, ageing, and psychiatric populations (n = 103). We conclude with methodological recommendations for improved exploration of moderators in future genetics research in TBI and other populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jai Carmichael
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.
| | - Amelia J Hicks
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Gershon Spitz
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Kate Rachel Gould
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Jennie Ponsford
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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6
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Tomasi J, Zai CC, Zai G, Kennedy JL, Tiwari AK. Genetics of human startle reactivity: A systematic review to acquire targets for an anxiety endophenotype. World J Biol Psychiatry 2021; 22:399-427. [PMID: 33040669 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2020.1834619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Startle response is an objective physiological measure integral to the human defense system and a promising target for endophenotype investigations of anxiety. Given the alterations in startle reactivity observed among anxiety and related disorders, we searched for genetic variants associated with startle reactivity as they may be further involved in pathological anxiety risk. METHODS A systematic literature review was performed to identify genetic variants associated with startle reactivity in humans, specifically baseline and fear- or anxiety-potentiated startle. RESULTS The polymorphisms Val66Met (rs6265) from brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Val158Met (rs4680) from catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) from the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) were most commonly studied in human startle. In addition, several other genetic variants have also been identified as potential candidates that warrant further research, especially given their novelty in in the context of anxiety. CONCLUSIONS Similar to psychiatric genetic studies, the studies on startle reactivity primarily focus on candidate genes and are plagued by non-replication. Startle reactivity is a promising endophenotype that requires concerted efforts to collect uniformly assessed, large, well-powered samples and hypothesis-free genome-wide strategies. To further support startle as an endophenotype for anxiety, this review suggests advanced genetic strategies for startle research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Tomasi
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Clement C Zai
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Gwyneth Zai
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,General Adult Psychiatry and Health Systems Division, CAMH, Toronto, Canada
| | - James L Kennedy
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Arun K Tiwari
- Molecular Brain Science Department, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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7
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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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8
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Forster J, Duis J, Butler MG. Pharmacodynamic Gene Testing in Prader-Willi Syndrome. Front Genet 2020; 11:579609. [PMID: 33329716 PMCID: PMC7715001 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.579609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder with a complex neurobehavioral phenotype associated with considerable psychiatric co-morbidity. This clinical case series, for the first time, describes the distribution and frequency of polymorphisms of pharmacodynamic genes (serotonin transporter, serotonin 2A and 2C receptors, catechol-o-methyltransferase, adrenergic receptor 2A, methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase, and human leucocytic antigens) across the two major molecular classes of PWS in a cohort of 33 referred patients who met medical criteria for testing. When results were pooled across PWS genetic subtypes, genotypic and allelic frequencies did not differ from normative population data. However, when the genetic subtype of PWS was examined, there were differences observed across all genes tested that may affect response to psychotropic medication. Due to small sample size, no statistical significance was found, but results suggest that pharmacodynamic gene testing should be considered before initiating pharmacotherapy in PWS. Larger scale studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica Duis
- Section of Genetics and Inherited Metabolic Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Merlin G Butler
- Division of Research and Genetics, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
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9
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Novel, non-nitrocatechol catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors modulate dopamine neurotransmission in the frontal cortex and improve cognitive flexibility. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:2695-2707. [PMID: 32474681 PMCID: PMC7790123 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05566-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Cognitive impairment is a primary feature of many neuropsychiatric disorders and there is a need for new therapeutic options. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors modulate cortical dopaminergic function and have been proposed as potential cognitive enhancers. Unfortunately, currently available COMT inhibitors are not good candidates due to either poor blood-brain barrier penetration or severe toxicity. OBJECTIVES To address the need for safe, brain-penetrant COMT inhibitors, we tested multiple novel compounds in a set of preclinical in vivo efficacy assays in rats to determine their ability to inhibit COMT function and viability as potential clinical candidates. METHODS We measured the change in concentration of dopamine (DA) metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the cisterna magna and extracellular fluid (ECF) from the frontal cortex produced by our novel compounds. Additionally, we tested the effects of our brain-penetrant COMT inhibitors in an attentional set-shifting assay (ASST). We benchmarked the performance of the novel COMT inhibitors to the effects produced by the known COMT inhibitor tolcapone. RESULTS We found that multiple COMT inhibitors, exemplified by LIBD-1 and LIBD-3, significantly modulated dopaminergic function measured as decreases in homovanillic acid (HVA) and increases in 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), two DA metabolites, in CSF and the frontal cortex. Additionally, we found that LIBD-1 significantly improved cognitive flexibility in the ASST, an effect previously reported following tolcapone administration. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that LIBD-1 is a novel COMT inhibitor with promising in vivo activity and the potential to serve as a new therapy for cognitive impairment.
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10
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Rajkumar RP. Warriors, Worriers, and COVID-19: An Exploratory Study of the Catechol O-Methyltransferase Val158Met Polymorphism Across Populations. Cureus 2020; 12:e10103. [PMID: 32879833 PMCID: PMC7456627 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.10103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prevalence and mortality rates during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have varied widely across nations. This phenomenon may be partly due to regional variations in health-related behaviours, some of which may be influenced by health anxiety. A functional polymorphism of the catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene, designated rs4680 or Val158Met, has been associated with anxiety-related behaviours and the so-called "worrier" phenotype. Methods In this exploratory study, an analysis of the correlation between the frequencies of the Met allele of the COMT gene across 28 countries, obtained from the public domain Allele Frequency Database (ALFRED), and the COVID-19 prevalence and mortality rates in these countries, obtained from the Johns Hopkins Medical University web-based dashboard, was carried out while controlling for population size and median age in each country. Results Allele frequencies varied widely across populations. Met allele frequency was positively correlated with COVID-19 prevalence (ρ = 0.527, p = 0.004) and mortality rate (ρ = 0.542, p = 0.003) across nations. However, this correlation was no longer significant after controlling for confounders. Conclusions These preliminary results suggest that there may be a relationship between the COMT Val158Met or rs4680 functional polymorphism and the impact of COVID-19 across nations, which could plausibly be mediated by maladaptive anxiety-related behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi P Rajkumar
- Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, IND
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11
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Day HLL, Stevenson CW. The neurobiological basis of sex differences in learned fear and its inhibition. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 52:2466-2486. [PMID: 31631413 PMCID: PMC7496972 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Learning that certain cues or environments predict threat enhances survival by promoting appropriate fear and the resulting defensive responses. Adapting to changing stimulus contingencies by learning that such cues no longer predict threat, or distinguishing between these threat-related and other innocuous stimuli, also enhances survival by limiting fear responding in an appropriate manner to conserve resources. Importantly, a failure to inhibit fear in response to harmless stimuli is a feature of certain anxiety and trauma-related disorders, which are also associated with dysfunction of the neural circuitry underlying learned fear and its inhibition. Interestingly, these disorders are up to twice as common in women, compared to men. Despite this striking sex difference in disease prevalence, the neurobiological factors involved remain poorly understood. This is due in part to the majority of relevant preclinical studies having neglected to include female subjects alongside males, which has greatly hindered progress in this field. However, more recent studies have begun to redress this imbalance and emerging evidence indicates that there are significant sex differences in the inhibition of learned fear and associated neural circuit function. This paper provides a narrative review on sex differences in learned fear and its inhibition through extinction and discrimination, along with the key gonadal hormone and brain mechanisms involved. Understanding the endocrine and neural basis of sex differences in learned fear inhibition may lead to novel insights on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the enhanced vulnerability to develop anxiety-related disorders that are observed in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harriet L. L. Day
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamLoughboroughUK
- Present address:
RenaSci LtdBioCity, Pennyfoot StreetNottinghamNG1 1GFUK
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12
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McGowan OO. Pharmacogenetics of anxiety disorders. Neurosci Lett 2020; 726:134443. [PMID: 31442515 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.134443] [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: 12/02/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are common and disabling conditions the treatment of which remains a challenge. While different groups of medication are available for their treatment, a substantial proportion of patients remain refractory to pharmacotherapy. The reason for this variation in the individual response to treatment has yet to be understood; however genetic factors have been shown to play an important role. Up to now there have been limited publications about pharmacogenetics of anxiety disorders, compared to studies in depression. Published studies are focused on pharmacogenetics of antidepressants rather than being disease specific. This review summarizes pharmacogenetic findings related to the anxiolytic treatment response and their possible functional mechanisms. This inevitably focuses on genes involved in the pharmacodynamics of the medications used, along with some genes implicated in the disease process, as well as briefly mentioning genetic factors associated with psychotherapeutic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- O O McGowan
- Leverndale Hospital, 510 Crookston Road, Glasgow G53 7TU, UK.
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13
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Morris KA, Grace SA, Woods W, Dean B, Rossell SL. The influence of COMT rs4680 on functional connectivity in healthy adults: A systematic review. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 52:3851-3878. [PMID: 32306439 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this systematic review was to qualitatively synthesise the available research that investigated the influence of COMT genotype at SNP rs4680 on both task-based and resting-state connectivity in healthy adults. Thirty-five studies were identified that met inclusion criteria. Of the included studies, 20 studies reported resting-state findings and 16 studies reported task-based findings (emotion-processing, memory, working memory, reward-based learning and executive function). Studies were highly heterogeneous but an overall trend towards an association of the Val allele with greater resting-state connectivity and the Met allele with greater task-based connectivity is reported. A possible interpretation of current findings is discussed, whereby the Val allele is associated with improved cognitive flexibility allowing integration of novel relevant stimuli, and the Met allele allows improved sustained attention and targeted neural processing, particularly between limbic regions and prefrontal cortex. The most promising brain regions implicated in a COMT genotype influence on functional connectivity include prefrontal regions, amygdala and hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim A Morris
- Centre for Mental health, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Sally A Grace
- Centre for Mental health, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Will Woods
- Centre for Mental health, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Brian Dean
- Centre for Mental health, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Susan L Rossell
- Centre for Mental health, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Psychiatry, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
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Esmaiel NN, Ashaat EA, Mosaad R, Fayez A, Ibrahim M, Abdallah ZY, Issa MY, Salem S, Ramadan A, El Wakeel MA, Ashaat NA, Zaki MS, Ismail S. The potential impact of COMT gene variants on dopamine regulation and phenotypic traits of ASD patients. Behav Brain Res 2019; 378:112272. [PMID: 31586564 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) enzyme has a major role in the adjustment of catechol-dependent functions, for example, cognition, cardiac function, and pain processing. The pathogenesis of autism may be related to dysfunction in the midbrain dopaminergic system. Therefore, we aimed to clarify how COMT gene variants affect dopamine level, and its potential impact on phenotype traits of autistic patients. 52 autistic patients were subjected to comprehensive clinical investigation, sequencing of exon 4 of the COMT gene by direct Sanger Sequencing, and measuring of dopamine levels. The clinical presentations of autistic subjects were correlated with detected COMT variants and dopamine level. Our molecular results revealed that three COMT variants were found: rs8192488 [C > T], rs4680 (Val158Met) and rs4818 [C > G]. Within autistic subjects, Val158Met rs4680 carriers were significantly distributed (71.2% P = 0.014) accompanied with abnormal dopamine, abnormal Electroencephalogram (EEG) and increasing the severity of autistic behaviour. As regards the haplotypes, CC/VM/CG block was significantly distributed among the autistic subjects (30.8%) presented with low mean dopamine level (15.8 ± 4.7 pg/ml, p = 0.05), while CC/MM/CC were presented with high mean level (77.8 ± 8.6 pg/ml, p = 0.05). Evidence is currently limited and preliminary, further studies are necessary in order to set up a coherent dopaminergic model of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which would further pave the way for an adequate treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora N Esmaiel
- Molecular Genetics and Enzymology, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, P.O. 12622, Egypt
| | - Engy A Ashaat
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, P.O. 12622, Egypt.
| | - Rehab Mosaad
- Molecular Genetics and Enzymology, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, P.O. 12622, Egypt
| | - Alaaeldin Fayez
- Molecular Genetics and Enzymology, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, P.O. 12622, Egypt
| | - Mona Ibrahim
- Biochemical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, P.O. 12622, Egypt
| | - Zeinab Y Abdallah
- Biochemical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, P.O. 12622, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Y Issa
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, P.O. 12622, Egypt
| | - Sohair Salem
- Molecular Genetics and Enzymology, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, P.O. 12622, Egypt
| | - Abeer Ramadan
- Molecular Genetics and Enzymology, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, P.O. 12622, Egypt
| | - Maged A El Wakeel
- Child Health Department, Medical division, National Research Centre, Cairo, P.O. 12622, Egypt
| | - Neveen A Ashaat
- Faculty of Women for Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, P.O. 11757, Egypt
| | - Maha S Zaki
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, P.O. 12622, Egypt
| | - Samira Ismail
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, P.O. 12622, Egypt
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15
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Júlio-Costa A, Martins AAS, Wood G, de Almeida MP, de Miranda M, Haase VG, Carvalho MRS. Heterosis in COMT Val158Met Polymorphism Contributes to Sex-Differences in Children's Math Anxiety. Front Psychol 2019; 10:1013. [PMID: 31156495 PMCID: PMC6530072 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Math anxiety (MA) is a phobic reaction to math activities, potentially impairing math achievement. Higher frequency of MA in females is explainable by the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. The molecular-genetic basis of MA has not been investigated. The COMT Val158Met polymorphism, which affects dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex, has been associated with anxiety manifestations. The valine allele is associated with lower, and the methionine allele with higher, dopamine availability. In the present study, the effects of sex and COMT Val158Met genotypes on MA were investigated: 389 school children aged 7-12 years were assessed for intelligence, numerical estimation, arithmetic achievement and MA and genotyped for COMT Val158Met polymorphism. The Math Anxiety Questionnaire (MAQ) was used to assess the cognitive and affective components of MA. All genotype groups of boys and girls were comparable regarding genotype frequency, age, school grade, numerical estimation, and arithmetic abilities. We compared the results of all possible genetic models: codominance (Val/Val vs. Val/Met vs. Met/Met), heterosis (Val/Met vs. Val/Val plus Met/Met), valine dominance (Val/Val plus Val/Met vs. Met/Met), and methionine dominance (Met/Met plus Val/Met vs. Val/Val). Models were compared using AIC and AIC weights. No significant differences between girls and boys and no effects of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism on numerical estimation and arithmetic achievement were observed. Sex by genotype effects were significant for intelligence and MA. Intelligence scores were higher in Met/Met girls than in girls with at least one valine allele (valine dominance model). The best fitting model for MA was heterosis. In Anxiety Toward Mathematics, heterozygous individuals presented MA levels close to the grand average regardless of sex. Homozygous boys were significantly less and homozygous girls significantly more math anxious. Heterosis has been seldom explored, but in recent years has emerged as the best genetic model for some phenotypes associated with the COMT Val158Met polymorphism. This is the first study to investigate the genetic-molecular basis of MA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelise Júlio-Costa
- Departamento de Psicologia, FAFICH, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Aline Aparecida Silva Martins
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Wood
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia sobre Comportamento, Cognição e Ensino (INCT-ECCE), São Carlos, Brazil
- Department of Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Máira Pedroso de Almeida
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marlene de Miranda
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Vitor Geraldi Haase
- Departamento de Psicologia, FAFICH, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia sobre Comportamento, Cognição e Ensino (INCT-ECCE), São Carlos, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia: Cognição e Comportamento, Departamento de Psicologia, FAFICH, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde da Criança e Adolescente, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Maria Raquel Santos Carvalho
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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16
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Abstract
We tested the extent to which the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism is associated with stress response and pain in both men and women. The participants were assessed on measures of perceived pain and state/trait anxiety in association with their COMT allele status. We also measured cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) levels since previous research suggests an association between the COMT Val159Met polymorphism, cortisol secretion, and sAA activity. We found significant differences between methionine (Met) allele carriers and valine (Val) homozygotes following a stress manipulation in sAA levels. Met allele carriers had a stronger sAA response when compared to Val homozygotes. Furthermore, Val homozygotes showed a positive correlation between their sAA levels and trait anxiety at baseline and 20 min post-stress manipulation but displayed a negative correlation with the change in sAA levels from baseline to 20 min post-stress manipulation. Finally, state/trait anxiety was significantly correlated in Met allele carriers. These findings add support to the COMT warror/worrier model which states under stressful situations, increased dopamine levels in Val (warrior) homozygotes affords an emotional advantage relative to Met (worrier) allele carriers, who show an increased reactivity to aversive stimuli. Summary These findings offer new support for the warrior/worrier model of COMT genotype (rs4680) on human behavior. Twenty minutes following exposure to a cold stress, Val homozygotes (warrior) showed a lower biochemical stress response (salivary alpha-amylase, sAA) relative to methionine (Met) allele carriers (worrier). We further show that the COMT genotype differentially influences state and trait anxiety measures as they relate to stress responses and to each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Martinez Serrano
- a Department of Psychology and Neuroscience , Nova Southeastern University , Ft Lauderdale , FL , USA
| | - Jonathan B Banks
- a Department of Psychology and Neuroscience , Nova Southeastern University , Ft Lauderdale , FL , USA
| | - Thomas J Fagan
- a Department of Psychology and Neuroscience , Nova Southeastern University , Ft Lauderdale , FL , USA
| | - Jaime L Tartar
- a Department of Psychology and Neuroscience , Nova Southeastern University , Ft Lauderdale , FL , USA
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17
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Fornes R, Manti M, Qi X, Vorontsov E, Sihlbom C, Nyström J, Jerlhag E, Maliqueo M, Hirschberg AL, Carlström M, Benrick A, Stener-Victorin E. Mice exposed to maternal androgen excess and diet-induced obesity have altered phosphorylation of catechol-O-methyltransferase in the placenta and fetal liver. Int J Obes (Lond) 2019; 43:2176-2188. [PMID: 30670847 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-018-0314-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Maternal obesity together with androgen excess in mice negatively affects placental function and maternal and fetal liver function as demonstrated by increased triglyceride content with dysfunctional expression of enzymes and transcription factors involved in de novo lipogenesis and fat storage. To identify changes in molecular pathways that might promote diseases in adulthood, we performed a global proteomic analysis using a liquid-chromatography/mass-spectrometry system to investigate total and phosphorylated proteins in the placenta and fetal liver in a mouse model that combines maternal obesity with maternal androgen excess. METHODS After ten weeks on a control diet (CD) or high fat/high sugar-diet, dams were mated with males fed the CD. Between gestational day (GD) 16.5 and GD 18.5, mice were injected with vehicle or dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and sacrificed at GD 18.5 prior to dissection of the placentas and fetal livers. Four pools of female placentas and fetal livers were subjected to a global proteomic analysis. Total and phosphorylated proteins were filtered by ANOVA q < 0.05, and this was followed by two-way ANOVA to determine the effect of maternal obesity and/or androgen exposure. RESULTS In placenta, phosphorylated ATP-citrate synthase was decreased due to maternal obesity, and phosphorylated catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) was differentially expressed due to the interaction between maternal diet and DHT exposure. In fetal liver, five total proteins and 48 proteins phosphorylated in one or more sites, were differentially expressed due to maternal obesity or androgen excess. In fetal liver, phosphorylated COMT expression was higher in fetus exposed to maternal obesity. CONCLUSION These results suggest a common regulatory mechanism of catecholamine metabolism in the placenta and the fetal liver as demonstrated by higher phosphorylated COMT expression in the placenta and fetal liver from animals exposed to diet-induced maternal obesity and lower expression of phosphorylated COMT in animals exposed to maternal androgen excess.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina Fornes
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Maria Manti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Xiaojuan Qi
- Department of Physiology, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, China
| | - Egor Vorontsov
- Proteomics Core Facility, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Carina Sihlbom
- Proteomics Core Facility, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jenny Nyström
- Department of Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Jerlhag
- Department of Pharmacology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Manuel Maliqueo
- Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, West division, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Mattias Carlström
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Anna Benrick
- Department of Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,School of Health and Education, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
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18
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Sindermann C, Luo R, Zhang Y, Kendrick KM, Becker B, Montag C. The COMT Val158Met Polymorphism and Reaction to a Transgression: Findings of Genetic Associations in Both Chinese and German Samples. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:148. [PMID: 30127727 PMCID: PMC6088175 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
After a transgression, people often either tend to avoid the transgressor or seek revenge. These tendencies can be investigated via a trait approach and surprisingly little is known about their biological underpinnings. One promising candidate gene polymorphism, which may influence individual differences in avoidance of a transgressor and vengefulness, is the COMT Val158Met (rs4680) polymorphism known to affect dopaminergic signaling and among others brain activity in situations in which people punish others for their behavior. We therefore investigated the molecular genetics of individual differences in Avoidance Motivation and vengefulness with a focus on this polymorphism. Possible genetic associations were first investigated in a sample of N = 730 Chinese participants (n = 196 females) using buccal cells to extract the DNA for genotyping. To replicate the findings we carried out a parallelized investigation in a sample of N = 585 German participants (n = 399 females). Chinese and German versions of the TRIM-12 and the Vengeance Scale were implemented to assess individual differences in tendencies to react to a transgression. Results show that Met allele carriers of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism (Val/Met and Met/Met) score significantly higher on the tendency to avoid a transgressor in the Chinese male and female samples, with an especially pronounced effect in the female subgroup. The same effect could be found in the German sample, again especially in females. Additionally, carrying a Met allele was associated with higher vengefulness in the Chinese sample only, especially in males. The present findings indicate that the COMT Val158Met polymorphism might influence individual differences in the motivation to avoid transgressors across cultures, especially in females. However, its association with vengefulness seems to be more complex and may exhibit some cultural and gender specific effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Sindermann
- Department of Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ruixue Luo
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yingying Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Keith M Kendrick
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Benjamin Becker
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Christian Montag
- Department of Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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19
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Servaas MN, Geerligs L, Bastiaansen JA, Renken RJ, Marsman JBC, Nolte IM, Ormel J, Aleman A, Riese H. Associations between genetic risk, functional brain network organization and neuroticism. Brain Imaging Behav 2018; 11:1581-1591. [PMID: 27743374 PMCID: PMC5707236 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-016-9626-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neuroticism and genetic variation in the serotonin-transporter (SLC6A4) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene are risk factors for psychopathology. Alterations in the functional integration and segregation of neural circuits have recently been found in individuals scoring higher on neuroticism. The aim of the current study was to investigate how genetic risk factors impact functional network organization and whether genetic risk factors moderate the association between neuroticism and functional network organization. We applied graph theory analysis on resting-state fMRI data in a sample of 120 women selected based on their neuroticism score, and genotyped two polymorphisms: 5-HTTLPR (S-carriers and L-homozygotes) and COMT (rs4680-rs165599; COMT risk group and COMT non-risk group). For the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism, we found that subnetworks related to cognitive control show less connections with other subnetworks in S-carriers compared to L-homozygotes. The COMT polymorphism moderated the association between neuroticism and functional network organization. We found that neuroticism was associated with lower efficiency coefficients in visual and somatosensory-motor subnetworks in the COMT risk group compared to the COMT non-risk group. The findings of altered topology of specific subnetworks point to different cognitive-emotional processes that may be affected in relation to the genetic risk factors, concerning emotion regulation in S-carriers (5-HTTLPR) and emotional salience processing in COMT risk carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle N Servaas
- Neuroimaging Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 196, 9700, AD, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Linda Geerligs
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, 15 Chaucer Road, Cambridge, CB2 7EF, UK
| | - Jojanneke A Bastiaansen
- Interdisciplinary Center for Psychopathology and Emotion regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700, RB, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Remco J Renken
- Neuroimaging Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 196, 9700, AD, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jan-Bernard C Marsman
- Neuroimaging Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 196, 9700, AD, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ilja M Nolte
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700, RB, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Johan Ormel
- Interdisciplinary Center for Psychopathology and Emotion regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700, RB, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - André Aleman
- Neuroimaging Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 196, 9700, AD, Groningen, the Netherlands.,Department of Psychology, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2, 9712, TS, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Harriëtte Riese
- Interdisciplinary Center for Psychopathology and Emotion regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700, RB, Groningen, the Netherlands
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20
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Asselmann E, Hertel J, Beesdo-Baum K, Schmidt CO, Homuth G, Nauck M, Grabe HJ, Pané-Farré CA. Interplay between COMT Val158Met, childhood adversities and sex in predicting panic pathology: Findings from a general population sample. J Affect Disord 2018; 234:290-296. [PMID: 29574383 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.02.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The single nucleotide polymorphism rs4680 of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene has been implicated to be involved in the etiopathogenesis of panic. However, it remains unresolved whether rs4680 modifies the risk-association between early life stress and subsequent development of panic pathology. METHODS The genotype of rs4680 was determined for n = 2242 adults with European ancestry from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP, a regional longitudinal cohort study from northeastern Germany). Lifetime fearful spells, panic attacks and panic disorder were assessed according to DSM-IV in 2007-2010 (when participants were aged 29-89) using the Munich Composite International Diagnostic Interview (DIA-X/M-CIDI). Childhood adversities were assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). RESULTS Logistic regressions with interaction terms (adjusted for sex and age) revealed that rs4680 interacted with total childhood adversity, emotional abuse and physical abuse in predicting panic disorder: Respective childhood adversities predicted panic disorder in carriers of the Val/Met or Met/Met genotype, but not Val/Val genotype. Moreover, a 3-way interaction was found between rs4680, emotional abuse and sex in predicting panic attacks: Emotional abuse predicted panic attacks among male carriers of the Val/Val genotype and female carriers of the Val/Met or Met/Met genotype, but not among male carriers of the Val/Met or Met/Met genotype or female carriers of the Val/Val genotype. LIMITATIONS Genotype data were derived by imputation. Childhood adversities and panic were assessed retrospectively. CONCLUSIONS Especially (female) carriers of the Val/Met or Met/Met genotype of rs4680 might profit from targeted early interventions to prevent the onset of panic after childhood adversities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Asselmann
- Behavioral Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187 Dresden, Germany; Department of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Johannes Hertel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Katja Beesdo-Baum
- Behavioral Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Georg Homuth
- Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Matthias Nauck
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany; German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Greifswald, University Medicine, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Hans-Jörgen Grabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Christiane A Pané-Farré
- Department of Physiological and Clinical Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald Germany
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21
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The association between COMT rs4680 and OPRM1 rs1799971 polymorphisms and temperamental traits in combat athletes. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2017.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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22
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Rönnlund M, Åström E, Adolfsson R, Carelli MG. Perceived Stress in Adults Aged 65 to 90: Relations to Facets of Time Perspective and COMT Val 158Met Polymorphism. Front Psychol 2018; 9:378. [PMID: 29623060 PMCID: PMC5874313 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
This study examined the relation between perceived stress and time perspective (views of past, present, future) in a population-based sample of older adults (65–90 years, N = 340). The Perceived Questionnaire (PSQ index) was used to measure stress and the Swedish version of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (S-ZTPI) was used to operationalize time perspective. Unlike the original inventory, S-ZTPI separates positive and negative aspects of a future time perspective and we hypothesized that the Future Negative (FN) scale would be important to account for variations in stress. Additionally, associations with Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism were examined, motivated by prior associations of this single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with stress (or “anxiety”) related personality traits. In line with the hypotheses, FN was the strongest predictor of PSQ index scores in multiple regression analyses. In a related vein, the dichotomization of the unitary Future scale increased the association between PSQ scores and a measure of deviations from a balanced time perspective, i.e., the difference between a proposed optimal and observed ZTPI profile. Finally, higher levels of stress as well as higher scores on FN were observed in COMT Val/Val carriers, at least among men. This suggests a shared dopaminergic genetic influence on these variables. Collectively, the results demonstrate that perceived stress is closely linked to time perspective and highlight the need to take negative aspects of a future temporal orientation into account to understand this relation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rolf Adolfsson
- Department of Clinical Science, Division of Psychiatry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Rabinowitz JA, Drabick DA. Do children fare for better and for worse? Associations among child features and parenting with child competence and symptoms. DEVELOPMENTAL REVIEW 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dr.2017.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Mc Fie S, Abrahams S, Patricios J, Suter J, Posthumus M, September AV. The association between COMT rs4680 and 5-HTTLPR genotypes and concussion history in South African rugby union players. J Sports Sci 2017; 36:920-933. [DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2017.1346274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Mc Fie
- Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shameemah Abrahams
- Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jon Patricios
- Morningside Sports Medicine Clinic, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Section of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jason Suter
- Sports Science and Exercise Medicine Clinic, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Michael Posthumus
- Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Alison V. September
- Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Bastos P, Gomes T, Ribeiro L. Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT): An Update on Its Role in Cancer, Neurological and Cardiovascular Diseases. Rev Physiol Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 173:1-39. [DOI: 10.1007/112_2017_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Corral-Frías NS, Pizzagalli DA, Carré JM, Michalski LJ, Nikolova YS, Perlis RH, Fagerness J, Lee MR, Conley ED, Lancaster TM, Haddad S, Wolf A, Smoller JW, Hariri AR, Bogdan R. COMT Val(158) Met genotype is associated with reward learning: a replication study and meta-analysis. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2017; 15:503-13. [PMID: 27138112 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Revised: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Identifying mechanisms through which individual differences in reward learning emerge offers an opportunity to understand both a fundamental form of adaptive responding as well as etiological pathways through which aberrant reward learning may contribute to maladaptive behaviors and psychopathology. One candidate mechanism through which individual differences in reward learning may emerge is variability in dopaminergic reinforcement signaling. A common functional polymorphism within the catechol-O-methyl transferase gene (COMT; rs4680, Val(158) Met) has been linked to reward learning, where homozygosity for the Met allele (linked to heightened prefrontal dopamine function and decreased dopamine synthesis in the midbrain) has been associated with relatively increased reward learning. Here, we used a probabilistic reward learning task to asses response bias, a behavioral form of reward learning, across three separate samples that were combined for analyses (age: 21.80 ± 3.95; n = 392; 268 female; European-American: n = 208). We replicate prior reports that COMT rs4680 Met allele homozygosity is associated with increased reward learning in European-American participants (β = 0.20, t = 2.75, P < 0.01; ΔR(2) = 0.04). Moreover, a meta-analysis of 4 studies, including the current one, confirmed the association between COMT rs4680 genotype and reward learning (95% CI -0.11 to -0.03; z = 3.2; P < 0.01). These results suggest that variability in dopamine signaling associated with COMT rs4680 influences individual differences in reward which may potentially contribute to psychopathology characterized by reward dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- N S Corral-Frías
- Psychiatry Department, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.,BRAIN Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - D A Pizzagalli
- Center For Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research and Neuroimaging Center, McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - J M Carré
- Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario, Canada
| | - L J Michalski
- BRAIN Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Y S Nikolova
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - R H Perlis
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - J Fagerness
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M R Lee
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - T M Lancaster
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - S Haddad
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A Wolf
- Department of Psychiatry Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - J W Smoller
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A R Hariri
- Laboratory of NeuroGenetics, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - R Bogdan
- BRAIN Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
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The impacts of Val158Met in Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene on moral permissibility and empathic concern. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2016.10.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Genotype-Dependent Effects of COMT Inhibition on Cognitive Function in a Highly Specific, Novel Mouse Model of Altered COMT Activity. Neuropsychopharmacology 2016; 41:3060-3069. [PMID: 27388330 PMCID: PMC5101554 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2016.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Revised: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) modulates dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex. The human gene contains a polymorphism (Val158Met) that alters enzyme activity and influences PFC function. It has also been linked with cognition and anxiety, but the findings are mixed. We therefore developed a novel mouse model of altered COMT activity. The human Met allele was introduced into the native mouse COMT gene to produce COMT-Met mice, which were compared with their wild-type littermates. The model proved highly specific: COMT-Met mice had reductions in COMT abundance and activity, compared with wild-type mice, explicitly in the absence of off-target changes in the expression of other genes. Despite robust alterations in dopamine metabolism, we found only subtle changes on certain cognitive tasks under baseline conditions (eg, increased spatial novelty preference in COMT-Met mice vs wild-type mice). However, genotype differences emerged after administration of the COMT inhibitor tolcapone: performance of wild-type mice, but not COMT-Met mice, was improved on the 5-choice serial reaction time task after tolcapone administration. There were no changes in anxiety-related behaviors in the tests that we used. Our findings are convergent with human studies of the Val158Met polymorphism, and suggest that COMT's effects are most prominent when the dopamine system is challenged. Finally, they demonstrate the importance of considering COMT genotype when examining the therapeutic potential of COMT inhibitors.
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Bandelow B, Baldwin D, Abelli M, Altamura C, Dell'Osso B, Domschke K, Fineberg NA, Grünblatt E, Jarema M, Maron E, Nutt D, Pini S, Vaghi MM, Wichniak A, Zai G, Riederer P. Biological markers for anxiety disorders, OCD and PTSD - a consensus statement. Part I: Neuroimaging and genetics. World J Biol Psychiatry 2016; 17:321-65. [PMID: 27403679 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2016.1181783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Biomarkers are defined as anatomical, biochemical or physiological traits that are specific to certain disorders or syndromes. The objective of this paper is to summarise the current knowledge of biomarkers for anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS Findings in biomarker research were reviewed by a task force of international experts in the field, consisting of members of the World Federation of Societies for Biological Psychiatry Task Force on Biological Markers and of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Anxiety Disorders Research Network. RESULTS The present article (Part I) summarises findings on potential biomarkers in neuroimaging studies, including structural brain morphology, functional magnetic resonance imaging and techniques for measuring metabolic changes, including positron emission tomography and others. Furthermore, this review reports on the clinical and molecular genetic findings of family, twin, linkage, association and genome-wide association studies. Part II of the review focuses on neurochemistry, neurophysiology and neurocognition. CONCLUSIONS Although at present, none of the putative biomarkers is sufficient and specific as a diagnostic tool, an abundance of high-quality research has accumulated that will improve our understanding of the neurobiological causes of anxiety disorders, OCD and PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borwin Bandelow
- a Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , University of Göttingen , Germany
| | - David Baldwin
- b Faculty of Medicine , University of Southampton , Southampton , UK
| | - Marianna Abelli
- c Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa , Italy
| | - Carlo Altamura
- d Department of Psychiatry , University of Milan; Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy
| | - Bernardo Dell'Osso
- d Department of Psychiatry , University of Milan; Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy
| | - Katharina Domschke
- e Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy , University of Wuerzburg , Germany
| | - Naomi A Fineberg
- f Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and University of Hertfordshire , Rosanne House, Parkway , Welwyn Garden City , UK
| | - Edna Grünblatt
- e Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy , University of Wuerzburg , Germany ;,g Neuroscience Center Zurich , University of Zurich and the ETH Zurich , Zürich , Switzerland ;,h Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich , Zürich , Switzerland ;,i Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology , University of Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Marek Jarema
- j Third Department of Psychiatry , Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology , Warszawa , Poland
| | - Eduard Maron
- k North Estonia Medical Centre, Department of Psychiatry , Tallinn , Estonia ;,l Department of Psychiatry , University of Tartu , Estonia ;,m Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology, Division of Brain Sciences , Imperial College London , UK
| | - David Nutt
- m Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology, Division of Brain Sciences , Imperial College London , UK
| | - Stefano Pini
- c Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa , Italy
| | - Matilde M Vaghi
- n Department of Psychology and Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute , University of Cambridge , UK
| | - Adam Wichniak
- j Third Department of Psychiatry , Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology , Warszawa , Poland
| | - Gwyneth Zai
- n Department of Psychology and Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute , University of Cambridge , UK ;,o Neurogenetics Section, Centre for Addiction & Mental Health , Toronto , Canada ;,p Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre , Toronto , Canada ;,q Institute of Medical Science and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada
| | - Peter Riederer
- e Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy , University of Wuerzburg , Germany ;,g Neuroscience Center Zurich , University of Zurich and the ETH Zurich , Zürich , Switzerland ;,h Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich , Zürich , Switzerland
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Liao YJ, Jiang JR, Jin SQ. The association between COMT Val158Met polymorphism and migraine risk: A meta-analysis. Cephalalgia 2016; 37:592-598. [PMID: 27154995 DOI: 10.1177/0333102416649758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Background The COMT Val158Met polymorphism has long been regarded as a risk factor for migraine. The possible association between COMT Val158Met polymorphism and migraine has been evaluated in several studies, but the results are not consistent. Therefore, we conduct this meta-analysis to address these issues. Methods The WEB OF SCIENCE and EMBASE databases were searched for eligible studies. The odds ratio (OR) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to estimate the strength of the association between COMT Val158Met polymorphism and migraine. Results Five studies with 979 cases and 1870 controls were ultimately included in the present meta-analysis. The overall data showed no significant association between COMT Val158Met polymorphism and migraine in the multiplicative model (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.78-1.21, p = 0.805) and dominant model (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.75-1.48, p = 0.773), neither in the additive model (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.77-1.23, p = 0.817) nor in the recessive model (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.71-1.09, p = 0.246). In subgroup analysis, both for Caucasian and Asian populations, no statistically significant associations were observed in any genetic models. Conclusions Our meta-analysis suggested that the COMT Val158Met polymorphism was not associated with migraine risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Jun Liao
- 1 Department of Anesthesiology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jing-Ru Jiang
- 2 Department of Neurology, Sun Yat-Sen Memory Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - San-Qing Jin
- 1 Department of Anesthesiology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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Wang M, Ma Y, Yuan W, Su K, Li MD. Meta-Analysis of the COMT Val158Met Polymorphism in Major Depressive Disorder: Effect of Ethnicity. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2016; 11:434-45. [PMID: 26803486 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-016-9651-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) Val158Met polymorphism (rs4680) is a potential susceptibility variant for major depressive disorder (MDD). Although many genetic studies have examined the association between MDD and this polymorphism, the results were inconclusive. In the present study, we conducted a series of meta-analyses of samples consisting of 2905 MDD cases and 2403 controls with the goal of determining whether this variant indeed has any effect on MDD. We revealed a significant association in the comparison of Val/Val + Val/Met vs. Met/Met (OR =1.180; 95 % CI = 1.019, 1.367; P = 0.027), Val/Met vs. Val/Val (OR =1.18; 95 % CI = 1.038, 1.361; P = 0.013), and Val/Met vs. Met/Met (OR =1.229; 95 % CI = 1.053, 1.435; P = 0.009). Further meta-analyses of samples with European ancestry demonstrated a significant association of this SNP with MDD susceptibility in Val/Val + Val/Met vs. Met/Met (OR =1.231, 95 % CI = 1.046, 1.449; P = 0.013) and Val/Met vs. Met/Met (OR =1.284, 95 % CI = 1.050, 1.484; P = 0.012). For the samples with East Asian ancestry, we found a significant association in both allelic (Val vs. Met: OR =0.835; 95 % CI = 0.714, 0.975; P = 0.023) and genotypic (Met/Met + Val/Met vs. Val/Val: OR =1.431, 95 % CI = 1.143, 1.791; P = 0.002; Val/Met vs. Val/Val: OR =1.482, 95 % CI = 1.171, 1.871; P = 0.001) analyses. No evidence of heterogeneity among studies or publication bias was observed. Together, our results indicate that the COMT Val158Met polymorphism is a vulnerability factor for MDD with distinct effects in different ethnic populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiqiu Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunlong Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenji Yuan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kunkai Su
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ming D Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .,Air Center for Air Pollution and Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. .,Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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Kim SY, Shen Y, Hou Y, Tilton KE, Juang L, Wang Y. Annual Review of Asian American Psychology, 2014. ASIAN AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2015; 6:291-332. [PMID: 26925199 PMCID: PMC4765738 DOI: 10.1037/aap0000031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
This 2014 review of Asian American psychology is the sixth review in the series. It includes 316 articles that met the inclusion criteria established by the past five annual reviews. Featured articles were derived from three sources: 137 were generated via the search term "Asian American" in PyscINFO, 111 were generated via a search for specific Asian American ethnic groups, and 32 were generated via author searches of articles that met the inclusion criteria. The top primary topic was health and health-related behaviors, the most frequently employed study design was cross-sectional, and the most studied Asian American ethnic group was Chinese. This year's review includes information on the target population of the primary topic, the age range and developmental period of participants, and whether the study design was cross-sectional or longitudinal. It also identifies top authors and journals contributing to the 2014 annual review. These new features reveal that the most common target population of the primary topic was youths; studies most commonly included emerging adults ages 18-25; cross-sectional study design was employed more often than longitudinal design; the top contributor to the 2014 review was Stephen Chen, who authored the highest number of papers included; and the Asian American Journal of Psychology generated the highest number of publications for this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Yeong Kim
- University of Texas at Austin, Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, 108 East Dean Keeton Street, Stop A2702, Austin, TX 78712, , (512) 471-5524
| | - Yishan Shen
- University of Texas at Austin, Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, 108 East Dean Keeton Street, Stop A2702, Austin, TX 78712, , (512) 983-7551
| | - Yang Hou
- University of Texas at Austin, Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, 108 East Dean Keeton Street, Stop A2702, Austin, TX 78712, , (512) 660-2236
| | - Kelsey E Tilton
- University of Texas at Austin, Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, 108 East Dean Keeton Street, Stop A2702, Austin, TX 78712, , (512) 956-459-4212
| | - Linda Juang
- University of Potsdam, College of Human Sciences, Education, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany, +49 (0)172 1882255,
| | - Yijie Wang
- University of Texas at Austin, Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, 108 East Dean Keeton Street, Stop A2702, Austin, TX 78712, , (512) 289-8136
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Ihne JL, Gallagher NM, Sullivan M, Callicott JH, Green AE. Is less really more: Does a prefrontal efficiency genotype actually confer better performance when working memory becomes difficult? Cortex 2015; 74:79-95. [PMID: 26649915 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2015.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Revised: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Perhaps the most widely studied effect to emerge from the combination of neuroimaging and human genetics is the association of the COMT-Val(108/158)Met polymorphism with prefrontal activity during working memory. COMT-Val is a putative risk factor in schizophrenia, which is characterized by disordered prefrontal function. Work in healthy populations has sought to characterize mechanisms by which the valine (Val) allele may lead to disadvantaged prefrontal cognition. Lower activity in methionine (Met) carriers has been interpreted as advantageous neural efficiency. Notably, however, studies reporting COMT effects on neural efficiency have generally not reported working memory performance effects. Those studies have employed relatively low/easy working memory loads. Higher loads are known to elicit individual differences in working memory performance that are not visible at lower loads. If COMT-Met confers greater neural efficiency when working memory is easy, a reasonable prediction is that Met carriers will be better able to cope with increasing demand for neural resources when working memory becomes difficult. To our knowledge, this prediction has thus far gone untested. Here, we tested performance on three working memory tasks. Performance on each task was measured at multiple levels of load/difficulty, including loads more demanding than those used in prior studies. We found no genotype-by-load interactions or main effects of COMT genotype on accuracy or reaction time. Indeed, even testing for performance differences at each load of each task failed to find a single significant effect of COMT genotype. Thus, even if COMT genotype has the effects on prefrontal efficiency that prior work has suggested, such effects may not directly impact high-load working memory ability. The present findings accord with previous evidence that behavioral effects of COMT are small or nonexistent and, more broadly, with a growing consensus that substantial effects on phenotype will not emerge from candidate gene studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Ihne
- Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, United States
| | | | - Marie Sullivan
- Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, United States
| | - Joseph H Callicott
- Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, United States
| | - Adam E Green
- Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, United States.
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Gruss LF, Langaee T, Keil A. The role of the COMT val158met polymorphism in mediating aversive learning in visual cortex. Neuroimage 2015; 125:633-642. [PMID: 26549298 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 10/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) val158met single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) alters metabolic activity of the COMT enzyme regulating catecholamines, with the Val (valine) allele resulting in 40% greater enzymatic activity than the Met (methionine) allele. Previous research has identified systematic inter-individual differences in cognitive and behavioral phenotypes related to this polymorphism, often attributed to the fact that extracellular dopamine in the prefrontal cortex is strongly affected by the COMT enzyme. The neurophysiological mechanisms mediating these inter-individual differences in specific brain systems and task contexts remain to be established however. In the current study, we examined the extent to which physio-mechanistic differences by COMT genotype affect somato-visceral and visual cortical responses to learned threat cues. Classical aversive differential conditioning was implemented using rapidly phase-reversing grating stimuli, previously shown to engage retinotopic visual cortex. Differential response patterns in sensory and autonomic systems were elicited by pairing one grating (CS+, conditioned stimulus), but not the other (CS-), with a noxious stimulus. Dense-array electroencephalography and somato-visceral measures of defensive reactivity were recorded in addition to self-report data. Individuals of the Val/Val genotype, compared to Met allele carriers, reliably showed greater initial enhancement in their visuocortical response to the CS+, accompanied by stronger defensive engagement, indexed by heart rate acceleration and startle potentiation. The finding that COMT polymorphism status affects threat cue reactivity at the visuocortical level is consistent with the notion that sensory processing of threat is facilitated by strong re-entrant bias signals from anterior areas, including the prefrontal cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Forest Gruss
- Center for the Study of Emotion and Attention, Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Taimour Langaee
- Center for Pharmacogenomics, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Andreas Keil
- Center for the Study of Emotion and Attention, Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Wacker J, Smillie LD. Trait Extraversion and Dopamine Function. SOCIAL AND PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY COMPASS 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/spc3.12175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Solís-Ortiz S, Pérez-Luque E, Gutiérrez-Muñoz M. Modulation of the COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism on resting-state EEG power. Front Hum Neurosci 2015; 9:136. [PMID: 25883560 PMCID: PMC4382983 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val(158)Met polymorphism impacts cortical dopamine (DA) levels and may influence cortical electrical activity in the human brain. This study investigated whether COMT genotype influences resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) power in the frontal, parietal and midline regions in healthy volunteers. EEG recordings were conducted in the resting-state in 13 postmenopausal healthy woman carriers of the Val/Val genotype and 11 with the Met/Met genotype. The resting EEG spectral absolute power in the frontal (F3, F4, F7, F8, FC3 and FC4), parietal (CP3, CP4, P3 and P4) and midline (Fz, FCz, Cz, CPz, Pz and Oz) was analyzed during the eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. The frequency bands considered were the delta, theta, alpha1, alpha2, beta1 and beta2. EEG data of the Val/Val and Met/Met genotypes, brain regions and conditions were analyzed using a general linear model analysis. In the individuals with the Met/Met genotype, delta activity was increased in the eyes-closed condition, theta activity was increased in the eyes-closed and in the eyes-open conditions, and alpha1 band, alpha2 band and beta1band activity was increased in the eyes-closed condition. A significant interaction between COMT genotypes and spectral bands was observed. Met homozygote individuals exhibited more delta, theta and beta1 activity than individuals with the Val/Val genotype. No significant interaction between COMT genotypes and the resting-state EEG regional power and conditions were observed for the three brain regions studied. Our findings indicate that the COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism does not directly impact resting-state EEG regional power, but instead suggest that COMT genotype can modulate resting-state EEG spectral power in postmenopausal healthy women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Solís-Ortiz
- Laboratory of Cognitive Electrophysiology and Hormones, Department of Medical Sciences, University of GuanajuatoLeón, Mexico
| | - Elva Pérez-Luque
- Laboratory of Cognitive Electrophysiology and Hormones, Department of Medical Sciences, University of GuanajuatoLeón, Mexico
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Samsom JN, Wong AHC. Schizophrenia and Depression Co-Morbidity: What We have Learned from Animal Models. Front Psychiatry 2015; 6:13. [PMID: 25762938 PMCID: PMC4332163 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with schizophrenia are at an increased risk for the development of depression. Overlap in the symptoms and genetic risk factors between the two disorders suggests a common etiological mechanism may underlie the presentation of comorbid depression in schizophrenia. Understanding these shared mechanisms will be important in informing the development of new treatments. Rodent models are powerful tools for understanding gene function as it relates to behavior. Examining rodent models relevant to both schizophrenia and depression reveals a number of common mechanisms. Current models which demonstrate endophenotypes of both schizophrenia and depression are reviewed here, including models of CUB and SUSHI multiple domains 1, PDZ and LIM domain 5, glutamate Delta 1 receptor, diabetic db/db mice, neuropeptide Y, disrupted in schizophrenia 1, and its interacting partners, reelin, maternal immune activation, and social isolation. Neurotransmission, brain connectivity, the immune system, the environment, and metabolism emerge as potential common mechanisms linking these models and potentially explaining comorbid depression in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- James N Samsom
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute , Toronto, ON , Canada ; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto, ON , Canada
| | - Albert H C Wong
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute , Toronto, ON , Canada ; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto, ON , Canada ; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto, ON , Canada
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