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Azargoonjahromi A. The role of epigenetics in anxiety disorders. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:9625-9636. [PMID: 37804465 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08787-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders (ADs) are extremely common psychiatric conditions that frequently co-occur with other physical and mental disorders. The pathophysiology of ADs is multifaceted and involves intricate connections among biological elements, environmental stimuli, and psychological mechanisms. Recent discoveries have highlighted the significance of epigenetics in bridging the gap between multiple risk factors that contribute to ADs and expanding our understanding of the pathomechanisms underlying ADs. Epigenetics is the study of how changes in the environment and behavior can have an impact on gene function. Indeed, researchers have found that epigenetic mechanisms can affect how genes are activated or inactivated, as well as whether they are expressed. Such mechanisms may also affect how ADs form and are protected. That is, the bulk of pharmacological trials evaluating epigenetic treatments for the treatment of ADs have used histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), yielding promising outcomes in both preclinical and clinical studies. This review will provide an outline of how epigenetic pathways can be used to treat ADs or lessen their risk. It will also present the findings from preclinical and clinical trials that are currently available on the use of epigenetic drugs to treat ADs.
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Bonacina G, Carollo A, Esposito G. The Genetic Side of the Mood: A Scientometric Review of the Genetic Basis of Mood Disorders. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14020352. [PMID: 36833279 PMCID: PMC9956267 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Mood disorders are highly heritable psychiatric disorders. Over the years, many genetic polymorphisms have been identified to pose a higher risk for the development of mood disorders. To overview the literature on the genetics of mood disorders, a scientometric analysis was performed on a sample of 5342 documents downloaded from Scopus. The most active countries and the most impactful documents in the field were identified. Furthermore, a total of 13 main thematic clusters emerged in the literature. From the qualitative inspection of clusters, it emerged that the research interest moved from a monogenic to a polygenic risk framework. Researchers have moved from the study of single genes in the early 1990s to conducting genome-wide association studies around 2015. In this way, genetic overlaps between mood disorders and other psychiatric conditions emerged too. Furthermore, around the 2010s, the interaction between genes and environmental factors emerged as pivotal in understanding the risk for mood disorders. The inspection of thematic clusters provides a valuable insight into the past and recent trends of research in the genetics of mood disorders and sheds light onto future lines of research.
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Micale V, Di Bartolomeo M, Di Martino S, Stark T, Dell'Osso B, Drago F, D'Addario C. Are the epigenetic changes predictive of therapeutic efficacy for psychiatric disorders? A translational approach towards novel drug targets. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 241:108279. [PMID: 36103902 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The etiopathogenesis of mental disorders is not fully understood and accumulating evidence support that clinical symptomatology cannot be assigned to a single gene mutation, but it involves several genetic factors. More specifically, a tight association between genes and environmental risk factors, which could be mediated by epigenetic mechanisms, may play a role in the development of mental disorders. Several data suggest that epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, post-translational histone modification and interference of microRNA (miRNA) or long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) may modify the severity of the disease and the outcome of the therapy. Indeed, the study of these mechanisms may help to identify patients particularly vulnerable to mental disorders and may have potential utility as biomarkers to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders. This article summarizes the most relevant preclinical and human data showing how epigenetic modifications can be central to the therapeutic efficacy of antidepressant and/or antipsychotic agents, as possible predictor of drugs response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Micale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Martina Di Bartolomeo
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Serena Di Martino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Tibor Stark
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Scientific Core Unit Neuroimaging, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Bernardo Dell'Osso
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences 'Luigi Sacco', University of Milan, Milan, Italy, Department of Mental Health, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy; "Aldo Ravelli" Research Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan Medical School, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, CA, USA
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Claudio D'Addario
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Azar N, Booij L. DNA methylation as a mediator in the association between prenatal maternal stress and child mental health outcomes: Current state of knowledge. J Affect Disord 2022; 319:142-163. [PMID: 36113690 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal maternal stress is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for offspring mental health challenges. DNA methylation may be a mechanism, but few studies directly tested mediation. These few integrative studies are reviewed along with studies from three research areas: prenatal maternal stress and child mental health, prenatal maternal stress and child DNA methylation, and child mental health and DNA methylation. METHODS We conducted a narrative review of articles in each research area and the few published integrative studies to evaluate the state of knowledge. RESULTS Prenatal maternal stress was related to greater offspring internalizing and externalizing symptoms and to greater offspring peripheral DNA methylation of the NR3C1 gene. Youth mental health problems were also related to NR3C1 hypermethylation while epigenome-wide studies identified genes involved in nervous system development. Integrative studies focused on infant outcomes and did not detect significant mediation by DNA methylation though methodological considerations may partially explain these null results. LIMITATIONS Operationalization of prenatal maternal stress and child mental health varied greatly. The few published integrative studies did not report conclusive evidence of mediation by DNA methylation. CONCLUSIONS DNA methylation likely mediates the association between prenatal maternal stress and child mental health. This conclusion still needs to be tested in a larger number of integrative studies. Key empirical and statistical considerations for future research are discussed. Understanding the consequences of prenatal maternal stress and its pathways of influence will help prevention and intervention efforts and ultimately promote well-being for both mothers and children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Azar
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H4B 1R6, Canada; Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, 3175 chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Linda Booij
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H4B 1R6, Canada; Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, 3175 chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1C5, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavillon Roger-Gaudry, Université de Montréal, P.O. Box 6128, succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec H3C 3J7, Canada.
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Begum N, Mandhare A, Tryphena KP, Srivastava S, Shaikh MF, Singh SB, Khatri DK. Epigenetics in depression and gut-brain axis: A molecular crosstalk. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1048333. [PMID: 36583185 PMCID: PMC9794020 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1048333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Gut-brain axis is a dynamic, complex, and bidirectional communication network between the gut and brain. Changes in the microbiota-gut-brain axis are responsible for developing various metabolic, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric disorders. According to clinical and preclinical findings, the gut microbiota is a significant regulator of the gut-brain axis. In addition to interacting with intestinal cells and the enteric nervous system, it has been discovered that microbes in the gut can modify the central nervous system through metabolic and neuroendocrine pathways. The metabolites of the gut microbiome can modulate a number of diseases by inducing epigenetic alteration through DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA-associated gene silencing. Short-chain fatty acids, especially butyrate, are well-known histone deacetylases inhibitors. Similarly, other microbial metabolites such as folate, choline, and trimethylamine-N-oxide also regulate epigenetics mechanisms. Furthermore, various studies have revealed the potential role of microbiome dysbiosis and epigenetics in the pathophysiology of depression. Hence, in this review, we have highlighted the role of gut dysbiosis in epigenetic regulation, causal interaction between host epigenetic modification and the gut microbiome in depression and suggest microbiome and epigenome as a possible target for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nusrat Begum
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Aniket Mandhare
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Kamatham Pushpa Tryphena
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Saurabh Srivastava
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India,*Correspondence: Saurabh Srivastava,
| | - Mohd Farooq Shaikh
- Neuropharmacology Research Strength, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia,Mohd Farooq Shaikh,
| | - Shashi Bala Singh
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Khatri
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India,Dharmendra Kumar Khatri,
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Noyes BK, Munoz DP, Khalid-Khan S, Brietzke E, Booij L. Is subthreshold depression in adolescence clinically relevant? J Affect Disord 2022; 309:123-130. [PMID: 35429521 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.04.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Subthreshold depression is highly prevalent in adolescence, but compared to major depressive disorder, the clinical impact is under-researched. The aim of this review was to compare subthreshold depression and major depressive disorder in adolescents by reviewing available literature on epidemiology, risk factors, illness trajectories, brain anatomy and function, genetics, and treatment response. METHODS We conducted a scoping review of papers on subthreshold depression and major depressive disorder in adolescence published in English. Studies in adults were included when research in adolescence was not available. RESULTS We found that individuals with subthreshold depression were similar to individuals with major depressive disorder in several regards, including female/male ratio, onset, functional impairment, comorbidity, health care utilization, suicidal ideation, genetic predisposition, brain alterations, and treatment response. Further, subthreshold depression was about two times more common than major depressive disorder. LIMITATIONS The definition of subthreshold depression is highly variable across studies. Adolescent-specific data are limited in the areas of neurobiology and treatment. CONCLUSIONS The findings of the current review support the idea that subthreshold depression is of clinical importance and provide evidence for a spectrum, versus categorical model, for depressive symptomatology. Given the frequency of subthreshold depression escalating to major depressive disorder, a greater recognition and awareness of the significance of subthreshold depression in research, clinical practice and policy-making may facilitate the development and application of early prevention and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake K Noyes
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Douglas P Munoz
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada; Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada; Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada; Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Sarosh Khalid-Khan
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada; Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Elisa Brietzke
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada; Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Linda Booij
- Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada; Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montréal, Montréal, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.
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Provenzi L, Villa M, Mambretti F, Citterio A, Grumi S, Bertazzoli E, Biasucci G, Decembrino L, Gardella B, Giacchero R, Magnani ML, Nacinovich R, Pisoni C, Prefumo F, Orcesi S, Scelsa B, Giorda R, Borgatti R. Is Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor Methylation Involved in the Association Between Prenatal Stress and Maternal Postnatal Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic? Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:950455. [PMID: 35911240 PMCID: PMC9329563 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.950455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic is a collective trauma that may expose susceptible individuals to high levels of stress. Pregnant women represent a high-risk population, considering that pregnancy is a period of heightened neuroplasticity and susceptibility to stress through epigenetic mechanisms. Previous studies showed that the methylation status of the BDNF gene is linked with prenatal stress exposure. The goals of this study were (a) to assess the association between pandemic-related stress and postnatal anxiety and (b) to investigate the potential role of maternal BDNF methylation as a significant mediator of this association. METHODS In the present study, we report data on the association among pandemic-related stress during pregnancy, maternal BDNF methylation, and postnatal anxiety symptoms. Pandemic-related stress and postnatal anxiety were assessed through self-report instruments. BDNF methylation was estimated in 11 CpG sites in DNA from mothers' buccal cells. Complete data were available from 108 mothers. RESULTS Results showed that pandemic-related stress was associated with an increased risk of postnatal anxiety, r = 0.20, p < 0.05. CpG-specific BDNF methylation was significantly associated with both prenatal pandemic-related stress, r = 0.21, p < 0.05, and postnatal maternal anxious symptoms, r = 0.25, p = 0.01. Moreover, a complete mediation by the BDNF CpG6 methylation emerged between pandemic-related stress during pregnancy and postnatal maternal anxiety, ACME = 0.66, p < 0.05. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that BDNF epigenetic regulation by pandemic-related stress might contribute to increase the risk of anxiety in mothers. Policymakers should prioritize the promotion of health and wellbeing in pregnant women and mothers during the present healthcare emergency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livio Provenzi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Villa
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | | | | | - Serena Grumi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Barbara Gardella
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | | | | | - Renata Nacinovich
- ASST Monza, Monza, Italy.,Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Federico Prefumo
- ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy.,Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Simona Orcesi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Giorda
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Renato Borgatti
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.,Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
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Inhibitors of DNA Methylation. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1389:471-513. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11454-0_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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9
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Bakusic J, Ghosh M, Polli A, Bekaert B, Schaufeli W, Claes S, Godderis L. Role of NR3C1 and SLC6A4 methylation in the HPA axis regulation in burnout. J Affect Disord 2021; 295:505-512. [PMID: 34509065 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.08.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Work-related stress and burnout have become major occupational health concerns. Dysregulation of HPA axis is considered one of the central mechanisms and is potentially moderated through epigenetics. In the present study, we aim to investigate epigenetic regulation of the HPA axis in burnout, by focusing on salivary cortisol and cortisone and DNA methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) and the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4). METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study with 59 subjects with burnout and 70 healthy controls recruited from the general population. All participants underwent a clinical interview and psychological assessment. Saliva samples were collected at 0, 30 and 60 min after awakening and were used to quantify cortisol and cortisone. Pyrosequencing was performed on whole blood-derived DNA to assess DNA methylation. RESULTS There were no between-group differences in cortisol levels, whereas burnout participants had higher levels of cortisone. Job stress was associated with increased cortisol and cortisone. We observed both increased and decreased NR3C1 and SLC6A4 methylation in the burnout group compared to the control group. Some of these methylation changes correlated with burnout symptoms dimensionally. Increased methylation in a specific CpG in the SLC6A4 promoter region moderated the association between job stress and burnout. DNA methylation in this CpG was also associated with increased cortisol. In addition, average methylation of NR3C1 was negatively associated with cortisone levels. LIMITATIONS This is a cross-sectional study and therefore no conclusions on causality could be made. CONCLUSIONS We provide first evidence of changes in DNA methylation of NR3C1 and SLC6A4 in burnout, which were further associated with cortisol and cortisone. Further, increased cortisol and cortisone seemed to reflect job stress rather than burnout itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Bakusic
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Manosij Ghosh
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Andrea Polli
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Pain in Motion (PAIN) Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bram Bekaert
- Department of Forensic Medicine; Laboratory of Forensic Genetics and Molecular Archaeology; KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Imaging & Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wilmar Schaufeli
- Work, Organisational and Personnel Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Stephan Claes
- Psychiatry Research Group, Department of Neuroscience, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lode Godderis
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; IDEWE, External Service for Prevention and Protection at Work, Heverlee, Belgium
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Shirvani-Farsani Z, Maloum Z, Bagheri-Hosseinabadi Z, Vilor-Tejedor N, Sadeghi I. DNA methylation signature as a biomarker of major neuropsychiatric disorders. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 141:34-49. [PMID: 34171761 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is a broadly-investigated epigenetic modification that has been considered as a heritable and reversible change. Previous findings have indicated that DNA methylation regulates gene expression in the central nervous system (CNS). Also, disturbance of DNA methylation patterns has been associated with destructive consequences that lead to human brain diseases such as neuropsychiatric disorders (NPDs). In this review, we comprehensively discuss the mechanism and function of DNA methylation and its most recent associations with the pathology of NPDs-including major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia (SZ), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder (BD), and attention/deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We also discuss how heterogeneous findings demand further investigations. Finally, based on the recent studies we conclude that DNA methylation status may have implications in clinical diagnostics and therapeutics as a potential epigenetic biomarker of NPDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Shirvani-Farsani
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University G.C., Tehran, IR, Iran.
| | - Zahra Maloum
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University G.C., Tehran, IR, Iran.
| | - Zahra Bagheri-Hosseinabadi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
| | - Natalia Vilor-Tejedor
- BarcelonaBeta Brain Research Center (BBRC), Pasqual Maragall Foundation, Carrer Wellington 30, 08005, Barcelona, Spain; Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Erasmus University Medical Center, Department of Clinical Genetics, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Iman Sadeghi
- BarcelonaBeta Brain Research Center (BBRC), Pasqual Maragall Foundation, Carrer Wellington 30, 08005, Barcelona, Spain; Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.
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Hasan MA, Hakim FT, Islam Shovon MT, Islam MM, Islam MS, Islam MA. The investigation of nonsynonymous SNPs of human SLC6A4 gene associated with depression: An in silico approach. Heliyon 2021; 7:e07815. [PMID: 34466701 PMCID: PMC8384904 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic polymorphism of the SLC6A4 gene is associated with several behavioral disorders, including depression. Since studying the total nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) of the SLC6A4 gene at the population level is a difficult task, we aim to utilize in silico approach to detect the most deleterious nsSNPs of the SLC6A4 gene. In our study, 7 computational tools were used in the initial stage, including SIFT, Polyphen-2, PROVEAN, SNAP2, PhD-SNP, PANTHER, and SNPs&GO to find out the most damaging nsSNPs. In the second phase, we performed structural, functional, and stability analysis of SLC6A4 protein by popular computation tools, including I-Mutant 2.0 and MutPred2. Also, the ConSurf server was utilized to find the conserved region of the SLC6A4 protein to determine the relationship between these conserved regions with high-risk nsSNPs. Based on these analyses, 5 high-risk mutations of the SLC6A4 protein were selected. Then, we carried out comparative modeling by using the Robetta server and aligned the mutant protein model with the native protein structure. Later, we performed the post-translational modification and functional domain analysis of the SLC6A4 protein. This study concludes that Arginine → Tryptophan at position 79 and Arginine → Cysteine at position 104 are the two significant mutations in SLC6A4 protein which might play an essential role in causing diseases. Future studies should take these high-risk nsSNPs (rs1221448303, rs200953188) into consideration while exploring diseases related to the SLC6A4 gene. Besides, our research is the first-ever comprehensive in silico investigation of the SLC6A4 gene. Thus, the findings of this study could be beneficial for developing precision medicines against diseases caused by SLC6A4 malfunction. Furthermore, extensive wet-lab research and experiments on various model organisms might be helpful to investigate the precise role of these damaging nsSNPs of the SLC6A4 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Amit Hasan
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Fuad Taufiqul Hakim
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Tanjil Islam Shovon
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Mirajul Islam
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Samiul Islam
- RT-PCR Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Rangpur Medical College, Rangpur-5403, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Asadul Islam
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
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Mariani Wigley ILC, Mascheroni E, Peruzzo D, Giorda R, Bonichini S, Montirosso R. Neuroimaging and DNA Methylation: An Innovative Approach to Study the Effects of Early Life Stress on Developmental Plasticity. Front Psychol 2021; 12:672786. [PMID: 34079501 PMCID: PMC8165202 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.672786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation plays a key role in neural cell fate and provides a molecular link between early life stress and later-life behavioral phenotypes. Here, studies that combine neuroimaging methods and DNA methylation analysis in pediatric population with a history of adverse experiences were systematically reviewed focusing on: targeted genes and neural correlates; statistical models used to examine the link between DNA methylation and neuroimaging data also considering early life stress and behavioral outcomes. We identified 8 studies that report associations between DNA methylation and brain structure/functions in infants, school age children and adolescents faced with early life stress condition (e.g., preterm birth, childhood maltreatment, low socioeconomic status, and less-than optimal caregiving). Results showed that several genes were investigated (e.g., OXTR, SLC6A4, FKBP5, and BDNF) and different neuroimaging techniques were performed (MRI and f-NIRS). Statistical model used ranged from correlational to more complex moderated mediation models. Most of the studies (n = 5) considered DNA methylation and neural correlates as mediators in the relationship between early life stress and behavioral phenotypes. Understanding what role DNA methylation and neural correlates play in interaction with early life stress and behavioral outcomes is crucial to promote theory-driven studies as the future direction of this research fields.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eleonora Mascheroni
- 0-3 Center for the At-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Denis Peruzzo
- Neuroimaging Lab, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Roberto Giorda
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Sabrina Bonichini
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Rosario Montirosso
- 0-3 Center for the At-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
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13
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Bakusic J, Vrieze E, Ghosh M, Bekaert B, Claes S, Godderis L. Increased methylation of NR3C1 and SLC6A4 is associated with blunted cortisol reactivity to stress in major depression. Neurobiol Stress 2020; 13:100272. [PMID: 33344725 PMCID: PMC7739183 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2020.100272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Epigenetic changes are considered the main mechanisms behind the interplay of environment and genetic susceptibility in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, studies focusing on epigenetic dysregulation of the HPA axis stress response in MDD are lacking. Our objective was to simultaneously asses DNA methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) and serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) and HPA axis response to stress in MDD. Methods We recruited 80 depressed inpatients and 58 gender and age matched healthy controls. All participants underwent the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and salivary cortisol was repeatedly measured to assess HPA axis reactivity. DNA methylation of the NR3C1 (exon 1 F) and SLC6A4 CpG islands was quantified from whole blood DNA. In the MDD group, clinical assessment was repeated at 8-week follow-up to test the predictive potential of DNA methylation for symptom improvement. Results Depressed patients had blunted cortisol reactivity to TSST compared to healthy controls (p = 0.01). In addition, they presented with increased average SLC6A4 (p = 0.003) and NR3C1 methylation (p = 0.03), as well as methylation of two individual NR3C1 CpG loci overlapping with the NGFI-A-binding sites (CpG12 and CpG20). Methylation of one of these two loci (CpG20) predicted lower symptom improvement at the follow-up (p = 0.007). Both, average NR3C1 and SLC6A4 methylation were associated with lower cortisol reactivity in the MDD group and explained about 16% of variability in cortisol response to TSST. Conclusions We provide evidence of the role of NR3C1 and SLC6A4 DNA methylation in HPA axis dysregulation in MDD, which needs to be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elske Vrieze
- Psychiatry Research Group, Department of Neuroscience, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Bram Bekaert
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Laboratory of Forensic Genetics and Molecular Archaeology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Imaging & Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephan Claes
- Psychiatry Research Group, Department of Neuroscience, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lode Godderis
- Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Belgium.,IDEWE, External Service for Prevention and Protection at Work, Heverlee, Belgium
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14
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Xiao C, Beitler JJ, Higgins KA, Chico CE, Withycombe JS, Zhu Y, Zhao H, Lin IH, Li F, Jeon S, Irwin M, Bruner DW, Miller AH, Gary R. Pilot study of combined aerobic and resistance exercise on fatigue for patients with head and neck cancer: Inflammatory and epigenetic changes. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 88:184-192. [PMID: 32330594 PMCID: PMC7415514 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.04.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
This pilot study examined whether a combined aerobic resistance exercise program reduced fatigue and the potential inflammatory and epigenetic mechanisms in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) receiving intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The exercise group (N = 12) received a 3-month supervised aerobic resistance exercise intervention that was initiated before a 6-week radiotherapy regimen; the control group (N = 14) received standard care. Fatigue was measured using Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20; physical function measures included a 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), chair stands, bicep curls, and hand grip strength. Inflammatory markers and DNA methylation data were acquired using standardized protocol. Patients were mostly white (93%) and male (81%) with a mean age of 57 years. At the end of the intervention, the exercise group had a marginal decrease in fatigue compared with the control (-5.0 vs. 4.9; P = 0.10). The exercise group had a significantly greater improvement in 6MWD (29.8 vs. -55.5 m; P = 0.04), and a marginally smaller decline in hand grip (-0.3 vs. -5.8 lbs; P = 0.05) at the end of the intervention than the control. No significant difference in inflammatory markers was observed between groups. Lower plasma interleukin (IL) 6, IL1 receptor antagonist, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), soluble TNF receptor II and C-reactive protein were significantly associated with increased 6MWD, chair stand, and bicep curl at the end of the intervention (p < 0.05). Among the 1152 differentially methylated sites (DMS) after intervention (p < 0.001), 163 DMS were located in gene promoter regions. Enrichment analysis suggested that the top 10 upstream regulators were associated with tumor (HNF4A, RPP38, HOXA9, SAHM1, CDK7, NDN, RPS15) and inflammation (IRF7, CRKL, ONECUT1). The top 5 diseases or functions annotations of the 62 hypermethylated DMS indicated anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects that might be linked to exercise. These findings suggest that exercise may improve physical performance and reduce fatigue, which could be further linked to decreased inflammation, during active radiotherapy for HNC patients. Larger studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Canhua Xiao
- School of Nursing, Yale University, 400 West Campus Drive, Orange 06477, United States.
| | - Jonathan J. Beitler
- Department of Radiation, School of Medicine, Emory University, 1520 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, 30322, United States
| | - Kristin A. Higgins
- Department of Radiation, School of Medicine, Emory University, 1520 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, 30322, United States
| | - Cynthia E Chico
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Emory University, 1365-B Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Janice S Withycombe
- School of Nursing, Clemson University, 508 Edward’s, Clemson, SC 29634, United States
| | - Ying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontier Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China 200433
| | - Hongyu Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, Yale University, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT 06510, United states
| | - I-Hsin Lin
- Yale Center for Analytical Sciences, School of Public Health, Yale University, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT 06510, United states
| | - Fangyong Li
- School of Public Health, Yale University, 60 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, United states
| | - Sangchoon Jeon
- School of Nursing, Yale University, 400 West Campus Drive, Orange, 06477, United states
| | - Melinda Irwin
- School of Public Health, Yale University, 60 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, United states
| | - Deborah W. Bruner
- School of Nursing, Emory University, 1520 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, 30322, United states
| | - Andrew H. Miller
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Emory University, 1365-B Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Rebecca Gary
- School of Nursing, Yale University, 400 West Campus Drive, Orange, 06477, United states
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15
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Chiarella J, Schumann L, Pomares FB, Frodl T, Tozzi L, Nemoda Z, Yu P, Szyf M, Khalid-Khan S, Booij L. DNA methylation differences in stress-related genes, functional connectivity and gray matter volume in depressed and healthy adolescents. J Affect Disord 2020; 271:160-168. [PMID: 32479312 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.03.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies in adult depressed patients have indicated that altered DNA methylation patterns at genes related to serotonin and HPA axis functioning (e.g., SLC6A4, FKBP5) are associated with changes in frontolimbic functional connectivity and structure. Here, we examined whether these associations can be generalized to adolescents. METHODS 25 adolescents with depression (Mean age = 15.72 ± 0.94 SD; 20 girls) and 20 healthy controls (Mean age = 16.05 ± 1.5 SD; 16 girls) underwent a functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging protocol, which included a resting-state assessment and measures of brain morphometry. DNA was obtained from saliva. Levels of SLC6A4 and FKBP5 methylation were determined using pyrosequencing. RESULTS SLC6A4 methylation was linked to amygdala-frontal operculum resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC), regardless of diagnosis, and was differentially associated with inferior orbitofrontal gyrus (IFOG) gray matter (GM) volume in adolescents with depression and controls. Replicating and extending previous findings in adults, FKBP5 methylation was associated with IFOG GM volume in depressed and healthy adolescents, as well as orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)-rostral prefrontal cortex (RPFC) connectivity in healthy adolescents only. LIMITATIONS Effects of medication use or genotype cannot be ruled out. Further, the relatively small sample size and predominately female sample may limit generalizability. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that previously observed associations between SLC6A4 and FKBP5 methylation and frontolimbic processes in adult depressed patients can be in part generalized to adolescent patients. Further, findings suggest that measuring peripheral methylation at these genes deserves further attention as potential markers of typical and atypical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Chiarella
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada; Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | | | | | - Thomas Frodl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Leonardo Tozzi
- Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College School of Medicine and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Zsofia Nemoda
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Patricia Yu
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sarosh Khalid-Khan
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Child Psychiatry, Hotel Dieu Hospital, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Linda Booij
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada; Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.
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16
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Arias JA, Williams C, Raghvani R, Aghajani M, Baez S, Belzung C, Booij L, Busatto G, Chiarella J, Fu CH, Ibanez A, Liddell BJ, Lowe L, Penninx BWJH, Rosa P, Kemp AH. The neuroscience of sadness: A multidisciplinary synthesis and collaborative review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 111:199-228. [PMID: 32001274 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Sadness is typically characterized by raised inner eyebrows, lowered corners of the mouth, reduced walking speed, and slumped posture. Ancient subcortical circuitry provides a neuroanatomical foundation, extending from dorsal periaqueductal grey to subgenual anterior cingulate, the latter of which is now a treatment target in disorders of sadness. Electrophysiological studies further emphasize a role for reduced left relative to right frontal asymmetry in sadness, underpinning interest in the transcranial stimulation of left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex as an antidepressant target. Neuroimaging studies - including meta-analyses - indicate that sadness is associated with reduced cortical activation, which may contribute to reduced parasympathetic inhibitory control over medullary cardioacceleratory circuits. Reduced cardiac control may - in part - contribute to epidemiological reports of reduced life expectancy in affective disorders, effects equivalent to heavy smoking. We suggest that the field may be moving toward a theoretical consensus, in which different models relating to basic emotion theory and psychological constructionism may be considered as complementary, working at different levels of the phylogenetic hierarchy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A Arias
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, United Kingdom; Department of Statistics, Mathematical Analysis, and Operational Research, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Claire Williams
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, United Kingdom
| | - Rashmi Raghvani
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, United Kingdom
| | - Moji Aghajani
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUMC, GGZ InGeest Research & Innovation, Amsterdam Neuroscience, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Linda Booij
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University Montreal, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Julian Chiarella
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University Montreal, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Cynthia Hy Fu
- School of Psychology, University of East London, United Kingdom; Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Agustin Ibanez
- Institute of Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience (INCYT), INECO Foundation, Favaloro University, Buenos Aires, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Center for Social and Cognitive Neuroscience (CSCN), School of Psychology, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile; Universidad Autonoma del Caribe, Barranquilla, Colombia; Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Australian Research Council (ARC), New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Leroy Lowe
- Neuroqualia (NGO), Turo, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Brenda W J H Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUMC, GGZ InGeest Research & Innovation, Amsterdam Neuroscience, the Netherlands
| | - Pedro Rosa
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andrew H Kemp
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, United Kingdom; Department of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Discipline of Psychiatry, and School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
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17
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Orsolini L, Latini R, Pompili M, Serafini G, Volpe U, Vellante F, Fornaro M, Valchera A, Tomasetti C, Fraticelli S, Alessandrini M, La Rovere R, Trotta S, Martinotti G, Di Giannantonio M, De Berardis D. Understanding the Complex of Suicide in Depression: from Research to Clinics. Psychiatry Investig 2020; 17:207-221. [PMID: 32209966 PMCID: PMC7113180 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2019.0171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Amongst psychiatric disorders, major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most prevalent, by affecting approximately 15-17% of the population and showing a high suicide risk rate equivalent to around 15%. The present comprehensive overview aims at evaluating main research studies in the field of MDD at suicide risk, by proposing as well as a schematic suicide risk stratification and useful flow-chart for planning suicide preventive and therapeutic interventions for clinicians. METHODS A broad and comprehensive overview has been here conducted by using PubMed/Medline, combining the search strategy of free text terms and exploded MESH headings for the topics of 'Major Depressive Disorder' and 'Suicide' as following: ((suicide [Title/Abstract]) AND (major depressive disorder [Title/Abstract])). All articles published in English through May 31, 2019 were summarized in a comprehensive way. RESULTS Despite possible pathophysiological factors which may explain the complexity of suicide in MDD, scientific evidence supposed the synergic role of genetics, exogenous and endogenous stressors (i.e., interpersonal, professional, financial, as well as psychiatric disorders), epigenetic, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal stress-response system, the involvement of the monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems, particularly the serotonergic ones, the lipid profile, neuro-immunological biomarkers, the Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and other neuromodulators. CONCLUSION The present overview reported that suicide is a highly complex and multifaceted phenomenon in which a large plethora of mechanisms could be variable implicated, particularly amongst MDD subjects. Beyond these consideration, modern psychiatry needs a better interpretation of suicide risk with a more careful assessment of suicide risk stratification and planning of clinical and treatment interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Orsolini
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK.,Neomesia Mental Health, Villa Jolanda Hospital, Jesi, Italy.,Polyedra, Teramo, Italy
| | - Roberto Latini
- Neomesia Mental Health, Villa Jolanda Hospital, Jesi, Italy
| | - Maurizio Pompili
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Suicide Prevention Center, S. Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Serafini
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Umberto Volpe
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences/DIMSC, School of Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Federica Vellante
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, Chair of Psychiatry, University of "G. D'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
| | - Michele Fornaro
- Polyedra, Teramo, Italy.,Department of Psychiatry, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Valchera
- Polyedra, Teramo, Italy.,Villa S. Giuseppe Hospital, Hermanas Hospitalarias, Ascoli Piceno, Italy
| | - Carmine Tomasetti
- Department of Mental Health, National Health Service, Psychiatric Service of Diagnosis and Treatment, Hospital "SS. Annunziata" ASL 4, Giulianova, Italy
| | - Silvia Fraticelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, Chair of Psychiatry, University of "G. D'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
| | - Marco Alessandrini
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, Chair of Psychiatry, University of "G. D'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
| | - Raffaella La Rovere
- Department of Mental Health, National Health Service, Azienda Sanitaria Locale, Pescara, Italy
| | - Sabatino Trotta
- Department of Mental Health, National Health Service, Azienda Sanitaria Locale, Pescara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, Chair of Psychiatry, University of "G. D'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
| | - Massimo Di Giannantonio
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, Chair of Psychiatry, University of "G. D'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
| | - Domenico De Berardis
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, Chair of Psychiatry, University of "G. D'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy.,Department of Mental Health, National Health Service, Psychiatric Service of Diagnosis and Treatment, Hospital "G. Mazzini", ASL 4, Teramo, Italy
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18
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The association between childhood maltreatment and empathic perspective taking is moderated by the 5-HTT linked polymorphic region: Another example of "differential susceptibility". PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226737. [PMID: 31856211 PMCID: PMC6922468 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous research has suggested that the short (S)-allele of the 5-HT transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) may confer “differential susceptibility” to environmental impact with regard to the expression of personality traits, depressivity and impulsivity. However, little is known about the role of 5-HTTLPR concerning the association between childhood adversity and empathy. Here, we analyzed samples of 137 healthy participants and 142 individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) focusing on the 5-HTTLPR genotype (S/L-carrier) and A/G SNP (rs25531), in relation to childhood maltreatment and empathy traits. Whereas no between-group difference in 5-HTTLPR genotype distribution emerged, the S-allele selectively moderated the impact of childhood maltreatment on empathic perspective taking, whereby low scores in childhood trauma were associated with superior perspective taking. In contrast, L-homozygotes seemed to be largely unresponsive to variation in environmental conditions in relation to empathy, suggesting that the S-allele confers “differential susceptibility”. Moreover, a moderation analysis and tests for differential susceptibility yielded similar results when transcriptional activity of the serotonin transporter gene was taken into account. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the S-allele of the 5-HTTLPR is responsive to early developmental contingencies for “better and worse”, i.e. conferring genetic plasticity, especially with regard to processes involving emotional resonance.
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19
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Jones-Mason K, Behrens KY, Gribneau Bahm NI. The psychobiological consequences of child separation at the border: lessons from research on attachment and emotion regulation. Attach Hum Dev 2019; 23:1-36. [PMID: 31769354 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2019.1692879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
In the spring of 2018, the Attorney General of the United States issued a memorandum declaring a "zero tolerance policy" under which all adults entering the United States illegally would be criminally prosecuted, and, if traveling with minor children, forcibly separated from their children. Although the government was ordered to reunite the children with their parents it is still unclear how many children have been or remain separated. Given the high risk of permanent harm to a vulnerable population, and the fact that this risk may continue into the near future, we present a review of what nearly eight decades of scholarly research has taught us about the damaging impact of deprivation and separation from parents. The article briefly reviews the origins of attachment theory as well as empirical studies that examine the psychobiological impact on children who experienced parental deprivation or separation. The paper concludes with recommendations, for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Jones-Mason
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Health and Community, University of California , San Francisco, USA
| | - Kazuko Y Behrens
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York Polytechnic Institute , Utica, NY, USA
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20
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Sbarra DA, Cook CC, Hasselmo K, Noon MS, Mehl MR. DNA Methylation Across the Serotonin Transporter Gene Following Marital Separation: A Pilot Study. Ann Behav Med 2019; 53:1081-1087. [PMID: 31053862 DOI: 10.1093/abm/kaz013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Marital separation and divorce are stressful life transitions associated with increased risk for a range of poor mental and physical health outcomes. A key task for research in this area is to identify individual differences that may index risk for these adverse outcomes. PURPOSE To examine the association between DNA methylation across the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) and self-reported emotional distress following marital separation. METHODS Genomic DNA methylation (from buffy coat fractions of whole blood) was quantified in a sample of 47 adults following a recent marital separation; concurrent with the blood draw, participants completed questionnaires on their psychological adjustment to the separation experience. RESULTS Relatively greater methylation of SLC6A4 was associated with less subjective separation-related psychological distress, and this association held after accounting for participants' age, length of the relationship, time since the separation, and SLC6A4 genotype, b = -211.99, SE = 94.91, p = .03, 95% CI: -402.22, -25.21. Significantly stronger negative associations were observed between methylation and psychological adjustment among participants who had more recently separated from their former partner. CONCLUSIONS Although results derived from small samples must be considered preliminary and hypothesis generating, the current study raises new questions about the role of DNA methylation and psychosocial adaptation to stressful life events such as divorce, and the findings can inform future studies in this research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Sbarra
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Chelsea C Cook
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Karen Hasselmo
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Muhammad S Noon
- Data Science Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Matthias R Mehl
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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21
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Latorre E, Mesonero JE, Harries LW. Alternative splicing in serotonergic system: Implications in neuropsychiatric disorders. J Psychopharmacol 2019; 33:1352-1363. [PMID: 31210090 DOI: 10.1177/0269881119856546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The serotonergic system is a key component of physiological brain function and is essential for proper neurological activity. Numerous neuropsychiatric disorders are associated with deregulation of the serotonergic system. Accordingly, many pharmacological treatments are focused on modulation of this system. While providing a promising line of therapeutic moderation, these approaches may be complicated due to the presence of alternative splicing events for key genes in this pathway. Alternative splicing is a co-transcriptional process by which different mRNA transcripts can be produced from the same gene. These different isoforms may have diverse activities and functions, and their relative balance is often critical for the maintenance of homeostasis. Alternative splicing greatly increases the production of proteins, augmenting cell plasticity, and provides an important control point for regulation of gene expression. AIM The objective of this narrative review is to discuss the potential impact of alternative splicing of different components of the serotonergic system and speculate on their involvement in several neuropsychiatric disorders. CONCLUSIONS The specific role of each isoform in disease and their relative activities in the signalling pathways involved are yet to be determined. We need to gain a better understanding of the basis of alternative isoforms of the serotonergic system in order to fully understand their impact and be able to develop new effective pharmacological isoform-specific targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Latorre
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón - IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza - CITA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jose Emilio Mesonero
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón - IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza - CITA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Departamento Farmacología y Fisiología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS Aragón), Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Lorna W Harries
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
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22
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Albicker J, Hölzel LP, Bengel J, Domschke K, Kriston L, Schiele MA, Frank F. Prevalence, symptomatology, risk factors and healthcare services utilization regarding paternal depression in Germany: study protocol of a controlled cross-sectional epidemiological study. BMC Psychiatry 2019; 19:289. [PMID: 31533685 PMCID: PMC6751806 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-019-2280-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While postpartum depression is a well-researched disorder in mothers, there is growing evidence indicating that some fathers also develop depressive symptoms (paternal postpartum depression, PPD). A recent meta-analysis revealed a total prevalence of paternal depression during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum of 8.4%, with significant heterogeneity observed among prevalence rates. International studies suggest that PPD is characterized by additional symptoms compared to maternal postpartum depression. Furthermore, various risk factors of PPD have been identified. However, the prevalence, symptomatology, risk factors and healthcare situation of fathers affected by PPD in Germany are unknown. METHODS/DESIGN This study comprises a controlled, cross-sectional epidemiological survey administered via postal questionnaires. The primary objective is to compare the prevalence of depressive symptoms in fathers with a 0-12-month-old infant to the prevalence of depressive symptoms in men without recent paternity. Two structurally differing regions (concerning birthrate, employment status, socioeconomic structure, and nationality of inhabitants) will be included. A random sample of 4600 fathers (2300 in each region) in the postpartum period and 4600 men without recent paternity matched by age, nationality and marital status will be assessed regarding depressive symptoms using the PHQ-9. Contact data will be extracted from residents' registration offices. As secondary objectives, the study aims to provide insights into symptoms and risk factors of PPD in fathers and to assess the current healthcare situation of fathers with PPD in Germany. In an add-on study, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of PPD will be explored. DISCUSSION This study will conduct the first direct comparison between fathers in the postpartum period of one year after childbirth and a matched sample of men without a newborn child. Besides closing this research gap, the findings will provide prevalence estimates as well as insights into specific symptomatology, risk factors, and the current healthcare situation regarding fathers with PPD in Germany. The results will identify low-threshold approaches as a relevant issue for healthcare. Moreover, the findings should inform the development of PPD-specific screening instruments and healthcare offers addressing fathers with PPD. TRIAL REGISTRATION German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS): DRKS00013339 ; Trial registration date: August 20, 2018; Universal Trial Number (UTN): U1111-1218-8185.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Albicker
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Centre - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hauptstraße 5, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Lars P. Hölzel
- grid.5963.9Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Centre – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hauptstraße 5, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany ,grid.492057.dParkklinik Wiesbaden Schlangenbad, Rheingauer Straße 47, D-65388 Schlangenbad, Germany
| | - Jürgen Bengel
- grid.5963.9Department of Psychology, University of Freiburg, Engelbergerstraße 41, D-79085 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Domschke
- grid.5963.9Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Centre – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hauptstraße 5, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Levente Kriston
- 0000 0001 2180 3484grid.13648.38Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Miriam A. Schiele
- grid.5963.9Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Centre – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hauptstraße 5, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Fabian Frank
- grid.5963.9Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Centre – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hauptstraße 5, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany ,0000 0001 0378 8604grid.449362.eDepartment of Social Work, Protestant University of Applied Sciences Freiburg, Bugginger Straße 38, D-79114 Freiburg, Germany
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Sharma S, Akundi RS. Mitochondria: A Connecting Link in the Major Depressive Disorder Jigsaw. Curr Neuropharmacol 2019; 17:550-562. [PMID: 29512466 PMCID: PMC6712299 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x16666180302120322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Depression is a widespread phenomenon with varying degrees of pathology in different patients. Various hypotheses have been proposed for the cause and continuance of depression. Some of these include, but not limited to, the monoamine hypothesis, the neuroendocrine hypothesis, and the more recent epigenetic and inflammatory hypotheses. Objective In this article, we review all the above hypotheses with a focus on the role of mitochondria as the connecting link. Oxidative stress, respiratory activity, mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism are some of the mitochondria-dependent factors which are affected during depression. We also propose exogenous ATP as a contributing factor to depression. Result Literature review shows that pro-inflammatory markers are elevated in depressive individuals. The cause for elevated levels of cytokines in depression is not completely understood. We propose exogenous ATP activates purinergic receptors which in turn increase the levels of various pro-inflammatory factors in the pathophysiology of depression. Conclusion Mitochondria are integral to the function of neurons and undergo dysfunction in major depressive disorder patients. This dysfunction is reflected in all the various hypotheses that have been proposed for depression. Among the newer targets identified, which also involve mitochondria, includes the role of exogenous ATP. The diversity of purinergic receptors, and their differential expression among various individuals in the population, due to genetic and environmental (prenatal) influences, may influence the susceptibility and severity of depression. Identifying specific receptors involved and using patient-specific purinergic receptor antagonist may be an appropriate therapeutic course in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Sharma
- Neuroinflammation Research Lab, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, South Asian University, New Delhi, India
| | - Ravi S Akundi
- Neuroinflammation Research Lab, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, South Asian University, New Delhi, India
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24
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Liang S, Wang Q, Kong X, Deng W, Yang X, Li X, Zhang Z, Zhang J, Zhang C, Li XM, Ma X, Shao J, Greenshaw AJ, Li T. White Matter Abnormalities in Major Depression Biotypes Identified by Diffusion Tensor Imaging. Neurosci Bull 2019; 35:867-876. [PMID: 31062333 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-019-00381-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Identifying data-driven biotypes of major depressive disorder (MDD) has promise for the clarification of diagnostic heterogeneity. However, few studies have focused on white-matter abnormalities for MDD subtyping. This study included 116 patients with MDD and 118 demographically-matched healthy controls assessed by diffusion tensor imaging and neurocognitive evaluation. Hierarchical clustering was applied to the major fiber tracts, in conjunction with tract-based spatial statistics, to reveal white-matter alterations associated with MDD. Clinical and neurocognitive differences were compared between identified subgroups and healthy controls. With fractional anisotropy extracted from 20 fiber tracts, cluster analysis revealed 3 subgroups based on the patterns of abnormalities. Patients in each subgroup versus healthy controls showed a stepwise pattern of white-matter alterations as follows: subgroup 1 (25.9% of patient sample), widespread white-matter disruption; subgroup 2 (43.1% of patient sample), intermediate and more localized abnormalities in aspects of the corpus callosum and left cingulate; and subgroup 3 (31.0% of patient sample), possible mild alterations, but no statistically significant tract disruption after controlling for family-wise error. The neurocognitive impairment in each subgroup accompanied the white-matter alterations: subgroup 1, deficits in sustained attention and delayed memory; subgroup 2, dysfunction in delayed memory; and subgroup 3, no significant deficits. Three subtypes of white-matter abnormality exist in individuals with major depression, those having widespread abnormalities suffering more neurocognitive impairments, which may provide evidence for parsing the heterogeneity of the disorder and help optimize type-specific treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sugai Liang
- Mental Health Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.,Huaxi Brain Research Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Mental Health Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiangzhen Kong
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, 6525 XD, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Wei Deng
- Mental Health Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.,Huaxi Brain Research Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Mental Health Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.,Huaxi Brain Research Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaojing Li
- Mental Health Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zhong Zhang
- Big Data Research Center, School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Mental Health Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Chengcheng Zhang
- Mental Health Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xin-Min Li
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2B7, Canada
| | - Xiaohong Ma
- Mental Health Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Junming Shao
- Big Data Research Center, School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Andrew J Greenshaw
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2B7, Canada
| | - Tao Li
- Mental Health Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China. .,Huaxi Brain Research Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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25
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Steiger H, Booij L, Kahan `E, McGregor K, Thaler L, Fletcher E, Labbe A, Joober R, Israël M, Szyf M, Agellon LB, Gauvin L, St-Hilaire A, Rossi E. A longitudinal, epigenome-wide study of DNA methylation in anorexia nervosa: results in actively ill, partially weight-restored, long-term remitted and non-eating-disordered women. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2019; 44:205-213. [PMID: 30693739 PMCID: PMC6488489 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.170242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study explored state-related tendencies in DNA methylation in people with anorexia nervosa. Methods We measured genome-wide DNA methylation in 75 women with active anorexia nervosa (active), 31 women showing stable remission of anorexia nervosa (remitted) and 41 women with no eating disorder (NED). We also obtained post-intervention methylation data from 52 of the women from the active group. Results Comparisons between members of the active and NED groups showed 58 differentially methylated sites (Q < 0.01) that corresponded to genes relevant to metabolic and nutritional status (lipid and glucose metabolism), psychiatric status (serotonin receptor activity) and immune function. Methylation levels in members of the remitted group differed from those in the active group on 265 probes that also involved sites associated with genes for serotonin and insulin activity, glucose metabolism and immunity. Intriguingly, the direction of methylation effects in remitted participants tended to be opposite to those seen in active participants. The chronicity of Illness correlated (usually inversely, at Q < 0.01) with methylation levels at 64 sites that mapped onto genes regulating glutamate and serotonin activity, insulin function and epigenetic age. In contrast, body mass index increases coincided (at Q < 0.05) with generally increased methylation-level changes at 73 probes associated with lipid and glucose metabolism, immune and inflammatory processes, and olfaction. Limitations Sample sizes were modest for this type of inquiry, and findings may have been subject to uncontrolled effects of medication and substance use. Conclusion Findings point to the possibility of reversible epigenetic alterations in anorexia nervosa, and suggest that an adequate pathophysiological model would likely need to include psychiatric, metabolic and immune components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard Steiger
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Linda Booij
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - `Esther Kahan
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Kevin McGregor
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Lea Thaler
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Emilie Fletcher
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Aurelie Labbe
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Ridha Joober
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Mimi Israël
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Moshe Szyf
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Luis B. Agellon
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Lise Gauvin
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Annie St-Hilaire
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Erika Rossi
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
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What do DNA methylation studies tell us about depression? A systematic review. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:68. [PMID: 30718449 PMCID: PMC6362194 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0412-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been a limited number of systematic reviews conducted to summarize the overview of the relationship between DNA methylation and depression, and to critically appraise the roles of major study characteristics in the accuracy of study findings. This systematic review aims to critically appraise the impact of study characteristics on the association between DNA methylation and depression, and summarize the overview of this association. Electronic databases and gray literatures until December 2017 were searched for English-language studies with standard diagnostic criteria of depression. A total of 67 studies were included in this review along with a summary of their study characteristics. We grouped the findings into etiological and treatment studies. Majority of these selected studies were recently published and from developed countries. Whole blood samples were the most studied common tissues. Bisulfite conversion, along with pyrosequencing, was widely used to test the DNA methylation level across all the studies. High heterogeneity existed among the studies in terms of experimental and statistical methodologies and study designs. As recommended by the Cochrane guideline, a systematic review without meta-analysis should be undertaken. This review has, in general, found that DNA methylation modifications were associated with depression. Subgroup analyses showed that most studies found BDNF and SLC6A4 hypermethylations to be associated with MDD or depression in general. In contrast, studies on NR3C1, OXTR, and other genes, which were tested by only few studies, reported mixed findings. More longitudinal studies using standardized experimental and laboratory methodologies are needed in future studies to enable more systematical comparisons and quantitative synthesis.
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Pompili M. Critical appraisal of major depression with suicidal ideation. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2019; 18:7. [PMID: 31164909 PMCID: PMC6543655 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-019-0232-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regardless of its nature, suicidal ideation, in the absence of another diagnosis, is quintessentially associated with major clinical depression. Although for the characteristics of being depressed it is reasonable to have some wish to die, there is no real attempt to understanding the suicidal mind. Clinicians are therefore often inclined to consider suicidal ideation a symptom of major depression. Yet, most depressed patients do not die by suicide, and many of them never experience suicidal ideation even in the most severe depressing scenario. At a closer look, when one works with suicidal individual, suicide appears complex and not line with the obsolete medical model. There are often warning signs for suicide, and suicidal individuals experience mental pain as a common denominator of many adverse events. CASE PRESENTATION A case report of an entrepreneur with no previous psychiatric history describes the process of meditating suicide as a dimension overlapping the depressive disorder. Details of how this 63-year-old male developed high suicide risk are reported, and clinicians are guided into the understanding of suicide risk. CONCLUSIONS Nowadays, clinicians are requested to provide an in-depth investigation into the suicidal mind, an assessment adjunctive to the psychiatric evaluation. A phenomenological approach may be the key to unlock the suicidal mind. Clinicians may use such tool in light of the need for the empathic understanding of human suffering as well as a paradigm shift in the care of suicidal individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Pompili
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Suicide Prevention Center, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Lax E, Warhaftig G, Ohana D, Maayan R, Delayahu Y, Roska P, Ponizovsky AM, Weizman A, Yadid G, Szyf M. A DNA Methylation Signature of Addiction in T Cells and Its Reversal With DHEA Intervention. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:322. [PMID: 30250424 PMCID: PMC6139343 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00322] [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: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies in animal models of cocaine craving have delineated broad changes in DNA methylation profiles in the nucleus accumbens. A crucial factor for progress in behavioral and mental health epigenetics is the discovery of epigenetic markers in peripheral tissues. Several studies in primates and humans have associated differences in behavioral phenotypes with changes in DNA methylation in T cells and brain. Herein, we present a pilot study (n = 27) showing that the T cell DNA methylation profile differentiates persons with a substance use disorder from controls. Intervention with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), previously shown to have a long-term therapeutic effect on human addicts herein resulted in reversal of DNA methylation changes in genes related to pathways associated with the addictive state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elad Lax
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gal Warhaftig
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - David Ohana
- Max Wertheimer Minerva Center for Cognitive Processes and Human Performance, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Rachel Maayan
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Research Unit and Geha Mental Health Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Delayahu
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Research Unit and Geha Mental Health Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Yehuda Abarbanel Mental Health Center, Bat Yam, Israel
| | - Paola Roska
- Department for the Treatment of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, Israeli Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel.,The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Alexander M Ponizovsky
- Department for the Treatment of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, Israeli Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Abraham Weizman
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Research Unit and Geha Mental Health Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gal Yadid
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.,The Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmidt) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Program for Epigenetics and Psychobiology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Lam D, Ancelin ML, Ritchie K, Freak-Poli R, Saffery R, Ryan J. Genotype-dependent associations between serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) DNA methylation and late-life depression. BMC Psychiatry 2018; 18:282. [PMID: 30180828 PMCID: PMC6122720 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-018-1850-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disrupted serotonergic signaling is often a feature of depression and the role of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), responsible for serotonin re-uptake, has received much attention in this regard. Most studies have focused on the polymorphic 5-HTTLPR upstream repeat, or DNA methylation at the promoter CpG island. Few studies have explored the influence of genetic variation across the gene on DNA methylation, and their combined association with depression risk. The aim of this study was to determine whether genetic variation in the SLC6A4 gene influences promoter DNA methylation, and whether these are associated with depression status. METHOD The ESPRIT study involves a community-based population of older individuals (> 65 years of age). Major depressive disorder (MDD) was diagnosed according to DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) criteria, and severe depressive symptoms assessed by the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale. Sequenom MassARRAY was used to measure SLC6A4 methylation status (n = 302). RESULTS Nominally significant associations were observed between SLC6A4 genetic variants (5-HTTLPR, rs140700, rs4251417, rs6354, rs25528, rs25531) and DNA methylation at several CpG sites. In multivariate regression, DNA methylation was associated with depression status, but only in the presence of specific genotypes. In individuals homozygous for the short 5-HTTLPR and 5-HTTLPR/r25531 alleles, lower methylation at two CpGs was associated with depression (β = - 0.44 to β = - 0.31; p = 0.001 to p = 0.038). CONCLUSION We present evidence for genotype-dependent associations between SLC6A4 methylation and depression. Genetic variants may also play a role in influencing promoter methylation levels and its association with depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilys Lam
- 0000 0004 0614 0346grid.416107.5Cancer & Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - Marie-Laure Ancelin
- 0000 0001 2097 0141grid.121334.6INSERM, Univ Montpellier, Neuropsychiatry: Epidemiological and Clinical Research, Montpellier, France
| | - Karen Ritchie
- 0000 0001 2097 0141grid.121334.6INSERM, Univ Montpellier, Neuropsychiatry: Epidemiological and Clinical Research, Montpellier, France ,0000 0004 1936 7988grid.4305.2Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rosanne Freak-Poli
- 0000 0004 1936 7857grid.1002.3Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 5, The Alfred Centre, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, 3004 Australia
| | - Richard Saffery
- 0000 0004 0614 0346grid.416107.5Cancer & Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC Australia ,0000 0001 2179 088Xgrid.1008.9Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - Joanne Ryan
- Cancer & Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia. .,INSERM, Univ Montpellier, Neuropsychiatry: Epidemiological and Clinical Research, Montpellier, France. .,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 5, The Alfred Centre, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, 3004, Australia.
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Ismaylova E, Lévesque ML, Pomares FB, Szyf M, Nemoda Z, Fahim C, Vitaro F, Brendgen M, Dionne G, Boivin M, Tremblay RE, Booij L. Serotonin transporter promoter methylation in peripheral cells and neural responses to negative stimuli: A study of adolescent monozygotic twins. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:147. [PMID: 30089832 PMCID: PMC6082838 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0195-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have examined associations between peripheral DNA methylation patterns of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) promoter and symptoms of depression and anxiety. The SLC6A4 promoter methylation has also been associated with frontal-limbic brain responses to negative stimuli. However, it is unclear how much of this association is confounded by DNA sequence variations. We utilized a monozygotic-twin within-pair discordance design, to test whether DNA methylation at specific CpG sites in the SLC6A4 promoter of peripheral cells is associated with greater frontal-limbic brain responses to negative stimuli (sadness and fear), independently of DNA sequence effects. In total 48 pairs of healthy 15-year-old monozygotic twins from the Quebec Newborn Twin Study, followed regularly since birth, underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while conducting an emotion-processing task. The SLC6A4 promoter methylation level was assessed in saliva samples using pyrosequencing. Relative to the co-twins with lower SLC6A4 promoter methylation levels, twins with higher peripheral SLC6A4 methylation levels showed greater orbitofrontal cortical (OFC) activity and left amygdala-anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and left amygdala-right OFC connectivity in response to sadness as well as greater ACC-left amygdala and ACC-left insula connectivity in response to fearful stimuli. By utilising a monozygotic-twin design, we provided evidence that associations between peripheral SLC6A4 promoter methylation and frontal-limbic brain responses to negative stimuli are, in part, independent of DNA sequence variations. Although causality cannot be determined here, SLC6A4 promoter methylation may be one of the mechanisms underlying how environmental factors influence the serotonin system, potentially affecting emotional processing through frontal-limbic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elmira Ismaylova
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0001 2292 3357grid.14848.31Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Melissa L. Lévesque
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0001 2292 3357grid.14848.31Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Florence B. Pomares
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0004 1936 8630grid.410319.eDepartment of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Moshe Szyf
- 0000 0004 1936 8649grid.14709.3bDepartment of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Zsofia Nemoda
- 0000 0004 1936 8649grid.14709.3bDepartment of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Cherine Fahim
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Frank Vitaro
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0001 2292 3357grid.14848.31School of Psychoeducation, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Mara Brendgen
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0001 2181 0211grid.38678.32Department of Psychology, University of Quebec à Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ginette Dionne
- 0000 0004 1936 8390grid.23856.3aSchool of Psychology, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michel Boivin
- 0000 0004 1936 8390grid.23856.3aSchool of Psychology, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada ,0000 0001 1088 3909grid.77602.34Institute of Genetic, Neurobiological, and Social Foundations of Child Development, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russian Federation
| | - Richard E. Tremblay
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0001 2292 3357grid.14848.31Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0001 0768 2743grid.7886.1School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Linda Booij
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada. .,Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada. .,Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.
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31
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Köhler CA, Evangelou E, Stubbs B, Solmi M, Veronese N, Belbasis L, Bortolato B, Melo MCA, Coelho CA, Fernandes BS, Olfson M, Ioannidis JPA, Carvalho AF. Mapping risk factors for depression across the lifespan: An umbrella review of evidence from meta-analyses and Mendelian randomization studies. J Psychiatr Res 2018; 103:189-207. [PMID: 29886003 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2018.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The development of depression may involve a complex interplay of environmental and genetic risk factors. PubMed and PsycInfo databases were searched from inception through August 3, 2017, to identify meta-analyses and Mendelian randomization (MR) studies of environmental risk factors associated with depression. For each eligible meta-analysis, we estimated the summary effect size and its 95% confidence interval (CI) by random-effects modeling, the 95% prediction interval, heterogeneity with I2, and evidence of small-study effects and excess significance bias. Seventy meta-analytic reviews met the eligibility criteria and provided 134 meta-analyses for associations from 1283 primary studies. While 109 associations were nominally significant (P < 0.05), only 8 met the criteria for convincing evidence and, when limited to prospective studies, convincing evidence was found in 6 (widowhood, physical abuse during childhood, obesity, having 4-5 metabolic risk factors, sexual dysfunction, job strain). In studies in which depression was assessed through a structured diagnostic interview, only associations with widowhood, job strain, and being a Gulf War veteran were supported by convincing evidence. Additionally, 8 MR studies were included and provided no consistent evidence for the causal effects of obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. The proportion of variance explained by genetic risk factors was extremely small (0.1-0.4%), which limited the evidence provided by the MR studies. Our findings suggest that despite the large number of putative risk factors investigated in the literature, few associations were supported by robust evidence. The current findings may have clinical and research implications for the early identification of individuals at risk for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiano A Köhler
- Translational Psychiatry Research Group and Department of Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Evangelos Evangelou
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Ioannina Medical School, Ioannina, Greece; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Brendon Stubbs
- Physiotherapy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AZ, United Kingdom; Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom; Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, United Kingdom; Institute for Clinical Research and Education in Medicine (IREM), Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Solmi
- Institute for Clinical Research and Education in Medicine (IREM), Padova, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Nicola Veronese
- Institute for Clinical Research and Education in Medicine (IREM), Padova, Italy; National Research Council, Neuroscience Institute, Aging Branch, Padova. Italy
| | - Lazaros Belbasis
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Ioannina Medical School, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Beatrice Bortolato
- Institute for Clinical Research and Education in Medicine (IREM), Padova, Italy
| | - Matias C A Melo
- Translational Psychiatry Research Group and Department of Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Camila A Coelho
- Translational Psychiatry Research Group and Department of Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Brisa S Fernandes
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University School of Medicine, and Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia; Laboratory of Calcium Binding Proteins in the Central Nervous System, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Mark Olfson
- Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - John P A Ioannidis
- Departments of Medicine, Health Research and Policy, Biomedical Data Science, and Statistics, and Meta-Research Innovation Center at Stanford (METRICS), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, CA 94305, USA
| | - André F Carvalho
- Institute for Clinical Research and Education in Medicine (IREM), Padova, Italy; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada.
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32
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Na KS, Won E, Kang J, Kim A, Choi S, Tae WS, Kim YK, Lee MS, Joe SH, Ham BJ. Differential effect of COMT gene methylation on the prefrontal connectivity in subjects with depression versus healthy subjects. Neuropharmacology 2018; 137:59-70. [PMID: 29723539 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Expression of the catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) gene mainly determines prefrontal dopaminergic availability. Deficient prefrontal dopaminergic activity leads to loss of interest, energy, and motivation, which are core symptoms of depression. Given the role of stress-environmental interactions in major depressive disorder (MDD), we investigated the impact of COMT gene methylation status on prefrontal connectivity. We measured COMT gene methylation and polymorphisms (Val158Met) at the rs4468 locus in peripheral blood samples of healthy controls (n = 90) and patients with MDD (n = 90). We used diffusion tensor imaging to calculate the fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity (RD) of the white matter tracts related to prefrontal cortex. Finally, we examined the effects of COMT gene methylation on the white matter connectivity in patients with MDD. The FA and RD values in the prefrontal white matter tracts of patients with MDD were positively and negatively associated with COMT gene methylation, respectively. In the control group, on the other hand, the association between white matter connectivity and COMT gene methylation showed opposite pattern to those of MDD. COMT gene methylation has a substantial effect on the prefrontal connectivity in patients with MDD. Moreover, COMT gene methylation and prefrontal connectivity showed opposite relationships in patients and controls. Thus, stress-related alterations in dopaminergic neurotransmission have a differential effect on white matter connectivity according to the microenvironment in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung-Sae Na
- Department of Psychiatry, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunsoo Won
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - June Kang
- Department of Biomedical Science, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Aram Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunyoung Choi
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo-Suk Tae
- Brain Convergence Research Center, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Ku Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Soo Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sook-Haeng Joe
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Joo Ham
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Brain Convergence Research Center, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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33
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DNA methylation and genetic variation of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in depression. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 88:1-8. [PMID: 29132028 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders, and in older persons is associated with high levels of comorbidity and under-treatment. Dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) stress axis is consistently observed in the older population as well as depressed patients, with the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) a key regulator of the stress response. Epigenetic regulation of ACE may play an important role in HPA axis (dys)regulation. OBJECTIVE To investigate ACE promoter methylation as a biomarker of late-life depression, and its association with genetic variation and cortisol secretion. METHOD The longitudinal general population ESPRIT study is aimed at investigating psychiatric disorders in older persons (n=1863, average age=73). Depression was assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview according to DSM-IV criteria and the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Genotype information for seven polymorphisms across the ACE gene was also available. Blood and saliva samples collected at baseline and used to extract DNA and measure cortisol, respectively. Sequenom MassARRAY was used to measure promoter DNA methylation of the ACE gene (n=552). RESULTS There was no evidence of an association between ACE promoter methylation and depression. However, there was evidence that ACE genetic variants influenced methylation, and modified the association between depression and methylation (Δ at various sites; -2.05% to 1.74%; p=0.019 to 0.039). Multivariate analyses were adjusted for participants' lifestyle, health and medical history. Independent of depression status, ACE methylation was inversely correlated with cortisol levels (r=-0.336, p=0.042). CONCLUSION This study provides evidence that associations between ACE methylation and depression are genotype-dependent, suggesting that the development of reliable depression biomarkers may need to consider methylation levels in combination with underlying genetic variation. ACE methylation may also be a suitable biomarker of cortisol and/or HPA axis activity.
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Marinova Z, Maercker A, Grünblatt E, Wojdacz TK, Walitza S. A pilot investigation on DNA methylation modifications associated with complex posttraumatic symptoms in elderly traumatized in childhood. BMC Res Notes 2017; 10:752. [PMID: 29258561 PMCID: PMC5738217 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-3082-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is a newly proposed diagnosis in the International Classification of Diseases-version 11, which is currently intensively investigated. Childhood trauma is regarded as main source of CPTSD symptoms, even in later life. Induction of DNA methylation changes by childhood trauma may contribute to its long-lasting adverse health consequences. The current study analyzed the correlation of genome-wide DNA methylation profiles with complex posttraumatic sequelae in buccal epithelial cells from 31 elderly former indentured child laborers (Verdingkinder) using the Infinium Illumina 450k Human DNA methylation chip. RESULTS DNA methylation modifications indicated experiment-wide significant associations with the following complex posttraumatic symptom domains: dissociation, tension reduction behavior and dysfunctional sexual behavior. Differentially methylated CpG sites were mapped to the genes huntington associated protein 1 (HAP1), RAN binding protein 2 (RANBP2) and proteasome subunit alpha 4 (PSMA4), respectively. In addition, the methylation of cg07225277 located in carnosine synthase 1 (CARNS1) correlated with trauma symptom complexity. Our pilot data suggest correlation of DNA methylation modifications with complex posttraumatic symptoms in elderly individuals subjected to prolonged and complex childhood trauma. More comprehensive and elaborated studies should be carried out to analyze epigenetic modifications associated with CPTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoya Marinova
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Maercker
- Department of Psychology, Division of Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, University of Zurich, Binzmühlerstrasse 14/17, Raum BIN 3 E 14, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Edna Grünblatt
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tomasz K Wojdacz
- Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Susanne Walitza
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Provenzi L, Fumagalli M, Giorda R, Morandi F, Sirgiovanni I, Pozzoli U, Mosca F, Borgatti R, Montirosso R. Maternal Sensitivity Buffers the Association between SLC6A4 Methylation and Socio-Emotional Stress Response in 3-Month-Old Full Term, but not very Preterm Infants. Front Psychiatry 2017; 8:171. [PMID: 28959218 PMCID: PMC5604082 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Very preterm (VPT) infants are hospitalized in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and are exposed to life-saving procedures eliciting pain-related stress. Recent research documented that pain-related stress might result in birth-to-discharge increased methylation of serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) in VPT infants, leading to poorer stress regulation at 3 months of age in VPT infants compared to their full-term (FT) counterparts. Maternal sensitivity is thought to support infants' stress response, but its role in moderating the effects of altered SLC6A4 methylation is unknown. MAIN AIM To assess the role of maternal sensitivity in moderating the association between altered SLC6A4 methylation and stress response in 3-month-old VPT and FT infants. METHODS 53 infants (27 VPTs, 26 FTs) and their mothers were enrolled. SLC6A4 methylation was obtained from peripheral blood samples at NICU discharge for VPT infants and from cord blood at birth for FT infants. At 3 months (age corrected for prematurity), both groups participated to the face-to-face still-face (FFSF) paradigm to measure both infants' stress response (i.e., negative emotionality) and maternal sensitivity. RESULTS Maternal sensitivity did not significantly differ between VPT and FT infants' mothers. In VPT infants, higher SLC6A4 methylation at hospital discharge associates with higher negative emotionality during the FFSF. In FT infants, SLC6A4 methylation and maternal sensitivity significantly interacted to predict stress response: a positive significant association between SLC6A4 methylation and negative emotionality emerged only in FT infants of less-sensitive mothers. DISCUSSION Although no differences emerged in caregiving behavior in the two groups of mothers, maternal sensitivity was effective in moderating the effects of SLC6A4 methylation in FT infants, but not in VPT infants at 3 months. Speculatively, the buffering effect of maternal sensitivity observed in FT infants was disrupted by the altered early mother-infant contact due to NICU stay of the VPT group. These findings indirectly support that the effects of maternal sensitivity on infants' socio-emotional development might be time dependent, and that mother-infant interventions in the NICU need to be provided precociously within a narrow sensitive period after VPT birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livio Provenzi
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Lecco, Italy
| | - Monica Fumagalli
- NICU, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Giorda
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Lecco, Italy
| | | | - Ida Sirgiovanni
- NICU, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Uberto Pozzoli
- Bioinformatic Lab, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Lecco, Italy
| | - Fabio Mosca
- NICU, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Renato Borgatti
- Neuropsychiatry and Neurorehabilitation Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Lecco, Italy
| | - Rosario Montirosso
- 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Lecco, Italy
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36
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Provenzi L, Guida E, Montirosso R. Preterm behavioral epigenetics: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 84:262-271. [PMID: 28867654 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral epigenetics is revealing new pathways that lead individuals from early adversity exposures to later-in-life detrimental outcomes. Preterm birth constitutes one of the major adverse events in human development. Preterm infants are hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where they are exposed to life-saving yet pain-inducing procedures and to protective care. The application of behavioral epigenetics to the field of preterm studies (i.e., Preterm Behavioral Epigenetics, PBE) is rapidly growing and holds promises to provide valid insights for research and clinical activity. Here, the evidence of the epigenetic correlates of prenatal adversities, NICU-related environment and development of preterm infants is systematically reviewed. The findings suggest that a number of prenatal adverse (e.g., maternal depression and stress) and post-natal (e.g., NICU-related pain-related stress) events affect the developmental trajectories of preterm infants and children via epigenetic alterations of imprinted and stress-related genes. Nonetheless, the potential epigenetic vestiges of early care and protective interventions in NICU have not been investigated yet and this represents a fascinating challenge for future PBE research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livio Provenzi
- 0-3 Centre for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, LC, Italy.
| | - Elena Guida
- 0-3 Centre for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, LC, Italy
| | - Rosario Montirosso
- 0-3 Centre for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, LC, Italy
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Lancaster K, Morris JP, Connelly JJ. Neuroimaging Epigenetics: Challenges and Recommendations for Best Practices. Neuroscience 2017; 370:88-100. [PMID: 28801185 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neuroimaging epigenetics is an interdisciplinary application of epigenetics to cognitive neuroscience that seeks to identify molecular and neural predictors of human behavior. This approach can be sensitive to the dynamic interaction between biological predisposition and environmental influences, and is potentially more informative than an approach using static genetic code. Recent work in this field has generated considerable enthusiasm, yet caution is warranted since any novel cross-disciplinary approach lacks a set of established conventions or standards. In this paper we review existing research in the field of imaging epigenetics, outline important caveats and considerations, and suggest a set of guidelines for researchers conducting this work.
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Rotem-Kohavi N, Oberlander TF. Variations in Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children with Prenatal SSRI Antidepressant Exposure. Birth Defects Res 2017; 109:909-923. [DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Naama Rotem-Kohavi
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience; University of British Columbia; Vancouver BC
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute; Vancouver BC
| | - Tim F. Oberlander
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute; Vancouver BC
- Department of Pediatrics; University of British Columbia; Vancouver BC
- School of Population and Public Health; University of British Columbia; Vancouver BC
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Schroeder M, Jakovcevski M, Polacheck T, Lebow M, Drori Y, Engel M, Ben-Dor S, Chen A. A Methyl-Balanced Diet Prevents CRF-Induced Prenatal Stress-Triggered Predisposition to Binge Eating-like Phenotype. Cell Metab 2017; 25:1269-1281.e6. [PMID: 28576418 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Binge eating (BE) is a common aberrant form of eating behavior, characterized by overconsumption of food in a brief period of time. Recurrent episodes of BE constitute the BE disorder, which mostly affects females and is associated with early-life adversities. Here, we show that corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)-induced prenatal stress (PNS) in late gestation predisposes female offspring to BE-like behavior that coincides with hypomethylation of hypothalamic miR-1a and downstream dysregulation of the melanocortin system through Pax7/Pax3. Moreover, exposing the offspring to a methyl-balanced diet during adolescence prevents the dysregulation and predisposition from being triggered. We demonstrate that gestational programming, per se, will not lead to BE-like behavior, but pre-existing alterations due to prenatal programming are revealed only when challenged during adolescence. We provide experimental evidence for long-term epigenetic abnormalities stemming from PNS in predisposing female offspring to BE disorder as well as a potential non-invasive prevention strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Schroeder
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel; Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich 80804, Germany
| | - Mira Jakovcevski
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich 80804, Germany
| | - Tamar Polacheck
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel; Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich 80804, Germany
| | - Maya Lebow
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel; Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich 80804, Germany
| | - Yonat Drori
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel; Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich 80804, Germany
| | - Mareen Engel
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich 80804, Germany
| | - Shifra Ben-Dor
- Bioinformatics and Biological Computing Unit, Biological Services, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Alon Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel; Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich 80804, Germany.
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Schumann L, Boivin M, Paquin S, Lacourse E, Brendgen M, Vitaro F, Dionne G, Tremblay RE, Booij L. Persistence and innovation effects in genetic and environmental factors in negative emotionality during infancy: A twin study. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0176601. [PMID: 28448561 PMCID: PMC5407782 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Difficult temperament in infancy is a risk factor for forms of later internalizing and externalizing psychopathology, including depression and anxiety. A better understanding of the roots of difficult temperament requires assessment of its early development with a genetically informative design. The goal of this study was to estimate genetic and environmental contributions to individual differences in infant negative emotionality, their persistence over time and their influences on stability between 5 and 18 months of age. Method Participants were 244 monozygotic and 394 dizygotic twin pairs (49.7% male) recruited from birth. Mothers rated their twins for negative emotionality at 5 and 18 months. Longitudinal analysis of stability and innovation between the two time points was performed in Mplus. Results There were substantial and similar heritability (approximately 31%) and shared environmental (57.3%) contributions to negative emotionality at both 5 and 18 months. The trait’s interindividual stability across time was both genetically- and environmentally- mediated. Evidence of innovative effects (i.e., variance at 18 months independent from variance at 5 months) indicated that negative emotionality is developmentally dynamic and affected by persistent and new genetic and environmental factors at 18 months. Conclusions In the first two years of life, ongoing genetic and environmental influences support temperamental negative emotionality but new genetic and environmental factors also indicate dynamic change of those factors across time. A better understanding of the source and timing of factors on temperament in early development, and role of sex, could improve efforts to prevent related psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michel Boivin
- School of Psychology, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada
- Institute of Genetic, Neurobiological and Social Foundations of Child Development, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russian Federation
| | - Stéphane Paquin
- Department of Sociology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Eric Lacourse
- Department of Sociology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Mara Brendgen
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychology, UQAM, Montreal, Canada
| | - Frank Vitaro
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psycho-education, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ginette Dionne
- School of Psychology, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Richard E. Tremblay
- Institute of Genetic, Neurobiological and Social Foundations of Child Development, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russian Federation
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics and Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Linda Booij
- Department of Psychology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Kaye EC, Brinkman TM, Baker JN. Development of depression in survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer: a multi-level life course conceptual framework. Support Care Cancer 2017; 25:2009-2017. [PMID: 28281048 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-017-3659-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
As therapeutic and supportive care interventions become increasingly effective, growing numbers of childhood and adolescent cancer survivors face a myriad of physical and psychological sequelae secondary to their disease and treatment. Mental health issues, in particular, present a significant problem in this unique patient population, with depression affecting a sizable number of childhood and adolescent cancer survivors. Multiple key determinants impact a survivor's risk of developing depression, with variables traversing across biologic, individual, family, community, and global levels, as well as spanning throughout the life course of human development from the preconception and prenatal periods to adulthood. A multi-level life course conceptual model offers a valuable framework to identify and organize the diverse variables that modulate the risk of developing depression in survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer. This review describes the first multi-level life course perspective applied to development of depression in childhood and adolescent cancer survivors. This conceptual framework may be used to guide the investigation of mental health interventions for SCACs to ensure that key determinants of depression occurrence are adequately addressed across various levels and throughout the life trajectory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica C Kaye
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Mail Stop 260, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
| | - Tara M Brinkman
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Justin N Baker
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Mail Stop 260, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- Division of Quality of Life and Palliative Care, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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Karanović J, Ivković M, Jovanović VM, Šviković S, Pantović-Stefanović M, Brkušanin M, Damjanović A, Brajušković G, Savić-Pavićević D. Effect of childhood general traumas on suicide attempt depends on TPH2 and ADARB1 variants in psychiatric patients. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2017; 124:621-629. [PMID: 28084537 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-017-1677-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Suicidal behavior has been associated with a deficient serotonin neurotransmission which is likely a consequence of individual genetic architecture, exposure to environmental factors and interactions of those factors. We examined whether the interaction of child abuse, TPH2 (tryptophan hydroxylase 2) variant rs4290270, affecting alternative splicing and editing of TPH2 pre-mRNAs, and ADARB1 (adenosine deaminase acting on RNA B1) variants rs4819035 and rs9983925 may influence the risk for suicide attempt in psychiatric patients. TPH2 rs4290270 was genotyped in 165 suicide attempters and 188 suicide non-attempters diagnosed with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Genotyping data for ADARB1 variants were taken over from our previous study. Child abuse before the age of 18 years was assessed using the Early Trauma Inventory-Self Report. Generalized linear models and backward selection were applied to identify the main and interacting effects of environmental and genetic factors, including psychiatric diagnoses, patients' gender and age as covariates. Childhood general traumas were independently associated with suicide attempt. Two-way interaction between TPH2 rs4290270 and general traumas revealed that TT homozygotes with a history of general traumas had an increased risk for suicide attempt. Three-way interaction of general traumas, TPH2 rs4290270 and ADARB1 rs4819035 indicated that the highest predisposition to suicide attempt was observed in individuals who experienced general traumas and were TT homozygote for rs4290270 and TT homozygote for rs4819035. Our findings suggest that the risk for suicide attempt in psychiatric patients exposed to an adverse childhood environment may depend on TPH2 and ADARB1 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Karanović
- Center for Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, PO box 43, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Maja Ivković
- Clinic for Psychiatry, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Pasterova 2, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia.,Medical School, University of Belgrade, Doktora Subotića 8, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Vladimir M Jovanović
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of Belgrade, Bulevar despota Stefana 142, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Saša Šviković
- Center for Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, PO box 43, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | | | - Miloš Brkušanin
- Center for Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, PO box 43, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Aleksandar Damjanović
- Clinic for Psychiatry, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Pasterova 2, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia.,Medical School, University of Belgrade, Doktora Subotića 8, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Goran Brajušković
- Center for Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, PO box 43, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Dušanka Savić-Pavićević
- Center for Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, PO box 43, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia.
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Iurescia S, Seripa D, Rinaldi M. Looking Beyond the 5-HTTLPR Polymorphism: Genetic and Epigenetic Layers of Regulation Affecting the Serotonin Transporter Gene Expression. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:8386-8403. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0304-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Provenzi L, Giorda R, Beri S, Montirosso R. SLC6A4 methylation as an epigenetic marker of life adversity exposures in humans: A systematic review of literature. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 71:7-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Impaired GABA synthesis, uptake and release are associated with depression-like behaviors induced by chronic mild stress. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e910. [PMID: 27701406 PMCID: PMC5315548 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depression is a prevalent emotion disorder. Chronic stressful life in genetically susceptible individuals is presumably a major etiology that leads to neuron and synapse atrophy in the limbic system. Molecular mechanisms underlying the pathological changes remain elusive. Mice were treated by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) until they demonstrated depression-like behavior. GABA release in the medial prefrontal cortex was evaluated by cell electrophysiology and imaging. Molecular profiles related to GABA synthesis and uptake were investigated by the high-throughput sequencings of microRNAs and mRNAs as well as western blot analysis in this cortical area. In CUMS-induced depression mice, there appear the decreases in the innervation and function of GABAergic axons and in the levels of mRNAs and proteins of glutamate decarboxylase-67, vesicular GABA transporter and GABA transporter-3. miRNA-15b-5p, miRNA-144-3p, miRNA-582-5p and miRNA-879-5p that directly downregulate such mRNAs increase in this cortex. Our results suggest that chronic mild stress impairs GABA release and uptake by upregulating miRNAs and downregulating mRNAs and proteins, which may constitute the subcellular and molecular mechanisms for the lowered GABA tone in major depression.
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Nikolova YS, Swartz JR, Hariri AR. Can we identify meaningful epigenetic effects on human brain function and related risk for mental illness? Epigenomics 2016; 8:1307-1310. [PMID: 27600374 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2016-0099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yuliya S Nikolova
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction & Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Johnna R Swartz
- Department of Human Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Ahmad R Hariri
- Laboratory of NeuroGenetics, Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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Ma K, Guo L, Xu A, Cui S, Wang JH. Molecular Mechanism for Stress-Induced Depression Assessed by Sequencing miRNA and mRNA in Medial Prefrontal Cortex. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159093. [PMID: 27427907 PMCID: PMC4948880 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Major depression is a prevalent mood disorder. Chronic stress is presumably main etiology that leads to the neuron and synapse atrophies in the limbic system. However, the intermediate molecules from stresses to neuronal atrophy remain elusive, which we have studied in the medial prefrontal cortices from depression mice. Methods and Results The mice were treated by the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) until they expressed depression-like behaviors confirmed by the tests of sucrose preference, forced swimming and Y-maze. High-throughput sequencings of microRNA and mRNA in the medial prefrontal cortices were performed in CUMS-induced depression mice versus control mice to demonstrate the molecular profiles of major depression. In the medial prefrontal cortices of depression-like mice, the levels of mRNAs that translated the proteins for the GABAergic synapses, dopaminergic synapses, myelination, synaptic vesicle cycle and neuronal growth were downregulated. miRNAs of regulating these mRNAs are upregulated. Conclusion The deteriorations of GABAergic and dopaminergic synapses as well as axonal growth are associated with CUMS-induced depression.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Depressive Disorder, Major/etiology
- Depressive Disorder, Major/genetics
- Depressive Disorder, Major/pathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Gene Regulatory Networks
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- MicroRNAs/analysis
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- Prefrontal Cortex/metabolism
- Prefrontal Cortex/pathology
- RNA, Messenger/analysis
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- Stress, Psychological/complications
- Stress, Psychological/genetics
- Stress, Psychological/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Ma
- Qingdao University, School of Pharmacy, Shandong, China
| | - Li Guo
- State Key Lab of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Aiping Xu
- College of Life Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Shan Cui
- State Key Lab of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jin-Hui Wang
- Qingdao University, School of Pharmacy, Shandong, China
- State Key Lab of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
- * E-mail:
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Jones‐Mason K, Allen IE, Bush N, Hamilton S. Epigenetic marks as the link between environment and development: examination of the associations between attachment, socioeconomic status, and methylation of the SLC6A4 gene. Brain Behav 2016; 6:e00480. [PMID: 27458544 PMCID: PMC4951620 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Revised: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic processes act as a link between environment and individual development. This pilot study examined the association between socioeconomic status (SES), attachment, and methylation of the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4). METHODS Attachment classification and SLC6A4 methylation was determined in 100 late adolescents. We hypothesized that (1) SES would interact with methylation to predict higher unresolved loss (UL) or trauma scores on the Adult Attachment Interview; (2) across SES, participants with unresolved attachment would have lower levels of methylation than organized or secure participants; and (3) within the unresolved classification, SES would predict methylation. RESULTS Results showed that lower methylation and low-SES were associated with higher UL, and higher methylation and low-SES were associated with higher unresolved trauma. Across SES, unresolved participants had lower levels of methylation than organized participants. Within the unresolved category, low-SES unresolved participants had higher levels of methylation than mid/upper-SES participants. SES was unrelated to methylation within the secure and organized categories. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the quality of attachment relationships may impact epigenetic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Jones‐Mason
- Department of Social WelfareUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyCalifornia
- Center for Health & CommunityUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCalifornia
| | - Isabel Elaine Allen
- Department of StatisticsUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCalifornia
| | - Nicole Bush
- Department of Psychiatry and PediatricsUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCalifornia
| | - Steve Hamilton
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCalifornia
- Department of PsychiatryKaiser‐Permanente San Francisco Medical CenterSan FranciscoCalifornia
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Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests that alterations of the stress response system may be a mechanism by which childhood maltreatment alters risk for psychopathology. FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP5) binds to the glucocorticoid receptor and alters its ability to respond to stress signaling. The aim of the present study was to examine methylation of the FKBP5 gene (FKBP5), and the role of an FKBP5 genetic variant, in relation to childhood maltreatment in a sample of impoverished preschool-aged children. One hundred seventy-four families participated in this study, including 69 with child welfare documentation of moderate to severe maltreatment in the past 6 months. The children, who ranged in age from 3 to 5 years, were racially and ethnically diverse. Structured record review and interviews in the home were used to assess a history of maltreatment, other traumas, and contextual life stressors; and a composite variable assessed the number exposures to these adversities. Methylation of two sites in intron 7 of FKBP5 was measured via sodium bisulfite pyrosequencing. Maltreated children had significantly lower levels of methylation at both CpG sites (p < .05). Lifetime contextual stress exposure showed a trend for lower levels of methylation at one of the sites, and a trend for an interaction with the FKBP5 polymorphism. A composite adversity variable was associated with lower levels of methylation at one of the sites as well (p < .05). FKBP5 alters glucocorticoid receptor responsiveness, and FKBP5 gene methylation may be a mechanism of the biobehavioral effects of adverse exposures in young children.
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