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Power GM, Sanderson E, Pagoni P, Fraser A, Morris T, Prince C, Frayling TM, Heron J, Richardson TG, Richmond R, Tyrrell J, Warrington N, Davey Smith G, Howe LD, Tilling KM. Methodological approaches, challenges, and opportunities in the application of Mendelian randomisation to lifecourse epidemiology: A systematic literature review. Eur J Epidemiol 2024; 39:501-520. [PMID: 37938447 PMCID: PMC7616129 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-023-01032-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Diseases diagnosed in adulthood may have antecedents throughout (including prenatal) life. Gaining a better understanding of how exposures at different stages in the lifecourse influence health outcomes is key to elucidating the potential benefits of disease prevention strategies. Mendelian randomisation (MR) is increasingly used to estimate causal effects of exposures across the lifecourse on later life outcomes. This systematic literature review explores MR methods used to perform lifecourse investigations and reviews previous work that has utilised MR to elucidate the effects of factors acting at different stages of the lifecourse. We conducted searches in PubMed, Embase, Medline and MedRXiv databases. Thirteen methodological studies were identified. Four studies focused on the impact of time-varying exposures in the interpretation of "standard" MR techniques, five presented methods for repeat measures of the same exposure, and four described methodological approaches to handling multigenerational exposures. A further 127 studies presented the results of an applied research question. Over half of these estimated effects in a single generation and were largely confined to the exploration of questions regarding body composition. The remaining mostly estimated maternal effects. There is a growing body of research focused on the development and application of MR methods to address lifecourse research questions. The underlying assumptions require careful consideration and the interpretation of results rely on select conditions. Whilst we do not advocate for a particular strategy, we encourage practitioners to make informed decisions on how to approach a research question in this field with a solid understanding of the limitations present and how these may be affected by the research question, modelling approach, instrument selection, and data availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace M Power
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK.
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Eleanor Sanderson
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Panagiota Pagoni
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Abigail Fraser
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Tim Morris
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies, Social Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Claire Prince
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Timothy M Frayling
- Genetics of Complex Traits, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Jon Heron
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Tom G Richardson
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Rebecca Richmond
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Jessica Tyrrell
- Genetics of Complex Traits, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Nicole Warrington
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - George Davey Smith
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre Bristol, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Laura D Howe
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Kate M Tilling
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
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Bekdash RA. Epigenetics, Nutrition, and the Brain: Improving Mental Health through Diet. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4036. [PMID: 38612845 PMCID: PMC11012292 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The relationship between nutrition and brain health is intricate. Studies suggest that nutrients during early life impact not only human physiology but also mental health. Although the exact molecular mechanisms that depict this relationship remain unclear, there are indications that environmental factors such as eating, lifestyle habits, stress, and physical activity, influence our genes and modulate their function by epigenetic mechanisms to shape mental health outcomes. Epigenetic mechanisms act as crucial link between genes and environmental influences, proving that non-genetic factors could have enduring effects on the epigenome and influence health trajectories. We review studies that demonstrated an epigenetic mechanism of action of nutrition on mental health, focusing on the role of specific micronutrients during critical stages of brain development. The methyl-donor micronutrients of the one-carbon metabolism, such as choline, betaine, methionine, folic acid, VitB6 and VitB12 play critical roles in various physiological processes, including DNA and histone methylation. These micronutrients have been shown to alter gene function and susceptibility to diseases including mental health and metabolic disorders. Understanding how micronutrients influence metabolic genes in humans can lead to the implementation of early nutritional interventions to reduce the risk of developing metabolic and mental health disorders later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rola A Bekdash
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
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Martín-Cuevas C, Ramos-Herrero VD, Crespo-Facorro B, Sánchez-Hidalgo AC. Prenatal risk factors and postnatal cannabis exposure: Assessing dual models of schizophrenia-like rodents. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 154:105409. [PMID: 37783300 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorder caused by genetic and environmental alterations, especially during prenatal stages. On the other hand, cannabis consumption in adolescence has been also linked to an increased risk of developing SCZ. The combination of both hits has been proposed as the dual hit hypothesis of SCZ. We systematically reviewed prenatal environmental alterations and cannabis consumption during adolescence that are associated with an increased risk of SCZ, following the PRISMA model. The analysis focused on dual animal models where the first hit is prenatal environmental exposure and the second hit consists of postnatal cannabis exposure. The articles were evaluated by three independent reviewers based on inclusion criteria. We extracted the first author´s name, year, model species, sex and analysis. The articles reported on dual murine models and their effects on weight, behavior, genetics, electrophysiology and brain structure and function. We conclude that the defects caused by the dual hits depend on the sex of the model, as well as type of hits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Martín-Cuevas
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS)/University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Sevilla, Manuel Siurot AV, 41013 Seville, Spain; Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM, ISCIII), Monforte de Lemos AV, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Víctor Darío Ramos-Herrero
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS)/University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Sevilla, Manuel Siurot AV, 41013 Seville, Spain.
| | - Benedicto Crespo-Facorro
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS)/University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Sevilla, Manuel Siurot AV, 41013 Seville, Spain; Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM, ISCIII), Monforte de Lemos AV, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Sevilla, Manuel Siurot AV, 41013 Seville, Spain.
| | - Ana C Sánchez-Hidalgo
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS)/University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Sevilla, Manuel Siurot AV, 41013 Seville, Spain; Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM, ISCIII), Monforte de Lemos AV, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
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Le ATP, Higuchi Y, Sumiyoshi T, Itoh H, Sasabayashi D, Takahashi T, Suzuki M. Analysis of polyunsaturated fatty acids in antipsychotic-free individuals with at-risk mental state and patients with first-episode schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1188452. [PMID: 37564244 PMCID: PMC10410072 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1188452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Abnormalities in membrane phospholipids are considered one of the pathophysiological backgrounds for schizophrenia. This study, explores the fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membranes and its association with clinical characteristics in two groups: individuals with an at-risk mental state (ARMS) and patients experiencing their first-episode of schizophrenia (FES). Materials and methods This study measured erythrocyte membrane fatty acids in 72 antipsychotic-free individuals with ARMS, 18 antipsychotic-free patients with FES, and 39 healthy volunteers. Clinical symptoms and cognitive and social functions were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS), Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale (SCoRS), and Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS). Results Eicosapentaenoic and docosapentaenoic acid levels were lower in the ARMS and FES groups than in the healthy control group. In contrast, nervonic acid (NA) levels were markedly higher in the ARMS and FES groups than in the controls, while only the FES group showed higher levels of arachidonic acid. Oleic acid and NA levels were significantly associated with PANSS scores in both the FES and ARMS groups, particularly for the negative and general subscores. However, the patient groups had no significant associations between the fatty acid composition and the BACS, SCoRS, and SOFAS scores. Furthermore, the baseline fatty acid composition did not differ between the ARMS individuals who later developed psychosis (N = 6) and those who were followed for more than 2 years without developing psychosis onset (N = 30). Discussion The findings suggest that abnormal fatty acid compositions may be shared in the early stages of schizophrenia and the clinical high-risk state for psychosis and may serve as vulnerability markers of psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Thi Phuong Le
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Toyama Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama, Japan
- Research Center for Idling Brain Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Yuko Higuchi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Toyama Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama, Japan
- Research Center for Idling Brain Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
- Department of Preventive Intervention for Psychiatric Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomiki Sumiyoshi
- Department of Preventive Intervention for Psychiatric Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroko Itoh
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Toyama Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama, Japan
| | - Daiki Sasabayashi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Toyama Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama, Japan
- Research Center for Idling Brain Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Takahashi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Toyama Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama, Japan
- Research Center for Idling Brain Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Michio Suzuki
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Toyama Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama, Japan
- Research Center for Idling Brain Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
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Woods R, Lorusso J, Fletcher J, ElTaher H, McEwan F, Harris I, Kowash H, D'Souza SW, Harte M, Hager R, Glazier JD. Maternal immune activation and role of placenta in the prenatal programming of neurodevelopmental disorders. Neuronal Signal 2023; 7:NS20220064. [PMID: 37332846 PMCID: PMC10273029 DOI: 10.1042/ns20220064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal infection during pregnancy, leading to maternal immune activation (mIA) and cytokine release, increases the offspring risk of developing a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including schizophrenia. Animal models have provided evidence to support these mechanistic links, with placental inflammatory responses and dysregulation of placental function implicated. This leads to changes in fetal brain cytokine balance and altered epigenetic regulation of key neurodevelopmental pathways. The prenatal timing of such mIA-evoked changes, and the accompanying fetal developmental responses to an altered in utero environment, will determine the scope of the impacts on neurodevelopmental processes. Such dysregulation can impart enduring neuropathological changes, which manifest subsequently in the postnatal period as altered neurodevelopmental behaviours in the offspring. Hence, elucidation of the functional changes that occur at the molecular level in the placenta is vital in improving our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis of NDDs. This has notable relevance to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, where inflammatory responses in the placenta to SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and NDDs in early childhood have been reported. This review presents an integrated overview of these collective topics and describes the possible contribution of prenatal programming through placental effects as an underlying mechanism that links to NDD risk, underpinned by altered epigenetic regulation of neurodevelopmental pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M. Woods
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Jarred M. Lorusso
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Jennifer Fletcher
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Biology and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Heidi ElTaher
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Biology and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt
| | - Francesca McEwan
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Isabella Harris
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Hager M. Kowash
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9WL, U.K
| | - Stephen W. D'Souza
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9WL, U.K
| | - Michael Harte
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Biology and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Reinmar Hager
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Jocelyn D. Glazier
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
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Zheng Q, Wang H, Yan A, Yin F, Qiao X. DNA Methylation in Alcohol Use Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10130. [PMID: 37373281 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210130] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive drinking damages the central nervous system of individuals and can even cause alcohol use disorder (AUD). AUD is regulated by both genetic and environmental factors. Genes determine susceptibility to alcohol, and the dysregulation of epigenome drives the abnormal transcription program and promotes the occurrence and development of AUD. DNA methylation is one of the earliest and most widely studied epigenetic mechanisms that can be inherited stably. In ontogeny, DNA methylation pattern is a dynamic process, showing differences and characteristics at different stages. DNA dysmethylation is prevalent in human cancer and alcohol-related psychiatric disorders, resulting in local hypermethylation and transcriptional silencing of related genes. Here, we summarize recent findings on the roles and regulatory mechanisms of DNA methylation, the development of methyltransferase inhibitors, methylation alteration during alcohol exposure at different stages of life, and possible therapeutic options for targeting methylation in human and animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingmeng Zheng
- Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Heng Wang
- Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - An Yan
- Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Fangyuan Yin
- School of Medicine, College of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Xiaomeng Qiao
- Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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Li XW, Zhang MY, Li ZJ, Ai LZ, Jin MD, Jia NN, Xie MT, Yang YQ, Li WZ, Dong L, Yu Q. ABCB9 polymorphism rs61955196 is associated with schizophrenia in a Chinese Han population. World J Psychiatry 2022; 12:904-914. [PMID: 36051605 PMCID: PMC9331447 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v12.i7.904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a complex disease which can be affected by both genetic and environmental factors. Prenatal famine exposure may cause changes in DNA methylation levels of genes. Meanwhile, maternal nutrition during pregnancy is a pivotal environmental factor in the development of SCZ. DNA methylation may be an intermediate factor mediating exposure to famine during pregnancy and SCZ, and DNA methylation quantitative trait loci might serve as a promising tool for linking SCZ and prenatal famine.
AIM To analyze the association between prenatal famine exposure and SCZ risk in Northeast Han Chinese through analysis of DNA methylation related loci.
METHODS A total of 954 Han Chinese from Northeast China were recruited, including 443 patients with SCZ and 511 healthy controls. The participants were further divided into famine (born in 1960-1962) and non-famine (born in 1963-1965) groups to investigate the effect of prenatal famine exposure. Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) selected according to the relevant literature were genotyped, namely, rs11917047 in PTPRG, rs2239681 in IGF2, rs3842756 in INSIGF, and rs61955196 in ABCB9. DNA were extracted from peripheral blood samples, and the genotypes of these SNP loci were detected using the improved Multiple Ligase Detection Reaction multiple SNP typing technique. The associations of the DNA methylation related SNPs with SCZ risk and prenatal famine, and their interactions were analyzed using logistic regression analysis and generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) software.
RESULTS Based on the sequencing data, genotype distributions and allele frequencies of the four selected SNPs were determined. All genotype frequencies of the four SNPs in the healthy control group were tested for deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that rs61955196 was significantly associated with SCZ risk in the log-additive model [odds ratio (OR): 1.22; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-1.48; P = 0.040]. We also found that the rs61955196 allele was related with an enhanced risk of SCZ (G>C, OR: 1.22; 95%CI: 1.01-1.47; P = 0.042). However, no associations were observed between rs11917047, rs2239681, or rs3842756 and SCZ risk. Under the optimal genetic model, no significant association of famine with the four SNPs was seen. Though the gene–gene interactions between rs2239681 and rs61955196 were found in GMDR analysis, none of the gene-gene interactions and gene-famine interactions were associated with the risk of SCZ.
CONCLUSION Our study suggested that rs61955196 in ABCB9 is associated with SCZ susceptibility in Northeast Han Chinese, providing insight into genetic effects on SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Wei Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Ming-Yuan Zhang
- Department of Endemic Diseases and Parasitic Diseases Prevention, Yantai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yantai 264003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Li-Zhe Ai
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Meng-Di Jin
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Ning-Ning Jia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Meng-Tong Xie
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Yu-Qing Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Wei-Zhen Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Lin Dong
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Qiong Yu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
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Yildiz CB, Zimmer-Bensch G. Role of DNMTs in the Brain. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1389:363-394. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11454-0_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Reichard J, Zimmer-Bensch G. The Epigenome in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:776809. [PMID: 34803599 PMCID: PMC8595945 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.776809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental diseases (NDDs), such as autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy, and schizophrenia, are characterized by diverse facets of neurological and psychiatric symptoms, differing in etiology, onset and severity. Such symptoms include mental delay, cognitive and language impairments, or restrictions to adaptive and social behavior. Nevertheless, all have in common that critical milestones of brain development are disrupted, leading to functional deficits of the central nervous system and clinical manifestation in child- or adulthood. To approach how the different development-associated neuropathologies can occur and which risk factors or critical processes are involved in provoking higher susceptibility for such diseases, a detailed understanding of the mechanisms underlying proper brain formation is required. NDDs rely on deficits in neuronal identity, proportion or function, whereby a defective development of the cerebral cortex, the seat of higher cognitive functions, is implicated in numerous disorders. Such deficits can be provoked by genetic and environmental factors during corticogenesis. Thereby, epigenetic mechanisms can act as an interface between external stimuli and the genome, since they are known to be responsive to external stimuli also in cortical neurons. In line with that, DNA methylation, histone modifications/variants, ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling, as well as regulatory non-coding RNAs regulate diverse aspects of neuronal development, and alterations in epigenomic marks have been associated with NDDs of varying phenotypes. Here, we provide an overview of essential steps of mammalian corticogenesis, and discuss the role of epigenetic mechanisms assumed to contribute to pathophysiological aspects of NDDs, when being disrupted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Reichard
- Functional Epigenetics in the Animal Model, Institute for Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Research Training Group 2416 MultiSenses-MultiScales, Institute for Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Geraldine Zimmer-Bensch
- Functional Epigenetics in the Animal Model, Institute for Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Research Training Group 2416 MultiSenses-MultiScales, Institute for Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Early magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers of schizophrenia spectrum disorders: Toward a fetal imaging perspective. Dev Psychopathol 2021; 33:899-913. [PMID: 32489161 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579420000218] [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] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
There is mounting evidence to implicate the intrauterine environment as the initial pathogenic stage for neuropsychiatric disease. Recent developments in magnetic resonance imaging technology are making a multimodal analysis of the fetal central nervous system a reality, allowing analysis of structural and functional parameters. Exposures to a range of pertinent risk factors whether preconception or in utero can now be indexed using imaging techniques within the fetus' physiological environment. This approach may determine the first "hit" required for diseases that do not become clinically manifest until adulthood, and which only have subtle clinical markers during childhood and adolescence. A robust characterization of a "multi-hit" hypothesis may necessitate a longitudinal birth cohort; within this investigative paradigm, the full range of genetic and environmental risk factors can be assessed for their impact on the early developing brain. This will lay the foundation for the identification of novel biomarkers and the ability to devise methods for early risk stratification and disease prevention. However, these early markers must be followed over time: first, to account for neural plasticity, and second, to assess the effects of postnatal exposures that continue to drive the individual toward disease. We explore these issues using the schizophrenia spectrum disorders as an illustrative paradigm. However, given the potential richness of fetal magnetic resonance imaging, and the likely overlap of biomarkers, these concepts may extend to a range of neuropsychiatric conditions.
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Notarangelo FM, Schwarcz R. A single prenatal lipopolysaccharide injection has acute, but not long-lasting, effects on cerebral kynurenine pathway metabolism in mice. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:5968-5981. [PMID: 34363411 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15416] [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: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In rodents, a single injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) during gestation causes chemical and functional abnormalities in the offspring. These effects may involve changes in the kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan degradation and may provide insights into the pathophysiology of psychiatric diseases. Using CD1 mice, we examined acute and long-term effects of prenatal LPS treatment on the levels of kynurenine and its neuroactive downstream products kynurenic acid (KYNA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) and quinolinic acid. To this end, LPS (100 μg/kg, i.p.) was administered on gestational day 15, and KP metabolites were measured 4 and 24 h later or in adulthood. After 4 h, kynurenine, KYNA and 3-HK levels were elevated in the fetal brain, 3-HK and KYNA levels were increased in the maternal plasma, and kynurenine was increased in the maternal brain, whereas no changes were seen in the placenta. These effects were less prominent after 24 h, and prenatal LPS did not affect the basal levels of KP metabolites in the forebrain of adult animals. In addition, a second LPS injection (1 mg/kg) in adulthood in the offspring of prenatally saline- and LPS-treated mice caused a similar elevation in 3-HK levels in both groups after 24 h, but the effect was significantly more pronounced in male mice. Thus, acute immune activation during pregnancy has only short-lasting effects on KP metabolism and does not cause cerebral KP metabolites to be disproportionally affected by a second immune challenge in adulthood. However, prenatal KYNA elevations still contribute to functional abnormalities in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca M Notarangelo
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert Schwarcz
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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12
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Olstad EW, Nordeng HME, Gervin K. Prenatal medication exposure and epigenetic outcomes: a systematic literature review and recommendations for prenatal pharmacoepigenetic studies. Epigenetics 2021; 17:357-380. [PMID: 33926354 PMCID: PMC8993058 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2021.1903376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
When used during pregnancy, analgesics and psychotropics pass the placenta to enter the foetal circulation and may induce epigenetic modifications. Where such modifications occur and whether they disrupt normal foetal developme nt, are currently unanswered questions. This field of prenatal pharmacoepigenetics has received increasing attention, with several studies reporting associations between in utero medication exposure and offspring epigenetic outcomes. Nevertheless, no recent systematic review of the literature is available. Therefore, the objectives of this review were to (i) provide an overview of the literature on the association of prenatal exposure to psychotropics a nd analgesics with epigenetic outcomes, and (ii) suggest recommendations for future studies within prenatal pharmacoepigenetics. We performed systematic literature searches in five databases. The eligible studies assessed human prenatal exposure to psychotropics or analgesics, with epigenetic analyses of offspring tissue as an outcome. We identified 18 eligible studies including 4,419 neonates exposed to either antidepressants, antiepileptic drugs, paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid, or methadone. The epigenetic outcome in all studies was DNA methylation in cord blood, placental tissue or buccal cells. Although most studies found significant differences in DNA methylation upon medication exposure, almost no differences were persistent across studies for similar medications and sequencing methods. The reviewed studies were challenging to compare due to poor transparency in reporting, and heterogeneous methodology, design, genome coverage, and statistical modelling. We propose 10 recommendations for future prenatal pharmacoepigenetic studies considering both epidemiological and epigenetic perspectives. These recommendations may improve the quality, comparability, and clinical relevance of such studies. PROSPERO registration ID: CRD42020166675.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Willoch Olstad
- Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hedvig Marie Egeland Nordeng
- Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristina Gervin
- Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Research, Innovation and Education, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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13
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Canever L, Varela R, Mastella GA, Damázio LS, Valvassori SS, Quevedo JL, Zugno AI. Effects of maternal folic acid supplementation on nuclear methyltransferase activity of adult rats subjected to an animal model of schizophrenia. Int J Dev Neurosci 2021; 81:461-467. [PMID: 33786893 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10109] [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: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Schizophrenia is considered one of the most disabling and severe human diseases worldwide. The etiology of schizophrenia is thought to be multifactorial and evidence suggests that DNA methylation can play an important role in underlying pivotal neurobiological alterations of this disorder. Some studies have demonstrated the effects of dietary supplementation as an alternative approach to the prevention of schizophrenia, including folic acid. However, no study has ever investigated the role of such supplementation in altering the DNA methylation system in the context of schizophrenia. OBJECTIVES The present study aims to investigate the effects of maternal folic acid supplementation at different doses on nuclear methyltransferase activity of adult rat offspring subjected to an animal model schizophrenia induced by ketamine. METHODS Adult female Wistar rats, (60 days old) received folic acid-deficient diet, control diet, or control diet plus folic acid supplementation (at 5, 10, or 50 mg/kg) during pregnancy and lactation. After reaching adulthood (60 days), the male offspring of these dams were subjected to the animal model of schizophrenia induced by 7 days of ketamine intraperitoneal injection (25 mg/kg). After the 7-day protocol, the activity of nuclear methyltransferase was evaluated in the brains of the offspring. RESULTS Maternal folic acid supplementation at 50 mg/kg increased methyltransferase activity in the frontal cortex, while 10 mg/kg increased methyltransferase activity in the hippocampus. In the striatum of offspring treated with ketamine, maternal deficient diet, control diet, and folic acid supplementation at 5 mg/kg decreased methyltransferase activity compared to the control group. The folic acid supplementation at 10 and 50 mg/kg reversed this ketamine effect. CONCLUSIONS Maternal FA deficiency could be related to schizophrenia pathophysiology, while FA supplementation could present a protective effect since it demonstrated persistent effects in epigenetic parameters in adult offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Canever
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, Brazil
| | - Roger Varela
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, Brazil
| | - Gustavo A Mastella
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, Brazil
| | - Louyse S Damázio
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, Brazil
| | - Samira S Valvassori
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, Brazil
| | - João L Quevedo
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, Brazil.,Translational Psychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA.,Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexandra I Zugno
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, Brazil
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Integrative analysis of genome-wide association studies identifies novel loci associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:69. [PMID: 33479212 PMCID: PMC7820351 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01195-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia (SCZ), bipolar disorder (BIP), and major depressive disorder (MDD) share common clinical presentations, suggesting etiologic overlap. A substantial proportion of SNP-based heritability for neuropsychiatric disorders is attributable to genetic components, and genome-wide association studies (GWASs) focusing on individual diseases have identified multiple genetic loci shared between these diseases. Here, we aimed at identifying novel genetic loci associated with individual neuropsychiatric diseases and genetic loci shared by neuropsychiatric diseases. We performed multi-trait joint analyses and meta-analysis across five neuropsychiatric disorders based on their summary statistics from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC), and further carried out a replication study of ADHD among 2726 cases and 16299 controls in an independent pediatric cohort. In the multi-trait joint analyses, we found five novel genome-wide significant loci for ADHD, one novel locus for BIP, and ten novel loci for MDD. We further achieved modest replication in our independent pediatric dataset. We conducted fine-mapping and functional annotation through an integrative multi-omics approach and identified causal variants and potential target genes at each novel locus. Gene expression profile and gene-set enrichment analysis further suggested early developmental stage expression pattern and postsynaptic membrane compartment enrichment of candidate genes at the genome-wide significant loci of these neuropsychiatric disorders. Therefore, through a multi-omics approach, we identified novel genetic loci associated with the five neuropsychiatric disorders which may help to better understand the underlying molecular mechanism of neuropsychiatric diseases.
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15
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A Comprehensive Assessment of the Associations Between Season of Conception and Birth Defects, Texas, 1999-2015. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17197120. [PMID: 33003294 PMCID: PMC7579376 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17197120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Birth defects prevalence may vary seasonally, but previous studies have focused on a few commonly occurring phenotypes. We performed a phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) in order to evaluate the associations between season of conception and a broad range of birth defects. Date of conception was estimated for all livebirths and birth defect cases in Texas from 1999-2015 using data from vital records, provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services Center for Health Statistics. Birth defects diagnoses were obtained from the Texas Birth Defects Registry, a statewide, active surveillance system. We estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) for phenotypes with ≥50 cases according to conception in spring (March-May), summer (June-August) or fall (September-November) relative to winter (December-February), using Poisson regression. Season of conception was associated with 5% of birth defects studied in models adjusted for maternal age, education, race/ethnicity, and number of previous livebirths. Specifically, summer conception was associated with any monitored birth defect (PR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.04) and five specific phenotypes, most notably Hirschsprung disease (PR 1.46, 95% CI 1.22-1.75). These findings suggest that seasonally variable exposures influence the development of several birth defects and may assist in identifying novel environmental risk factors.
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16
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Langova V, Vales K, Horka P, Horacek J. The Role of Zebrafish and Laboratory Rodents in Schizophrenia Research. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:703. [PMID: 33101067 PMCID: PMC7500259 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00703] [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: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe disorder characterized by positive, negative and cognitive symptoms, which are still not fully understood. The development of efficient antipsychotics requires animal models of a strong validity, therefore the aims of the article were to summarize the construct, face and predictive validity of schizophrenia models based on rodents and zebrafish, to compare the advantages and disadvantages of these models, and to propose future directions in schizophrenia modeling and indicate when it is reasonable to combine these models. The advantages of rodent models stem primarily from the high homology between rodent and human physiology, neurochemistry, brain morphology and circuitry. The advantages of zebrafish models stem in the high fecundity, fast development and transparency of the embryo. Disadvantages of both models originate in behavioral repertoires not allowing specific symptoms to be modeled, even when the models are combined. Especially modeling the verbal component of certain positive, negative and cognitive symptoms is currently impossible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Langova
- Translational Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Prague, Czechia
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Karel Vales
- Translational Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Prague, Czechia
| | - Petra Horka
- Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jiri Horacek
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
- Brain Electrophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Prague, Czechia
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17
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Saxena R, Babadi M, Namvarhaghighi H, Roullet FI. Role of environmental factors and epigenetics in autism spectrum disorders. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2020; 173:35-60. [PMID: 32711816 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder thought to be caused by predisposing high-risk genes that may be altered during the early development by environmental factors. The impact of maternal challenges during pregnancy on the prevalence of ASD has been widely studied in clinical and animal studies. Here, we review some clinical and pre-clinical evidence that links environmental factors (i.e., infection, air pollution, pesticides, valproic acid and folic acid) and the risk of ASD. Additionally, certain prenatal environmental challenges such as the valproate and folate prenatal exposures allow us to study mechanisms possibly linked to the etiology of ASD, for instance the epigenetic processes. These mechanistic pathways are also presented and discussed in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roheeni Saxena
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Melika Babadi
- School of Interdisciplinary Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | | | - Florence I Roullet
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
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18
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Lotter J, Möller M, Dean O, Berk M, Harvey BH. Studies on Haloperidol and Adjunctive α-Mangostin or Raw Garcinia mangostana Linn Pericarp on Bio-Behavioral Markers in an Immune-Inflammatory Model of Schizophrenia in Male Rats. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:121. [PMID: 32296347 PMCID: PMC7136492 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder that is associated with neurodevelopmental insults, such as prenatal inflammation, that introduce redox-immune-inflammatory alterations and risk for psychotic symptoms later in life. Nutraceuticals may offer useful adjunctive benefits. The aim of this study was to examine the therapeutic effects of Garcinia mangostana Linn (GML) and one of its active constituents, α-mangostin (AM), alone and as adjunctive treatment with haloperidol (HAL) on schizophrenia related bio-behavioral alterations in a maternal immune-activation (MIA) model. Sprague-Dawley dams were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (n = 18) or vehicle (n = 3) on gestational days 15 and 16. Male offspring (n = 72) were treated from PND 52-66 with either vehicle, HAL (2 mg/kg), GML (50 mg/kg), HAL + GML, AM (20 mg/kg), or HAL + AM. Control dams and control offspring were treated with vehicle. In order to cover the mood-psychosis continuum, prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle, open field test (locomotor activity), and the forced swim test (depressive-like behavior) were assessed on PND's 64-65, followed by assay of frontal-cortical lipid peroxidation and plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines, viz. interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). MIA-induced deficits in sensorimotor gating were reversed by HAL and HAL + GML, but not GML and AM alone. MIA-induced depressive-like behavior was reversed by AM and GML alone and both in combination with HAL, with the combinations more effective than HAL. MIA-induced cortical lipid peroxidation was reversed by HAL and AM, with elevated IL-6 levels restored by GML, AM, HAL, and HAL + GML. Elevated TNF-α was only reversed by GML and HAL + GML. Concluding, prenatal LPS-induced psychotic- and depressive-like bio-behavioral alterations in offspring are variably responsive to HAL, GML, and AM, with depressive (but not psychosis-like) manifestations responding to GML, AM, and combinations with HAL. AM may be a more effective antioxidant than GML in vivo, although this does not imply an improved therapeutic response, for which trials are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Lotter
- Division of Pharmacology, Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, North West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Marisa Möller
- Division of Pharmacology, Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, North West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Olivia Dean
- Deakin University, IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael Berk
- Deakin University, IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Orygen, Department of Psychiatry, The Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Brian H. Harvey
- Division of Pharmacology, Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, North West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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Sun Y, Kang G, Zhu X, Li R, Kang Q, Zhang M, Wang Y, Chen X, Yu Y, Yu Q. Association of MAD1L1 polymorphism (rs871925) with prenatal famine exposure and schizophrenia in a Chinese population: A case-control study. IUBMB Life 2019; 72:259-265. [PMID: 31498969 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2160] [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: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a complex, frequently disabling psychiatric disorder. Prenatal exposure to famine, an environmental factor, plays a significant role in the cause of SCZ. We used DNA methylation related sites to analyze their association with prenatal famine exposure and SCZ risk in a Northeast Han Chinese population. A total of 967 subjects (446 patients with SCZ/521 health controls) were recruited. Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2300149 in ITIH1, rs2675956 in NGEF, rs3758543 in NT5C2, rs7003288 in NA, and rs871925 in MAD1L1) were selected and genotyped. Genotype distribution and allele frequency analysis indicated that rs871925 was significantly associated with SCZ. We also found a significant association between prenatal exposure to famine and rs871925 in the recessive model in the health control group. The generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction analysis suggested a five-locus interaction model association with the risk of developing SCZ. Our data suggested that MAD1L1 rs871925 was associated with prenatal famine exposure and SCZ susceptibility in a Northeast Han Chinese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoyao Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Guojun Kang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaojing Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Rixin Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Qi Kang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Mingyuan Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yueying Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yaqin Yu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Qiong Yu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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20
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Zhuo C, Yao Y, Xu Y, Liu C, Chen M, Ji F, Li J, Tian H, Jiang D, Lin C, Chen C. Schizophrenia and gut-flora related epigenetic factors. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 90:49-54. [PMID: 30419320 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia (SZ) is a complex psychiatric disorder and the exact mechanisms that underpin SZ remain poorly understood despite decades of research. Genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors are all considered to play a role. The importance of gut flora and its influence on the central nervous system has been recognized in recent years. We hypothesize that gut flora may be a converging point where environmental factors interact with epigenetic factors and contribute to SZ pathogenesis. AIM To summarize the current understanding of genetic and epigenetic factors and the possible involvement of gut flora in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. RESULTS We searched PubMed and Medline with a combination of the key words schizophrenia, microbiome, epigenetic factors to identify studies of genetic and epigenetic factors in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Numerous genes that encode key proteins in neuronal signaling pathways have been linked to SZ. Epigenetic modifications, particularly, methylation and acetylation profiles, have been found to differ in individuals that present with SZ from those that don't. Gut flora may affect epigenetic modifications by regulation of key metabolic pathway molecules, including methionine, florate, biotin, and metabolites that are acetyl group donors. Despite a lack of direct studies on the subject, it is possible that gut flora may influence genetic and epigenetic expression and thereby contribute to the pathogenesis of SZ. CONCLUSION Gut flora is sensitive to both internal and environmental stimuli and the synthesis of some key molecules that participate in the epigenetic modulation of gene expression. Therefore, it is possible that gut flora is a converging point where environmental factors interact with genetic and epigenetic factors in the pathogenesis of SZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanjun Zhuo
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric-Genetics, Jining Medical University, Jining 272191, Shandong Province, China; Department of Psychiatric-Neuroimaging-Genetics Laboratory, Tianjin Mental Health Center, Department of Psychiatry, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Teaching Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300222, China; Department of Mental Health, Psychiatric-Genetics, Wenzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China.
| | - Yudong Yao
- SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, United States
| | - Yong Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Chuanxin Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric-Genetics, Jining Medical University, Jining 272191, Shandong Province, China
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric-Genetics, Jining Medical University, Jining 272191, Shandong Province, China
| | - Feng Ji
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric-Genetics, Jining Medical University, Jining 272191, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Psychiatric-Neuroimaging-Genetics Laboratory, Tianjin Mental Health Center, Department of Psychiatry, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Teaching Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300222, China
| | - Hongjun Tian
- Department of Psychiatric-Neuroimaging-Genetics Laboratory, Tianjin Mental Health Center, Department of Psychiatry, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Teaching Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300222, China
| | - Deguo Jiang
- Department of Mental Health, Psychiatric-Genetics, Wenzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Chongguang Lin
- Department of Mental Health, Psychiatric-Genetics, Wenzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Ce Chen
- Department of Mental Health, Psychiatric-Genetics, Wenzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China.
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Walton E, Relton CL, Caramaschi D. Using Openly Accessible Resources to Strengthen Causal Inference in Epigenetic Epidemiology of Neurodevelopment and Mental Health. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E193. [PMID: 30832291 PMCID: PMC6470715 DOI: 10.3390/genes10030193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent focus on the role of epigenetic mechanisms in mental health has led to several studies examining the association of epigenetic processes with psychiatric conditions and neurodevelopmental traits. Some studies suggest that epigenetic changes might be causal in the development of the psychiatric condition under investigation. However, other scenarios are possible, e.g., statistical confounding or reverse causation, making it particularly challenging to derive conclusions on causality. In the present review, we examine the evidence from human population studies for a possible role of epigenetic mechanisms in neurodevelopment and mental health and discuss methodological approaches on how to strengthen causal inference, including the need for replication, (quasi-)experimental approaches and Mendelian randomization. We signpost openly accessible resources (e.g., "MR-Base" "EWAS catalog" as well as tissue-specific methylation and gene expression databases) to aid the application of these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Walton
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, BS8 2BN Bristol, UK.
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, BS8 2BN Bristol, UK.
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, BA2 7AY Bath, UK.
| | - Caroline L Relton
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, BS8 2BN Bristol, UK.
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, BS8 2BN Bristol, UK.
| | - Doretta Caramaschi
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, BS8 2BN Bristol, UK.
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, BS8 2BN Bristol, UK.
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22
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Pivik R, Andres A, Tennal KB, Gu Y, Downs H, Bellando BJ, Jarratt K, Cleves MA, Badger TM. Resting gamma power during the postnatal critical period for GABAergic system development is modulated by infant diet and sex. Int J Psychophysiol 2019; 135:73-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Beggiato S, Notarangelo FM, Sathyasaikumar KV, Giorgini F, Schwarcz R. Maternal genotype determines kynurenic acid levels in the fetal brain: Implications for the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. J Psychopharmacol 2018; 32:1223-1232. [PMID: 30354938 DOI: 10.1177/0269881118805492] [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] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies suggest a pathophysiologically relevant association between increased brain levels of the neuroinhibitory tryptophan metabolite kynurenic acid and cognitive dysfunctions in people with schizophrenia. Elevated kynurenic acid in schizophrenia may be secondary to a genetic alteration of kynurenine 3-monooxygenase, a pivotal enzyme in the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan degradation. In rats, prenatal exposure to kynurenine, the direct bioprecursor of kynurenic acid, induces cognitive impairments reminiscent of schizophrenia in adulthood, suggesting a developmental dimension to the link between kynurenic acid and schizophrenia. AIM The purpose of this study was to explore the possible impact of the maternal genotype on kynurenine pathway metabolism. METHODS We exposed pregnant wild-type ( Kmo+/+ ) and heterozygous ( Kmo+/-) mice to kynurenine (10 mg/day) during the last week of gestation and determined the levels of kynurenic acid and two other neuroactive kynurenine pathway metabolites, 3-hydroxykynurenine and quinolinic acid, in fetal brain and placenta on embryonic day 17/18. RESULTS Maternal kynurenine treatment raised kynurenic acid levels significantly more in the brain of heterozygous offspring of Kmo+/- than in the brain of Kmo+/+ offspring. Conversely, 3-hydroxykynurenine and quinolinic acid levels in the fetal brain tended to be lower in heterozygous animals derived from kynurenine-treated Kmo+/- mice than in corresponding Kmo+/+ offspring. Genotype-related effects on the placenta were qualitatively similar but less pronounced. Kynurenine treatment also caused a preferential elevation in cerebral kynurenic acid levels in Kmo+/- compared to Kmo+/+ dams. CONCLUSIONS The disproportionate kynurenic acid increase in the brain of Kmo+/- animals indicates that the maternal Kmo genotype may play a key role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Beggiato
- 1 Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,2 Laboratory for the Technology of Advanced Therapies (LTTA Centre), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Francesca M Notarangelo
- 3 Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Flaviano Giorgini
- 4 Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Robert Schwarcz
- 3 Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Eryilmaz H, Dowling KF, Huntington FC, Rodriguez-Thompson A, Soare TW, Beard LM, Lee H, Blossom JC, Gollub RL, Susser E, Gur RC, Calkins ME, Gur RE, Satterthwaite TD, Roffman JL. Association of Prenatal Exposure to Population-Wide Folic Acid Fortification With Altered Cerebral Cortex Maturation in Youths. JAMA Psychiatry 2018; 75:918-928. [PMID: 29971329 PMCID: PMC6142921 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2018.1381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Presently, 81 countries mandate the fortification of grain products with folic acid to lessen the risk of neural tube defects in the developing fetus. Epidemiologic data on severe mental illness suggest potentially broader effects of prenatal folate exposure on postnatal brain development, but this link remains unsubstantiated by biological evidence. OBJECTIVE To evaluate associations among fetal folic acid exposure, cortical maturation, and psychiatric risk in youths. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A retrospective, observational clinical cohort study was conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) among 292 youths 8 to 18 years of age born between January 1993 and December 2001 (inclusive of folic acid fortification rollout ±3.5 years) with normative results of clinical magnetic resonance imaging, divided into 3 age-matched groups based on birthdate and related level of prenatal folic acid fortification exposure (none, partial, or full). Magnetic resonance imaging was performed between January 2005 and March 2015. Two independent, observational, community-based cohorts (Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort [PNC] and National Institutes of Health Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of Normal Brain Development [NIH]) comprising 1078 youths 8 to 18 years of age born throughout (PNC, 1992-2003) or before (NIH, 1983-1995) the rollout of folic acid fortification were studied for replication, clinical extension, and specificity. Statistical analysis was conducted from 2015 to 2018. EXPOSURES United States-mandated grain product fortification with folic acid, introduced in late 1996 and fully in effect by mid-1997. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Differences in cortical thickness among nonexposed, partially exposed, and fully exposed youths (MGH) and underlying associations between age and cortical thickness (all cohorts). Analysis of the PNC cohort also examined the association of age-cortical thickness slopes with the odds of psychotic symptoms. RESULTS The MGH cohort (139 girls and 153 boys; mean [SD] age, 13.3 [2.3] years) demonstrated exposure-associated cortical thickness increases in bilateral frontal and temporal regions (9.9% to 11.6%; corrected P < .001 to P = .03) and emergence of quadratic (delayed) age-associated thinning in temporal and parietal regions (β = -11.1 to -13.9; corrected P = .002). The contemporaneous PNC cohort (417 girls and 444 boys; mean [SD] age, 13.5 [2.7] years) also exhibited exposure-associated delays of cortical thinning (β = -1.59 to -1.73; corrected P < .001 to P = .02), located in similar regions and with similar durations of delay as in the MGH cohort. Flatter thinning profiles in frontal, temporal, and parietal regions were associated with lower odds of psychosis spectrum symptoms in the PNC cohort (odds ratio, 0.37-0.59; corrected P < .05). All identified regions displayed earlier thinning in the nonexposed NIH cohort (118 girls and 99 boys; mean [SD] age, 13.3 [2.6] years). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The results of this study suggest an association between gestational exposure to fortification of grain products with folic acid and altered cortical development and, in turn, with reduction in the risk of psychosis in youths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamdi Eryilmaz
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown
| | - Kevin F. Dowling
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown
| | - Franklin C. Huntington
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown
| | | | - Thomas W. Soare
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown
| | - Lauren M. Beard
- Penn–Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Lifespan Brain Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Hang Lee
- Massachusetts General Hospital Biostatistics Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Jeffrey C. Blossom
- Center for Geographic Analysis, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Randy L. Gollub
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown
| | - Ezra Susser
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, New York,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
| | - Ruben C. Gur
- Penn–Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Lifespan Brain Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Monica E. Calkins
- Penn–Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Lifespan Brain Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Raquel E. Gur
- Penn–Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Lifespan Brain Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Theodore D. Satterthwaite
- Penn–Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Lifespan Brain Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Joshua L. Roffman
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown
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25
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Effects of early-life malnutrition on neurodevelopment and neuropsychiatric disorders and the potential mechanisms. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 83:64-75. [PMID: 29287829 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Lines of evidence have demonstrated that early-life malnutrition is highly correlated with neurodevelopment and adulthood neuropsychiatric disorders, while some findings are conflicting with each other. In addition, the biological mechanisms are less investigated. We systematically reviewed the evidence linking early-life nutrition status with neurodevelopment and clinical observations in human and animal models. We summarized the effects of special nutritious on neuropsychiatric disorders and explored the underlying potential mechanisms. The further understanding of the biological regulation of early-life nutritional status on neurodevelopment might shed light on precision nutrition at an integrative systems biology framework.
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26
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Gao J, Cahill CM, Huang X, Roffman JL, Lamon-Fava S, Fava M, Mischoulon D, Rogers JT. S-Adenosyl Methionine and Transmethylation Pathways in Neuropsychiatric Diseases Throughout Life. Neurotherapeutics 2018; 15:156-175. [PMID: 29340929 PMCID: PMC5794704 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-017-0593-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
S-Adenosyl methionine (SAMe), as a major methyl donor, exerts its influence on central nervous system function through cellular transmethylation pathways, including the methylation of DNA, histones, protein phosphatase 2A, and several catecholamine moieties. Based on available evidence, this review focuses on the lifelong range of severe neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases and their associated neuropathologies, which have been linked to the deficiency/load of SAMe production or/and the disturbance in transmethylation pathways. Also included in this review are the present-day applications of SAMe in the treatment in these diseases in each age group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Gao
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Catherine M Cahill
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xudong Huang
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joshua L Roffman
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stefania Lamon-Fava
- Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maurizio Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Mischoulon
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jack T Rogers
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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27
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Nimgaonkar VL, Prasad KM, Chowdari KV, Severance EG, Yolken RH. The complement system: a gateway to gene-environment interactions in schizophrenia pathogenesis. Mol Psychiatry 2017; 22:1554-1561. [PMID: 28761078 PMCID: PMC5656502 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of schizophrenia is considered to be multi-factorial, with likely gene-environment interactions (GEI). Genetic and environmental risk factors are being identified with increasing frequency, yet their very number vastly increases the scope of possible GEI, making it difficult to identify them with certainty. Accumulating evidence suggests a dysregulated complement pathway among the pathogenic processes of schizophrenia. The complement pathway mediates innate and acquired immunity, and its activation drives the removal of damaged cells, autoantigens and environmentally derived antigens. Abnormalities in complement functions occur in many infectious and autoimmune disorders that have been linked to schizophrenia. Many older reports indicate altered serum complement activity in schizophrenia, though the data are inconclusive. Compellingly, recent genome-wide association studies suggest repeat polymorphisms incorporating the complement 4A (C4A) and 4B (C4B) genes as risk factors for schizophrenia. The C4A/C4B genetic associations have re-ignited interest not only in inflammation-related models for schizophrenia pathogenesis, but also in neurodevelopmental theories, because rodent models indicate a role for complement proteins in synaptic pruning and neurodevelopment. Thus, the complement system could be used as one of the 'staging posts' for a variety of focused studies of schizophrenia pathogenesis. They include GEI studies of the C4A/C4B repeat polymorphisms in relation to inflammation-related or infectious processes, animal model studies and tests of hypotheses linked to autoimmune diseases that can co-segregate with schizophrenia. If they can be replicated, such studies would vastly improve our understanding of pathogenic processes in schizophrenia through GEI analyses and open new avenues for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishwajit L. Nimgaonkar
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Konasale M. Prasad
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Kodavali V. Chowdari
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Emily G. Severance
- Stanley Division of Neurovirology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
| | - Robert H. Yolken
- Stanley Division of Neurovirology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
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28
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Maekawa M, Watanabe A, Iwayama Y, Kimura T, Hamazaki K, Balan S, Ohba H, Hisano Y, Nozaki Y, Ohnishi T, Toyoshima M, Shimamoto C, Iwamoto K, Bundo M, Osumi N, Takahashi E, Takashima A, Yoshikawa T. Polyunsaturated fatty acid deficiency during neurodevelopment in mice models the prodromal state of schizophrenia through epigenetic changes in nuclear receptor genes. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1229. [PMID: 28872641 PMCID: PMC5639238 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The risk of schizophrenia is increased in offspring whose mothers experience malnutrition during pregnancy. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are dietary components that are crucial for the structural and functional integrity of neural cells, and PUFA deficiency has been shown to be a risk factor for schizophrenia. Here, we show that gestational and early postnatal dietary deprivation of two PUFAs-arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-elicited schizophrenia-like phenotypes in mouse offspring at adulthood. In the PUFA-deprived mouse group, we observed lower motivation and higher sensitivity to a hallucinogenic drug resembling the prodromal symptoms in schizophrenia. Furthermore, a working-memory task-evoked hyper-neuronal activity in the medial prefrontal cortex was also observed, along with the downregulation of genes in the prefrontal cortex involved in oligodendrocyte integrity and the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic system. Regulation of these genes was mediated by the nuclear receptor genes Rxr and Ppar, whose promoters were hyper-methylated by the deprivation of dietary AA and DHA. In addition, the RXR agonist bexarotene upregulated oligodendrocyte- and GABA-related gene expression and suppressed the sensitivity of mice to the hallucinogenic drug. Notably, the expression of these nuclear receptor genes were also downregulated in hair-follicle cells from schizophrenia patients. These results suggest that PUFA deficiency during the early neurodevelopmental period in mice could model the prodromal state of schizophrenia through changes in the epigenetic regulation of nuclear receptor genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Maekawa
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychiatry, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - A Watanabe
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychiatry, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - Y Iwayama
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychiatry, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - T Kimura
- Department of Alzheimer's Disease Research, Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Aichi, Japan
| | - K Hamazaki
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - S Balan
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychiatry, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - H Ohba
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychiatry, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - Y Hisano
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychiatry, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - Y Nozaki
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychiatry, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - T Ohnishi
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychiatry, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - M Toyoshima
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychiatry, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - C Shimamoto
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychiatry, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - K Iwamoto
- Department of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - M Bundo
- Department of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - N Osumi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - E Takahashi
- Support Unit for Animal Resources Development, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - A Takashima
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychiatry, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Gakushuin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - T Yoshikawa
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychiatry, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan
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29
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The Epigenetic Link between Prenatal Adverse Environments and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8030104. [PMID: 28335457 PMCID: PMC5368708 DOI: 10.3390/genes8030104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal adverse environments, such as maternal stress, toxicological exposures, and viral infections, can disrupt normal brain development and contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia, depression, and autism. Increasing evidence shows that these short- and long-term effects of prenatal exposures on brain structure and function are mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. Animal studies demonstrate that prenatal exposure to stress, toxins, viral mimetics, and drugs induces lasting epigenetic changes in the brain, including genes encoding glucocorticoid receptor (Nr3c1) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf). These epigenetic changes have been linked to changes in brain gene expression, stress reactivity, and behavior, and often times, these effects are shown to be dependent on the gestational window of exposure, sex, and exposure level. Although evidence from human studies is more limited, gestational exposure to environmental risks in humans is associated with epigenetic changes in peripheral tissues, and future studies are required to understand whether we can use peripheral biomarkers to predict neurobehavioral outcomes. An extensive research effort combining well-designed human and animal studies, with comprehensive epigenomic analyses of peripheral and brain tissues over time, will be necessary to improve our understanding of the epigenetic basis of neurodevelopmental disorders.
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30
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Richmond RC, Hemani G, Tilling K, Davey Smith G, Relton CL. Challenges and novel approaches for investigating molecular mediation. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:R149-R156. [PMID: 27439390 PMCID: PMC5036871 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding mediation is useful for identifying intermediates lying between an exposure and an outcome which, when intervened upon, will block (some or all of) the causal pathway between the exposure and outcome. Mediation approaches used in conventional epidemiology have been adapted to understanding the role of molecular intermediates in situations of high-dimensional omics data with varying degrees of success. In particular, the limitations of observational epidemiological study including confounding, reverse causation and measurement error can afflict conventional mediation approaches and may lead to incorrect conclusions regarding causal effects. Solutions to analysing mediation which overcome these problems include the use of instrumental variable methods such as Mendelian randomization, which may be applied to evaluate causality in increasingly complex networks of omics data.
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Affiliation(s)
- R C Richmond
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, UK School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, UK
| | - G Hemani
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, UK School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, UK
| | - K Tilling
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, UK School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, UK
| | - G Davey Smith
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, UK School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, UK
| | - C L Relton
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, UK School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, UK
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31
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Irwin RE, Pentieva K, Cassidy T, Lees-Murdock DJ, McLaughlin M, Prasad G, McNulty H, Walsh CP. The interplay between DNA methylation, folate and neurocognitive development. Epigenomics 2016; 8:863-79. [PMID: 27319574 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2016-0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation provides an attractive possible means for propagating the effects of environmental inputs during fetal life and impacting subsequent adult mental health, which is leading to increasing collaboration between molecular biologists, nutritionists and psychiatrists. An area of interest is the potential role of folate, not just in neural tube closure in early pregnancy, but in later major neurodevelopmental events, with consequences for later sociocognitive maturation. Here, we set the scene for recent discoveries by reviewing the major events of neural development during fetal life, with an emphasis on tissues and structures where dynamic methylation changes are known to occur. Following this, we give an indication of some of the major classes of genes targeted by methylation and important for neurological and behavioral development. Finally, we highlight some cognitive disorders where methylation changes are implicated as playing an important role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachelle E Irwin
- EpiFASSTT study, Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - Kristina Pentieva
- EpiFASSTT study, Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - Tony Cassidy
- EpiFASSTT study, Psychology, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | | | | | - Girijesh Prasad
- EpiFASSTT study, Computer Sciences Research Institutes, Ulster University, Londonderry, UK
| | - Helene McNulty
- EpiFASSTT study, Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
| | - Colum P Walsh
- EpiFASSTT study, Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
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32
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Davis J, Eyre H, Jacka FN, Dodd S, Dean O, McEwen S, Debnath M, McGrath J, Maes M, Amminger P, McGorry PD, Pantelis C, Berk M. A review of vulnerability and risks for schizophrenia: Beyond the two hit hypothesis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 65:185-94. [PMID: 27073049 PMCID: PMC4876729 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 201] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Revised: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia risk has often been conceptualized using a model which requires two hits in order to generate the clinical phenotype-the first as an early priming in a genetically predisposed individual and the second a likely environmental insult. The aim of this paper was to review the literature and reformulate this binary risk-vulnerability model. We sourced the data for this narrative review from the electronic database PUBMED. Our search terms were not limited by language or date of publication. The development of schizophrenia may be driven by genetic vulnerability interacting with multiple vulnerability factors including lowered prenatal vitamin D exposure, viral infections, smoking intelligence quotient, social cognition cannabis use, social defeat, nutrition and childhood trauma. It is likely that these genetic risks, environmental risks and vulnerability factors are cumulative and interactive with each other and with critical periods of neurodevelopmental vulnerability. The development of schizophrenia is likely to be more complex and nuanced than the binary two hit model originally proposed nearly thirty years ago. Risk appears influenced by a more complex process involving genetic risk interfacing with multiple potentially interacting hits and vulnerability factors occurring at key periods of neurodevelopmental activity, which culminate in the expression of disease state. These risks are common across a number of neuropsychiatric and medical disorders, which might inform common preventive and intervention strategies across non-communicable disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Davis
- Deakin University, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, P.O. Box 291, Geelong, 3220, Australia.
| | - Harris Eyre
- Deakin University, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, P.O. Box 291, Geelong, 3220, Australia
| | - Felice N Jacka
- Deakin University, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, P.O. Box 291, Geelong, 3220, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Level 1 North, Main Block, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, 3052, Australia; Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Seetal Dodd
- Deakin University, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, P.O. Box 291, Geelong, 3220, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Level 1 North, Main Block, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, 3052, Australia
| | - Olivia Dean
- Deakin University, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, P.O. Box 291, Geelong, 3220, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Level 1 North, Main Block, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, 3052, Australia
| | - Sarah McEwen
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, United States
| | - Monojit Debnath
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - John McGrath
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Queensland, Australia; Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Wacol, Queensland 4076, Australia
| | - Michael Maes
- Deakin University, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, P.O. Box 291, Geelong, 3220, Australia
| | - Paul Amminger
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Queensland, Australia; Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health and Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, 35 Poplar Rd., Parkville, 3052, Australia
| | - Patrick D McGorry
- Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health and Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, 35 Poplar Rd., Parkville, 3052, Australia; Centre of Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, 35 Poplar Rd., Parkville, 3052, Australia
| | - Christos Pantelis
- University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Level 1 North, Main Block, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, 3052, Australia; Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India; Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, The University of Melbourne & Melbourne Health, Parkville, 3052, Australia; Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Kenneth Myer Building, 30 Royal Parade, 3052, Parkville, Australia
| | - Michael Berk
- Deakin University, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, P.O. Box 291, Geelong, 3220, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Level 1 North, Main Block, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, 3052, Australia; Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Wacol, Queensland 4076, Australia; Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health and Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, 35 Poplar Rd., Parkville, 3052, Australia; Centre of Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, 35 Poplar Rd., Parkville, 3052, Australia; Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Kenneth Myer Building, 30 Royal Parade, 3052, Parkville, Australia
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Abstract
In order to solve public health problems posed by the epidemiology of risk factors centered on the individual and neglecting the causal processes linking the risk factors with the health outcomes, Mervyn Susser proposed a multilevel epidemiology called eco-epidemiology, addressing the interdependence of individuals and their connection with molecular, individual, societal, environmental levels of organization participating in the causal disease processes. The aim of this epidemiology is to integrate more than a level of organization in design, analysis and interpretation of health problems. After presenting the main criticisms of risk-factor epidemiology focused on the individual, we will try to show how eco-epidemiology and its development could help to understand the need for a broader and integrative epidemiology, in which studies designed to identify risk factors would be balanced by studies designed to answer other questions equally vital to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Bizouarn
- Service d'anesthésie-réanimation, hôpital Laënnec, boulevard Jacques Monod, 44093 Nantes Cedex 1, France - Université Paris Diderot, CNRS, laboratoire SPHERE, bâtiment Condorcet, case 7093, 5, rue Thomas Mann, 75205 Paris Cedex, France
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Takano Y, Ozeki Y, Sekine M, Fujii K, Watanabe T, Okayasu H, Shinozaki T, Aoki A, Akiyama K, Homma H, Shimoda K. Multi-regression analysis revealed a relationship between l-serine and methionine, a component of one-carbon metabolism, in the normal control but not in the schizophrenia. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2016; 15:23. [PMID: 27588034 PMCID: PMC5007820 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-016-0113-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations in one-carbon metabolism (OCM) have been observed in patients with schizophrenia (SZ), but a comprehensive study of OCM has not yet been conducted. A carbon atom is transferred from l-serine to methionine during OCM, but the relationship between l-serine and methionine in SZ is not yet known. We investigated the relationship between l-serine and methionine to obtain a comprehensive understanding of OCM in SZ. METHODS We recruited forty-five patients with SZ and thirty normal controls (NC). Whole blood, plasma, and DNA specimens were obtained from all participants. Plasma l-serine, d-serine, glycine, methionine, and total homocysteine levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Plasma vitamin B12 and total folate were measured using a chemiluminescent protein-binding immunoassay. Clinical symptoms were estimated using the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C667T genotype and A298C genotype, which are involved in MTHFR activity, were determined using the TaqMan genotyping assay system. RESULTS Analysis of variance was used to confirm that the SZ cohort has higher plasma homocysteine levels and lower plasma folate levels than the NC group. Multi-regression analysis revealed a relationship between l-serine and methionine in the NC group but not in the SZ group. The MTHFR genotype did not affect the relationship between l-serine and methionine in each group. The total PANSS score was significantly related to d-serine and folate levels and to age. Positive PANSS scores were significantly related to both glycine and sex. In addition, both glycine and d-serine were significantly correlated with negative PANSS scores. CONCLUSIONS We found impairment of the relationship between l-serine and methionine in SZ. Clinical symptoms of SZ were partially correlated with the OCM components. These findings contributed to our understanding of OCM alteration in SZ and may explain why the alteration occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumiko Takano
- Department of Psychiatry, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi Japan
| | - Yuji Ozeki
- Department of Psychiatry, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi Japan ; Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masae Sekine
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kumiko Fujii
- Department of Psychiatry, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi Japan
| | - Takashi Watanabe
- Department of Psychiatry, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi Japan
| | - Hiroaki Okayasu
- Department of Psychiatry, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi Japan
| | - Takahiro Shinozaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi Japan
| | - Akiko Aoki
- Department of Psychiatry, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi Japan
| | - Kazufumi Akiyama
- Department of Biological Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi Japan
| | - Hiroshi Homma
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Shimoda
- Department of Psychiatry, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Tochigi Japan
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35
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Relton CL, Davey Smith G. Mendelian randomization: applications and limitations in epigenetic studies. Epigenomics 2015; 7:1239-43. [PMID: 26639554 PMCID: PMC5330409 DOI: 10.2217/epi.15.88] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline L Relton
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - George Davey Smith
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
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Kirkbride JB. Epidemiology on demand: population-based approaches to mental health service commissioning. BJPsych Bull 2015; 39:242-7. [PMID: 26755969 PMCID: PMC4706199 DOI: 10.1192/pb.bp.114.047746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Revised: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
One in three people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime, but the causes and consequences of psychiatric morbidity are socially patterned. Epidemiological studies can provide aetiological clues about the causes of disorder, and when they can provide robust estimates about risk in different strata of the population these can also be used translationally, to provide commissioners and service planners with detailed information about local service need. This approach is illustrated using a newly developed population-level prediction tool for first-episode psychosis, PsyMaptic. Such public mental health prediction tools could be used to improve allocation of finite resources, by integrating evidence-based healthcare, public health and epidemiology together.
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Krefft M, Frydecka D, Adamowski T, Misiak B. From Prader-Willi syndrome to psychosis: translating parent-of-origin effects into schizophrenia research. Epigenomics 2015; 6:677-88. [PMID: 25531260 DOI: 10.2217/epi.14.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a relatively rare disorder that originates from paternally inherited deletions and maternal disomy (mUPD) within the 15q11-q13 region or alterations in the PWS imprinting center. Evidence is accumulating that mUPD underlies high prevalence of psychosis among PWS patients. Several genes involved in differentiation and survival of neurons as well as neurotransmission known to act in the development of PWS have been also implicated in schizophrenia. In this article, we provide an overview of genetic and epigenetic underpinnings of psychosis in PWS indicating overlapping points in the molecular background of PWS and schizophrenia. Simultaneously, we highlight the need for studies investigating genetic and epigenetic makeup of the 15q11-q13 in schizophrenia indicating promising candidate genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Krefft
- Department of Psychiatry, 10 Pasteur Street, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
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38
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Relton CL, Gaunt T, McArdle W, Ho K, Duggirala A, Shihab H, Woodward G, Lyttleton O, Evans DM, Reik W, Paul YL, Ficz G, Ozanne SE, Wipat A, Flanagan K, Lister A, Heijmans BT, Ring SM, Davey Smith G. Data Resource Profile: Accessible Resource for Integrated Epigenomic Studies (ARIES). Int J Epidemiol 2015; 44:1181-90. [PMID: 25991711 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyv072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline L Relton
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, and School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK,
| | - Tom Gaunt
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, and School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Wendy McArdle
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Karen Ho
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Aparna Duggirala
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Hashem Shihab
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, and School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Geoff Woodward
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, and School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Oliver Lyttleton
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - David M Evans
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, and School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK, University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Wolf Reik
- Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Gabriella Ficz
- Barts Cancer Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Susan E Ozanne
- University of Cambridge Institute of Metabolic Sciences and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anil Wipat
- School of Computer Science, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK and
| | - Keith Flanagan
- School of Computer Science, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK and
| | - Allyson Lister
- School of Computer Science, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK and
| | - Bastiaan T Heijmans
- Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Susan M Ring
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, and School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - George Davey Smith
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, and School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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39
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Debnath M, Venkatasubramanian G, Berk M. Fetal programming of schizophrenia: select mechanisms. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2015; 49:90-104. [PMID: 25496904 PMCID: PMC7112550 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2014] [Revised: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Mounting evidence indicates that schizophrenia is associated with adverse intrauterine experiences. An adverse or suboptimal fetal environment can cause irreversible changes in brain that can subsequently exert long-lasting effects through resetting a diverse array of biological systems including endocrine, immune and nervous. It is evident from animal and imaging studies that subtle variations in the intrauterine environment can cause recognizable differences in brain structure and cognitive functions in the offspring. A wide variety of environmental factors may play a role in precipitating the emergent developmental dysregulation and the consequent evolution of psychiatric traits in early adulthood by inducing inflammatory, oxidative and nitrosative stress (IO&NS) pathways, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, and epigenetic dysregulation. However, the precise mechanisms behind such relationships and the specificity of the risk factors for schizophrenia remain exploratory. Considering the paucity of knowledge on fetal programming of schizophrenia, it is timely to consolidate the recent advances in the field and put forward an integrated overview of the mechanisms associated with fetal origin of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monojit Debnath
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences, Bangalore 560029, India.
| | - Ganesan Venkatasubramanian
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Neurobiology Research Centre and Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560029, India
| | - Michael Berk
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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40
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Richmond RC, Simpkin AJ, Woodward G, Gaunt TR, Lyttleton O, McArdle WL, Ring SM, Smith ADAC, Timpson NJ, Tilling K, Davey Smith G, Relton CL. Prenatal exposure to maternal smoking and offspring DNA methylation across the lifecourse: findings from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Hum Mol Genet 2014; 24:2201-17. [PMID: 25552657 PMCID: PMC4380069 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 259] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal smoking during pregnancy has been found to influence newborn DNA methylation in genes involved in fundamental developmental processes. It is pertinent to understand the degree to which the offspring methylome is sensitive to the intensity and duration of prenatal smoking. An investigation of the persistence of offspring methylation associated with maternal smoking and the relative roles of the intrauterine and postnatal environment is also warranted. In the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, we investigated associations between prenatal exposure to maternal smoking and offspring DNA methylation at multiple time points in approximately 800 mother–offspring pairs. In cord blood, methylation at 15 CpG sites in seven gene regions (AHRR, MYO1G, GFI1, CYP1A1, CNTNAP2, KLF13 and ATP9A) was associated with maternal smoking, and a dose-dependent response was observed in relation to smoking duration and intensity. Longitudinal analysis of blood DNA methylation in serial samples at birth, age 7 and 17 years demonstrated that some CpG sites showed reversibility of methylation (GFI1, KLF13 and ATP9A), whereas others showed persistently perturbed patterns (AHRR, MYO1G, CYP1A1 and CNTNAP2). Of those showing persistence, we explored the effect of postnatal smoke exposure and found that the major contribution to altered methylation was attributed to a critical window of in utero exposure. A comparison of paternal and maternal smoking and offspring methylation showed consistently stronger maternal associations, providing further evidence for causal intrauterine mechanisms. These findings emphasize the sensitivity of the methylome to maternal smoking during early development and the long-term impact of such exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C Richmond
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK and
| | - Andrew J Simpkin
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK and
| | - Geoff Woodward
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK and
| | - Tom R Gaunt
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK and
| | - Oliver Lyttleton
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK and
| | - Wendy L McArdle
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK and
| | - Susan M Ring
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK and
| | - Andrew D A C Smith
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK and
| | - Nicholas J Timpson
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK and
| | - Kate Tilling
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK and
| | - George Davey Smith
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK and
| | - Caroline L Relton
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK and Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK
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41
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Amaral AC, Jakovcevski M, McGaughy JA, Calderwood SK, Mokler DJ, Rushmore RJ, Galler JR, Akbarian SA, Rosene DL. Prenatal protein malnutrition decreases KCNJ3 and 2DG activity in rat prefrontal cortex. Neuroscience 2014; 286:79-86. [PMID: 25446346 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Revised: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal protein malnutrition (PPM) in rats causes enduring changes in brain and behavior including increased cognitive rigidity and decreased inhibitory control. A preliminary gene microarray screen of PPM rat prefrontal cortex (PFC) identified alterations in KCNJ3 (GIRK1/Kir3.1), a gene important for regulating neuronal excitability. Follow-up with polymerase chain reaction and Western blot showed decreased KCNJ3 expression in the PFC, but not hippocampus or brainstem. To verify localization of the effect to the PFC, baseline regional brain activity was assessed with (14)C-2-deoxyglucose. Results showed decreased activation in the PFC but not hippocampus. Together these findings point to the unique vulnerability of the PFC to the nutritional insult during early brain development, with enduring effects in adulthood on KCNJ3 expression and baseline metabolic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Amaral
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, United States.
| | | | - J A McGaughy
- Department of Psychology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, United States
| | - S K Calderwood
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - D J Mokler
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of New England, Biddeford, ME 02120, United States
| | - R J Rushmore
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - J R Galler
- Judge Baker Children's Center and Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02120, United States
| | - S A Akbarian
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - D L Rosene
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, United States
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42
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Richmond RC, Al-Amin A, Smith GD, Relton CL. Approaches for drawing causal inferences from epidemiological birth cohorts: a review. Early Hum Dev 2014; 90:769-80. [PMID: 25260961 PMCID: PMC5154380 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2014.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Large-scale population-based birth cohorts, which recruit women during pregnancy or at birth and follow up their offspring through infancy and into childhood and adolescence, provide the opportunity to monitor and model early life exposures in relation to developmental characteristics and later life outcomes. However, due to confounding and other limitations, identification of causal risk factors has proved challenging and published findings are often not reproducible. A suite of methods has been developed in recent years to minimise problems afflicting observational epidemiology, to strengthen causal inference and to provide greater insights into modifiable intra-uterine and early life risk factors. The aim of this review is to describe these causal inference methods and to suggest how they may be applied in the context of birth cohorts and extended along with the development of birth cohort consortia and expansion of "omic" technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C Richmond
- Integrative Epidemiology Unit, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Aleef Al-Amin
- University of Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - George Davey Smith
- Integrative Epidemiology Unit, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Caroline L Relton
- Integrative Epidemiology Unit, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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43
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Kundakovic M. Postnatal risk environments, epigenetics, and psychosis: putting the pieces together. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2014; 49:1535-6. [PMID: 24974080 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-014-0927-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2014] [Accepted: 06/22/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Postnatal environmental factors, such as early life adversity, cannabis use, and social stressors are associated with increased risk for psychotic disorders. Understanding mechanisms that underlie increased psychosis risk is of great importance for the development of novel preventive approaches and early interventions. In a timely review article, Pishva et al. discuss available evidence suggesting that postnatal environmental risk factors contribute to psychotic disorders via epigenetic mechanisms. While the evidence supporting this hypothesis is limited and primarily based on the epigenetic profiling of psychotic patients and animal models, further investigation in this area is warranted and may bring exciting results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Kundakovic
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, 1190 Amsterdam Avenue, 406 Schermerhorn Hall, New York, NY, 10027, USA,
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44
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Nishi A, Numata S, Tajima A, Kinoshita M, Kikuchi K, Shimodera S, Tomotake M, Ohi K, Hashimoto R, Imoto I, Takeda M, Ohmori T. Meta-analyses of blood homocysteine levels for gender and genetic association studies of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism in schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull 2014; 40:1154-63. [PMID: 24535549 PMCID: PMC4133669 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbt154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies suggest that elevated blood homocysteine levels and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism are risk factors for schizophrenia. However, the effects of gender and MTHFR C677T genotypes on blood homocysteine levels in schizophrenia have not been consistent. We first investigated whether plasma total homocysteine levels were higher in patients with schizophrenia than in controls with stratification by gender and by the MTHFR C677T genotypes in a large cohort (N = 1379). Second, we conducted a meta-analysis of association studies between blood homocysteine levels and schizophrenia separately by gender (N = 4714). Third, we performed a case-control association study between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and schizophrenia (N = 4998) and conducted a meta-analysis of genetic association studies based on Japanese subjects (N = 10 378). Finally, we assessed the effect of plasma total homocysteine levels on schizophrenia by a mendelian randomization approach. The ANCOVA after adjustment for age demonstrated a significant effect of diagnosis on the plasma total homocysteine levels in all strata, and the subsequent meta-analysis for gender demonstrated elevated blood homocysteine levels in both male and female patients with schizophrenia although antipsychotic medication might influence the outcome. The meta-analysis of the Japanese genetic association studies demonstrated a significant association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and schizophrenia. The mendelian randomization analysis in the Japanese populations yielded an OR of 1.15 for schizophrenia per 1-SD increase in plasma total homocysteine. Our study suggests that increased plasma total homocysteine levels may be associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Nishi
- Department of Psychiatry, Course of Integrated Brain Sciences, Medical Informatics, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Shusuke Numata
- Department of Psychiatry, Course of Integrated Brain Sciences, Medical Informatics, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan;
| | - Atsushi Tajima
- Department of Human Genetics, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Makoto Kinoshita
- Department of Psychiatry, Course of Integrated Brain Sciences, Medical Informatics, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Kumiko Kikuchi
- Department of Psychiatry, Course of Integrated Brain Sciences, Medical Informatics, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Shinji Shimodera
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan
| | - Masahito Tomotake
- Department of Mental Health, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Ohi
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate school of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryota Hashimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate school of Medicine, Osaka, Japan;,Molecular Research Center for Children’s Mental Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Issei Imoto
- Department of Human Genetics, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Takeda
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate school of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Ohmori
- Department of Psychiatry, Course of Integrated Brain Sciences, Medical Informatics, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
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45
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Neurodegenerative Aspects in Vulnerability to Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders. Neurotox Res 2014; 26:400-13. [DOI: 10.1007/s12640-014-9473-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Revised: 04/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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46
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Schwartz B. New criteria for supplementation of selected micronutrients in the era of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2014; 65:529-38. [PMID: 24625102 DOI: 10.3109/09637486.2014.898258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Advances in molecular biology, emergence of novel techniques and huge amount of information generated in the post-Human Genome Project era have fostered the emergence of new disciplines in the field of nutritional research: Nutrigenomics deals with the effect of diet on gene expression whereas nutrigenetics refers to the impact of inherited traits on the response to a specific dietary pattern, functional food or supplement. Understanding the role of micronutrient supplementation with specific genetic backgrounds may provide an important contribution to a new optimum health strategy based on individualized nutritional treatment and may provide the strategies for the development of safer and more effective dietary interventions. This overview of the various aspects of supplementation of micronutrients in the era of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics may provide a better understanding of novel nutritional research approach and provide an additional insight that can be applied to the daily dietary practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty Schwartz
- The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem , Rehovot , Israel
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Kirkbride JB. The emerging molecular architecture of schizophrenia, polygenic risk scores and the clinical implications for gXe research. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2014; 49:1531-4. [PMID: 25193375 PMCID: PMC4165868 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-014-0961-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 08/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In this commentary I review the recent paper by Iyegbe et al. on "The emerging molecular architecture of schizophrenia, polygenic risk scores and the clinical implications for gXe research". I discuss how the paper advances our knowledge of polygenic risk scores for use, amongst others, in gene-environment interaction studies and the opportunities and challenges such approaches will bring to our understanding of the epidemiology of psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- James B. Kirkbride
- Sir Henry Dale Fellow, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, 2nd Floor Charles Bell House, 67–73 Riding House Street, London, W1W 7EJ UK
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Azzi S, Sas TCJ, Koudou Y, Le Bouc Y, Souberbielle JC, Dargent-Molina P, Netchine I, Charles MA. Degree of methylation of ZAC1 (PLAGL1) is associated with prenatal and post-natal growth in healthy infants of the EDEN mother child cohort. Epigenetics 2013; 9:338-45. [PMID: 24316753 DOI: 10.4161/epi.27387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The ZAC1 gene, mapped to the 6q24 region, is part of a network of co-regulated imprinted genes involved in the control of embryonic growth. Loss of methylation at the ZAC1 differentially methylated region (DMR) is associated with transient neonatal diabetes mellitus, a developmental disorder involving growth retardation and diabetes in the first weeks of post-natal life. We assessed whether the degree of methylation of the ZAC1 DMR in leukocytes DNA extracted from cord blood is associated with fetal, birth and post-natal anthropometric measures or with C-peptide concentrations in cord serum. We also searched for an influence of dietary intake and maternal parameters on ZAC1 DMR methylation. We found positive correlations between the ZAC1 DMR methylation index (MI) and estimated fetal weight (EFW) at 32 weeks of gestation, weight at birth and weight at one year of age (respectively, r = 0.15, 0.09, 0.14; P values = 0.01, 0.15, 0.03). However, there were no significant correlations between the ZAC1 DMR MI and cord blood C-peptide levels. Maternal intakes of alcohol and of vitamins B2 were positively correlated with ZAC1 DMR methylation (respectively, r = 0.2 and 0.14; P = 0.004 and 0.04). The influence of ZAC1 seems to start in the second half of pregnancy and continue at least until the first year of life. The maternal environment also appears to contribute to the regulation of DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salah Azzi
- APHP Armand Trousseau Hospital; Endocrine Laboratory of Functional Explorations; INSERM UMR-S938; Team Yves Le Bouc; UPMC; Paris, France
| | - Theo C J Sas
- APHP Armand Trousseau Hospital; Endocrine Laboratory of Functional Explorations; INSERM UMR-S938; Team Yves Le Bouc; UPMC; Paris, France; Albert Schweitzer Hospital; Department of Pediatrics; Dordrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Yves Koudou
- INSERM; Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health (CESP); Lifelong epidemiology of obesity, diabetes and renal disease team; Villejuif, France; Paris-Sud University; UMRS 1018; Villejuif, France
| | - Yves Le Bouc
- APHP Armand Trousseau Hospital; Endocrine Laboratory of Functional Explorations; INSERM UMR-S938; Team Yves Le Bouc; UPMC; Paris, France
| | | | - Patricia Dargent-Molina
- INSERM; Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health (CESP); Lifelong epidemiology of obesity, diabetes and renal disease team; Villejuif, France; Paris-Sud University; UMRS 1018; Villejuif, France
| | - Irène Netchine
- APHP Armand Trousseau Hospital; Endocrine Laboratory of Functional Explorations; INSERM UMR-S938; Team Yves Le Bouc; UPMC; Paris, France
| | - Marie-Aline Charles
- INSERM; Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health (CESP); Lifelong epidemiology of obesity, diabetes and renal disease team; Villejuif, France; Paris-Sud University; UMRS 1018; Villejuif, France
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Binder AM, Michels KB. The causal effect of red blood cell folate on genome-wide methylation in cord blood: a Mendelian randomization approach. BMC Bioinformatics 2013; 14:353. [PMID: 24305512 PMCID: PMC3879006 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2105-14-353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2012] [Accepted: 11/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Investigation of the biological mechanism by which folate acts to affect fetal development can inform appraisal of expected benefits and risk management. This research is ethically imperative given the ubiquity of folic acid fortified products in the US. Considering that folate is an essential component in the one-carbon metabolism pathway that provides methyl groups for DNA methylation, epigenetic modifications provide a putative molecular mechanism mediating the effect of folic acid supplementation on neonatal and pediatric outcomes. Results In this study we use a Mendelian Randomization Unnecessary approach to assess the effect of red blood cell (RBC) folate on genome-wide DNA methylation in cord blood. Site-specific CpG methylation within the proximal promoter regions of approximately 14,500 genes was analyzed using the Illumina Infinium Human Methylation27 Bead Chip for 50 infants from the Epigenetic Birth Cohort at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Using methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotype as the instrument, the Mendelian Randomization approach identified 7 CpG loci with a significant (mostly positive) association between RBC folate and methylation level. Among the genes in closest proximity to this significant subset of CpG loci, several enriched biologic processes were involved in nucleic acid transport and metabolic processing. Compared to the standard ordinary least squares regression method, our estimates were demonstrated to be more robust to unmeasured confounding. Conclusions To the authors’ knowledge, this is the largest genome-wide analysis of the effects of folate on methylation pattern, and the first to employ Mendelian Randomization to assess the effects of an exposure on epigenetic modifications. These results can help guide future analyses of the causal effects of periconceptional folate levels on candidate pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M Binder
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
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Sable P, Randhir K, Kale A, Chavan-Gautam P, Joshi S. Maternal micronutrients and brain global methylation patterns in the offspring. Nutr Neurosci 2013; 18:30-6. [PMID: 24257323 DOI: 10.1179/1476830513y.0000000097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Studies have established the association of maternal nutrition and increased risk for non-communicable diseases. It has been suggested that this involves epigenetic modifications in the genome. However, the role of maternal micronutrients in the one-carbon cycle in influencing brain development of the offspring through methylation is unexplored. It is also unclear whether epigenomic marks established during early development can be reversed by a postnatal diet. The present study reports the effect of maternal micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids on global DNA methylation patterns in the brain of the Wistar rat offspring at three timepoints (at birth, postnatal day 21, and 3 months of age). METHOD Pregnant rats were divided into control (n = 8) and five treatment groups (n = 16 dams in each group) at two levels of folic acid (normal and excess folate) in the presence and absence of vitamin B12 (NFBD, EFB, and EFBD). Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was given to vitamin B12 deficient groups (NFBDO and EFBDO). Following delivery, eight dams from each group were shifted to control diet and remaining continued on the same treatment diet. RESULTS Our results demonstrate that maternal micronutrient imbalance results in global hypomethylation in the offspring brain at birth. At adult age the cortex of the offspring displayed hypermethylation as compared with control, in spite of a postnatal control diet. In contrast, prenatal omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was able to normalize methylation at 3 months of age. DISCUSSION Our findings provide clues for the role of omega-3 fatty acids in reversing methylation patterns thereby highlighting its contribution in neuroprotection and cognition.
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