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Ralevski E, Newcomb J, Pisani E, DeNegre D, Peltier M, Jane JS, Yoon G, Petrakis I. Progesterone Attenuates the Stress Response in Individuals with Alcohol Dependence and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - A Pilot Study. J Dual Diagn 2024; 20:39-51. [PMID: 38147491 PMCID: PMC11214330 DOI: 10.1080/15504263.2023.2294989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Evidence from laboratory studies suggests that progesterone may be effective in reducing stress and craving, and may improve cognitive performance in smokers and individuals with cocaine dependence. The objective of this study was to examine if progesterone would attenuate stress-induced craving, anxiety, affect and physiological measures, as well as improve stress-induced cognitive performance (processing speed and selective attention) in individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS This laboratory study included (n = 13) participants who were diagnosed with current AUD and PTSD who were randomly assigned to recive either progesterone (200mg bid) or placebo in identical looking capsules for 3 days. On the fourth day they completed a laboratory session. In the morning of the test session, they received the last dose of medication and completed the rest of the laboratory procedures. The procedures included presentation in random order of personalized trauma and neutral scripts with relaxation in between. Main outcomes included measure of craving, anxiety, affect and cognitive performance. RESULTS Consistent with other research, trauma scripts produced significantly greater increases in craving, anxiety and negative affect when compared with neutral scripts. Progesterone significantly reduced stress-induced symptoms of craving, anxiety, fear, anger and sadness but had no effect on positive emotions (joy, relaxation). Progesterone was effective in ameliorating stress-induced decreases in cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this study demonstrate that progesterone can be effective in reducing stress-induced craving, anxiety and negative affect in a laboratory setting in individuals with comorbid AUD and PTSD. Interestingly, progesterone also improved cognitive performance. These findings require replication in a larger clinical trial and may have implications for treatment among individuals with AUD and PTSD.This study was registered as NCT02187224, at www.clinicaltrials.gov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Ralevski
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Mental Illness Research and Clinical Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jenelle Newcomb
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Emily Pisani
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Diana DeNegre
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Mental Illness Research and Clinical Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - MacKenzie Peltier
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jane Serrita Jane
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Gihyun Yoon
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Mental Illness Research and Clinical Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Ismene Petrakis
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Mental Illness Research and Clinical Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
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2
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Xu FR, Wei ZH, Xu XX, Zhang XG, Wei CJ, Qi XM, Li YH, Gao XL, Wu Y. The hypothalamic steroidogenic pathway mediates susceptibility to inflammation-evoked depression in female mice. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:293. [PMID: 38062440 PMCID: PMC10704691 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02976-7] [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: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is two-to-three times more frequent among women. The hypothalamus, a sexually dimorphic area, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. Neuroinflammation-induced hypothalamic dysfunction underlies behaviors associated with depression. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse model of depression has been well-validated in numerous laboratories, including our own, and is widely used to investigate the relationship between neuroinflammation and depression. However, the sex-specific differences in metabolic alterations underlying depression-associated hypothalamic neuroinflammation remain unknown. METHODS Here, we employed the LPS-induced mouse model of depression to investigate hypothalamic metabolic changes in both male and female mice using a metabolomics approach. Through bioinformatics analysis, we confirmed the molecular pathways and biological processes associated with the identified metabolites. Furthermore, we employed quantitative real-time PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, and pharmacological interventions to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS A total of 124 and 61 differential metabolites (DMs) were detected in male and female mice with depressive-like behavior, respectively, compared to their respective sex-matched control groups. Moreover, a comparison between female and male model mice identified 37 DMs. We capitalized on biochemical clustering and functional enrichment analyses to define the major metabolic changes in these DMs. More than 55% of the DMs clustered into lipids and lipid-like molecules, and an imbalance in lipids metabolism was presented in the hypothalamus. Furthermore, steroidogenic pathway was confirmed as a potential sex-specific pathway in the hypothalamus of female mice with depression. Pregnenolone, an upstream component of the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway, was downregulated in female mice with depressive-like phenotypes but not in males and had considerable relevance to depressive-like behaviors in females. Moreover, exogenous pregnenolone infusion reversed depressive-like behaviors in female mice with depression. The 5α-reductase type I (SRD5A1), a steroidogenic hub enzyme involved in pregnenolone metabolism, was increased in the hypothalamus of female mice with depression. Its inhibition increased hypothalamic pregnenolone levels and ameliorated depressive-like behaviors in female mice with depression. CONCLUSIONS Our study findings demonstrate a marked sexual dimorphism at the metabolic level in depression, particularly in hypothalamic steroidogenic metabolism, identifying a potential sex-specific pathway in female mice with depressive-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Rong Xu
- Department of Nursing, The Second People's Hospital of Wuwei, Wuwei, 733000, China
| | - Zhen-Hong Wei
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Institute of Clinical Research and Translational Medicine, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Xu
- Department of Nursing, People's Hospital of Wuwei, Wuwei, 733000, China
| | - Xiao-Gang Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Chao-Jun Wei
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Institute of Clinical Research and Translational Medicine, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Qi
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Institute of Clinical Research and Translational Medicine, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yong-Hong Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
- Institute of Clinical Research and Translational Medicine, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
| | - Xiao-Ling Gao
- The Clinical Laboratory Center, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570100, China.
| | - Yu Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
- Institute of Clinical Research and Translational Medicine, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
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3
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Rasmusson AM, Novikov O, Brown KD, Pinna G, Pineles SL. Pleiotropic endophenotypic and phenotype effects of GABAergic neurosteroid synthesis deficiency in posttraumatic stress disorder. CURRENT OPINION IN ENDOCRINE AND METABOLIC RESEARCH 2022; 25:100359. [PMID: 36909842 PMCID: PMC10004350 DOI: 10.1016/j.coemr.2022.100359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PTSD is associated with deficits in synthesis of progesterone metabolites such as allopregnanolone and pregnanolone that potently facilitate gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) effects at GABAA receptors. These neurosteroids modulate neuronal firing rate, regional brain connectivity, and activation of amygdala-mediated autonomic nervous system, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and behavioral reactions to unconditioned and conditioned threat. They also play critical roles in learning and memory processes such as extinction and extinction retention and inhibit toll-like receptor activation of intracellular pro-inflammatory pathways. Deficient synthesis of these neurosteroids thus may contribute to individually variable PTSD clinical phenotypes encompassing symptom severity, capacity for PTSD recovery, and vulnerability to common PTSD-comorbidities such as major depression, chronic pain, alcohol and nicotine dependence, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, reproductive disorders, and autoimmune conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Rasmusson
- VA National Center for PTSD, Women's Health Science Division, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Olga Novikov
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.,Boston University School of Medicine, Psychiatry Residency Program, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Kayla D Brown
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.,Behavioral Neurosciences Ph.D. Program, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Graziano Pinna
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Suzanne L Pineles
- VA National Center for PTSD, Women's Health Science Division, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
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4
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Diviccaro S, Cioffi L, Falvo E, Giatti S, Melcangi RC. Allopregnanolone: An overview on its synthesis and effects. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e12996. [PMID: 34189791 PMCID: PMC9285581 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Allopregnanolone, a 3α,5α-progesterone metabolite, acts as a potent allosteric modulator of the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor. In the present review, the synthesis of this neuroactive steroid occurring in the nervous system is discussed with respect to physiological and pathological conditions. In addition, its physiological and neuroprotective effects are also reported. Interestingly, the levels of this neuroactive steroid, as well as its effects, are sex-dimorphic, suggesting a possible gender medicine based on this neuroactive steroid for neurological disorders. However, allopregnanolone presents low bioavailability and extensive hepatic metabolism, limiting its use as a drug. Therefore, synthetic analogues or a different therapeutic strategy able to increase allopregnanolone levels have been proposed to overcome any pharmacokinetic issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Diviccaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanoItaly
| | - Lucia Cioffi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanoItaly
| | - Eva Falvo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanoItaly
| | - Silvia Giatti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanoItaly
| | - Roberto Cosimo Melcangi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanoItaly
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5
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Rasmusson AM, Pineles SL, Brown KD, Pinna G. A role for deficits in GABAergic neurosteroids and their metabolites with NMDA receptor antagonist activity in the pathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorder. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13062. [PMID: 34962690 PMCID: PMC9233411 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Trauma-focused psychotherapies show general efficacy in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), although outcomes vary substantially among individuals with PTSD and many patients do not achieve clinically meaningful symptom improvement. Several factors may contribute to poor treatment response, including genetic or environmental (e.g., stress) effects on neurobiological factors involved in learning and memory processes critical to PTSD recovery. In this review, we discuss the relationship between deficient GABAergic neurosteroid metabolites of progesterone, allopregnanolone (Allo) and pregnanolone (PA), and PTSD symptoms in men and women or PTSD-like behavioral abnormalities observed in male rodent models of PTSD. We also review the role and molecular underpinnings of learning and memory processes relevant to PTSD recovery, including extinction, extinction retention, reconsolidation of reactivated aversive memories and episodic non-aversive memory. We then discuss preclinical and clinical research that supports a role in these learning and memory processes for GABAergic neurosteroids and sulfated metabolites of Allo and PA that allosterically antagonize NMDA receptor function. Studies supporting the possible therapeutic impact of appropriately timed, acutely administered Allo or Allo analogs to facilitate extinction retention and/or block reconsolidation of aversive memories are also reviewed. Finally, we discuss important future directions for research in this area. Examining the varied and composite effects in PTSD of these metabolites of progesterone, as well as neuroactive derivatives of other parent steroids produced in the brain and the periphery, will likely enable a broadening of targets for treatment development. Defining contributions of these neuroactive steroids to common PTSD-comorbid psychiatric and medical conditions, as well as subpopulation-specific underlying dysfunctional physiological processes such as hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and immune system dysregulation, may also enable development of more effective multisystem precision medicines to prevent and treat the broader, polymorbid sequelae of extreme and chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M. Rasmusson
- VA National Center for PTSD, Women’s Health Science Division, Department of Veterans Affairs, Boston, MA 02130, U.S.A
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118
| | - Suzanne L. Pineles
- VA National Center for PTSD, Women’s Health Science Division, Department of Veterans Affairs, Boston, MA 02130, U.S.A
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118
| | - Kayla D. Brown
- Behavioral Neurosciences PhD Program, Boston University Medical Campus, Boston, MA, 02118, U.S.A
| | - Graziano Pinna
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 60612, U.S.A
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6
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7
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Ponomareva OY, Ressler KJ. Genomic factors underlying sex differences in trauma-related disorders. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 14:100330. [PMID: 33997155 PMCID: PMC8102626 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a devastating illness with treatment that is effective in only approximately half of the population. This limited rate of response highlights the necessity for research into underlying individual biological mechanisms that mediate development and progression of this disease, allowing for identification of patient-specific treatments. PTSD has clear sex differences in both risk and symptom patterns. Thus, one approach is to characterize trauma-related changes between men and women who exhibit differences in treatment efficacy and response to trauma. Recent technological advances in sequencing have identified several genomic loci and transcriptional changes that are associated with post-trauma symptomatology. However, although the diagnosis of PTSD is more prevalent in women, the genetic factors underlying sex differences remain poorly understood. Here, we review recent work that highlights current understanding and limitations in the field of sex differences in PTSD and related symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Y Ponomareva
- Neuropsychiatry Translational Research Fellowship Program, Boston VA Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.,McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
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8
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Peltier MR, Verplaetse TL, Mineur YS, Gueorguieva R, Petrakis I, Cosgrove KP, Picciotto MR, McKee SA. Sex differences in progestogen- and androgen-derived neurosteroids in vulnerability to alcohol and stress-related disorders. Neuropharmacology 2021; 187:108499. [PMID: 33600842 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Stress and trauma exposure disturbs stress regulation systems and thus increases the vulnerability for stress-related disorders which are characterized by negative affect, including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder. Similarly, stress and trauma exposure results in increased vulnerability to problematic alcohol use and alcohol use disorder, especially among women, who are more likely to drink to cope with negative affect than their male counterparts. Given these associations, the relationship between stress-related disorders and alcohol use is generally stronger among women leading to complex comorbidities across these disorders and alcohol misuse. This review highlights the therapeutic potential for progestogen- and androgen-derived neurosteroids, which affect both stress- and alcohol-related disorders, to target the overlapping symptoms related to negative affect. This article is part of the special issue on 'Vulnerabilities to Substance Abuse.'
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Affiliation(s)
- MacKenzie R Peltier
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA.
| | | | | | - Ralitza Gueorguieva
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA; Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA
| | - Ismene Petrakis
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
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9
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Almeida FB, Barros HMT, Pinna G. Neurosteroids and Neurotrophic Factors: What Is Their Promise as Biomarkers for Major Depression and PTSD? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041758. [PMID: 33578758 PMCID: PMC7916492 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Even though major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are among the most prevalent and incapacitating mental illnesses in the world, their diagnosis still relies solely on the characterization of subjective symptoms (many of which are shared by multiple disorders) self-reported by patients. Thus, the need for objective measures that aid in the detection of and differentiation between psychiatric disorders becomes urgent. In this paper, we explore the potential of neurosteroids and neurotrophic proteins as biomarkers for MDD and PTSD. Circulating levels of the GABAergic neuroactive steroid, allopregnanolone, are diminished in MDD and PTSD patients, which corroborates the finding of depleted neurosteroid levels observed in animal models of these disorders. The neurotrophic protein, brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), is also reduced in the periphery and in the brain of MDD patients and depressed-like animals that express lower neurosteroid levels. Although the role of BDNF in PTSD psychopathology seems less clear and merits more research, we propose a causal link between allopregnanolone levels and BDNF expression that could function as a biomarker axis for the diagnosis of both MDD and PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Borges Almeida
- Graduate Program in Health Science, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Rua Sarmento Leite, 245, Porto Alegre 90050-170, Brazil; (F.B.A.); (H.M.T.B.)
| | - Helena Maria Tannhauser Barros
- Graduate Program in Health Science, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Rua Sarmento Leite, 245, Porto Alegre 90050-170, Brazil; (F.B.A.); (H.M.T.B.)
| | - Graziano Pinna
- Department of Psychiatry, The Psychiatric Institute, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 W. Taylor Str., Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Correspondence: or
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10
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Runyon JR, Hyde JN, Staroschak C, Kromenacker B, Wilson RC, Sternberg EM. LCMS Measurement of Steroid Biomarkers Collected from Palmar Sweat. CHEMRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR CHEMISTRY 2020:12931769. [PMID: 32935082 PMCID: PMC7491523 DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv.12931769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Human eccrine sweat contains numerous biomarkers which can provide information on health, performance, and aging. Non-invasive collection and measurement of biomarkers has become especially important in recent times given viral outbreaks like SARS-CoV-2. In the current study we describe a method of sweat collection from palmar surfaces in participants via surface capture using glass beads and the resulting analysis of biomarkers from very low volumes of sweat using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring. Study participants underwent a cognitive and physical stress task with easy and hard conditions with sweat being collected after each task. Resulting analysis found a signal for 22 steroid biomarkers and we report detailed information on selected biomarkers, given their applicability to timely real-world exemplars, including cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, allopregnanolone, estrone, aldosterone, and 20α/β-dihydrocortisone.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Ray Runyon
- Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Jacob N. Hyde
- Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- Department of Family & Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Christina Staroschak
- Department of Family & Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Bryan Kromenacker
- College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- Department of Psychology, College of Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Robert C. Wilson
- Department of Psychology, College of Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Esther M. Sternberg
- Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
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11
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Sze Y, Brunton PJ. Sex, stress and steroids. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 52:2487-2515. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Sze
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences University of Edinburgh Edinburgh UK
| | - Paula J. Brunton
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences University of Edinburgh Edinburgh UK
- Zhejiang University‐University of Edinburgh Joint Institute Haining Zhejiang China
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12
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Pinna G. Animal Models of PTSD: The Socially Isolated Mouse and the Biomarker Role of Allopregnanolone. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:114. [PMID: 31244621 PMCID: PMC6579844 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating undertreated condition that affects 8%-13% of the general population and 20%-30% of military personnel. Currently, there are no specific medications that reduce PTSD symptoms or biomarkers that facilitate diagnosis, inform treatment selection or allow monitoring drug efficacy. PTSD animal models rely on stress-induced behavioral deficits that only partially reproduce PTSD neurobiology. PTSD heterogeneity, including comorbidity and symptoms overlap with other mental disorders, makes this attempt even more complicated. Allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid that positively, potently and allosterically modulates GABAA receptors and, by this mechanism, regulates emotional behaviors, is mainly synthesized in brain corticolimbic glutamatergic neurons. In PTSD patients, allopregnanolone down-regulation correlates with increased PTSD re-experiencing and comorbid depressive symptoms, CAPS-IV scores and Simms dysphoria cluster scores. In PTSD rodent models, including the socially isolated mouse, decrease in corticolimbic allopregnanolone biosynthesis is associated with enhanced contextual fear memory and impaired fear extinction. Allopregnanolone, its analogs or agents that stimulate its synthesis offer treatment approaches for facilitating fear extinction and, in general, for neuropsychopathologies characterized by a neurosteroid biosynthesis downregulation. The socially isolated mouse model reproduces several other deficits previously observed in PTSD patients, including altered GABAA receptor subunit subtypes and lack of benzodiazepines pharmacological efficacy. Transdiagnostic behavioral features, including expression of anxiety-like behavior, increased aggression, a behavioral component to reproduce behavioral traits of suicidal behavior in humans, as well as alcohol consumption are heightened in socially isolated rodents. Potentials for assessing novel biomarkers to predict, diagnose, and treat PTSD more efficiently are discussed in view of developing a precision medicine for improved PTSD pharmacological treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziano Pinna
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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