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Bolouki A. Role of Epigenetic Modification in the Intergeneration Transmission of War Trauma. Indian J Clin Biochem 2024; 39:312-321. [PMID: 39005862 PMCID: PMC11239641 DOI: 10.1007/s12291-023-01136-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
War trauma has been linked to changes in the neuroendocrine and immunological systems and increases the risk of physical disorders. Traumatic events during the war may have long-term repercussions on psychological and biological parameters in future generations, implying that traumatic stress may have transgenerational consequences. This article addresses how epigenetic mechanisms, which are a key biological mechanism for dynamic adaptation to environmental stressors, may help explain the long-term and transgenerational consequences of trauma. In war survivors, epigenetic changes in genes mediating the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, as well as the immune system, have been reported. These genetic modifications may cause long-term changes in the stress response as well as physical health risks. Also, the finding of biomarkers for diagnosing the possibility of psychiatric illnesses in people exposed to stressful conditions such as war necessitates extensive research. While epigenetic research has the potential to further our understanding of the effects of trauma, the findings must be interpreted with caution because epigenetic molecular mechanisms is only one piece of a complicated puzzle of interwoven biological and environmental components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayeh Bolouki
- Clinical Biochemistry Department, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Research Unit on Cellular Biology (URBC), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
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Ikrin AN, Moskalenko AM, Mukhamadeev RR, de Abreu MS, Kolesnikova TO, Kalueff AV. The emerging complexity of molecular pathways implicated in mouse self-grooming behavior. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 127:110840. [PMID: 37580009 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Rodent self-grooming is an important complex behavior, and its deficits are translationally relevant to a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we analyzed a comprehensive dataset of 227 genes whose mutations are known to evoke aberrant self-grooming in mice. Using these genes, we constructed the network of their established protein-protein interactions (PPI), yielding several distinct molecular clusters related to postsynaptic density, the Wnt signaling, transcription factors, neuronal cell cycle, NOS neurotransmission, microtubule regulation, neuronal differentiation/trafficking, neurodevelopment and mitochondrial function. Utilizing further bioinformatics analyses, we also identified novel central ('hub') proteins within these clusters, whose genes may also be implicated in aberrant self-grooming and other repetitive behaviors in general. Untangling complex molecular pathways of this important behavior using in silico approaches contributes to our understanding of related neurological disorders, and may suggest novel potential targets for their pharmacological or gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksey N Ikrin
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Genetic Technologies, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia; Neuroscience Department, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia
| | - Anastasia M Moskalenko
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Genetic Technologies, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia; Neuroscience Department, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia
| | - Radmir R Mukhamadeev
- Graduate Program in Bioinformatics and Genomics, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia; Neuroscience Department, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia
| | - Murilo S de Abreu
- Moscow Institute of Science and Technology, Dolgoprudny 197028, Russia.
| | - Tatiana O Kolesnikova
- Neuroscience Department, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- Neuroscience Department, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg 194021, Russia; Laboratory of Preclinical Bioscreening, Granov Russian Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Pesochny 197758, Russia; Neuroscience Group, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg 620002, Russia; Laboratory of Translational Biopsychiatry, Scientific Research Institute of Neurosciences and Medicine, Novosibirsk 630117, Russia.
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Palamarchuk IS, Slavich GM, Vaillancourt T, Rajji TK. Stress-related cellular pathophysiology as a crosstalk risk factor for neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders. BMC Neurosci 2023; 24:65. [PMID: 38087196 PMCID: PMC10714507 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-023-00831-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In this narrative review, we examine biological processes linking psychological stress and cognition, with a focus on how psychological stress can activate multiple neurobiological mechanisms that drive cognitive decline and behavioral change. First, we describe the general neurobiology of the stress response to define neurocognitive stress reactivity. Second, we review aspects of epigenetic regulation, synaptic transmission, sex hormones, photoperiodic plasticity, and psychoneuroimmunological processes that can contribute to cognitive decline and neuropsychiatric conditions. Third, we explain mechanistic processes linking the stress response and neuropathology. Fourth, we discuss molecular nuances such as an interplay between kinases and proteins, as well as differential role of sex hormones, that can increase vulnerability to cognitive and emotional dysregulation following stress. Finally, we explicate several testable hypotheses for stress, neurocognitive, and neuropsychiatric research. Together, this work highlights how stress processes alter neurophysiology on multiple levels to increase individuals' risk for neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders, and points toward novel therapeutic targets for mitigating these effects. The resulting models can thus advance dementia and mental health research, and translational neuroscience, with an eye toward clinical application in cognitive and behavioral neurology, and psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iryna S Palamarchuk
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J1H4, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Division of Neurology, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Toronto Dementia Research Alliance, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - George M Slavich
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tracy Vaillancourt
- Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tarek K Rajji
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J1H4, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Toronto Dementia Research Alliance, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Twice Daily Prazosin and Valproic Acid in the Treatment of Flashbacks in PTSD. Case Rep Psychiatry 2022; 2022:1223292. [PMID: 35966042 PMCID: PMC9365617 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1223292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating stress disorder occurring in the context of a traumatic event and is characterized by intrusive and avoidance symptoms, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and arousal and reactivity changes. Despite its representation throughout literature, the pathophysiology of PTSD remains incompletely understood, thus contributing to broad, variable, and at times, experimental treatment options. The authors present the first documented case of the rapid and successful management of PTSD using valproic acid and twice daily dosing of prazosin aimed at targeting symptoms of hyperarousal and both daily and nightly intrusive symptoms of flashbacks and nightmares, respectively. The authors also discuss postulations of the underlying mechanisms of action responsible for such symptom alleviation. Further investigation is needed to expand upon our knowledge of the use of such agents in the treatment of PTSD to improve upon existing clinical guidelines, especially in the acute setting, thus providing better overall prognosis.
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