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Sanguino-Gómez J, Krugers HJ. Early-life stress impairs acquisition and retrieval of fear memories: sex-effects, corticosterone modulation, and partial prevention by targeting glucocorticoid receptors at adolescent age. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 31:100636. [PMID: 38883213 PMCID: PMC11177066 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The early postnatal period is a sensitive time window that is characterized by several neurodevelopmental processes that define neuronal architecture and function later in life. Here, we examined in young adult mice, using an auditory fear conditioning paradigm, whether stress during the early postnatal period 1) impacts fear acquisition and memory consolidation in male and female mice; 2) alters the fear responsiveness to corticosterone and 3) whether effects of early-life stress (ELS) can be prevented by treating mice with a glucocorticoid (GR) antagonist at adolescence. Male and female mice were exposed to a limited nesting and bedding model of ELS from postnatal day (PND) 2-9 and injected i.p with RU38486 (RU486) at adolescent age (PND 28-30). At two months of age, mice were trained in the fear conditioning (FC) paradigm (with and without post training administration of corticosterone - CORT) and freezing behavior during fear acquisition and contextual and auditory memory retrieval was scored. We observed that ELS impaired fear acquisition specifically in male mice and reduced both contextual and auditory memory retrieval in male and female mice. Acute post-training administration of CORT increased freezing levels during auditory memory retrieval in female mice but reduced freezing levels during the tone presentation in particular in control males. Treatment with RU486 prevented ELS-effects in acquisition in male mice and in females during auditory memory retrieval. In conclusion, this study highlights the long-lasting consequences of early-life stress on fear memory processing and further illustrates 1) the potential of a glucocorticoid antagonist intervention during adolescence to mitigate these effects and 2) the partial modulation of the auditory retrieval upon post training administration of CORT, with all these effects being sex-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Harm J Krugers
- Brain Plasticity Group, SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Zheng JY, Li XX, Liu X, Zhang CC, Sun YX, Ma YN, Wang HL, Su YA, Si TM, Li JT. Fluoxetine reverses early-life stress-induced depressive-like behaviors and region-specific alterations of monoamine transporters in female mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2024; 237:173722. [PMID: 38336220 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2024.173722] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The sex difference that females are more vulnerable to depression than males has been recently replicated in an animal model of early-life stress (ES) called the limited bedding and nesting material (LBN) paradigm. Adopting this animal model, we have previously examined the effects of ES on monoamine transporter (MATs) expression in stress-related regions in adult female mice, and the reversal effects of a novel multimodal antidepressant, vortioxetine. In this study, replacing vortioxetine with a classical antidepressant, fluoxetine, we aimed to replicate the ES effects in adult female mice and to elucidate the commonality and differences between fluoxetine and vortioxetine. We found that systemic 30-day treatment with fluoxetine successfully reversed ES-induced depression-like behaviors (especially sucrose preference) in adult female mice. At the molecular level, we largely replicated the ES effects, such as reduced serotonin transporter (SERT) expression in the amygdala and increased norepinephrine transporter (NET) expression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus. Similar reversal effects of fluoxetine and vortioxetine were observed, including SERT in the amygdala and NET in the mPFC, whereas different reversal effects were observed for NET in the hippocampus and vesicular monoamine transporters expression in the nucleus accumbens. Overall, these results demonstrate the validity of the LBN paradigm to induce depression-like behaviors in female mice, highlight the involvement of region-specific MATs in ES-induced depression-like behaviors, and provide insights for further investigation of neurobiological mechanisms, treatment, and prevention associated with depression in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Ya Zheng
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health) and the Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Xue-Xin Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health) and the Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health) and the Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Chen-Chen Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health) and the Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Xin Sun
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health) and the Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Nu Ma
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health) and the Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Li Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health) and the Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Yun-Ai Su
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health) and the Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Tian-Mei Si
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health) and the Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China.
| | - Ji-Tao Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health) and the Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China.
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de Kloet ER, Joëls M. The cortisol switch between vulnerability and resilience. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:20-34. [PMID: 36599967 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01934-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In concert with neuropeptides and transmitters, the end products of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the glucocorticoid hormones cortisol and corticosterone (CORT), promote resilience: i.e., the ability to cope with threats, adversity, and trauma. To exert this protective action, CORT activates mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) that operate in a complementary manner -as an on/off switch- to coordinate circadian events, stress-coping, and adaptation. The evolutionary older limbic MR facilitates contextual memory retrieval and supports an on-switch in the selection of stress-coping styles at a low cost. The rise in circulating CORT concentration after stress subsequently activates a GR-mediated off-switch underlying recovery of homeostasis by providing the energy for restraining the primary stress reactions and promoting cognitive control over emotional reactivity. GR activation facilitates contextual memory storage of the experience to enable future stress-coping. Such complementary MR-GR-mediated actions involve rapid non-genomic and slower gene-mediated mechanisms; they are time-dependent, conditional, and sexually dimorphic, and depend on genetic background and prior experience. If coping fails, GR activation impairs cognitive control and promotes emotional arousal which eventually may compromise resilience. Such breakdown of resilience involves a transition to a chronic stress construct, where information processing is crashed; it leads to an imbalanced MR-GR switch and hence increased vulnerability. Novel MR-GR modulators are becoming available that may reset a dysregulated stress response system to reinstate the cognitive flexibility required for resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Ronald de Kloet
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Leiden/Amsterdam Center of Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Marian Joëls
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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de Kloet ER. Glucocorticoid feedback paradox: a homage to Mary Dallman. Stress 2023; 26:2247090. [PMID: 37589046 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2023.2247090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
As the end product of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the glucocorticoid hormones cortisol and corticosterone coordinate circadian activities, stress-coping, and adaptation to change. For this purpose, the hormone promotes energy metabolism and controls defense reactions in the body and brain. This life-sustaining action exerted by glucocorticoids occurs in concert with the autonomic nervous and immune systems, transmitters, growth factors/cytokines, and neuropeptides. The current contribution will focus on the glucocorticoid feedback paradox in the HPA-axis: the phenomenon that stress responsivity remains resilient if preceded by stress-induced secretion of glucocorticoid hormone, but not if this hormone is previously administered. Furthermore, in animal studies, the mixed progesterone/glucocorticoid antagonist RU486 or mifepristone switches to an apparent partial agonist upon repeated administration. To address these enigmas several interesting phenomena are highlighted. These include the conditional nature of the excitation/inhibition balance in feedback regulation, the role of glucose as a determinant of stress responsivity, and the potential of glucocorticoids in resetting the stress response system. The analysis of the feedback paradox provides also a golden opportunity to review the progress in understanding the role of glucocorticoid hormone in resilience and vulnerability during stress, the science that was burned deeply in Mary Dallman's emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edo Ronald de Kloet
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Ryakiotakis E, Fousfouka D, Stamatakis A. Maternal neglect alters reward-anticipatory behavior, social status stability, and reward circuit activation in adult male rats. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1201345. [PMID: 37521688 PMCID: PMC10375725 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1201345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Adverse early life experiences affect neuronal growth and maturation of reward circuits that modify behavior under reward predicting conditions. Previous studies demonstrate that rats undergoing denial of expected reward in the form of maternal contact (DER-animal model of maternal neglect) during early post-natal life developed anhedonia, aggressive play-fight behaviors and aberrant prefrontal cortex structure and neurochemistry. Although many studies revealed social deficiency following early-life stress most reports focus on individual animal tasks. Thus, attention needs to be given on the social effects during group tasks in animals afflicted by early life adversity. Methods To investigate the potential impact of the DER experience on the manifestation of behavioral responses induced by natural rewards, we evaluated: 1) naïve adult male sexual preference and performance, and 2) anticipatory behavior during a group 2-phase food anticipation learning task composed of a context-dependent and a cue-dependent learning period. Results DER rats efficiently spent time in the vicinity of and initiated sexual intercourse with receptive females suggesting an intact sexual reward motivation and consummation. Interestingly, during the context-dependent phase of food anticipation training DER rats displayed a modified exploratory activity and lower overall reward-context association. Moreover, during the cue-dependent phase DER rats displayed a mild deficit in context-reward association while increased cue-dependent locomotion. Additionally, DER rats displayed unstable food access priority following food presentation. These abnormal behaviours were accompanied by overactivation of the ventral prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens, as assessed by pCREB levels. Conclusions/discussion Collectively, these data show that the neonatal DER experience resulted in adulthood in altered activation of the reward circuitry, interfered with the normal formation of context-reward associations, and disrupted normal reward access hierarchy formation. These findings provide additional evidence to the deleterious effects of early life adversity on reward system, social hierarchy formation, and brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ermis Ryakiotakis
- Laboratory of Biology-Biochemistry, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitra Fousfouka
- Laboratory of Biology-Biochemistry, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- MSc Program in Molecular Biomedicine, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonios Stamatakis
- Laboratory of Biology-Biochemistry, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Ferreira de Sá N, Camarini R, Suchecki D. One day away from mum has lifelong consequences on brain and behaviour. Neuroscience 2023:S0306-4522(23)00276-2. [PMID: 37352967 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.06.013] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
This chapter presents a brief overview of attachment theory and discusses the importance of the neonatal period in shaping an individual's physiological and behavioural responses to stress later in life, with a focus on the role of the parent-infant relationship, particularly in rodents. In rodents, the role of maternal behaviours goes far beyond nutrition, thermoregulation and excretion, acting as hidden regulators of the pup's physiology and development. In this review, we will discuss the inhibitory role of specific maternal behaviours on the ACTH and corticosterone (CORT) stress response. The interest of our group to explore the long-term consequences of maternal deprivation for 24 h (DEP) at different ages (3 days and 11 days) in rats was sparked by its opposite effects on ACTH and CORT levels. In early adulthood, DEP3 animals (males and females alike) show greater negative impact on affective behaviours and stress related parameters than DEP11, indicating that the latter is more resilient in tests of anxiety-like behaviour. These findings create an opportunity to explore the neurobiological underpinnings of vulnerability and resilience to stress-related disorders. The chapter also provides a brief historical overview and highlights the relevance of attachment theory, and how DEP helps to understand the effects of childhood parental loss as a risk factor for depression, schizophrenia, and PTSD in both childhood and adulthood. Furthermore, we present the concept of environmental enrichment (EE), its effects on stress responses and related behavioural changes and its benefits for rats previously subjected to DEP, along with the clinical implications of DEP and EE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Ferreira de Sá
- Department of Psychobiology - Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo
| | - Rosana Camarini
- Department of Pharmacology - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo
| | - Deborah Suchecki
- Department of Psychobiology - Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo.
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Sun YX, Su YA, Wang Q, Zheng JY, Zhang CC, Wang T, Liu X, Ma YN, Li XX, Zhang XQ, Xie XM, Wang XD, Li JT, Si TM. The causal involvement of the BDNF-TrkB pathway in dentate gyrus in early-life stress-induced cognitive deficits in male mice. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:173. [PMID: 37225683 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02476-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive dysfunction is a significant, untreated clinical need in patients with psychiatric disorders, for which preclinical studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and to identify potential therapeutic targets. Early-life stress (ELS) leads to long-lasting deficits of hippocampus-dependent learning and memory in adult mice, which may be associated with the hypofunction of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its high-affinity receptor, tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB). In this study, we carried out eight experiments using male mice to examine the causal involvement of the BDNF-TrkB pathway in dentate gyrus (DG) and the therapeutic effects of the TrkB agonist (7,8-DHF) in ELS-induced cognitive deficits. Adopting the limited nesting and bedding material paradigm, we first demonstrated that ELS impaired spatial memory, suppressed BDNF expression and neurogenesis in the DG in adult mice. Downregulating BDNF expression (conditional BDNF knockdown) or inhibition of the TrkB receptor (using its antagonist ANA-12) in the DG mimicked the cognitive deficits of ELS. Acute upregulation of BDNF (exogenous human recombinant BDNF microinjection) levels or activation of TrkB receptor (using its agonist, 7,8-DHF) in the DG restored ELS-induced spatial memory loss. Finally, acute and subchronic systemic administration of 7,8-DHF successfully restored spatial memory loss in stressed mice. Subchronic 7,8-DHF treatment also reversed ELS-induced neurogenesis reduction. Our findings highlight BDNF-TrkB system as the molecular target of ELS-induced spatial memory deficits and provide translational evidence for the intervention at this system in the treatment of cognitive deficits in stress-related psychiatric disorders, such as major depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Xin Sun
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yun-Ai Su
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Jia-Ya Zheng
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Chen-Chen Zhang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yu-Nu Ma
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xue-Xin Li
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xian-Qiang Zhang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiao-Meng Xie
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Ministry of Health of China, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Ji-Tao Li
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Tian-Mei Si
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China.
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
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Linsen F, Broeder C, Sep MSC, Verhoeven JE, Bet PM, Penninx BWJH, Meijer OC, Vinkers CH. Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR) antagonism as disease-modifying treatment for MDD with childhood trauma: protocol of the RESET-medication randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:331. [PMID: 37170109 PMCID: PMC10173560 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04830-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a heterogeneous psychiatric disorder. Childhood trauma (CT, emotional/physical/sexual abuse or neglect before the age of 18) is one of the largest and most consistent risk factors for development and poor course of MDD. Overactivity of the HPA-axis and the stress hormone cortisol is thought to play a role in the vulnerability for MDD following exposure to CT. Rodent experiments showed that antagonism of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) at adult age reversed the effects of early life stress. Similarly, we aim to target MDD in individuals with CT exposure using the GR antagonist mifepristone. METHODS The RESET-medication study is a placebo-controlled double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) which aims to include 158 adults with MDD and CT. Participants will be randomized (1:1) to a 7-day treatment arm of mifepristone (1200 mg/day) or a control arm (placebo). Participants are allowed to receive usual care for MDD including antidepressants. Measurements include three face-to-face meetings at baseline (T0), day 8 (T1), week 6 (T2), and two online follow-up meetings at 12 weeks (T3) and 6 months (T4). A subgroup of participants (N = 80) are included in a fMRI sub-study (T0, T2). The main study outcome will be depressive symptom severity as measured with the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Rated (IDS-SR) at T2. Secondary outcomes include, among others, depressive symptom severity at other time points, disability, anxiety, sleep and subjective stress. To address underlying mechanisms mifepristone plasma levels, cortisol, inflammation, epigenetic regulation and fMRI measurements are obtained. DISCUSSION The RESET-medication study will provide clinical evidence whether GR antagonism is a disease-modifying treatment for MDD in individuals exposed to CT. If effective, this hypothesis-driven approach may extend to other psychiatric disorders where CT plays an important role. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial protocol has been registered 01-02-2022 on ClinicalTrials.gov with ID "NCT05217758".
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Affiliation(s)
- F Linsen
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands.
- Department of Anatomy & Neurosciences, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands.
| | - C Broeder
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
- Department of Anatomy & Neurosciences, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
| | - M S C Sep
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
- GGZ inGeest Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, 1081 HJ, The Netherlands
| | - J E Verhoeven
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
- GGZ inGeest Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, 1081 HJ, The Netherlands
| | - P M Bet
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, the Netherlands
| | - B W J H Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health Program and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Mood, Anxiety, Psychosis, Sleep & Stress Program, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - O C Meijer
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | - C H Vinkers
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
- Department of Anatomy & Neurosciences, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
- GGZ inGeest Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, 1081 HJ, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health Program and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Mood, Anxiety, Psychosis, Sleep & Stress Program, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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9
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Glucocorticoid-based pharmacotherapies preventing PTSD. Neuropharmacology 2023; 224:109344. [PMID: 36402246 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly disabling psychiatric condition that may arise after exposure to acute and severe trauma. It is a highly prevalent mental disorder worldwide, and the current treatment options for these patients remain limited due to low effectiveness. The time window right after traumatic events provides clinicians with a unique opportunity for preventive interventions against potential deleterious alterations in brain function that lead to PTSD. Some studies pointed out that PTSD patients present an abnormal function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis that may contribute to a vulnerability toward PTSD. Moreover, glucocorticoids have arisen as a promising option for preventing the disorder's development when administered in the aftermath of trauma. The present work compiles the recent findings of glucocorticoid administration for the prevention of a PTSD phenotype, from human studies to animal models of PTSD. Overall, glucocorticoid-based therapies for preventing PTSD demonstrated moderate evidence in terms of efficacy in both clinical and preclinical studies. Although clinical studies point out that glucocorticoids may not be effective for all patients' subpopulations, those with adequate traits might greatly benefit from them. Preclinical studies provide precise insight into the mechanisms mediating this preventive effect, showing glucocorticoid-based prevention to reduce long-lasting behavioral and neurobiological abnormalities caused by traumatic stress. However, further research is needed to delineate the precise mechanisms and the extent to which these interventions can translate into lower PTSD rates and morbidity. This article is part of the Special Issue on 'Fear, Anxiety and PTSD'.
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10
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de Kloet ER. Brain mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptor balance in neuroendocrine regulation and stress-related psychiatric etiopathologies. CURRENT OPINION IN ENDOCRINE AND METABOLIC RESEARCH 2022; 24:100352. [PMID: 38037568 PMCID: PMC10687720 DOI: 10.1016/j.coemr.2022.100352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Cortisol and corticosterone (CORT) coordinate circadian events and manage the stress response by differential activation of two complementary brain receptor systems, i.e., the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which mediate rapid non-genomic and slow genomic actions. Several recent discoveries are highlighted from molecular fine-tuning of the MR/GR balance by FKBP5 to CORTs role in neural network regulation underlying stress adaptation in emotional, cognitive, and social domains of behavior. The data suggest that MR mediates CORT action on risk assessment, social interaction, and response selection, while GR activation promotes memory consolidation and behavioral adaptation; there are also sex differences in CORT action. New evidence suggests that targeting the MR/GR balance resets a dysregulated stress response system and promotes resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edo Ronald de Kloet
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, University of Leiden, Leiden, the Netherlands
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11
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Effects of early life adversities upon memory processes and cognition in rodent models. Neuroscience 2022; 497:282-307. [PMID: 35525496 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to stressors in early postnatal life induces long-lasting modifications in brainfunction.Thisplasticity,an essential characteristic of the brain that enables adaptation to the environment, may also induce impairments in some psychophysiological functions, including learning and memory. Early life stress (ELS) has long-term effects on thehypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axisresponse to stressors, and has been reported to lead toneuroinflammation,altered levelsof neurotrophic factors, modifications inneurogenesis andsynaptic plasticity,with changes in neurotransmitter systems and network functioning. In this review, we focus on early postnatal stress in animal models and their effects on learning and memory.Many studies have reported ELS-induced impairments in different types of memories, including spatial memory, fear memory, recognition (both for objects and social) memory, working memory and reversal learning. Studies are not always in agreement, however, no effects, or sometimes facilitation, being reported, depending on the nature and intensity of the early intervention, as well as the age when the outcome was evaluated and the sex of the animals. When considering processes occurring after consolidation, related with memory maintenance or modification, there are a very reduced number of reports. Future studies addressing the mechanisms underlying memory changes for ELS should shed some light on the understanding of the different effects induced by stressors of different types and intensities on cognitive functions.
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de Azevedo Camin N, Andrey Ariza Traslaviña G, Cleber Gama de Barcellos Filho P, Rodrigues Franci C. Early post-stress administration of MR or GR antagonist in adolescent female rats restored anxiogenic-like behavior and modified the HPA axis response in the adulthood. Brain Res 2022; 1782:147833. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2022.147833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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13
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Ding J, Chen X, Han F, Meijer OC. An Advanced Transcriptional Response to Corticosterone After Single Prolonged Stress in Male Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:756903. [PMID: 34867228 PMCID: PMC8636037 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.756903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders are often accompanied by dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), increased sensitivity of glucocorticoid negative feedback has regularly been observed. The single prolonged stress (SPS) paradigm was developed to model increased negative feedback and other aspects of PTSD in rats. In this study, we used a setup that precluded the evaluation of negative feedback but rather served to test the hypothesis of the enhanced glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling in higher brain areas. We injected corticosterone or vehicle 7 days after SPS and evaluated plasma corticosterone, as well as gene expression in the dorsal hippocampus and amygdala. We observed a strikingly rapid change in the expression of established GR target genes (t = 30 min) only in the SPS group on exogenous corticosterone injection. Our results extend the notion of increased GR sensitivity in PTSD to include transcriptional responses in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlan Ding
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,PTSD Lab, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xinzhao Chen
- PTSD Lab, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Fang Han
- PTSD Lab, Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
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14
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Kalamari A, Kentrop J, Hinna Danesi C, Graat EAM, van IJzendoorn MH, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ, Joëls M, van der Veen R. Complex Housing, but Not Maternal Deprivation Affects Motivation to Liberate a Trapped Cage-Mate in an Operant Rat Task. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:698501. [PMID: 34512284 PMCID: PMC8427758 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.698501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Early life environment influences the development of various aspects of social behavior, particularly during sensitive developmental periods. We studied how challenges in the early postnatal period or (early) adolescence affect pro-social behavior. To this end, we designed a lever-operated liberation task, to be able to measure motivation to liberate a trapped conspecific (by progressively increasing required lever pressing for door-opening). Liberation of the trapped rat resulted either in social contact or in liberation into a separate compartment. Additionally, a condition was tested in which both rats could freely move in two separate compartments and lever pressing resulted in social contact. When partners were not trapped, rats were more motivated to press the lever for opening the door than in either of the trapped configurations. Contrary to our expectations, the trapped configuration resulted in a reduced motivation to act. Early postnatal stress (24 h maternal deprivation on postnatal day 3) did not affect behavior in the liberation task. However, rearing rats from early adolescence onwards in complex housing conditions (Marlau cages) reduced the motivation to door opening, both in the trapped and freely moving conditions, while the motivation for a sucrose reward was not affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini Kalamari
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jiska Kentrop
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Chiara Hinna Danesi
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Evelien A M Graat
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marinus H van IJzendoorn
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Primary Care Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen University, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Rixt van der Veen
- Brain Plasticity group, SILS Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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15
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Bolton JL, Schulmann A, Garcia-Curran MM, Regev L, Chen Y, Kamei N, Shao M, Singh-Taylor A, Jiang S, Noam Y, Molet J, Mortazavi A, Baram TZ. Unexpected Transcriptional Programs Contribute to Hippocampal Memory Deficits and Neuronal Stunting after Early-Life Adversity. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108511. [PMID: 33326786 PMCID: PMC7817243 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life adversity (ELA) is associated with lifelong memory deficits, yet the responsible mechanisms remain unclear. We impose ELA by rearing rat pups in simulated poverty, assess hippocampal memory, and probe changes in gene expression, their transcriptional regulation, and the consequent changes in hippocampal neuronal structure. ELA rats have poor hippocampal memory and stunted hippocampal pyramidal neurons associated with ~140 differentially expressed genes. Upstream regulators of the altered genes include glucocorticoid receptor and, unexpectedly, the transcription factor neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF/REST). NRSF contributes critically to the memory deficits because blocking its function transiently following ELA rescues spatial memory and restores the dendritic arborization of hippocampal pyramidal neurons in ELA rats. Blocking NRSF function in vitro augments dendritic complexity of developing hippocampal neurons, suggesting that NRSF represses genes involved in neuronal maturation. These findings establish important, surprising contributions of NRSF to ELA-induced transcriptional programming that disrupts hippocampal maturation and memory function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Bolton
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA; Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA
| | - Anton Schulmann
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA; Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA
| | - Megan M Garcia-Curran
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA; Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA
| | - Limor Regev
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA; Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA
| | - Yuncai Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA; Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA
| | - Noriko Kamei
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA; Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA
| | - Manlin Shao
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA; Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA
| | - Akanksha Singh-Taylor
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA; Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA
| | - Shan Jiang
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA
| | - Yoav Noam
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA; Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA
| | - Jenny Molet
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA; Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA
| | - Ali Mortazavi
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA
| | - Tallie Z Baram
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA; Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA.
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Age-dependent shift in spontaneous excitation-inhibition balance of infralimbic prefrontal layer II/III neurons is accelerated by early life stress, independent of forebrain mineralocorticoid receptor expression. Neuropharmacology 2020; 180:108294. [PMID: 32882227 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In this study we tested the hypothesis i) that age-dependent shifts in the excitation-inhibition balance of prefrontal neurons are accelerated by early life stress, a risk factor for the etiology of many psychiatric disorders; and if so, ii) that this process is exacerbated by genetic forebrain-specific downregulation of the mineralocorticoid receptor, a receptor that was earlier found to be a protective factor for negative effects of early life stress in both rodents and humans. In agreement with the literature, an age-dependent downregulation of the excitation-inhibition balance was found both with regard to spontaneous and evoked synaptic currents. The age-dependent shift in spontaneous excitatory relative to inhibitory currents was significantly accelerated by early life stress, but this was not exacerbated by reduction in mineralocorticoid receptor expression. The age-dependent changes in the excitation-inhibition balance were mirrored by similar changes in receptor subunit expression and morphological alterations, particularly in spine density, which could thus potentially contribute to the functional changes. However, none of these parameters displayed acceleration by early life stress, nor depended on mineralocorticoid receptor expression. We conclude that, in agreement with the hypothesis, early life stress accelerates the developmental shift of the excitation-inhibition balance but, contrary to expectation, there is no evidence for a putative protective role of the mineralocorticoid receptor in this system. In view of the modest effect of early life stress on the excitation-inhibition balance, alternative mechanisms potentially underlying the development of psychiatric disorders should be further explored.
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Hu P, Maita I, Phan ML, Gu E, Kwok C, Dieterich A, Gergues MM, Yohn CN, Wang Y, Zhou JN, Qi XR, Swaab DF, Pang ZP, Lucassen PJ, Roepke TA, Samuels BA. Early-life stress alters affective behaviors in adult mice through persistent activation of CRH-BDNF signaling in the oval bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:396. [PMID: 33177511 PMCID: PMC7658214 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01070-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life stress (ELS) leads to stress-related psychopathology in adulthood. Although dysfunction of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) signaling in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) mediates chronic stress-induced maladaptive affective behaviors that are historically associated with mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, it remains unknown whether ELS affects CRH function in the adult BNST. Here we applied a well-established ELS paradigm (24 h maternal separation (MS) at postnatal day 3) and assessed the effects on CRH signaling and electrophysiology in the oval nucleus of BNST (ovBNST) of adult male mouse offspring. ELS increased maladaptive affective behaviors, and amplified mEPSCs and decreased M-currents (a voltage-gated K+ current critical for stabilizing membrane potential) in ovBNST CRH neurons, suggesting enhanced cellular excitability. Furthermore, ELS increased the numbers of CRH+ and PACAP+ (the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, an upstream CRH regulator) cells and decreased STEP+ (striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase, a CRH inhibitor) cells in BNST. Interestingly, ELS also increased BNST brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, indicating enhanced neuronal plasticity. These electrophysiological and behavioral effects of ELS were reversed by chronic application of the CRHR1-selective antagonist R121919 into ovBNST, but not when BDNF was co-administered. In addition, the neurophysiological effects of BDNF on M-currents and mEPSCs in BNST CRH neurons mimic effects and were abolished by PKC antagonism. Together, our findings indicate that ELS results in a long-lasting activation of CRH signaling in the mouse ovBNST. These data highlight a regulatory role of CRHR1 in the BNST and for BDNF signaling in mediating ELS-induced long-term behavioral changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu Hu
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
| | - Isabella Maita
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
| | - Mimi L. Phan
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
| | - Edward Gu
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
| | - Christopher Kwok
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
| | - Andrew Dieterich
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
| | - Mark M. Gergues
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA ,grid.266102.10000 0001 2297 6811Present Address: Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Christine N. Yohn
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
| | - Yu Wang
- grid.59053.3a0000000121679639CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, Life Science School, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027 China
| | - Jiang-Ning Zhou
- grid.59053.3a0000000121679639CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, Life Science School, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027 China
| | - Xin-Rui Qi
- grid.412538.90000 0004 0527 0050Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072 China
| | - Dick F. Swaab
- grid.418101.d0000 0001 2153 6865Department of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Meibergdreef, Amsterdam 1105 BA The Netherlands
| | - Zhiping P. Pang
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA
| | - Paul J. Lucassen
- grid.7177.60000000084992262Brain Plasticity Group, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Troy A. Roepke
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Department of Animal Sciences, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA
| | - Benjamin A. Samuels
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
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van der Veen R, Bonapersona V, Joëls M. The relevance of a rodent cohort in the Consortium on Individual Development. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2020; 45:100846. [PMID: 32957026 PMCID: PMC7509002 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2020.100846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the features of the Consortium on Individual Development is the existence of a rodent cohort, in parallel with the human cohorts. Here we give an overview of the current status. We first elaborate on the choice of rat and mouse models mimicking early life adverse or beneficial conditions during development. We performed a systematic literature search on early life adversity and adult social behavior to address the status quo. Next, we describe the behavioral tasks we used and designed to examine behavioral control and social competence in rodents. The results so far indicate that manipulation of the environment in the first postnatal week only subtly affects social behavior. Stronger effects were seen in the model that targeted early adolescence; once adult, these rats are characterized by increased attention, a higher degree of impulsiveness and reduced social interest in peers. Many experiments in our rodent models with tightly controlled conditions were inspired by findings in human cohorts, and now allow in-depth mechanistic investigations. Vice versa, some of the findings in rodents are currently followed up by dedicated investigations in the human cohorts. This exemplifies the added value of animal investigations in a consortium encompassing primarily human developmental cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rixt van der Veen
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Valeria Bonapersona
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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19
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Pittaras E, Rabat A, Granon S. The Mouse Gambling Task: Assessing Individual Decision-making Strategies in Mice. Bio Protoc 2020; 10:e3479. [PMID: 33654712 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Decision-making is a complex cognitive process which consists of choosing one option among several alternatives. In humans, this process is featured in the Iowa gambling task (IGT), a decision-making task that mimics real life situations by reproducing uncertain conditions based on probabilistic rewards or penalties (see Background). Several authors wanted to adapt the IGT in rodents with subtle differences in protocols that match various aspects of the human task. Here we propose, for the first time in mice, a protocol that contains the most important characteristics of the IGT: 4 different options, choices based on 4 ambiguous outcomes with immediate and long term rewards, a total of 100 trials, no learning of the contingency before the task, and presence of both a certain reward and a probable penalty. During this task, mice have to choose between options more or less advantageous in the short and long term by developing a decision-making strategy that differs between individuals. Therefore, the strength of this protocol is that it is one of the first to enable the study of decision-making in a complex situation, and demonstrates inter-individual differences regarding decision-making strategies in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Pittaras
- Biology Department, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5020, USA
| | - Arnaud Rabat
- Unité Fatigue et Vigilance, Département Environnements Opérationnels, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des armées, 1 place du Général Valérie ANDRE, BP 73, 91223 Bretigny-sur-Orge cedex, France.,Equipe d'accueil 7330 «VIFASOM», Hôtel Dieu AP-HP, Université Paris 5 Descartes, 1 place du Parvis Notre Dame, 75181 Paris cedex 04, France
| | - Sylvie Granon
- Neurobiology of decision making, Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (Neuro-PSI), CNRS UMR 9197, 91400 Orsay, France
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Probiotic treatment restores normal developmental trajectories of fear memory retention in maternally separated infant rats. Neuropharmacology 2019; 153:53-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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21
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Molendijk ML, de Kloet ER. Coping with the forced swim stressor: Current state-of-the-art. Behav Brain Res 2019; 364:1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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22
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Papilloud A, Veenit V, Tzanoulinou S, Riccio O, Zanoletti O, Guillot de Suduiraut I, Grosse J, Sandi C. Peripubertal stress-induced heightened aggression: modulation of the glucocorticoid receptor in the central amygdala and normalization by mifepristone treatment. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019; 44:674-682. [PMID: 29941978 PMCID: PMC6372583 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0110-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Despite the enormous negative impact of excessive aggression for individuals and societies, there is a paucity of treatments. Here, using a peripubertal stress model of heightened aggression in rats, we investigated the involvement of the glucocorticoid system and tested the effectiveness of antiglucocorticoid treatment to normalize behavior. We assessed peripubertal stress-induced changes in glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid (MR) gene expression in different amygdala nuclei and hippocampus, and report a specific increase in GR mRNA expression in the central amygdala (CeA). Administration of mifepristone (10 mg/kg), a GR antagonist, before stressor exposure at peripuberty prevented the habituation of plasma corticosterone responses observed throughout the stress protocol. This treatment also prevented the increase in aggression and GR expression in the CeA observed in peripubertally stressed rats at adulthood. Viral downregulation of CeA GR expression at adulthood led to reduced aggression. Subsequently, we showed that a brief, 3-day, treatment with mifepristone at adulthood was effective to normalize the abnormal aggression phenotype in peripubertally stressed rats. Our results support a key role for GR actions during peripubertal stress for the long-term programming of heightened aggression. Strikingly, they also support the translational interest of testing the effectiveness of mifepristone treatment to diminish reactive aggression in early adversity-related human psychopathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurelie Papilloud
- 0000000121839049grid.5333.6Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vandana Veenit
- 0000000121839049grid.5333.6Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland ,0000 0004 1937 0626grid.4714.6Present Address: Departement of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stamatina Tzanoulinou
- 0000000121839049grid.5333.6Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland ,0000 0001 2322 4988grid.8591.5Present Address: Departement of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Orbicia Riccio
- 0000000121839049grid.5333.6Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivia Zanoletti
- 0000000121839049grid.5333.6Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Guillot de Suduiraut
- 0000000121839049grid.5333.6Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jocelyn Grosse
- 0000000121839049grid.5333.6Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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de Kloet ER, de Kloet SF, de Kloet CS, de Kloet AD. Top-down and bottom-up control of stress-coping. J Neuroendocrinol 2019; 31:e12675. [PMID: 30578574 PMCID: PMC6519262 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In this 30th anniversary issue review, we focus on the glucocorticoid modulation of limbic-prefrontocortical circuitry during stress-coping. This action of the stress hormone is mediated by mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) that are co-expressed abundantly in these higher brain regions. Via both receptor types, the glucocorticoids demonstrate, in various contexts, rapid nongenomic and slower genomic actions that coordinate consecutive stages of information processing. MR-mediated action optimises stress-coping, whereas, in a complementary fashion, the memory storage of the selected coping strategy is promoted via GR. We highlight the involvement of adipose tissue in the allocation of energy resources to central regulation of stress reactions, point to still poorly understood neuronal ensembles in the prefrontal cortex that underlie cognitive flexibility critical for effective coping, and evaluate the role of cortisol as a pleiotropic regulator in vulnerability to, and treatment of, trauma-related psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edo R. de Kloet
- Division of EndocrinologyDepartment of MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Sybren F. de Kloet
- Department of Integrative NeurophysiologyCenter for Neurogenomics and Cognitive ResearchVU‐University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | | | - Annette D. de Kloet
- Department of Physiology and Functional GenomicsUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFlorida
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Bolton JL, Short AK, Simeone KA, Daglian J, Baram TZ. Programming of Stress-Sensitive Neurons and Circuits by Early-Life Experiences. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:30. [PMID: 30833892 PMCID: PMC6387907 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Early-life experiences influence brain structure and function long-term, contributing to resilience or vulnerability to stress and stress-related disorders. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms by which early-life experiences program specific brain cells and circuits to shape life-long cognitive and emotional functions is crucial. We identify the population of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-expressing neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) as a key, early target of early-life experiences. Adverse experiences increase excitatory neurotransmission onto PVN CRH cells, whereas optimal experiences, such as augmented and predictable maternal care, reduce the number and function of glutamatergic inputs onto this cell population. Altered synaptic neurotransmission is sufficient to initiate large-scale, enduring epigenetic re-programming within CRH-expressing neurons, associated with stress resilience and additional cognitive and emotional outcomes. Thus, the mechanisms by which early-life experiences influence the brain provide tractable targets for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Bolton
- Departments of Pediatrics, Anatomy/Neurobiology, Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Annabel Katherine Short
- Departments of Pediatrics, Anatomy/Neurobiology, Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Kristina A Simeone
- Departments of Pediatrics, Anatomy/Neurobiology, Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Jennifer Daglian
- Departments of Pediatrics, Anatomy/Neurobiology, Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Tallie Z Baram
- Departments of Pediatrics, Anatomy/Neurobiology, Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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Dalm S, Karssen AM, Meijer OC, Belanoff JK, de Kloet ER. Resetting the Stress System with a Mifepristone Challenge. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2018; 39:503-522. [PMID: 30173378 PMCID: PMC6469632 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-018-0614-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Psychotic depression is characterized by elevated circulating cortisol, and high daily doses of the glucocorticoid/progesterone antagonist mifepristone for 1 week are required for significant improvement. Using a rodent model, we find that such high doses of mifepristone are needed because the antagonist is rapidly degraded and poorly penetrates the blood–brain barrier, but seems to facilitate the entry of cortisol. We also report that in male C57BL/6J mice, after a 7-day treatment with a high dose of mifepristone, basal blood corticosterone levels were similar to that of vehicle controls. This is surprising because after the first mifepristone challenge, corticosterone remained elevated for about 16 h, and then decreased towards vehicle control levels at 24 h. At that time, stress-induced corticosterone levels of the 1xMIF were sevenfold higher than the 7xMIF group, the latter response being twofold lower than controls. The 1xMIF mice showed behavioral hyperactivity during exploration of the circular hole board, while the 7xMIF mice rather engaged in serial search patterns. To explain this rapid reset of corticosterone secretion upon recurrent mifepristone administration, we suggest the following: (i) A rebound glucocorticoid feedback after cessation of mifepristone treatment. (ii) Glucocorticoid agonism in transrepression and recruitment of cell-specific coregulator cocktails. (iii) A more prominent role of brain MR function in control of stress circuit activity. An overview table of neuroendocrine MIF effects is provided. The data are of interest for understanding the mechanistic underpinning of stress system reset as treatment strategy for stress-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergiu Dalm
- Division of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research and Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Adriaan M Karssen
- Division of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research and Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Division of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research and Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Room C-7-44, Postal zone C7-Q, PO Box 9600, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - E Ronald de Kloet
- Division of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research and Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands. .,Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Room C-7-44, Postal zone C7-Q, PO Box 9600, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Abstract
The brain is continuously exposed to varying levels of adrenal corticosteroid hormones such as corticosterone in rodents and cortisol in humans. Natural fluctuations occur due to ultradian and circadian variations or are caused by exposure to stressful situations. Brain cells express two types of corticosteroid receptors, i.e. mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors, which differ in distribution and affinity. These receptors can mediate both rapid non-genomic and slow gene-mediated neuronal actions. As a consequence of these factors, natural (e.g. stress-induced) shifts in corticosteroid level are associated with a complex mosaic of time- and region-dependent changes in neuronal activity. A series of experiments in humans and rodents have revealed that these time- and region-dependent cellular characteristics are also reflected in distinct cognitive patterns after stress. Thus, directly after a peak of corticosteroids, attention and vigilance are increased, and areas involved in emotional responses and simple behavioral strategies show enhanced activity. In the aftermath of stress, areas involved in higher cognitive functions become activated allowing individuals to link stressful events to the specific context and to store information for future use. Both phases of the brain's response to stress are important to face a continuously changing environment, promoting adaptation at the short as well as long term. We argue that a balanced response during the two phases is essential for resilience. This balance may become compromised after repeated stress exposure, particularly in genetically vulnerable individuals and aggravate disease manifestation. This not only applies to psychiatric disorders but also to neurological diseases such as epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceBrain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- University of GroningenUniversity Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Joëls M, Karst H, Sarabdjitsingh RA. The stressed brain of humans and rodents. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2018; 223:e13066. [PMID: 29575542 PMCID: PMC5969253 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
After stress, the brain is exposed to waves of stress mediators, including corticosterone (in rodents) and cortisol (in humans). Corticosteroid hormones affect neuronal physiology in two time‐domains: rapid, non‐genomic actions primarily via mineralocorticoid receptors; and delayed genomic effects via glucocorticoid receptors. In parallel, cognitive processing is affected by stress hormones. Directly after stress, emotional behaviour involving the amygdala is strongly facilitated with cognitively a strong emphasis on the “now” and “self,” at the cost of higher cognitive processing. This enables the organism to quickly and adequately respond to the situation at hand. Several hours later, emotional circuits are dampened while functions related to the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus are promoted. This allows the individual to rationalize the stressful event and place it in the right context, which is beneficial in the long run. The brain's response to stress depends on an individual's genetic background in interaction with life events. Studies in rodents point to the possibility to prevent or reverse long‐term consequences of early life adversity on cognitive processing, by normalizing the balance between the two receptor types for corticosteroid hormones at a critical moment just before the onset of puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Joëls
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceBrain Center Rudolf MagnusUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
- University Medical Center GroningenUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - H. Karst
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceBrain Center Rudolf MagnusUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - R. A. Sarabdjitsingh
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceBrain Center Rudolf MagnusUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
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