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Sardari M, Mohammadpourmir F, Hosseinzadeh Sahafi O, Rezayof A. Neuronal biomarkers as potential therapeutic targets for drug addiction related to sex differences in the brain: Opportunities for personalized treatment approaches. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 134:111068. [PMID: 38944334 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111068] [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: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Biological sex disparities manifest at various stages of drug addiction, including craving, substance abuse, abstinence, and relapse. These discrepancies are underpinned by notable distinctions in neurobiological substrates, encompassing brain structures, functions, and neurotransmitter systems implicated in drug addiction. Neuronal biomarkers, such as neurotransmitters, signaling proteins, and genes may be associated with the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment outcomes in both biological sexes afflicted by drug abuse. Sex differences in the neural reward system, mainly through dopaminergic transmission during drug abuse, can be attributed to modifications in neurotransmitter systems and signaling pathways. This results in distinct patterns of neural activation and responsiveness to addictive substances in males and females. Sex hormones, the estrus/menstrual cycle, and cerebral neurochemistry contribute to the progression of psychological and physiological dependence in both male and female individuals grappling with addiction. Moreover, the alteration of sex hormone balance and neurotransmitter release plays a pivotal role in substance use disorders, subsequently modulating cognitive functions pertinent to reward, including memory formation, decision-making, and locomotor activity. Comparative investigations reveal distinctions in brain region volume, gene expression, neuronal firing, and circuitry in substance use disorders affecting individuals of both biological sexes. This review examines prevalent substance use disorders to elucidate the impact of sex hormones as therapeutic biomarkers on the mesocorticolimbic neurotransmitter systems via diverse mechanisms within the addicted brain. We underscore the imperative necessity of considering these variations to gain a deeper comprehension of addiction mechanisms and potentially discern sex-specific neuronal biomarkers for tailored therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Sardari
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farina Mohammadpourmir
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Oveis Hosseinzadeh Sahafi
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Ameneh Rezayof
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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Friedrich I, von Kuenheim D, Wozniak D, Meyer P, Mauche N, Huang J, Classen J, Strauss M, Rumpf JJ. No evidence of structural abnormality of the substantia nigra in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a pilot cross-sectional cohort study. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1395836. [PMID: 38873538 PMCID: PMC11169831 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1395836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Abnormal expansion of the echogenic substantia nigra (SN+) is a common observation in Parkinson's disease (PD) and considered a potential trait marker within this context. However, SN+ was also frequently detected in children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), where it has been discussed as a biomarker of maturational dopaminergic dysfunction. Interestingly, ADHD was recently linked to an elevated risk of PD in epidemiological studies, particularly among individuals treated with psychostimulants. Here, we investigated the potential of SN echogenicity as a disease biomarker in adults with ADHD and its relation to psychostimulant treatment. Methods In an exploratory cross-sectional cohort study, we performed transcranial sonography of the SN in 30 adults (mean age 33.3 ± 7.6 years, 19 males/11 females) diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-V criteria. Results and conclusions In this pilot study, we observed no evidence of structural abnormalities of the SN among adults diagnosed with ADHD, thus questioning the potential of SN+ as a biomarker for ADHD in this population. Moreover, we found no evidence of treatment-related SN echogenicity changes that would link therapeutic psychostimulant use to alterations in the structural integrity of the SN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Friedrich
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - David Wozniak
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Patrick Meyer
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nicole Mauche
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jue Huang
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Joseph Classen
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maria Strauss
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jost-Julian Rumpf
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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Morandini HAE, Watson PA, Barbaro P, Rao P. Brain iron concentration in childhood ADHD: A systematic review of neuroimaging studies. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 173:200-209. [PMID: 38547742 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.03.035] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Iron deficiency may play a role in the pathophysiology of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Due to its preponderant function in monoamine catecholamine and myelin synthesis, brain iron concentration may be of primary interest in the investigation of iron dysregulation in ADHD. This study reviewed current evidence of brain iron abnormalities in children and adolescents with ADHD using magnetic resonance imaging methods, such as relaxometry and quantitative susceptibility mapping, to assess brain iron estimates. The study was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A literature search was performed for studies published between January 1, 2008 and July 7, 2023 in Medline, Scopus and Proquest. Regions of interest, brain iron index values and phenotypical information were extracted from the relevant studies. Risk of bias was assessed using a modified version of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute quality assessment tool. Seven cross-sectional studies comparing brain iron estimates in children with ADHD with neurotypical children were included. Significantly reduced brain iron content in medication-naïve children with ADHD was a consistent finding. Two studies found psychostimulant use may increase and normalize brain iron concentration in children with ADHD. The findings were consistent across the studies despite differing methodologies and may lay the early foundation for the recognition of a potential biomarker in ADHD, although longitudinal prospective neuroimaging studies using larger sample sizes are required. Lastly, the effects of iron supplementation on brain iron concentration in children with ADHD need to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo A E Morandini
- Complex Attention and Hyperactivity Disorders Service, Child and Adolescent Health Services, Perth, WA, Australia; Division of Psychiatry, UWA Medical School, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Prue A Watson
- Complex Attention and Hyperactivity Disorders Service, Child and Adolescent Health Services, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Parma Barbaro
- Complex Attention and Hyperactivity Disorders Service, Child and Adolescent Health Services, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Pradeep Rao
- Complex Attention and Hyperactivity Disorders Service, Child and Adolescent Health Services, Perth, WA, Australia; Division of Psychiatry, UWA Medical School, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Australia; Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Australia
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Todd G, Rae CD, Taylor JL, Rogasch NC, Butler JE, Hayes M, Wilcox RA, Gandevia SC, Aoun K, Esterman A, Lewis SJG, Hall JM, Matar E, Godau J, Berg D, Plewnia C, von Thaler A, Chiang C, Double KL. Motor cortical excitability and pre-supplementary motor area neurochemistry in healthy adults with substantia nigra hyperechogenicity. J Neurosci Res 2023; 101:263-277. [PMID: 36353842 PMCID: PMC10952673 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Substantia nigra (SN) hyperechogenicity, viewed with transcranial ultrasound, is a risk marker for Parkinson's disease. We hypothesized that SN hyperechogenicity in healthy adults aged 50-70 years is associated with reduced short-interval intracortical inhibition in primary motor cortex, and that the reduced intracortical inhibition is associated with neurochemical markers of activity in the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA). Short-interval intracortical inhibition and intracortical facilitation in primary motor cortex was assessed with paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation in 23 healthy adults with normal (n = 14; 61 ± 7 yrs) or abnormally enlarged (hyperechogenic; n = 9; 60 ± 6 yrs) area of SN echogenicity. Thirteen of these participants (7 SN- and 6 SN+) also underwent brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy to investigate pre-SMA neurochemistry. There was no relationship between area of SN echogenicity and short-interval intracortical inhibition in the ipsilateral primary motor cortex. There was a significant positive relationship, however, between area of echogenicity in the right SN and the magnitude of intracortical facilitation in the right (ipsilateral) primary motor cortex (p = .005; multivariate regression), evidenced by the amplitude of the conditioned motor evoked potential (MEP) at the 10-12 ms interstimulus interval. This relationship was not present on the left side. Pre-SMA glutamate did not predict primary motor cortex inhibition or facilitation. The results suggest that SN hyperechogenicity in healthy older adults may be associated with changes in excitability of motor cortical circuitry. The results advance understanding of brain changes in healthy older adults at risk of Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Todd
- UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences and Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA)University of South AustraliaAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Caroline D. Rae
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of New South WalesKensingtonNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Janet L. Taylor
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of New South WalesKensingtonNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Medical and Health SciencesEdith Cowan UniversityJoondalupWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Nigel C. Rogasch
- Hopwood Centre for NeurobiologySouth Australian Health and Medical Research InstituteAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
- Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
- School of Psychological Sciences and Turner Institute for Brain and Mental HealthMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Jane E. Butler
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of New South WalesKensingtonNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Michael Hayes
- Department of NeurologyConcord Repatriation General HospitalConcordNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Robert A. Wilcox
- UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences and Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA)University of South AustraliaAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
- Department of NeurologyFlinders Medical CentreBedford ParkSouth AustraliaAustralia
- College of Medicine and Public HealthFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Simon C. Gandevia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of New South WalesKensingtonNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Karl Aoun
- Brain and Mind Centre and School of Medical Sciences (Neuroscience)The University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Adrian Esterman
- UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences and Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA)University of South AustraliaAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Simon J. G. Lewis
- ForeFront Parkinson's Disease Research Clinic, Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneyCamperdownNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Julie M. Hall
- Department of Experimental PsychologyGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Elie Matar
- ForeFront Parkinson's Disease Research Clinic, Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneyCamperdownNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Jana Godau
- Department of NeurologyKlinikum Kassel GmbHKasselGermany
| | - Daniela Berg
- Department of Neurology, UKSH, Campus KielChristian‐Albrechts‐UniversityKielGermany
| | - Christian Plewnia
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Neurophysiology & Interventional NeuropsychiatryUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
| | | | - Clarence Chiang
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of New South WalesKensingtonNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Kay L. Double
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
- Brain and Mind Centre and School of Medical Sciences (Neuroscience)The University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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Paes MAS, Nicaretta DH, Alvarenga RMP, Rosso ALZ, Brisson RT, Fernandes RCL. Comparison between a handheld ultrasound device and a traditional ultrasound for performing transcranial sonography in patients with Parkinson's disease. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e2891. [PMID: 36706022 PMCID: PMC9927837 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to compare a portable ultrasound (US) device and a traditional US for performing transcranial ultrasonography (CCT) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS This is a cross-sectional, observational, and analytical study. The study recruited a total of 129 individuals from two public hospitals in the city of Rio de Janeiro in a prospective and non-randomized manner between September 2019 and July 2021 as follows: group A with 31 patients with PD, group B with 65 patients with PD, and group C with 64 healthy individuals. Group A was used to collect data to establish the agreement analysis of the TCS measurements between the two devices. Groups B and C provided data for constructing the receiver operating characteristic curve for the handheld US. The subjects underwent the assessment of the transtemporal bone window (TW) quality, the mesencephalon area, the size of the third ventricle, and the substantia nigra (SN) hyperechogenicity area. RESULTS There was a good agreement between the methods regarding the quality of the TW-Kappa concordance coefficient of 100% for the right TW and 83% for the left, the midbrain area-intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 69%, the SN area ICC = 90% for the right SN and 93% for the left and the size of the third ventricle ICC = 96%. The cutoff point for the SN echogenic area in the handheld US was 0.20 cm2 . CONCLUSIONS The handheld US is a viable imaging method for performing TCS because it shows good agreement with the measurements performed with traditional equipment, and the measurement of SN echogenic area for PD diagnosis presents good sensitivity and specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A S Paes
- Departamento de Radiologia, Hospital Universitário Gaffrée e Guinle, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Denise H Nicaretta
- Departamento de Neurologia, Hospital Universitário Gaffrée e Guinle, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Regina M P Alvarenga
- Departamento de Neurologia, Hospital Universitário Gaffrée e Guinle, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana L Z Rosso
- Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo T Brisson
- Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rita C L Fernandes
- Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Cornish JL, Prasad AA. Sex Differences in Substance Use Disorders: A Neurobiological Perspective. Front Glob Womens Health 2021; 2:778514. [PMID: 34957467 PMCID: PMC8692274 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2021.778514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical studies provide fundamental knowledge of substance use behaviors (substance of abuse, patterns of use, relapse rates). The combination of neuroimaging approaches reveal correlation between substance use disorder (SUD) and changes in neural structure, function, and neurotransmission. Here, we review these advances, placing special emphasis on sex specific findings from structural neuroimaging studies of those dependent on alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, psychostimulants, or opioids. Recent clinical studies in SUD analyzing sex differences reveal neurobiological changes that are differentially impacted in common reward processing regions such as the striatum, hippocampus, amygdala, insula, and corpus collosum. We reflect on the contribution of sex hormones, period of drug use and abstinence, and the potential impact of these factors on the interpretation of the reported findings. With the overall recognition that SUD impacts the brains of females and males differentially, it is of fundamental importance that future research is designed with sex as a variable of study in this field. Improved understanding of neurobiological changes in males and females in SUD will advance knowledge underlying sex-specific susceptibility and the neurobiological impact in these disorders. Together these findings will inform future treatments that are tailor designed for improved efficacy in females and males with SUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Cornish
- School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Asheeta A Prasad
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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