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Kolter JF, Hildenbrand MF, Popp S, Nauroth S, Bankmann J, Rother L, Waider J, Deckert J, Asan E, Jakob PM, Lesch KP, Schmitt-Böhrer A. Serotonin transporter genotype modulates resting state and predator stress-induced amygdala perfusion in mice in a sex-dependent manner. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247311. [PMID: 33606835 PMCID: PMC7895400 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) is a key molecule of serotoninergic neurotransmission and target of many anxiolytics and antidepressants. In humans, 5-HTT gene variants resulting in lower expression levels are associated with behavioral traits of anxiety. Furthermore, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies reported increased cerebral blood flow (CBF) during resting state (RS) and amygdala hyperreactivity. 5-HTT deficient mice as an established animal model for anxiety disorders seem to be well suited for investigating amygdala (re-)activity in an fMRI study. We investigated wildtype (5-HTT+/+), heterozygous (5-HTT+/-), and homozygous 5-HTT-knockout mice (5-HTT-/-) of both sexes in an ultra-high-field 17.6 Tesla magnetic resonance scanner. CBF was measured with continuous arterial spin labeling during RS, stimulation state (SS; with odor of rats as aversive stimulus), and post-stimulation state (PS). Subsequently, post mortem c-Fos immunohistochemistry elucidated neural activation on cellular level. The results showed that in reaction to the aversive odor CBF in total brain and amygdala of all mice significantly increased. In male 5-HTT+/+ mice amygdala RS CBF levels were found to be significantly lower than in 5-HTT+/- mice. From RS to SS 5-HTT+/+ amygdala perfusion significantly increased compared to both 5-HTT+/- and 5-HTT-/- mice. Perfusion level changes of male mice correlated with the density of c-Fos-immunoreactive cells in the amygdaloid nuclei. In female mice the perfusion was not modulated by the 5-Htt-genotype, but by estrous cycle stages. We conclude that amygdala reactivity is modulated by the 5-Htt genotype in males. In females, gonadal hormones have an impact which might have obscured genotype effects. Furthermore, our results demonstrate experimental support for the tonic model of 5-HTTLPR function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jann F. Kolter
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Markus F. Hildenbrand
- Department of Magnetic Resonance and X-Ray Imaging, Fraunhofer Development Center X-Ray Technology, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Sandy Popp
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Nauroth
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Julian Bankmann
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Lisa Rother
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Jonas Waider
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Deckert
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Esther Asan
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Peter M. Jakob
- Department of Experimental Physics 5, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Klaus-Peter Lesch
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Angelika Schmitt-Böhrer
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Vaughan G, Kompanijec K, Malik S, Bechard AR. Childhood trauma and post-trauma environment affect fear memory and alcohol use differently in male and female mice. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 219:108471. [PMID: 33385691 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood trauma is associated with the development of adult mental health and substance use disorders, with females generally being more at risk. Alcohol is commonly used for coping with trauma, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects ∼14.4 million adult Americans annually. Research investigating sex differences in the environmental modification of anxiety and alcohol use following childhood trauma will extend our understanding of the etiology of AUD. Here, we sought to model the interacting effects of a single-episode late childhood trauma with post-trauma environment on adult alcohol use using male and female mice. METHODS C57Bl6/J mice (d22) exposed to predator odor (TMT) or water were reared in standard environments (SE) or environmental enrichment (EE). Mice were assessed for adolescent anxiety and conditioned fear, and for adult alcohol use in a limited access, response non-contingent, alcohol exposure paradigm. RESULTS A single exposure to predator odor was an effective stressor, inducing long-term sex-dependent changes in conditioned fear and alcohol behaviors that interacted with post-trauma environment. Adolescent EE females showed more conditioned freezing to the trauma-associated context. Adult EE mice consumed less total alcohol than SE mice. However, alcohol use across time differed for males and females. Exposure to a childhood stressor increased alcohol use significantly in females, but not males. EE males, but not EE females, drank less than SE counterparts. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this model recapitulate greater vulnerability to childhood trauma in females and support sex differences in post-trauma development of conditioned fear and alcohol use that are modified by environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin Vaughan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, SUNY Geneseo, 1 College Circle, Geneseo, NY, 14454, United States.
| | - Katherine Kompanijec
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, SUNY Geneseo, 1 College Circle, Geneseo, NY, 14454, United States.
| | - Shreyya Malik
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, SUNY Geneseo, 1 College Circle, Geneseo, NY, 14454, United States.
| | - Allison R Bechard
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, SUNY Geneseo, 1 College Circle, Geneseo, NY, 14454, United States.
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Luby JL, Baram TZ, Rogers CE, Barch DM. Neurodevelopmental Optimization after Early-Life Adversity: Cross-Species Studies to Elucidate Sensitive Periods and Brain Mechanisms to Inform Early Intervention. Trends Neurosci 2020; 43:744-751. [PMID: 32863044 PMCID: PMC7530018 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2020.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Human brain development is influenced by early-life experiences, particularly during sensitive periods, with impact on cognitive and emotional outcomes. Understanding how the timing and nature of such experiences (including adversity, trauma, and enrichment) govern their influence on brain organization is crucial for harnessing key environmental factors early in life to enhance brain development. Here we synthesize findings from human and animal studies focusing on sensitive periods and their regional and circuit specificity and highlight the challenge and power of such cross-species approaches in informing the 'next steps' to optimize cognitive and emotional health in developing children. We propose designs for neurodevelopmental optimization research programs utilizing randomized enhancement trials in early childhood to inform public health strategies on prevention and early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan L Luby
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Early Emotional Development Program, 4444 Forest Park Avenue, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Tallie Z Baram
- Departments of Pediatrics, Anatomy/Neurobiology, and Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Cynthia E Rogers
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Early Emotional Development Program, 4444 Forest Park Avenue, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Deanna M Barch
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Early Emotional Development Program, 4444 Forest Park Avenue, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA; Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Sah A, Sotnikov S, Kharitonova M, Schmuckermair C, Diepold RP, Landgraf R, Whittle N, Singewald N. Epigenetic Mechanisms Within the Cingulate Cortex Regulate Innate Anxiety-Like Behavior. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2019; 22:317-328. [PMID: 30668714 PMCID: PMC6441131 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyz004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathological anxiety originates from a complex interplay of genetic predisposition and environmental factors, acting via epigenetic mechanisms. Epigenetic processes that can counteract detrimental genetic risk towards innate high anxiety are not well characterized. METHODS We used female mouse lines of selectively bred high (HAB)- vs low (LAB)-innate anxiety-related behavior and performed select environmental and pharmacological manipulations to alter anxiety levels as well as brain-specific manipulations and immunohistochemistry to investigate neuronal mechanisms associated with alterations in anxiety-related behavior. RESULTS Inborn hyperanxiety of high anxiety-like phenotypes was effectively reduced by environmental enrichment exposure. c-Fos mapping revealed that hyperanxiety in high anxiety-like phenotypes was associated with blunted challenge-induced neuronal activation in the cingulate-cortex, which was normalized by environmental enrichment. Relating this finding with epigenetic modifications, we found that high anxiety-like phenotypes (compared with low-innate anxiety phenotypes) showed reduced acetylation in the hypoactivated cingulate-cortex neurons following a mild emotional challenge, which again was normalized by environmental enrichment. Paralleling the findings using environmental enrichment, systemic administration of histone-deacetylase-inhibitor MS-275 elicited an anxiolytic-like effect, which was correlated with increased acetylated-histone-3 levels within cingulate-cortex. Finally, as a proof-of-principle, local MS-275 injection into cingulate-cortex rescued enhanced innate anxiety and increased acetylated-histone-3 within the cingulate-cortex, suggesting this epigenetic mark as a biomarker for treatment success. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, the present findings provide the first causal evidence that the attenuation of high innate anxiety-like behavior via environmental/pharmacological manipulations is epigenetically mediated via acetylation changes within the cingulate-cortex. Finally, histone-3 specific histone-deacetylase-inhibitor could be of therapeutic importance in anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupam Sah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Maria Kharitonova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Claudia Schmuckermair
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | | | - Nigel Whittle
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nicolas Singewald
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria,Correspondence: Nicolas Singewald, PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80–82/III, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria ()
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Matsuda W, Ehara A, Nakadate K, Yoshimoto K, Ueda S. Effects of environmental enrichment on the activity of the amygdala in micrencephalic rats exposed to a novel open field. Congenit Anom (Kyoto) 2018; 58:16-23. [PMID: 28464341 DOI: 10.1111/cga.12228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) mediates recovery from sensory, motor, and cognitive deficits and emotional abnormalities. In the present study, we examined the effects of EE on locomotor activity and neuronal activity in the amygdala in control and methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM)-induced micrencephalic rats after challenge in a novel open field. Control rats housed in EE (CR) showed reduced locomotor activity compared to rats housed in a conventional cage (CC), whereas hyperactivity was seen in MAM rats housed in a conventional cage (MC) and in MAM rats housed in EE (MR). Novel open field exposure in both CC and MC resulted in a marked increase in Fos expression in the anterior and posterior parts of the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus, basomedial nucleus, and medial nucleus, whereas these increases in expression were not observed in CR. The effect of EE on Fos expression in the amygdala was different in MR exposed to a novel open field compared to CR. Furthermore, we observed a quite different pattern of Fos expression in the central nucleus of the amygdala between control and MAM rats. The present results suggest that neuronal activity in the amygdala that responds to anxiety is altered in MAM rats, especially when the rats are reared in EE. These alterations may cause behavioral differences between control and MAM rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wakoto Matsuda
- Department of Histology and Neurobiology, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Ayuka Ehara
- Department of Histology and Neurobiology, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Nakadate
- Department of Basic Science, Educational and Research Center for Pharmacy, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Kiyose, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kanji Yoshimoto
- Department of Food Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Hiroshima Institute of Technology, Miyake, Saeki-ku, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Shuichi Ueda
- Department of Histology and Neurobiology, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan
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Rampin O, Jerôme N, Saint-Albin A, Ouali C, Boué F, Meunier N, Nielsen BL. Where is the TMT? GC-MS analyses of fox feces and behavioral responses of rats to fear-inducing odors. Chem Senses 2017; 43:105-115. [DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjx075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Zhu J, Chen Z, Tian J, Meng Z, Ju M, Wu G, Tian Z. miR-34b attenuates trauma-induced anxiety-like behavior by targeting CRHR1. Int J Mol Med 2017; 40:90-100. [PMID: 28498394 PMCID: PMC5466391 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.2981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to trauma is a potential contributor to anxiety; however, the molecular mechanisms responsible for trauma-induced anxiety require further clarification. In this study, in an aim to explore these mechanisms, we observed the changes in the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis using a radioimmunoassay and the changes in anxiety-like behavior using the open field test and elevated plus maze test in a rat model following intervention with NBI-27914, a specific corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) antagonist. CRHR1 was found to be involved in trauma-induced anxiety. We then applied bioinformatic analysis to screen microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) that target CRHR1, and miR-34b was determined to negatively regulate CRHR1 mRNA in primary hypothalamic neurons. The overexpression of miR-34b in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) by a miRNA agomir using a drug delivery system decreased the hyperactivity of the HPA axis and anxiety-like behavior. Overall, the involvement of the HPA axis in trauma-induced anxiety was demonstrated, and trauma-induced anxiety was attenuated by decreasing the hyperactivity of the HPA axis via miR-34b by targeting CRHR1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Institute of Acupuncture Research, WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Zhejun Chen
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Institute of Acupuncture Research, WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Jinxing Tian
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, P.R. China
| | - Zehui Meng
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Institute of Acupuncture Research, WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Mingda Ju
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Institute of Acupuncture Research, WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Gencheng Wu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Institute of Acupuncture Research, WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Zhanzhuang Tian
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Institute of Acupuncture Research, WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
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