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Piao J, Wang Y, Zhang T, Zhao J, Lv Q, Ruan M, Yu Q, Li B. Antidepressant-like Effects of Representative Types of Food and Their Possible Mechanisms. Molecules 2023; 28:6992. [PMID: 37836833 PMCID: PMC10574116 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28196992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression is a mental disorder characterized by low mood, lack of motivation, negative cognitive outlook, and sleep problems. Suicide may occur in severe cases, although suicidal thoughts are not seen in all cases. Globally, an estimated 350 million individuals grapple with depression, as reported by the World Health Organization. At present, drug and psychological treatments are the main treatments, but they produce insufficient responses in many patients and fail to work at all in many others. Consequently, treating depression has long been an important topic in society. Given the escalating prevalence of depression, a comprehensive strategy for managing its symptoms and impacts has garnered significant attention. In this context, nutritional psychiatry emerges as a promising avenue. Extensive research has underscored the potential benefits of a well-rounded diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat in alleviating depressive symptoms. However, the intricate mechanisms linking dietary interventions to brain function alterations remain largely unexplored. This review delves into the intricate relationship between dietary patterns and depression, while exploring the plausible mechanisms underlying the impact of dietary interventions on depression management. As we endeavor to unveil the pathways through which nutrition influences mental well-being, a holistic perspective that encompasses multidisciplinary strategies gains prominence, potentially reshaping how we approach and address depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Piao
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory for Molecular and Chemical Genetics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China; (J.P.); (T.Z.); (J.Z.); (Q.L.); (M.R.); (Q.Y.)
- Engineering Laboratory for Screening of Antidepressant Drugs, Jilin Province Development and Reform Commission, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Yingwei Wang
- Changchun Zhuoyi Biological Co., Ltd., Changchun 130616, China;
| | - Tianqi Zhang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory for Molecular and Chemical Genetics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China; (J.P.); (T.Z.); (J.Z.); (Q.L.); (M.R.); (Q.Y.)
- Engineering Laboratory for Screening of Antidepressant Drugs, Jilin Province Development and Reform Commission, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Jiayu Zhao
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory for Molecular and Chemical Genetics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China; (J.P.); (T.Z.); (J.Z.); (Q.L.); (M.R.); (Q.Y.)
- Engineering Laboratory for Screening of Antidepressant Drugs, Jilin Province Development and Reform Commission, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Qianyu Lv
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory for Molecular and Chemical Genetics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China; (J.P.); (T.Z.); (J.Z.); (Q.L.); (M.R.); (Q.Y.)
- Engineering Laboratory for Screening of Antidepressant Drugs, Jilin Province Development and Reform Commission, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Mengyu Ruan
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory for Molecular and Chemical Genetics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China; (J.P.); (T.Z.); (J.Z.); (Q.L.); (M.R.); (Q.Y.)
- Engineering Laboratory for Screening of Antidepressant Drugs, Jilin Province Development and Reform Commission, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Qin Yu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory for Molecular and Chemical Genetics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China; (J.P.); (T.Z.); (J.Z.); (Q.L.); (M.R.); (Q.Y.)
- Engineering Laboratory for Screening of Antidepressant Drugs, Jilin Province Development and Reform Commission, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Bingjin Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory for Molecular and Chemical Genetics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China; (J.P.); (T.Z.); (J.Z.); (Q.L.); (M.R.); (Q.Y.)
- Engineering Laboratory for Screening of Antidepressant Drugs, Jilin Province Development and Reform Commission, Changchun 130041, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory on Target of Traditional Chinese Medicine with Anti-Depressive Effect, Changchun 130041, China
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2
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Exposure to chronic stress impairs the ability to cope with an acute challenge: Modulation by lurasidone treatment. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2022; 61:78-90. [PMID: 35830759 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.06.005] [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: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Chronic stress represents a major contributor for the development of mental illness. This study aimed to investigate how animals exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS) responded to an acute stress (AS), as a vulnerability's challenge, and to establish the potential effects of the antipsychotic drug lurasidone on such mechanisms. Adult male Wistar rats were exposed or not (controls) to a CMS paradigm for 7 weeks. Starting from the end of week 2, animals were randomized to receive vehicle or lurasidone for 5 weeks. Sucrose intake was used to measure anhedonia. At the end, half of the animals were exposed to an acute stress before sacrifice. Exposure to CMS produced a significant reduction in sucrose consumption, whereas lurasidone progressively normalized such alteration. We found that exposure to AS produced an upregulation of Brain derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) in the prefrontal cortex of controls animals. This response was impaired in CMS rats and restored by lurasidone treatment. While in control animals, AS-induced increase of Bdnf mRNA levels was specific for Parvalbumin cells, CMS rats treated with lurasidone show a significant upregulation of Bdnf in pyramidal cells. Furthermore, when investigating the activation of different brain regions, CMS rats showed an impairment in the global response to the acute stressor, that was largely restored by lurasidone treatment. Our results suggest that lurasidone treatment in CMS rats may regulate specific circuits and mechanisms, which will ultimately contribute to boost resilience under stressful challenges.
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Baudat M, de Kort AR, van den Hove DLA, Joosten EA. Early-life exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: Long-term effects on pain and affective comorbidities. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 55:295-317. [PMID: 34841582 PMCID: PMC9299880 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15544] [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: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence indicates that early‐life exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor has long‐term consequences on the offspring's pain in addition to affective disorders like anxiety disorder and major depression. Serotonin, besides its role in regulating pain and emotions, promotes neuronal network formation. The prefrontal cortex and the amygdala are two key brain regions involved in the modulation of pain and its affective comorbidities. Thus, the aim of this review is to understand how early‐life selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor exposure alters the developing prefrontal cortex and amygdala and thereby underlies the long‐term changes in pain and its affective comorbidities in later life. While there is still limited data on the effects of early‐life selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor exposure on pain, there is a substantial body of evidence on its affective comorbidities. From this perspective paper, four conclusions emerged. First, early‐life selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor exposure results in long‐term nociceptive effects, which needs to be consistently studied to clarify. Second, it results in enhanced depressive‐like behaviour and diminished exploratory behaviour in adult rodents. Third, early‐life selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor exposure alters serotonergic levels, transcription factors expression, and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor levels, resulting in hyperconnectivity within the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex. Finally, it affects antinociceptive inputs of the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala in the spinal cord. We conclude that early‐life selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor exposure affects the maturation of prefrontal cortex and amygdala circuits and thereby enhances their antinociceptive inputs in the spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Baudat
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Anne R de Kort
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel L A van den Hove
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Elbert A Joosten
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Achour M, Ben Salem I, Ferdousi F, Nouira M, Ben Fredj M, Mtiraoui A, Isoda H, Saguem S. Rosemary Tea Consumption Alters Peripheral Anxiety and Depression Biomarkers: A Pilot Study in Limited Healthy Volunteers. J Am Coll Nutr 2021; 41:240-249. [PMID: 33565922 DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2021.1873871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Background: Rosmarinus officinalis L.is traditionally used as an infusion in the treatment of several diseases and in particular against neuropsychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It was established that rosemary extracts show an antidepressant effect on animal models. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no scientific data that highlights the therapeutic effects of rosemary intake on human mental health.Aim:This study investigated whether rosemary tea consumption affects the plasma levels of anxiety and depression biomarkers in healthy volunteers.Methods:Twenty-two healthy volunteers aged between 20 and 50 years old consumed rosemary tea prepared from 5 g of dried rosemary in 100 mL boiled water once a day for 10 days. Plasma concentrations of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Interleukine-6 (IL-6), Interleukine-4 (IL-4), Tumor Necrosis Factor- alpha (TNF-α), Interferon-gamma (IFNϒ), and cortisol were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using commercial ELISA kits (R&D systems) before rosemary consumption and at the end of the experiment.Results:Rosemary tea consumption significantly increased the concentration of BDNF([BDNF]D0 = 22363.86 ± 12987.66 pg/mL, [BDNF]D10 = 41803.64 ± 28109.19, p = 0.006) and TNF-α([TNF-α] D0 = 39.49 ± 14.44 pg/mL, [TNF-α] D10 = 56.24 ± 39.01, p = 0.016). However, a slight variation that was statistically non-significant in INFϒ, cortisol, IL-4, IL-6 levels and in the ratio IL-4/INFϒ was observed (p > 0.05).Conclusion:Our findings highlight the promising anxiolytic and/or antidepressant effects of rosemary tea consumption in healthy volunteers since it increases the level of the most reliable depression biomarker BDNF. However, more powerful studies with larger sample size, carefully-chosen target population and, an extended intervention period are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariem Achour
- Laboratory of Metabolic Biophysics and Applied Pharmacology (LR12ES02), Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.,Alliance for Research on the Mediterranean and North Africa (ARENA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Intidhar Ben Salem
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.,Faculty of Dental Medicine, Laboratory for Research on Biologically Compatible Compounds, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Farhana Ferdousi
- Alliance for Research on the Mediterranean and North Africa (ARENA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Manel Nouira
- Laboratory of Metabolic Biophysics and Applied Pharmacology (LR12ES02), Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Maha Ben Fredj
- Laboratory of Metabolic Biophysics and Applied Pharmacology (LR12ES02), Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Ali Mtiraoui
- Research laboratory 'LR12ES03', Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ibn El Jazzar of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Hiroko Isoda
- Alliance for Research on the Mediterranean and North Africa (ARENA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Saad Saguem
- Laboratory of Metabolic Biophysics and Applied Pharmacology (LR12ES02), Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
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Sbrini G, Brivio P, Bosch K, Homberg JR, Calabrese F. Enrichment Environment Positively Influences Depression- and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Serotonin Transporter Knockout Rats through the Modulation of Neuroplasticity, Spine, and GABAergic Markers. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11111248. [PMID: 33114023 PMCID: PMC7690660 DOI: 10.3390/genes11111248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The serotonin transporter (5-HTT in humans, SERT in rodents) is the main regulator of serotonergic transmission in the brain. The short allelic variant of the 5-HTT gene is in humans associated with psychopathologies and may enhance the vulnerability to develop depression after exposure to stressful events. Interestingly, the short allele also increases the sensitivity to a positive environment, which may buffer the vulnerability to depression. Since this polymorphism does not exist in rodents, male SERT knockout (SERT−/−) rats were tested to explore the molecular mechanisms based on this increased predisposition. This article investigates the influences of a positive manipulation, namely, enriched environment (EE), on the depressive-like behavior observed in SERT−/− rats. We found that one month of EE exposure normalized the anhedonic and anxious-like phenotype characteristics of this animal model. Moreover, we observed that EE exposure also restored the molecular alterations in the prefrontal cortex by positively modulating the expression of the neurotrophin Bdnf, and of spines and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic markers. Overall, our data confirm the depression-like phenotype of SERT−/− rats and highlight the ability of EE to restore behavioral and molecular alterations, thus promoting the opportunity to use EE as a supporting non-pharmacological approach to treat mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Sbrini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (G.S.); (P.B.)
| | - Paola Brivio
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (G.S.); (P.B.)
| | - Kari Bosch
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (K.B.); (J.R.H.)
| | - Judith Regina Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (K.B.); (J.R.H.)
| | - Francesca Calabrese
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (G.S.); (P.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +02-50318277
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6
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Dutt R, Shankar N, Srivastava S, Yadav A, Ahmed RS. Cardiac autonomic tone, plasma BDNF levels and paroxetine response in newly diagnosed patients of generalised anxiety disorder. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract 2020; 24:135-142. [PMID: 32022607 DOI: 10.1080/13651501.2020.1723642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The study examined the effect on cardiac autonomic tone via heart rate variability (HRV), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in newly diagnosed generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) cases with paroxetine-controlled release (PX) CR intervention.Methods: Fifty GAD cases using DSM-5 criteria, matched with healthy controls (HC) were assessed with clinical measures (Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), Clinical Global Impression- Severity Scale (CGI-Severity), General Health Questionnaire -12 (GHQ-12), HRV, plasma BDNF levels initially and 6 weeks postintervention with paroxetine CR.Results: HRV parameters were significantly lower in GAD vs HC at baseline for standard deviation of normal to normal intervals (SDNN) and proportion of differences in consecutive NN intervals that are longer than 50 ms (pNN50). Significantly higher plasma BDNF levels were noted between HC versus GAD at baseline. Postintervention HAM-A, CGI scores, GHQ-12 item scores showed significant reduction. Significant differences also noted in square root of mean squared difference of successive NN intervals (RMSSD), (SDNN), pNN50 and in plasma BDNF levels after intervention within GAD group. Significant negative correlation observed between HAM-A scores and SDNN parameter after taking PX CR in GAD.Conclusion: GAD showed cardiac autonomic dysfunction, lowered plasma BDNF levels and their improvement with paroxetine CR.Key messageGAD is associated with significantly lower HRV, suggestive of cardiac autonomic dysfunction and lowered plasma BDNF levels, an indicator of stress.Therapeutic intervention with Paroxetine in GAD patients showed clinically significant improvement reflecting restoration of the cardiac autonomic tone and BDNF levels, thus implying their role as potential biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Dutt
- Department of Physiology, University College of Medical sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi, India
| | - Nilima Shankar
- Department of Physiology, University College of Medical sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi, India
| | - Shruti Srivastava
- Department of Psychiatry, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi, India
| | - Asha Yadav
- Department of Physiology, University College of Medical sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi, India
| | - Rafat S Ahmed
- Department of Biochemistry, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi, India
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7
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Muscatello MRA, Zoccali RA, Pandolfo G, Mangano P, Lorusso S, Cedro C, Battaglia F, Spina E, Bruno A. Duloxetine in Psychiatric Disorders: Expansions Beyond Major Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:772. [PMID: 31749717 PMCID: PMC6844294 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Duloxetine hydrochloride (DUL) is an antidepressant included in the pharmacological class of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. The aim of this review was to elucidate current evidences on the use of DUL in the treatment of a variety of psychiatric disorders. Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. PubMed database was searched from January 1, 2003, to September 30, 2018, using 11 key terms related to psychiatric disorders ("persistent depressive disorder," "dysthymic disorder," "bipolar disorder," "seasonal affective disorder," "obsessive-compulsive disorder," "social phobia," "panic disorder," "posttraumatic stress disorder," "schizophrenia," "eating disorders," "sexual disorders," "personality disorders") and one key term related to duloxetine ("duloxetine hydrochloride"). Article titles and abstracts were scanned to determine relevance to the topic. For additional studies, the authors also examined the reference lists of several of the included papers. Results: Duloxetine may be an effective treatment for mood spectrum disorders, panic disorder, several symptom clusters of borderline personality, and as add-on drug in schizophrenia. Modest or conflicting results have been found for the efficacy of duloxetine in obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, eating, and sexual disorders. Conclusion: Major limitations of the reviewed studies were short trial duration, small sample sizes, and the lack of control groups. Defining the potential role of DUL in the treatment of psychiatric disorders other than major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder needs further randomized, placebo-controlled studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rocco A Zoccali
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Gianluca Pandolfo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Paolo Mangano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Simona Lorusso
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Villa San Benedetto Menni, Italy
| | - Clemente Cedro
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Fortunato Battaglia
- Department of Medical Sciences, Neurology and Psychiatry, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Seton Hall University, United States
| | - Edoardo Spina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Italy
| | - Antonio Bruno
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Italy
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8
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Caraci F, Calabrese F, Molteni R, Bartova L, Dold M, Leggio GM, Fabbri C, Mendlewicz J, Racagni G, Kasper S, Riva MA, Drago F. International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology CIV: The Neurobiology of Treatment-resistant Depression: From Antidepressant Classifications to Novel Pharmacological Targets. Pharmacol Rev 2018; 70:475-504. [PMID: 29884653 DOI: 10.1124/pr.117.014977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is one of the most prevalent and life-threatening forms of mental illnesses and a major cause of morbidity worldwide. Currently available antidepressants are effective for most patients, although around 30% are considered treatment resistant (TRD), a condition that is associated with a significant impairment of cognitive function and poor quality of life. In this respect, the identification of the molecular mechanisms contributing to TRD represents an essential step for the design of novel and more efficacious drugs able to modify the clinical course of this disorder and increase remission rates in clinical practice. New insights into the neurobiology of TRD have shed light on the role of a number of different mechanisms, including the glutamatergic system, immune/inflammatory systems, neurotrophin function, and epigenetics. Advances in drug discovery processes in TRD have also influenced the classification of antidepressant drugs and novel classifications are available, such as the neuroscience-based nomenclature that can incorporate such advances in drug development for TRD. This review aims to provide an up-to-date description of key mechanisms in TRD and describe current therapeutic strategies for TRD before examining novel approaches that may ultimately address important neurobiological mechanisms not targeted by currently available antidepressants. All in all, we suggest that drug targeting different neurobiological systems should be able to restore normal function but must also promote resilience to reduce the long-term vulnerability to recurrent depressive episodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Caraci
- Departments of Drug Sciences (F.Car.) and Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine (G.M.L., F.D.), University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Oasi-Research-Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy (F.Car.); Departments of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (F.Cal., G.R., M.A.R.) and Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (R.M.), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (L.B., M.D., S.K.); Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy (C.F.); and School of Medicine, Universite' Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium (J.M.)
| | - F Calabrese
- Departments of Drug Sciences (F.Car.) and Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine (G.M.L., F.D.), University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Oasi-Research-Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy (F.Car.); Departments of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (F.Cal., G.R., M.A.R.) and Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (R.M.), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (L.B., M.D., S.K.); Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy (C.F.); and School of Medicine, Universite' Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium (J.M.)
| | - R Molteni
- Departments of Drug Sciences (F.Car.) and Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine (G.M.L., F.D.), University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Oasi-Research-Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy (F.Car.); Departments of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (F.Cal., G.R., M.A.R.) and Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (R.M.), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (L.B., M.D., S.K.); Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy (C.F.); and School of Medicine, Universite' Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium (J.M.)
| | - L Bartova
- Departments of Drug Sciences (F.Car.) and Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine (G.M.L., F.D.), University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Oasi-Research-Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy (F.Car.); Departments of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (F.Cal., G.R., M.A.R.) and Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (R.M.), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (L.B., M.D., S.K.); Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy (C.F.); and School of Medicine, Universite' Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium (J.M.)
| | - M Dold
- Departments of Drug Sciences (F.Car.) and Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine (G.M.L., F.D.), University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Oasi-Research-Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy (F.Car.); Departments of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (F.Cal., G.R., M.A.R.) and Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (R.M.), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (L.B., M.D., S.K.); Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy (C.F.); and School of Medicine, Universite' Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium (J.M.)
| | - G M Leggio
- Departments of Drug Sciences (F.Car.) and Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine (G.M.L., F.D.), University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Oasi-Research-Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy (F.Car.); Departments of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (F.Cal., G.R., M.A.R.) and Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (R.M.), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (L.B., M.D., S.K.); Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy (C.F.); and School of Medicine, Universite' Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium (J.M.)
| | - C Fabbri
- Departments of Drug Sciences (F.Car.) and Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine (G.M.L., F.D.), University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Oasi-Research-Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy (F.Car.); Departments of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (F.Cal., G.R., M.A.R.) and Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (R.M.), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (L.B., M.D., S.K.); Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy (C.F.); and School of Medicine, Universite' Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium (J.M.)
| | - J Mendlewicz
- Departments of Drug Sciences (F.Car.) and Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine (G.M.L., F.D.), University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Oasi-Research-Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy (F.Car.); Departments of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (F.Cal., G.R., M.A.R.) and Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (R.M.), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (L.B., M.D., S.K.); Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy (C.F.); and School of Medicine, Universite' Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium (J.M.)
| | - G Racagni
- Departments of Drug Sciences (F.Car.) and Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine (G.M.L., F.D.), University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Oasi-Research-Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy (F.Car.); Departments of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (F.Cal., G.R., M.A.R.) and Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (R.M.), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (L.B., M.D., S.K.); Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy (C.F.); and School of Medicine, Universite' Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium (J.M.)
| | - S Kasper
- Departments of Drug Sciences (F.Car.) and Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine (G.M.L., F.D.), University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Oasi-Research-Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy (F.Car.); Departments of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (F.Cal., G.R., M.A.R.) and Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (R.M.), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (L.B., M.D., S.K.); Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy (C.F.); and School of Medicine, Universite' Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium (J.M.)
| | - M A Riva
- Departments of Drug Sciences (F.Car.) and Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine (G.M.L., F.D.), University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Oasi-Research-Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy (F.Car.); Departments of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (F.Cal., G.R., M.A.R.) and Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (R.M.), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (L.B., M.D., S.K.); Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy (C.F.); and School of Medicine, Universite' Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium (J.M.)
| | - F Drago
- Departments of Drug Sciences (F.Car.) and Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine (G.M.L., F.D.), University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Oasi-Research-Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy (F.Car.); Departments of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences (F.Cal., G.R., M.A.R.) and Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (R.M.), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria (L.B., M.D., S.K.); Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy (C.F.); and School of Medicine, Universite' Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium (J.M.)
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Cui W, Ning Y, Hong W, Wang J, Liu Z, Li MD. Crosstalk Between Inflammation and Glutamate System in Depression: Signaling Pathway and Molecular Biomarkers for Ketamine's Antidepressant Effect. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:3484-3500. [PMID: 30140973 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1306-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Depression is a worldwide illness with a significant impact on both family and society. Conventional antidepressants are ineffective for more than 30% of patients. In such patients, who have what is called treatment-resistant depression (TRD), inflammatory biomarkers are expressed excessively in both the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral blood. Ketamine, a glutamate receptor antagonist, exerts a rapid and sustained therapeutic effect in patients with TRD. Thus, the investigation of the relations between inflammation and glutamate underlying depression has drawn great attention. Inflammation influences glutamate release, transmission, and metabolism, resulting in accumulated extracellular glutamate in the CNS. Downstream of the glutamate receptors, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway plays a key role in mediating ketamine's antidepressant effect by improving neurogenesis and plasticity. Based on the mechanism and clinical evidence of the inflammatory contribution to the pathogenesis of depression, extensive research has been devoted to inflammatory biomarkers of the clinical response of depression to ketamine. The inconsistent findings from the biomarker investigations are at least partially attributable to the heterogeneity of depression, limited sample size, and complex gene-environment interactions. Deep exploration of the clinical observations and the underlying mechanism of ketamine's antidepressant response can provide new insights into the selection of specific groups of depressed patients for ketamine treatment and to aid in monitoring the therapeutic effect during antidepressant medication. Further, targeting persistent inflammation in patients with TRD and the key molecules mediating ketamine's antidepressant effect may encourage the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyan Cui
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Yuping Ning
- The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wu Hong
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ju Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhening Liu
- The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ming D Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .,Research Center for Air Pollution and Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. .,Institute of NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA.
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Valassi E, Crespo I, Keevil BG, Aulinas A, Urgell E, Santos A, Trainer PJ, Webb SM. Affective alterations in patients with Cushing's syndrome in remission are associated with decreased BDNF and cortisone levels. Eur J Endocrinol 2017; 176:221-231. [PMID: 27932530 DOI: 10.1530/eje-16-0779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Affective alterations and poorer quality of life often persist in patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) in remission. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and is highly expressed in brain areas controlling mood and response to stress. Our aims were to assess affective alterations after long-term remission of CS and evaluate whether they are associated with serum BDNF, salivary cortisol (SalF) and/or cortisone (SalE) concentrations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Thirty-six CS patients in remission (32 females/4 males; mean age (±s.d.), 48.8 ± 11.8 years; median duration of remission, 72 months) and 36 gender-, age- and BMI-matched controls were included. Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Positive Affect Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and EuroQoL and CushingQoL questionnaires were completed and measured to evaluate anxiety, depression, stress perception and quality of life (QoL) respectively. Salivary cortisol was measured using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/TMS). BDNF was measured in serum using an ELISA. RESULTS Remitted CS patients showed worse scores in all questionnaires than controls: STAI (P < 0.001), BDI (P < 0.001), CES-D (P < 0.001), PANAS (P < 0.01), PSS (P < 0.01) and EuroQoL (P < 0.01). A decrease in BDNF was observed in CS vs controls (P = 0.038), and low BDNF was associated with more anxiety (r = -0.247, P = 0.037), depression (r = -0.249, P = 0.035), stress (r = -0.277, P = 0.019) and affective balance (r = 0.243, P = 0.04). Morning salivary cortisone was inversely associated with trait anxiety (r = -0.377, P = 0.040) and depressed affect (r = -0.392, P = 0.032) in CS patients. Delay to diagnosis was associated with depressive symptoms (BDI-II: r = 0.398, P = 0.036 and CES-D: r = 0.449, P = 0.017) and CushingQoL scoring (r = -0.460, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Low BDNF levels are associated with affective alterations in 'cured' CS patients, including depression, anxiety and impaired stress perception. Elevated levels of SalE might also be related to poor affective status in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Valassi
- Endocrinology/Medicine DepartmentHospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - I Crespo
- Endocrinology/Medicine DepartmentHospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - B G Keevil
- Department of Clinical BiochemistryUniversity Hospital of South Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - A Aulinas
- Endocrinology/Medicine DepartmentHospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Urgell
- Biochemistry DepartmentHospital Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Santos
- Endocrinology/Medicine DepartmentHospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - P J Trainer
- Department of EndocrinologyThe Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - S M Webb
- Endocrinology/Medicine DepartmentHospital Sant Pau, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER, Unidad 747), IIB-Sant Pau, ISCIII and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
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11
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Cellular and molecular mechanisms of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in physiological and pathological conditions. Clin Sci (Lond) 2016; 131:123-138. [DOI: 10.1042/cs20160009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin that plays a key role in the central nervous system, promoting synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis and neuroprotection. The BDNF gene structure is very complex and consists of multiple 5′-non-coding exons, which give rise to differently spliced transcripts, and one coding exon at the 3′-end. These multiple transcripts, together with the complex transcriptional regulatory machinery, lead to a complex and fine regulation of BDNF expression that can be tissue and stimulus specific. BDNF effects are mainly mediated by the high-affinity, tropomyosin-related, kinase B receptor and involve the activation of several downstream cascades, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase, phospholipase C-γ and phosphoinositide-3-kinase pathways. BDNF exerts a wide range of effects on neuronal function, including the modulation of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis. Importantly, alterations in BDNF expression and function are involved in different brain disorders and represent a major downstream mechanism for stress response, which has important implications in psychiatric diseases, such as major depressive disorders and schizophrenia. In the present review, we have summarized the main features of BDNF in relation to neuronal plasticity, stress response and pathological conditions, and discussed the role of BDNF as a possible target for pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments in the context of psychiatric illnesses.
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The human BDNF gene: peripheral gene expression and protein levels as biomarkers for psychiatric disorders. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e958. [PMID: 27874848 PMCID: PMC5314126 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates the survival and growth of neurons, and influences synaptic efficiency and plasticity. The human BDNF gene consists of 11 exons, and distinct BDNF transcripts are produced through the use of alternative promoters and splicing events. The majority of the BDNF transcripts can be detected not only in the brain but also in the blood cells, although no study has yet investigated the differential expression of BDNF transcripts at the peripheral level. This review provides a description of the human BDNF gene structure as well as a summary of clinical and preclinical evidence supporting the role of BDNF in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. We will discuss several mechanisms as possibly underlying BDNF modulation, including epigenetic mechanisms. We will also discuss the potential use of peripheral BDNF as a biomarker for psychiatric disorders, focusing on the factors that can influence BDNF gene expression and protein levels. Within this context, we have also characterized, for we believe the first time, the expression of BDNF transcripts in the blood, with the aim to provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms and signaling that may regulate peripheral BDNF gene expression levels.
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Luoni A, Riva MA. MicroRNAs and psychiatric disorders: From aetiology to treatment. Pharmacol Ther 2016; 167:13-27. [PMID: 27452338 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2016.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of psychiatric disorders relies on the interaction between genetic vulnerability and environmental adversities. Several studies have demonstrated a crucial role for epigenetics (e.g. DNA methylation, post-translational histone modifications and microRNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulation) in the translation of environmental cues into adult behavioural outcome, which can prove to be harmful thus increasing the risk to develop psychopathology. Within this frame, non-coding RNAs, especially microRNAs, came to light as pivotal regulators of many biological processes occurring in the Central Nervous System, both during the neuronal development as well as in the regulation of adult function, including learning, memory and neuronal plasticity. On these basis, in recent years it has been hypothesised a central role for microRNA modulation and expression regulation in many brain disorders, including neurodegenerative disorders and mental illnesses. Indeed, the aim of the present review is to present the most recent state of the art regarding microRNA involvement in psychiatric disorders. We will first describe the mechanisms that regulate microRNA biogenesis and we will report evidences of microRNA dysregulation in peripheral body fluids, in postmortem brain tissues from patients suffering from psychopathology as well as in animal models. Last, we will discuss the potential to consider microRNAs as putative target for pharmacological intervention, using common psychotropic drugs or more specific tools, with the aim to normalize functions that are disrupted in different psychiatric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Luoni
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Andrea Riva
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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Hu YD, Pang W, He CC, Lu H, Liu W, Wang ZY, Liu YQ, Huang CY, Jiang YG. The cognitive impairment induced by zinc deficiency in rats aged 0∼2 months related to BDNF DNA methylation changes in the hippocampus. Nutr Neurosci 2016; 20:519-525. [PMID: 27329329 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2016.1194554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was carried out to understand the effects of zinc deficiency in rats aged 0∼2 months on learning and memory, and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene methylation status in the hippocampus. METHODS The lactating mother rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 12): zinc-adequate group (ZA: zinc 30 mg/kg diet), zinc-deprived group (ZD: zinc 1 mg/kg diet), and a pair-fed group (PF: zinc 30 mg/kg diet), in which the rats were pair-fed to those in the ZD group. After weaning (on day 23), offspring were fed the same diets as their mothers. After 37 days, the zinc concentrations in the plasma and hippocampus were measured, and the behavioral function of the offspring rats was measured using the passive avoidance performance test. We then assessed the DNA methylation patterns of the exon IX of BDNF by methylation-specific quantitative real-time PCR and the mRNA expression of BDNF in the hippocampus by RT-PCR. RESULTS Compared with the ZA and PF groups, rats in the ZD group had shorter latency period, lower zinc concentrations in the plasma and hippocampus (P < 0.05). Interestingly, the DNA methylation of the BDNF exon IX was significantly increased in the ZD group, compared with the ZA and PF groups, whereas the expression of the BDNF mRNA was decreased. In addition, the DNMT1 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated and DNMT3A was downregulated in the ZD group, but not in the ZA and PF groups. CONCLUSION The learning and memory damage in offspring may be a result of the epigenetic changes of the BDNF genes in response to the zinc-deficient diet during 0∼2 month period. Furthermore, this work supports the speculative notion that altered DNA methylation of BDNF in the hippocampus is one of the main causes of cognitive impairment by zinc deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Dan Hu
- a Department of Nutrition , Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine , Tianjin 300050 , China.,b Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene , West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University , Chengdu 610041 , China
| | - Wei Pang
- a Department of Nutrition , Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine , Tianjin 300050 , China
| | - Cong-Cong He
- c College of Life Science, Nan Kai University , Tianjin 300000 , China
| | - Hao Lu
- b Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene , West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University , Chengdu 610041 , China
| | - Wei Liu
- a Department of Nutrition , Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine , Tianjin 300050 , China
| | - Zi-Yu Wang
- a Department of Nutrition , Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine , Tianjin 300050 , China
| | - Yan-Qiang Liu
- c College of Life Science, Nan Kai University , Tianjin 300000 , China
| | - Cheng-Yu Huang
- b Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene , West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University , Chengdu 610041 , China
| | - Yu-Gang Jiang
- a Department of Nutrition , Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine , Tianjin 300050 , China
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Calabrese F, Riva MA, Molteni R. Synaptic alterations associated with depression and schizophrenia: potential as a therapeutic target. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2016; 20:1195-207. [PMID: 27167520 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2016.1188080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In recent years, the concept of 'synaptopathy' has been extended from neurodegenerative and neurological disorders to psychiatric diseases. According to this nascent line of research, disruption in synaptic structure and function acts as the main determinant of mental illness. Therefore, molecular systems and processes crucial for synaptic activity may represent promising therapeutic targets. AREAS COVERED We review data on synaptic structural alterations in depression and schizophrenia and on specific molecular systems and/or mechanisms important for the maintenance of proper synaptic function. Specifically, we examine the involvement of the neuroligin system, the local protein translation, and the neurotrophin BDNF by reviewing clinical and preclinical studies, with particular attention to results provided by using animal models based on the role of stress in psychiatric diseases. Finally, we also discuss the impact of pharmacological treatment on these molecular systems/mechanisms. EXPERT OPINION The relevance of synaptic dysfunctions in psychiatric diseases is undoubted and the potential to normalize, ameliorate, and shape such alterations by acting on molecular systems crucial to ensure synaptic function property is fascinating. However, future studies are required to elucidate several open issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Calabrese
- a Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
| | - Marco A Riva
- a Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
| | - Raffaella Molteni
- a Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
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McGuiness B, Gibney SM, Beumer W, Versnel MA, Sillaber I, Harkin A, Drexhage HA. Exaggerated Increases in Microglia Proliferation, Brain Inflammatory Response and Sickness Behaviour upon Lipopolysaccharide Stimulation in Non-Obese Diabetic Mice. Neuroimmunomodulation 2016; 23:137-150. [PMID: 27529430 PMCID: PMC5296925 DOI: 10.1159/000446370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse, an established model for autoimmune diabetes, shows an exaggerated reaction of pancreas macrophages to inflammatory stimuli. NOD mice also display anxiety when immune-stimulated. Chronic mild brain inflammation and a pro-inflammatory microglial activation is critical in psychiatric behaviour. OBJECTIVE To explore brain/microglial activation and behaviour in NOD mice at steady state and after systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. METHODS Affymetrix analysis on purified microglia of pre-diabetic NOD mice (8-10 weeks) and control mice (C57BL/6 and CD1 mice, the parental non-autoimmune strain) at steady state and after systemic LPS (100 μg/kg) administration. Quantitative PCR was performed on the hypothalamus for immune activation markers (IL-1β, IFNγ and TNFα) and growth factors (BDNF and PDGF). Behavioural profiling of NOD, CD1, BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice at steady state was conducted and sickness behaviour/anxiety in NOD and CD1 mice was monitored before and after LPS injection. RESULTS Genome analysis revealed cell cycle/cell death and survival aberrancies of NOD microglia, substantiated as higher proliferation on BrdU staining. Inflammation signs were absent. NOD mice had a hyper-reactive response to novel environments with some signs of anxiety. LPS injection induced a higher expression of microglial activation markers, a higher brain pro-inflammatory set point (IFNγ, IDO) and a reduced expression of BDNF and PDGF after immune stimulation in NOD mice. NOD mice displayed exaggerated and prolonged sickness behaviour after LPS administration. CONCLUSION After stimulation with LPS, NOD mice display an increased microglial proliferation and an exaggerated inflammatory brain response with reduced BDNF and PDGF expression and increased sickness behaviour as compared to controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry McGuiness
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sinead M. Gibney
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter Beumer
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Andrew Harkin
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Hemmo A. Drexhage
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- *Prof. Hemmo A. Drexhage, Department of Immunology, Na1105, Erasmus MC's Gravendijkwal 230 NL-3015 CE Rotterdam (The Netherlands) E-Mail
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Chronic Mild Stress Modulates Activity-Dependent Transcription of BDNF in Rat Hippocampal Slices. Neural Plast 2015; 2016:2592319. [PMID: 26881097 PMCID: PMC4736009 DOI: 10.1155/2016/2592319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Revised: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Although activity-dependent transcription represents a crucial mechanism for long-lasting experience-dependent changes in the hippocampus, limited data exist on its contribution to pathological conditions. We aim to investigate the influence of chronic stress on the activity-dependent transcription of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The ex vivo methodology of acute stimulation of hippocampal slices obtained from rats exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS) was used to evaluate whether the adverse experience may alter activity-dependent BDNF gene expression. CMS reduces BDNF expression and that acute depolarization significantly upregulates total BDNF mRNA levels only in control animals, showing that CMS exposure may alter BDNF transcription under basal conditions and during neuronal activation. Moreover, while the basal effect of CMS on total BDNF reflects parallel modulations of all the transcripts examined, isoform-specific changes were found after depolarization. This different effect was also observed in the activation of intracellular signaling pathways related to the neurotrophin. In conclusion, our study discloses a functional alteration of BDNF transcription as a consequence of stress. Being the activity-regulated transcription a critical process in synaptic and neuronal plasticity, the different regulation of individual BDNF promoters may contribute to long-lasting changes, which are fundamental for the vulnerability of the hippocampus to stress-related diseases.
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The modulation of BDNF expression and signalling dissects the antidepressant from the reinforcing properties of ketamine: Effects of single infusion vs. chronic self-administration in rats. Pharmacol Res 2015; 104:22-30. [PMID: 26706783 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2015.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Revised: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ketamine is a drug of abuse with a unique profile, which besides its inherent mechanism of action as a non-competitive antagonist of the NMDA glutamate receptor, displays both antidepressant and reinforcing properties. The major aim of our study was to find a molecular signature of ketamine that may help in discriminating between its reinforcing and antidepressant effects. To this end, we focused our attention on BDNF, a neurotrophin that has been shown to play a role in both antidepressant and reinforcing properties of several drugs. Rats were exposed to self-administer intravenous (IV) ketamine (S/A) for 43 days or to receive a single IV ketamine 0.5mg/kg, or vehicle infusion. Although the dose we employed is lower than that reported by the literature, it however yields Cmax values that correspond to those achieved in humans after antidepressant treatment. Our results show that while the single infusion of ketamine increased the neurotrophin expression in the hippocampus while reducing it in the ventral striatum, a feature shared with other antidepressants, the repeated self-administration reduced mBDNF expression and its downstream signalling in both ventral striatum and hippocampus. Further, we here show that phosphorylation of Akt is oppositely regulated by ketamine, pointing to this pathway as central to the different actions of the drug. Taken together, we here point to BDNF and its downstream signalling pathway as a finely tuned mechanism whose modulation might subserve the different features of ketamine.
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Treatment-resistant depression: are animal models of depression fit for purpose? Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:3473-95. [PMID: 26289353 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-4034-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Resistance to antidepressant drug treatment remains a major health problem. Animal models of depression are efficient in detecting effective treatments but have done little to increase the reach of antidepressant drugs. This may be because most animal models of depression target the reversal of stress-induced behavioural change, whereas treatment-resistant depression is typically associated with risk factors that predispose to the precipitation of depressive episodes by relatively low levels of stress. Therefore, the search for treatments for resistant depression may require models that incorporate predisposing factors leading to heightened stress responsiveness. METHOD Using a diathesis-stress framework, we review developmental, genetic and genomic models against four criteria: (i) increased sensitivity to stress precipitation of a depressive behavioural phenotype, (ii) resistance to chronic treatment with conventional antidepressants, (iii) a good response to novel modes of antidepressant treatment (e.g. ketamine; deep brain stimulation) that are reported to be effective in treatment-resistant depression and (iv) a parallel to a known clinical risk factor. RESULTS We identify 18 models that may have some potential. All require further validation. Currently, the most promising are the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and congenital learned helplessness (cLH) rat strains, the high anxiety behaviour (HAB) mouse strain and the CB1 receptor knockout and OCT2 null mutant mouse strains. CONCLUSION Further development is needed to validate models of antidepressant resistance that are fit for purpose. The criteria used in this review may provide a helpful framework to guide research in this area.
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Shibata S, Iinuma M, Soumiya H, Fukumitsu H, Furukawa Y, Furukawa S. A novel 2-decenoic acid thioester ameliorates corticosterone-induced depression- and anxiety-like behaviors and normalizes reduced hippocampal signal transduction in treated mice. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2015; 3:e00132. [PMID: 26038707 PMCID: PMC4448981 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Revised: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
We characterized mice administered corticosterone (CORT) at a dose of 20 mg/kg for 3 weeks to determine their suitability as a model of mood disorders and found that the time immobilized in the tail suspension test was longer and the time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus-maze test was shorter than those of the vehicle-treated group, findings demonstrating that chronic CORT induced both depression-like and anxiety-like behaviors. Furthermore, the levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) 1/2 in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex were reduced in the CORT-treated group. Using this model, we investigated the protective effect of the ester, thioester, and amide compounds of 2-decenoic acid derivatives (termed compounds A, B, and C, respectively). The potency of the protective activity against the CORT-induced depression-like or anxiety-like behaviors and the reduction in pERK1/2 level were found to be in the following order: compound B > compound C > compound A. Therefore, we further investigated the therapeutic activity of only compound B, and its effect on depression-like behavior was observed after oral administration for 1 or 2 weeks, and its effect on anxiety-like behavior was observed after oral administration for 3 weeks. The ratios of phosphorylated ERK1/2, Akt, and cAMP-response element-binding protein to their respective nonphosphorylated forms were smaller in the CORT-treated group than in the vehicle-treated group; however, subsequent treatment with compound B at either 0.3 or 1.5 mg/kg significantly ameliorated this reduction. Compound B appeared to elicit intracellular signaling, similar to that elicited by brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and its mode of action was shown to be novel and different from that of fluvoxamine, a currently prescribed drug for mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoyo Shibata
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biofunctional Analysis, Gifu Pharmaceutical University Daigaku-nishi 1-25-4, Gifu, 501-1196, Japan
| | - Munekazu Iinuma
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Bioactive Molecules, Gifu Pharmaceutical University Daigaku-nishi 1-25-4, Gifu, 501-1196, Japan
| | - Hitomi Soumiya
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biofunctional Analysis, Gifu Pharmaceutical University Daigaku-nishi 1-25-4, Gifu, 501-1196, Japan
| | - Hidefumi Fukumitsu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biofunctional Analysis, Gifu Pharmaceutical University Daigaku-nishi 1-25-4, Gifu, 501-1196, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Furukawa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Matsuyama University Bunkyo-cho 4-2, Matsuyama, Ehime, 790-8578, Japan
| | - Shoei Furukawa
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biofunctional Analysis, Gifu Pharmaceutical University Daigaku-nishi 1-25-4, Gifu, 501-1196, Japan
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Luoni A, Macchi F, Papp M, Molteni R, Riva MA. Lurasidone exerts antidepressant properties in the chronic mild stress model through the regulation of synaptic and neuroplastic mechanisms in the rat prefrontal cortex. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 18:pyu061. [PMID: 25522402 PMCID: PMC4360224 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyu061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depression is associated with several alterations, including reduced neuronal plasticity and impaired synaptic function, which represent an important target of pharmacological intervention. METHODS In the present study, we have investigated the ability of the antipsychotic drug lurasidone to modulate behavioral and neuroplastic alterations in the chronic mild stress model of depression. RESULTS Rats that show reduced sucrose consumption after 2 weeks of chronic mild stress have reduced expression of the pool of Bdnf transcripts with the long 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) that may be targeted to the synaptic compartment, suggesting the contribution of the neurotrophin to the behavioral dysfunction produced by chronic mild stress. The downregulation of Bdnf expression persisted also after 7 weeks of chronic mild stress, whereas chronic lurasidone treatment improved anhedonia in chronic mild stress rats and restored Bdnf mRNA levels in the prefrontal cortex. Moreover, chronic lurasidone treatment was able to normalize chronic mild stress-induced defects of Psd95 and Gfap as well as changes in molecular regulators of protein translation at the synapse, including mTOR and eEF2. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that lurasidone shows antidepressant properties in the chronic mild stress model through the modulation of synaptic and neuroplastic proteins. Such changes may contribute to the amelioration of functional capacities, which are deteriorated in patients with major depression and stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Luoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy (Drs Luoni, Macchi, Molteni, and Riva); Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kracow, Poland (Dr Papp)
| | - Flavia Macchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy (Drs Luoni, Macchi, Molteni, and Riva); Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kracow, Poland (Dr Papp)
| | - Mariusz Papp
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy (Drs Luoni, Macchi, Molteni, and Riva); Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kracow, Poland (Dr Papp)
| | - Raffaella Molteni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy (Drs Luoni, Macchi, Molteni, and Riva); Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kracow, Poland (Dr Papp)
| | - Marco A Riva
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy (Drs Luoni, Macchi, Molteni, and Riva); Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kracow, Poland (Dr Papp).
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22
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Calabrese F, Rossetti AC, Racagni G, Gass P, Riva MA, Molteni R. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor: a bridge between inflammation and neuroplasticity. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:430. [PMID: 25565964 PMCID: PMC4273623 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 324] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 11/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokines are key regulatory mediators involved in the host response to immunological challenges, but also play a critical role in the communication between the immune and the central nervous system. For this, their expression in both systems is under a tight regulatory control. However, pathological conditions may lead to an overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines that may have a detrimental impact on central nervous system. In particular, they may damage neuronal structure and function leading to deficits of neuroplasticity, the ability of nervous system to perceive, respond and adapt to external or internal stimuli. In search of the mechanisms by which pro-inflammatory cytokines may affect this crucial brain capability, we will discuss one of the most interesting hypotheses: the involvement of the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which represents one of the major mediators of neuroplasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Calabrese
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea C Rossetti
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Racagni
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano Milan, Italy
| | - Peter Gass
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Research Group Animal Models in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marco A Riva
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaella Molteni
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano Milan, Italy
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Song QX, Chermansky CJ, Birder LA, Li L, Damaser MS. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in urinary continence and incontinence. Nat Rev Urol 2014; 11:579-88. [PMID: 25224451 DOI: 10.1038/nrurol.2014.244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Urinary incontinence adversely affects quality of life and results in an increased financial burden for the elderly. Accumulating evidence suggests a connection between neurotrophins, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and lower urinary tract function, particularly with regard to normal physiological function and the pathophysiological mechanisms of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC). The interaction between BDNF and glutamate receptors affects both bladder and external urethral sphincter function during micturition. Clinical findings indicate reduced BDNF levels in antepartum and postpartum women, potentially correlating with postpartum SUI. Experiments with animal models demonstrate that BDNF is decreased after simulated childbirth injury, thereby impeding the recovery of injured nerves and the restoration of continence. Treatment with exogenous BDNF facilitates neural recovery and the restoration of continence. Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, used to treat both depression and SUI, result in enhanced BDNF levels. Understanding the neurophysiological roles of BDNF in maintaining normal urinary function and in the pathogenesis of SUI and BPS/IC could lead to future therapies based on these mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Xiang Song
- Department of Urology, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Christopher J Chermansky
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Lori A Birder
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Longkun Li
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of TMMU, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Margot S Damaser
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue ND20, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
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24
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Calabrese F, van der Doelen RHA, Guidotti G, Racagni G, Kozicz T, Homberg JR, Riva MA. Exposure to early life stress regulates Bdnf expression in SERT mutant rats in an anatomically selective fashion. J Neurochem 2014; 132:146-54. [PMID: 25087780 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2014] [Revised: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Although the causes of psychiatric disorders are not fully understood, it is well established that mental illness originates from the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. In this regard, compelling evidence demonstrates that depression can be the consequence of altered, and often maladaptive, response to adversities during pre- and early post-natal life. In this study, we investigated the impact of chronic maternal separation (MS) on the expression of the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in serotonin transporter (SERT) knockout rats in the ventral and dorsal hippocampus as well as the ventromedial and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (PFC). We found that both SERT deletion and the MS led to an overall reduction in Bdnf expression in the ventral hippocampus and the ventromedial PFC, whereas in the dorsal hippocampus and in the dorsomedial PFC, we observed a significant increase in the neurotrophin gene expression after MS exposure, specifically in the heterozygous SERT rats. In summary, we show that the modulation of Bdnf expression in SERT mutant rats exposed to MS reflects the complex functional consequences of this gene-environment interaction with a clear distinction between the ventral and the dorsal subfields of the hippocampus and of the PFC. Early life stress differently affects the expression of Bdnf in an anatomically distinct manner as a function of SERT genotype. Specifically, both SERT deletion and the maternal separation (MS) led to an overall reduction in Bdnf expression in the ventral hippocampus and in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, whereas in the dorsal hippocampus and in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, we observed a significant increase in the neurotrophin gene expression after MS exposure specifically in the heterozygous SERT rats. We think that these findings may provide novel cues for modulating neurotrophin function, which is dys-regulated in several psychiatric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Calabrese
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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25
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Luoni A, Berry A, Calabrese F, Capoccia S, Bellisario V, Gass P, Cirulli F, Riva MA. Delayed BDNF alterations in the prefrontal cortex of rats exposed to prenatal stress: preventive effect of lurasidone treatment during adolescence. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2014; 24:986-95. [PMID: 24440552 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2013.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Revised: 12/04/2013] [Accepted: 12/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatric diseases may often represent the consequence of exposure to adverse events early in life. Accordingly, exposure to stress during gestation in rats has a strong impact on development and can cause long-term abnormalities in adult behavior. Considering that neuronal plasticity has emerged as a major vulnerability element in psychiatric disorders, we investigated the postnatal developmental profile of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor expression (BDNF), an important mediator for long-term functional deterioration associated to mental illness, in male and female rats following exposure to prenatal stress (PNS). Since we found that the majority of alterations became fully manifest at early adulthood, we tried to prevent these abnormalities with an early pharmacological intervention. To address this point, we treated rats during adolescence with the multi-receptor antipsychotic lurasidone, which was proven to be effective in animal models of schizophrenia. Interestingly, we show that lurasidone treatment was able to prevent the reduction of BDNF expression in adult rats that were exposed to PNS. Collectively, our results provide further support to the notion that exposure to early life stress has a negative impact on neuronal plasticity and that pharmacological intervention during critical time windows may prove effective in preventing neuroplastic dysfunction, leading to long-term beneficial effects on brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Luoni
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - A Berry
- Section of Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - F Calabrese
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - S Capoccia
- IRCCS "Centro San Giovanni di Dio" Fatebenefratelli, I-25134 Brescia, Italy
| | - V Bellisario
- Section of Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - P Gass
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, D-68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - F Cirulli
- Section of Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - M A Riva
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, I-20133 Milan, Italy.
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Homberg JR, Molteni R, Calabrese F, Riva MA. The serotonin-BDNF duo: developmental implications for the vulnerability to psychopathology. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2014; 43:35-47. [PMID: 24704572 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2013] [Revised: 03/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) and brain-derived neurotrophin factor (BDNF) are known to modulate behavioral responses to stress and to mediate the therapeutic efficacy of antidepressant agents through neuroplastic and epigenetic mechanisms. While the two systems interact at several levels, this scenario is complicated by a number of variants including brain region specificity, 5-HT receptor selectivity and timing. Based on recent insights obtained using 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) knockout rats we here set-out and discuss the crucial role of neurodevelopmental mechanisms and the contribution of transcription factors and epigenetic modifications to this interaction and its variants. 5-HTT knockout in rats, as well as the low activity short allelic variant of the serotonin transporter human polymorphism, consistently show reduced BDNF mRNA and protein levels in the hippocampus and in the prefrontal cortex. This starts during the second postnatal week, is preceded by DNA hypermethylation during the first postnatal week, and it is developmentally paralleled by reduced expression of key transcription factors. The reduced BDNF levels, in turn, affect 5-HT1A receptor-mediated intracellular signaling and thereby the serotonergic phenotype of the neurons. We propose that such a negative spiral of modifications may affect brain development and reduce its resiliency to environmental challenges during critical time windows, which may lead to phenotypic alterations that persist for the entire life. The characterization of 5-HT-BDNF interactions will eventually increase the understanding of mental illness etiology and, possibly, lead to the identification of novel molecular targets for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Regina Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein 21, 6525 EZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Raffaella Molteni
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Calabrese
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco A Riva
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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27
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AS1069562, the (+)-isomer of indeloxazine, but not duloxetine has a curative-like analgesic effect in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy. Neuropharmacology 2014; 79:10-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2013] [Revised: 09/25/2013] [Accepted: 10/27/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Macchi F, Homberg JR, Calabrese F, Zecchillo C, Racagni G, Riva MA, Molteni R. Altered inflammatory responsiveness in serotonin transporter mutant rats. J Neuroinflammation 2013; 10:116. [PMID: 24050835 PMCID: PMC3848577 DOI: 10.1186/1742-2094-10-116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Growing evidence suggests that alterations of the inflammatory/immune system contribute to the pathogenesis of depression. Indeed, depressed patients exhibit increased levels of inflammatory markers in both the periphery and the brain, and high comorbidity exists between major depression and diseases associated with inflammatory alterations. In order to characterize the link between depression and inflammation, we aimed to investigate whether an altered inflammatory system is present in a genetic model of vulnerability for depression, namely rats with partial or total deletion of the serotonin transporter (SERT) gene. Methods Wild-type, heterozygous and homozygous SERT rats were analyzed under basal condition or following a challenge with an acute injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and killed 24 h or 5 days later. Results We found that SERT mutant rats show altered cytokine expression in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus at basal conditions, and they also display an exacerbated cytokine response to the LPS challenge. Moreover, mutant rats exhibit differences in the expression of markers for microglia activation. Conclusion Based on these data, we suggest that basal or functional alterations of immune/inflammatory systems might contribute to the phenotype of SERT rats and to their heightened susceptibility to depressive-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Macchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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29
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Lanni C, Racchi M, Govoni S. Do we need pharmacogenetics to personalize antidepressant therapy? Cell Mol Life Sci 2013; 70:3327-40. [PMID: 23272319 PMCID: PMC11113225 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-012-1237-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2012] [Revised: 11/19/2012] [Accepted: 12/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
This review examines the role of drug metabolism and drug target polymorphism in determining the clinical response to antidepressants. Even though antidepressants are the most effective available treatment for depressive disorders, there is still substantial need for improvement due to the slow onset of appreciable clinical improvement and the association with side effects. Moreover, a substantial group of patients receiving antidepressant therapy does not achieve remission or fails to respond entirely. Even if the large variation in antidepressant treatment outcome across individuals remains poorly understood, one possible source of this variation in treatment outcome are genetic differences. The review focuses on a few polymorphisms which have been extensively studied, while reporting a more comprehensive reference to the existing literature in table format. It is relatively easy to predict the effect of polymorphisms in drug metabolizing enzymes, such as cytochromes P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) and cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19), which may be determined in the clinical context in order to explain or prevent serious adverse effects. The role of target polymorphism, however, is much more difficult to establish and may be more relevant for disease susceptibility and presentation rather than for response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Lanni
- Department of Drug Sciences (Pharmacology Section), Center of Excellence in Applied Biology, University of Pavia, IUSS-Pavia (Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori-Pavia), Viale Taramelli 14, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
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Pompili M, Serafini G, Innamorati M, Venturini P, Fusar-Poli P, Sher L, Amore M, Girardi P. Agomelatine, a novel intriguing antidepressant option enhancing neuroplasticity: a critical review. World J Biol Psychiatry 2013; 14:412-31. [PMID: 23530731 DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2013.765593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The treatment of major affective disorders, commonly associated with high disability and elevated social costs may be still considered unsatisfactory. Among all antidepressant drugs, predominantly acting through monoaminergic mechanisms, agomelatine is of particular interest due to another alternative mechanism of action. Targeting melatonergic receptors, agomelatine play a crucial role in synchronizing circadian rhythms, known to be altered in depressed subjects. METHODS A critical review of the literature focusing on efficacy, safety and tolerability of agomelatine in major affective disorders was performed. Additionally, we focused on the potential of agomelatine in enhancing neuroplasticity mechanisms and promote neurogenesis. A total of 136 articles from peer-reviewed journals were identified, of which 50 were assessed for eligibility and 21 were included. RESULTS Agomelatine, a melatonergic analogue drug acting as MT1/MT2 agonist and 5-HT2C antagonist, has been reported to be effective as antidepressant drug. Studies confirmed not only clinical efficacy but also safety and tolerability of agomelatine. Also, it enhances neuroplasticity mechanisms and adult neurogenesis in brain areas such as hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS Agomelatine actually represents an intriguing option in the treatment of affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Pompili
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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Tarazi FI, Riva MA. The preclinical profile of lurasidone: clinical relevance for the treatment of schizophrenia. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2013; 8:1297-307. [DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2013.815163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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32
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Behavioural and neuroplastic properties of chronic lurasidone treatment in serotonin transporter knockout rats. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2013; 16:1319-30. [PMID: 23164505 DOI: 10.1017/s1461145712001332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Second-generation antipsychotics (SGA) are multi-target agents widely used for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder that also hold potential for the treatment of impaired emotional control, thanks to their diverse receptor profiles as well as their potential in modulating neuroadaptive changes in key brain regions. The aim of this study was thus to establish the ability of lurasidone, a novel SGA characterized by a multi-receptor signature, to modulate behavioural and molecular defects associated with a genetic model of impaired emotional control, namely serotonin transporter knockout (SERT KO) rats. At behavioural level, we found that chronic lurasidone treatment significantly increased fear extinction in SERT KO rats, but not in wild-type control animals. Moreover, at molecular level, lurasidone was able to normalize the reduced expression of the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the prefrontal cortex of SERT KO rats, an effect that occurred through the regulation of specific neurotrophin transcripts (primarily exon VI). Furthermore, chronic lurasidone treatment was also able to restore the reduced expression of different GABAergic markers that is present in these animals. Our results show that lurasidone can improve emotional control in SERT KO rats, with a primary impact on the prefrontal cortex. The adaptive changes set in motion by repeated treatment with lurasidone may in fact contribute to the amelioration of functional capacities, closely associated with neuronal plasticity, which are deteriorated in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disease and major depression.
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Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in generalized anxiety disorder: results from a duloxetine clinical trial. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2013; 43:217-21. [PMID: 23313564 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2013.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2012] [Revised: 12/31/2012] [Accepted: 01/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression and anxiety, but has not been examined systematically in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between baseline BDNF level and treatment response in patients with GAD. METHODS Patients (N=168) were from China, met criteria for DSM-IV GAD, had a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Rating Anxiety (HADS-A) subscale score ≥10, and a Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) global functioning total score ≥12 at baseline. Study design was double-blind therapy for 15 weeks with duloxetine 60-120 mg or placebo. Efficacy measures included the HADS-A and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) total score. Change from baseline to endpoint for BDNF by treatment group was analyzed using ANCOVA models with baseline BDNF level as a covariate. RESULTS No significant association was found between baseline plasma BDNF levels and anxiety illness severity. Patients who received duloxetine (n=88) had a significantly greater mean increase in plasma BDNF level (957.80 picograms/ml) compared with patients who received placebo (n=80; 469.93 pg/mL) (P=.007). Patients who met response and remission criteria (with either treatment) had greater mean increases in BDNF at endpoint from baseline (P≤.05) but when compared with nonresponders and nonremitters, respectively, the differences in mean increase were not statistically significant between groups. CONCLUSIONS BDNF levels significantly increased with duloxetine treatment for GAD, but response and remission outcomes were not clearly related to an increase in plasma BDNF level.
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Engel D, Zomkowski ADE, Lieberknecht V, Rodrigues AL, Gabilan NH. Chronic administration of duloxetine and mirtazapine downregulates proapoptotic proteins and upregulates neurotrophin gene expression in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of mice. J Psychiatr Res 2013; 47:802-8. [PMID: 23522402 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2013.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2013] [Accepted: 02/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Structural alterations in the limbic system, neuronal cell loss, and low levels of neurotrophins have been implicated in the pathogenesis of depression. While it is generally accepted that increasing monoamine levels in the brain can effectively alleviate depression, the precise neurobiological mechanisms involved are unclear. In the present study, we examined the effects of two antidepressants, duloxetine and mirtazapine, on the expression of apoptotic and neurotrophic proteins in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mice. Duloxetine (10 mg/kg) and mirtazapine (3 mg/kg) were chronically administered for 21 days, and qRT-PCR analysis was carried for the following: neurotrophins (BDNF, NGF, FGF-2, and NT-3); anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL) and pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax, Bad, and p53). Both duloxetine and mirtazapine produced antidepressant activity in the forced swimming test and induced increased cortical and hippocampal mRNA expression of BDNF. Duloxetine also increased Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, FGF-2, and NT-3 expression in the cerebral cortex, and FGF-2 expression in the hippocampus. Moreover, duloxetine reduced Bax and p53 expression in the hippocampus, and Bad expression in the cerebral cortex. Mirtazapine decreased Bcl-xL and Bax expression in the hippocampus, and Bad and p53 expression in both the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Mirtazapine also increased the expression of neurotrophins, NGF and NT-3, in the cerebral cortex. These results suggest that duloxetine and mirtazapine could elicit their therapeutic effect by modulating the activity of apoptotic and neurotrophic pathways, thus enhancing plasticity and cell survival in depressive patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiane Engel
- Departamento de Bioquímica, CCB, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
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Molteni R, Macchi F, Riva MA. Gene expression profiling as functional readout of rodent models for psychiatric disorders. Cell Tissue Res 2013; 354:51-60. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-013-1648-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2013] [Accepted: 04/24/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Lack of Serotonin Transporter Alters BDNF Expression in the Rat Brain During Early Postnatal Development. Mol Neurobiol 2013; 48:244-56. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-013-8449-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2012] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Modulation of neuronal plasticity following chronic concomitant administration of the novel antipsychotic lurasidone with the mood stabilizer valproic acid. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2013; 226:101-12. [PMID: 23093383 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-012-2900-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2012] [Accepted: 09/21/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Combinatory therapy is widely used in psychiatry owing to the possibility that drugs with different mechanisms of action may synergize to improve functions deteriorated in schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and major depression. While combinatory strategies rely on receptor and synaptic mechanisms, it should also be considered that two drugs may also "interact" on the long-term to determine more robust changes in neuronal plasticity, which represents a downstream target important for functional recovery. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to investigate neuroadaptive changes set in motion by chronic concomitant administration of the novel antipsychotic lurasidone and the mood stabilizer valproate. METHODS Animals were chronically treated with lurasidone, valproate, or the combination of the two drugs and killed 24 h after the last injection to evaluate alterations of different measures of neuronal plasticity such as the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the immediate early gene Activity-regulated cytoskeletal associated protein, and the epigenetic regulators HDAC 1, 2, and 5 in dorsal and ventral hippocampus. RESULTS The results suggest that coadministration of lurasidone and valproate produces, when compared to the single drugs, a larger increase in the expression of BDNF in the ventral hippocampus, through the regulation of specific neurotrophin transcripts. We also found that the histone deacetylases were regulated by the drug combination, suggesting that some of the transcriptional changes may be sustained by epigenetic mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the beneficial effects associated with combinatory treatment between a second-generation antipsychotic and a mood stabilizer could result from the ability to modulate neuroplastic molecules, whose expression and function is deteriorated in different psychiatric conditions.
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Guidotti G, Calabrese F, Anacker C, Racagni G, Pariante CM, Riva MA. Glucocorticoid receptor and FKBP5 expression is altered following exposure to chronic stress: modulation by antidepressant treatment. Neuropsychopharmacology 2013; 38:616-27. [PMID: 23169346 PMCID: PMC3572458 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2012.225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Revised: 09/17/2012] [Accepted: 10/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Major depression is thought to originate from the interaction between susceptibility genes and adverse environmental events, in particular stress. The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is the major system involved in stress response and its dysregulation is an important element in the pathogenesis of depression. The stress response is therefore finely tuned through a series of mechanisms that control the trafficking of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) to the nucleus, including binding to the chaperone protein FKBP5 and receptor phosphorylation, suggesting that these elements may also be affected under pathologic conditions. On these bases, we investigated FKBP5 and GR expression and phosphorylation in the hippocampus (ventral and dorsal) and in the prefrontal cortex of rats exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS) and we analyzed the effect of a concomitant antidepressant treatment. We found that animals exposed to CMS show increased expression of FKBP5 as well as enhanced cytoplasmic levels of GR, primarily in ventral hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Chronic treatment with the antidepressant duloxetine is able to normalize such alterations, mainly in the prefrontal cortex. Moreover, we demonstrate that CMS-induced alterations of GR trafficking and transcription may be sustained by changes in receptor phosphorylation, which are also modulated by pharmacological intervention. In summary, while GR-related changes after CMS might be relevant for the depressive phenotype, the ability of antidepressant treatment to correct some of these alterations may contribute to the normalization of HPA axis dysfunctions associated with stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluigi Guidotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Centro di Neurofarmacologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Calabrese
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Centro di Neurofarmacologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Christoph Anacker
- Section of Perinatal Psychiatry and Stress, Psychiatry and Immunology (SPI-lab), Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK
| | - Giorgio Racagni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Centro di Neurofarmacologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Carmine M Pariante
- Section of Perinatal Psychiatry and Stress, Psychiatry and Immunology (SPI-lab), Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK
| | - Marco A Riva
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Centro di Neurofarmacologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Abstract
Neurotrophins and other growth factors have been advanced as critical modulators of depressive behavior. Support for this model is based on analyses of knockout and transgenic mouse models, human genetic studies, and screens for gene products that are regulated by depressive behavior and/or antidepressants. Even subtle alteration in the regulated secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), for example, due to a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-encoded Val-Met substitution in proBDNF that affects processing and sorting, impacts behavior and cognition. Alterations in growth factor expression result in changes in neurogenesis as well as structural changes in neuronal cytoarchitecture, including effects on dendritic length and spine density, in the hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, and prefrontal cortex. These changes have the potential to impact the plasticity and stability of synapses in the CNS, and the complex brain circuitry that regulates behavior. Here we review the role that neurotrophins play in the modulation of depressive behavior, and the downstream signaling targets they regulate that potentially mediate these behavioral pro-depressant and antidepressant effects.
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Neto FL, Borges G, Torres-Sanchez S, Mico JA, Berrocoso E. Neurotrophins role in depression neurobiology: a review of basic and clinical evidence. Curr Neuropharmacol 2012; 9:530-52. [PMID: 22654714 PMCID: PMC3263450 DOI: 10.2174/157015911798376262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2010] [Revised: 08/18/2010] [Accepted: 08/09/2010] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression is a neuropsychiatric disorder affecting a huge percentage of the active population especially in developed countries. Research has devoted much of its attention to this problematic and many drugs have been developed and are currently prescribed to treat this pathology. Yet, many patients are refractory to the available therapeutic drugs, which mainly act by increasing the levels of the monoamines serotonin and noradrenaline in the synaptic cleft. Even in the cases antidepressants are effective, it is usually observed a delay of a few weeks between the onset of treatment and remission of the clinical symptoms. Additionally, many of these patients who show remission with antidepressant therapy present a relapse of depression upon treatment cessation. Thus research has focused on other possible molecular targets, besides monoamines, underlying depression. Both basic and clinical evidence indicates that depression is associated with
several structural and neurochemical changes where the levels of neurotrophins, particularly of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), are altered. Antidepressants, as well as other therapeutic strategies, seem to restore these levels. Neuronal atrophy, mostly detected in limbic structures that regulate mood and cognition, like the hippocampus, is observed in depressed patients and in animal behavioural paradigms for depression. Moreover, chronic antidepressant treatment enhances adult hippocampal neurogenesis, supporting the notion that this event underlies antidepressants effects. Here we review some of the preclinical and clinical studies, aimed at disclosing the role of neurotrophins in the pathophysiological
mechanisms of depression and the mode of action of antidepressants, which favour the neurotrophic/neurogenic hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fani L Neto
- Instituto de Histologia e Embriologia, Faculdade de Medicina e IBMC, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
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Lauterbach EC. Psychotropic drug effects on gene transcriptomics relevant to Parkinson's disease. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2012; 38:107-15. [PMID: 22507762 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2012.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2012] [Revised: 03/26/2012] [Accepted: 03/26/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Psychotropic drugs are widely prescribed in Parkinson's disease (PD) without regard to their pathobiological effects, and these drugs affect the transcription of a large number of genes. Effects of these drugs on PD risk gene transcription were therefore surveyed. METHODS Results summarize a comprehensive survey of psychotropic effects on messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression evident in published data for 70 genes linked to PD risk. RESULTS Psychotropic drugs can meaningfully affect PD risk gene mRNA transcription, including antipsychotics (upregulate dopamine receptors D2 and D3 (DRD2, DRD3); downregulate low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 8 (LRP8), ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal esterase L1 (UCHL1, also known as PARK5)), haloperidol (upregulates DRD3, parkin (PRKN, also known as PARK2), DRD2; downregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)), risperidone (upregulates monoamine oxidase B (MAOB), DRD2), olanzapine (upregulates transmembrane protein 163 (TMEM163), BDNF, glutathione S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1), MAOB, DRD2, solute carrier organic anion transporter family, member 3A1 (SLCO3A1)), aripiprazole (upregulates DRD2), quetiapine, paliperidone, lurasidone, carbamazepine, and many antidepressants (upregulate BDNF), lithium and bupropion (downregulate BDNF), amitriptyline (upregulates DRD3, DRD2), imipramine (upregulates BDNF, DRD3, DRD2), desipramine (upregulates BDNF, DRD3), and fluoxetine (upregulates acid beta-glucosidase (GBA), coiled-coil domain containing 62 (CCDC62), BDNF, DRD3, UCHL1, unc-13 homolog B (UNC13B), and perhaps huntingtin interacting protein 1 related (HIP1R); downregulates microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT), methylcrotonoyl-coenzyme A carboxylase I (MCCC1), GSTM1, 28kDa calbindin 1 (CALB1)). Fluoxetine effects on BDNF and UCHL1 in GEO Profiles were statistically robust. CONCLUSIONS This report provides an initial summary and framework to understand the potential impact of psychotropic drugs on PD-relevant genes. Antipsychotics and serotoninergic antidepressants may potentially attenuate PD risk, and lithium and bupropion may augment risk, through MAPT, GBA, CCDC62, HIP1R, BDNF, and DRD2 transcription, with MAPT, GBA, and CCDC62 being strongly associated with PD risk in recent meta-analyses. Limitations of these findings and a research agenda to better relate them to the nigrostriatum and PD are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward C Lauterbach
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA 31201, USA.
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Fujimoto M, Hayashi T, Urfer R, Mita S, Su TP. Sigma-1 receptor chaperones regulate the secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Synapse 2012; 66:630-9. [PMID: 22337473 PMCID: PMC3824965 DOI: 10.1002/syn.21549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2011] [Accepted: 02/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The sigma-1 receptor (Sig-1R) is a novel endoplasmic reticulum (ER) molecular chaperone that regulates protein folding and degradation. The Sig-1R activation by agonists is known to improve memory, promote cell survival, and exert an antidepressant-like action in animals. Cutamesine (SA4503), a selective Sig-1R ligand, was shown to increase BDNF in the hippocampus of rats. How exactly the intracellular chaperone Sig-1R or associated ligand causes the increase of BDNF or any other neurotrophins is unknown. We examined here whether the action of Sig-1Rs may relate to the post-translational processing and release of BDNF in neuroblastoma cell lines. We used in vitro assays and confirmed that cutamesine possesses the bona fide Sig-1R agonist property by causing the dissociation of BiP from Sig-1Rs. The C-terminus of Sig-1Rs exerted robust chaperone activity by completely blocking the aggregation of BDNF and GDNF in vitro. Chronic treatment with cutamesine in rat B104 neuroblastoma caused a time- and dose-dependent potentiation of the secretion of BDNF without affecting the mRNA level of BDNF. Cutamesine decreased the intracellular level of pro-BDNF and mature BDNF whereas increased the extracellular level of mature BDNF. The pulse-chase experiment indicated that the knockdown of Sig-1Rs decreased the secreted mature BDNF in B104 cells without affecting the synthesis of BDNF. Our findings indicate that, in contrast to clinically used antidepressants that promote the transcriptional upregulation of BDNF, the Sig-1R agonist cutamesine potentiates the post-translational processing of neurotrophins. This unique pharmacological profile may provide a novel therapeutic opportunity for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiko Fujimoto
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health – Cellular Stress Signaling Unit and Cellular Pathobiology Section, Integrative Neuroscience Branch, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Teruo Hayashi
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health – Cellular Stress Signaling Unit and Cellular Pathobiology Section, Integrative Neuroscience Branch, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Tsung-Ping Su
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health – Cellular Stress Signaling Unit and Cellular Pathobiology Section, Integrative Neuroscience Branch, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Torres-Sanchez S, Perez-Caballero L, Mico JA, Elorza J, Berrocoso E. Preclinical discovery of duloxetine for the treatment of depression. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2012; 7:745-55. [DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2012.693912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Prickaerts J, De Vry J, Boere J, Kenis G, Quinton MS, Engel S, Melnick L, Schreiber R. Differential BDNF responses of triple versus dual reuptake inhibition in neuronal and astrocytoma cells as well as in rat hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. J Mol Neurosci 2012; 48:167-75. [PMID: 22581450 PMCID: PMC3413810 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-012-9802-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2012] [Accepted: 05/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Monoamine reuptake inhibitors increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) activity, and this growth factor is regarded as an interesting target for developing new antidepressant drugs. The aims of this study were to evaluate whether monoaminergic reuptake inhibition increases BDNF in vivo and in vitro as predicted by the neurotrophic hypothesis of depression, and whether triple reuptake inhibition has a superior BDNF response compared to dual reuptake inhibition. Twenty-one days of oral treatment (30 mg/kg) with the dual serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor duloxetine or the triple serotonin/noradrenaline/dopamine reuptake inhibitor DOV 216,303 restored BDNF protein levels in the rat hippocampus, which were initially decreased due to injection stress. The prefrontal cortex contained increased BDNF levels only after DOV 216,303 treatment. In vitro, neither duloxetine nor DOV 216,303 altered intracellular BDNF levels in murine HT22 neuronal cells. In contrast, BDNF release was more effectively decreased following treatment with DOV 216,303 in these cells. In rat C62B astrocytomas, both antidepressants increased intracellular BDNF levels at their highest nontoxic concentration. C62B astrocytomas did not release BDNF, even after antidepressant treatment. Increased BDNF levels support the neurotrophic hypothesis of depression, but our findings do not clearly evidence that the BDNF response after triple reuptake inhibitors is more effective than after dual reuptake inhibitors. Moreover, the data suggest that the role of BDNF in neurons and astrocytes is complex and likely depends on factors including specificity of cell types in different brain regions, cell–cell interactions, and different mechanisms of action of antidepressants used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Chen J, Korostyshevsky D, Lee S, Perlstein EO. Accumulation of an antidepressant in vesiculogenic membranes of yeast cells triggers autophagy. PLoS One 2012; 7:e34024. [PMID: 22529904 PMCID: PMC3329523 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0034024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2011] [Accepted: 02/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Many antidepressants are cationic amphipaths, which spontaneously accumulate in natural or reconstituted membranes in the absence of their specific protein targets. However, the clinical relevance of cellular membrane accumulation by antidepressants in the human brain is unknown and hotly debated. Here we take a novel, evolutionarily informed approach to studying the effects of the selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor sertraline/Zoloft® on cell physiology in the model eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast), which lacks a serotonin transporter entirely. We biochemically and pharmacologically characterized cellular uptake and subcellular distribution of radiolabeled sertraline, and in parallel performed a quantitative ultrastructural analysis of organellar membrane homeostasis in untreated vs. sertraline-treated cells. These experiments have revealed that sertraline enters yeast cells and then reshapes vesiculogenic membranes by a complex process. Internalization of the neutral species proceeds by simple diffusion, is accelerated by proton motive forces generated by the vacuolar H+-ATPase, but is counteracted by energy-dependent xenobiotic efflux pumps. At equilibrium, a small fraction (10–15%) of reprotonated sertraline is soluble while the bulk (90–85%) partitions into organellar membranes by adsorption to interfacial anionic sites or by intercalation into the hydrophobic phase of the bilayer. Asymmetric accumulation of sertraline in vesiculogenic membranes leads to local membrane curvature stresses that trigger an adaptive autophagic response. In mutants with altered clathrin function, this adaptive response is associated with increased lipid droplet formation. Our data not only support the notion of a serotonin transporter-independent component of antidepressant function, but also enable a conceptual framework for characterizing the physiological states associated with chronic but not acute antidepressant administration in a model eukaryote.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingqiu Chen
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Daniel Korostyshevsky
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Sean Lee
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Ethan O. Perlstein
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Modulation of BDNF expression by repeated treatment with the novel antipsychotic lurasidone under basal condition and in response to acute stress. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2012; 15:235-46. [PMID: 21349227 DOI: 10.1017/s1461145711000150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
It is known that long-term treatment with antipsychotic drugs (APDs) produces neuroadaptive changes through the modulation of different proteins that, by enhancing neuronal plasticity and cellular resiliency, may improve core disease symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of chronic treatment with the novel antipsychotic lurasidone to modulate BDNF expression in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, under basal conditions or in response to an acute stress, a major precipitating element in psychiatric disorders. By means of real-time PCR, we found that (1) chronic lurasidone treatment increases total BDNF mRNA levels in rat prefrontal cortex and, to less extent, in hippocampus; (2) the modulation of BDNF mRNA levels in response to acute swim stress in lurasidone-treated rats was markedly potentiated in hippocampus, and to less extent in prefrontal cortex, through the selective regulation of different neurotrophin isoforms. The increase of BDNF mRNA levels in prefrontal cortex was paralleled by an enhancement of mature BDNF protein levels. In conclusion, repeated exposure to lurasidone regulates BDNF expression, through a finely tuned modulation of its transcripts. This effect may contribute to the amelioration of functions, such as cognition, closely associated with neuronal plasticity, which are deteriorated in schizophrenia patients.
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Guidotti G, Calabrese F, Auletta F, Olivier J, Racagni G, Homberg J, Riva MA. Developmental influence of the serotonin transporter on the expression of npas4 and GABAergic markers: modulation by antidepressant treatment. Neuropsychopharmacology 2012; 37:746-58. [PMID: 22012473 PMCID: PMC3260971 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2011.252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alterations of the serotonergic system are involved in the pathophysiology of mood disorders and represent an important target for its pharmacological treatment. Genetic deletion of the serotonin transporter (SERT) in rodents leads to an anxious and depressive phenotype, and is associated with reduced neuronal plasticity as indicated by decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) expression levels. One of the transcription factors regulating Bdnf is the neuronal PAS domain protein 4 (Npas4), which regulates activity-dependent genes and neuroprotection, and has a critical role in the development of GABA synapses. On the basis of these premises, we investigated the expression of Npas4 and GABAergic markers in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of homozygous (SERT(-/-)) and heterozygous (SERT(+/-)) knockout rats, and analyzed the effect of long-term duloxetine treatment on the expression of these targets. We found that Npas4 expression was reduced in both the brain structures of adult SERT(+/-) and SERT(-/-) animals. This effect was already present in adolescent SERT(-/-), and could be mimicked by prenatal exposure to the antidepressant fluoxetine. Moreover, SERT(-/-) rats showed a strong impairment of the GABAergic system, as indicated by the reduction of several markers, including the vesicular transporter (Vgat), glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 (Gad67), the receptor subunit GABA A receptor, gamma 2 (GABA(A)-γ2), and calcium-binding proteins that label subgroups of the GABAergic neurons. Interestingly, chronic treatment with the antidepressant duloxetine was able to restore the physiological levels of Npas4 and GABAergic markers in SERT(-/-) rats, although some differences in the modulation of GABAergic genes exist between hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Our results demonstrate that SERT knockout rats, an animal model of mood disorders, have reduced Npas4 expression that correlates with decreased expression of Bdnf exon I and IV. These changes lead to an impairment of the GABAergic system that may contribute to the anxious and depressive phenotype associated with inherited SERT downregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluigi Guidotti
- Center of Neuropharmacology, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Universita' degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Calabrese
- Center of Neuropharmacology, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Universita' degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Auletta
- Center of Neuropharmacology, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Universita' degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Jocelien Olivier
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Giorgio Racagni
- Center of Neuropharmacology, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Universita' degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy,Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Judith Homberg
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marco A Riva
- Center of Neuropharmacology, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Universita' degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy,Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy,Center of Neuropharmacology, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy, Tel: +39 02 50318334, Fax: +39 02 50318278, E-mail:
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Lai CH, Wu YT. Duloxetine's modest short-term influences in subcortical structures of first episode drug-naïve patients with major depressive disorder and panic disorder. Psychiatry Res 2011; 194:157-62. [PMID: 21820879 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2011.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2010] [Revised: 03/08/2011] [Accepted: 03/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
We developed this study to follow up the hanges in subcortical structures after 6 weeks' treatment with therapy of duloxetine in first episode drug-naïve patients with major depressive disorder and panic disorder. Fifteen patients received duloxetine 60mg/d therapy for 6 weeks and achieved remission. They all underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain at baseline and week 6. Fifteen healthy controls were also scanned twice at baseline and week 6 to exclude possible biases. Structural MRI data were preprocessed with FMRIB's Integrated Registration and Segmentation Tool function (FIRST version 1.2) of FSL (FMRIB Software Library; version 4.1.1) to perform subcortical segmentations of the brain using a shape and appearance model. Nonparametric corrections of these structural volumes in an F-test between pre- and post-treatment were used to identify the changes after duloxetine therapy. A false discovery correction of the F-test by FIRST was also performed. A paired t-test using SPSS was applied to confirm the changes in these structures. The patients had consistent changes of volumes in bilateral nucleus accumbens, left putamen, left hippocampus and brainstem after 6 weeks of treatment with duloxetine. There were no consistent changes in other subcortical structures. There were modest increases of the volumes of the above areas, which were not significant after false discovery correction by FIRST F-test comparisons. The volumetric increases were correlated with responses of clinical symptoms. The results suggested that duloxetine possibly contributed to modest increases in several subcortical areas of these patients with remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Han Lai
- Department of Psychiatry, Buddhist Tzu-Chi General Hospital, Taipei Branch, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Fumagalli F, Calabrese F, Luoni A, Shahid M, Racagni G, Riva MA. The AMPA receptor potentiator Org 26576 modulates stress-induced transcription of BDNF isoforms in rat hippocampus. Pharmacol Res 2011; 65:176-81. [PMID: 22079295 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2011.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2011] [Revised: 10/10/2011] [Accepted: 10/25/2011] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a key mediator of brain plasticity. The modulation of its expression and function is important for cognition and represents a key strategy to enhance neuronal resilience. Within this context, there exists a close interaction between glutamatergic neurotransmission and BDNF activity towards regulating cellular homeostasis and plasticity. The aim of the current study was to investigate the ability of the AMPA receptor potentiator Org 26576 to modulate BDNF expression in selected brain regions under basal conditions or in response to an acute swim stress. Rats subjected to a single intraperitoneal injection with Org 26576 (10mg/kg) or saline were exposed to a swim stress session (5 min) and sacrificed 15 min after the end of stress. Real-time PCR assay was used to determine changes in BDNF transcription in different brain regions. Total BDNF mRNA levels were significantly increased in the hippocampus of animals exposed to the combination of Org 26576 and stress whereas, in prefrontal and frontal cortices, BDNF mRNA levels were modulated by the acute stress, independently from drug treatment. The analysis of BDNF transcripts in the hippocampus revealed a major contribution of exons I and IV. Our results suggest that AMPA receptor potentiation by Org 26576 exerts a positive modulatory influence on BDNF expression during ongoing neuronal activity. Given that these mechanisms are critical for neuronal plasticity, we hypothesized that such changes may facilitate learning/coping mechanisms associated with a mild stressful experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Fumagalli
- Center of Neuropharmacology, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, Milan, Italy
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Calabrese F, Molteni R, Riva MA. Antistress properties of antidepressant drugs and their clinical implications. Pharmacol Ther 2011; 132:39-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2011.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2011] [Accepted: 05/09/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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