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Sullivan EL, Molloy KR, Dunn GA, Balanzar AL, Young AS, Loftis JM, Ablow JC, Nigg JT, Gustafsson HC. Adipokines measured during pregnancy and at birth are associated with infant negative affect. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 120:34-43. [PMID: 38772428 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased adiposity during pregnancy may be related to offspring risk for mental health disorders, although the biological mechanisms are poorly understood. One promising hypothesis is that factors secreted from adipocytes such as leptin and adiponectin may explain this association. The current study examined whether pregnancy or umbilical cord blood concentrations of leptin and/or adiponectin a) predict elevated infant negative affect at 6 months (an early life marker of risk for psychopathology); and b) help explain the association between pregnancy adiposity and increased infant negative affect. METHODS Data came from a prospective cohort (N = 305) of pregnant individuals and their offspring. Second trimester adiposity was assessed using air displacement plethysmography. Concentrations of leptin and adiponectin were measured in second trimester plasma and umbilical cord plasma. Infant negative affect was assessed by standardized observation at 6 months. Second trimester inflammation was assessed using a comprehensive panel of cytokines. RESULTS Lower second trimester adiponectin was associated with elevated infant negative affect, and mediated the effect of pregnancy adiposity on infant negative affect. This association was independent of the effect of second trimester inflammation. Umbilical cord leptin also predicted higher infant negative affect and mediated the association between pregnancy adiposity and infant negative affect. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to link pregnancy adiponectin or cord blood leptin to infant markers of risk for psychopathology, and the first to demonstrate that these adipokines mediate the association between pregnancy adiposity and offspring behavioral outcomes, suggesting novel markers of risk and potential mechanisms of effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elinor L Sullivan
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, United States; Center for Mental Health Innovation, Oregon Health & Science University, United States; Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primary Research Center, United States.
| | - Kelly R Molloy
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, United States; Center for Mental Health Innovation, Oregon Health & Science University, United States
| | - Geoffrey A Dunn
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, United States; Center for Mental Health Innovation, Oregon Health & Science University, United States
| | - Adriana L Balanzar
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, United States; Center for Mental Health Innovation, Oregon Health & Science University, United States
| | - Anna S Young
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, United States; Center for Mental Health Innovation, Oregon Health & Science University, United States
| | - Jennifer M Loftis
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, United States; VA Portland Health Care System, United States
| | | | - Joel T Nigg
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, United States; Center for Mental Health Innovation, Oregon Health & Science University, United States
| | - Hanna C Gustafsson
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, United States; Center for Mental Health Innovation, Oregon Health & Science University, United States
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Collins JM, Keane JM, Deady C, Khashan AS, McCarthy FP, O'Keeffe GW, Clarke G, Cryan JF, Caputi V, O'Mahony SM. Prenatal stress impacts foetal neurodevelopment: Temporal windows of gestational vulnerability. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 164:105793. [PMID: 38971516 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105793] [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: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Prenatal maternal stressors ranging in severity from everyday occurrences/hassles to the experience of traumatic events negatively impact neurodevelopment, increasing the risk for the onset of psychopathology in the offspring. Notably, the timing of prenatal stress exposure plays a critical role in determining the nature and severity of subsequent neurodevelopmental outcomes. In this review, we evaluate the empirical evidence regarding temporal windows of heightened vulnerability to prenatal stress with respect to motor, cognitive, language, and behavioural development in both human and animal studies. We also explore potential temporal windows whereby several mechanisms may mediate prenatal stress-induced neurodevelopmental effects, namely, excessive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity, altered serotonin signalling and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary system, changes in placental function, immune system dysregulation, and alterations of the gut microbiota. While broadly defined developmental windows are apparent for specific psychopathological outcomes, inconsistencies arise when more complex cognitive and behavioural outcomes are considered. Novel approaches to track molecular markers reflective of the underlying aetiologies throughout gestation to identify tractable biomolecular signatures corresponding to critical vulnerability periods are urgently required.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Collins
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - James M Keane
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Clara Deady
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Ali S Khashan
- School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; The Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (INFANT), Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Fergus P McCarthy
- The Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (INFANT), Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Gerard W O'Keeffe
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; The Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (INFANT), Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Gerard Clarke
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; The Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (INFANT), Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - John F Cryan
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Valentina Caputi
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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Piras G, Cadoni C, Caria F, Pintori N, Spano E, Vanejevs M, Ture A, Tocco G, Simola N, De Luca MA. Characterization of the Neurochemical and Behavioral Effects of the Phenethylamine 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA in Adolescent and Adult Male Rats. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2024; 27:pyae016. [PMID: 38546531 PMCID: PMC11120233 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyae016] [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: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The proliferation of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in the drug market raises concerns about uncertainty on their pharmacological profile and the health hazard linked to their use. Within the category of synthetic stimulant NPS, the phenethylamine 2-Cl-4,5-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (2-Cl-4,5-MDMA) has been linked to severe intoxication requiring hospitalization. Thereby, the characterization of its pharmacological profile is urgently warranted. METHODS By in vivo brain microdialysis in adolescent and adult male rats we investigated the effects of 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA on dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission in two brain areas critical for the motivational and rewarding properties of drugs, the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Moreover, we evaluated the locomotor and stereotyped activity induced by 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA and the emission of 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) to characterize its affective properties. RESULTS 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA increased dialysate DA and 5-HT in a dose-, brain area-, and age-dependent manner. Notably, 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA more markedly increased dialysate DA in the NAc shell and mPFC of adult than adolescent rats, while the opposite was observed on dialysate 5-HT in the NAc shell, with adolescent rats being more responsive. Furthermore, 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA stimulated locomotion and stereotyped activity in both adolescent and adult rats, although to a greater extent in adolescents. Finally, 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA did not stimulate the emission of 50-kHz USVs. CONCLUSIONS This is the first pharmacological characterization of 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA demonstrating that its neurochemical and behavioral effects may differ between adolescence and adulthood. These preclinical data could help understanding the central effects of 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA by increasing awareness on possible health damage in users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gessica Piras
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Cristina Cadoni
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council of Italy, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesca Caria
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nicholas Pintori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Enrica Spano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | | | - Graziella Tocco
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nicola Simola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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Sun M, Brivio P, Shan L, Docq S, Heltzel LCMW, Smits CAJ, Middelman A, Vrooman R, Spoelder M, Verheij MMM, Buitelaar JK, Boillot M, Calabrese F, Homberg JR, Hanswijk SI. Offspring's own serotonin transporter genotype, independently from the maternal one, increases anxiety- and depression-like behavior and alters neuroplasticity markers in rats. J Affect Disord 2024; 350:89-101. [PMID: 38220097 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.114] [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: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Developmental changes due to early life variations in the serotonin system affect stress-related behavior and neuroplasticity in adulthood. These outcomes can be caused both by offspring's own and maternal serotonergic genotype. We aimed to dissociate the contribution of the own genotype from the influences of mother genotype. METHODS Sixty-six male homozygous (5-HTT-/-) and heterozygous (5-HTT+/-) serotonin transporter knockout and wild-type rats from constant 5-HTT genotype mothers crossed with varying 5-HTT genotype fathers were subjected to tests assessing anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Additionally, we measured plasma corticosterone levels and mRNA levels of BDNF, GABA system and HPA-axis components in the prelimbic and infralimbic cortex. Finally, we assessed the effect of paternal 5-HTT genotype on these measurements in 5-HTT+/- offspring receiving their knockout allele from their mother or father. RESULTS 5-HTT-/- offspring exhibited increased anxiety- and depression-like behavior in the elevated plus maze and sucrose preference test. Furthermore, Bdnf isoform VI expression was reduced in the prelimbic cortex. Bdnf isoform IV and GABA related gene expression was also altered but did not survive false discovery rate (FDR) correction. Finally, 5-HTT+/- offspring from 5-HTT-/- fathers displayed higher levels of anxiety- and depression-like behavior and changes in GABA, BDNF and HPA-axis related gene expression not surviving FDR correction. LIMITATIONS Only male offspring was tested. CONCLUSIONS Offspring's own 5-HTT genotype influences stress-related behaviors and Bdnf isoform VI expression, independently of maternal 5-HTT genotype. Paternal 5-HTT genotype separately influenced these outcomes. These findings advance our understanding of the 5-HTT genotype dependent susceptibility to stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menghan Sun
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, the Netherlands
| | - Paola Brivio
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Ling Shan
- Department Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sylvia Docq
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, the Netherlands
| | - Lisa C M W Heltzel
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, the Netherlands
| | - Celine A J Smits
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, the Netherlands
| | - Anthonieke Middelman
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, the Netherlands
| | - Roel Vrooman
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, the Netherlands
| | - Marcia Spoelder
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, the Netherlands; Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, the Netherlands
| | - Michel M M Verheij
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, the Netherlands
| | - Jan K Buitelaar
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, the Netherlands; Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Morgane Boillot
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, the Netherlands
| | - Francesca Calabrese
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Judith R Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, the Netherlands.
| | - Sabrina I Hanswijk
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, the Netherlands
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Gračan R, Blažević SA, Brižić M, Hranilovic D. Beyond the Brain: Perinatal Exposure of Rats to Serotonin Enhancers Induces Long-Term Changes in the Jejunum and Liver. Biomedicines 2024; 12:357. [PMID: 38397959 PMCID: PMC10887406 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12020357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) homeostasis is essential for many physiological processes in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. Hyperserotonemia, a measurable sign of 5HT homeostasis disruption, can be caused by 5HT-directed treatment of psychiatric and gastrointestinal diseases. Its impact on the long-term balance and function of 5HT in the peripheral compartment remains unresolved and requires further research due to possible effects on human health. We explored the effects of perinatal 5HT imbalance on the peripheral organs responsible for serotonin metabolism-the jejunum, a synthesis site, and the liver, a catabolism site-in adult rats. Hyperserotonemia was induced by subchronic treatment with serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) or serotonin degradation inhibitor tranylcypromine (TCP). The jejunum and liver were collected on postnatal day 70 and analyzed histomorphometrically. Relative mRNA levels of 5HT-regulating proteins were determined using qRT-PCR. Compared to controls, 5HTP- and TCP-treated rats had a reduced number of 5HT-producing cells and expression of the 5HT-synthesising enzyme in the jejunum, and an increased expression of 5HT-transporter accompanied by karyomegaly in hepatocytes, with these differences being more pronounced in the TCP-treated animals. Here, we report that perinatal 5HT disbalance induced long-term cellular and molecular changes in organs regulating 5HT-metabolism, which may have a negative impact on 5HT availability and function in the periphery. Our rat model demonstrates a link between the developmental abnormalities of serotonin homeostasis and 5HT-related changes in adult life and may be suitable for exploring the neurobiological substrates of vulnerability to behavioral and metabolic disorders, as well as for modeling the adverse effects of the prenatal exposure to 5HT enhancers in the human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romana Gračan
- Division of Zoology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Sofia Ana Blažević
- Division of Animal Physiology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.B.); (D.H.)
| | - Matea Brižić
- Division of Animal Physiology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.B.); (D.H.)
| | - Dubravka Hranilovic
- Division of Animal Physiology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.B.); (D.H.)
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Lee SH, Jung EM. Adverse effects of early-life stress: focus on the rodent neuroendocrine system. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:336-341. [PMID: 37488887 PMCID: PMC10503627 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.377587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life stress is associated with a high prevalence of mental illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety or depressive behavior, which constitute major public health problems. In the early stages of brain development after birth, events such as synaptogenesis, neuron maturation, and glial differentiation occur in a highly orchestrated manner, and external stress can cause adverse long-term effects throughout life. Our body utilizes multifaceted mechanisms, including neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter signaling pathways, to appropriately process external stress. Newborn individuals first exposed to early-life stress deploy neurogenesis as a stress-defense mechanism; however, in adulthood, early-life stress induces apoptosis of mature neurons, activation of immune responses, and reduction of neurotrophic factors, leading to anxiety, depression, and cognitive and memory dysfunction. This process involves the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and neurotransmitters secreted by the central nervous system, including norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. The rodent early-life stress model is generally used to experimentally assess the effects of stress during neurodevelopment. This paper reviews the use of the early-life stress model and stress response mechanisms of the body and discusses the experimental results regarding how early-life stress mediates stress-related pathways at a high vulnerability of psychiatric disorder in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Hyun Lee
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Eui-Man Jung
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
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Vahid-Ansari F, Zahrai A, Daigle M, Albert PR. Chronic Desipramine Reverses Deficits in Cell Activity, Norepinephrine Innervation, and Anxiety-Depression Phenotypes in Fluoxetine-Resistant cF1ko Mice. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1147232023. [PMID: 38050173 PMCID: PMC10860653 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1147-23.2023] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitors are only 30% effective for remission in subjects with major depression, and the best treatments for SSRI-resistant patients remain unclear. To model SSRI resistance, we used cF1ko mice with conditional deletion of the repressor Freud-1/CC2D1A in adult 5-HT neurons. Within weeks, this deletion leads to overexpression of 5-HT1A autoreceptors, reduced serotonergic activity, and fluoxetine-resistant anxiety-depression phenotype. We hypothesized that desipramine (DES), which targets norepinephrine (NE), may be effective in cF1ko mice. The actions of chronic DES treatment on behavior, chronic cellular activation, and NE projections were examined in both sexes of cF1ko and WT mice. In contrast to fluoxetine, chronic DES reversed the behavioral phenotypes in cF1ko mice, while in WT littermates DES slightly increased anxiety and depression-like behaviors. Deficits in FosB+ cell counts were seen in the entorhinal cortex, hippocampal CA2/3 layer, and BLA of cF1ko mice and were reversed by chronic DES treatment, especially in GABAergic neurons. In cF1ko mice, widespread reductions were seen in NE axons, varicosities, and especially 30-60% reductions in NE synaptic and triadic contacts, particularly to inhibitory gephyrin-positive sites. DES treatment also reversed these reductions in NE innervation. These results indicate the dynamic plasticity of the adult noradrenergic system within weeks of altering serotonergic function that can be normalized by DES treatment. Accompanying these changes, DES but not fluoxetine reversed the behavioral alterations in cF1ko mice, suggesting a key role for noradrenergic plasticity in antidepressant response in this model of reduced serotonin activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faranak Vahid-Ansari
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (Neuroscience), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H-8M5, Canada
| | - Amin Zahrai
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (Neuroscience), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H-8M5, Canada
| | - Mireille Daigle
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (Neuroscience), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H-8M5, Canada
| | - Paul R Albert
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (Neuroscience), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H-8M5, Canada
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Babineau V, Jolicoeur-Martineau A, Szekely E, Green CG, Sassi R, Gaudreau H, Levitan RD, Lydon J, Steiner M, O'Donnell KJ, Kennedy JL, Burack JA, Wazana A. Maternal prenatal depression is associated with dysregulation over the first five years of life moderated by child polygenic risk for comorbid psychiatric problems. Dev Psychobiol 2023; 65:e22395. [PMID: 37338256 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation is a combination of emotion, behavior, and attention problems associated with lifelong psychiatric comorbidity. There is evidence for the stability of dysregulation from childhood to adulthood, which would be more fully characterized by determining the likely stability from infancy to childhood. Early origins of dysregulation can further be validated and contextualized in association with environmental and biological factors, such as prenatal stress and polygenic risk scores (PRS) for overlapping child psychiatric problems. We aimed to determine trajectories of dysregulation from 3 months to 5 years (N = 582) in association with maternal prenatal depression moderated by multiple child PRS (N = 232 pairs with available PRS data) in a prenatal cohort. Mothers reported depression symptoms at 24-26 weeks' gestation and child dysregulation at 3, 6, 18, 36, 48, and 60 months. The PRS were for major depressive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cross disorder, and childhood psychiatric problems. Covariates were biological sex, maternal education, and postnatal depression. Analyses included latent classes and regression. Two dysregulation trajectories emerged: persistently low dysregulation (94%), and increasingly high dysregulation (6%). Stable dysregulation emerged at 18 months. High dysregulation was associated with maternal prenatal depression, moderated by PRS for child comorbid psychiatric problems. Males were at greater risk of high dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Babineau
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Eszter Szekely
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Roberto Sassi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hélène Gaudreau
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Robert D Levitan
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - John Lydon
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Meir Steiner
- Women's Health Concerns Clinic, St-Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kieran J O'Donnell
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
| | - James L Kennedy
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jacob A Burack
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ashley Wazana
- Institute of Community and Family Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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9
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Sunderji A, Gallant HD, Hall A, Davis AD, Pokhvisneva I, Meaney MJ, Silveira PP, Sassi RB, Hall GB. Serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene network moderates the impact of prenatal maternal adversity on orbitofrontal cortical thickness in middle childhood. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287289. [PMID: 37319261 PMCID: PMC10270637 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In utero, the developing brain is highly susceptible to the environment. For example, adverse maternal experiences during the prenatal period are associated with outcomes such as altered neurodevelopment and emotion dysregulation. Yet, the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigate whether the function of a network of genes co-expressed with the serotonin transporter in the amygdala moderates the impact of prenatal maternal adversity on the structure of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in middle childhood and/or the degree of temperamental inhibition exhibited in toddlerhood. T1-weighted structural MRI scans were acquired from children aged 6-12 years. A cumulative maternal adversity score was used to conceptualize prenatal adversity and a co-expression based polygenic risk score (ePRS) was generated. Behavioural inhibition at 18 months was assessed using the Early Childhood Behaviour Questionnaire (ECBQ). Our results indicate that in the presence of a low functioning serotonin transporter gene network in the amygdala, higher levels of prenatal adversity are associated with greater right OFC thickness at 6-12 years old. The interaction also predicts temperamental inhibition at 18 months. Ultimately, we identified important biological processes and structural modifications that may underlie the link between early adversity and future deviations in cognitive, behavioural, and emotional development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleeza Sunderji
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Heather D. Gallant
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Alexander Hall
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew D. Davis
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Irina Pokhvisneva
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Michael J. Meaney
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences and Brain–Body Initiative, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Patricia P. Silveira
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Roberto B. Sassi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Geoffrey B. Hall
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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10
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He Q, Lian C, Peng S, Chen H, Kang Q, Chen J. Hypermethylation of the serotonin transporter gene and paternal parenting styles in untreated anorexia nervosa patients: A pilot study. Heliyon 2023; 9:e12635. [PMID: 36747546 PMCID: PMC9898629 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose It has been reported that serotonergic systems and parenting styles are involved in the pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa (AN). The present study made attempts to examine the DNA methylation profiles in the promoter region of serotonin transporter (5-HTT) encoding gene SLC6A4, and explore the association between the methylation level and severity of symptoms, 5-HTT linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) genotypes and parenting styles in untreated Chinese Han AN patients. Methods Ninety-one untreated female AN patients (ANs) and eighty-seven matched healthy controls (HCs) were analyzed for DNA methylation status at CpG islands in the promoter region of SLC6A4 using MassARRY EpiTYPER, and genotypes of 5-HTTLPR using PCR-RFLP. The severity of eating disorder (ED) symptoms was evaluated by body mass index (BMI) and Questionnaire Version of the Eating Disorders Examination (EDE-Q 6.0), and part of participants were assessed parenting styles using the short Chinese Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostra (s-EMBU-C). Results ANs had greater methylation levels at CpG26.27.28, CpG 31.32, and CpG 37 than HCs (P = 0.039, 0.042, 0.018 respectively). A positive association of methylation level at CpG26.27.28 with ED symptoms detected by EDEQ-6.0 was discovered in AN group (r = 0.216, P = 0.047). Methylation level at CpG26.27.28 was showed to be or tend to be positively correlated with the parenting styles of paternal rejection (r = 0.425, P = 0.038) and paternal overprotection (r = 0.362, P = 0.062) in ANs. No significant differences were found in SLC6A4 promoter region methylation levels among 5-HTTLPR genotypes in our samples (P > 0.05) and no interaction effect between 5-HTTLPR genotypes and parenting styles on SLC6A4 promoter region methylation was observed (P > 0.05). Conclusions This study suggested that hypermethylation of SLC6A4 promoter region may be implicated in the pathological mechanisms of untreated Chinese Han female ANs, which is possibly associated with poor parenting styles. This finding may provide a direction for the epigenetic and family treatments for ANs and further investigation with larger samples is warranted.
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11
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Palumbo S, Mariotti V, Vellucci S, Antonelli K, Anderson N, Harenski C, Pietrini P, Kiehl KA, Pellegrini S. HTR1B genotype and psychopathy: Main effect and interaction with paternal maltreatment. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 144:105861. [PMID: 35853382 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Psychopathy is a condition characterized by atypical emotions and socially maladaptive behavioral patterns. Among incarcerated people, psychopathy has been associated with higher rates of crimes, recidivism, and resistance to treatment. Many studies have indicated significant heritability of psychopathic traits, but little is known about the specific contribution of genes and their interaction with adverse experiences in life. Considering the primary role that serotonin plays in cognition and emotion, we investigated TPH2-rs4570625, 5-HTTLPR, MAOA-uVNTR, HTR1B-rs13212041 and HTR2A-rs6314 as risk factors for psychopathy in the largest sample of institutionalized individuals studied so far, consisting of 793 US White male incarcerated adults, and in a replication sample of 168 US White male incarcerated adolescents. In a subgroup of the adult sample, the interaction between genetics and parenting style, assessed by the Measure of Parental Style (MOPS) questionnaire, was also evaluated. The HTR1B-rs13212041-T/T genotype, as compared to HTR1B-rs13212041-C allele, predicted higher psychopathy scores in both the adult and the adolescent samples. The interaction between HTR1B-rs13212041-T/T genotype and paternal MOPS scores, investigated in a subgroup of the adult sample, was an even stronger predictor of higher levels of psychopathy than either the genetics or the environment taken individually. Overall, these data, obtained in two independent samples, shed new light on neurobiological correlates of psychopathy with promising implications both at a clinical and forensic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Palumbo
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Veronica Mariotti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Vellucci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Klizia Antonelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nathaniel Anderson
- The Mind Research Network and Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Carla Harenski
- The Mind Research Network and Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Pietro Pietrini
- Molecular Mind Lab, IMT School for Advanced Studies, Lucca, Italy
| | - Kent A Kiehl
- The Mind Research Network and Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, USA; Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Silvia Pellegrini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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12
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Breton E, Fotso Soh J, Booij L. Immunoinflammatory processes: Overlapping mechanisms between obesity and eating disorders? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 138:104688. [PMID: 35594735 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Obesity and eating disorders are conditions that involve eating behaviors and are sometimes comorbid. Current evidence supports alterations in immunoinflammatory processes in both obesity and eating disorders. A plausible hypothesis is that immunoinflammatory processes may be involved in the pathophysiology of obesity and eating disorders. The aim of this review is to highlight the link between obesity and eating disorders, with a particular focus on immunoinflammatory processes. First, the relation between obesity and eating disorders will be presented, followed by a brief review of the literature on their association with immunoinflammatory processes. Second, developmental factors will be discussed to clarify the link between obesity, eating disorders, and immunoinflammatory processes. Genetic and epigenetic risk factors as well as the potential roles of stress pathways and early life development will be presented. Finally, implications of these findings for future research are discussed. This review highlighted biological and developmental aspects that overlap between obesity and EDs, emphasizing the need for biopsychosocial research approaches to advance current knowledge and practice in these fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Breton
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - J Fotso Soh
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Canada; Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - L Booij
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada; Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.
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13
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Abstract
During evolution, the cerebral cortex advances by increasing in surface and the introduction of new cytoarchitectonic areas among which the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is considered to be the substrate of highest cognitive functions. Although neurons of the PFC are generated before birth, the differentiation of its neurons and development of synaptic connections in humans extend to the 3rd decade of life. During this period, synapses as well as neurotransmitter systems including their receptors and transporters, are initially overproduced followed by selective elimination. Advanced methods applied to human and animal models, enable investigation of the cellular mechanisms and role of specific genes, non-coding regulatory elements and signaling molecules in control of prefrontal neuronal production and phenotypic fate, as well as neuronal migration to establish layering of the PFC. Likewise, various genetic approaches in combination with functional assays and immunohistochemical and imaging methods reveal roles of neurotransmitter systems during maturation of the PFC. Disruption, or even a slight slowing of the rate of neuronal production, migration and synaptogenesis by genetic or environmental factors, can induce gross as well as subtle changes that eventually can lead to cognitive impairment. An understanding of the development and evolution of the PFC provide insight into the pathogenesis and treatment of congenital neuropsychiatric diseases as well as idiopathic developmental disorders that cause intellectual disabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon M Kolk
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Pasko Rakic
- Department of Neuroscience and Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
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14
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Craig F, Mascheroni E, Giorda R, Felline MG, Bacco MG, Castagna A, Tenuta F, Villa M, Costabile A, Trabacca A, Montirosso R. Exploring the Contribution of Proximal Family Risk Factors on SLC6A4 DNA Methylation in Children with a History of Maltreatment: A Preliminary Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182312736. [PMID: 34886461 PMCID: PMC8657512 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The cumulative effects of proximal family risk factors have been associated with a high number of adverse outcomes in childhood maltreatment, and DNA methylation of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) has been associated with child maltreatment. However, the relationships between proximal family risk factors and SLC6A4 methylation remains unexplored. We examined the association among cumulative family risk factors, maltreatment experiences and DNA methylation in the SLC6A4 gene in a sample of 33 child victims of maltreatment. We computed a cumulative family risk (CFR) index that included proximal family risk factors, such as drug or alcohol abuse, psychopathology, parents’ experiences of maltreatment/abuse in childhood, criminal history, and domestic violence. The majority of children (90.9%) experienced more than one type of maltreatment. Hierarchical regression models suggested that the higher the CFR index score and the number of maltreatment experiences, and the older the children, the higher the SLC6A4 DNA methylation levels. Although preliminary, our findings suggest that, along with childhood maltreatment experiences per se, cumulative proximal family risk factors are seemingly critically associated with DNA methylation at the SLC6A4 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Craig
- Department of Culture, Education and Society, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (F.C.); (F.T.); (A.C.)
- Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 72100 Brindisi, Italy; (M.G.F.); (M.G.B.)
| | - Eleonora Mascheroni
- 0–3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (E.M.); (A.C.); (R.M.)
| | - Roberto Giorda
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (R.G.); (M.V.)
| | - Maria Grazia Felline
- Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 72100 Brindisi, Italy; (M.G.F.); (M.G.B.)
| | - Maria Grazia Bacco
- Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 72100 Brindisi, Italy; (M.G.F.); (M.G.B.)
| | - Annalisa Castagna
- 0–3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (E.M.); (A.C.); (R.M.)
| | - Flaviana Tenuta
- Department of Culture, Education and Society, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (F.C.); (F.T.); (A.C.)
| | - Marco Villa
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (R.G.); (M.V.)
| | - Angela Costabile
- Department of Culture, Education and Society, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (F.C.); (F.T.); (A.C.)
| | - Antonio Trabacca
- Unit for Severe Disabilities in Developmental Age and Young Adults, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 72100 Brindisi, Italy; (M.G.F.); (M.G.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Rosario Montirosso
- 0–3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (E.M.); (A.C.); (R.M.)
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15
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Booij L, Nicolosi M. Early childhood care, support and research: how early screening and longitudinal studies can help children thrive. J Pediatr (Rio J) 2021; 97:579-581. [PMID: 34019848 PMCID: PMC9432234 DOI: 10.1016/j.jped.2021.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Linda Booij
- Concordia University, Department of Psychology, Montreal, Canada; Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Canada.
| | - Melissa Nicolosi
- Concordia University, Department of Psychology, Montreal, Canada; Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Canada
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16
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Impact of chronic sub-lethal methylparaben exposure on cardiac hypoxia and alterations in neuroendocrine factors in zebrafish model. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 49:331-340. [PMID: 34716506 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06878-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endocrine-disrupting chemicals have been shown to cause toxicity in different systems of the body including the endocrine, cardiovascular and nervous systems. This study aims to analyze the adverse effects of Methylparaben (MP) on cardiac functions, neurodevelopment, and behavior of zebrafish. METHODS AND RESULTS Adult male and female zebrafish were exposed to MP for 30 days to study the toxicity effects. Zebrafish were grouped into control, solvent control, 1/10th (110 ppb), 1/100th, and 1/1000th (1 ppb) lethal concentration 50 of MP. Neurobehavioral assays, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, serotonin levels, and expression of genes-Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha, Neurotrophic Receptor Tyrosine Kinase, Paired box protein Pax-6, and tnnt2 were investigated in zebrafish. Results of the study showed more anxiety-like behavior in MP-treated female zebrafish when compared to males on chronic exposure. There was a dose-dependent reduction of AChE activity in both male and female zebrafish. Female zebrafish showed a dose-dependent increase in serotonin level on MP exposure while male zebrafish showed a dose-independent decrease in serotonin level. On MP exposure, there was also a dose-dependent dysregulation in the expression of cardiac hypoxia and neuronal differentiation-related genes in female zebrafish while a dose-independent change was observed in male zebrafish. CONCLUSION Chronic MP exposure affects cardiac functions, neuronal functions, and behavior of zebrafish by exhibiting changes in AChE activity, serotonin levels, and altering the expression of genes related to cardiac hypoxia and neuronal differentiation even at sub-lethal doses.
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17
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Checknita D, Tiihonen J, Hodgins S, Nilsson KW. Associations of age, sex, sexual abuse, and genotype with monoamine oxidase a gene methylation. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 128:1721-1739. [PMID: 34424394 PMCID: PMC8536631 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-021-02403-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Epigenome-wide studies report higher methylation among women than men with decreasing levels with age. Little is known about associations of sex and age with methylation of monoamine oxidase A (MAOA). Methylation of the first exonic and partial first intronic region of MAOA has been shown to strengthen associations of interactions of MAOA-uVNTR genotypes and adversity with aggression and substance misuse. Our study examined associations of sex and age with MAOA first exon and intron methylation levels in 252 women and 157 men aged 14–73 years. Participants included adolescents recruited at a substance misuse clinic, their siblings and parents, and healthy women. Women showed ~ 50% higher levels of exonic, and ~ 15% higher intronic, methylation than men. Methylation levels were similar between younger (M = 22.7 years) and older (M = 46.1 years) participants, and stable across age. Age modified few associations of methylation levels with sex. MAOA genotypes modified few associations of methylation with sex and age. Higher methylation levels among women were not explained by genotype, nor interaction of genotype and sexual abuse. Findings were similar after adjusting for lifetime diagnoses of substance dependence (women = 24.3%; men = 34.2%). Methylation levels were higher among women who experienced sexual abuse than women who did not. Results extend on prior studies by showing that women display higher levels of methylation than men within first intronic/exonic regions of MAOA, which did not decrease with age in either sex. Findings were not conditioned by genotype nor interactions of genotype and trauma, and indicate X-chromosome inactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Checknita
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. .,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Psychiatry Building R5:00 c/o Jari Tiihonen, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Centre for Clinical Research, Västmanland County Council, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Jari Tiihonen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Psychiatry Building R5:00 c/o Jari Tiihonen, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden.,Center for Psychiatry Research, Stockholm City Council, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Niuvanniemi Hospital, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sheilagh Hodgins
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Psychiatry Building R5:00 c/o Jari Tiihonen, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden.,Département de Psychiatrie et Addictologie, Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Kent W Nilsson
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Centre for Clinical Research, Västmanland County Council, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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18
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Santoro M, Siotto M, Germanotta M, Mastrorosa A, Papadopoulou D, Aprile I. Association Study of SLC6A4 (5-HTTLPR) Polymorphism and Its Promoter Methylation with Rehabilitation Outcome in Patients with Subacute Stroke. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12040579. [PMID: 33923526 PMCID: PMC8073642 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently it has been suggested that serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) and its 5HTTLPR polymorphism could be involved in post stroke recovery. Here, we characterized the methylation profile of two different CpG islands within the SLC6A4 promoter region in the whole blood of 50 patients with subacute stroke before and after a six-week rehabilitation treatment. These patients were genotyped for 5HTTLPR polymorphism identifying patients on the basis of short (S) and L (L) alleles: 17 patients LL, 22 patients LS and 11 patients SS. At baseline, all CpG sites for both CpG islands displayed a heterogeneous methylation percentage that were not influenced by the different genotypes. After rehabilitation, we found a significant variation in the methylation levels (increase/decrease) in the specific CpG sites of both CpG islands. The statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between the LL, LS and SS alleles and the outcome of the rehabilitation intervention (χ2 (2,50) = 6.395, p = 0.041). Specifically, we found a significant difference between patients with or without a favorable outcome in the LL (11.1% with a favorable outcome) and in the SS (54.4% with a favorable outcome) groups. Our data suggest that 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms and SLC6A4 promoter methylation may be employed as a non-invasive biological marker of recovery in patients with stroke undergoing rehabilitation.
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19
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Roy B, Dwivedi Y. Modeling endophenotypes of suicidal behavior in animals. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 128:819-827. [PMID: 33421543 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Suicide is a major public health concern. One of the common contributors to the increased risk for suicide is the genetic constitution of individuals, which determines certain endophenotypic traits used as quantifiable measure of neurobiological functions. Therefore, a logical deconstruction of the originating endophenotypes associated with suicidal risk could provide a better understanding of this complex disorder. In this regard, non-human animals can be a useful resource to test endophenotypes of suicidal behavior and the neurobiology underlying these endophenotypes. In this review, we have focused on the neurobiological abnormalities, primarily genetic and epigenetic abnormalities, associated with suicidal behavior and the scope of their modeling in animals. This can substantially advance the current understanding of suicidal behavior manifested with certain trait-based endophenotypes and may provide an opportunity to test novel hypotheses as well as aid in the development of treatment opportunities and risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhaskar Roy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, 1720 7(th) Avenue South, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Yogesh Dwivedi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, 1720 7(th) Avenue South, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
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20
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STAT3 in the dorsal raphe gates behavioural reactivity and regulates gene networks associated with psychopathology. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:2886-2899. [PMID: 33046834 PMCID: PMC8505245 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00904-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signalling pathway is activated through phosphorylation by Janus kinases in response to a diverse set of immunogenic and non-immunogenic triggers. Several distinct lines of evidence propose an intricate involvement of STAT3 in neural function relevant to behaviour in health and disease. However, in part due to the pleiotropic effects resulting from its DNA binding activity and the consequent regulation of expression of a variety of genes with context-dependent cellular consequences, the precise nature of STAT3 involvement in the neural mechanisms underlying psychopathology remains incompletely understood. Here, we focused on the midbrain serotonergic system, a central hub for the regulation of emotions, to examine the relevance of STAT3 signalling for emotional behaviour in mice by selectively knocking down raphe STAT3 expression using germline genetic (STAT3 KO) and viral-mediated approaches. Mice lacking serotonergic STAT3 presented with reduced negative behavioural reactivity and a blunted response to the sensitising effects of amphetamine, alongside alterations in midbrain neuronal firing activity of serotonergic neurons and transcriptional control of gene networks relevant for neuropsychiatric disorders. Viral knockdown of dorsal raphe (DR) STAT3 phenocopied the behavioural alterations of STAT3 KO mice, excluding a developmentally determined effect and suggesting that disruption of STAT3 signalling in the DR of adult mice is sufficient for the manifestation of behavioural traits relevant to psychopathology. Collectively, these results suggest DR STAT3 as a molecular gate for the control of behavioural reactivity, constituting a mechanistic link between the upstream activators of STAT3, serotonergic neurotransmission and psychopathology.
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21
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Hanswijk SI, Spoelder M, Shan L, Verheij MMM, Muilwijk OG, Li W, Liu C, Kolk SM, Homberg JR. Gestational Factors throughout Fetal Neurodevelopment: The Serotonin Link. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5850. [PMID: 32824000 PMCID: PMC7461571 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) is a critical player in brain development and neuropsychiatric disorders. Fetal 5-HT levels can be influenced by several gestational factors, such as maternal genotype, diet, stress, medication, and immune activation. In this review, addressing both human and animal studies, we discuss how these gestational factors affect placental and fetal brain 5-HT levels, leading to changes in brain structure and function and behavior. We conclude that gestational factors are able to interact and thereby amplify or counteract each other's impact on the fetal 5-HT-ergic system. We, therefore, argue that beyond the understanding of how single gestational factors affect 5-HT-ergic brain development and behavior in offspring, it is critical to elucidate the consequences of interacting factors. Moreover, we describe how each gestational factor is able to alter the 5-HT-ergic influence on the thalamocortical- and prefrontal-limbic circuitry and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical-axis. These alterations have been associated with risks to develop attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, depression, and/or anxiety. Consequently, the manipulation of gestational factors may be used to combat pregnancy-related risks for neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina I. Hanswijk
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (S.I.H.); (M.S.); (M.M.M.V.); (O.G.M.)
| | - Marcia Spoelder
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (S.I.H.); (M.S.); (M.M.M.V.); (O.G.M.)
| | - Ling Shan
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Michel M. M. Verheij
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (S.I.H.); (M.S.); (M.M.M.V.); (O.G.M.)
| | - Otto G. Muilwijk
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (S.I.H.); (M.S.); (M.M.M.V.); (O.G.M.)
| | - Weizhuo Li
- College of Medical Laboratory, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China; (W.L.); (C.L.)
| | - Chunqing Liu
- College of Medical Laboratory, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China; (W.L.); (C.L.)
| | - Sharon M. Kolk
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Judith R. Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (S.I.H.); (M.S.); (M.M.M.V.); (O.G.M.)
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22
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The role of TPH2 variant rs4570625 in shaping infant attention to social signals. Infant Behav Dev 2020; 60:101471. [PMID: 32711172 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2020.101471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
TPH2, the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of serotonin, has been connected to several psychiatric outcomes. Its allelic variant, rs4570625, has been found to relate to individual differences in cognitive and emotion regulation during infancy with T-carriers of rs4570625 showing a relatively heightened attention bias for fearful faces. A significant gene-environment interaction was also reported with the T-carriers of mothers with depressive symptoms showing the highest fear bias. We investigated these associations in a sample of 8-month old infants (N = 330), whose mothers were prescreened for low/high levels of prenatal depressive and/or anxiety symptoms. Attention disengagement from emotional faces (neutral, happy, fearful, and phase-scrambled control faces) to distractors was assessed with eye tracking and an overlap paradigm. Maternal depressive symptoms were assessed at several time points during pregnancy and postpartum. The mean levels of symptoms at six months postpartum and the trajectories of symptoms from early pregnancy until six months postpartum were used in the analyses (N = 274). No main effect of the rs4570625 genotype on attention disengagement was found. The difference in fear bias between the genotypes was significant but in an opposite direction compared to a previous study. The results regarding the interaction of the genotype and maternal depression were not in accordance with the previous studies. These results show inconsistencies in the effects of the rs4570625 genotype on attention biases in separate samples of infants from the same population with only slight differences in age.
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Chiarella J, Schumann L, Pomares FB, Frodl T, Tozzi L, Nemoda Z, Yu P, Szyf M, Khalid-Khan S, Booij L. DNA methylation differences in stress-related genes, functional connectivity and gray matter volume in depressed and healthy adolescents. J Affect Disord 2020; 271:160-168. [PMID: 32479312 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.03.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies in adult depressed patients have indicated that altered DNA methylation patterns at genes related to serotonin and HPA axis functioning (e.g., SLC6A4, FKBP5) are associated with changes in frontolimbic functional connectivity and structure. Here, we examined whether these associations can be generalized to adolescents. METHODS 25 adolescents with depression (Mean age = 15.72 ± 0.94 SD; 20 girls) and 20 healthy controls (Mean age = 16.05 ± 1.5 SD; 16 girls) underwent a functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging protocol, which included a resting-state assessment and measures of brain morphometry. DNA was obtained from saliva. Levels of SLC6A4 and FKBP5 methylation were determined using pyrosequencing. RESULTS SLC6A4 methylation was linked to amygdala-frontal operculum resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC), regardless of diagnosis, and was differentially associated with inferior orbitofrontal gyrus (IFOG) gray matter (GM) volume in adolescents with depression and controls. Replicating and extending previous findings in adults, FKBP5 methylation was associated with IFOG GM volume in depressed and healthy adolescents, as well as orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)-rostral prefrontal cortex (RPFC) connectivity in healthy adolescents only. LIMITATIONS Effects of medication use or genotype cannot be ruled out. Further, the relatively small sample size and predominately female sample may limit generalizability. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that previously observed associations between SLC6A4 and FKBP5 methylation and frontolimbic processes in adult depressed patients can be in part generalized to adolescent patients. Further, findings suggest that measuring peripheral methylation at these genes deserves further attention as potential markers of typical and atypical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Chiarella
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada; Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | | | | | - Thomas Frodl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Leonardo Tozzi
- Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College School of Medicine and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Zsofia Nemoda
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Patricia Yu
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sarosh Khalid-Khan
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Child Psychiatry, Hotel Dieu Hospital, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Linda Booij
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada; Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.
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Boehm I, Walton E, Alexander N, Batury VL, Seidel M, Geisler D, King JA, Weidner K, Roessner V, Ehrlich S. Peripheral serotonin transporter DNA methylation is linked to increased salience network connectivity in females with anorexia nervosa. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2020; 45:206-213. [PMID: 31823595 PMCID: PMC7828979 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.190016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic variation in the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) has been shown to modulate the functioning of brain circuitry associated with the salience network and may heighten the risk for mental illness. This study is, to our knowledge, the first to test this epigenome–brain–behaviour pathway in patients with anorexia nervosa. METHODS We obtained resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) data and blood samples from 55 acutely underweight female patients with anorexia nervosa and 55 age-matched female healthy controls. We decomposed imaging data using independent component analysis. We used bisulfite pyrosequencing to analyze blood DNA methylation within the promoter region of SLC6A4. We then explored salience network rsFC patterns in the group × methylation interaction. RESULTS We identified a positive relationship between SLC6A4 methylation levels and rsFC between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the salience network in patients with anorexia nervosa compared to healthy controls. Increased rsFC in the salience network mediated the link between SLC6A4 methylation and eating disorder symptoms in patients with anorexia nervosa. We confirmed findings of rsFC alterations for CpG-specific methylation at a locus with evidence of methylation correspondence between brain and blood tissue. LIMITATIONS This study was cross-sectional in nature, the sample size was modest for the method and methylation levels were measured peripherally, so findings cannot be fully generalized to brain tissue. CONCLUSION This study sheds light on the neurobiological process of how epigenetic variation in the SLC6A4 gene may relate to rsFC in the salience network that is linked to psychopathology in anorexia nervosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilka Boehm
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
| | - Esther Walton
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
| | - Nina Alexander
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
| | - Victoria-Luise Batury
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
| | - Maria Seidel
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
| | - Daniel Geisler
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
| | - Joseph A. King
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
| | - Kerstin Weidner
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
| | - Veit Roessner
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
| | - Stefan Ehrlich
- From the Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Boehm, Walton, Batury, Seidel, Geisler, King, Ehrlich); the Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK (Walton); the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany (Alexander); the Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Weidner); the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Roessner); and the Eating Disorders Research and Treatment Center at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany (Ehrlich)
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Conserved Serotonergic Background of Experience-Dependent Behavioral Responsiveness in Zebrafish ( Danio rerio). J Neurosci 2020; 40:4551-4564. [PMID: 32350040 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2178-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Forming effective responses to threatening stimuli requires the adequate and coordinated emergence of stress-related internal states. Such ability depends on early-life experiences and, in connection, the adequate formation of neuromodulatory systems, particularly serotonergic signaling. Here, we assess the serotonergic background of experience-dependent behavioral responsiveness using male and female zebrafish (Danio rerio). For the first time, we have characterized a period during behavioral metamorphosis in which zebrafish are highly reactive to their environment. Absence of social stimuli during this phase established by isolated rearing fundamentally altered the behavioral phenotype of postmetamorphic zebrafish in a challenge-specific manner, partially due to reduced responsiveness and an inability to develop stress-associated arousal state. In line with this, isolation differentially affected whole-brain serotonergic signaling in resting and stress-induced conditions, an effect that was localized in the dorsal pallium and was negatively associated with responsiveness. Administration of the serotonin receptor 1A partial agonist buspirone prevented the isolation-induced serotonin response to novelty in the level of the whole brain and the forebrain as well, without affecting catecholamine levels, and rescued stress-induced arousal along with challenge-induced behaviors, which together indicates functional connection between these changes. In summary, there is a consistent negative association between behavioral responsiveness and serotonergic signaling in zebrafish, which is well recognizable through the modifying effects of developmental perturbation and pharmacological manipulations as well. Our results imply a conserved serotonergic mechanism that context-dependently modulates environmental reactivity and is highly sensitive to experiences acquired during a specific early-life time window, a phenomenon that was previously only suggested in mammals.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The ability to respond to challenges is a fundamental factor in survival. We show that zebrafish that lack appropriate social stimuli in a sensitive developmental period show exacerbated alertness in nonstressful conditions while failing to react adequately to stressors. This shift is reflected inversely by central serotonergic signaling, a system that is implicated in numerous mental disorders in humans. Serotonergic changes in brain regions modulating responsivity and behavioral impairment were both prevented by the pharmacological blockade of serotonergic function. These results imply a serotonergic mechanism in zebrafish that transmits early-life experiences to the later phenotype by shaping stress-dependent behavioral reactivity, a phenomenon that was previously only suggested in mammals. Zebrafish provide new insights into early-life-dependent neuromodulation of behavioral stress-responses.
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Hernández-Carballo G, Ruíz-Luna EA, López-López G, Manjarrez E, Flores-Hernández J. Changes in Serotonin Modulation of Glutamate Currents in Pyramidal Offspring Cells of Rats Treated With 5-MT during Gestation. Brain Sci 2020; 10:E221. [PMID: 32276365 PMCID: PMC7225987 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10040221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in stimuli and feeding in pregnant mothers alter the behavior of offspring. Since behavior is mediated by brain activity, it is expected that postnatal changes occur at the level of currents, receptors or soma and dendrites structure and modulation. In this work, we explore at the mechanism level the effects on Sprague-Dawley rat offspring following the administration of serotonin (5-HT) agonist 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MT). We analyzed whether 5-HT affects the glutamate-activated (IGlut) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-activated currents (IGlut, INMDA) in dissociated pyramidal neurons from the prefrontal cortex (PFC). For this purpose, we performed voltage-clamp experiments on pyramidal neurons from layers V-VI of the PFC of 40-day-old offspring born from 5-MT-treated mothers at the gestational days (GD) 11 to 21. We found that the pyramidal-neurons from the PFC of offspring of mothers treated with 5-MT exhibit a significant increased reduction in both the IGlut and INMDA when 5-HT was administered. Our results suggest that the concentration increase of a neuromodulator during the gestation induces changes in its modulatory action over the offspring ionic currents during the adulthood thus contributing to possible psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Hernández-Carballo
- Instituto de Fisiología Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla C.P.72570, Mexico; (G.H.-C.); (E.A.R.-L.); (E.M.)
| | - Evelyn A. Ruíz-Luna
- Instituto de Fisiología Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla C.P.72570, Mexico; (G.H.-C.); (E.A.R.-L.); (E.M.)
| | - Gustavo López-López
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla C.P.72570, Mexico;
| | - Elias Manjarrez
- Instituto de Fisiología Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla C.P.72570, Mexico; (G.H.-C.); (E.A.R.-L.); (E.M.)
| | - Jorge Flores-Hernández
- Instituto de Fisiología Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla C.P.72570, Mexico; (G.H.-C.); (E.A.R.-L.); (E.M.)
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27
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Arias JA, Williams C, Raghvani R, Aghajani M, Baez S, Belzung C, Booij L, Busatto G, Chiarella J, Fu CH, Ibanez A, Liddell BJ, Lowe L, Penninx BWJH, Rosa P, Kemp AH. The neuroscience of sadness: A multidisciplinary synthesis and collaborative review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 111:199-228. [PMID: 32001274 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Sadness is typically characterized by raised inner eyebrows, lowered corners of the mouth, reduced walking speed, and slumped posture. Ancient subcortical circuitry provides a neuroanatomical foundation, extending from dorsal periaqueductal grey to subgenual anterior cingulate, the latter of which is now a treatment target in disorders of sadness. Electrophysiological studies further emphasize a role for reduced left relative to right frontal asymmetry in sadness, underpinning interest in the transcranial stimulation of left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex as an antidepressant target. Neuroimaging studies - including meta-analyses - indicate that sadness is associated with reduced cortical activation, which may contribute to reduced parasympathetic inhibitory control over medullary cardioacceleratory circuits. Reduced cardiac control may - in part - contribute to epidemiological reports of reduced life expectancy in affective disorders, effects equivalent to heavy smoking. We suggest that the field may be moving toward a theoretical consensus, in which different models relating to basic emotion theory and psychological constructionism may be considered as complementary, working at different levels of the phylogenetic hierarchy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A Arias
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, United Kingdom; Department of Statistics, Mathematical Analysis, and Operational Research, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Claire Williams
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, United Kingdom
| | - Rashmi Raghvani
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, United Kingdom
| | - Moji Aghajani
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUMC, GGZ InGeest Research & Innovation, Amsterdam Neuroscience, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Linda Booij
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University Montreal, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Julian Chiarella
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University Montreal, Canada; CHU Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Cynthia Hy Fu
- School of Psychology, University of East London, United Kingdom; Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Agustin Ibanez
- Institute of Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience (INCYT), INECO Foundation, Favaloro University, Buenos Aires, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Center for Social and Cognitive Neuroscience (CSCN), School of Psychology, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile; Universidad Autonoma del Caribe, Barranquilla, Colombia; Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders, Australian Research Council (ARC), New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Leroy Lowe
- Neuroqualia (NGO), Turo, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Brenda W J H Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUMC, GGZ InGeest Research & Innovation, Amsterdam Neuroscience, the Netherlands
| | - Pedro Rosa
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andrew H Kemp
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, United Kingdom; Department of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Discipline of Psychiatry, and School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
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Monoamine oxidase A genotype and methylation moderate the association of maltreatment and aggressive behaviour. Behav Brain Res 2020; 382:112476. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Bond C, Johnson J, Chaudhary V, McCarthy E, McWhorter M, Woehrle N. Perinatal fluoxetine exposure results in social deficits and reduced monoamine oxidase gene expression in mice. Brain Res 2020; 1727:146282. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Hodgins S. Sex differences in antisocial and aggressive disorders that onset in childhood and persist into adulthood. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2020; 175:405-422. [PMID: 33008540 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64123-6.00027-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
As many as 10.7% of males and 7.5% of females display early-onset, stable, antisocial and aggressive behavior (ESAAB). Most research has focused on males. These individuals are diagnosed with conduct disorder in childhood and antisocial personality disorder in adulthood, and a very few, almost all males, present the syndrome of psychopathy. ESAAB includes three subgroups: (1) conduct problems and callousness; (2) conduct problems, callousness, and anxiety; and (3) conduct problems. Heritability of the first two subtypes is high. This high heritability derives, at least in part, from genes involved in regulating serotonergic functioning early in life and to genotypes that confer sensitivity to trauma. The first subtype is rare and characterized by difficulty in face emotion recognition, especially fear and sadness, and hypoarousal as indexed by both autonomic and neural measures, and by structural brain abnormalities. By contrast, those with conduct problems, callousness, and anxiety are more common. They include a greater proportion of females and show hypersensitivity to threat that triggers reactive aggression and that is reflected in both autonomic and neural functioning. In sum, fewer females than males present ESAAB, but many characteristics, autonomic and neural correlates, and etiology are similar. Importantly, however, females with ESAAB play a critical role in the intergenerational transfer of antisocial behavior. Despite higher prevalence of EASSB in males than females, few sex differences in neural abnormalities have been identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheilagh Hodgins
- Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, and Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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31
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Boda E. Myelin and oligodendrocyte lineage cell dysfunctions: New players in the etiology and treatment of depression and stress‐related disorders. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 53:281-297. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Boda
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi‐Montalcini University of Turin Turin Italy
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO) University of Turin Turin Italy
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Wang L, Han D, Yin P, Teng K, Xu J, Ma Y. Decreased tryptophan hydroxylase 2 mRNA and protein expression, decreased brain serotonin concentrations, and anxiety-like behavioral changes in a rat model of simulated transport stress. Stress 2019; 22:707-717. [PMID: 31184239 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2019.1625328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Transport stress causes not only physiological changes but also behavioral responses, including anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors in animals. The serotonergic system in the brain plays a pivotal role in processing anxiety. This study aimed to explore changes in concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin), and the expression changes of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) mRNA and protein associated with anxiety-related behavioral responses under transport stress. A model of simulated transport stress was established in 40 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, including a control group (n = 20) and a transport stress (TS) group (n = 20). The results showed that the rats in the TS group exhibited an increased feeding latency in the novelty-suppressed feeding test and a reduced frequency and dwelling time in the central area in the open-field test (OFT). Two hours following the final behavioral test, blood samples were collected. Creatine kinase (CK) activities and glucose and corticosterone concentrations in serum were significantly higher in the rats in the TS group than in the control group. Transport stress also significantly reduced the concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the hippocampus, striatum, and raphe nuclei and also reduced the expression levels of mRNA and protein for TPH2 in the raphe nuclei. Notably, the number of Fos-immunoreactive neurons was higher in the dorsal raphe nucleus under transport stress, whereas the number of 5-hydroxytryptamine-positive neurons was significantly lower. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the 5-hydroxytryptamine transmitter in the hippocampus, striatum, and raphe nuclei is involved in processing anxiety-related behavioral responses under transport stress. Lay summary Physiological and psychological stress responses were induced in a rat model of simulated transport stress. We examined whether serotonin in the brain may be involved in mediating behavioral responses following exposure to transport stress. Tissue concentrations of serotonin in rat brain regions, including the hippocampus, striatum, and raphe nuclei, were reduced following exposure to transport stress. Expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 mRNA and protein, which catalyses serotonin synthesis, as well as numbers of serotonin-immunoreactive neurons, were decreased in the brainstem raphe nuclei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University , Beijing , China
| | - Deping Han
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University , Beijing , China
| | - Peng Yin
- Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China
| | - Kedao Teng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University , Beijing , China
| | - Jianqin Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University , Beijing , China
| | - Yunfei Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University , Beijing , China
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Ran L, Ai M, Wang W, Chen J, Wu T, Liu W, Jin J, Wang S, Kuang L. Rare variants in SLC6A4 cause susceptibility to major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation in Han Chinese adolescents and young adults. Gene 2019; 726:144147. [PMID: 31629822 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2019.144147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicidal ideation (SI) is the most serious symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD) and considered an extreme state. The serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) plays a significant role in MDD and suicide pathophysiology. Previous studies have revealed an association between common variants of SLC6A4 with the risk of MDD and suicide. However, very few studies have so far focused on the degree to which rare variants of SLC6A4 are responsible for the depression observed in adolescent and young adult suicide patients. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of common and rare variants of SLC6A4 on the risk of Han Chinese adolescents and young adults suffering MDD with SI. METHODS Targeted sequencing of the SLC6A4 gene was conducted using FastTarget technology in Han Chinese adolescents and young adults, of which 74 were MDD patients with SI and 150 were healthy controls. Gene-based association analyses of rare variants were performed using enrichment analysis and a cumulative allele test. An allele association study was performed against common variants. RESULTS After sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, a total of 15 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) were detected in the targeted regions from all participants, including 9 common and 6 rare variants. Among these, 5 rare variants were identified within the study group. Enrichment analysis of rare variants demonstrated a statistical difference (p = 0.042) between the study and control groups. Using cumulative allele analysis, alternative alleles in the SLC6A4 gene exhibited an association with MDD patients with SI (cumulative allele: OR = 10.18, 95% CI = 1.18-87.32, p = 0.017). No significant association was found between the 9 common SLC6A4 variants and MDD patients with SI. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that rare variants of SLC6A4 may contribute to a genetic risk of adolescents and young adults suffering MDD with SI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuyi Ran
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Ming Ai
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Wo Wang
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Jianmei Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Tong Wu
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Jiajia Jin
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Suya Wang
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Li Kuang
- Mental Health Center, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401331, China; Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
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Edes AE, McKie S, Szabo E, Kokonyei G, Pap D, Zsombok T, Hullam G, Gonda X, Kozak LR, McFarquhar M, Anderson IM, Deakin JFW, Bagdy G, Juhasz G. Spatiotemporal brain activation pattern following acute citalopram challenge is dose dependent and associated with neuroticism: A human phMRI study. Neuropharmacology 2019; 170:107807. [PMID: 31593709 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The initial effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the human living brain are poorly understood. We carried out a 3T resting state fMRI study with pharmacological challenge to determine the brain activation changes over time following different dosages of citalopram. METHODS During the study, 7.5 mg i.v. citalopram was administered to 32 healthy subjects. In addition, 11.25 mg citalopram was administered to a subset of 9 subjects to investigate the dose-response. Associations with neuroticism (assessed by the NEO PI-R) of the emerging brain activation to citalopram was also investigated. RESULTS Citalopram challenge evoked significant activation in brain regions that are part of the default mode network, the visual network and the sensorimotor network, extending to the thalamus, and midbrain. Most effects appeared to be dose-dependent and this was statistically significant in the middle cingulate gyrus. Individual citalopram-induced brain responses were positively correlated with neuroticism scores and its subscales in specific brain areas; anxiety subscale scores in thalamus and midbrain and self-consciousness scores in middle cingulate gyrus. There were no sex differences. LIMITATIONS We investigated only healthy subjects and we used a relatively low sample size in the 11.25 mg citalopram analysis. DISCUSSION Our results suggest that SSRIs acutely induce an increased arousal-like state of distributed cortical and subcortical systems that is mediated by enhanced serotonin neurotransmission according to levels of neuroticism and underpins trait sensitivity to environmental stimuli and stressors. Studies in depression are needed to determine how therapeutic effects eventually emerge. This article is part of the special issue entitled 'Serotonin Research: Crossing Scales and Boundaries'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Edit Edes
- SE-NAP2 Genetic Brain Imaging Migraine Research Group, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Shane McKie
- Faculty of Biological, Medical and Human Sciences Platform Sciences, Enabling Technologies & Infrastructure, Faculty of Biological, Medical and Human Sciences Research and Innovation, The University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Edina Szabo
- SE-NAP2 Genetic Brain Imaging Migraine Research Group, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Doctoral School of Psychology, ELTE Eotvos Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eotvos Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gyongyi Kokonyei
- SE-NAP2 Genetic Brain Imaging Migraine Research Group, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eotvos Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dorottya Pap
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Terezia Zsombok
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gabor Hullam
- Department of Measurement and Information Systems, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Xenia Gonda
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; MTA-SE Neuropsychopharmacology and Neurochemistry Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lajos R Kozak
- MR Research Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Martyn McFarquhar
- Neuroscience and Psychiatry Unit, Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biological, Medical and Human Sciences, The University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ian M Anderson
- Neuroscience and Psychiatry Unit, Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biological, Medical and Human Sciences, The University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - J F William Deakin
- Neuroscience and Psychiatry Unit, Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biological, Medical and Human Sciences, The University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Gyorgy Bagdy
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; MTA-SE Neuropsychopharmacology and Neurochemistry Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Juhasz
- SE-NAP2 Genetic Brain Imaging Migraine Research Group, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Neuroscience and Psychiatry Unit, Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biological, Medical and Human Sciences, The University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom.
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Dopamine D 2L Receptor Deficiency Causes Stress Vulnerability through 5-HT 1A Receptor Dysfunction in Serotonergic Neurons. J Neurosci 2019; 39:7551-7563. [PMID: 31371425 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0079-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mental disorders are caused by genetic and environmental factors. We here show that deficiency of an isoform of dopamine D2 receptor (D2R), D2LR, causes stress vulnerability in mouse. This occurs through dysfunction of serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) on serotonergic neurons in the mouse brain. Exposure to forced swim stress significantly increased anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors in D2LR knock-out (KO) male mice compared with wild-type mice. Treatment with 8-OH-DPAT, a 5-HT1AR agonist, failed to alleviate the stress-induced behaviors in D2LR-KO mice. In forced swim-stressed D2LR-KO mice, 5-HT efflux in the medial prefrontal cortex was elevated and the expression of genes related to 5-HT levels was upregulated by the transcription factor PET1 in the dorsal raphe nucleus. Notably, D2LR formed a heteromer with 5-HT1AR in serotonergic neurons, thereby suppressing 5-HT1AR-activated G-protein-activated inwardly rectifying potassium conductance in D2LR-KO serotonergic neurons. Finally, D2LR overexpression in serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus alleviated stress vulnerability observed in D2LR-KO mice. Together, we conclude that disruption of the negative feedback regulation by the D2LR/5-HT1A heteromer causes stress vulnerability.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Etiologies of mental disorders are multifactorial, e.g., interactions between genetic and environmental factors. In this study, using a mouse model, we showed that genetic depletion of an isoform of dopamine D2 receptor, D2LR, causes stress vulnerability associated with dysfunction of serotonin 1A receptor, 5-HT1AR in serotonergic neurons. The D2LR/5-HT1AR inhibitory G-protein-coupled heteromer may function as a negative feedback regulator to suppress psychosocial stress.
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Steiger H, Booij L, Kahan `E, McGregor K, Thaler L, Fletcher E, Labbe A, Joober R, Israël M, Szyf M, Agellon LB, Gauvin L, St-Hilaire A, Rossi E. A longitudinal, epigenome-wide study of DNA methylation in anorexia nervosa: results in actively ill, partially weight-restored, long-term remitted and non-eating-disordered women. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2019; 44:205-213. [PMID: 30693739 PMCID: PMC6488489 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.170242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study explored state-related tendencies in DNA methylation in people with anorexia nervosa. Methods We measured genome-wide DNA methylation in 75 women with active anorexia nervosa (active), 31 women showing stable remission of anorexia nervosa (remitted) and 41 women with no eating disorder (NED). We also obtained post-intervention methylation data from 52 of the women from the active group. Results Comparisons between members of the active and NED groups showed 58 differentially methylated sites (Q < 0.01) that corresponded to genes relevant to metabolic and nutritional status (lipid and glucose metabolism), psychiatric status (serotonin receptor activity) and immune function. Methylation levels in members of the remitted group differed from those in the active group on 265 probes that also involved sites associated with genes for serotonin and insulin activity, glucose metabolism and immunity. Intriguingly, the direction of methylation effects in remitted participants tended to be opposite to those seen in active participants. The chronicity of Illness correlated (usually inversely, at Q < 0.01) with methylation levels at 64 sites that mapped onto genes regulating glutamate and serotonin activity, insulin function and epigenetic age. In contrast, body mass index increases coincided (at Q < 0.05) with generally increased methylation-level changes at 73 probes associated with lipid and glucose metabolism, immune and inflammatory processes, and olfaction. Limitations Sample sizes were modest for this type of inquiry, and findings may have been subject to uncontrolled effects of medication and substance use. Conclusion Findings point to the possibility of reversible epigenetic alterations in anorexia nervosa, and suggest that an adequate pathophysiological model would likely need to include psychiatric, metabolic and immune components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard Steiger
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Linda Booij
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - `Esther Kahan
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Kevin McGregor
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Lea Thaler
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Emilie Fletcher
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Aurelie Labbe
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Ridha Joober
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Mimi Israël
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Moshe Szyf
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Luis B. Agellon
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Lise Gauvin
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Annie St-Hilaire
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
| | - Erika Rossi
- From the Eating Disorders Program, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Research Centre, Douglas University Institute (Steiger, Kahan, Thaler, Fletcher, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire, Rossi); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University (Steiger, Booij, Thaler, Joober, Israël, St-Hilaire); the Department of Psychology, Concordia University (Booij); the Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal (Booij); the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University (McGregor); the Department of Decision Sciences, HEC Montreal (Labbe); the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University (Szyf); the School of Human Nutrition, McGill University (Agellon); and the Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier, de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (Gauvin), Montreal, Que., Canada
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Albert PR, Le François B, Vahid-Ansari F. Genetic, epigenetic and posttranscriptional mechanisms for treatment of major depression: the 5-HT1A receptor gene as a paradigm. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2019; 44:164-176. [PMID: 30807072 PMCID: PMC6488484 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.180209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depression and anxiety are highly prevalent and involve chronic dysregulation of serotonin, but they remain poorly understood. Here, we review novel transcriptional (genetic, epigenetic) and posttranscriptional (microRNA, alternative splicing) mechanisms implicated in mental illness, focusing on a key serotonin-related regulator, the serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptor. Functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms and stress-induced DNA methylation of the 5-HT1A promoter converge to differentially alter pre- and postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptor expression associated with major depression and reduced therapeutic response to serotonergic antidepressants. Major depression is also associated with altered levels of splice factors and microRNA, posttranscriptional mechanisms that regulate RNA stability. The human 5-HT1A 3′-untranslated region is alternatively spliced, removing microRNA sites and increasing 5-HT1A expression, which is reduced in major depression and may be genotype-dependent. Thus, the 5-HT1A receptor gene illustrates the convergence of genetic, epigenetic and posttranscriptional mechanisms in gene expression, neurodevelopment and neuroplasticity, and major depression. Understanding gene regulatory mechanisms could enhance the detection, categorization and personalized treatment of major depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R. Albert
- From the Department of Neuroscience, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, UOttawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, Ont., Canada
| | - Brice Le François
- From the Department of Neuroscience, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, UOttawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, Ont., Canada
| | - Faranak Vahid-Ansari
- From the Department of Neuroscience, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, UOttawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, Ont., Canada
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Chistiakov DA, Chekhonin VP. Early-life adversity-induced long-term epigenetic programming associated with early onset of chronic physical aggression: Studies in humans and animals. World J Biol Psychiatry 2019; 20:258-277. [PMID: 28441915 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2017.1322714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: To examine whether chronic physical aggression (CPA) in adulthood can be epigenetically programmed early in life due to exposure to early-life adversity. Methods: Literature search of public databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus. Results: Children/adolescents susceptible for CPA and exposed to early-life abuse fail to efficiently cope with stress that in turn results in the development of CPA later in life. This phenomenon was observed in humans and animal models of aggression. The susceptibility to aggression is a complex trait that is regulated by the interaction between environmental and genetic factors. Epigenetic mechanisms mediate this interaction. Subjects exposed to stress early in life exhibited long-term epigenetic programming that can influence their behaviour in adulthood. This programming affects expression of many genes not only in the brain but also in other systems such as neuroendocrine and immune. Conclusions: The propensity to adult CPA behaviour in subjects experienced to early-life adversity is mediated by epigenetic programming that involves long-term systemic epigenetic alterations in a whole genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitry A Chistiakov
- a Department of Fundamental and Applied Neurobiology , Serbsky Federal Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Narcology , Moscow , Russia
| | - Vladimir P Chekhonin
- a Department of Fundamental and Applied Neurobiology , Serbsky Federal Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Narcology , Moscow , Russia.,b Department of Medical Nanobiotechnology , Pirogov Russian State Medical University (RSMU) , Moscow , Russia
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Underwood MD, Bakalian MJ, Escobar T, Kassir S, Mann JJ, Arango V. Early-Life Adversity, but Not Suicide, Is Associated With Less Prefrontal Cortex Gray Matter in Adulthood. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2019; 22:349-357. [PMID: 30911751 PMCID: PMC6499245 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyz013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide and major depression are prevalent in individuals reporting early-life adversity. Prefrontal cortex volume is reduced by stress acutely and progressively, and changes in neuron and glia density are reported in depressed suicide decedents. We previously found reduced neurotrophic factor brain-derived neurotrophic factor in suicide decedents and with early-life adversity, and we sought to determine whether cortex thickness or neuron or glia density in the dorsolateral prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex are associated with early-life adversity or suicide. METHODS A total of 52 brains, constituting 13 quadruplets of nonpsychiatric controls and major depressive disorder suicide decedents with and without early-life adversity, were matched for age, sex, race, and postmortem interval. Brains were collected at autopsy and frozen, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex were later dissected, postfixed, and sectioned. Sections were immunostained for neuron-specific nuclear protein (NeuN) to label neurons and counterstained with thionin to stain glial cell nuclei. Cortex thickness, neuron and glial density, and neuron volume were measured by stereology. RESULTS Cortical thickness was 6% less with early-life adversity in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and 12% less in anterior cingulate cortex (P < .05), but not in depressed suicide decedents in either region. Neuron density was not different in early-life adversity or with suicide, but glial density was 17% greater with early-life adversity in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and 15% greater in anterior cingulate cortex, but not in suicides. Neuron volume was not different with early-life adversity or suicide. CONCLUSIONS Reported early-life adversity, but not the stress associated with suicide, is associated with thinner prefrontal cortex and greater glia density in adulthood. Early-life adversity may alter normal neurodevelopment and contribute to suicide risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Underwood
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York,Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York,Correspondence: Mark Underwood, PhD, Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, Box 42, New York, New York, 10032 ()
| | - Mihran J Bakalian
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
| | - Teresa Escobar
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
| | - Suham Kassir
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
| | - J John Mann
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York,Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
| | - Victoria Arango
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York,Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
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Gao W, Grewen K, Knickmeyer RC, Qiu A, Salzwedel A, Lin W, Gilmore JH. A review on neuroimaging studies of genetic and environmental influences on early brain development. Neuroimage 2019; 185:802-812. [PMID: 29673965 PMCID: PMC6191379 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The past decades witnessed a surge of interest in neuroimaging study of normal and abnormal early brain development. Structural and functional studies of normal early brain development revealed massive structural maturation as well as sequential, coordinated, and hierarchical emergence of functional networks during the infancy period, providing a great foundation for the investigation of abnormal early brain development mechanisms. Indeed, studies of altered brain development associated with either genetic or environmental risks emerged and thrived. In this paper, we will review selected studies of genetic and environmental risks that have been relatively more extensively investigated-familial risks, candidate risk genes, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on the genetic side; maternal mood disorders and prenatal drug exposures on the environmental side. Emerging studies on environment-gene interactions will also be reviewed. Our goal was not to perform an exhaustive review of all studies in the field but to leverage some representative ones to summarize the current state, point out potential limitations, and elicit discussions on important future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Gao
- Biomedical Imaging Research Institute (BIRI), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Imaging, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, CA, United States; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
| | - Karen Grewen
- Department of Psychiatry, Neurobiology, and Psychology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Rebecca C Knickmeyer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, N.C, United States
| | - Anqi Qiu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Andrew Salzwedel
- Biomedical Imaging Research Institute (BIRI), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Imaging, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, CA, United States
| | - Weili Lin
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - John H Gilmore
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, N.C, United States
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Shallie PD, Naicker T. The placenta as a window to the brain: A review on the role of placental markers in prenatal programming of neurodevelopment. Int J Dev Neurosci 2019; 73:41-49. [PMID: 30634053 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During development, the placenta can be said to be the most important organ, however, the most poorly researched. There is currently a broader understanding of how specific insults during development affect the fetal brain, and also the importance of placental signaling in neurodevelopmental programming. Epigenetic responses to maternal and fetal signals are an obvious candidate for transforming early life inputs into long-term programmatic outcomes. As a mediator of maternal and environmental signals to the developing fetus, epigenetic processes within the placenta are particularly powerful such that alterations of placental gene expression, downstream function, and signalling during foetal development have the potential for dramatic changes in developmental programming. SUMMARY In this article, we reviewed emerging evidence for a placental role in prenatal neurodevelopmental programming with a specific focus on nutrient and prenatal stress signals integration into chromatin changes; this new understanding, we hope will provide the means for lowering developmentally based disorder risk, and new therapeutic targets for treatment in adulthood. KEY MESSAGES Based on this review, the placenta is a potent micro-environmental player in neurodevelopment as it orchestrates a series of complex maternal-foetal interactions. Maternal insults to this microenvironment will impair these processes and disrupt foetal brain development resulting in the prenatal programming of neurodevelopmental disorders. These findings should inspire advance animal model and human research drive to appraise gene-environment impacts during pregnancy that will target the developmental cause of adult-onset mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philemon Dauda Shallie
- Optics and Imaging Centre, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, Nelson Mandela Medical School, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Thajasvarie Naicker
- Optics and Imaging Centre, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, Nelson Mandela Medical School, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Therapeutic Effect of Agmatine on Neurological Disease: Focus on Ion Channels and Receptors. Neurochem Res 2019; 44:735-750. [PMID: 30610652 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-018-02712-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) is the most injury-prone part of the mammalian body. Any acute or chronic, central or peripheral neurological disorder is related to abnormal biochemical and electrical signals in the brain cells. As a result, ion channels and receptors that are abundant in the nervous system and control the electrical and biochemical environment of the CNS play a vital role in neurological disease. The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, 2-amino-3-(5-methyl-3-oxo-1,2-oxazol-4-yl) propanoic acid receptor, kainate receptor, acetylcholine receptor, serotonin receptor, α2-adrenoreceptor, and acid-sensing ion channels are among the major channels and receptors known to be key components of pathophysiological events in the CNS. The primary amine agmatine, a neuromodulator synthesized in the brain by decarboxylation of L-arginine, can regulate ion channel cascades and receptors that are related to the major CNS disorders. In our previous studies, we established that agmatine was related to the regulation of cell differentiation, nitric oxide synthesis, and murine brain endothelial cell migration, relief of chronic pain, cerebral edema, and apoptotic cell death in experimental CNS disorders. In this review, we will focus on the pathophysiological aspects of the neurological disorders regulated by these ion channels and receptors, and their interaction with agmatine in CNS injury.
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Auth CS, Weidner MT, Popp S, Strekalova T, Schmitt-Böhrer AG, van den Hove DLA, Lesch KP, Waider J. Differential anxiety-related behaviours and brain activation in Tph2-deficient female mice exposed to adverse early environment. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2018; 28:1270-1283. [PMID: 30146458 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.07.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders represent one of the most prevalent mental disorders in today's society and early adversity has been identified as major contributor to anxiety-related pathologies. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is implicated in mediating the effects of early-life events on anxiety-like behaviours. In order to further elucidate the interaction of genetic predisposition and adversity in early, developmental stages on anxiety-related behaviours, the current study employed tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2)-deficient female mice, as a model for lifelong brain 5-HT synthesis deficiency. Offspring of this line were exposed to maternal separation (MS) and tested, in the open-field (OF) or the dark-light box (DLB). Subsequently, neural activity was assessed, using c-Fos immunohistochemistry. In the DLB, MS rescued the observed decrease in activity in the light compartment of homozygous Tph2-deficient mice and furthermore increased the incidence of escape-related jumps in animals of the same genotype. In the OF, MS increased escape-related behaviours in homo- and heterozygous Tph2-deficient offspring. On the neural level, both behavioural tests evoked a distinct activation pattern, as shown by c-Fos immunohistochemistry. Exposure to the DLB resulted in Tph2-dependent activation of paraventricular nucleus and basolateral amygdala, while OF exposure led to a specific activation in lateral amygdala of maternally separated animals and a Tph2 genotype- and MS-dependent activation of the ventrolateral and dorsolateral periaqueductal grey. Taken together, our findings suggest that MS promotes active responses to aversive stimuli, dependent on the availability of brain 5-HT. These effects might be mediated by the distinct activation of anxiety-relevant brain regions, due to the behavioural testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte S Auth
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Magdalena T Weidner
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Sandy Popp
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tatyana Strekalova
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Angelika G Schmitt-Böhrer
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Daniel LA van den Hove
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Klaus-Peter Lesch
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Jonas Waider
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Lam D, Ancelin ML, Ritchie K, Freak-Poli R, Saffery R, Ryan J. Genotype-dependent associations between serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) DNA methylation and late-life depression. BMC Psychiatry 2018; 18:282. [PMID: 30180828 PMCID: PMC6122720 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-018-1850-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disrupted serotonergic signaling is often a feature of depression and the role of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), responsible for serotonin re-uptake, has received much attention in this regard. Most studies have focused on the polymorphic 5-HTTLPR upstream repeat, or DNA methylation at the promoter CpG island. Few studies have explored the influence of genetic variation across the gene on DNA methylation, and their combined association with depression risk. The aim of this study was to determine whether genetic variation in the SLC6A4 gene influences promoter DNA methylation, and whether these are associated with depression status. METHOD The ESPRIT study involves a community-based population of older individuals (> 65 years of age). Major depressive disorder (MDD) was diagnosed according to DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) criteria, and severe depressive symptoms assessed by the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale. Sequenom MassARRAY was used to measure SLC6A4 methylation status (n = 302). RESULTS Nominally significant associations were observed between SLC6A4 genetic variants (5-HTTLPR, rs140700, rs4251417, rs6354, rs25528, rs25531) and DNA methylation at several CpG sites. In multivariate regression, DNA methylation was associated with depression status, but only in the presence of specific genotypes. In individuals homozygous for the short 5-HTTLPR and 5-HTTLPR/r25531 alleles, lower methylation at two CpGs was associated with depression (β = - 0.44 to β = - 0.31; p = 0.001 to p = 0.038). CONCLUSION We present evidence for genotype-dependent associations between SLC6A4 methylation and depression. Genetic variants may also play a role in influencing promoter methylation levels and its association with depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilys Lam
- 0000 0004 0614 0346grid.416107.5Cancer & Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - Marie-Laure Ancelin
- 0000 0001 2097 0141grid.121334.6INSERM, Univ Montpellier, Neuropsychiatry: Epidemiological and Clinical Research, Montpellier, France
| | - Karen Ritchie
- 0000 0001 2097 0141grid.121334.6INSERM, Univ Montpellier, Neuropsychiatry: Epidemiological and Clinical Research, Montpellier, France ,0000 0004 1936 7988grid.4305.2Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rosanne Freak-Poli
- 0000 0004 1936 7857grid.1002.3Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 5, The Alfred Centre, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, 3004 Australia
| | - Richard Saffery
- 0000 0004 0614 0346grid.416107.5Cancer & Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC Australia ,0000 0001 2179 088Xgrid.1008.9Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - Joanne Ryan
- Cancer & Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia. .,INSERM, Univ Montpellier, Neuropsychiatry: Epidemiological and Clinical Research, Montpellier, France. .,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 5, The Alfred Centre, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, 3004, Australia.
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Ismaylova E, Lévesque ML, Pomares FB, Szyf M, Nemoda Z, Fahim C, Vitaro F, Brendgen M, Dionne G, Boivin M, Tremblay RE, Booij L. Serotonin transporter promoter methylation in peripheral cells and neural responses to negative stimuli: A study of adolescent monozygotic twins. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:147. [PMID: 30089832 PMCID: PMC6082838 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0195-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have examined associations between peripheral DNA methylation patterns of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) promoter and symptoms of depression and anxiety. The SLC6A4 promoter methylation has also been associated with frontal-limbic brain responses to negative stimuli. However, it is unclear how much of this association is confounded by DNA sequence variations. We utilized a monozygotic-twin within-pair discordance design, to test whether DNA methylation at specific CpG sites in the SLC6A4 promoter of peripheral cells is associated with greater frontal-limbic brain responses to negative stimuli (sadness and fear), independently of DNA sequence effects. In total 48 pairs of healthy 15-year-old monozygotic twins from the Quebec Newborn Twin Study, followed regularly since birth, underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while conducting an emotion-processing task. The SLC6A4 promoter methylation level was assessed in saliva samples using pyrosequencing. Relative to the co-twins with lower SLC6A4 promoter methylation levels, twins with higher peripheral SLC6A4 methylation levels showed greater orbitofrontal cortical (OFC) activity and left amygdala-anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and left amygdala-right OFC connectivity in response to sadness as well as greater ACC-left amygdala and ACC-left insula connectivity in response to fearful stimuli. By utilising a monozygotic-twin design, we provided evidence that associations between peripheral SLC6A4 promoter methylation and frontal-limbic brain responses to negative stimuli are, in part, independent of DNA sequence variations. Although causality cannot be determined here, SLC6A4 promoter methylation may be one of the mechanisms underlying how environmental factors influence the serotonin system, potentially affecting emotional processing through frontal-limbic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elmira Ismaylova
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0001 2292 3357grid.14848.31Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Melissa L. Lévesque
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0001 2292 3357grid.14848.31Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Florence B. Pomares
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0004 1936 8630grid.410319.eDepartment of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Moshe Szyf
- 0000 0004 1936 8649grid.14709.3bDepartment of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Zsofia Nemoda
- 0000 0004 1936 8649grid.14709.3bDepartment of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Cherine Fahim
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Frank Vitaro
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0001 2292 3357grid.14848.31School of Psychoeducation, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Mara Brendgen
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0001 2181 0211grid.38678.32Department of Psychology, University of Quebec à Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ginette Dionne
- 0000 0004 1936 8390grid.23856.3aSchool of Psychology, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michel Boivin
- 0000 0004 1936 8390grid.23856.3aSchool of Psychology, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada ,0000 0001 1088 3909grid.77602.34Institute of Genetic, Neurobiological, and Social Foundations of Child Development, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russian Federation
| | - Richard E. Tremblay
- 0000 0001 2173 6322grid.411418.9CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0001 2292 3357grid.14848.31Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada ,0000 0001 0768 2743grid.7886.1School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Linda Booij
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, Canada. .,Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada. .,Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.
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Palumbo S, Mariotti V, Iofrida C, Pellegrini S. Genes and Aggressive Behavior: Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Individual Susceptibility to Aversive Environments. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:117. [PMID: 29950977 PMCID: PMC6008527 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last two decades, the study of the relationship between nature and nurture in shaping human behavior has encountered a renewed interest. Behavioral genetics showed that distinct polymorphisms of genes that code for proteins that control neurotransmitter metabolic and synaptic function are associated with individual vulnerability to aversive experiences, such as stressful and traumatic life events, and may result in an increased risk of developing psychopathologies associated with violence. On the other hand, recent studies indicate that experiencing aversive events modulates gene expression by introducing stable changes to DNA without modifying its sequence, a mechanism known as “epigenetics”. For example, experiencing adversities during periods of maximal sensitivity to the environment, such as prenatal life, infancy and early adolescence, may introduce lasting epigenetic marks in genes that affect maturational processes in brain, thus favoring the emergence of dysfunctional behaviors, including exaggerate aggression in adulthood. The present review discusses data from recent research, both in humans and animals, concerning the epigenetic regulation of four genes belonging to the neuroendocrine, serotonergic and oxytocinergic pathways—Nuclear receptor subfamily 3-group C-member 1 (NR3C1), oxytocin receptor (OXTR), solute carrier-family 6 member 4 (SLC6A4) and monoamine oxidase A (MAOA)—and their role in modulating vulnerability to proactive and reactive aggressive behavior. Behavioral genetics and epigenetics are shedding a new light on the fine interaction between genes and environment, by providing a novel tool to understand the molecular events that underlie aggression. Overall, the findings from these studies carry important implications not only for neuroscience, but also for social sciences, including ethics, philosophy and law.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Palumbo
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Care, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Veronica Mariotti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Pellegrini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Shah R, Courtiol E, Castellanos FX, Teixeira CM. Abnormal Serotonin Levels During Perinatal Development Lead to Behavioral Deficits in Adulthood. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:114. [PMID: 29928194 PMCID: PMC5997829 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) is one of the best-studied modulatory neurotransmitters with ubiquitous presynaptic release and postsynaptic reception. 5-HT has been implicated in a wide variety of brain functions, ranging from autonomic regulation, sensory perception, feeding and motor function to emotional regulation and cognition. The role of this neuromodulator in neuropsychiatric diseases is unquestionable with important neuropsychiatric medications, e.g., most antidepressants, targeting this system. Importantly, 5-HT modulates neurodevelopment and changes in its levels during development can have life-long consequences. In this mini-review, we highlight that exposure to both low and high serotonin levels during the perinatal period can lead to behavioral deficits in adulthood. We focus on three exogenous factors that can change 5-HT levels during the critical perinatal period: dietary tryptophan depletion, exposure to serotonin-selective-reuptake-inhibitors (SSRIs) and poor early life care. We discuss the effects of each of these on behavioral deficits in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Relish Shah
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States
| | - Emmanuelle Courtiol
- CNRS UMR 5292 - INSERM U1028, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Francisco X Castellanos
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone, New York, NY, United States.,Division of Clinical Research, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States
| | - Catia M Teixeira
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone, New York, NY, United States
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Stress exposure and psychopathology alter methylation of the serotonin receptor 2A (HTR2A) gene in preschoolers. Dev Psychopathol 2018; 29:1619-1626. [PMID: 29162169 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579417001274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Serotonin signaling pathways play a key role in brain development, stress reactivity, and mental health. Epigenetic alterations in the serotonin system may underlie the effect of early life stress on psychopathology. The current study examined methylation of the serotonin receptor 2A (HTR2A) gene in a sample of 228 children including 119 with child welfare documentation of moderate to severe maltreatment within the last 6 months. Child protection records, semistructured interviews in the home, and parent reports were used to assess child stress exposure, psychiatric symptoms, and behavior. The HTR2A genotype and methylation of HTR2A were measured at two CpG sites (-1420 and -1224) from saliva DNA. HTR2A genotype was associated with HTR2A methylation at both CpG sites. HTR2A genotype also moderated associations of contextual stress exposure and HTR2A methylation at site -1420. Contextual stress was positively associated with -1420 methylation among A homozygotes, but negatively associated with -1420 methylation among G homozygotes. Posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder symptoms were negatively associated with methylation at -1420, but positively associated with methylation at -1224. Results support the view that the serotonin system is sensitive to stress exposure and psychopathology, and HTR2A methylation may be a mechanism by which early adversity is biologically encoded.
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TPH2 polymorphisms across the spectrum of psychiatric morbidity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 92:29-42. [PMID: 29775696 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) is the rate-limiting enzyme in brain serotonin synthesis. The TPH2 gene has frequently been investigated in relation to psychiatric morbidity. The aim of the present review is to integrate results from association studies between TPH2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and various psychiatric disorders, which we furthermore quantified with meta-analysis. We reviewed 166 studies investigating 69 TPH2 SNPs in a broad range of psychiatric disorders, including over 30,000 patients. According to our meta-analysis, TPH2 polymorphisms show strongest associations with mood disorders, suicide (attempt) and schizophrenia. Despite small effect sizes, we conclude that TPH2 SNPs in the coding and non-coding areas (rs4570625, rs11178997, rs11178998, rs10748185, rs1843809, rs4290270, rs17110747) are each associated with one or more psychopathological conditions. Our findings highlight the possible common serotonergic mechanisms of the investigated psychiatric disorders. Yet, the functional relevance of most TPH2 polymorphisms is unclear. Characterizing how exactly the different TPH2 variants influence the serotonergic neurotransmission is a next necessary step in understanding the psychiatric disorders where serotonin is implicated.
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Tsai SJ. Critical Issues in BDNF Val66Met Genetic Studies of Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:156. [PMID: 29867348 PMCID: PMC5962780 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophins have been implicated in the pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric diseases. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the most abundant and widely distributed neurotrophin in the brain. Its Val66Met polymorphism (refSNP Cluster Report: rs6265) is a common and functional single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) affecting the activity-dependent release of BDNF. BDNF Val66Met transgenic mice have been generated, which may provide further insight into the functional impact of this polymorphism in the brain. Considering the important role of BDNF in brain function, more than 1,100 genetic studies have investigated this polymorphism in the past 15 years. Although these studies have reported some encouraging positive findings initially, most of the findings cannot be replicated in following studies. These inconsistencies in BDNF Val66Met genetic studies may be attributed to many factors such as age, sex, environmental factors, ethnicity, genetic model used for analysis, and gene–gene interaction, which are discussed in this review. We also discuss the results of recent studies that have reported the novel functions of this polymorphism. Because many BDNF polymorphisms and non-genetic factors have been implicated in the complex traits of neuropsychiatric diseases, the conventional genetic association-based method is limited to address these complex interactions. Future studies should apply data mining and machine learning techniques to determine the genetic role of BDNF in neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Jen Tsai
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Brain Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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