1
|
Zhang J, Qiu H, Zhao Q, Liao C, Guoli Y, Luo Q, Zhao G, Zhang N, Wang S, Zhang Z, Lei M, Liu F, Peng Y. Genetic overlap between schizophrenia and cognitive performance. SCHIZOPHRENIA (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 10:31. [PMID: 38443399 PMCID: PMC10914834 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-024-00453-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ), a highly heritable mental disorder, is characterized by cognitive impairment, yet the extent of the shared genetic basis between schizophrenia and cognitive performance (CP) remains poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to explore the polygenic overlap between SCZ and CP. Specifically, the bivariate causal mixture model (MiXeR) was employed to estimate the extent of genetic overlap between SCZ (n = 130,644) and CP (n = 257,841), and conjunctional false discovery rate (conjFDR) approach was used to identify shared genetic loci. Subsequently, functional annotation and enrichment analysis were carried out on the identified genomic loci. The MiXeR analyses revealed that 9.6 K genetic variants are associated with SCZ and 10.9 K genetic variants for CP, of which 9.5 K variants are shared between these two traits (Dice coefficient = 92.8%). By employing conjFDR, 236 loci were identified jointly associated with SCZ and CP, of which 139 were novel for the two traits. Within these shared loci, 60 exhibited consistent effect directions, while 176 had opposite effect directions. Functional annotation analysis indicated that the shared genetic loci were mainly located in intronic and intergenic regions, and were found to be involved in relevant biological processes such as nervous system development, multicellular organism development, and generation of neurons. Together, our findings provide insights into the shared genetic architecture between SCZ and CP, suggesting common pathways and mechanisms contributing to both traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianfei Zhang
- College of Computer and Control Engineering, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Hao Qiu
- College of Computer and Control Engineering, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Qiyu Zhao
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Chongjian Liao
- School of Medical Imaging and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuxuan Guoli
- The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medial University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qi Luo
- School of Medical Imaging and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Guoshu Zhao
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Nannan Zhang
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Shaoying Wang
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhihui Zhang
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Minghuan Lei
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
| | - Yanmin Peng
- School of Medical Imaging and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Karcher NR, Merchant J, Pine J, Kilciksiz CM. Cognitive Dysfunction as a Risk Factor for Psychosis. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2022; 63:173-203. [PMID: 35989398 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The current chapter summarizes recent evidence for cognition as a risk factor for the development of psychosis, including the range of cognitive impairments that exist across the spectrum of psychosis risk symptoms. The chapter examines several possible theories linking cognitive deficits with the development of psychotic symptoms, including evidence that cognitive deficits may be an intermediate risk factor linking genetic and/or neural metrics to psychosis spectrum symptoms. Although there is not strong evidence for unique cognitive markers associated specifically with psychosis compared to other forms of psychopathology, psychotic disorders are generally associated with the greatest severity of cognitive deficits. Cognitive deficits precede the development of psychotic symptoms and may be detectable as early as childhood. Across the psychosis spectrum, both the presence and severity of psychotic symptoms are associated with mild to moderate impairments across cognitive domains, perhaps most consistently for language, cognitive control, and working memory domains. Research generally indicates the size of these cognitive impairments worsens as psychosis symptom severity increases. The chapter points out areas of unclarity and unanswered questions in each of these areas, including regarding the mechanisms contributing to the association between cognition and psychosis, the timing of deficits, and whether any cognitive systems can be identified that function as specific predictors of psychosis risk symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole R Karcher
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Jaisal Merchant
- Department of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jacob Pine
- Department of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Can Misel Kilciksiz
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Genetic variations in evolutionary accelerated regions disrupt cognition in schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res 2022; 314:114586. [PMID: 35623238 PMCID: PMC10150587 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Cognition is believed to be a product of human evolution, while schizophrenia is ascribed as the by-product with cognitive impairment as it's genetically mediated endophenotype. Genomic loci associated with these traits are enriched with recent evolutionary markers such as Human accelerated regions (HARs). HARs are markedly different in humans since their divergence with chimpanzees and mostly regulate gene expression by binding to transcription factors and/or modulating chromatin interactions. We hypothesize that variants within HARs may alter such functions and thus contribute to disease pathogenesis. 49 systematically prioritized variants from 2737 genome-wide HARs were genotyped in a north-Indian schizophrenia cohort (331 cases, 235 controls). Six variants were significantly associated with cognitive impairment in schizophrenia, thirteen with general cognition in healthy individuals. These variants were mapped to 122 genes; predicted to alter 79 transcription factors binding sites and overlapped with promoters, enhancers and/or repressors. These genes and TFs are implicated in neurocognitive phenotypes, autism, schizophrenia and bipolar disorders; a few are targets of common or repurposable antipsychotics suggesting their draggability; and enriched for immune response and brain developmental pathways. Immune response has been more strongly targeted by natural selection during human evolution and has a prominent role in neurodevelopment. Thus, its disruption may have deleterious consequences for neuronal and cognitive functions. Importantly, among the 15 associated SNPs, 12 showed association in several independent GWASs of different neurocognitive functions. Further analysis of HARs may be valuable to understand their role in cognition biology and identify improved therapeutics for schizophrenia.
Collapse
|
4
|
Fabbri C, Leggio GM, Drago F, Serretti A. Imputed expression of schizophrenia-associated genes and cognitive measures in patients with schizophrenia. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2022; 10:e1942. [PMID: 35488718 PMCID: PMC9184669 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cognitive dysfunction is a core manifestation of schizophrenia and one of the best predictors of long‐term disability. Genes increasing risk for schizophrenia may partly act through the modulation of cognition. Methods We imputed the expression of 130 genes recently prioritized for association with schizophrenia, using PsychENCODE variant weights and genotypes of patients with schizophrenia in CATIE. Processing speed, reasoning, verbal memory, working memory, vigilance, and a composite cognitive score were used as phenotypes. We performed linear regression models for each cognitive measure and gene expression score, adjusting for age, years of education, antipsychotic treatment, years since the first antipsychotic treatment and population principal components. Results We included 425 patients and expression scores of 91 genes (others had no heritable expression; Bonferroni corrected alpha = 5.49e‐4). No gene expression score was associated with cognitive measures, though ENOX1 expression was very close to the threshold for verbal memory (p = 6e‐4) and processing speed (p = 7e‐4). Other genes were nominally associated with multiple phenotypes (MAN2A1 and PCGF3). Conclusion A better understanding of the mechanisms mediating cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia may help in the definition of disease prognosis and in the identification of new treatments, as the treatment of cognitive impairment remains an unmet therapeutic need.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Fabbri
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Gian Marco Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Alessandro Serretti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wu Q, Wang X, Wang Y, Long YJ, Zhao JP, Wu RR. Developments in Biological Mechanisms and Treatments for Negative Symptoms and Cognitive Dysfunction of Schizophrenia. Neurosci Bull 2021; 37:1609-1624. [PMID: 34227057 PMCID: PMC8566616 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-021-00740-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The causal mechanisms and treatment for the negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia are the main issues attracting the attention of psychiatrists over the last decade. The first part of this review summarizes the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, especially the negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction from the perspectives of genetics and epigenetics. The second part describes the novel medications and several advanced physical therapies (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation) for the negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction that will optimize the therapeutic strategy for patients with schizophrenia in future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiongqiong Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Ying Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Yu-Jun Long
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Jing-Ping Zhao
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.
| | - Ren-Rong Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.
- Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Genetic Overlap Profiles of Cognitive Ability in Psychotic and Affective Illnesses: A Multisite Study of Multiplex Pedigrees. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 90:373-384. [PMID: 33975707 PMCID: PMC8403107 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.03.012] [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: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment is a key feature of psychiatric illness, making cognition an important tool for exploring of the genetics of illness risk. It remains unclear which measures should be prioritized in pleiotropy-guided research. Here, we generate profiles of genetic overlap between psychotic and affective disorders and cognitive measures in Caucasian and Hispanic groups. METHODS Data were from 4 samples of extended pedigrees (N = 3046). Coefficient of relationship analyses were used to estimate genetic overlap between illness risk and cognitive ability. Results were meta-analyzed. RESULTS Psychosis was characterized by cognitive impairments on all measures with a generalized profile of genetic overlap. General cognitive ability shared greatest genetic overlap with psychosis risk (average endophenotype ranking value [ERV] across samples from a random-effects meta-analysis = 0.32), followed by verbal memory (ERV = 0.24), executive function (ERV = 0.22), and working memory (ERV = 0.21). For bipolar disorder, there was genetic overlap with processing speed (ERV = 0.05) and verbal memory (ERV = 0.11), but these were confined to select samples. Major depressive disorder was characterized by enhanced working and face memory performance, as reflected in significant genetic overlap in 2 samples. CONCLUSIONS There is substantial genetic overlap between risk for psychosis and a range of cognitive abilities (including general intelligence). Most of these effects are largely stable across of ascertainment strategy and ethnicity. Genetic overlap between affective disorders and cognition, on the other hand, tends to be specific to ascertainment strategy, ethnicity, and cognitive test battery.
Collapse
|
7
|
Mäki-Marttunen V, Andreassen OA, Espeseth T. The role of norepinephrine in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 118:298-314. [PMID: 32768486 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Several lines of evidence have suggested for decades a role for norepinephrine (NE) in the pathophysiology and treatment of schizophrenia. Recent experimental findings reveal anatomical and physiological properties of the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) system and its involvement in brain function and cognition. Here, we integrate these two lines of evidence. First, we review the functional and structural properties of the LC-NE system and its impact on functional brain networks, cognition, and stress, with special emphasis on recent experimental and theoretical advances. Subsequently, we present an update about the role of LC-associated functions for the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, focusing on the cognitive and motivational deficits. We propose that schizophrenia phenomenology, in particular cognitive symptoms, may be explained by an abnormal interaction between genetic susceptibility and stress-initiated LC-NE dysfunction. This in turn, leads to imbalance between LC activity modes, dysfunctional regulation of brain network integration and neural gain, and deficits in cognitive functions. Finally, we suggest how recent development of experimental approaches can be used to characterize LC function in schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ole A Andreassen
- CoE NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Building 49, P.O. Box 4956 Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Thomas Espeseth
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Postboks 1094, Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway; Bjørknes College, Lovisenberggata 13, 0456 Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kelly S, Guimond S, Lyall A, Stone WS, Shenton ME, Keshavan M, Seidman LJ. Neural correlates of cognitive deficits across developmental phases of schizophrenia. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 131:104353. [PMID: 30582983 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is associated with cognitive deficits across all stages of the illness (i.e., high risk, first episode, early and chronic phases). Identifying the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of these deficits is an important area of scientific inquiry. Here, we selectively review evidence regarding the pattern of deficits across the developmental trajectory of schizophrenia using the five cognitive domains identified by the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative. We also report associated findings from neuroimaging studies. We suggest that most cognitive domains are affected across the developmental trajectory, with corresponding brain structural and/or functional differences. The idea of a common mechanism driving these deficits is discussed, along with implications for cognitive treatment in schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sinead Kelly
- Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Public Psychiatry Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Synthia Guimond
- Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Public Psychiatry Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Amanda Lyall
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William S Stone
- Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Public Psychiatry Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Martha E Shenton
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; VA Boston Healthcare System, Brockton Division, Brockton, MA, USA
| | - Matcheri Keshavan
- Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Public Psychiatry Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Larry J Seidman
- Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Public Psychiatry Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|