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Idotta C, Pagano MA, Tibaldi E, Cadamuro M, Saetti R, Silvestrini M, Pigato G, Leanza L, Peruzzo R, Meneghetti L, Piazza S, Meneguzzo P, Favaro A, Grassi L, Toffanin T, Brunati AM. Neural stem/progenitor cells from olfactory neuroepithelium collected by nasal brushing as a cell model reflecting molecular and cellular dysfunctions in schizophrenia. World J Biol Psychiatry 2024; 25:317-329. [PMID: 38869228 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2024.2357096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Neural stem/progenitor cells derived from olfactory neuroepithelium (hereafter olfactory neural stem/progenitor cells, ONSPCs) are emerging as a potential tool in the exploration of psychiatric disorders. The present study intended to assess whether ONSPCs could help discern individuals with schizophrenia (SZ) from non-schizophrenic (NS) subjects by exploring specific cellular and molecular features. METHODS ONSPCs were collected from 19 in-patients diagnosed with SZ and 31 NS individuals and propagated in basal medium. Mitochondrial ATP production, expression of β-catenin and cell proliferation, which are described to be altered in SZ, were examined in freshly isolated or newly thawed ONSPCs after a few culture passages. RESULTS SZ-ONSPCs exhibited a lower mitochondrial ATP production and insensitivity to agents capable of positively or negatively affecting β-catenin expression with respect to NS-ONSPCs. As to proliferation, it declined in SZ-ONSPCs as the number of culture passages increased compared to a steady level of growth shown by NS-ONSPCs. CONCLUSIONS The ease and safety of sample collection as well as the differences observed between NS- and SZ-ONSPCs, may lay the groundwork for a new approach to obtain biological material from a large number of living individuals and gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying SZ pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Idotta
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Mario Angelo Pagano
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Institute of Psychiatry, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elena Tibaldi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Saetti
- Department of Otolaryngology, San Bortolo Hospital, ULSS 8 Berica, Vicenza, Italy
| | - Marina Silvestrini
- Department of Otolaryngology, San Bortolo Hospital, ULSS 8 Berica, Vicenza, Italy
| | | | - Luigi Leanza
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Roberta Peruzzo
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Stefano Piazza
- Department of Mental Health, ULSS 8 Berica, Vicenza, Italy
| | - Paolo Meneguzzo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Angela Favaro
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Luigi Grassi
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Institute of Psychiatry, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Tommaso Toffanin
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Institute of Psychiatry, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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2
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Xu H, Yang F. The interplay of dopamine metabolism abnormalities and mitochondrial defects in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:464. [PMID: 36344514 PMCID: PMC9640700 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02233-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) is a major monoamine neurotransmitter in the brain and has essential roles in higher functions of the brain. Malfunctions of dopaminergic signaling have been implicated in various mental disorders such as addiction, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease (PD), and schizophrenia. The pathogenesis of PD and schizophrenia involves the interplay of mitochondrial defect and DA metabolism abnormalities. This article focuses on this issue in schizophrenia. It started with the introduction of metabolism, behavioral action, and physiology of DA, followed by reviewing evidence for malfunctions of dopaminergic signaling in patients with schizophrenia. Then it provided an overview of multiple facets of mitochondrial physiology before summarizing mitochondrial defects reported in clinical studies with schizophrenia patients. Finally, it discussed the interplay between DA metabolism abnormalities and mitochondrial defects and outlined some clinical studies showing effects of combination therapy of antipsychotics and antioxidants in treating patients with schizophrenia. The update and integration of these lines of information may advance our understanding of the etiology, pathogenesis, phenomenology, and treatment of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyun Xu
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Illness, The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
- Mental Health Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China.
| | - Fan Yang
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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3
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Nersesova LS, Petrosyan MS, Arutjunyan AV. Neuroprotective Potential of Creatine. Hidden Resources of Its Therapeutic and Preventive Use. NEUROCHEM J+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1819712422010093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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4
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van Rensburg D, Lindeque Z, Harvey BH, Steyn SF. Reviewing the mitochondrial dysfunction paradigm in rodent models as platforms for neuropsychiatric disease research. Mitochondrion 2022; 64:82-102. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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5
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Park SS, Jeong H, Andreazza AC. Circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in brain health and disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. World J Biol Psychiatry 2022; 23:87-102. [PMID: 34096821 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2021.1938214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA (ccf-mtDNA) are detectable fragments of mtDNA released from the cell as a result of mitochondrial dysfunction or apoptosis. The brain is one of the most energy demanding organs in the human body, and many neuropsychiatric and non-psychiatric neurological diseases have mitochondrial dysfunction associated with disease pathophysiology. Thus, we aimed to assess ccf-mtDNA as a potential biomarker for brain diseases. METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses of studies that examined peripheral and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ccf-mtDNA relevant to neuropsychiatric conditions, which we define as disorders of affect, behaviour and mood, and non-psychiatric neurological diseases, which consist of neurological diseases not related to psychiatry including neurodegenerative diseases. RESULTS The results of the sensitivity analysis investigating the levels of peripheral ccf-mtDNA in neuropsychiatric studies showed no significant difference between cases and controls (Z = 1.57; p = 0.12), whereas the results of the sensitivity analysis investigating the levels of CSF ccf-mtDNA in non-psychiatric neurological diseases showed a decreasing trend in cases compared with controls (Z = 2.32; p = 0.02). Interestingly, the results indicate an overall mitochondrial stress associated mainly with non-psychiatric neurological diseases. CONCLUSIONS Our study supports the involvement of mitochondrial stress, here defined as ccf-mtDNA, in brain diseases and encourage further investigation of ccf-mtDNA among patients with brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Sohyun Park
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Hyunjin Jeong
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ana C Andreazza
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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6
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Decreased Brain pH and Pathophysiology in Schizophrenia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168358. [PMID: 34445065 PMCID: PMC8395078 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Postmortem studies reveal that the brain pH in schizophrenia patients is lower than normal. The exact cause of this low pH is unclear, but increased lactate levels due to abnormal energy metabolism appear to be involved. Schizophrenia patients display distinct changes in mitochondria number, morphology, and function, and such changes promote anaerobic glycolysis, elevating lactate levels. pH can affect neuronal activity as H+ binds to numerous proteins in the nervous system and alters the structure and function of the bound proteins. There is growing evidence of pH change associated with cognition, emotion, and psychotic behaviors. Brain has delicate pH regulatory mechanisms to maintain normal pH in neurons/glia and extracellular fluid, and a change in these mechanisms can affect, or be affected by, neuronal activities associated with schizophrenia. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the cause and effect of decreased brain pH in schizophrenia based on postmortem human brains, animal models, and cellular studies. The topic includes the factors causing decreased brain pH in schizophrenia, mitochondria dysfunction leading to altered energy metabolism, and pH effects on the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. We also review the acid/base transporters regulating pH in the nervous system and discuss the potential contribution of the major transporters, sodium hydrogen exchangers (NHEs), and sodium-coupled bicarbonate transporters (NCBTs), to schizophrenia.
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7
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Pruett BS, Meador-Woodruff JH. Evidence for altered energy metabolism, increased lactate, and decreased pH in schizophrenia brain: A focused review and meta-analysis of human postmortem and magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies. Schizophr Res 2020; 223:29-42. [PMID: 32958361 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Though the pathophysiology of schizophrenia remains poorly understood, altered brain energy metabolism is increasingly implicated. Here, we conduct meta-analyses of the available human studies measuring lactate or pH in schizophrenia brain and discuss the accumulating evidence for increased lactate and decreased pH in schizophrenia brain and evidence linking these to negative and cognitive symptom severity. Meta-analysis of six postmortem studies revealed a significant increase in lactate in schizophrenia brain while meta-analysis of 14 magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies did not reveal a significant change in brain pH in schizophrenia. However, only five of these studies were likely sufficiently powered to detect differences in brain pH, and meta-analysis of these five studies found a nonsignificant decrease in pH in schizophrenia brain. Next, we discuss evidence for altered brain energy metabolism in schizophrenia and how this may underlie a buildup of lactate and decreased pH. This alteration, similar to the Warburg effect extensively described in cancer biology, involves diminished tricarboxylic acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation along with a shift toward increased reliance on glycolysis for energy production. We then explore the role that mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and hypoxia-related changes in gene expression likely play in this shift in brain energy metabolism and address the functional consequences of lowered brain pH in schizophrenia including alterations in neurotransmitter regulation, mRNA stability, and overall patterns of gene expression. Finally, we discuss how altered energy metabolism in schizophrenia brain may serve as an effective target in the treatment of this illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon S Pruett
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States of America.
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8
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Ben-Shachar D. The bimodal mechanism of interaction between dopamine and mitochondria as reflected in Parkinson's disease and in schizophrenia. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2019; 127:159-168. [PMID: 31848775 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-019-02120-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) and schizophrenia (SZ) are two CNS disorders in which dysfunctions in the dopaminergic system and mitochondria are major pathologies. The symptomology of both, PD a neurodegenerative disorder and SZ a neurodevelopmental disorder, is completely different. However, the pharmacological treatment of each of the diseases can cause a shift of symptoms into those characteristic of the other disease. In this review, I describe a pathological interaction between dopamine and mitochondria in both disorders, which due to differences in the extent of oxidative stress leads either to cell death and tissue degeneration as in PD substantia nigra pars compacta or to distorted neuronal activity, imbalanced neuronal circuitry and abnormal behavior and cognition in SZ. This review is in the honor of Moussa Youdim who introduced me to the secrets of research work. His enthusiasm, curiosity and novelty-seeking inspired me throughout my career. Thank you Moussa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorit Ben-Shachar
- Laboratory of Psychobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Rambam Health Care Campus, and B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, POB 9649, 31096, Haifa, Israel.
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9
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Haszto CS, Stanley JA, Iyengar S, Prasad KM. Regionally Distinct Alterations in Membrane Phospholipid Metabolism in Schizophrenia: A Meta-analysis of Phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Studies. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2019; 5:264-280. [PMID: 31748123 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2019.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Existing data on altered membrane phospholipid metabolism in schizophrenia are diverse. We conducted a meta-analysis of studies of phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy, a noninvasive imaging approach that can assess molecular biochemistry of cortex by measuring phosphomonoester (PME) and phosphodiester (PDE) levels, which can provide evidence of altered biochemical processes involved in neuropil membrane expansion and contraction in schizophrenia. METHODS We analyzed PME and PDE data in the frontal and temporal lobes in subjects with schizophrenia from 24 peer-reviewed publications using the MAVIS package in R by building random- and fixed-effects models. Heterogeneity of effect sizes, effects of publication bias, and file drawer analysis were also assessed. RESULTS Subjects with schizophrenia showed lower PME levels in the frontal regions (p = .008) and elevated PDE levels in the temporal regions (p < .001) with significant heterogeneity. We noted significant publication bias and file drawer effect for frontal PME and PDE and temporal PDE levels, but not for temporal PME levels. Fail-safe analysis estimated that a high number of negative studies were required to provide nonsignificant results. CONCLUSIONS Despite methodological differences, these phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies demonstrate regionally specific imbalance in membrane phospholipid metabolism related to neuropil in subjects with schizophrenia compared with control subjects reflecting neuropil contraction. Specifically, decreased PME levels in the frontal regions and elevated PDE levels in the temporal regions provide evidence of decreased synthesis and increased degradation of neuropil membrane, respectively. Notwithstanding significant heterogeneity and publication bias, a large number of negative studies are required to render the results of this meta-analysis nonsignificant. These findings warrant further postmortem and animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor S Haszto
- Kenneth Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jeffrey A Stanley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Satish Iyengar
- Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Konasale M Prasad
- Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Health System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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10
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Ifhar LS, Ene HM, Ben-Shachar D. Impaired heme metabolism in schizophrenia-derived cell lines and in a rat model of the disorder: Possible involvement of mitochondrial complex I. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2019; 29:577-589. [PMID: 30948194 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2019.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating data point to heme involvement in neuropsychiatric disorders. Heme plays a role in major cellular processes such as signal transduction, protein complex assembly and regulation of transcription and translation. Its synthesis involves the mitochondria, which dysfunction, specifically that of the complex I (Co-I) of the electron transport chain is involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia (SZ). Here we aimed to demonstrate that deficits in Co-I affect heme metabolism. We show a significant decrease in heme levels in Co-I deficient SZ-derived EBV transformed lymphocytes (lymphoblastoid cell lines - LCLs) as compared to healthy subjects-derived cells (n = 9/cohort). Moreover, protein levels assessed by immunoblotting and mRNA levels assessed by qRT-PCR of heme catabolic enzyme, heme Oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and protein levels of heme downstream target phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2-alpha (Peif2a/eif2a) were significantly elevated in SZ-derived cells. In contrast, protein and mRNA levels of heme synthesis rate limiting enzyme aminolevulinic acid synthase-1 (ALAS1) were unchanged in SZ derived LCLs. In addition, inhibition of Co-I by rotenone in healthy subjects-derived LCLs (n = 4/cohort) exhibited an initial increase followed by a later decrease in heme levels. These findings were associated with opposite changes in heme's downstream target and HO-1 level, similar to our findings in SZ-derived cells. We also show a brain region specific pattern of impairment in Co-I subunits and in HO-1 and PeIF2α/eIF2α in the Poly-IC rat model of SZ (n = 6/cohort). Our results provide evidence for a link between CoI and heme metabolism both in-vitro and in-vivo suggesting its contribution to SZ pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee S Ifhar
- Laboratory of Psychobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Rambam Health Care Campus, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Rappaport Family Institute for Research in Medical Sciences, Technion IIT, POB 9649, Haifa 31096 Israel
| | - Hila M Ene
- Laboratory of Psychobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Rambam Health Care Campus, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Rappaport Family Institute for Research in Medical Sciences, Technion IIT, POB 9649, Haifa 31096 Israel
| | - Dorit Ben-Shachar
- Laboratory of Psychobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Rambam Health Care Campus, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Rappaport Family Institute for Research in Medical Sciences, Technion IIT, POB 9649, Haifa 31096 Israel.
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11
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Dogan AE, Yuksel C, Du F, Chouinard VA, Öngür D. Brain lactate and pH in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: a systematic review of findings from magnetic resonance studies. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:1681-1690. [PMID: 29581538 PMCID: PMC6006165 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0041-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Converging evidence from molecular to neuroimaging studies suggests brain energy metabolism abnormalities in both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. One emerging hypothesis is: decreased oxidative phosphorylation leading to accumulation of lactic acid from glycolysis and subsequent acidification of tissue. In this regard, integrating lactate and pH data from magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies in both diseases may help us understand underlying neurobiological mechanisms. In order to achieve this goal, we performed a systematic search of case-control studies examining brain lactate or pH among schizophrenia and/or bipolar patients by using MRS. Medline/Pubmed and EBSCO databases were searched separately for both diseases and outcomes. Our search yielded 33 studies in total composed of 7 lactate and 26 pH studies. In bipolar disorder, 5 out of 6 studies have found elevated lactate levels especially in the cingulate cortex and 4 out of 13 studies reported reduced pH in the frontal lobe. In contrast, in schizophrenia a single study has examined lactate and reported elevation, while only 2 out of 13 studies examining pH have reported reduction in this measure. There were no consistent patterns for the relationship between lactate or pH levels and medication use, disease type, mood state, and other clinical variables. We highlight the need for future studies combining 1H-MRS and 31P-MRS approaches, using longitudinal designs to examine lactate and pH in disease progression across both schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cagri Yuksel
- McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fei Du
- McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Virginie-Anne Chouinard
- McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dost Öngür
- McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, USA.
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12
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Mitochondrial function in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis. Sci Rep 2018; 8:6216. [PMID: 29670128 PMCID: PMC5906614 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24355-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in mitochondrial function have been implicated in the etiology of schizophrenia. Most studies have investigated alterations in mitochondrial function in patients in which the disorder is already established; however, whether mitochondrial dysfunction predates the onset of psychosis remains unknown. We measured peripheral mitochondrial complex (I–V) function and lactate/pyruvate levels in 27 antipsychotic-naïve individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR) and 16 healthy controls. We also explored the association between mitochondrial function and brain microglial activation and glutathione levels using a translocator protein 18 kDa [18F]FEPPA PET scan and 1H-MRS scan, respectively. There were no significant differences in mitochondrial complex function and lactate/pyruvate levels between CHR and healthy controls. In the CHR group, mitochondrial complex III function (r = −0.51, p = 0.008) and lactate levels (r = 0.61, p = 0.004) were associated with prodromal negative symptoms. As previously reported, there were no significant differences in microglial activation and glutathione levels between groups, however, mitochondrial complex IV function was inversely related to microglial activation in the hippocampus in CHR (r = −0.42, p = 0.04), but not in healthy controls. In conclusion, alterations in mitochondrial function are not yet evident in CHR, but may relate to the severity of prodromal symptoms, particularly negative symptoms.
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13
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Ben-Shachar D. Mitochondrial multifaceted dysfunction in schizophrenia; complex I as a possible pathological target. Schizophr Res 2017; 187:3-10. [PMID: 27802911 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2016.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria are key players in various essential cellular processes beyond being the main energy supplier of the cell. Accordingly, they are involved in neuronal synaptic transmission, neuronal growth and sprouting and consequently neuronal plasticity and connectivity. In addition, mitochondria participate in the modulation of gene transcription and inflammation as well in physiological responses in health and disease. Schizophrenia is currently regarded as a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with impaired immune system, aberrant neuronal differentiation and abnormalities in various neurotransmitter systems mainly the dopaminergic, glutaminergic and GABAergic. Ample evidence has been accumulated over the last decade indicating a multifaceted dysfunction of mitochondria in schizophrenia. Indeed, mitochondrial deficit can be of relevance for the majority of the pathologies observed in this disease. In the present article, we overview specific deficits of the mitochondria in schizophrenia, with a focus on the first complex (complex I) of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC). We argue that complex I, being a major factor in the regulation of mitochondrial ETC, is a possible key modulator of various functions of the mitochondria. We review biochemical, molecular, cellular and functional evidence for mitochondrial impairments and their possible convergence to impact in-vitro neuronal differentiation efficiency in schizophrenia. Mitochondrial function in schizophrenia may advance our knowledge of the disease pathophysiology and open the road for new treatment targets for the benefit of the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorit Ben-Shachar
- Laboratory of Psychobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Rambam Health Care Campus, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Technion-IIT, Haifa, Israel.
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14
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Schmitt A, Martins-de-Souza D, Akbarian S, Cassoli JS, Ehrenreich H, Fischer A, Fonteh A, Gattaz WF, Gawlik M, Gerlach M, Grünblatt E, Halene T, Hasan A, Hashimoto K, Kim YK, Kirchner SK, Kornhuber J, Kraus TFJ, Malchow B, Nascimento JM, Rossner M, Schwarz M, Steiner J, Talib L, Thibaut F, Riederer P, Falkai P. Consensus paper of the WFSBP Task Force on Biological Markers: Criteria for biomarkers and endophenotypes of schizophrenia, part III: Molecular mechanisms. World J Biol Psychiatry 2017; 18:330-356. [PMID: 27782767 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2016.1224929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Despite progress in identifying molecular pathophysiological processes in schizophrenia, valid biomarkers are lacking for both the disease and treatment response. METHODS This comprehensive review summarises recent efforts to identify molecular mechanisms on the level of protein and gene expression and epigenetics, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and micro RNA expression. Furthermore, it summarises recent findings of alterations in lipid mediators and highlights inflammatory processes. The potential that this research will identify biomarkers of schizophrenia is discussed. RESULTS Recent studies have not identified clear biomarkers for schizophrenia. Although several molecular pathways have emerged as potential candidates for future research, a complete understanding of these metabolic pathways is required to reveal better treatment modalities for this disabling condition. CONCLUSIONS Large longitudinal cohort studies are essential that pair a thorough phenotypic and clinical evaluation for example with gene expression and proteome analysis in blood at multiple time points. This approach might identify biomarkers that allow patients to be stratified according to treatment response and ideally also allow treatment response to be predicted. Improved knowledge of molecular pathways and epigenetic mechanisms, including their potential association with environmental influences, will facilitate the discovery of biomarkers that could ultimately be effective tools in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Schmitt
- a Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , LMU Munich , Germany.,b Laboratory of Neuroscience (LIM27) , Institute of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo , Sao Paulo , Brazil
| | - Daniel Martins-de-Souza
- b Laboratory of Neuroscience (LIM27) , Institute of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo , Sao Paulo , Brazil.,c Laboratory of Neuroproteomics, Department of Biochemistry , Institute of Biology University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas , SP , Brazil
| | - Schahram Akbarian
- d Division of Psychiatric Epigenomics, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience , Mount Sinai School of Medicine , New York , USA
| | - Juliana S Cassoli
- c Laboratory of Neuroproteomics, Department of Biochemistry , Institute of Biology University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas , SP , Brazil
| | - Hannelore Ehrenreich
- e Clinical Neuroscience , Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, DFG Centre for Nanoscale Microscopy & Molecular Physiology of the Brain , Göttingen , Germany
| | - Andre Fischer
- f Research Group for Epigenetics in Neurodegenerative Diseases , German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen , Germany.,g Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , University Medical Centre Göttingen , Germany
| | - Alfred Fonteh
- h Neurosciences , Huntington Medical Research Institutes , Pasadena , CA , USA
| | - Wagner F Gattaz
- b Laboratory of Neuroscience (LIM27) , Institute of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo , Sao Paulo , Brazil
| | - Michael Gawlik
- i Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , University of Würzburg , Germany
| | - Manfred Gerlach
- j Centre for Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy , University of Würzburg , Germany
| | - Edna Grünblatt
- i Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , University of Würzburg , Germany.,k Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zürich , Switzerland.,l Neuroscience Centre Zurich , University of Zurich and the ETH Zurich , Switzerland.,m Zurich Centre for Integrative Human Physiology , University of Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Tobias Halene
- d Division of Psychiatric Epigenomics, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience , Mount Sinai School of Medicine , New York , USA
| | - Alkomiet Hasan
- a Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , LMU Munich , Germany
| | - Kenij Hashimoto
- n Division of Clinical Neuroscience , Chiba University Centre for Forensic Mental Health , Chiba , Japan
| | - Yong-Ku Kim
- o Department of Psychiatry , Korea University, College of Medicine , Republic of Korea
| | | | - Johannes Kornhuber
- p Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg , Erlangen , Germany
| | | | - Berend Malchow
- a Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , LMU Munich , Germany
| | - Juliana M Nascimento
- c Laboratory of Neuroproteomics, Department of Biochemistry , Institute of Biology University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas , SP , Brazil
| | - Moritz Rossner
- r Department of Psychiatry, Molecular and Behavioural Neurobiology , LMU Munich , Germany.,s Research Group Gene Expression , Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine , Göttingen , Germany
| | - Markus Schwarz
- t Institute for Laboratory Medicine, LMU Munich , Germany
| | - Johann Steiner
- u Department of Psychiatry , University of Magdeburg , Magdeburg , Germany
| | - Leda Talib
- b Laboratory of Neuroscience (LIM27) , Institute of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo , Sao Paulo , Brazil
| | - Florence Thibaut
- v Department of Psychiatry , University Hospital Cochin (site Tarnier), University of Paris-Descartes, INSERM U 894 Centre Psychiatry and Neurosciences , Paris , France
| | - Peter Riederer
- w Center of Psychic Health; Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy , University Hospital of Würzburg , Germany
| | - Peter Falkai
- a Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , LMU Munich , Germany
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Satogami K, Takahashi S, Kose A, Shinosaki K. Schizophrenia-like symptoms in a patient with Leigh syndrome. Asian J Psychiatr 2017; 25:249-250. [PMID: 28262162 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2016.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Leigh syndrome is a mitochondrial disease characterized by subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy. Almost all cases of Leigh syndrome develop at infancy or early childhood and die within several years due to rapidly progressive muscle weakness and respiratory failure. Here, we present a rare case of a patient who developed Leigh syndrome associated with thiamine-responsive pyruvate dehydrogenase-complex deficiency at 2 years of age and has survived to adolescence through effective high dose thiamin therapy. At 15 years of age, the patient presented persecutory delusions and auditory hallucinations, suggesting an association between mitochondrial dysfunction and schizophrenia-like psychotic symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumi Satogami
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama, Japan.
| | - Shun Takahashi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Asami Kose
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama, Japan; Department of Psychiatry, Wakayama Prefectural Mental Health Care Center, 31 Sho, Aridagawa Town, Arida-Gun, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Shinosaki
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama, Japan
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16
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Rackayova V, Cudalbu C, Pouwels PJW, Braissant O. Creatine in the central nervous system: From magnetic resonance spectroscopy to creatine deficiencies. Anal Biochem 2016; 529:144-157. [PMID: 27840053 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2016.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Creatine (Cr) is an important organic compound acting as intracellular high-energy phosphate shuttle and in energy storage. While located in most cells where it plays its main roles in energy metabolism and cytoprotection, Cr is highly concentrated in muscle and brain tissues, in which Cr also appears to act in osmoregulation and neurotransmission. This review discusses the basis of Cr metabolism, synthesis and transport within brain cells. The importance of Cr in brain function and the consequences of its impaired metabolism in primary and secondary Cr deficiencies are also discussed. Cr and phosphocreatine (PCr) in living systems can be well characterized using in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). This review describes how 1H MRS allows the measurement of Cr and PCr, and how 31P MRS makes it possible to estimate the creatine kinase (CK) rate constant and so detect dynamic changes in the Cr/PCr/CK system. Absolute quantification by MRS using creatine as internal reference is also debated. The use of in vivo MRS to study brain Cr in a non-invasive way is presented, as well as its use in clinical and preclinical studies, including diagnosis and treatment follow-up in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Rackayova
- Laboratory of Functional and Metabolic Imaging (LIFMET), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cristina Cudalbu
- Centre d'Imagerie Biomedicale (CIBM), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Petra J W Pouwels
- Department of Physics and Medical Technology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Olivier Braissant
- Service of Biomedicine, Neurometabolic Unit, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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17
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Yuksel C, Tegin C, O'Connor L, Du F, Ahat E, Cohen BM, Ongur D. Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies in schizophrenia. J Psychiatr Res 2015; 68:157-66. [PMID: 26228415 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2015.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Revised: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)P MRS) allows in vivo quantification of phosphorus metabolites that are considered to be related to membrane turnover and energy metabolism. In schizophrenia (SZ), (31)P MRS studies found several abnormalities in different brain regions suggesting that alterations in these pathways may be contributing to the pathophysiology. In this paper, we systematically reviewed the (31)P MRS studies in SZ published to date by taking patient characteristics, medication status and brain regions into account. Publications written in English were searched on http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/, by using the keywords 'phosphomonoester', 'phosphodiester', 'ATP', 'phosphocreatine', 'phosphocholine', 'phosphoethanolamine','glycerophosphocholine', 'glycerophosphoethanolamine', 'pH', 'schizophrenia', and 'MRS'. Studies that measured (31)P metabolites in SZ patients were included. This search identified 52 studies. Reduced PME and elevated PDE reported in earlier studies were not replicated in several subsequent studies. One relatively consistent pattern was a decrease in PDE in chronic patients in the subcortical structures. There were no consistent patterns for the comparison of energy related phosphorus metabolites between patients and controls. Also, no consistent pattern emerged in studies seeking relationship between (31)P metabolites and antipsychotic use and other clinical variables. Despite emerging patterns, methodological heterogeneities and shortcomings in this literature likely obscure consistent patterns among studies. We conclude with recommendations to improve study designs and (31)P MRS methods in future studies. We also stress the significance of probing into the dynamic changes in energy metabolism, as this approach reveals abnormalities that are not visible to steady-state measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cagri Yuksel
- McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Cuneyt Tegin
- University of Louisville, Department of Psychiatry, 323 E. Chestnut Street, Louisville, KY, USA.
| | | | - Fei Du
- McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Ezgi Ahat
- Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa School of Medicine. Kocamustafapaşa Cad. No:53, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Bruce M Cohen
- McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Dost Ongur
- McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, USA.
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18
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Huang KC, Yang KC, Lin H, Tsao TTH, Lee SA. Transcriptome alterations of mitochondrial and coagulation function in schizophrenia by cortical sequencing analysis. BMC Genomics 2014; 15 Suppl 9:S6. [PMID: 25522158 PMCID: PMC4290619 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-s9-s6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Transcriptome sequencing of brain samples provides detailed enrichment analysis of differential expression and genetic interactions for evaluation of mitochondrial and coagulation function of schizophrenia. It is implicated that schizophrenia genetic and protein interactions may give rise to biological dysfunction of energy metabolism and hemostasis. These findings may explain the biological mechanisms responsible for negative and withdraw symptoms of schizophrenia and antipsychotic-induced venous thromboembolism. We conducted a comparison of schizophrenic candidate genes from literature reviews and constructed the schizophrenia-mediator network (SCZMN) which consists of schizophrenic candidate genes and associated mediator genes by applying differential expression analysis to BA22 RNA-Seq brain data. The network was searched against pathway databases such as PID, Reactome, HumanCyc, and Cell-Map. The candidate complexes were identified by MCL clustering using CORUM for potential pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Results Published BA22 RNA-Seq brain data of 9 schizophrenic patients and 9 controls samples were analyzed. The differentially expressed genes in the BA22 brain samples of schizophrenia are proposed as schizophrenia candidate marker genes (SCZCGs). The genetic interactions between mitochondrial genes and many under-expressed SCZCGs indicate the genetic predisposition of mitochondria dysfunction in schizophrenia. The biological functions of SCZCGs, as listed in the Pathway Interaction Database (PID), indicate that these genes have roles in DNA binding transcription factor, signal and cancer-related pathways, coagulation and cell cycle regulation and differentiation pathways. In the query-query protein-protein interaction (QQPPI) network of SCZCGs, TP53, PRKACA, STAT3 and SP1 were identified as the central "hub" genes. Mitochondrial function was modulated by dopamine inhibition of respiratory complex I activity. The genetic interaction between mitochondria function and schizophrenia may be revealed by DRD2 linked to NDUFS7 through protein-protein interactions of FLNA and ARRB2. The biological mechanism of signaling pathway of coagulation cascade was illustrated by the PPI network of the SCZCGs and the coagulation-associated genes. The relationship between antipsychotic target genes (DRD2/3 and HTR2A) and coagulation factor genes (F3, F7 and F10) appeared to cascade the following hemostatic process implicating the bottleneck of coagulation genetic network by the bridging of actin-binding protein (FLNA). Conclusions It is implicated that the energy metabolism and hemostatic process have important roles in the pathogenesis for schizophrenia. The cross-talk of genetic interaction by these co-expressed genes and reached candidate genes may address the key network in disease pathology. The accuracy of candidate genes evaluated from different quantification tools could be improved by crosstalk analysis of overlapping genes in genetic networks.
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Jiang Z, Cowell RM, Nakazawa K. Convergence of genetic and environmental factors on parvalbumin-positive interneurons in schizophrenia. Front Behav Neurosci 2013; 7:116. [PMID: 24027504 PMCID: PMC3759852 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2013.00116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia etiology is thought to involve an interaction between genetic and environmental factors during postnatal brain development. However, there is a fundamental gap in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which environmental factors interact with genetic susceptibility to trigger symptom onset and disease progression. In this review, we summarize the most recent findings implicating oxidative stress as one mechanism by which environmental insults, especially early life social stress, impact the development of schizophrenia. Based on a review of the literature and the results of our own animal model, we suggest that environmental stressors such as social isolation render parvalbumin-positive interneurons (PVIs) vulnerable to oxidative stress. We previously reported that social isolation stress exacerbates many of the schizophrenia-like phenotypes seen in a conditional genetic mouse model in which NMDA receptors (NMDARs) are selectively ablated in half of cortical and hippocampal interneurons during early postnatal development (Belforte et al., 2010). We have since revealed that this social isolation-induced effect is caused by impairments in the antioxidant defense capacity in the PVIs in which NMDARs are ablated. We propose that this effect is mediated by the down-regulation of PGC-1α, a master regulator of mitochondrial energy metabolism and anti-oxidant defense, following the deletion of NMDARs (Jiang et al., 2013). Other potential molecular mechanisms underlying redox dysfunction upon gene and environmental interaction will be discussed, with a focus on the unique properties of PVIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihong Jiang
- Unit on Genetics of Cognition and Behavior, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH Bethesda, MD, USA
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20
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Allen PJ. Creatine metabolism and psychiatric disorders: Does creatine supplementation have therapeutic value? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2012; 36:1442-62. [PMID: 22465051 PMCID: PMC3340488 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2011] [Revised: 03/07/2012] [Accepted: 03/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Athletes, body builders, and military personnel use dietary creatine as an ergogenic aid to boost physical performance in sports involving short bursts of high-intensity muscle activity. Lesser known is the essential role creatine, a natural regulator of energy homeostasis, plays in brain function and development. Creatine supplementation has shown promise as a safe, effective, and tolerable adjunct to medication for the treatment of brain-related disorders linked with dysfunctional energy metabolism, such as Huntington's Disease and Parkinson's Disease. Impairments in creatine metabolism have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders, leaving clinicians, researchers and patients alike wondering if dietary creatine has therapeutic value for treating mental illness. The present review summarizes the neurobiology of the creatine-phosphocreatine circuit and its relation to psychological stress, schizophrenia, mood and anxiety disorders. While present knowledge of the role of creatine in cognitive and emotional processing is in its infancy, further research on this endogenous metabolite has the potential to advance our understanding of the biological bases of psychopathology and improve current therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia J Allen
- Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Psychology Building, 490 Boston Ave., Medford, MA 02155, USA.
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21
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Abstract
Major psychiatric illnesses such as mood disorders and schizophrenia are chronic, recurrent mental illnesses that affect the lives of millions of individuals. Although these disorders have traditionally been viewed as 'neurochemical diseases', it is now clear that they are associated with impairments of synaptic plasticity and cellular resilience. Although most patients with these disorders do not have classic mitochondrial disorders, there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that impaired mitochondrial function may affect key cellular processes, thereby altering synaptic functioning and contributing to the atrophic changes that underlie the deteriorating long-term course of these illnesses. Enhancing mitochondrial function could represent an important avenue for the development of novel therapeutics and also presents an opportunity for a potentially more efficient drug-development process.
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22
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Metabonomic studies of schizophrenia and psychotropic medications: focus on alterations in CNS energy homeostasis. Bioanalysis 2011; 1:1615-26. [PMID: 21083107 DOI: 10.4155/bio.09.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder with a poorly understood etiology and progression. We and other research groups have found that energy metabolic pathways in the CNS are perturbed in many subjects with this disorder. Antipsychotic drugs that generally target neurotransmission are currently used for clinical management of the disorder, although these can also have marked effects on energy metabolism in the CNS and periphery. Recent proteomic and metabonomic studies have shown that molecular pathways associated with brain energy metabolism are altered in both the disorder and by antipsychotic treatments. This review focuses on discussion of these molecular alterations. Increased knowledge in this area could facilitate biomarker identification and drug discovery based on improving brain energy metabolism in this debilitating disorder.
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Abstract
Mitochondria provide most of the energy production in cells. They are involved in the regulation of free radicals, calcium buffering, and redox signaling and take part in the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Mutations or polymorphisms of mitochondrial DNA, mitochondria-mediated oxidative stress, decrease of adenosine triphosphate production, changes of intracellular calcium and oxidative stress are concerned in various diseases. There is increasing evidence that impaired functions of mitochondria are associated with mood disorders. It is suggested that disturbed energetic metabolism and/or reactive oxygen species production take part in the pathophysiology of mood disorders and could participate in the therapeutic effects or side-effects of antidepressants and mood stabilizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Hroudová
- Department of Psychiatry, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Verge B, Alonso Y, Valero J, Miralles C, Vilella E, Martorell L. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and schizophrenia. Eur Psychiatry 2010; 26:45-56. [PMID: 20980130 DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2010.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2010] [Revised: 06/17/2010] [Accepted: 08/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The poorly understood aetiology of schizophrenia is known to involve a major genetic contribution even though the genetic factors remain elusive. Most genetic studies are based on Mendelian rules and focus on the nuclear genome, but current studies indicate that other genetic mechanisms are probably involved. This review focuses on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), a maternally inherited, 16.6-Kb molecule crucial for energy production that is implicated in numerous human traits and disorders. The aim of this review is to summarise the studies that have explored mtDNA in schizophrenia patients and those which provide evidence for its implication in this illness. Alterations in mitochondrial morphometry, brain energy metabolism, and enzymatic activity in the mitochondrial respiratory chain suggest a mitochondrial dysfunction in schizophrenia that could be related to the genetic characteristics of mtDNA. Moreover, evidence of maternal inheritance and the presence of schizophrenia symptoms in patients suffering from a mitochondrial disorder related to an mtDNA mutation suggest that mtDNA is involved in schizophrenia. The association of specific variants has been reported at the molecular level; however, additional studies are needed to determine whether the mitochondrial genome is involved in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Verge
- Unitat de Psiquiatria, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Hospital Psiquiàtric, Universitari Institut Pere Mata, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain
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25
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Clay HB, Sillivan S, Konradi C. Mitochondrial dysfunction and pathology in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Int J Dev Neurosci 2010; 29:311-24. [PMID: 20833242 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2010.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 284] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2010] [Revised: 08/25/2010] [Accepted: 08/26/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BPD) and schizophrenia (SZ) are severe psychiatric illnesses with a combined prevalence of 4%. A disturbance of energy metabolism is frequently observed in these disorders. Several pieces of evidence point to an underlying dysfunction of mitochondria: (i) decreased mitochondrial respiration; (ii) changes in mitochondrial morphology; (iii) increases in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphisms and in levels of mtDNA mutations; (iv) downregulation of nuclear mRNA molecules and proteins involved in mitochondrial respiration; (v) decreased high-energy phosphates and decreased pH in the brain; and (vi) psychotic and affective symptoms, and cognitive decline in mitochondrial disorders. Furthermore, transgenic mice with mutated mitochondrial DNA polymerase show mood disorder-like phenotypes. In this review, we will discuss the genetic and physiological components of mitochondria and the evidence for mitochondrial abnormalities in BPD and SZ. We will furthermore describe the role of mitochondria during brain development and the effect of current drugs for mental illness on mitochondrial function. Understanding the role of mitochondria, both developmentally as well as in the ailing brain, is of critical importance to elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms in psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley B Clay
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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26
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Scaglia F. The role of mitochondrial dysfunction in psychiatric disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 16:136-43. [DOI: 10.1002/ddrr.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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27
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Schmidt AJ, Krieg JC, Clement HW, Hemmeter UM, Schulz E, Vedder H, Heiser P. Effects of quetiapine, risperidone, 9-hydroxyrisperidone and ziprasidone on the survival of human neuronal and immune cells in vitro. J Psychopharmacol 2010; 24:349-54. [PMID: 18755815 DOI: 10.1177/0269881108096506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Because there are reports on cytotoxic and cytoprotective effects of antipsychotics, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the impacts of different concentrations (1.6-50 microg/mL) of atypical antipsychotics on the survival of human neuronal (neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y) and immune (monocytic U-937) cells and on energy metabolism (ATP level after the incubation with antipsychotics in the concentration of 25 microg/mL). Statistical analysis showed that incubation for 24 h with the antipsychotics quetiapine, risperidone, 9-hydroxyrisperidone and ziprasidone led to a significantly enhanced cell survival in both cell lines in the lower concentrations. Higher concentrations exerted in part cytotoxic effects with the exception of quetiapine, but therapeutically relevant concentrations of the drugs were not cytotoxic in our experiments. Measurement of ATP contents in the neuronal cell line showed significantly increased levels after a 24-h treatment with 25 microg/mL risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone. The other substances produced no effects. Our results show that the antipsychotic substances under investigation exert concentration-dependent effects on cell survival in both cell lines examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Schmidt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany.
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28
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Ben-Shachar D. The interplay between mitochondrial complex I, dopamine and Sp1 in schizophrenia. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2010; 116:1383-96. [PMID: 19784753 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-009-0319-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2009] [Accepted: 09/14/2009] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is currently believed to result from variations in multiple genes, each contributing a subtle effect, which combines with each other and with environmental stimuli to impact both early and late brain development. At present, schizophrenia clinical heterogeneity as well as the difficulties in relating cognitive, emotional and behavioral functions to brain substrates hinders the identification of a disease-specific anatomical, physiological, molecular or genetic abnormality. Mitochondria play a pivotal role in many essential processes, such as energy production, intracellular calcium buffering, transmission of neurotransmitters, apoptosis and ROS production, all either leading to cell death or playing a role in synaptic plasticity. These processes have been well established as underlying altered neuronal activity and thereby abnormal neuronal circuitry and plasticity, ultimately affecting behavioral outcomes. The present article reviews evidence supporting a dysfunction of mitochondria in schizophrenia, including mitochondrial hypoplasia, impairments in the oxidative phosphorylation system (OXPHOS) as well as altered mitochondrial-related gene expression. Abnormalities in mitochondrial complex I, which plays a major role in controlling OXPHOS activity, are discussed. Among them are schizophrenia specific as well as disease-state-specific alterations in complex I activity in the peripheral tissue, which can be modulated by DA. In addition, CNS and peripheral abnormalities in the expression of three of complex I subunits, associated with parallel alterations in their transcription factor, specificity protein 1 (Sp1) are reviewed. Finally, this review discusses the question of disease specificity of mitochondrial pathologies and suggests that mitochondria dysfunction could cause or arise from anomalities in processes involved in brain connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorit Ben-Shachar
- Laboratory of Psychobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Rambam Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Technion IIT, Haifa, Israel.
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29
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Ben-Shachar D, Karry R. Neuroanatomical pattern of mitochondrial complex I pathology varies between schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression. PLoS One 2008; 3:e3676. [PMID: 18989376 PMCID: PMC2579333 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2008] [Accepted: 10/20/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mitochondrial dysfunction was reported in schizophrenia, bipolar disorderand major depression. The present study investigated whether mitochondrial complex I abnormalities show disease-specific characteristics. Methodology/Principal Findings mRNA and protein levels of complex I subunits NDUFV1, NDUFV2 and NADUFS1, were assessed in striatal and lateral cerebellar hemisphere postmortem specimens and analyzed together with our previous data from prefrontal and parieto-occipital cortices specimens of patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and healthy subjects. A disease-specific anatomical pattern in complex I subunits alterations was found. Schizophrenia-specific reductions were observed in the prefrontal cortex and in the striatum. The depressed group showed consistent reductions in all three subunits in the cerebellum. The bipolar group, however, showed increased expression in the parieto-occipital cortex, similar to those observed in schizophrenia, and reductions in the cerebellum, yet less consistent than the depressed group. Conclusions/Significance These results suggest that the neuroanatomical pattern of complex I pathology parallels the diversity and similarities in clinical symptoms of these mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorit Ben-Shachar
- Laboratory of Psychobiology, Department of Psychiatry Rambam Medical Center and B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine Technion, Haifa, Israel.
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Rezin GT, Amboni G, Zugno AI, Quevedo J, Streck EL. Mitochondrial dysfunction and psychiatric disorders. Neurochem Res 2008; 34:1021-9. [PMID: 18979198 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-008-9865-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 280] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2008] [Accepted: 10/01/2008] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is the major ATP-producing pathway, which supplies more than 95% of the total energy requirement in the cells. Damage to the mitochondrial electron transport chain has been suggested to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of a range of psychiatric disorders. Tissues with high energy demands, such as the brain, contain a large number of mitochondria, being therefore more susceptible to reduction of the aerobic metabolism. Mitochondrial dysfunction results from alterations in biochemical cascade and the damage to the mitochondrial electron transport chain has been suggested to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of a range of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia. Bipolar disorder is a prevalent psychiatric disorder characterized by alternating episodes of mania and depression. Recent studies have demonstrated that important enzymes involved in brain energy are altered in bipolar disorder patients and after amphetamine administration, an animal model of mania. Depressive disorders, including major depression, are serious and disabling. However, the exact pathophysiology of depression is not clearly understood. Several works have demonstrated that metabolism is impaired in some animal models of depression, induced by chronic stress, especially the activities of the complexes of mitochondrial respiratory chain. Schizophrenia is a devastating mental disorder characterized by disturbed thoughts and perception, alongside cognitive and emotional decline associated with a severe reduction in occupational and social functioning, and in coping abilities. Alterations of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in schizophrenia have been reported in several brain regions and also in platelets. Abnormal mitochondrial morphology, size and density have all been reported in the brains of schizophrenic individuals. Considering that several studies link energy impairment to neuronal death, neurodegeneration and disease, this review article discusses energy impairment as a mechanism underlying the pathophysiology of some psychiatric disorders, like bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gislaine T Rezin
- Laboratório de Fisiopatologia Experimental, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciuma, SC, Brazil
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Dlaboga D, Hajjhussein H, O'Donnell JM. Chronic haloperidol and clozapine produce different patterns of effects on phosphodiesterase-1B, -4B, and -10A expression in rat striatum. Neuropharmacology 2007; 54:745-54. [PMID: 18222493 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2007.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2007] [Revised: 12/06/2007] [Accepted: 12/09/2007] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Phosphodiesterase-10A (PDE10A), -1B (PDE1B), -4B (PDE4B), and -4A (PDE4A) are important regulators of signal transduction in striatum due to their catalysis of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. The typical antipsychotic drug haloperidol and the atypical antipsychotic drug clozapine are thought to regulate cyclic nucleotide signaling in striatum. Since this brain region is essential in mediation of both therapeutic and extrapyramidal side effects, it was of interest to determine whether chronic treatment for 21 days with haloperidol (1 mg/kg) or clozapine (20 mg/kg) affected PDE expression in rat striatum. This was accomplished using SDS-PAGE/immunoblotting and real-time RT-PCR. Both antipsychotic drugs increased PDE10A and did not change PDE4A. By contrast, PDE1B was increased by haloperidol treatment, but not clozapine treatment, while PDE4B was increased by clozapine, but not haloperidol. In all cases, changes in protein expression were accompanied by corresponding changes in mRNA, and only were observed with chronic treatment. Up-regulation of PDEs may represent compensatory responses to haloperidol and clozapine treatments, due to altered cyclic nucleotide signaling, and that different patterns of effects produced by these drugs may be associated with their mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Dlaboga
- Department of Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA.
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Heiser P, Enning F, Krieg JC, Vedder H. Effects of haloperidol, clozapine and olanzapine on the survival of human neuronal and immune cells in vitro. J Psychopharmacol 2007; 21:851-6. [PMID: 17881431 DOI: 10.1177/0269881107077221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cytotoxic effects on neuronal as well as on immune cells have been reported for both typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs. We evaluated the effects of different concentrations of a typical (haloperidol) and two atypical (clozapine, olanzapine) antipsychotics on the survival of human neuronal (SH-SY5Y cells) and immune cells (U937 cells) by determining the metabolic activity after 24 h of incubation by the modified tetrazolium method. The dopaminergic neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and the lymphoma U-937 cell line are well established models for in vitro investigations. To further elucidate possible mechanisms of action we also determined the ATP content in the cultured cells. After experimental treatment, significant effects were detected by Kruskal Wallis test for all treatment conditions. Post-hoc tests (Dunn's method) showed that haloperidol and clozapine at the two highest concentrations (25 and 50 microg/ml) caused a significant decrease of metabolic activity in both cell systems, which was also detectable after treatment with clozapine at a concentration of 12.5 microg/ml in U937 cells. In contrast, olanzapine induced a significant increase in metabolic activity of SH-SY5Y cells at all concentrations except for the concentration of 3.1 microg/ml, whereas the metabolic activity in U937 cells was increased at concentrations of 1.6 and 6.25 microg/ml. For the determination of ATP content, the LD(50) values of the metabolic activity were used, except for olanzapine for which no distinct LD(50) value was available. Significant changes were detected for all treatments and post-hoc tests revealed that haloperidol caused a significant decrease compared to the control condition in both cell systems. These findings suggest that antipsychotic substances of different classes exert differential metabolic effects in both neuronal and immune cell systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Heiser
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
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Liu Y, Zhang H, Ju G, Zhang X, Xu Q, Liu S, Yu Y, Shi J, Boyle S, Wang Z, Shen Y, Wei J. A study of the PEMT gene in schizophrenia. Neurosci Lett 2007; 424:203-6. [PMID: 17720317 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2007.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2007] [Revised: 07/10/2007] [Accepted: 07/29/2007] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The phospholipid hypothesis of schizophrenia is becoming popular because of the findings from the niacin flush test, the treatment with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), biochemical studies for the phospholipid metabolism pathway and genetic studies of phospholipase A2. The present study attempted to investigate the gene coding for phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT), which is an important enzyme for the synthesis of membrane phospholipids. We recruited 271 Chinese parent-offspring trios of Han descent and detected 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the PEMT locus. The transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) showed allelic association for rs464396 (X2=9.4, P=0.002), but not for the other two. The 2-SNP haplotype analysis showed haplotypic association for both the rs936108-rs464396 haplotypes (X2=25.7, d.f.=3, P=0.00001) and the rs464396-rs4244593 haplotypes (X2=17.3, d.f.=3, P=0.0006). The 3-SNP haplotype analysis also showed a haplotypic association (X2=24.4, d.f.=7, P=0.0006). The present results suggest that the PEMT gene may contribute to the etiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Research Center for Neuroscience and MH Radiobiology Research Unit, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
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Almeras L, Eyles D, Benech P, Laffite D, Villard C, Patatian A, Boucraut J, Mackay-Sim A, McGrath J, Féron F. Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters brain protein expression in the adult rat: implications for neuropsychiatric disorders. Proteomics 2007; 7:769-80. [PMID: 17295352 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200600392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
An increased risk for multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia is observed at increasing latitude and in patients born in winter or spring. To explore a possible link between maternal vitamin D deficiency and these brain disorders, we examined the impact of prenatal hypovitaminosis D on protein expression in the adult rat brain. Vitamin D-deficient female rats were mated with vitamin D normal males. Pregnant females were kept vitamin D-deficient until birth whereupon they were returned to a control diet. At week 10, protein expression in the progeny's prefrontal cortex and hippocampus was compared with control animals using silver staining 2-D gels associated with MS and newly devised data mining software. Developmental vitamin D (DVD) deficiency caused a dysregulation of 36 brain proteins involved in several biological pathways including oxidative phosphorylation, redox balance, cytoskeleton maintenance, calcium homeostasis, chaperoning, PTMs, synaptic plasticity and neurotransmission. A computational analysis of these data revealed that (i) nearly half of the molecules dysregulated in our animal model have also been shown to be misexpressed in either schizophrenia and/or multiple sclerosis and (ii) an impaired synaptic network may be a consequence of mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lionel Almeras
- Neurobiologie des Interactions Cellulaires et Neurophysiopathologie, CNRS UMR 6184, Faculté de Médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France
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Eyles D, Almeras L, Benech P, Patatian A, Mackay-Sim A, McGrath J, Féron F. Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters the expression of genes encoding mitochondrial, cytoskeletal and synaptic proteins in the adult rat brain. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2007; 103:538-45. [PMID: 17293106 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2006.12.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiology has highlighted the links between season of birth, latitude and the prevalence of brain disorders such as multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia. In line with these data, we have hypothesized that "imprinting" with low prenatal vitamin D could contribute to the risk of these two brain disorders. Previously, we have shown that transient developmental hypovitaminosis D induces permanent changes in adult nervous system. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of prenatal hypovitaminosis D on gene expression in the adult rat brain. Vitamin D deficient female rats were mated with undeprived males and the offspring were fed with a control diet after birth. At Week 10, gene expression in the progeny's brain was compared with control animals using Affymetrix gene microarrays. Prenatal hypovitaminosis D causes a dramatic dysregulation of several biological pathways including oxidative phosphorylation, redox balance, cytoskeleton maintenance, calcium homeostasis, chaperoning, post-translational modifications, synaptic plasticity and neurotransmission. A computational analysis of these data suggests that impaired synaptic network may be a consequence of mitochondrial dysfunction. Since disruptions of mitochondrial metabolism have been associated with both multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia, developmental vitamin D deficiency may be a heuristic animal model for the study of these two brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Eyles
- Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Wacol, QLD 4076, Australia
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Jayakumar PN, Venkatasubramanian G, Keshavan MS, Srinivas JS, Gangadhar BN. MRI volumetric and 31P MRS metabolic correlates of caudate nucleus in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2006; 114:346-51. [PMID: 17022794 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2006.00836.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the volumetric and metabolic correlates of caudate nucleus in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients in comparison with healthy controls. METHOD Twelve antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients and 13 healthy controls underwent (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy of basal ganglia. Magnetic resonance imaging volume of caudate nuclei was measured using scion image software. RESULTS Patients had significantly smaller caudate volume than healthy controls. Phosphocreatine (PCr)/total phosphorous and PCr/total adenosine tri-phosphate ratios of both caudate nuclei were significantly lower in patients than controls. Significant negative correlation was found between the left caudate volume and left PCr/total phosphorus ratio in the patients. Age at onset of psychosis had i) significant negative correlation with right and left caudate volumes and ii) significant positive correlation with left PCr/total phosphorus ratio. CONCLUSION The metabolic and volumetric abnormalities of caudate nucleus in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients support neurodevelopmental etiopathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- P N Jayakumar
- Department of Neuroimaging and Interventional Radiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
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Mason GF, Krystal JH. MR spectroscopy: its potential role for drug development for the treatment of psychiatric diseases. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2006; 19:690-701. [PMID: 16986118 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.1080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is likely in the near future to play a key role in the process of drug discovery and evaluation. As the pharmaceutical industry seeks biochemical markers of drug delivery, efficacy and toxicity, this non-invasive technique offers numerous ways to study adults and children repeatedly and without ionizing radiation. In this article, we survey an array of the information that MRS offers about neurochemistry in general and psychiatric disorders and their treatment in particular. We also present growing evidence of glial abnormalities in neuropsychiatric disorders and discuss what MRS is contributing to that line of investigation. The third major direction of this article is the discussion of where MRS techniques are headed and how those new techniques can contribute to studies of mechanisms of psychiatric disease and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graeme F Mason
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University, School of Medicine, 300 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06520-8043, USA.
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Foucher JR, Luck D. Psychosis related to neurological conditions: pro and cons of the dis- / mis-connectivity models of schizophrenia. DIALOGUES IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2006. [PMID: 16640110 PMCID: PMC3181754 DOI: 10.31887/dcns.2006.8.1/jfoucher] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is still a condition with obscure causes and psychopathology. This paper aims to discuss the “disconnectivity” hypothesis in relation to some neurological conditions which are known to alter brain connectivity, as well as mimicking some aspects of the disorder. After a short historical introduction to the concept, we will examine the evidence for connectivity problems in schizophrenia, separating the anatomical level from the functional level. Then, we will discuss three different issues concerning connectivity: i) local reduction in connectivity without neuronal loss (within the gray matter); ii) reduction in or alteration of long-range connectivity (within the white matter); and iii) abnormal targets for connections. For each of these aspects, we will look at the conditions able to reproduce anomalies capable of increasing susceptibility to schizophrenia. We conclude that psychosis is more likely to occur: i) when long-range connectivity is concerned; ii) when lesions result in lengthening and scattering of conduction times; and iii) when there are high dopamine levels, shedding light on or adding weight to the idea of an interaction between dopamine and connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack R Foucher
- Clinique Psychiatrique - INSERM U666, Hôpitaux Universitaires, BP 406 - 67091 Strasbourg, France.
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Tao R, Yu Y, Zhang X, Shi J, Guo Y, Wang C, Han B, Xu Q, Shang H, Zhang X, Xie L, Liu S, Ju G, Shen Y, Wei J. A family based study of the genetic association between the PLA2G4D gene and schizophrenia. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2005; 73:419-22. [PMID: 16213696 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2005.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2005] [Accepted: 08/28/2005] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The present study detected two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the PLA2G4D locus, rs2459692 and rs4924618, to investigate a genetic association between the PLA2G4D gene and schizophrenia. A total of 236 Chinese parent-offspring trios of Han descent were recruited for the genetic analysis. The transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) did not show allelic association either for rs2459692 (chi(2) = 0.217, P = 0.641) or for rs4924618 (chi(2) = 0.663, P = 0.416). To see the combined effect of the PLA2G4D locus with the other three PLA2G4 genes, we applied the above two SNPs as a conditional marker to test the pair-wise combination for a disease association. The conditioning on allele (COA) test revealed a weak association for the rs2459692-PLA2G4A combination (chi(2) = 6.03, df = 2, P = 0.049), the rs2459692-PLA2G4B combination (chi(2) = 7.16, df = 3, P = 0.028) and the rs4924618-PLA2G4C combination (chi(2) = 7.01, df = 2, P = 0.03), whereas the conditioning on genotype (COG) test showed a weak association only for the rs4924618-PLA2G4C combination (chi(2) = 8.52, df = 3, P = 0.036). Because we performed a multi-locus analysis in this study, the weak association shown by the conditional tests could make little biological sense. In conclusion, the PLA2G4D gene may not be involved in a susceptibility to schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Tao
- Jilin University Research Center for Genomic Medicine, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Wei J, Hemmings GP. A study of the combined effect of the CLDN5 locus and the genes for the phospholipid metabolism pathway in schizophrenia. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2005; 73:441-5. [PMID: 16181776 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2005.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2005] [Accepted: 08/07/2005] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The present study attempts to test the combined effect of the CLDN5 gene and those for the phospholipid metabolism pathway, including PTGS1, PTGS2, PLA2G4A and PLA2G4C. We detected five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) present in these genes among 131 British family trios of schizophrenic patients. The transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) showed that BanI-SNP located in the 5'-flanking region of the PLA2G4A gene was associated with schizophrenia (chi(2) = 5.16, P = 0.023) although the others failed to show such allelic associations. The global P-value was 0.150 for 1000 permutations with the TDT analysis. The conditioning on genotype test, but not on allele test, revealed a strong association for the combination of the CLDN5 gene with the PLA2G4A gene (chi(2) = 10.17, df = 2, P = 0.006). The present results suggest that the PLA2G4A locus may be involved in schizophrenia and its combination with the CLDN5 gene may increase further the risk for the illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wei
- Institute of Biological Psychiatry, Schizophrenia Association of Great Britain, Bryn Hyfryd, The Crescent, Bangor, Gwynedd, UK.
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41
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Yu Y, Tao R, Shi J, Zhang X, Kou C, Guo Y, Zhang X, Lin X, Liu S, Ju G, Xu Q, Shang H, Shen Y, Wei J. A genetic study of two calcium-independent cytosolic PLA2 genes in schizophrenia. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2005; 73:351-4. [PMID: 16115752 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2005.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2005] [Revised: 05/31/2005] [Accepted: 07/01/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The present study detected 9 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the PLA2G4C and PLA2G6 loci among 240 Chinese parent-offspring trios of Han descent. Of these 9 SNPs, 5 showed highly polymorphic in the Chinese population. They were then applied as genetic markers to test the genetic association of these two calcium-independent cytosolic PLA2 genes with schizophrenia. The transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) showed that rs1549637 at the PLA2G4C locus was the only SNP associated with the illness (chi(2) = 5.63, P = 0.018). The global P-value was 0.082 for 1000 permutations with the TDT analysis. Neither the conditional on allele test nor the conditional on genotype test showed a disease association for the combination of these two genes. Because the PLA2G4C association is so weak, this initial finding should be interpreted with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqin Yu
- Jilin University Research Center for Genomic Medicine, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Kim H, McGrath BM, Silverstone PH. A review of the possible relevance of inositol and the phosphatidylinositol second messenger system (PI-cycle) to psychiatric disorders--focus on magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies. Hum Psychopharmacol 2005; 20:309-26. [PMID: 15880397 DOI: 10.1002/hup.693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Myo-inositol is an important part of the phosphatidylinositol second messenger system (PI-cycle). Abnormalities in nerve cell myo-inositol levels and/or PI-cycle regulation has been suggested as being involved in the pathophysiology and/or treatment of many psychiatric disorders including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders and schizophrenia. This review examines the metabolism and biochemical importance of myo-inositol and the PI-cycle. It relates this to the current in vivo evidence for myo-inositol and PI-cycle involvement in these psychiatric disorders, particularly focusing upon the magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) findings in patient studies to date. From this review it is concluded that while the evidence suggests probable relevance to the pathophysiology and/or treatment of bipolar disorder, there is much less support for a significant role for the PI-cycle or myo-inositol in any other psychiatric disorder. More definitive investigation is required before PI-cycle dysfunction can be considered specific to bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeonjin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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du Bois TM, Deng C, Huang XF. Membrane phospholipid composition, alterations in neurotransmitter systems and schizophrenia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2005; 29:878-88. [PMID: 16005134 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2005.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/18/2005] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This review addresses the relationship between modifications in membrane phospholipid composition (MPC) and alterations in dopaminergic, serotonergic and cholinergic neurotransmitter systems in schizophrenia. The main evidence in support of the MPC hypothesis of schizophrenia comes from post-mortem and platelet studies, which show that in schizophrenia, certain omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels are reduced. Furthermore, examination of several biochemical markers suggests abnormal fatty acid metabolism may be present in schizophrenia. Dietary manipulation of MPC with polyunsaturated fatty acid diets has been shown to affect densities of dopamine, serotonin and muscarinic receptors in rats. Also, supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to improve mental health rating scores, and there is evidence that the mechanism behind this involves the serotonin receptor complex. This suggests that a tight relationship exists between essential fatty acid status and normal neurotransmission, and that altered PUFA levels may contribute to the abnormalities in neurotransmission seen in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa M du Bois
- Neuroscience Institute of Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders (NISAD), NSW 2010, Australia.
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Smesny S, Kinder D, Willhardt I, Rosburg T, Lasch J, Berger G, Sauer H. Increased calcium-independent phospholipase A2 activity in first but not in multiepisode chronic schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry 2005; 57:399-405. [PMID: 15705356 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2004.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2004] [Revised: 08/30/2004] [Accepted: 11/10/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased activity of calcium independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) has repeatedly been found in the serum of unmedicated first-episode schizophrenia patients and assumed to reflect a pertubation of phospholipid metabolism. Previous studies in chronic schizophrenia were less conclusive. To explore whether iPLA2 changes are stage dependent, we investigated serum iPLA2 activity in various stages of schizophrenia. METHODS iPLA2 activity was assessed in the serum of 30 first-episode and 23 multiepisode schizophrenia patients and 53 healthy control subjects matched for age and gender. A fluorimetric assay was applied using the PLA2 specific substrate NBDC6-HPC, thin-layer chromatography of reaction products, and digital image scanning for signal detection. RESULTS Group comparison between first-episode and multiepisode patients and corresponding control groups revealed significantly increased iPLA2 activity only in first-episode patients. Enzyme activity in first-episode patients was also markedly increased, compared with chronic patients. iPLA2 changes observed were irrespective of neuroleptic medication, age, or gender. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest increased lipid turnover in the acute early phase of schizophrenia that is less obvious in chronic stages. Future longitudinal studies involving iPLA2 activity and phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy need to address the relation between perturbed brain lipid metabolism and iPLA2 increment in the course of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Smesny
- Department of Psychiatry, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, USA.
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Maxwell CR, Kanes SJ, Abel T, Siegel SJ. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors: a novel mechanism for receptor-independent antipsychotic medications. Neuroscience 2005; 129:101-7. [PMID: 15489033 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2004.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/30/2004] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OVERVIEW All current antipsychotic medications work by binding to Gi-coupled dopamine (DA) D2 receptors. Such medications are thought to affect cellular function primarily by decreasing DA-mediated regulation of intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP).However, several studies indicate that cAMP signal transduction abnormalities in schizophrenia may not be limited to D2-containing cells. The current study examines the potential of using non-receptor-based agents that modify intracellular signal transduction as potential antipsychotic medications. METHODS The indirect DA agonist amphetamine has been used to model the auditory sensory processing deficits in schizophrenia. Such pharmacologically induced abnormalities are reversed by current antipsychotic treatments. This study examines the ability of the phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, rolipram, to reverse amphetamine-induced abnormalities in auditory-evoked potentials that are characteristic of schizophrenia. RESULTS Rolipram reverses amphetamine-induced reductions in auditory-evoked potentials. CONCLUSION This finding could lead to novel approaches to receptor-independent treatments for schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- C R Maxwell
- Stanley Center for Experimental Therapeutics in Psychiatry, Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Yu YQ, Tao R, Wei J, Xu Q, Liu SZ, Ju GZ, Shi JP, Zhang X, Xie L, Shen Y. No association between the PTGS2/PLA2G4A locus and schizophrenia in a Chinese population. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2004; 71:405-8. [PMID: 15519500 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2004.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2004] [Accepted: 09/01/2004] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The present study was undertaken to replicate an association between the PTGS2/PLA2G4A locus and schizophrenia among a Chinese population. We recruited 168 Chinese parent-offspring trios of Han descent, consisting of fathers, mothers and affected offspring with schizophrenia. Of 3 informative SNPs genotyped, no one showed allelic association with schizophrenia; the haplotype analysis also failed to capture a haplotypic association with the illness. Because the frequencies of alleles and genotypes of SNPs analyzed differ in the Chinese population as compared with a British population that initially showed the genetic association between the PTGS2/PLA2G4A locus and schizophrenia, the ethnic background may be a major reason for poor replication of the initial finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y-Q Yu
- Jilin University Research Center for Genomic Medicine, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
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Shirayama Y, Yano T, Takahashi K, Takahashi S, Ogino T. In vivo31P NMR spectroscopy shows an increase in glycerophosphorylcholine concentration without alterations in mitochondrial function in the prefrontal cortex of medicated schizophrenic patients at rest. Eur J Neurosci 2004; 20:749-56. [PMID: 15255985 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2004.03524.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The (31)P NMR localised method was used to study the metabolism of phospholipid and high energy phosphate in the prefrontal cortex. The spectra were taken from patients with schizophrenia (11 males) receiving neuroleptic medication, and were compared to normal controls (15 males). Their spectral intensities were analysed using a non-linear least-squares method with a prior knowledge of the fixed chemical shifts and linewidths, leading to further resolution into resonances of glycerophosphorylethanolamine (GPE), glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC), phosphorylethanolamine (PE) and phosphorylcholine (PC). The metabolite concentrations were calculated referring to the spectral intensities of phosphate phantoms with known concentrations. T1 values of phantom and cerebrum were estimated from a series of localised inversion recovery spectra to correct for the signal saturation effects. The schizophrenic patients showed an increased concentration of GPC but not GPE, PE or PC. Furthermore, no difference was observed regarding the concentration of high-energy phosphates such as phosphocreatine, inorganic phosphate and ATP. The patients did not show any differences in mitochondrial function such as phosphorylation potential and the ratio of the rate of ATP synthesis. Thus, an increase in GPC concentration in the prefrontal cortex could be characteristic of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia with mild negative symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukihiko Shirayama
- Department of Psychiatry, National Center Hospital for Mental, Nervous and Muscular Disorders, and Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Institute of Neuroscience, NCNP, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan.
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Wei J, Hemmings GP. A study of a genetic association between the PTGS2/PLA2G4A locus and schizophrenia. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2004; 70:413-5. [PMID: 15041036 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2003.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) present in the PTGS2/PLA2G4A locus were detected among 118 British family trios of schizophrenia patients. The transmission disequilibrium test showed that SNP4 located in the 5'-flanking region of the PLA2G4A gene was associated with schizophrenia and that the haplotype analysis also showed a genetic association between the PTGS2 gene and schizophrenia. Because these two genes are arranged in a head-to-head configuration and separated by just about 149kb of DNA, they may have a combined effect on susceptibility to schizophrenia in some cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Wei
- Institute of Biological Psychiatry, Schizophrenia Association of Great Britain, Bryn Hyfryd, The Crescent Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2AG, UK.
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49
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Abstract
A variety of biochemical, clinical and genetic evidence suggests that phospholipid metabolism may play an aetiological role in schizophrenia. A key piece of evidence is the reduced vasodilatory response of patients with schizophrenia to nicotinic acid (NA). NA causes vasodilation via the activation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) leading to the release of free fatty acids from membrane phospholipids and the subsequent production of prostaglandins. Insensitivity to NA may be due to a 'block' in the downstream signaling pathway used by the drug to evoke its response. It can be argued that if such an abnormality occurs in neurons, impaired PLA2-dependent signaling could result in altered glutamateric and dopaminergic transmission in such a way as to produce or exacerbate psychotic symptoms. The complimentary finding of increased PLA2 activity in schizophrenia may be an attempt to overcome the signaling block. It is suggested that intervention aimed at increasing the activity of PLA2-dependent signaling systems may be therapeutically useful in the treatment of the illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Ross
- Ness Foundation, UNI Millennium Institute, Ness House, Dochgarroch, IV3 8GY, Inverness, Scotland, UK.
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Reddy R, Keshavan MS. Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy: its utility in examining the membrane hypothesis of schizophrenia. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2003; 69:401-5. [PMID: 14623493 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2003.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A novel approach to understanding the pathophysiology of schizophrenia has been the investigation of membrane composition and functional perturbations, referred to as the "Membrane Hypothesis of Schizophrenia." The evidence in support of this hypothesis has been accumulating in findings in patients with schizophrenia of reductions in phospholipids and essential fatty acids various peripheral tissues. Postmortem studies indicate similar reductions in essential fatty acids in the brain. However, the use of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has provided an opportunity to examine aspects of membrane biochemistry in vivo in the living brain. MRS is a powerful, albeit complex, noninvasive quantitative imaging tool that offers several advantages over other methods of in vivo biochemical investigations. It has been used extensively in investigating brain biochemistry in schizophrenia. Phosphorus MRS (31P MRS) can provide important information about neuronal membranes, such as levels of phosphomonoesters that reflect the building blocks of neuronal membranes and phosphodiesters that reflect breakdown products. 31P MRS can also provide information about bioenergetics. Studies in patients with chronic schizophrenia as well as at first episode prior to treatment show a variety of alterations in neuronal membrane biochemistry, supportive of the membrane hypothesis of schizophrenia. Below, we will briefly review the principles underlying 31P MRS and findings to date. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a powerful, albeit complex, imaging tool that permits investigation of brain biochemistry in vivo. It utilizes the magnetic resonance imaging hardware. It offers several advantages over other methods of in vivo biochemical investigations. MRS is noninvasive, there is no radiation exposure, does not require the use of tracer ligands or contrast media. Because of it is relatively benign, repeated measures are possible. It has been used extensively in investigating brain biochemistry in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder Reddy
- Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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