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Mareckova K, Marecek R, Andryskova L, Brazdil M, Nikolova YS. Prenatal exposure to alcohol and its impact on reward processing and substance use in adulthood. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:220. [PMID: 38806472 PMCID: PMC11133468 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02941-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Heavy maternal alcohol drinking during pregnancy has been associated with altered neurodevelopment in the child but the effects of low-dose alcohol drinking are less clear and any potential safe level of alcohol use during pregnancy is not known. We evaluated the effects of prenatal alcohol on reward-related behavior and substance use in young adulthood and the potential sex differences therein. Participants were members of the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ELSPAC) prenatal birth cohort who participated in its neuroimaging follow-up in young adulthood. A total of 191 participants (28-30 years; 51% men) had complete data on prenatal exposure to alcohol, current substance use, and fMRI data from young adulthood. Maternal alcohol drinking was assessed during mid-pregnancy and pre-conception. Brain response to reward anticipation and reward feedback was measured using the Monetary Incentive Delay task and substance use in young adulthood was assessed using a self-report questionnaire. We showed that even a moderate exposure to alcohol in mid-pregnancy but not pre-conception was associated with robust effects on brain response to reward feedback (six frontal, one parietal, one temporal, and one occipital cluster) and with greater cannabis use in both men and women 30 years later. Moreover, mid-pregnancy but not pre-conception exposure to alcohol was associated with greater cannabis use in young adulthood and these effects were independent of maternal education and maternal depression during pregnancy. Further, the extent of cannabis use in the late 20 s was predicted by the brain response to reward feedback in three out of the nine prenatal alcohol-related clusters and these effects were independent of current alcohol use. Sex differences in the brain response to reward outcome emerged only during the no loss vs. loss contrast. Young adult men exposed to alcohol prenatally had significantly larger brain response to no loss vs. loss in the putamen and occipital region than women exposed to prenatal alcohol. Therefore, we conclude that even moderate exposure to alcohol prenatally has long-lasting effects on brain function during reward processing and risk of cannabis use in young adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Mareckova
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
- First Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Radek Marecek
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- First Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Milan Brazdil
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- First Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Yuliya S Nikolova
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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2
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Long M, Kar P, Forkert ND, Landman BA, Gibbard WB, Tortorelli C, McMorris CA, Huo Y, Lebel CA. Sex and age effects on gray matter volume trajectories in young children with prenatal alcohol exposure. Front Hum Neurosci 2024; 18:1379959. [PMID: 38660010 PMCID: PMC11039858 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1379959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) occurs in ~11% of North American pregnancies and is the most common known cause of neurodevelopmental disabilities such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD; ~2-5% prevalence). PAE has been consistently associated with smaller gray matter volumes in children, adolescents, and adults. A small number of longitudinal studies show altered gray matter development trajectories in late childhood/early adolescence, but patterns in early childhood and potential sex differences have not been characterized in young children. Using longitudinal T1-weighted MRI, the present study characterized gray matter volume development in young children with PAE (N = 42, 84 scans, ages 3-8 years) compared to unexposed children (N = 127, 450 scans, ages 2-8.5 years). Overall, we observed altered global and regional gray matter development trajectories in the PAE group, wherein they had attenuated age-related increases and more volume decreases relative to unexposed children. Moreover, we found more pronounced sex differences in children with PAE; females with PAE having the smallest gray matter volumes and the least age-related changes of all groups. This pattern of altered development may indicate reduced brain plasticity and/or accelerated maturation and may underlie the cognitive/behavioral difficulties often experienced by children with PAE. In conjunction with previous research on older children, adolescents, and adults with PAE, our results suggest that gray matter volume differences associated with PAE vary by age and may become more apparent in older children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison Long
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Preeti Kar
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Nils D. Forkert
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Bennett A. Landman
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Computer Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - W. Ben Gibbard
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Christina Tortorelli
- Department of Child Studies and Social Work, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Carly A. McMorris
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Yuankai Huo
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Computer Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Catherine A. Lebel
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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3
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Dunn BR, Olguin SL, Davies S, Pavlik NG, Brigman JL, Hamilton D, Savage DD, Maxwell JR. Sex-specific alterations in cognitive control following moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and transient systemic hypoxia ischemia in the rat. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:640-652. [PMID: 38302722 PMCID: PMC11015983 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) continues to be a worldwide problem. Affected offspring display impaired neurodevelopment, including difficulties with executive control. Although PAE has also been associated with decreased blood flow to fetuses, the relationship between PAE and altered blood flow is not well understood. METHODS We used preclinical models of PAE, transient systemic hypoxia ischemia (TSHI), and PAE + TSHI combined to assess the effects on neurodevelopmental outcomes using translationally relevant touchscreen operant platform testing. Twenty-eight Long-Evans (Blue Spruce, Strain HsdBlu:LE) dams were randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups: Saccharin Control (Sham), 5% Ethanol (PAE), TSHI, or 5% Ethanol and TSHI (PAE + TSHI). Dams consumed either saccharin or 5% ethanol during gestation. TSHI was induced on Embryonic Day 19 (E19) during an open laparotomy where the uterine arteries were transiently occluded for 1 h. Pups were born normally and, after weaning, were separated by sex. A total of 80 offspring, 40 males and 40 females, were tested on the 5-Choice Continuous Performance paradigm (5C-CPT). RESULTS Female offspring were significantly impacted by TSHI, but not PAE, with an increase in false alarms and a decrease in hit rates, omissions, accuracy, and correct choice latencies. In contrast, male offspring were mildly affected by PAE, but not TSHI, showing decreases in premature responses and increases in accuracy. No significant interactions between PAE and TSHI were detected on any measure. CONCLUSION Transient systemic hypoxia ischemia impaired performance on the 5C-CPT in females, leading to a bias toward stimulus responsivity regardless of stimulus type. In contrast, TSHI did not affect male offspring, and only slight effects of PAE were seen. Together, these data suggest that TSHI in females may cause alterations in cortical structures that override alterations caused by moderate PAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke R. Dunn
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Sarah L. Olguin
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Suzy Davies
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Nathaniel G. Pavlik
- Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Jonathan L. Brigman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Derek Hamilton
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Daniel D. Savage
- Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Jessie R. Maxwell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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Madurai NK, Jantzie LL, Yen E. Sex differences in neonatal outcomes following prenatal opioid exposure. Front Pediatr 2024; 12:1357970. [PMID: 38577634 PMCID: PMC10991792 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1357970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The impact of the opioid epidemic on pregnant people and children is a growing public health crisis. Understanding how opioids affect the developing brain during pregnancy and postnatally remains a critical area of investigation. Biological sex plays a crucial role in all physiologic processes, with the potential for a significant impact on neonatal outcomes, including those infants with opioid exposure. Here, we aim to explore current literature on the effect of sex on neonatal outcomes following prenatal opioid exposure. Sex differences in adults with opioid use disorder have been well studied, including increased mortality among males and higher rates of psychiatric comorbidities and likelihood of relapse in females. However, such differences are not yet well understood in neonates. Emerging clinical data suggest sex-specific effects in infants with prenatal opioid exposure on the expression of genes related to feeding regulation and reward signaling pathways. Increased susceptibility to white matter injury has also been noted in female infants following prenatal opioid exposure. Understanding the impact of sex as a biological variable on neonatal outcomes following prenatal opioid exposure is paramount to improving the health and well-being of infants, children, and adults impacted by the opioid epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nethra K. Madurai
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lauren L. Jantzie
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurodevelopmental Medicine, Phelps Center for Cerebral Palsy and Neurodevelopmental Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Elizabeth Yen
- Mother Infant Research Institute (MIRI), Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Tufts Medicine Pediatrics-Boston Children's, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
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5
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Boerner KE, Keogh E, Inkster AM, Nahman-Averbuch H, Oberlander TF. A developmental framework for understanding the influence of sex and gender on health: Pediatric pain as an exemplar. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 158:105546. [PMID: 38272336 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Sex differences are a robust finding in many areas of adult health, including cardiovascular disease, psychiatric disorders, and chronic pain. However, many sex differences are not consistently observed until after the onset of puberty. This has led to the hypothesis that hormones are primary contributors to sex differences in health outcomes, largely ignoring the relative contributions of early developmental influences, emerging psychosocial factors, gender, and the interaction between these variables. In this paper, we argue that a comprehensive understanding of sex and gender contributions to health outcomes should start as early as conception and take an iterative biopsychosocial-developmental perspective that considers intersecting social positions. We present a conceptual framework, informed by a review of the literature in basic, clinical, and social science that captures how critical developmental stages for both sex and gender can affect children's health and longer-term outcomes. The literature on pediatric chronic pain is used as a worked example of how the framework can be applied to understanding different chronic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelynn E Boerner
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, and BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Edmund Keogh
- Department of Psychology & Centre for Pain Research, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Amy M Inkster
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, and BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hadas Nahman-Averbuch
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Tim F Oberlander
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, and BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, and BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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6
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Schaffer KE, Chambers CD, Garfein RS, Wertelecki W, Bandoli G. Breastfeeding and neurodevelopment in infants with prenatal alcohol exposure. Pediatr Res 2024; 95:819-826. [PMID: 37845525 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02848-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have evaluated the differential benefits of breastfeeding on infant neurodevelopment at varying levels of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). This study examined whether the association between breastfeeding and neurodevelopment is modified by prenatal drinking pattern. METHODS The study included 385 infants from Ukraine born to women prospectively enrolled in a cohort study during pregnancy. Neurodevelopment was assessed at six and 12 months using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID-II) Mental Developmental Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI). Linear regression modeling with interaction terms and stratification by PAE group was used to determine the relationship between breastfeeding, PAE, and neurodevelopment. RESULTS A significant interaction between PAE and breastfeeding was observed for the MDI and PDI at six and 12 months. Infants with high PAE who were breastfed at least four months had BSID-II scores 14 or more points higher compared to those never breastfed. Counterintuitively, those with moderate PAE had poorer performance on the BSID-II at 12 months when breastfed longer. CONCLUSION There was a significant joint effect of PAE and breastfeeding on infant neurodevelopment at six and 12 months. Breastfeeding may provide distinct benefits to infants exposed to high levels of PAE. IMPACT We found a positive effect of breastfeeding on infant neurodevelopment among infants with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), particularly those exposed to higher levels during gestation. This study is one of the first to evaluate whether breastfeeding mitigates harm caused by PAE. Breastfeeding may provide distinct benefits to infants with higher levels of PAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen E Schaffer
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Christina D Chambers
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Richard S Garfein
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Wladimir Wertelecki
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Omni-Net for Children International Charitable Fund and Rivne Regional Medical Diagnostic Center, Rivne, Ukraine
- Omni-Net for Children International Charitable Fund and Khmelnytsky Perinatal Center, Khmelnytsky, Ukraine
| | - Gretchen Bandoli
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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7
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Abu YF, Singh S, Tao J, Chupikova I, Singh P, Meng J, Roy S. Opioid-induced dysbiosis of maternal gut microbiota during gestation alters offspring gut microbiota and pain sensitivity. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2292224. [PMID: 38108125 PMCID: PMC10730209 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2292224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
There has been a rapid increase in neonates born with a history of prenatal opioid exposure. How prenatal opioid exposure affects pain sensitivity in offspring is of interest, as this may perpetuate the opioid epidemic. While few studies have reported hypersensitivity to thermal pain, potential mechanisms have not been described. This study posits that alterations in the gut microbiome may underly hypersensitivity to pain in prenatally methadone-exposed 3-week-old male offspring, which were generated using a mouse model of prenatal methadone exposure. Fecal samples collected from dams and their offspring were subjected to 16s rRNA sequencing. Thermal and mechanical pain were assessed using the tail flick and Von Frey assays. Transcriptomic changes in whole brain samples of opioid or saline-exposed offspring were investigated using RNA-sequencing, and midbrain sections from these animals were subjected to qPCR profiling of genes related to neuropathic and inflammatory pain pathways. Prenatal methadone exposure increased sensitivity to thermal and mechanical pain and elevated serum levels of IL-17a. Taxonomical analysis revealed that prenatal methadone exposure resulted in significant alterations in fecal gut microbiota composition, including depletion of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Lachnospiracea sp and increased relative abundance of Akkermansia, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, and Lachnoclostridium. Supplementation of the probiotic VSL#3 in dams rescued hypersensitivity to thermal and mechanical pain in prenatally methadone-exposed offspring. Similarly, cross-fostering prenatally methadone-exposed offspring to control dams also attenuated hypersensitivity to thermal pain in opioid-exposed offspring. Modulation of the maternal and neonatal gut microbiome with probiotics resulted in transcriptional changes in genes related to neuropathic and immune-related signaling in whole brain and midbrain samples of prenatally methadone-exposed offspring. Together, our work provides compelling evidence of the gut-brain-axis in mediating pain sensitivity in prenatally opioid-exposed offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaa F. Abu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Salma Singh
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Junyi Tao
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Praveen Singh
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jingjing Meng
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Sabita Roy
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
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8
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Bake S, Rouzer SK, Mavuri S, Miranda RC, Mahnke AH. The interaction of genetic sex and prenatal alcohol exposure on health across the lifespan. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 71:101103. [PMID: 37802472 PMCID: PMC10922031 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can reprogram the development of cells and tissues, resulting in a spectrum of physical and neurobehavioral teratology. PAE immediately impacts fetal growth, but its effects carry forward post-parturition, into adolescence and adulthood, and can result in a cluster of disabilities, collectively termed Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Emerging preclinical and clinical research investigating neurological and behavioral outcomes in exposed offspring point to genetic sex as an important modifier of the effects of PAE. In this review, we discuss the literature on sex differences following PAE, with studies spanning the fetal period through adulthood, and highlight gaps in research where sex differences are likely, but currently under-investigated. Understanding how sex and PAE interact to affect offspring health outcomes across the lifespan is critical for identifying the full complement of PAE-associated secondary conditions, and for refining targeted interventions to improve the quality of life for individuals with PAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shameena Bake
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Medical Research and Education Building I, 8447 Riverside Parkway, Bryan, TX 77807-3620, United States
| | - Siara K Rouzer
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Medical Research and Education Building I, 8447 Riverside Parkway, Bryan, TX 77807-3620, United States
| | - Shruti Mavuri
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Medical Research and Education Building I, 8447 Riverside Parkway, Bryan, TX 77807-3620, United States
| | - Rajesh C Miranda
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Medical Research and Education Building I, 8447 Riverside Parkway, Bryan, TX 77807-3620, United States
| | - Amanda H Mahnke
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Medical Research and Education Building I, 8447 Riverside Parkway, Bryan, TX 77807-3620, United States.
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9
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Chaudoin TR, Bonasera SJ, Dunaevsky A, Padmashri R. Exploring behavioral phenotypes in a mouse model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Dev Neurobiol 2023; 83:184-204. [PMID: 37433012 PMCID: PMC10546278 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are one of the leading causes of developmental abnormalities worldwide. Maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy leads to a diverse range of cognitive and neurobehavioral deficits. Although moderate-to-heavy levels of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) have been associated with adverse offspring outcomes, there is limited data on the consequences of chronic low-level PAE. Here, we use a model of maternal voluntary alcohol consumption throughout gestation in a mouse model to investigate the effects of PAE on behavioral phenotypes during late adolescence and early adulthood in male and female offspring. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Baseline behaviors, including feeding, drinking, and movement, were examined by performing home cage monitoring studies. The impact of PAE on motor function, motor skill learning, hyperactivity, acoustic reactivity, and sensorimotor gating was investigated by performing a battery of behavioral tests. PAE was found to be associated with altered body composition. No differences in overall movement, food, or water consumption were observed between control and PAE mice. Although PAE offspring of both sexes exhibited deficits in motor skill learning, no differences were observed in basic motor skills such as grip strength and motor coordination. PAE females exhibited a hyperactive phenotype in a novel environment. PAE mice exhibited increased reactivity to acoustic stimuli, and PAE females showed disrupted short-term habituation. Sensorimotor gating was not altered in PAE mice. Collectively, our data show that chronic low-level exposure to alcohol in utero results in behavioral impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tammy R Chaudoin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Stephen J Bonasera
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Anna Dunaevsky
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Ragunathan Padmashri
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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10
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Gräfe EL, Reid HMO, Shkolnikov I, Conway K, Kit A, Acosta C, Christie BR. Women are Taking the Hit: Examining the Unique Consequences of Cannabis Use Across the Female Lifespan. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 70:101076. [PMID: 37217080 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis use has risen dramatically in recent years due to global decriminalization and a resurgence in the interest of potential therapeutic benefits. While emerging research is shaping our understanding of the benefits and harms of cannabis, there remains a paucity of data specifically focused on how cannabis affects the female population. The female experience of cannabis use is unique, both in the societal context and because of the biological ramifications. This is increasingly important given the rise in cannabis potency, as well as the implications this has for the prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). Therefore, this scoping review aims to discuss the prevalence of cannabis use and CUD in women throughout their lifespan and provide a balanced prospective on the positive and negative consequences of cannabis use. In doing so, this review will highlight the necessity for continued research that goes beyond sex differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- E L Gräfe
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - H M O Reid
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - I Shkolnikov
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - K Conway
- Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - A Kit
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - C Acosta
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - B R Christie
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; Island Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
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11
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Bariselli S, Reuveni N, Westcott N, Mateo Y, Lovinger DM. Postnatal ethanol exposure impairs social behavior and operant extinction in the adult female mouse offspring. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1160185. [PMID: 37260840 PMCID: PMC10229070 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1160185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) comprises a group of neurodevelopmental deficits caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy. Clinical studies suggest that while the male progeny experiences serious neurodevelopmental defects, female patients have more severe cognitive, social, and affective symptoms. Other than sex, dose, frequency, and timing of exposure determine the neurobehavioral outcomes in young and adult progeny. In this regard, human studies indicate that some individuals relapse during late-term gestational periods. In mice, this interval corresponds to the first 10 days after birth (postnatal, P0-P10). In our model of postnatal ethanol exposure (PEEP0-P10), we tested whether adult female and male offspring show deficits in sociability, anxiety-like, reward consumption, and action-outcome associations. We report that female PEEP0-P10 offspring have mild social impairments and altered extinction of operant responding in the absence of anxiety-like traits and reward consumption defects. None of these deficits were detected in the male PEEP0-P10 offspring. Our data provide novel information on sex-specific neurobehavioral outcomes of postnatal ethanol exposure in female adult offspring.
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Cealie MY, Douglas JC, Le LHD, Vonkaenel ED, McCall MN, Drew PD, Majewska AK. Developmental ethanol exposure has minimal impact on cerebellar microglial dynamics, morphology, and interactions with Purkinje cells during adolescence. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1176581. [PMID: 37214408 PMCID: PMC10198441 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1176581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are the most common cause of non-heritable, preventable mental disability, occurring in almost 5% of births in the United States. FASD lead to physical, behavioral, and cognitive impairments, including deficits related to the cerebellum. There is no known cure for FASD and their mechanisms remain poorly understood. To better understand these mechanisms, we examined the cerebellum on a cellular level by studying microglia, the principal immune cells of the central nervous system, and Purkinje cells, the sole output of the cerebellum. Both cell types have been shown to be affected in models of FASD, with increased cell death, immune activation of microglia, and altered firing in Purkinje cells. While ethanol administered in adulthood can acutely depress the dynamics of the microglial process arbor, it is unknown how developmental ethanol exposure impacts microglia dynamics and their interactions with Purkinje cells in the long term. Methods To address this question, we used a mouse model of human 3rd trimester exposure, whereby L7cre/Ai9+/-/Cx3cr1G/+ mice (with fluorescently labeled microglia and Purkinje cells) of both sexes were subcutaneously treated with a binge-level dose of ethanol (5.0 g/kg/day) or saline from postnatal days 4-9. Cranial windows were implanted in adolescent mice above the cerebellum to examine the long-term effects of developmental ethanol exposure on cerebellar microglia and Purkinje cell interactions using in vivo two-photon imaging. Results We found that cerebellar microglia dynamics and morphology were not affected after developmental ethanol exposure. Microglia dynamics were also largely unaltered with respect to how they interact with Purkinje cells, although subtle changes in these interactions were observed in females in the molecular layer of the cerebellum. Discussion This work suggests that there are limited in vivo long-term effects of ethanol exposure on microglia morphology, dynamics, and neuronal interactions, so other avenues of research may be important in elucidating the mechanisms of FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- MaKenna Y. Cealie
- Majewska Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - James C. Douglas
- Drew Laboratory, Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Linh H. D. Le
- Majewska Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Erik D. Vonkaenel
- McCall Laboratory, Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Matthew N. McCall
- McCall Laboratory, Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Paul D. Drew
- Drew Laboratory, Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Ania K. Majewska
- Majewska Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
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Papageorgiou G, Amoah SK, Pierotti C, Otero M, Eckel S, Coffey K, Allan AM, Caldwell KK, Mellios N. Prenatal alcohol exposure results in brain region- and sex-specific changes in circHomer1 expression in adult mouse brain. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1087950. [PMID: 36875647 PMCID: PMC9983553 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1087950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel category of covalently-closed non-coding RNAs mainly derived from the back-splicing of exons or introns of protein-coding genes. In addition to their inherent high overall stability, circRNAs, have been shown to have strong functional effects on gene expression via a multitude of transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Furthermore, circRNAs, appear to be particularly enriched in the brain and able to influence both prenatal development and postnatal brain function. However, little is known about the potential involvement of circRNAs in the long term influence of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) in the brain and their relevance for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Using circRNA-specific quantification, we have found that circHomer1, an activity-dependent circRNA derived from Homer protein homolog 1 (Homer1) and enriched in postnatal brain, is significantly down-regulated in the male frontal cortex and hippocampus of mice subjected to modest PAE. Our data further suggest that the expression of H19, an imprinted embryonic brain-enriched long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), is significantly up-regulated in the frontal cortex of male PAE mice. Furthermore, we show opposing changes in the developmental- and brain region specific- expression of circHomer1 and H19. Lastly, we show that knockdown of H19 results in robust increases in circHomer1 but not linear HOMER1 mRNA expression in human glioblastoma cell lines. Taken together, our work uncovers notable sex- and brain region-specific alterations in circRNA and lncRNA expression following PAE and introduces novel mechanistic insights with potential relevance to FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grigorios Papageorgiou
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Stephen K. Amoah
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Caroline Pierotti
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Madison Otero
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Sophie Eckel
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Kacie Coffey
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Andrea M. Allan
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Kevin K. Caldwell
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Nikolaos Mellios
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
- Autophagy, Inflammation, and Metabolism (AIM) Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
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14
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Hornburg KJ, Slosky LM, Cofer G, Cook J, Qi Y, Porkka F, Clark NB, Pires A, Petrella JR, White LE, Wetsel WC, Barak L, Caron MG, Johnson GA. Prenatal heroin exposure alters brain morphology and connectivity in adolescent mice. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 36:e4842. [PMID: 36259728 PMCID: PMC10483958 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The United States is experiencing a dramatic increase in maternal opioid misuse and, consequently, the number of individuals exposed to opioids in utero. Prenatal opioid exposure has both acute and long-lasting effects on health and wellbeing. Effects on the brain, often identified at school age, manifest as cognitive impairment, attention deficit, and reduced scholastic achievement. The neurobiological basis for these effects is poorly understood. Here, we examine how in utero exposure to heroin affects brain development into early adolescence in a mouse model. Pregnant C57BL/6J mice received escalating doses of heroin twice daily on gestational days 4-18. The brains of offspring were assessed on postnatal day 28 using 9.4 T diffusion MRI of postmortem specimens at 36 μm resolution. Whole-brain volumes and the volumes of 166 bilateral regions were compared between heroin-exposed and control offspring. We identified a reduction in whole-brain volume in heroin-exposed offspring and heroin-associated volume changes in 29 regions after standardizing for whole-brain volume. Regions with bilaterally reduced standardized volumes in heroin-exposed offspring relative to controls include the ectorhinal and insular cortices. Regions with bilaterally increased standardized volumes in heroin-exposed offspring relative to controls include the periaqueductal gray, septal region, striatum, and hypothalamus. Leveraging microscopic resolution diffusion tensor imaging and precise regional parcellation, we generated whole-brain structural MRI diffusion connectomes. Using a dimension reduction approach with multivariate analysis of variance to assess group differences in the connectome, we found that in utero heroin exposure altered structure-based connectivity of the left septal region and the region that acts as a hub for limbic regulatory actions. Consistent with clinical evidence, our findings suggest that prenatal opioid exposure may have effects on brain morphology, connectivity, and, consequently, function that persist into adolescence. This work expands our understanding of the risks associated with opioid misuse during pregnancy and identifies biomarkers that may facilitate diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn J. Hornburg
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Duke University; 311 Research Drive; Campus Box 3302; Durham, NC 27710 United States
| | - Lauren M. Slosky
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Duke University; Campus Box 3709; Durham, NC 27710 United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota; 312 Church Street SE; 3-104 Nils Hasselmo Hall; Minneapolis, MN 55455 United States
| | - Gary Cofer
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Duke University; 311 Research Drive; Campus Box 3302; Durham, NC 27710 United States
| | - James Cook
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Duke University; 311 Research Drive; Campus Box 3302; Durham, NC 27710 United States
| | - Yi Qi
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Duke University; 311 Research Drive; Campus Box 3302; Durham, NC 27710 United States
| | - Fiona Porkka
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Duke University; Campus Box 3709; Durham, NC 27710 United States
| | - Nicholas B. Clark
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Duke University; Campus Box 3709; Durham, NC 27710 United States
| | - Andrea Pires
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Duke University; Campus Box 3709; Durham, NC 27710 United States
| | - Jeffrey R Petrella
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Duke University; 311 Research Drive; Campus Box 3302; Durham, NC 27710 United States
| | - Leonard E. White
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Duke University; Campus Box 2900; Durham, NC 27710 United States
| | - William C. Wetsel
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Duke University; Campus Box 3709; Durham, NC 27710 United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke University; Campus Box 102508; Durham, NC 27710 United States
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Duke University; Campus Box 2900; Durham, NC 27710 United States
| | - Lawrence Barak
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Duke University; Campus Box 3709; Durham, NC 27710 United States
| | - Marc G. Caron
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Duke University; Campus Box 3709; Durham, NC 27710 United States
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Duke University; Campus Box 2900; Durham, NC 27710 United States
| | - G. Allan Johnson
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Duke University; 311 Research Drive; Campus Box 3302; Durham, NC 27710 United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University; Campus Box 90281; Durham, NC 27708-0281 United States
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15
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Tan GKY, Symons M, Fitzpatrick J, Connor SG, Cross D, Pestell CF. Adverse childhood experiences, associated stressors and comorbidities in children and youth with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder across the justice and child protection settings in Western Australia. BMC Pediatr 2022; 22:587. [PMID: 36217109 PMCID: PMC9549627 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-022-03654-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) are at risk of having adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), especially those with child protection and/or justice system involvement. The complex relationship between FASD and psychosocial vulnerabilities in the affected individual is an important clinical risk factor for comorbidity. This study (1) explored the ACEs and associated stressors in individuals with FASD; (2) investigated the association between ACEs and negative outcomes, i.e., justice/child protection system involvement; and (3) examined the relationship between ACEs and comorbid conditions such as mood and neurodevelopmental disorders. Methods Data were collected retrospectively via file review from diagnostic clinics in Western Australia. Life adversity was coded using a standardised ACEs questionnaire. A total of 211 participants (72% males) with FASD with a mean age of 11 years (range = 2–21) were included in the final sample. 70% of the total sample had been involved with the child protection system and 40% had trouble with the law. Results Exposure to drinking/substance misuse at home (70%) and domestic violence (52%) were the two most common ACEs across the total sample. In the entire cohort, 39% had four or more ACEs, indicating higher risks of poor health outcomes. Additional stressors recorded were disengagement from school (43%), transiency (19%), victims of bullying (12%), traumatic brain injury (9%) and homelessness (5%). ACEs such as drinking/substance misuse at home, emotional neglect and physical neglect were positively associated with child protection system involvement. Additionally, exposure to domestic violence was positively correlated with justice system involvement. Higher rates of life adversity in this clinical population were associated with an increased number of comorbidities. Specifically, those with FASD who had comorbidities such as attachment disorder, substance use disorder, and PTSD also reported higher ACEs scores. Conclusion ACEs were common in this clinical population. Increased ACEs in this sample were associated with increased comorbidities and involvement with the child protection and/or justice system. This highlights that prevention, intervention and early diagnosis of FASD are important for at risk children to reduce the negative effects of ACEs. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12887-022-03654-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Kuen Yee Tan
- School of Psychological Science (M304), The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia. .,Patches Australia, Subiaco, Australia. .,Telethon Kids Institute (TKI), Nedlands, Australia.
| | - Martyn Symons
- School of Psychological Science (M304), The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.,Telethon Kids Institute (TKI), Nedlands, Australia
| | - James Fitzpatrick
- School of Psychological Science (M304), The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.,Patches Australia, Subiaco, Australia
| | | | - Donna Cross
- School of Psychological Science (M304), The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.,Telethon Kids Institute (TKI), Nedlands, Australia
| | - Carmela F Pestell
- School of Psychological Science (M304), The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.,Telethon Kids Institute (TKI), Nedlands, Australia
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16
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Breit KR, Rodriguez CG, Lei A, Hussain S, Thomas JD. Effects of prenatal alcohol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol exposure via electronic cigarettes on motor development. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2022; 46:1408-1422. [PMID: 35722858 PMCID: PMC9427686 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to a wide range of neurological and behavioral deficits, including alterations in motor domains. However, much less is known about the effects of prenatal cannabis exposure on motor development, despite cannabis being the most consumed illicit drug among women. Cannabis use among pregnant women has become increasingly popular given the widespread perception that consumption is safe during pregnancy. Moreover, alcohol and cannabis are commonly used together, even among pregnant women. Yet few studies have explored the potential consequences of combined prenatal exposure on behavioral domains. METHODS Using our previously established model, during gestational days 5 to 20, four groups of pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to vaporized alcohol, delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) via electronic (e-) cigarettes, the combination of alcohol and THC, or a vehicle. Following birth, offspring were tested on early sensorimotor development, adolescent motor coordination, and adolescent activity levels. RESULTS Prenatal THC e-cigarette exposure delayed sensorimotor development early in life and impaired motor coordination later in early adolescence; combined prenatal alcohol and THC exposure did not have additive effects on sensorimotor development. However, combined prenatal exposure produced hyperactivity among male offspring. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal cannabis exposure may lead to impaired motor skills throughout early development and combined exposure with alcohol during gestation may lead to hyperactivity in early adolescence. These findings have important implications for informing pregnant women of the risks to the fetus associated with prenatal cannabis exposure, with and without alcohol, and could influence public policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen R. Breit
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral TeratologySan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
- Department of PsychologyWest Chester UniversityWest ChesterPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Cristina G. Rodriguez
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral TeratologySan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Annie Lei
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral TeratologySan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Samirah Hussain
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral TeratologySan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jennifer D. Thomas
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral TeratologySan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
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17
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Bedi YS, Wang H, Thomas KN, Basel A, Prunier J, Robert C, Golding MC. Alcohol induced increases in sperm Histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation correlate with increased placental CTCF occupancy and altered developmental programming. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8839. [PMID: 35614060 PMCID: PMC9130987 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12188-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Using a mouse model, studies by our group reveal that paternal preconception alcohol intake affects offspring fetal-placental growth, with long-lasting consequences on adult metabolism. Here, we tested the hypothesis that chronic preconception male alcohol exposure impacts histone enrichment in sperm and that these changes are associated with altered developmental programming in the placenta. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we find alcohol-induced increases in sperm histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) that map to promoters and presumptive enhancer regions enriched in genes driving neurogenesis and craniofacial development. Given the colocalization of H3K4me3 with the chromatin binding factor CTCF across both sperm and embryos, we next examined CTCF localization in the placenta. We find global changes in CTCF binding within placentae derived from the male offspring of alcohol-exposed sires. Furthermore, altered CTCF localization correlates with dysregulated gene expression across multiple gene clusters; however, these transcriptional changes only occur in male offspring. Finally, we identified a correlation between genomic regions exhibiting alcohol-induced increases in sperm H3K4me3 and increased CTCF binding in male placentae. Collectively, our analysis demonstrates that the chromatin landscape of sperm is sensitive to chronic alcohol exposure and that a subset of these affected regions exhibits increased placental CTCF enrichment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudhishtar S Bedi
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Haiqing Wang
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Kara N Thomas
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Alison Basel
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Julien Prunier
- Genomics Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Claude Robert
- Département des Sciences Animales, Faculté des Sciences de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Michael C Golding
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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18
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Carugati M, Goodlett CR, Cudd TA, Washburn SE. The effects of gestational choline supplementation on cerebellar Purkinje cell number in the sheep model of binge alcohol exposure during the first trimester-equivalent. Alcohol 2022; 100:11-21. [PMID: 35114358 PMCID: PMC8983574 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2022.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) incur enduring brain damage and neurodevelopmental impairments from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). Preclinical rodent models have demonstrated that choline supplementation during development can reduce the severity of adverse neurodevelopmental consequences of PAE. This study used the sheep model to evaluate dietary choline supplementation during pregnancy as a therapeutic intervention, testing the hypothesis that choline can ameliorate alcohol-induced cerebellar Purkinje cell loss. Pregnant ewes were randomly assigned either to a normal control [NC] group (n = 8), or to groups given intravenous infusions of alcohol (or saline) from gestational days 4-41 (the first trimester-equivalent). A weekly binge-drinking pattern was modeled, with three consecutive days of infusions of saline [SAL], 1.75 g/kg/day alcohol [1.75ALC], or 2.5 g/kg/day alcohol [2.5ALC] followed by four days off. Infused ewes were randomly assigned to receive dietary supplements throughout pregnancy of choline (10 mg/kg/day) or placebo (n = 8 per group). Mean blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) were significantly higher in the 2.5ALC groups (287 mg/dL) than the 1.75ALC groups (197 mg/dL). Lamb cerebella were harvested on postnatal day 180 and processed for stereological counts of Purkinje cells. Both alcohol doses caused significant reductions in Purkinje number relative to NC and SAL-Placebo groups, confirming previous findings. Effects of choline supplementation depended on infusion group: it significantly protected against Purkinje cell loss in the 2.5ALC group, had no effect in the 1.75ALC group, and significantly reduced numbers in the SAL-Choline group (though neither the SAL-Choline nor the SAL-Placebo group differed from the NC group). The protection by choline evident only in the 2.5ALC group suggests that multiple, BAC-dependent mechanisms of cerebellar damage may be activated with alcohol exposure in the first trimester, and that choline may protect against pathogenic mechanisms that emerge at higher BACs. These outcomes extend the evidence that early choline supplementation can mitigate some neurodevelopmental defects resulting from binge-like PAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Carugati
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology and Michael E. DeBakey Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, United States
| | - Charles R Goodlett
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States
| | - Timothy A Cudd
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology and Michael E. DeBakey Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, United States
| | - Shannon E Washburn
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology and Michael E. DeBakey Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, United States.
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19
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Kozlova EV, Valdez MC, Denys ME, Bishay AE, Krum JM, Rabbani KM, Carrillo V, Gonzalez GM, Lampel G, Tran JD, Vazquez BM, Anchondo LM, Uddin SA, Huffman NM, Monarrez E, Olomi DS, Chinthirla BD, Hartman RE, Kodavanti PRS, Chompre G, Phillips AL, Stapleton HM, Henkelmann B, Schramm KW, Curras-Collazo MC. Persistent autism-relevant behavioral phenotype and social neuropeptide alterations in female mice offspring induced by maternal transfer of PBDE congeners in the commercial mixture DE-71. Arch Toxicol 2022; 96:335-365. [PMID: 34687351 PMCID: PMC8536480 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03163-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are ubiquitous persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that are known neuroendocrine disrupting chemicals with adverse neurodevelopmental effects. PBDEs may act as risk factors for autism spectrum disorders (ASD), characterized by abnormal psychosocial functioning, although direct evidence is currently lacking. Using a translational exposure model, we tested the hypothesis that maternal transfer of a commercial mixture of PBDEs, DE-71, produces ASD-relevant behavioral and neurochemical deficits in female offspring. C57Bl6/N mouse dams (F0) were exposed to DE-71 via oral administration of 0 (VEH/CON), 0.1 (L-DE-71) or 0.4 (H-DE-71) mg/kg bw/d from 3 wk prior to gestation through end of lactation. Mass spectrometry analysis indicated in utero and lactational transfer of PBDEs (in ppb) to F1 female offspring brain tissue at postnatal day (PND) 15 which was reduced by PND 110. Neurobehavioral testing of social novelty preference (SNP) and social recognition memory (SRM) revealed that adult L-DE-71 F1 offspring display deficient short- and long-term SRM, in the absence of reduced sociability, and increased repetitive behavior. These effects were concomitant with reduced olfactory discrimination of social odors. Additionally, L-DE-71 exposure also altered short-term novel object recognition memory but not anxiety or depressive-like behavior. Moreover, F1 L-DE-71 displayed downregulated mRNA transcripts for oxytocin (Oxt) in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and supraoptic nucleus, and vasopressin (Avp) in the BNST and upregulated Avp1ar in BNST, and Oxtr in the paraventricular nucleus. Our work demonstrates that developmental PBDE exposure produces ASD-relevant neurochemical, olfactory processing and behavioral phenotypes that may result from early neurodevelopmental reprogramming within central social and memory networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena V Kozlova
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Matthew C Valdez
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
- Neurological and Endocrine Toxicology Branch, Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, CPHEA/ORD, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, 27711, USA
| | - Maximillian E Denys
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Anthony E Bishay
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Julia M Krum
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Kayhon M Rabbani
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Valeria Carrillo
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Gwendolyn M Gonzalez
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Gregory Lampel
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Jasmin D Tran
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Brigitte M Vazquez
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Laura M Anchondo
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Syed A Uddin
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Nicole M Huffman
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Eduardo Monarrez
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Duraan S Olomi
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Bhuvaneswari D Chinthirla
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Richard E Hartman
- Department of Psychology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | - Prasada Rao S Kodavanti
- Neurological and Endocrine Toxicology Branch, Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division, CPHEA/ORD, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, 27711, USA
| | - Gladys Chompre
- Biotechnology Department, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Ponce, Puerto Rico, 00717-9997, USA
| | - Allison L Phillips
- Duke University, Nicholas School of the Environment, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | | | - Bernhard Henkelmann
- Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen, Molecular EXposomics (MEX), German National Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg, Munich, Germany
| | - Karl-Werner Schramm
- Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen, Molecular EXposomics (MEX), German National Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg, Munich, Germany
- Department Für Biowissenschaftliche Grundlagen, TUM, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan für Ernährung, Landnutzung Und Umwelt, Weihenstephaner Steig 23, 85350, Freising, Germany
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20
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Loke YJ, Muggli E, Saffery R, Ryan J, Lewis S, Elliott EJ, Halliday J, Craig JM. Sex- and tissue-specific effects of binge-level prenatal alcohol consumption on DNA methylation at birth. Epigenomics 2021; 13:1921-1938. [PMID: 34841896 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2021-0285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Binge-level prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) causes developmental abnormalities, which may be mediated in part by epigenetic mechanisms. Despite this, few studies have characterised the association of binge PAE with DNA methylation in offspring. Methods: We investigated the association between binge PAE and genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in a sex-specific manner in neonatal buccal and placental samples. Results: We identified no differentially methylated CpGs or differentially methylated regions (DMRs) at false discovery rate <0.05. However, using a sum-of-ranks approach, we identified a DMR in each tissue of female offspring. The DMR identified in buccal samples is located near regions with previously-reported associations to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and binge PAE. Conclusion: Our findings warrant further replication and highlight a potential epigenetic link between binge PAE and FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuk Jing Loke
- Molecular Immunity, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Evelyne Muggli
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,Reproductive Epidemiology, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Richard Saffery
- Molecular Immunity, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Joanne Ryan
- Molecular Immunity, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,Biological Neuropsychiatry & Dementia Unit, School of Public Health, Monash University, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Sharon Lewis
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,Reproductive Epidemiology, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Elizabeth J Elliott
- Specialty of Child & Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia.,The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, NSW, 2045, Australia
| | - Jane Halliday
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,Reproductive Epidemiology, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Jeffrey M Craig
- Molecular Immunity, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,The Institute of Mental & Physical Health & Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Victoria, 3220, Australia
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21
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Legault LM, Doiron K, Breton-Larrivée M, Langford-Avelar A, Lemieux A, Caron M, Jerome-Majewska LA, Sinnett D, McGraw S. Pre-implantation alcohol exposure induces lasting sex-specific DNA methylation programming errors in the developing forebrain. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:164. [PMID: 34425890 PMCID: PMC8381495 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01151-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prenatal alcohol exposure is recognized for altering DNA methylation profiles of brain cells during development, and to be part of the molecular basis underpinning Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) etiology. However, we have negligible information on the effects of alcohol exposure during pre-implantation, the early embryonic window marked with dynamic DNA methylation reprogramming, and on how this may rewire the brain developmental program. Results Using a pre-clinical in vivo mouse model, we show that a binge-like alcohol exposure during pre-implantation at the 8-cell stage leads to surge in morphological brain defects and adverse developmental outcomes during fetal life. Genome-wide DNA methylation analyses of fetal forebrains uncovered sex-specific alterations, including partial loss of DNA methylation maintenance at imprinting control regions, and abnormal de novo DNA methylation profiles in various biological pathways (e.g., neural/brain development). Conclusion These findings support that alcohol-induced DNA methylation programming deviations during pre-implantation could contribute to the manifestation of neurodevelopmental phenotypes associated with FASD. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13148-021-01151-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Legault
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, 3175 Chemin de La Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Edouard-Montpetit, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - K Doiron
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, 3175 Chemin de La Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - M Breton-Larrivée
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, 3175 Chemin de La Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Edouard-Montpetit, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - A Langford-Avelar
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, 3175 Chemin de La Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Edouard-Montpetit, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - A Lemieux
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, 3175 Chemin de La Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Edouard-Montpetit, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - M Caron
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, 3175 Chemin de La Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - L A Jerome-Majewska
- McGill University Health Centre Glen Site, 1001 Boulevard Décarie, Montréal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, 1001 Boulevard Décarie, Montréal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - D Sinnett
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, 3175 Chemin de La Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Edouard-Montpetit, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - S McGraw
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, 3175 Chemin de La Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Edouard-Montpetit, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Edouard-Montpetit, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
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22
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Maschke J, Roetner J, Bösl S, Plank AC, Rohleder N, Goecke TW, Fasching PA, Beckmann MW, Kratz O, Moll GH, Lenz B, Kornhuber J, Eichler A. Association of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Prenatal Maternal Depression with Offspring Low-Grade Inflammation in Early Adolescence. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18157920. [PMID: 34360212 PMCID: PMC8345560 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18157920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
(1) This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the link between prenatal alcohol exposure and prenatal maternal depression with the offspring’s low-grade inflammatory status. (2) Prenatal alcohol exposure was determined via maternal self-report during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy (self-report+: n = 29) and the meconium alcohol metabolite Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG), collected at birth (≥30 ng/g: n = 23). The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to screen for prenatal maternal depressive symptoms during the 3rd trimester (≥10: n = 35). Fifteen years later, 122 adolescents (M = 13.32 years; 48.4% female) provided blood samples for the analysis of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP; M = 0.91; SD = 1.28). (3) Higher hsCRP levels were found in EtG positive adolescents (p = 0.036, ηp2 = 0.04) and an inverse non-significant dose–response relation with hsCRP (r = −0.35, p = 0.113). For maternal self-reported prenatal alcohol consumption (p = 0.780, ηp2 = 0.00) and prenatal depressive symptoms (p = 0.360, ηp2 = 0.01) no differences for hsCRP levels between the affected and unaffected groups were found. (4) Adolescents with prenatal alcohol exposure are at risk for low-grade systemic inflammation. The EtG biomarker may be more accurate compared to self-reports. The findings suggest that prenatal maternal depression does not evoke low-grade systemic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Maschke
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.R.); (S.B.); (A.-C.P.); (O.K.); (G.H.M.); (A.E.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-9131-8544657
| | - Jakob Roetner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.R.); (S.B.); (A.-C.P.); (O.K.); (G.H.M.); (A.E.)
| | - Sophia Bösl
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.R.); (S.B.); (A.-C.P.); (O.K.); (G.H.M.); (A.E.)
| | - Anne-Christine Plank
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.R.); (S.B.); (A.-C.P.); (O.K.); (G.H.M.); (A.E.)
| | - Nicolas Rohleder
- Department of Psychology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91052 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Tamme W. Goecke
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.W.G.); (P.A.F.); (M.W.B.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, RoMed Klinikum Rosenheim, 83022 Rosenheim, Germany
| | - Peter A. Fasching
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.W.G.); (P.A.F.); (M.W.B.)
| | - Matthias W. Beckmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (T.W.G.); (P.A.F.); (M.W.B.)
| | - Oliver Kratz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.R.); (S.B.); (A.-C.P.); (O.K.); (G.H.M.); (A.E.)
| | - Gunther H. Moll
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.R.); (S.B.); (A.-C.P.); (O.K.); (G.H.M.); (A.E.)
| | - Bernd Lenz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (B.L.); (J.K.)
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (B.L.); (J.K.)
| | - Anna Eichler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (J.R.); (S.B.); (A.-C.P.); (O.K.); (G.H.M.); (A.E.)
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23
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Prenatal ethanol exposure increases maternal bile acids through placental transport pathway. Toxicology 2021; 458:152848. [PMID: 34217791 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
High maternal serum bile acid level is common and sometimes harmful to the gravida. This study aimed to confirm the bile acid phenotypic change caused by prenatal ethanol exposure (PEE) and elucidate its placental mechanism. Pregnant Wistar rats were administered intragastrically with ethanol 4 g/kg⋅d from gestational day 9-20. Total bile acids (TBA) were detected in maternal, fetal serum and placental tissues, increasing significantly in the serum but no significant change in the placental tissues. Meta-analysis was performed and verified the efficacy of the PEE-induced model based on published data from several relevant studies. Mining of microarray data from human and rat placental sources identified the involvement of bile acid metabolism and its significant genes, which were verified by RT-qPCR and western blotting on tissues and treated BeWo cells with the administration of FXR/PXR siRNAs or FXR/PXR agonists. Our examination, consistent with microarray data and wet experiments, showed that organic anion transporter polypeptide-related protein 2B1 (Oatp2b1), multidrug resistance-associated proteins 3 (Mrp3) and breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp) expression were increased, while nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (Fxr) was decreased but pregnane X receptor (Pxr) was increased. Furthermore, the interventional experiments confirmed that FXR regulated Bcrp while PXR regulated Oatp2b1 and Mrp3. In summary, PEE could induce high bile acid level in maternal serum and its mechanism is associated with the high expression of BCRP/MRP3/OATP2B1 in the placenta through up-regulating PXR and down-regulating FXR, thereby leading to an excessive bile acid transport to maternal blood via the placenta. Our study provides a novel perspective in terms of placenta, explaining the increased maternal blood bile acids under the toxicity of PEE.
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24
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Araujo I, Henriksen A, Gamsby J, Gulick D. Impact of Alcohol Abuse on Susceptibility to Rare Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:643273. [PMID: 34179073 PMCID: PMC8220155 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.643273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the prevalence and well-recognized adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and alcohol use disorder in the causation of numerous diseases, their potential roles in the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases remain poorly characterized. This is especially true of the rare neurodegenerative diseases, for which small population sizes make it difficult to conduct broad studies of specific etiological factors. Nonetheless, alcohol has potent and long-lasting effects on neurodegenerative substrates, at both the cellular and systems levels. This review highlights the general effects of alcohol in the brain that contribute to neurodegeneration across diseases, and then focuses on specific diseases in which alcohol exposure is likely to play a major role. These specific diseases include dementias (alcohol-induced, frontotemporal, and Korsakoff syndrome), ataxias (cerebellar and frontal), and Niemann-Pick disease (primarily a Type B variant and Type C). We conclude that there is ample evidence to support a role of alcohol abuse in the etiology of these diseases, but more work is needed to identify the primary mechanisms of alcohol's effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iskra Araujo
- Gulick Laboratory, Byrd Neuroscience Institute, University of South Florida Health, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Amy Henriksen
- Gulick Laboratory, Byrd Neuroscience Institute, University of South Florida Health, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Joshua Gamsby
- Gulick Laboratory, Byrd Neuroscience Institute, University of South Florida Health, Tampa, FL, United States
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South FL, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Danielle Gulick
- Gulick Laboratory, Byrd Neuroscience Institute, University of South Florida Health, Tampa, FL, United States
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South FL, Tampa, FL, United States
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25
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Pinheiro‐da‐Silva J, Luchiari AC. Embryonic ethanol exposure on zebrafish early development. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e02062. [PMID: 33939334 PMCID: PMC8213935 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Embryonic exposure to ethanol leads to a condition of physical, behavioral, and cognitive deficiencies named fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The most severe variations are in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which is easier to diagnose and not studied in animal models. On the other side, the pFAS (partial fetal alcohol syndrome) includes cases of alcohol-related congenital disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorder with an inconclusive diagnosis. In recent years, the zebrafish has become a valuable model to study FASD and its variations. METHODS This study characterizes the zebrafish embryonic and larval development after low and moderate ethanol concentration exposure. Fish eggs were exposed to 0.0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1.0% ethanol at 24 hr postfertilization, and embryonic development was observed every 8 hr up to 120 hpf. It evaluated movements, phenotypic abnormalities, hatching, cardiac function and heartbeat frequency, larvae length at 120 hpf, and the apoptotic cells' fluorescence stained with acridine orange. RESULTS Embryonic exposure to 0.5% and 1% ethanol presented reduced body size, decreased heartbeat rate, higher numbers of apoptotic cells, and hatching time differences. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest any ethanol exposure during embryogenesis can be harmful and reinforces zebrafish as a suitable model for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Carolina Luchiari
- Physiology and Behavior DepartmentFederal University of Rio Grande do NorteNatalBrazil
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26
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Bianco CD, Hübner IC, Bennemann B, de Carvalho CR, Brocardo PS. Effects of postnatal ethanol exposure and maternal separation on mood, cognition and hippocampal arborization in adolescent rats. Behav Brain Res 2021; 411:113372. [PMID: 34022294 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Ethanol exposure and early life stress during brain development are associated with an increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders. We used a third-trimester equivalent model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders combined with a maternal separation (MS) protocol to evaluate whether these stressors cause sexually dimorphic behavioral and hippocampal dendritic arborization responses in adolescent rats. Wistar rat pups were divided into four experimental groups: 1) Control; 2) MS (MS, for 3 h/day from postnatal (PND) 2 to PND14); 3) EtOH (EtOH, 5 g/kg/day, i.p., PND2, 4, 6, 8, and 10); 4) EtOH + MS. All animals were divided into two cohorts and subjected to a battery of behavioral tests when they reached adolescence (PND37-44). Animals from cohort 1 were submitted to: 1) the open field test; 2) self-cleaning behavior (PND38); and 3) the motivation test (PND39-41). Animals from cohort 2 were submitted to: 1) the novel object recognition (PND37-39); 2) social investigation test (PND40); and 3) Morris water maze test (PND41-44). At PND45, the animals were euthanized, and the brains were collected for subsequent dendritic analysis. Postnatal ethanol exposure (PEE) caused anxiety-like behavior in females and reduced motivation, and increased hippocampal dendritic arborization in both sexes. MS reduced body weight, increased locomotor activity in females, and increased motivation, and hippocampal dendritic arborization in both sexes. We found that males from the EtOH + MS groups are more socially engaged than females, who were more interested in sweets than males. Altogether, these data suggest that early life adverse conditions may alter behavior in a sex-dependent manner in adolescent rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Daniele Bianco
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Ian Carlos Hübner
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Bianca Bennemann
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Ribeiro de Carvalho
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Patricia S Brocardo
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil; Department of Morphological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil.
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27
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Campbell KSJ, Williams LJ, Bjornson BH, Weik E, Brain U, Grunau RE, Miller SP, Oberlander TF. Prenatal antidepressant exposure and sex differences in neonatal corpus callosum microstructure. Dev Psychobiol 2021; 63:e22125. [PMID: 33942888 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants may influence white matter (WM) development, as previous studies report widespread microstructural alterations and reduced interhemispheric connectivity in SSRI-exposed infants. In rodents, perinatal SSRIs had sex-specific disruptions in corpus callosum (CC) axon architecture and connectivity; yet it is unknown whether SSRI-related brain outcomes in humans are sex specific. In this study, the neonate CC was selected as a region-of-interest to investigate whether prenatal SSRI exposure has sex-specific effects on early WM microstructure. On postnatal day 7, diffusion tensor imaging was used to assess WM microstructure in SSRI-exposed (n = 24; 12 male) and nonexposed (n = 48; 28 male) term-born neonates. Fractional anisotropy was extracted from CC voxels and a multivariate discriminant analysis was used to identify latent patterns differing between neonates grouped by SSRI-exposure and sex. Analysis revealed localized variations in CC fractional anisotropy that significantly discriminated neonate groups and correctly predicted group membership with an 82% accuracy. Such effects were identified across three dimensions, representing sex differences in SSRI-exposed neonates (genu, splenium), SSRI-related effects independent of sex (genu-to-rostral body), and sex differences in nonexposed neonates (isthmus-splenium, posterior midbody). Our findings suggest that CC microstructure may have a sex-specific, localized, developmental sensitivity to prenatal SSRI exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayleigh S J Campbell
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Bruce H Bjornson
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ella Weik
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ursula Brain
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ruth E Grunau
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Steven P Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Tim F Oberlander
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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28
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Lopatynska-Mazurek M, Pankowska A, Gibula-Tarlowska E, Pietura R, Kotlinska JH. Rapamycin Improves Recognition Memory and Normalizes Amino-Acids and Amines Levels in the Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus in Adult Rats Exposed to Ethanol during the Neonatal Period. Biomolecules 2021; 11:362. [PMID: 33673489 PMCID: PMC7997340 DOI: 10.3390/biom11030362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a serine/ threonine kinase, is implicated in synaptic plasticity by controlling protein synthesis. Research suggests that ethanol exposure during pregnancy alters the mTOR signaling pathway in the fetal hippocampus. Thus, we investigated the influence of pre-treatment with rapamycin, an mTORC1 inhibitor, on the development of recognition memory deficits in adult rats that were neonatally exposed to ethanol. In the study, male and female rat pups received ethanol (5 g/kg/day) by intragastric intubation at postanatal day (PND 4-9), an equivalent to the third trimester of human pregnancy. Rapamycin (3 and 10 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally before every ethanol administration. Short- and long-term recognition memory was assessed in the novel object recognition (NOR) task in adult (PND 59/60) rats. Locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior were also evaluated to exclude the influence of such behavior on the outcome of the memory task. Moreover, the effects of rapamycin pre-treatment during neonatal ethanol exposure on the content of amino-acids and amines essential for the proper development of cognitive function in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus was evaluated using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) in male adult (PND 60) rats. Our results show the deleterious effect of ethanol given to neonatal rats on long-term recognition memory in adults. The effect was more pronounced in male rather than female rats. Rapamycin reversed this ethanol-induced memory impairment and normalized the levels of amino acids and amines in the DG. This suggests the involvement of mTORC1 in the deleterious effect of ethanol on the developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Lopatynska-Mazurek
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University, Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (M.L.-M.); (E.G.-T.)
| | - Anna Pankowska
- Department of Radiography, Medical University, Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (A.P.); (R.P.)
| | - Ewa Gibula-Tarlowska
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University, Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (M.L.-M.); (E.G.-T.)
| | - Radoslaw Pietura
- Department of Radiography, Medical University, Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (A.P.); (R.P.)
| | - Jolanta H. Kotlinska
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University, Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (M.L.-M.); (E.G.-T.)
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Gilmore JC, Serghides L, Bendayan R. Differential effects of antiretroviral drug toxicity in male versus female children who are HIV-exposed but uninfected. AIDS 2021; 35:1-14. [PMID: 33048885 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000002707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
: In recent years, widespread use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy has been increasingly effective in reducing risk of vertical transmission of HIV, with over 80% of pregnant women living with HIV now accessing ART, and a 41% reduction in new infections in children between 2010 and 2018. Despite these strides, the developmental toxicity of widely administered antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) remains poorly described and existing literature often fails to account for fetal and infant sex as a variable. Recent reports have identified associations between in-utero exposure to commonly used antiretroviral regimens and alteration in neurodevelopment, growth, and metabolism amongst children who are HIV-exposed but uninfected, with findings of sex differences in the prevalence and severity of ARV toxicity. These differences are potentially explained by variable exposure to ARV drugs in utero or exacerbation of existing sex-linked risk factors. Fetal ARV exposure is mediated by placental and fetal drug transporters and metabolic enzymes, which may contribute to the manifestation of sex differences. Existing evidence of sex differences in ARV toxicity in fetal development is concerning, and demands further research to guide optimal treatment options for maternal health and prevention of vertical HIV transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lena Serghides
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network (UHN)
- Department of Immunology and Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Reina Bendayan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto
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Darbinian N, Darbinyan A, Merabova N, Bajwa A, Tatevosian G, Martirosyan D, Zhao H, Selzer ME, Goetzl L. Ethanol-mediated alterations in oligodendrocyte differentiation in the developing brain. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 148:105181. [PMID: 33189883 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alterations of white matter integrity and subsequent white matter structural deficits are consistent findings in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), but knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying these abnormalities is incomplete. Experimental rodent models of FAS have shown dysregulation of cytokine expression leading to apoptosis of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and altered oligodendrocyte (OL) differentiation, but whether this is representative of human FAS pathogenesis has not been determined. METHODS Fetal brain tissue (12.2-21.4 weeks gestation) from subjects undergoing elective termination of pregnancy was collected according to an IRB-approved protocol. Ethanol (EtOH) exposure status was classified based on a detailed face-to-face questionnaire adapted from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prenatal Alcohol and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Stillbirth (PASS) study. Twenty EtOH-exposed fetuses were compared with 20 gestational age matched controls. Cytokine and OPC marker mRNA expression was quantified by Real-Time Polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Patterns of protein expression of OPC markers and active Capase-3 were studied by Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS). RESULTS EtOH exposure was associated with reduced markers of cell viability, OPC differentiation, and OL maturation, while early OL differentiation markers were unchanged or increased. Expression of mRNAs for proteins specific to more mature forms of OL lineage (platelet-derived growth factor α (PDGFRα) and myelin basic protein (MBP) was lower in the EtOH group than in controls. Expression of the multifunctional growth and differentiation-promoting growth factor IGF-1, which is essential for normal development, also was reduced. Reductions were not observed for markers of early stages of OL differentiation, including Nuclear transcription factor NK-2 homeobox locus 2 (Nkx2.2). Expression of mRNAs for the proinflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and several proinflammatory chemokines was higher in the EtOH group compared to controls, including: Growth regulated protein alpha/chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (GRO-α/CXCL1), Interleukin 8/chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 8 (IL8/CXCL8), Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 6/Granulocyte chemotactic protein 2 (CXCL16/GCP2), epithelial-derived neutrophil-activating protein 78/chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 5 (ENA-78/CXCL5), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). EtOH exposure also was associated with an increase in the proportion of cells expressing markers of early stage OPCs, such as A2B5 and NG2. Finally, apoptosis (measured by caspase-3 activation) was increased substantially in the EtOH group compared to controls. CONCLUSION Prenatal EtOH exposure is associated with excessive OL apoptosis and/or delayed OL maturation in human fetal brain. This is accompanied by markedly dysregulated expression of several chemokines and cytokines, in a pattern predictive of increased OL cytotoxicity and reduced OL differentiation. These findings are consistent with findings in animal models of FAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nune Darbinian
- Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation (Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center), Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, United States of America.
| | - Armine Darbinyan
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, United States of America.
| | - Nana Merabova
- Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation (Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center), Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, United States of America.
| | - Ahsun Bajwa
- Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation (Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center), Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, United States of America.
| | - Gabriel Tatevosian
- Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation (Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center), Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, United States of America.
| | - Diana Martirosyan
- Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation (Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center), Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, United States of America.
| | - Huaqing Zhao
- Department of Clinical Sciences (Biostatistics and Epidemiology), Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, United States of America.
| | - Michael E Selzer
- Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation (Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center), Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, United States of America.
| | - Laura Goetzl
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America.
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Paudel P, Pierotti C, Lozano E, Amoah SK, Gardiner AS, Caldwell KK, Allan AM, Mellios N. Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Results in Sex-Specific Alterations in Circular RNA Expression in the Developing Mouse Brain. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:581895. [PMID: 33304235 PMCID: PMC7693437 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.581895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are heterogeneous disorders associated with alcohol exposure to the developing fetus that are characterized by a range of adverse neurodevelopmental deficits. Despite the numerous genomics and genetic studies on FASD models, the comprehensive molecular understanding of the mechanisms that underlie FASD-related neurodevelopmental deficits remains elusive. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a subtype of long non-coding RNAs that are derived from back-splicing and covalent joining of exons and/or introns of protein-coding genes. Recent studies have shown that circRNAs are highly enriched in the brain, where they are developmentally regulated. However, the role of the majority of brain-enriched circRNAs in normal and pathological brain development and function has not been explored yet. Here we carried out the first systematic profiling of circRNA expression in response to prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) in male and female embryonic day 18 (E18) whole brains. We observed that the changes in circRNA expression in response to PAE were notably sex-specific and that PAE tended to erase most of the sex-specificity in circRNA expression present in control (saccharin-treated) mice. On the other hand, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) in the same samples showed that changes in protein-coding gene expression were not predominantly sex-specific. Using circRNA quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), we validated that circSatb2, which is generated from the special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2 (Satb2) gene, is significantly upregulated in the brain of E18 male PAE mice. We also show that circPtchd2, a circRNA synthesized from dispatched RND transporter family member 3 (Disp3, also known as Ptchd2), exhibits significantly higher expression in E18 control but not PAE female mouse brain relative to males. Taken together, our results demonstrate that PAE differentially alters circRNA expression in the developing brain in a sex-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Paudel
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Caroline Pierotti
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Evelyn Lozano
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Stephen K. Amoah
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
- Autophagy Inflammation and Metabolism (AIM) Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Amy S. Gardiner
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Kevin K. Caldwell
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Andrea M. Allan
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Nikolaos Mellios
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
- Autophagy Inflammation and Metabolism (AIM) Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States
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Kazemi T, Huang S, Avci NG, Waits CMK, Akay YM, Akay M. Investigating the influence of perinatal nicotine and alcohol exposure on the genetic profiles of dopaminergic neurons in the VTA using miRNA-mRNA analysis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15016. [PMID: 32929144 PMCID: PMC7490691 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71875-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotine and alcohol are two of the most commonly used and abused recreational drugs, are often used simultaneously, and have been linked to significant health hazards. Furthermore, patients diagnosed with dependence on one drug are highly likely to be dependent on the other. Several studies have shown the effects of each drug independently on gene expression within many brain regions, including the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the dopamine reward pathway originate from the VTA, which is believed to be central to the mechanism of addiction and drug reinforcement. Using a well-established rat model for both nicotine and alcohol perinatal exposure, we investigated miRNA and mRNA expression of dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the VTA in rat pups following perinatal alcohol and joint nicotine-alcohol exposure. Microarray analysis was then used to profile the differential expression of both miRNAs and mRNAs from DA neurons of each treatment group to further explore the altered genes and related biological pathways modulated. Predicted and validated miRNA-gene target pairs were analyzed to further understand the roles of miRNAs within these networks following each treatment, along with their post transcription regulation points affecting gene expression throughout development. This study suggested that glutamatergic synapse and axon guidance pathways were specifically enriched and many miRNAs and genes were significantly altered following alcohol or nicotine-alcohol perinatal exposure when compared to saline control. These results provide more detailed insight into the cell proliferation, neuronal migration, neuronal axon guidance during the infancy in rats in response to perinatal alcohol/ or nicotine-alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Kazemi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Shuyan Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Naze G Avci
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Charlotte Mae K Waits
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Yasemin M Akay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Metin Akay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA.
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Salzwedel A, Chen G, Chen Y, Grewen K, Gao W. Functional dissection of prenatal drug effects on baby brain and behavioral development. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:4789-4803. [PMID: 32779835 PMCID: PMC7643353 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal drug exposure (PDE) is known to affect fetal brain development with documented long‐term consequences. Most studies of PDE effects on the brain are based on animal models. In this study, based on a large sample of 133 human neonates and leveraging a novel linear mixed‐effect model designed for intersubject variability analyses, we studied the effects of six prenatally exposed drugs (i.e., nicotine, alcohol, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, marijuana, cocaine, and opioids) on neonatal whole‐brain functional organization and compared them with five other critical nondrug variables (i.e., gestational age at birth/scan, sex, birth weight, and maternal depression). The behavioral implications were also examined. Magnitude‐wise, through summing across individual drug effects, our results highlighted ~5% of whole‐brain functional connections (FCs) affected by PDE, which was highly comparable with the combined effects of the five nond rug variables. Spatially, the detected PDE effects featured drug‐specific patterns with a common bias in higher‐order brain regions/networks. Regarding brain–behavioral relationships, the detected connections showing significant drug effects also demonstrated significant correlations with 3‐month behavioral outcomes. Further mediation analyses supported a mediation role of the detected brain FCs between PDE status and cognitive/language outcomes. Our findings of widespread, and spatially biased PDE effect patterns coupled with significant behavioral implications may hopefully stimulate more human‐based studies into effects of PDE on long‐term developmental outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Salzwedel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Imaging, and Biomedical Imaging Research Institute (BIRI), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Gang Chen
- Scientific and Statistical Computing Core, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Imaging, and Biomedical Imaging Research Institute (BIRI), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Karen Grewen
- Department of Psychiatry, Neurobiology, and Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Wei Gao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Imaging, and Biomedical Imaging Research Institute (BIRI), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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An interaction between fetal sex and placental weight and efficiency predicts intrauterine growth in response to maternal protein insufficiency and gestational exposure window in a mouse model of FASD. Biol Sex Differ 2020; 11:40. [PMID: 32690098 PMCID: PMC7372829 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-020-00320-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals exposed to gestational stressors such as alcohol exhibit a spectrum of growth patterns, suggesting individualized responses to the stressors. We hypothesized that intrauterine growth responses to gestational alcohol are modified not only by the stressor's severity but by fetal sex and the placenta's adaptive capacity. METHODS Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were assigned to one of three groups. Group 1 consumed a normal protein diet (18% protein by weight) and received 4.5 g alcohol/kg body weight (NP-Alc-8) or isocaloric maltodextrin (NP-MD-8) daily from embryonic day (E) 8.5-E17.5. Group 2 consumed the same diet but received alcohol (NP-Alc-13) or maltodextrin (NP-MD-13) daily from E13.5-E17.5. Group 3 consumed the same diet but containing a lower protein content (12% protein by weight) from E0.5 and also received alcohol (LP-Alc-8) or maltodextrin (LP-MD-8) daily from E8.5-E17.5. Maternal, placental, and fetal outcomes were assessed on E17.5 using 2-way ANOVA or mixed linear model. RESULTS We found that intrauterine growth differed in the alcohol-exposed fetuses depending on sex and insult severity. Both NP-Alc-8 (vs. NP-MD-8) males and females had lower body weight and asymmetrical growth, but only NP-Alc-8 females had lower placental weight (P < 0.05). NP-Alc-13 (vs. NP-MD-13) females, but not their male littermates, had lower body weight (P = 0.019). Alcohol exposure beginning from E8.5 (vs. E13.5) decreased the ratio of fetal liver-to-body weight and increased the ratio of fetal brain-to-liver weight in both sexes (P < 0.05). LP-Alc-8 (vs. NP-MD-8) group had smaller litter size (P = 0.048), but the survivors had normal placental and body weight at E17.5. Nevertheless, LP-Alc-8 fetuses still showed asymmetrical growth. Correlation analyses reveal a relationship between litter size and placental outcomes, which were related to fetal outcomes in a sex-dependent manner, suggesting that the placenta may mediate the consequence of LP-Alc-altered litter size on fetal development. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that the placenta is strongly involved in the fetal stress response and adapts in a sex-dependent fashion to support fetal development under the alcohol stressor. These variables may further influence the spectrum of intrauterine growth outcomes observed in those diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
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Penaloza CG, Cruz M, Germain G, Jabeen S, Javdan M, Lockshin RA, Zakeri Z. Higher sensitivity of female cells to ethanol: methylation of DNA lowers Cyp2e1, generating more ROS. Cell Commun Signal 2020; 18:111. [PMID: 32653010 PMCID: PMC7353761 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-020-00616-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cells taken from mouse embryos before sex differentiation respond to insults according to their chromosomal sex, a difference traceable to differential methylation. We evaluated the mechanism for this difference in the controlled situation of their response to ethanol. Methods We evaluated the expression of mRNA for alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehyrogenases (ALDH), and a cytochrome P450 isoenzyme (Cyp2e1) in male and female mice, comparing the expressions to toxicity under several experimental conditions evaluating redox and other states. Results Females are more sensitive to ethanol. Disulfiram, which inhibits alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), increases cell death in males, eliminating the sex dimorphism. The expressions ADH Class 1 to 4 and ALDH Class 1 and 2 do not differ by sex. However, females express approximately 8X more message for Cyp2e1, an enzyme in the non-canonical pathway. Female cells produce approximately 15% more ROS (reactive oxygen species) than male cells, but male cells contain approximately double the concentration of GSH, a ROS scavenger. Scavenging ROS with N-acetyl cysteine reduces cell death and eliminates sex dimorphism. Finally, since many of the differences in gene expression derive from methylation of DNA, we exposed cells to the methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza- 2-deoxycytidine; blocking methylation eliminates both the difference in expression of Cyp2e1 and cell death. Conclusion We conclude that the sex-differential cell death caused by ethanol derives from sex dimorphic methylation of Cyp2e1 gene, resulting in generation of more ROS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos G Penaloza
- Queens College and Graduate Center, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, NSB E143, Flushing, NY, 11367, USA.,Present Address: Chancellor's Office, Leeward Community College, Pearl City, HI, USA
| | - Mayra Cruz
- Queens College and Graduate Center, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, NSB E143, Flushing, NY, 11367, USA
| | - Gabrielle Germain
- Queens College and Graduate Center, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, NSB E143, Flushing, NY, 11367, USA
| | - Sidra Jabeen
- Queens College and Graduate Center, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, NSB E143, Flushing, NY, 11367, USA
| | - Mohammad Javdan
- Queensborough Community College, City College of New York, Bayside, NY, USA
| | - Richard A Lockshin
- Queens College and Graduate Center, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, NSB E143, Flushing, NY, 11367, USA
| | - Zahra Zakeri
- Queens College and Graduate Center, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, NSB E143, Flushing, NY, 11367, USA.
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Kwan STC, Kezer CA, Helfrich KK, Saini N, Huebner SM, Flentke GR, Kling PJ, Smith SM. Maternal iron nutriture modulates placental development in a rat model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Alcohol 2020; 84:57-66. [PMID: 31734307 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2019.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) causes developmental abnormalities known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Maternal iron status modulates the severity of these defects in the offspring. Because the placenta is central in supporting fetal development, we investigated whether maternal iron status similarly modulates alcohol's effects in the placenta. We hypothesized that PAE causes placental insufficiency by decreasing placental weight and efficiency, and we hypothesized that these are worsened by maternal iron deficiency (ID) and alleviated by dietary iron fortification (IF). We also determined whether altered placental iron flux and inflammatory balance contribute to placental insufficiency. Pregnant Long-Evans rats consumed an iron-deficient (ID; 2-6 ppm), iron-sufficient (IS; 100 ppm), or iron-fortified (IF; 500 ppm) diet. Alcohol (5 g/kg body weight) or isocaloric maltodextrin (MD) was gavaged daily from gestational day (GD) 13.5-19.5. Placental outcomes were evaluated on GD20.5. PAE reduced fetal weight (p < 0.0001), placental weight (p = 0.0324), and placental efficiency (p = 0.0043). PAE downregulated placental transferrin receptor (p = 0.0032); it also altered placental Il1b and Tnf expression and the Il6:Il10 ratio (p = 0.0337, 0.0300, and 0.0034, respectively) to generate a response favoring inflammation. ID-PAE further reduced fetal growth and placental efficiency and induced a heightened pro-inflammatory placental profile. IF did not rescue the alcohol-reduced fetal weight, but it normalized placental efficiency and decreased placental inflammation. These placental cytokines correlated with fetal and placental growth, and explained 45% of the variability in fetal weight and 20% of the variability in placental efficiency. In summary, alcohol induces placental insufficiency and is associated with a pro-inflammatory cytokine profile exacerbated by maternal ID and mitigated by maternal IF. Because the placenta is closely linked to intrauterine growth, the placental insufficiency reported here may correlate with the lower birth weights in a subgroup of individuals who experienced PAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sze Ting Cecilia Kwan
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, 28081, United States
| | - Camille A Kezer
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
| | - Kaylee K Helfrich
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, 28081, United States
| | - Nipun Saini
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, 28081, United States
| | - Shane M Huebner
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
| | - George R Flentke
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, 28081, United States
| | - Pamela J Kling
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53715, United States
| | - Susan M Smith
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, 28081, United States; Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, United States.
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Delatour LC, Yeh PWL, Yeh HH. Prenatal Exposure to Ethanol Alters Synaptic Activity in Layer V/VI Pyramidal Neurons of the Somatosensory Cortex. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:1735-1751. [PMID: 31647550 PMCID: PMC7132917 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhz199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) encompasses a range of cognitive and behavioral deficits, with aberrances in the function of cerebral cortical pyramidal neurons implicated in its pathology. However, the mechanisms underlying these aberrances, including whether they persist well beyond ethanol exposure in utero, remain to be explored. We addressed these issues by employing a mouse model of FASD in which pregnant mice were exposed to binge-type ethanol from embryonic day 13.5 through 16.5. In both male and female offspring (postnatal day 28-32), whole-cell patch clamp recording of layer V/VI somatosensory cortex pyramidal neurons revealed increases in the frequency of excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Furthermore, expressing channelrhodopsin in either GABAergic interneurons (Nkx2.1Cre-Ai32) or glutamatergic pyramidal neurons (Emx1IRES Cre-Ai32) revealed a shift in optically evoked paired-pulse ratio. These findings are consistent with an excitatory-inhibitory imbalance with prenatal ethanol exposure due to diminished inhibitory but enhanced excitatory synaptic strength. Prenatal ethanol exposure also altered the density and morphology of spines along the apical dendrites of pyramidal neurons. Thus, while both presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms are affected following prenatal exposure to ethanol, there is a prominent presynaptic component that contributes to altered inhibitory and excitatory synaptic transmission in the somatosensory cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie C Delatour
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Pamela W L Yeh
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Hermes H Yeh
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
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Chang GQ, Collier AD, Karatayev O, Gulati G, Boorgu DSSK, Leibowitz SF. Moderate Prenatal Ethanol Exposure Stimulates CXCL12/CXCR4 Chemokine System in Radial Glia Progenitor Cells in Hypothalamic Neuroepithelium and Peptide Neurons in Lateral Hypothalamus of the Embryo and Postnatal Offspring. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2020; 44:866-879. [PMID: 32020622 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to ethanol (EtOH) has lasting effects on neuropeptide and neuroimmune systems in the brain alongside detrimental alcohol-related behaviors. At low-to-moderate doses, prenatal EtOH stimulates neurogenesis in lateral hypothalamus (LH) and increases neurons that express the orexigenic peptides hypocretin/orexin (Hcrt/OX) and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), and the proinflammatory chemokine CCL2, which through its receptor CCR2 stimulates cell differentiation and movement. Our recent studies demonstrated that CCL2 and CCR2 colocalize with MCH neurons and are involved in EtOH's stimulatory effect on their development but show no relation to Hcrt/OX. Here, we investigated another chemokine, CXCL12, and its receptor, CXCR4, which promote neurogenesis and neuroprogenitor cell proliferation, to determine if they also exhibit peptide specificity in their response to EtOH exposure. METHODS Pregnant rats were intraorally administered a moderate dose of EtOH (2 g/kg/d) from embryonic day 10 (E10) to E15. Their embryos and postnatal offspring were examined using real-time quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence histochemistry, to determine if EtOH affects CXCL12 and CXCR4 and the colocalization of CXCR4 with Hcrt/OX and MCH neurons in the LH and with radial glia neuroprogenitor cells in the hypothalamic neuroepithelium (NEP). RESULTS Prenatal EtOH strongly stimulated CXCL12 and CXCR4 in LH neurons of embryos and postnatal offspring. This stimulation was significantly stronger in Hcrt/OX than MCH neurons in LH and also occurred in radial glia neuroprogenitor cells dense in the NEP. These effects were sexually dimorphic, consistently stronger in females than males. CONCLUSIONS While showing prenatal EtOH exposure to have a sexually dimorphic, stimulatory effect on CXCL12 and CXCR4 in LH similar to CCL2 and its receptor, these results reveal their distinct relationship to the peptide neurons, with the former closely related to Hcrt/OX and the latter to MCH, and they link EtOH's actions in LH to a stimulatory effect on neuroprogenitor cells in the NEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Qing Chang
- From the, Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, (GQC, ADC, OK, GG, SFL), The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Adam D Collier
- From the, Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, (GQC, ADC, OK, GG, SFL), The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Olga Karatayev
- From the, Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, (GQC, ADC, OK, GG, SFL), The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Gazal Gulati
- From the, Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, (GQC, ADC, OK, GG, SFL), The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | | | - Sarah F Leibowitz
- From the, Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, (GQC, ADC, OK, GG, SFL), The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
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Nguyen VT, Tieng QM, Mardon K, Zhang C, Chong S, Galloway GJ, Kurniawan ND. Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Micro-Computed Tomography reveal brain morphological abnormalities in a mouse model of early moderate prenatal ethanol exposure. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2019; 77:106849. [PMID: 31838218 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2019.106849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study investigated the effects of early moderate prenatal ethanol exposure (PEE) on the brain in a mouse model that mimics a scenario in humans, whereby moderate daily drinking ceases after a woman becomes aware of her pregnancy. METHODS C57BL/6J pregnant mice were given 10% v/v ethanol from gestational day 0-8 in the drinking water. The male offspring were used for imaging. Anatomical and diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging were performed in vivo at postnatal day 28 (P28, adolescence) and P80 (adulthood). Micro-Computed Tomography was performed on fixed whole heads at P80. Tensor-based morphometry (TBM) was applied to detect alterations in brain structure and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) for skull morphology. Diffusion tensor and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging models were used to detect microstructural changes. Neurofilament (NF) immunohistochemistry was used to validate findings by in vivo diffusion MRI. RESULTS TBM showed that PEE mice exhibited a significantly smaller third ventricle at P28 (family-wise error rate (FWE), p < 0.05). All other macro-structural alterations did not survive FWE corrections but when displayed with an uncorrected p < 0.005 showed multiple regional volume reductions and expansions, more prominently in the right hemisphere. PEE-induced gross volume changes included a bigger thalamus, hypothalamus and ventricles at P28, and bigger total brain volumes at both P28 and P80 (2-sample t-tests). Disproportionately smaller olfactory bulbs following PEE were revealed at both time-points. No alterations in diffusion parameters were detected, but PEE animals exhibited reduced NF positive staining in the thalamus and striatum and greater bone density in various skull regions. CONCLUSION Our results show that early moderate PEE can cause alterations in the brain that are detectable during development and adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van T Nguyen
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Quang M Tieng
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Karine Mardon
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; National Imaging Facility, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christine Zhang
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Suyinn Chong
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Graham J Galloway
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; National Imaging Facility, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nyoman D Kurniawan
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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Terband H, Spruit M, Maassen B. Speech Impairment in Boys With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY 2018; 27:1405-1425. [PMID: 30398563 DOI: 10.1044/2018_ajslp-17-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are a highly prevalent spectrum of patterns of congenital defects resulting from prenatal exposure to alcohol. Approximately 90% of the cases involve speech impairment. Yet, to date, no detailed symptom profiles nor dedicated treatment plans are available for this population. PURPOSE This study set out to chart the speech and speech motor characteristics in boys with FASD to profile the concomitant speech impairment and identify possible underlying mechanisms. METHOD Ten boys with FASD (4.5-10.3 years old) and 26 typically developing children (4.1-8.7 years old; 14 boys, 12 girls) participated in the study. Speech production and perception, and oral motor data were collected by standardized tests. RESULTS The boys with FASD showed reduced scores on all tasks as well as a deviant pattern of correlations between production and perception tasks and intelligibility compared with the typically developing children. Speech motor profiles showed specific problems with nonword repetition and tongue control. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate that the speech impairment in boys with FASD results from a combination of deficits in multiple subsystems and should be approached as a disorder rather than a developmental delay. The results suggest that reduced speech motor planning/programming, auditory discrimination, and oral motor abilities should be considered in long-term, individually tailored treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayo Terband
- Utrecht Institute of Linguistics - OTS, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Manon Spruit
- Utrecht Institute of Linguistics - OTS, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
- Logopedie & Stottertherapie, Lingen, Germany
| | - Ben Maassen
- Centre for Language and Cognition & University Medical Centre, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
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Wang R, Shen YL, Hausknecht KA, Chang L, Haj-Dahmane S, Vezina P, Shen RY. Prenatal ethanol exposure increases risk of psychostimulant addiction. Behav Brain Res 2018; 356:51-61. [PMID: 30076855 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal ethanol exposure (PE) causes many cognitive and behavioral deficits including increased drug addiction risk, demonstrated by enhanced ethanol intake and behavioral phenotypes associated with addiction risk. Additionally, preclinical studies show that PE persistently changes the function of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area, a major neural substrate for addiction, and alters these neurons' responses to psychostimulants. Accordingly, PE could also lead to increased risk of addiction to drugs of abuse, other than ethanol. In the present study, addiction risk was examined utilizing paradigms of amphetamine conditioned place preference (CPP) and intravenous self-administration. Ethanol was administered to pregnant dams via intragastric gavage (6 g/kg, during gestational days 8-20). Behavioral tests were conducted in adult male offspring. Amphetamine at a low dose (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.) induced CPP in PE but not control rats, whereas at a higher dose (0.6 mg/kg, i.p.) both groups acquired CPP. There was no group difference in amphetamine-induced CPP reinstatement. Furthermore, PE rats self-administered more amphetamine at a low dose (0.02 mg/kg/infusion) than controls, while no group differences were observed at a higher dose (0.1 mg/kg/infusion). Rats with PE also exhibited greater reactivity to contextual drug cues after extended abstinence and amphetamine-induced reinstatement of drug seeking. These results support that PE persistently leads to increased psychostimulant addiction risk later in life, manifested in many elements of addictive behavior following limited psychostimulant exposure. The observations provide insights into prevention strategies for drug addiction in individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixiang Wang
- Research Institute on Addictions and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 1021 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA; Department of Psychology, Park Hall Room 204, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Ying-Ling Shen
- Research Institute on Addictions and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 1021 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA; Graduate Institute of Humanities in Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Kathryn A Hausknecht
- Research Institute on Addictions and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 1021 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Lawrence Chang
- Research Institute on Addictions and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 1021 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Samir Haj-Dahmane
- Research Institute on Addictions and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 1021 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Paul Vezina
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, The University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue MC 3077, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Roh-Yu Shen
- Research Institute on Addictions and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 1021 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
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Loke YJ, Muggli E, Nguyen L, Ryan J, Saffery R, Elliott EJ, Halliday J, Craig JM. Time- and sex-dependent associations between prenatal alcohol exposure and placental global DNA methylation. Epigenomics 2018; 10:981-991. [PMID: 29956547 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2017-0147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Epigenetic changes, in particular in the placenta, may mediate the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on children's health. We examined the relationship between PAE patterns, based on dose and timing, and placental global DNA methylation. METHODS Using linear regression analysis, we examined the association between different PAE categories and placental global DNA methylation (n = 187), using the proxy measure of Alu-interspersed repeats. RESULTS Following adjustment for important covariates, we found no evidence of an association between PAE and placental global DNA methylation overall. However, when stratifying by newborn sex, PAE throughout pregnancy was associated with higher placental global DNA methylation (1.5%; p = 0.01) of male newborns. CONCLUSION PAE may have sex-specific effects on placental global DNA methylation if alcohol is consumed throughout pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuk Jing Loke
- Environmental & Genetic Epidemiology Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, the Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Evelyne Muggli
- Public Health Genetics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, the Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Linh Nguyen
- Environmental & Genetic Epidemiology Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, the Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Joanne Ryan
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.,Cancer & Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, the Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Richard Saffery
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Cancer & Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, the Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Elizabeth J Elliott
- Discipline of Child & Adolescent Health, School of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, New South Wales, Australia.,Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit, Sydney Childrens Hospitals Network, Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jane Halliday
- Public Health Genetics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, the Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Jeffrey M Craig
- Environmental & Genetic Epidemiology Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, the Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia
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Geary DC. Evolutionary perspective on sex differences in the expression of neurological diseases. Prog Neurobiol 2018; 176:33-53. [PMID: 29890214 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2018.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Sex-specific brain and cognitive deficits emerge with malnutrition, some infectious and neurodegenerative diseases, and often with prenatal or postnatal toxin exposure. These deficits are described in disparate literatures and are generally not linked to one another. Sexual selection may provide a unifying framework that integrates our understanding of these deficits and provides direction for future studies of sex-specific vulnerabilities. Sexually selected traits are those that have evolved to facilitate competition for reproductive resources or that influence mate choices, and are often larger and more complex than other traits. Critically, malnutrition, disease, chronic social stress, and exposure to man-made toxins compromise the development and expression of sexually selected traits more strongly than that of other traits. The fundamental mechanism underlying vulnerability might be the efficiency of mitochondrial energy capture and control of oxidative stress that in turn links these traits to current advances in neuroenergetics, stress endocrinology, and toxicology. The key idea is that the elaboration of these cognitive abilities, with more underlying gray matter or more extensive inter-modular white matter connections, makes them particularly sensitive to disruptions in mitochondrial functioning and oxidative stress. A framework of human sexually selected cognitive abilities and underlying brain systems is proposed and used to organize what is currently known about sex-specific vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Geary
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, University of Missouri, MO, 65211-2500, Columbia, United States.
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Nonprotein-coding RNAs in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2018; 157:299-342. [PMID: 29933954 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2017.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Early developmental exposure to ethanol, a known teratogen, can result in a range of neurodevelopmental disorders, collectively referred to as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). Changes in the environment, including exposure to teratogens, can result in long term alterations to the epigenetic landscape of a cell, thereby altering gene expression. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) can affect transcription and translation of networks of genes. ncRNAs are dynamically expressed during development and have been identified as a target of alcohol. ncRNAs therefore make for attractive targets for novel therapeutics to address the developmental deficits associated with FASDs.
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Cao J, Willett JA, Dorris DM, Meitzen J. Sex Differences in Medium Spiny Neuron Excitability and Glutamatergic Synaptic Input: Heterogeneity Across Striatal Regions and Evidence for Estradiol-Dependent Sexual Differentiation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:173. [PMID: 29720962 PMCID: PMC5915472 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroid sex hormones and biological sex influence how the brain regulates motivated behavior, reward, and sensorimotor function in both normal and pathological contexts. Investigations into the underlying neural mechanisms have targeted the striatal brain regions, including the caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens core (AcbC), and shell. These brain regions are of particular interest to neuroendocrinologists given that they express membrane-associated but not nuclear estrogen receptors, and also the well-established role of the sex steroid hormone 17β-estradiol (estradiol) in modulating striatal dopamine systems. Indeed, output neurons of the striatum, the medium spiny neurons (MSNs), exhibit estradiol sensitivity and sex differences in electrophysiological properties. Here, we review sex differences in rat MSN glutamatergic synaptic input and intrinsic excitability across striatal regions, including evidence for estradiol-mediated sexual differentiation in the nucleus AcbC. In prepubertal animals, female MSNs in the caudate-putamen exhibit a greater intrinsic excitability relative to male MSNs, but no sex differences are detected in excitatory synaptic input. Alternatively, female MSNs in the nucleus AcbC exhibit increased excitatory synaptic input relative to male MSNs, but no sex differences in intrinsic excitability were detected. Increased excitatory synaptic input onto female MSNs in the nucleus AcbC is abolished after masculinizing estradiol or testosterone exposure during the neonatal critical period. No sex differences are detected in MSNs in prepubertal nucleus accumbens shell. Thus, despite possessing the same neuron type, striatal regions exhibit heterogeneity in sex differences in MSN electrophysiological properties, which likely contribute to the sex differences observed in striatal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyan Cao
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- W.M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Jaime A. Willett
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- W.M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- Graduate Program in Physiology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - David M. Dorris
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - John Meitzen
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- W.M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: John Meitzen,
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Low-dose chronic prenatal alcohol exposure abolishes the pro-cognitive effects of angiotensin IV. Behav Brain Res 2017; 329:140-147. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.04.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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McCarthy MM. Multifaceted origins of sex differences in the brain. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2016; 371:20150106. [PMID: 26833829 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2015.0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies of sex differences in the brain range from reductionistic cell and molecular analyses in animal models to functional imaging in awake human subjects, with many other levels in between. Interpretations and conclusions about the importance of particular differences often vary with differing levels of analyses and can lead to discord and dissent. In the past two decades, the range of neurobiological, psychological and psychiatric endpoints found to differ between males and females has expanded beyond reproduction into every aspect of the healthy and diseased brain, and thereby demands our attention. A greater understanding of all aspects of neural functioning will only be achieved by incorporating sex as a biological variable. The goal of this review is to highlight the current state of the art of the discipline of sex differences research with an emphasis on the brain and to contextualize the articles appearing in the accompanying special issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret M McCarthy
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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