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Merola GP, Patti A, Benedetti D, Bozza B, Ballerini A, Ricca V. The role of psychotic-like experiences in the association between aberrant salience and anxiety: A psychopathological proposal based on a case-control study. Early Interv Psychiatry 2024; 18:535-546. [PMID: 38063066 DOI: 10.1111/eip.13490] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
AIM Aberrant salience (AS) and psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) have been proven to be linked. Moreover, anxiety is a key symptom in psychosis-prone subjects and most psychotic patients. We propose a model that attempts to interpret the role of PLEs in the association between AS and anxiety among healthy controls and psychotic patients. METHODS Demographic and psychometric data (Aberrant Salience Inventory, Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences, Symptom Check List-90-revised) from 163 controls and 44 psychotic patients was collected. Descriptive statistics, correlations, a linear regression model and a mediation analysis with covariates were subsequently performed. RESULTS AS correlated with more frequent positive PLEs and higher anxiety levels in both patients and controls. However, positive PLEs' frequency mediated the relationship between AS and anxiety only among controls. CONCLUSIONS PLEs linked to AS appear to induce anxiety among the control group but not among psychotic patients. The progressive loss of both novelty and insight, which may, respectively, impair the somatic emotional reactivity to PLEs and the ability to recognize some bodily phenomena as the embodied correlates of anxiety, is seen as the most probable theoretical explanation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Patti
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Davide Benedetti
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Bernardo Bozza
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Ballerini
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Valdo Ricca
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Gescher DM, Schanze D, Vavra P, Wolff P, Zimmer-Bensch G, Zenker M, Frodl T, Schmahl C. Differential methylation of OPRK1 in borderline personality disorder is associated with childhood trauma. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02628-z. [PMID: 38862675 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02628-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
According to a growing body of neurobiological evidence, the core symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) may be linked to an opioidergic imbalance between the hedonic and stimulatory activity of mu opioid receptors (MOR) and the reward system inhibiting effects of kappa opioid receptors (KOR). Childhood trauma (CT), which is etiologically relevant to BPD, is also likely to lead to epigenetic and neurobiological adaptations by extensive activation of the stress and endogenous opioid systems. In this study, we investigated the methylation differences in the promoter of the KOR gene (OPRK1) in subjects with BPD (N = 47) and healthy controls (N = 48). Comparing the average methylation rates of regulatorily relevant subregions (specified regions CGI-1, CGI-2, EH1), we found no differences between BPD and HC. Analyzing individual CG nucleotides (N = 175), we found eight differentially methylated CG sites, all of which were less methylated in BPD, with five showing highly interrelated methylation rates. This differentially methylated region (DMR) was found on the falling slope (5') of the promoter methylation gap, whose effect is enhanced by the DMR hypomethylation in BPD. A dimensional assessment of the correlation between disease severity and DMR methylation rate revealed DMR hypomethylation to be negatively associated with BPD symptom severity (measured by BSL-23). Finally, analyzing the influence of CT on DMR methylation, we found DMR hypomethylation to correlate with physical and emotional neglect in childhood (quantified by CTQ). Thus, the newly identified DMR may be a biomarker of the risks caused by CT, which likely epigenetically contribute to the development of BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothee Maria Gescher
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
- Department for General Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Denny Schanze
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Peter Vavra
- Department of Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Philip Wolff
- Division of Neuroepigenetics, Institute of Zoology (Biology II), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Geraldine Zimmer-Bensch
- Division of Neuroepigenetics, Institute of Zoology (Biology II), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Martin Zenker
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Frodl
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, Germany
- Center for Intervention and Research on adaptive and maladaptive brain Circuits underlying mental health (C-I-R-C), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, Germany
| | - Christian Schmahl
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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Agam G, Atawna B, Damri O, Azab AN. The Role of FKBPs in Complex Disorders: Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Cancer, and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Cells 2024; 13:801. [PMID: 38786025 PMCID: PMC11119362 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Stress is a common denominator of complex disorders and the FK-506 binding protein (FKBP)51 plays a central role in stress. Hence, it is not surprising that multiple studies imply the involvement of the FKBP51 protein and/or its coding gene, FKBP5, in complex disorders. This review summarizes such reports concentrating on three disorder clusters-neuropsychiatric, cancer, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We also attempt to point to potential mechanisms suggested to mediate the effect of FKBP5/FKBP51 on these disorders. Neuropsychiatric diseases considered in this paper include (i) Huntington's disease for which increased autophagic cellular clearance mechanisms related to decreased FKBP51 protein levels or activity is discussed, Alzheimer's disease for which increased FKBP51 activity has been shown to induce Tau phosphorylation and aggregation, and Parkinson's disease in the context of which FKBP12 is mentioned; and (ii) mental disorders, for which significant association with the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1360780 of FKBP5 intron 7 along with decreased DNA methylation were revealed. Since cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body, FKBP51's role depends on the tissue type and differences among pathways expressed in those tumors. The FKBP51-heat-shock protein-(Hsp)90-p23 super-chaperone complex might function as an oncogene or as a tumor suppressor by downregulating the serine/threonine protein kinase (AKt) pathway. In T2DM, two potential pathways for the involvement of FKBP51 are highlighted as affecting the pathogenesis of the disease-the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) and AKt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galila Agam
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience and Zelman Center—The School of Brain Sciences and Cognition, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel; (B.A.); (O.D.)
| | - Bayan Atawna
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience and Zelman Center—The School of Brain Sciences and Cognition, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel; (B.A.); (O.D.)
| | - Odeya Damri
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience and Zelman Center—The School of Brain Sciences and Cognition, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel; (B.A.); (O.D.)
| | - Abed N. Azab
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience and Zelman Center—The School of Brain Sciences and Cognition, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel; (B.A.); (O.D.)
- Department of Nursing, School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
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Bernad BC, Tomescu MC, Anghel T, Lungeanu D, Enătescu V, Bernad ES, Nicoraș V, Arnautu DA, Hogea L. Epigenetic and Coping Mechanisms of Stress in Affective Disorders: A Scoping Review. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:709. [PMID: 38792892 PMCID: PMC11122772 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60050709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
This review aims to explore the intricate relationship among epigenetic mechanisms, stress, and affective disorders, focusing on how early life experiences and coping mechanisms contribute to susceptibility to mood disorders. Epigenetic factors play a crucial role in regulating gene expression without altering the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) sequence, and recent research has revealed associations between epigenetic changes and maladaptive responses to stress or psychiatric disorders. A scoping review of 33 studies employing the PRISMA-S (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Statement) guidelines investigates the role of stress-induced epigenetic mechanisms and coping strategies in affective disorder occurrence, development, and progression. The analysis encompasses various stress factors, including childhood trauma, work-related stress, and dietary deficiencies, alongside epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation and altered gene expression. Findings indicate that specific stress-related genes frequently exhibit epigenetic changes associated with affective disorders. Moreover, the review examines coping mechanisms in patients with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, revealing mixed associations between coping strategies and symptom severity. While active coping is correlated with better outcomes, emotion-focused coping may exacerbate depressive or manic episodes. Overall, this review underscores the complex interplay among genetic predisposition, environmental stressors, coping mechanisms, and affective disorders. Understanding these interactions is essential for developing targeted interventions and personalized treatment strategies for individuals with mood disorders. However, further research is needed to elucidate specific genomic loci involved in affective disorders and the clinical implications of coping strategies in therapeutic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda-Cristiana Bernad
- Doctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timișoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania;
- Center for Neuropsychology and Behavioral Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timișoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (T.A.); (L.H.)
- Multidisciplinary Heart Research Center, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (M.-C.T.); (D.-A.A.)
| | - Mirela-Cleopatra Tomescu
- Multidisciplinary Heart Research Center, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (M.-C.T.); (D.-A.A.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, ”Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- Timisoara Municipal Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300040 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Teodora Anghel
- Center for Neuropsychology and Behavioral Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timișoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (T.A.); (L.H.)
- Department of Neuroscience, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timișoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania;
| | - Diana Lungeanu
- Center for Modeling Biological Systems and Data Analysis, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timișoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania;
- Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timișoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Virgil Enătescu
- Department of Neuroscience, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timișoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania;
- Clinic of Psychiatry, “Pius Brinzeu” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Elena Silvia Bernad
- Center for Neuropsychology and Behavioral Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timișoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (T.A.); (L.H.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timișoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- Ist Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Pius Brinzeu” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timișoara, Romania;
- Center for Laparoscopy, Laparoscopic Surgery and In Vitro Fertilization, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Vlad Nicoraș
- Ist Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Pius Brinzeu” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timișoara, Romania;
| | - Diana-Aurora Arnautu
- Multidisciplinary Heart Research Center, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (M.-C.T.); (D.-A.A.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, ”Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Timișoara, 300310 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Lavinia Hogea
- Center for Neuropsychology and Behavioral Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timișoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (T.A.); (L.H.)
- Department of Neuroscience, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timișoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania;
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Salas F, Nvo-Fernández M, Leiva-Bianchi M, Sáez DA, Páeza GS, García MV, Villacura-Herrera C. Components of event-related potentials and borderline personality disorder: a meta-analysis. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:2297641. [PMID: 38214169 PMCID: PMC10791106 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2297641] [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: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by symptoms associated with difficulties in emotion regulation, altered self-image, impulsivity, and instability in personal relationships. A relationship has been found between BPD symptoms and altered neuropsychological processes. Studies of event-related potentials (ERP) measured with electroencephalogram (EEG) have found neural correlates related to BPD symptoms. Of note is the P300 component, considered a potential mental health biomarker for trauma-associated disorders. However, no meta-analysis has been found to demonstrate this relationship.Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between the P300 component and BPD symptoms. To evaluate the relationship of other ERP components with BPD symptoms.Methods: The method and procedure were adjusted to the PRISMA checklist. The search was performed in three databases: WOS, Scopus and PubMed. A Random Effects Model was used to perform the analysis of the studies. In addition, a meta-regression was performed with % women, Gini and GDP. Finally, a descriptive analysis of the main results found between P300, other ERP components (LPP, P100 and ERN/Ne) and BPD symptoms was performed.Results: From a review of 485 articles, a meta-analysis was performed with six articles that met the inclusion criteria. A moderate, positive relationship was found between the P300 component and BPD symptoms (REM = .489; p < .001). It was not possible to perform meta-analyses for other ERP components (LPP, P100 and ERN/Ne) due to the low number of articles found.Conclusion: The idea that P300 could be considered for use as a biomarker to identify altered neural correlates in BPD is reinforced. In addition, a moderating effect of inequality (Gini) was detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Salas
- Laboratory of Methodology for Behavioral Sciences and Neurosciences, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Marcelo Nvo-Fernández
- Laboratory of Methodology for Behavioral Sciences and Neurosciences, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Marcelo Leiva-Bianchi
- Laboratory of Methodology for Behavioral Sciences and Neurosciences, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Daniela Avello Sáez
- School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Geraldy Sepúlveda Páeza
- Laboratory of Methodology for Behavioral Sciences and Neurosciences, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Marc Via García
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cesar Villacura-Herrera
- Laboratory of Methodology for Behavioral Sciences and Neurosciences, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Cognitivas, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad de Talca, Talca, Chile
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Yuan D, Meng Y, Ai Z, Zhou S. Research trend of epigenetics and depression: adolescents' research needs to strengthen. Front Neurosci 2024; 17:1289019. [PMID: 38249586 PMCID: PMC10799345 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1289019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective With its high prevalence, depression's pathogenesis remains unclear. Recent attention has turned to the interplay between depression and epigenetic modifications. However, quantitative bibliometric analyses are lacking. This study aims to visually analyze depression epigenetics trends, utilizing bibliometric tools, while comprehensively reviewing its epigenetic mechanisms. Methods Utilizing the Web of Science core dataset, we collected depression and epigenetics-related studies. Employing VOSViewer software, we visualized data on authors, countries, journals, and keywords. A ranking table highlighted field leaders. Results Analysis encompassed 3,469 depression epigenetics studies published from January 2002 to June 2023. Key findings include: (1) Gradual publication growth, peaking in 2021; (2) The United States and its research institutions leading contributions; (3) Need for enhanced collaborations, spanning international and interdisciplinary efforts; (4) Keyword clustering revealed five main themes-early-life stress, microRNA, genetics, DNA methylation, and histone acetylation-highlighting research hotspots; (5) Limited focus on adolescent depression epigenetics, warranting increased attention. Conclusion Taken together, this study revealed trends and hotspots in depression epigenetics research, underscoring global collaboration, interdisciplinary fusion, and multi-omics data's importance. It discussed in detail the potential of epigenetic mechanisms in depression diagnosis and treatment, advocating increased focus on adolescent research in this field. Insights aid researchers in shaping their investigative paths toward understanding depression's epigenetic mechanisms and antidepressant interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongfeng Yuan
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Yitong Meng
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhongzhu Ai
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, Wuhan, China
- Modern Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ethnic Medicine of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Shiquan Zhou
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
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Carpentieri V, Cugno S, Lockic K, Pascale E, Adriani W. DAT1 5'-Un-Translated-Region Methylation Patterns as Bio-Markers of ADHD Psycho-Pathology: Contribution to Disease Prognosis and to Monitoring of a Successful Therapy. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2546. [PMID: 37760987 PMCID: PMC10526158 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092546] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications, such as changes in DNA methylation, have been linked to several diseases in recent years. The purpose of our study was to search for biomarkers that (using non-invasive techniques) could assist the clinician in the prognosis of infant/adolescent psychopathology. We previously showed that changes in methylation of the 5'-UTR in the DAT1/SLC6A3 gene can be used as a biomarker for the prognosis of initial severe ADHD: treatment-resistant severe ADHD children were characterized by methylated CpG 1 in particular, while methylated CpGs 2 and 6 were then found in children who improved after the therapy. Further, we confirmed these outcomes and provided the hypothesis that symptomatology might be influenced by the children's genotype and family environment. In particular, levels of CpG 3 methylation in the heterozygous ADHD children were associated with high paternal own risk or stress. Eventually, we found that the same biomarkers are more broadly useful in the field of internalizing or externalizing symptoms (when a certain vulnerability is already present in the child). In particular, it was seen how inheriting specific 9-repeat or 10-repeat VNTR alleles from the mother or from the father could modify the pattern of methylation at the 5'-UTR of the DAT1 gene. A specific pattern of methylations (with CpG 2 following either CpGs 1 + 3 or CpG 6 at the DAT1 5'-UTR) has been associated, therefore, with the likelihood of an internalizing or externalizing developmental trajectory entailing ADHD-like psycho-pathological characteristics. Since each individual responds differently to a specific treatment, we suggest that these methylation patterns may be used as biomarkers to monitor the outcome and/or predict the success of a given therapy (personalized medicine).
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Carpentieri
- Center for Behavioral Science and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, I-00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Silvia Cugno
- Faculty of Psychology, International Telematic University Uninettuno, I-00186 Rome, Italy; (S.C.); (K.L.)
| | - Katarina Lockic
- Faculty of Psychology, International Telematic University Uninettuno, I-00186 Rome, Italy; (S.C.); (K.L.)
| | - Esterina Pascale
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00162 Rome, Italy;
| | - Walter Adriani
- Center for Behavioral Science and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, I-00161 Rome, Italy;
- Faculty of Psychology, International Telematic University Uninettuno, I-00186 Rome, Italy; (S.C.); (K.L.)
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Hammann N, Kaess M, Rujescu D, Brunner R, Hartmann AM, Reichl C. Methylation of the Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene (NR3C1) in Adolescents with a History of Childhood Adversity Engaging in Non-Suicidal Self-Injury. Psychopathology 2023; 57:81-90. [PMID: 37531940 DOI: 10.1159/000531253] [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: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a large phenomenon among adolescents, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a major risk factor in its development. Malfunctioning of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been repeatedly reported for ACE as well as for NSSI. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is essential for the correct functioning of the HPA axis, thus alterations in the expression of the GR through altered methylation of the GR gene (NR3C1) (and more specifically exon 1F) might contribute to the development of NSSI in individuals with a history of ACEs, as has been reported for different other mental disorders. METHODS In this case-control study, we compared the methylation levels of exon 1F of the GR gene (NR3C1-1F) in adolescents with engagement in NSSI (n = 67) and a healthy control group (HC; n = 47). We preserved buccal swabs and used a mass spectrometry-based method called EpiTYPER for analyzing mean methylation of NR3C1-1F. RESULTS Adolescents in the NSSI group reported significantly more ACEs. The mean methylation level was about 3% in both groups with no significant group differences. Furthermore, no significant relation was found between ACE and methylation of NR3C1-1F, neither in the overall sample nor in the NSSI or HC group. CONCLUSION Our results are contradictory to previous research showing an increased methylation in individuals with ACE. Regarding relations between methylation of NR3C1-1F and mental disorders, previous studies reported inconsistent findings. Our study points to NSSI being either unrelated to methylation of NR3C1-1F or to yet not identified moderators on relations between methylation of NR3C1-1F and engagement in NSSI during adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Hammann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Child and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Kaess
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dan Rujescu
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Romuald Brunner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Annette M Hartmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Corinna Reichl
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Childhood Trauma and Epigenetics: State of the Science and Future. Curr Environ Health Rep 2022; 9:661-672. [PMID: 36242743 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-022-00381-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW There is a great deal of interest regarding the biological embedding of childhood trauma and social exposures through epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation (DNAm), but a comprehensive understanding has been hindered by issues of limited reproducibility between studies. This review presents a summary of the literature on childhood trauma and DNAm, highlights issues in the field, and proposes some potential solutions. RECENT FINDINGS Investigations of the associations between DNAm and childhood trauma are commonly performed using candidate gene approaches, specifically involving genes related to neurological and stress pathways. Childhood trauma is defined in a wide range of ways in several societal contexts. However, although variations in DNAm are frequently found in stress-related genes, unsupervised epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) have shown limited reproducibility both between studies and in relating these changes to exposures. The reproducibility of childhood trauma DNAm studies, and the field of social epigenetics in general, may be improved by increasing sample sizes, standardizing variables, making use of effect size thresholds, collecting longitudinal and intervention samples, appropriately accounting for known confounding factors, and applying causal analysis wherever possible, such as "two-step epigenetic Mendelian randomization."
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Quevedo Y, Booij L, Herrera L, Hernández C, Jiménez JP. Potential epigenetic mechanisms in psychotherapy: a pilot study on DNA methylation and mentalization change in borderline personality disorder. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:955005. [PMID: 36171872 PMCID: PMC9510615 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.955005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic and early environmental factors are interwoven in the etiology of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Epigenetic mechanisms offer the molecular machinery to adapt to environmental conditions. There are gaps in the knowledge about how epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the effects of early affective environment, development of BPD, and psychotherapy response. We reviewed the available evidence of the effects of psychotherapy on changes in DNA methylation and conducted a pilot study in a sample of 11 female adolescents diagnosed with BPD, exploring for changes in peripheral DNA methylation of FKBP5 gene, which encodes for a stress response protein, in relation to psychotherapy, on symptomatology and underlying psychological processes. For this purpose, measures of early trauma, borderline and depressive symptoms, psychotherapy outcome, mentalization, and emotional regulation were studied. A reduction in the average FKBP5 methylation levels was observed over time. Additionally, the decrease in FKBP5 methylation observed occurred only in those individuals who had early trauma and responded to psychotherapy. The results suggest an effect of psychotherapy on epigenetic mechanisms associated with the stress response. The finding that epigenetic changes were only observed in patients with early trauma suggests a specific molecular mechanism of recovery. The results should be taken with caution given the small sample size. Also, further research is needed to adjust for confounding factors and include endocrinological markers and therapeutic process variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamil Quevedo
- Departamento de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental Oriente, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millenium Institute for Depression and Personality Research, Santiago, Chile
| | - Linda Booij
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Luisa Herrera
- Programa de Genética Humana, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristobal Hernández
- Millenium Institute for Depression and Personality Research, Santiago, Chile
- Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Pablo Jiménez
- Departamento de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental Oriente, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millenium Institute for Depression and Personality Research, Santiago, Chile
- *Correspondence: Juan Pablo Jiménez
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Genetic association of FKBP5 with trait resilience in Korean male patients with alcohol use disorder. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18454. [PMID: 34531492 PMCID: PMC8445975 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98032-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The FKBP5 gene is known to have an important role in alcohol use disorder (AUD) in response to stress and has been reported to affect stress responses by interacting with childhood trauma. This study investigated the effects of the FKBP5 polymorphism rs1360780 and childhood trauma on trait resilience in male patients with AUD. In addition, allele-specific associations between FKBP5 DNA methylation and resilience were examined. In total, 297 men with AUD were assessed for alcohol use severity, childhood trauma, resilience, and impulsivity. Genotyping for FKBP5 rs1360780 and DNA methylation were analyzed. The effects of the rs1360780 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and clinical variables on resilience were tested using linear regression analysis. Possible associations between FKBP5 DNA methylation and resilience were tested with partial correlation analysis. The rs1360780 risk allele, a low education level, and high impulsivity were associated with diminished resilience, whereas no significant main or interaction effect of childhood trauma with the SNP rs1360780 genotype on resilience was shown. No significant association between FKBP5 DNA methylation and resilience was found. The present study demonstrated the involvement of the rs1360780 risk allele in trait resilience in men with AUD, suggesting that the genetic vulnerability of FKBP5 may influence resilience related to AUD.
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Ramo-Fernández L, Gumpp AM, Boeck C, Krause S, Bach AM, Waller C, Kolassa IT, Karabatsiakis A. Associations between childhood maltreatment and DNA methylation of the oxytocin receptor gene in immune cells of mother-newborn dyads. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:449. [PMID: 34471100 PMCID: PMC8410844 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01546-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) and its receptor (OXTR) modulate interpersonal relationships, particularly mother-child interactions. DNA methylation (DNAm) changes of the OXTR gene were observed in individuals who experienced Childhood Maltreatment (CM). A modulatory role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) within OXTR in association with CM on the regulation of OXTR was also postulated. Whether these CM-induced epigenetic alterations are biologically inherited by the offspring remains unknown. We thus investigated possible intergenerational effects of maternal CM exposure on DNAm and OXTR gene expression, additionally accounting for the possible influence of three SNP: rs53576 and rs2254298 (OXTR gene), and rs2740210 (OXT gene). We used the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire to classify mothers into individuals with (CM+) or without CM (CM-). Maternal peripheral immune cells were isolated from venous blood (N = 117) and fetal immune cells from the umbilical cord (N = 113) after parturition. DNA methylation was assessed using MassARRAY. Taqman assays were performed for genotyping and gene expression analyses. Among mothers, CM was not associated with OXTR mean methylation or gene expression. However, four CpG sites showed different methylation levels in CM- compared to CM+. In mothers, the OXTR rs53576 and OXT rs2740210 allelic variations interacted with CM load on the OXTR mean methylation. Maternal and newborns' mean methylation of OXTR were positively associated within CM- dyads, but not in CM+ dyads. We show gene×environment interactions on the epigenetic regulation of the oxytocinergic signaling and show the intergenerational comparability of the OXTR DNAm might be altered in infants of CM+ mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ramo-Fernández
- Clinical & Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Anja M. Gumpp
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Clinical & Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christina Boeck
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Clinical & Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sabrina Krause
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XPsychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Alexandra M. Bach
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Clinical & Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christiane Waller
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XPsychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany ,Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Paracelsus Medical Private University of Nueremberg, Nueremberg, Germany
| | - Iris-Tatjana Kolassa
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Clinical & Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Alexander Karabatsiakis
- Clinical & Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany. .,Department of Clinical Psychology II, Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
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