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Komatsu H, Onoguchi G, Silverstein SM, Jerotic S, Sakuma A, Kanahara N, Kakuto Y, Ono T, Yabana T, Nakazawa T, Tomita H. Retina as a potential biomarker in schizophrenia spectrum disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of optical coherence tomography and electroretinography. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:464-482. [PMID: 38081943 PMCID: PMC11116118 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02340-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Abnormal findings on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and electroretinography (ERG) have been reported in participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs). This study aims to reveal the pooled standard mean difference (SMD) in retinal parameters on OCT and ERG among participants with SSDs and healthy controls and their association with demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. METHODS Using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PSYNDEX, we searched the literature from inception to March 31, 2023, using specific search terms. This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD4202235795) and conducted according to PRISMA 2020. RESULTS We included 65 studies in the systematic review and 44 in the meta-analysis. Participants with SSDs showed thinning of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), macular ganglion cell layer- inner plexiform cell layer, and retinal thickness in all other segments of the macula. A meta-analysis of studies that excluded SSD participants with diabetes and hypertension showed no change in results, except for pRNFL inferior and nasal thickness. Furthermore, a significant difference was found in the pooled SMD of pRNFL temporal thickness between the left and right eyes. Meta-regression analysis revealed an association between retinal thinning and duration of illness, positive and negative symptoms. In OCT angiography, no differences were found in the foveal avascular zone and superficial layer foveal vessel density between SSD participants and controls. In flash ERG, the meta-analysis showed reduced amplitude of both a- and b-waves under photopic and scotopic conditions in SSD participants. Furthermore, the latency of photopic a-wave was significantly shorter in SSD participants in comparison with HCs. DISCUSSION Considering the prior report of retinal thinning in unaffected first-degree relatives and the results of the meta-analysis, the findings suggest that retinal changes in SSDs have both trait and state aspects. Future longitudinal multimodal retinal imaging studies are needed to clarify the pathophysiological mechanisms of these changes and to clarify their utility in individual patient monitoring efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Komatsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan.
- Miyagi Psychiatric Center, Natori, Japan.
| | - Goh Onoguchi
- Department of Psychiatry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Steven M Silverstein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Stefan Jerotic
- Clinic for Psychiatry, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Atsushi Sakuma
- Department of Psychiatry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Nobuhisa Kanahara
- Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
- Division of Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Kakuto
- Miyagi Psychiatric Center, Natori, Japan
- Department of Community Psychiatry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | | | - Takeshi Yabana
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Toru Nakazawa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmic Imaging and Information Analytics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Retinal Disease Control, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Advanced Ophthalmic Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Tomita
- Department of Psychiatry, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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2
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Saloň A, Çiftci GM, Zubac D, Šimunič B, Pišot R, Narici M, Fredriksen PM, Nkeh-Chungag BN, Sourij H, Šerý O, Schmid-Zalaudek K, Steuber B, De Boever P, Goswami N. Retinal venular vessel diameters are smaller during ten days of bed rest. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19258. [PMID: 37935771 PMCID: PMC10630473 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46177-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Older individuals experience cardiovascular dysfunction during extended bedridden hospital or care home stays. Bed rest is also used as a model to simulate accelerated vascular deconditioning occurring during spaceflight. This study investigates changes in retinal microcirculation during a ten-day bed rest protocol. Ten healthy young males (22.9 ± 4.7 years; body mass index: 23.6 ± 2.5 kg·m-2) participated in a strictly controlled repeated-measures bed rest study lasting ten days. High-resolution images were obtained using a hand-held fundus camera at baseline, daily during the 10 days of bed rest, and 1 day after re-ambulation. Retinal vessel analysis was performed using a semi-automated software system to obtain metrics for retinal arteriolar and venular diameters, central retinal artery equivalent and central retinal vein equivalent, respectively. Data analysis employed a mixed linear model. At the end of the bed rest period, a significant decrease in retinal venular diameter was observed, indicated by a significantly lower central retinal vein equivalent (from 226.1 µm, CI 8.90, to 211.4 µm, CI 8.28, p = .026), while no significant changes in central retinal artery equivalent were noted. Prolonged bed rest confinement resulted in a significant (up to 6.5%) reduction in retinal venular diameter. These findings suggest that the changes in retinal venular diameter during bedrest may be attributed to plasma volume losses and reflect overall (cardio)-vascular deconditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Saloň
- Division of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology, and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Research Unit "Gravitational Physiology and Medicine", Physiology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6/D.05, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Göktuğ Mert Çiftci
- Division of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology, and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Damir Zubac
- Institute for Kinesiology Research, Science and Research Centre Koper, Koper, Slovenia
- Department 1 of Internal Medicine, Centre for Integrated Oncology, Aachen, Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Boštjan Šimunič
- Institute for Kinesiology Research, Science and Research Centre Koper, Koper, Slovenia
| | - Rado Pišot
- Institute for Kinesiology Research, Science and Research Centre Koper, Koper, Slovenia
| | - Marco Narici
- Institute for Kinesiology Research, Science and Research Centre Koper, Koper, Slovenia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Per Morten Fredriksen
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Lillehammer, Norway
| | - Benedicta Ngwenchi Nkeh-Chungag
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University PBX1, Mthatha, 5117, South Africa
| | - Harald Sourij
- Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Interdisciplinary Metabolic Medicine Trials Unit, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Omar Šerý
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Pathological Physiology, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Veveří 97, 602 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Karin Schmid-Zalaudek
- Division of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology, and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Research Unit "Gravitational Physiology and Medicine", Physiology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6/D.05, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Bianca Steuber
- Division of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology, and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Research Unit "Gravitational Physiology and Medicine", Physiology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6/D.05, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Patrick De Boever
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Nandu Goswami
- Division of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology, and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
- Research Unit "Gravitational Physiology and Medicine", Physiology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6/D.05, 8010, Graz, Austria.
- Integrative Health, Alma Mater Europaea Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia.
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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Kennedy KG, Mio M, Goldstein BI, Brambilla P, Delvecchio G. Systematic review and meta-analysis of retinal microvascular caliber in bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia. J Affect Disord 2023; 331:342-351. [PMID: 36958491 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with a severe mental illness (SMI), such as bipolar disorder (BD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and schizophrenia (SZ), have increased rates of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. Interestingly, it has been reported that retinal microvessels, a proxy cerebrovascular measure, non-invasively assessed via retinal imaging, predict future cardiovascular disease, with some studies also showing anomalous retinal microvascular caliber in SMI. Therefore, this review and meta-analysis evaluated whether retinal microvascular caliber differs between individuals with SMI vs controls and summarized current findings. METHODS A systematic literature search for retinal microvascular caliber and SMI was conducted in Embase and MEDLINE. Studies needed to be published in English before 2022 December 1st and examine retinal microvascular caliber in individuals diagnosed with a SMI. Finally, a meta-analysis of arteriolar and venular caliber in SMI case-controlled studies was also conducted. RESULTS The search yielded 65 unique articles, 11 were included in the review and 6 in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis found that the SMI group had significantly wider venules than controls (SMD = -0.53; 95 % CI = 0.24, 0.81; p = 0.0004) but not arterioles (SMD = 0.07; 95 % CI = -0.29, 0.44; p = 0.70). Additionally, the systematic review found that poorer retinal microvascular health is associated with greater illness severity. LIMITATIONS Large heterogeneity of findings and small sample size. CONCLUSION This systematic review and meta-analysis found that SMI, specifically SZ, is associated with wider retinal venules. Retinal imaging, a fast, cost-effective, and non-invasive assay of cerebrovascular health, may provide insight into the pathophysiological processes of SMI. However, future longitudinal studies investigating these findings are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kody G Kennedy
- Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder, Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Megan Mio
- Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder, Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Benjamin I Goldstein
- Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder, Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Paolo Brambilla
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Delvecchio
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
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Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocytes from patients with schizophrenia exhibit an inflammatory phenotype that affects vascularization. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:871-882. [PMID: 36280751 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01830-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Molecular and functional abnormalities of astrocytes have been implicated in the etiology and pathogenesis of schizophrenia (SCZ). In this study, we examined the proteome, inflammatory responses, and secretome effects on vascularization of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived astrocytes from patients with SCZ. Proteomic analysis revealed alterations in proteins related to immune function and vascularization. Reduced expression of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 subunit was observed in these astrocytes, with no incremental secretion of cytokines after tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) stimulation. Among inflammatory cytokines, secretion of interleukin (IL)-8 was particularly elevated in SCZ-patient-derived-astrocyte-conditioned medium (ASCZCM). In a chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, ASCZCM reduced the diameter of newly grown vessels. This effect could be mimicked with exogenous addition of IL-8. Taken together, our results suggest that SCZ astrocytes are immunologically dysfunctional and may consequently affect vascularization through secreted factors.
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Atagun MI, Sonugur G, Yusifova A, Celik I, Ugurlu N. Machine learning algorithms revealed distorted retinal vascular branching in individuals with bipolar disorder. J Affect Disord 2022; 315:35-41. [PMID: 35905794 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.07.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Converging evidence designate vascular vulnerability in bipolar disorder. The predisposition progresses into distortion in time, thus detection of the vascular susceptibility may help reducing morbidity and mortality. It was aimed to assess retinal fundus vasculature in cardiovascular risk-free patients with bipolar disorder. METHODS Total of 68 individuals (38 patients with bipolar disorder, 30 healthy controls) were enrolled. In order to avoid from degenerative processes, participants were between 18 and 45 years of age, vascular risk factors were eliminated. Microscopic retinal fundus images were processed with machine learning algorithms (multilayer perceptron and support vector machine) and artificial neural network approaches. RESULTS In comparison to the healthy control group, the bipolar disorder group had lower number of breaking points (P < 0.001), lower number of curved vessel segments (P < 0.001). Total length of smooth vessels was longer (P = 0.040), and total length of curved vessel segments was significantly shorter (P < 0.001) than the control group. Vascular endothelial growth factor levels and gender were the confounders. There were significant correlations between vascular measures and serum lipid levels. LIMITATIONS Sample size was small and patients were on various medications. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate distortion in retinal vascular branching in bipolar disorder. Disrupted branching may reflect disturbed prosperity of retinal vascular plexus in patients with bipolar disorder. Alterations in the retinal vessels might be indicators of disruption in cerebral vascular system efficiency and thus neurovascular unit dysfunction in bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Ilhan Atagun
- Department of Psychiatry, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University Faculty of Medicine, Canakkale, Turkey.
| | - Guray Sonugur
- Mechatronics Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
| | | | - Ibrahim Celik
- Mechatronics Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
| | - Nagihan Ugurlu
- Department of Ophtalmology, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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Gonzalez-Diaz JM, Radua J, Sanchez-Dalmau B, Camos-Carreras A, Zamora DC, Bernardo M. Mapping Retinal Abnormalities in Psychosis: Meta-analytical Evidence for Focal Peripapillary and Macular Reductions. Schizophr Bull 2022; 48:1194-1205. [PMID: 35810337 PMCID: PMC9673251 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbac085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have suggested that the retina structure is affected in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). We aimed to investigate the location and size of the potential differences between patients and healthy controls (HC) in several thickness and volume measures across the retina. STUDY DESIGN We included cross-sectional studies comparing peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness, macular volume, macular thickness (MT), foveal thickness, ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer thickness (GCL+IPL), cup volume, and cup/disc ratio (C/D) in the right and/or left eyes and/or the pRNFL and MT quadrants between patients with SSD and HC. Search databases were MEDLINE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central, and medrxiv.org. Risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Standardized mean differences (SMD), subgroup analysis, and meta-regression with several variables were computed using the dmetar package in R. PROSPERO: CRD42021287873. STUDY RESULTS Data from 22 reports (942 patients, 742 HC) were included. We found a retinal thinning in pRNFL (-0.30; 95% CI: -0.46, -0.14), macula (-0.37; 95% CI: -0.61, -0.13), and GCL+IPL (-0.33; 95% CI: -0.57, -0.10). The retinal thinning was especially pronounced in the superior and inferior quadrants of the inner ring of the macula. We also observed a decrease of macular volume (-0.44; 95% CI: -0.68, -0.20) and an increase in C/D ratio (0.35; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.67). CONCLUSIONS Current evidence demonstrates retinal thinning in SSD, affecting both axonal and cellular structures, specially focused in the inner ring of the macula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jairo M Gonzalez-Diaz
- Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,UR Center for Mental Health—CERSAME, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia,Clinica Nuestra Señora de la Paz, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Joaquim Radua
- Imaging of Mood- and Anxiety-Related Disorders (IMARD) Group, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain,Early Psychosis: Interventions and Clinical-detection Lab, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bernardo Sanchez-Dalmau
- Institut Clínic d’Oftalmologia, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain,Visual Lab. Ocular Inflammation Group, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain,Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Camos-Carreras
- Institut Clínic d’Oftalmologia, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain,Visual Lab. Ocular Inflammation Group, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Diana C Zamora
- UR Center for Mental Health—CERSAME, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Miquel Bernardo
- To whom correspondence should be addressed; Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Clinical Institute of Neuroscience. Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Villarroel, 170. 08036. Barcelona, Spain; tel: +34 93 227 54 00 Ext. 3142, e-mail:
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The vascular hypothesis of schizophrenia (SZ) postulates that brain endothelial dysfunction contributes to brain pathophysiology. This review discusses recent evidence for and against this hypothesis, including data related to blood-brain barrier (BBB), brain endothelium, and brain blood supply, to provide a critical weighed update. RECENT FINDINGS Different studies report a consistent proportion of SZ patients showing increased BBB permeability, reflected by higher levels of albumin in the cerebral spinal fluid. Of note, this was not a result of antipsychotic medication. The high inflammatory profile observed in some SZ patients is strongly associated with increased BBB permeability to circulating immune cells, and with more severe cognitive deficiencies. Also, sex was found to interact with BBB integrity and permeability in SZ. The strongest independent genetic association with SZ has been identified in FZD1, a hypoxia-response gene that is 600-fold higher expressed in early development endothelium as compared to adult brain endothelium. Regarding brain blood supply, there is evidence to suggest alterations in proper brain perfusion in SZ. Nonetheless, ex-vivo experiments suggested that widely used antipsychotics favor vasoconstriction; thus, alterations in cerebral perfusion might be related to the patients' medication. SUMMARY In some patients with SZ, a vulnerable brain endothelium may be interacting with environmental stressors, such as inflammation or hypoxia, converging into a more severe SZ symptomatology. Gene expression and performance of human brain endothelium could vary along with development and the establishment of the BBB; therefore, we encourage to investigate its possible contribution to SZ considering this dynamic context.
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Puvogel S, Alsema A, Kracht L, Webster MJ, Weickert CS, Sommer IEC, Eggen BJL. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing of midbrain blood-brain barrier cells in schizophrenia reveals subtle transcriptional changes with overall preservation of cellular proportions and phenotypes. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:4731-4740. [PMID: 36192459 PMCID: PMC9734060 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01796-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The midbrain is an extensively studied brain region in schizophrenia, in view of its reported dopamine pathophysiology and neuroimmune changes associated with this disease. Besides the dopaminergic system, the midbrain contains other cell types that may be involved in schizophrenia pathophysiology. The neurovascular hypothesis of schizophrenia postulates that both the neurovasculature structure and the functioning of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are compromised in schizophrenia. In the present study, potential alteration in the BBB of patients with schizophrenia was investigated by single-nucleus RNA sequencing of post-mortem midbrain tissue (15 schizophrenia cases and 14 matched controls). We did not identify changes in the relative abundance of the major BBB cell types, nor in the sub-populations, associated with schizophrenia. However, we identified 14 differentially expressed genes in the cells of the BBB in schizophrenia as compared to controls, including genes that have previously been related to schizophrenia, such as FOXP2 and PDE4D. These transcriptional changes were limited to the ependymal cells and pericytes, suggesting that the cells of the BBB are not broadly affected in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofía Puvogel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, section Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. .,Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, section Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Astrid Alsema
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, section Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Kracht
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, section Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maree J. Webster
- grid.453353.70000 0004 0473 2858Laboratory of Brain Research, Stanley Medical Research Institute, Rockville, MD USA
| | - Cynthia Shannon Weickert
- grid.250407.40000 0000 8900 8842Schizophrenia Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW Australia ,grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW Australia ,grid.411023.50000 0000 9159 4457Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY USA
| | - Iris E. C. Sommer
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, section Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands ,grid.7692.a0000000090126352Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart J. L. Eggen
- grid.4494.d0000 0000 9558 4598Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, section Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Korann V, Appaji A, Jacob A, Devi P, Nagendra B, Chako DM, Padmanabha A, Thonse U, Bharath RD, Kumar V, Varambally S, Venkatasubramanian G, Rao SV, Webers CAB, Berendschot TTJM, Rao NP. Association between retinal vascular caliber and brain structure in schizophrenia. Asian J Psychiatr 2021; 61:102707. [PMID: 34052670 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2021.102707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Several lines of research in the last decade have indicated the potential utility of retina as a window to the brain. Emerging evidence suggests abnormalities in retinal vascular caliber in schizophrenia. However, the relationship between retinal vascular measures and brain structure has not been examined in schizophrenia to date. Hence, we examined the relationship between retinal vasculature measured using fundus photography and brain structure measured using magnetic resonance imaging. METHOD We recruited 17 healthy volunteers and 20 patients with schizophrenia. Using a non-mydriatic camera, we captured the images for left and right eyes separately and retinal vascular calibers were calculated using a semi-automated software package. Whole-brain anatomical T1 MPRAGE images were acquired using a 3-Tesla MRI scanner. Whole-brain and regional volume and cortical thickness were calculated using the Freesurfer software package. We used FreeSurfer's QDEC interface to compute vertex-by-vertex for analysis of the volume and cortical thickness. The relation between brain volume, cortical thickness, and retinal vascular caliber was examined using partial correlation and regression analysis. RESULTS There was a significant negative correlation between average CRVE and global cortical mean thickness in schizophrenia but not in healthy. In schizophrenia patients, there was a significant negative correlation between average CRVE and cortical thickness in frontal regions - left rostral middle frontal, left superior frontal, and right caudal middle frontal gyri and posterior brain regions - left lateral occipital gyrus and left posterior cingulate cortex. DISCUSSION The findings of the study suggest potential utility of retinal venular diameter as a proxy marker to abnormal neurodevelopment in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittal Korann
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Abhishek Appaji
- Department of Medical Electronics, BMS College of Engineering, Bangalore, India
| | - Arpitha Jacob
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Priyanka Devi
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Bhargavi Nagendra
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Dona Maria Chako
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Ananth Padmanabha
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Umesh Thonse
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Rose Dawn Bharath
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Vijay Kumar
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | | | | | - Shyam Vasudeva Rao
- Department of Medical Electronics, BMS College of Engineering, Bangalore, India
| | - Carroll A B Webers
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Tos T J M Berendschot
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Naren P Rao
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India.
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Nkeh-Chungag BN, Engwa GA, Businge C, Mdondolo M, Pajaro Medina M, Goswami N. Assessment of the impact of HIV infection and anti-retroviral treatment on the cardiometabolic health of pregnant mothers and their offspring (ARTMOMSBABES). BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2021; 21:322. [PMID: 34193034 PMCID: PMC8247111 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-021-02130-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is becoming more prevalent in pregnant women though not much data is available for pregnant women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Foetoplacental vascular endothelial dysfunction is thought to be at the origin of chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity later on in life. Because HIV and anti-retroviral treatment (ARTs) are associated with endothelial dysfunction, children exposed in utero to these conditions may be at greater risk of developing CVDs. Despite the high prevalence of HIV in pregnant South African women, little is known about the effects of ART on the cardiovascular health of the mother and offspring. Hence, the proposed study intends to investigate how HIV/ARTs may affect the cardiovascular health of the mother and offspring at different time points during the pregnancy and up to 2 years after birth. METHODS A longitudinal case-control study in HIV positive pregnant women on ART and HIV negative pregnant women will be conducted. All pregnant women will be assessed for cardio-metabolic risk factors and markers (lipids, anthropometric and glycaemic indies, oxidative stress), hemodynamic status (blood pressure parameters) and vascular function (arterial compliance, retinal microvasculature, uterine artery mean pulsatility index). Child health will be monitored in utero and postnatally via routine foetal health screening, placental integrity, anthropometry, blood pressure parameters, markers of oxidative stress and endothelial function in cord blood and cardiovascular epigenetic markers in urine. DISCUSSION There is a paucity of studies in South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa as a whole that utilised a longitudinal study model to assess the effects of ARTs on vascular endothelial changes in pregnant women living with HIV and the cardiometabolic health of their offspring. This study will therefore help to monitor changes in cardiometabolic risk during pregnancy and in children exposed in utero to HIV-infection and ART use. Findings from this study will provide useful information for developing guidelines on the use of ARTs in pregnancy and management of cardiometabolic health of the offspring of HIV positive mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedicta Ngwenchi Nkeh-Chungag
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Walter Sisulu University PBX1, Mthatha, 5117 South Africa
| | - Godwill Azeh Engwa
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Walter Sisulu University PBX1, Mthatha, 5117 South Africa
| | - Charles Businge
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Walter Sisulu University, Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Mthatha, 5117 South Africa
| | - Mziwohlanga Mdondolo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mthatha Regional Hospital, Private Bag x 5014, Mthatha, 5099 South Africa
| | - Magdevy Pajaro Medina
- Department of Peadiatrics, Mthatha Regional Hospital, Private Bag x 5014, Mthatha, 5099 South Africa
| | - Nandu Goswami
- Physiology Division, Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8036 Graz, Austria
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Provost EB, Nawrot TS, Int Panis L, Standaert A, Saenen ND, De Boever P. Denser Retinal Microvascular Network Is Inversely Associated With Behavioral Outcomes and Sustained Attention in Children. Front Neurol 2021; 12:547033. [PMID: 33584528 PMCID: PMC7880124 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.547033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in geometry of the retinal microvascular network, including vessel width, vessel density, and tortuosity, have been associated with neurological disorders in adults. We investigated metrics of the retinal microvasculature in association with behavior and cognition in 8- to 12-year-old children. Digital fundus images of 190 children (48.2% girls, mean age 9.9 years) were used to calculate retinal vessel diameters, fractal dimension, lacunarity, and tortuosity. Parents filled out a Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for behavioral screening. Cognitive performance testing included a computerized version of the Stroop test (selective attention), the Continuous Performance (sustained attention), the Digit-Symbol (visual scanning and information-processing speed) and the Pattern Comparison (visuospatial analytic ability) tests from the Neurobehavioral Evaluation System (NES3) battery. Retinal vessel geometry was significantly associated with the SDQ problem score, which increased with 1.1 points (95% CI: 0.3 to 1.9 points) per interquartile (IQR) increment in retinal fractal dimension, and decreased 1.4 points (95% CI: −2.4 to −0.4 points) or decreased 1.0 points (95% CI: −2.1 to 0.1 points) per IQR increment in retinal vascular lacunarity or tortuosity, respectively. Sensitivity analyses showed that results were driven by the hyperactivity/inattention and conduct problem scales of the SDQ. Correspondingly, mean reaction time on the Continuous Performance test increased by 11 ms (95% CI: 4.4 to 17.6 ms) with an IQR increase in fractal dimension. The results indicate that a denser retinal microvascular network, exemplified by a higher fractal dimension and lower lacunarity, are inversely associated with behavioral outcomes and sustained attention in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline B Provost
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.,Health Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luc Int Panis
- Health Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium.,School for Mobility, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Arnout Standaert
- Health Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Nelly D Saenen
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Patrick De Boever
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.,Health Unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium.,Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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