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Tchantchou F, Hsia RC, Puche A, Fiskum G. Hippocampal vulnerability to hyperhomocysteinemia worsens pathological outcomes of mild traumatic brain injury in rats. J Cent Nerv Syst Dis 2023; 15:11795735231160025. [PMID: 36909831 PMCID: PMC9996738 DOI: 10.1177/11795735231160025] [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: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) generally resolves within weeks. However, 15-30% of patients present persistent pathological and neurobehavioral sequelae that negatively affect their quality of life. Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY) is a neurotoxic condition derived from homocysteine accumulation above 15 μM. HHCY can occur in diverse stressful situations, including those sustained by U.S. active-duty service members on the battlefield or during routine combat practice. Mild-TBI accounts for more than 80% of all TBI cases, and HHCY exists in 5-7% of the general population. We recently reported that moderate HHCY exacerbates mTBI-induced cortical injury pathophysiology, including increased oxidative stress. Several studies have demonstrated hippocampus vulnerability to oxidative stress and its downstream effects on inflammation and cell death. Objective This study aimed to assess the deleterious impact of HHCY on mTBI-associated hippocampal pathological changes. We tested the hypothesis that moderate HHCY aggravates mTBI-induced hippocampal pathological changes. Methods HHCY was induced in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats with a high methionine dose. Rats were then subjected to mTBI by controlled cortical impact under sustained HHCY. Blood plasma was assessed for homocysteine levels and brain tissue for markers of oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier integrity, and cell death. Endothelial cell ultrastructure was assessed by Electron Microscopy and working memory performance using the Y maze test. Results HHCY increased the hippocampal expression of nitrotyrosine in astroglial cells and decreased tight junction protein occludin levels associated with the enlargement of the endothelial cell nucleus. Furthermore, HHCY altered the expression of apoptosis-regulating proteins α-ii spectrin hydrolysis, ERK1/2, and AKT phosphorylation, mirrored by exacerbated mTBI-related hippocampal neuronal loss and working memory deficits. Conclusion Our findings indicate that HHCY is an epigenetic factor that modulates mTBI pathological progression in the hippocampus and represents a putative therapeutic target for mitigating such physiological stressors that increase severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flaubert Tchantchou
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ru-Ching Hsia
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Services and Center for Innovative Biomedical Resources, University of Maryland School of Dentistry and School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adam Puche
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gary Fiskum
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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2
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Luzzi S, Papiri G, Viticchi G, Baldinelli S, Fiori C, Silvestrini M, Toraldo A. Association between homocysteine levels and cognitive profile in Alzheimer's Disease. J Clin Neurosci 2021; 94:250-256. [PMID: 34863447 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2021.09.033] [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: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growing evidence suggests that hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) constitutes a risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The impact of HHcy on cognitive functions has mainly been investigated using screening neuropsychological tests that provide general, unspecific measures of cognitive level. Since an association between HHcy and temporo-mesial atrophy has been documented, we predicted that a fine-grained analysis of neuropsychological performance should show stronger Hcy effects on memory scores than on other cognitive scores. OBJECTIVE To determine the influence of Hcy level on cognitive profile evaluated with specific, sensitive neuropsychological tests in a wide AD cohort. METHODS 323 patients with AD were enrolled in a cross-sectional study and underwent a neuropsychological examination exploring several cognitive domains (memory, language, visuoperception, visuospatial abilities, executive function, constructional praxis, ideomotor praxis). The effects of Hcy levels and other risk factors (including cholesterol, smoking habits, triglycerides, apoEε4 allele) were analysed. RESULTS Generalized Linear Model detected a significant drop in performance with increasing Hcy in 6/19 measures of cognitive functions, namely, in memory performance tasks as well as in Luria's motor planning test, with effect sizes ranging 1.4%-2.8% (Eta-squared), partialling out effects of other predictors. CONCLUSIONS HHcy was associated with poor performance in short and long-term spatial and verbal memory more than with other cognitive dysfunctions. These results support the hypothesis that medial temporal networks might be vulnerable to HHcy, consistently with data from neuroimaging studies suggesting a link in AD between temporal atrophy and HHcy; the effect on Luria's motor planning task suggests further involvement of frontal structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Luzzi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona 60020, Italy.
| | - Giulio Papiri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona 60020, Italy
| | - Giovanna Viticchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona 60020, Italy
| | - Sara Baldinelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona 60020, Italy
| | - Chiara Fiori
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona 60020, Italy
| | - Mauro Silvestrini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona 60020, Italy
| | - Alessio Toraldo
- Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy; Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), Italy
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3
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Wang J, Zheng B, Yang S, Zheng H, Wang J. Opicapone Protects Against Hyperhomocysteinemia-Induced Increase in Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability. Neurotox Res 2021; 39:2018-2028. [PMID: 34709593 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-021-00429-8] [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: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy)-related brain vascular disorders and brain endothelial dysfunction are important characteristics of the pathogeneses of subarachnoid hemorrhage and stroke. Upregulated homocysteine (Hcy) can impair the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Opicapone has been recently licensed for the management of Parkinson's disease (PD); however, it is unknown whether it possesses a protective effect in brain vessels against HHcy. To investigate the beneficial effects of Opicapone on BBB permeability against HHcy, we carried out both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Mice were allocated into four groups: the Control, Opicapone, HHcy, and HHcy + Opicapone. Interestingly, we found that the administration of Opicapone attenuated the increased BBB permeability in Hcy-treated mice, as determined by sodium fluorescein staining. The immunofluorescence staining showed that Opicapone prevented homocysteine-induced reduction of claudin-2 in the mice cortices. The in situ zymography assay revealed that Opicapone suppressed homocysteine-increased matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity in the cortices. In bEnd.3 brain endothelial cells, Opicapone treatment ameliorated homocysteine-induced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Furthermore, Opicapone alleviated homocysteine-induced decrease in claudin-2 level in bEnd.3 cells. In summary, our results show that Opicapone protects against HHcy-induced BBB permeability by reducing the expression and gelatinase activity of MMPs, and increasing the expression of claudin-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wang
- Department of Neurology, Ya'an Peoples Hospital, Ya'an, 625000, Sichuan, China
| | - Bo Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Ya'an Peoples Hospital, Ya'an, 625000, Sichuan, China
| | - Shu Yang
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, 610000, Sichuan, China
| | - Hui Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Chengdu First People's Hospital, Chengdu, 610000, Sichuan, China.
| | - Jianhong Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, 610000, Sichuan, China.
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4
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The α-dystrobrevins play a key role in maintaining the structure and function of the extracellular matrix-significance for protein elimination failure arteriopathies. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2021; 9:171. [PMID: 34674769 PMCID: PMC8532274 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-021-01274-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the cerebral vasculature provides a pathway for the flow of interstitial fluid (ISF) and solutes out of the brain by intramural periarterial drainage (IPAD). Failure of IPAD leads to protein elimination failure arteriopathies such as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). The ECM consists of a complex network of glycoproteins and proteoglycans that form distinct basement membranes (BM) around different vascular cell types. Astrocyte endfeet that are localised against the walls of blood vessels are tethered to these BMs by dystrophin associated protein complex (DPC). Alpha-dystrobrevin (α-DB) is a key dystrophin associated protein within perivascular astrocyte endfeet; its deficiency leads to a reduction in other dystrophin associated proteins, loss of AQP4 and altered ECM. In human dementia cohorts there is a positive correlation between dystrobrevin gene expression and CAA. In the present study, we test the hypotheses that (a) the positive correlation between dystrobrevin gene expression and CAA is associated with elevated expression of α-DB at glial-vascular endfeet and (b) a deficiency in α-DB results in changes to the ECM and failure of IPAD. We used human post-mortem brain tissue with different severities of CAA and transgenic α-DB deficient mice. In human post-mortem tissue we observed a significant increase in vascular α-DB with CAA (CAA vrs. Old p < 0.005, CAA vrs. Young p < 0.005). In the mouse model of α-DB deficiency, there was early modifications to vascular ECM (collagen IV and BM thickening) that translated into reduced IPAD efficiency. Our findings highlight the important role of α-DB in maintaining structure and function of ECM, particularly as a pathway for the flow of ISF and solutes out of the brain by IPAD.
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Kumar M, Sandhir R. Hydrogen sulfide attenuates hyperhomocysteinemia-induced blood-brain barrier permeability by inhibiting MMP-9. Int J Neurosci 2021; 132:1061-1071. [PMID: 33287606 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2020.1860967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Backgroud: Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is implicated in various neurovascular disorders including vascular dementia, subarachnoid hemorrhage and stroke. Elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels are associated with increased oxidative stress and compromised blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has recently emerged as potent neuroprotective molecule in various neurological conditions including those associated with HHcy. The present study evaluates the protective effect of sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS; a source of H2S) on HHcy-induced BBB dysfunction and underpin molecular mechanisms.Materials and methods: Supplementation of NaHS restored the increased BBB permeability in the cortex and hippocampus of HHcy animals assessed in terms of diffused sodium fluorescein and Evans blue tracer dyes in the brain. Activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) assessed by gelatinase activity and in situ gelatinase assay was restored to the normal in the cortex and hippocampus of HHcy animals supplemented with NaHS.Results: Application of gelatin zymography revealed that specifically MMP-9 activity was increased in the cortex and hippocampus of HHcy animals, which was inhibited by NaHS supplementation. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that NaHS administration also decreased mRNA expression of MMP-9 in the hippocampus of HHcy animals. NaHS supplementation was further observed to reduce water retention in the brain regions of Hcy treated animals.Conclusion: Taken together, these findings suggest that NaHS supplementation ameliorates HHcy-induced BBB permeability and brain edema by inhibiting the mRNA expression and activity of MMP-9. Therefore, H2S and H2S releasing drugs may be used as a novel therapeutic approach to treat HHcy-associated neurovascular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, Basic Medical Science Block-II, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.,College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Rajat Sandhir
- Department of Biochemistry, Basic Medical Science Block-II, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
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Chen J, Li J, Wang J, Zeng D, Chen J, Zhang Y, Wu M, Zhang D, Hong X. Association of serum VLDL level with hyperhomocysteinemia in hypertensive patients: A cross-sectional study. Clin Exp Hypertens 2021; 43:26-33. [PMID: 32727222 DOI: 10.1080/10641963.2020.1797084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence suggests that hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and hyperlipidemia have been recognized as two independent risks for cardiovascular disease. However, the association between hyperlipidemia and HHcy in hypertensive patients has not been systemically elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and HHcy in hypertensive patients. METHODS From July 2013 to March 2014, a large cross-sectional study was performed using 4012 participants from urban and rural communities in Hunan province, China. Participants underwent accurate assessment of lipid profiles, homocysteine (Hcy), anthropometric, blood pressure, and other biochemical indicators. RESULTS Among 1257 participants with hypertension, 626 (49.80%) were men and 631 (50.20%) were women. In total, 1081 (86.00%) of the participants were found to have HHcy, of which 559 (44.47%) were men and 522 (41.53%) were women. In the univariate analysis, the OR for patients with hypertension associated with hyperhomocysteinemia was significantly enhanced as the quartiles of the Log VLDL were increased. OR for quartile 4 was significantly higher than that for quartile 1 (OR = 3.7, 95% CI: 2.6-5.1; P< .001). Additional adjustment for the confounding variables did not reduce the ORs for the association between the Log VLDL and hypertension associated with hyperhomocysteinemia (OR = 3.8, 95% CI: 2.7-5.5; P< .001; OR = 4.3, 95% CI: 1.6-11.8; P= .004, respectively). We also conducted analyses with Log VLDL as a continuous variable. Each unit increase in the Log VLDL was associated with the 1.3-fold increased risk of hypertension associated with hyperhomocysteinemia (95% CI: 1.9-2.9; P< .001). Adjusting for Cr, TG, TC, and HDL did not affect the relationship. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that the Log VLDL concentrations appear to be an independent contributor to hypertension associated with hyperhomocysteinemia, even after adjusting for age and other covariables. The utility of the Log VLDL as a diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic indicator for the disease warrants further investigation. ABBREVIATIONS HHcy: hyperhomocysteinemia; Hcy: homocysteine; VLDL: very low-density lipoprotein; CVD: cardiovascular disease; SBP: systolic blood pressure; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; BMI: body mass index; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; Cr: creatinine; UA: uric acid; TG: triglycerides; TC: total cholesterol; HDL: high-density lipoprotein; LDL: low-density lipoprotein; FBG: fasting blood glucose; CRP: C-reactive protein; MTHFR: methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase; NO: nitric oxide; HDL-C: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Chen
- University of South China , Hengyang, China.,People's Hospital of Hunan Province, First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University , Changsha, China
| | - Jing Li
- People's Hospital of Hunan Province, First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University , Changsha, China
| | - Jia Wang
- People's Hospital of Hunan Province, First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University , Changsha, China
| | - Dan Zeng
- People's Hospital of Hunan Province, First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University , Changsha, China
| | - Jian Chen
- People's Hospital of Hunan Province, First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University , Changsha, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- University of South China , Hengyang, China.,People's Hospital of Hunan Province, First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University , Changsha, China
| | - Mengyi Wu
- University of South China , Hengyang, China.,People's Hospital of Hunan Province, First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University , Changsha, China
| | - Dandan Zhang
- University of South China , Hengyang, China.,People's Hospital of Hunan Province, First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University , Changsha, China
| | - Xiuqin Hong
- People's Hospital of Hunan Province, First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University , Changsha, China
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7
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Li JG, Chiu J, Praticò D. Full recovery of the Alzheimer's disease phenotype by gain of function of vacuolar protein sorting 35. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:2630-2640. [PMID: 30733594 PMCID: PMC6685773 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0364-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Deficit in retromer complex function secondary to lower levels of one of its major components, the vacuolar protein sorting 35 (VPS35), has been reported in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains. VPS35 genetic reduction results in increased Aβ levels and synaptic pathology in mouse models of the disease. However, whether restoration of its levels has an effect on the AD-like phenotype which includes Aβ plaques, tau tangles and memory impairments remain unknown. In this paper, we investigated the effect of VPS35 gene delivery into the central nervous system on the development of the neuropathology and behavioral deficits of the triple transgenic (3xTg) mice. Compared with controls, animals overexpressing VPS35 had an amelioration of spatial learning and working memory, which associated with a significant reduction in Aβ levels and deposition and tau phosphorylation. Additionally, the same animals had a significant improvement of synaptic pathology and neuroinflammation. In vitro study confirmed that VPS35 up-regulation by reducing total levels of APP and results in a significant decrease in its metabolic products. Our results demonstrate for the first time that VPS35 is directly involved in the development of AD-like phenotype, and for this reason should be considered as a novel therapeutic target for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Domenico Praticò
- Alzheimer's Center at Temple, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA.
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8
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Braun DJ, Dimayuga E, Morganti JM, Van Eldik LJ. Microglial-associated responses to comorbid amyloid pathology and hyperhomocysteinemia in an aged knock-in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. J Neuroinflammation 2020; 17:274. [PMID: 32943069 PMCID: PMC7499995 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-01938-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elevated blood homocysteine levels, termed hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), is a prevalent risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in elderly populations. While dietary supplementation of B-vitamins is a generally effective method to lower homocysteine levels, there is little if any benefit to cognition. In the context of amyloid pathology, dietary-induced HHcy is known to enhance amyloid deposition and certain inflammatory responses. Little is known, however, about whether there is a more specific effect on microglia resulting from combined amyloid and HHcy pathologies. METHODS The present study used a knock-in mouse model of amyloidosis, aged to 12 months, given 8 weeks of B-vitamin deficiency-induced HHcy to better understand how microglia are affected in this comorbidity context. RESULTS We found that HHcy-inducing diet increased amyloid plaque burden, altered the neuroinflammatory milieu, and upregulated the expression of multiple damage-associated and "homeostatic" microglial genes. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these data indicate complex effects of comorbid pathologies on microglial function that are not driven solely by increased amyloid burden. Given the highly dynamic nature of microglia, their central role in AD pathology, and the frequent occurrence of various comorbidities in AD patients, it is increasingly important to understand how microglia respond to mixed pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Braun
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, 101 Sanders-Brown Bldg., 800 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
| | - Edgardo Dimayuga
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, 101 Sanders-Brown Bldg., 800 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Josh M Morganti
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, 101 Sanders-Brown Bldg., 800 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.,Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Linda J Van Eldik
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, 101 Sanders-Brown Bldg., 800 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA. .,Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
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9
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Pi T, Liu B, Shi J. Abnormal Homocysteine Metabolism: An Insight of Alzheimer's Disease from DNA Methylation. Behav Neurol 2020; 2020:8438602. [PMID: 32963633 PMCID: PMC7495165 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8438602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease in the central nervous system that has complex pathogenesis in the elderly. The current review focuses on the epigenetic mechanisms of AD, according to the latest findings. One of the best-characterized chromatin modifications in epigenetic mechanisms is DNA methylation. Highly replicable data shows that AD occurrence is often accompanied by methylation level changes of the AD-related gene. Homocysteine (Hcy) is not only an intermediate product of one-carbon metabolism but also an important independent risk factor of AD; it can affect the cognitive function of the brain by changing the one-carbon metabolism and interfering with the DNA methylation process, resulting in cerebrovascular disease. In general, Hcy may be an environmental factor that affects AD via the DNA methylation pathway with a series of changes in AD-related substance. This review will concentrate on the relation between DNA methylation and Hcy and try to figure out their rule in the pathophysiology of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Pi
- Department of Pharmacology and the Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and the Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Jingshan Shi
- Department of Pharmacology and the Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
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10
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Chen S, Honda T, Ohara T, Hata J, Hirakawa Y, Yoshida D, Shibata M, Sakata S, Oishi E, Furuta Y, Kitazono T, Ninomiya T. Serum homocysteine and risk of dementia in Japan. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2020; 91:540-546. [PMID: 32234968 PMCID: PMC7231445 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2019-322366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the association between serum total homocysteine levels (tHcy) and dementia risk. METHODS A total of 1588 Japanese adults aged ≥60 years without dementia were prospectively followed from 2002 to 2012. Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic splines were used to estimate the HRs of tHcy levels on the risk of dementia. RESULTS During the follow-up, 372 subjects developed all-cause dementia; 247 had Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 98 had vascular dementia (VaD). Compared with the lowest tHcy quintile (≤6.4 µmol/L), the multivariable-adjusted HRs (95% CI) of the highest quintile (≥11.5 µmol/L) were 2.28 (1.51-3.43) for all-cause dementia, 1.96 (1.19-3.24) for AD and 2.51 (1.14-5.51) for VaD. In restricted cubic splines, the risk of all-cause dementia steadily increased between approximately 8-15 µmol/L and plateaued thereafter, with a similar non-linear shape observed for AD and VaD (all p for non-linearity ≤0.02). In stratified analyses by the most recognised genetic polymorphism affecting tHcy concentrations (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T), the positive association of tHcy with all-cause dementia persisted in both non-carriers and carriers of the risk allele, and even tended to be stronger in the former (p for heterogeneity=0.07). CONCLUSION High serum tHcy levels are associated with an elevated risk of dementia, AD and VaD in a non-linear manner, such that an exposure-response association is present only within a relatively high range of tHcy levels. Non-genetic factors affecting serum tHcy concentrations may play important roles in tHcy-dementia associations irrespective of the genetic susceptibility for raised tHcy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanmei Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takanori Honda
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Ohara
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Jun Hata
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Center for Cohort Studies, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Medicine and Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoichiro Hirakawa
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Medicine and Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Daigo Yoshida
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Mao Shibata
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Center for Cohort Studies, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Satoko Sakata
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Center for Cohort Studies, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Medicine and Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Emi Oishi
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Medicine and Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Furuta
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Medicine and Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takanari Kitazono
- Center for Cohort Studies, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Medicine and Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Toshiharu Ninomiya
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan .,Center for Cohort Studies, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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11
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Di Meco A, Li JG, Barrero C, Merali S, Praticò D. Elevated levels of brain homocysteine directly modulate the pathological phenotype of a mouse model of tauopathy. Mol Psychiatry 2019; 24:1696-1706. [PMID: 29728702 PMCID: PMC6215750 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0062-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A high circulating level of homocysteine (Hcy), also known as hyperhomocysteinemia, is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous studies show that elevated Hcy promotes brain amyloidosis and behavioral deficits in mouse models of AD. However, whether it directly modulates the development of tau neuropathology independently of amyloid beta in vivo is unknown. Herein, we investigate the effect of diet-induced elevated levels of brain Hcy on the phenotype of a relevant mouse model of human tauopathy. Compared with controls, tau mice fed with low folate and B vitamins diet had a significant increase in brain Hcy levels and worsening of behavioral deficits. The same mice had a significant elevation of tau phosphorylation, synaptic pathology, and astrocytes activation. In vitro studies demonstrated that Hcy effect on tau phosphorylation was mediated by an upregulation of 5-lipoxygenase via cdk5 kinase pathway activation. Our findings support the novel concept that high Hcy level in the central nervous system is a metabolic risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, specifically characterized by the progressive accumulation of tau pathology, namely tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Di Meco
- Alzheimer’s Center at Temple, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia PA, 19140
| | - Jian-Guo Li
- Alzheimer’s Center at Temple, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia PA, 19140
| | - Carlos Barrero
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia PA, 19140
| | - Salim Merali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia PA, 19140
| | - Domenico Praticò
- Alzheimer's Center at Temple, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA.
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12
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Yagensky O, Kohansal-Nodehi M, Gunaseelan S, Rabe T, Zafar S, Zerr I, Härtig W, Urlaub H, Chua JJ. Increased expression of heme-binding protein 1 early in Alzheimer's disease is linked to neurotoxicity. eLife 2019; 8:47498. [PMID: 31453805 PMCID: PMC6739868 DOI: 10.7554/elife.47498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder leading to progressive cognitive decline. Despite decades of research, understanding AD progression at the molecular level, especially at its early stages, remains elusive. Here, we identified several presymptomatic AD markers by investigating brain proteome changes over the course of neurodegeneration in a transgenic mouse model of AD (3×Tg-AD). We show that one of these markers, heme-binding protein 1 (Hebp1), is elevated in the brains of both 3×Tg-AD mice and patients affected by rapidly-progressing forms of AD. Hebp1, predominantly expressed in neurons, interacts with the mitochondrial contact site complex (MICOS) and exhibits a perimitochondrial localization. Strikingly, wildtype, but not Hebp1-deficient, neurons showed elevated cytotoxicity in response to heme-induced apoptosis. Increased survivability in Hebp1-deficient neurons is conferred by blocking the activation of the mitochondrial-associated caspase signaling pathway. Taken together, our data highlight a role of Hebp1 in progressive neuronal loss during AD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksandr Yagensky
- Research Group Protein Trafficking in Synaptic Development and Function, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Saravanan Gunaseelan
- Interactomics and Intracellular Trafficking Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tamara Rabe
- Department of Genes and Behavior, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Saima Zafar
- Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Department, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.,Clinical Dementia Center, Department of Neurology, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Inga Zerr
- Clinical Dementia Center, Department of Neurology, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Härtig
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Henning Urlaub
- Research Group Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.,Bioanalytics Group, Institute for Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - John Je Chua
- Research Group Protein Trafficking in Synaptic Development and Function, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.,Interactomics and Intracellular Trafficking Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,LSI Neurobiology Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.,Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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13
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Di Meco A, Li JG, Praticò D. Dissecting the Role of 5-Lipoxygenase in the Homocysteine-Induced Alzheimer's Disease Pathology. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 62:1337-1344. [PMID: 29254095 PMCID: PMC5869997 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects over 40 million patients around the world and poses a huge economic burden on society since no effective therapy is available yet. While the cause(s) for the most common sporadic form of the disease are still obscure, lifestyle and different environmental factors have emerged as modulators of AD susceptibility. Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY), a condition of high circulating levels of homocysteine, is an independent but modifiable risk factor for AD. Studies in AD mouse models have linked HHCY with memory impairment, amyloidosis, tau pathology, synaptic dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. However, the exact mechanism by which HHCY affects AD pathogenesis is unclear. The 5-lipoxygenase (5LO) is a protein upregulated in postmortem AD brains and plays a functional role in AD pathogenesis. Recently, in vitro and in vivo studies showed that HHCY effects on amyloid-β and tau pathology, synapse and memory impairments are dependent on the activation of the 5LO enzymatic pathway, since its genetic absence or pharmacological inhibition prevents them. HHCY induces 5LO gene upregulation by lowering the methylation of its promoter, which results in increased translation and transcription of its mRNA. Based on these findings, we propose that epigenetic modification of 5LO represents the missing biological link between HHCY and AD pathogenesis, and for this reason it represents a viable therapeutic target to prevent AD development in individuals bearing this risk factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Di Meco
- Alzheimer's Center at Temple, Lewis Katz School of Medicine Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jian-Guo Li
- Alzheimer's Center at Temple, Lewis Katz School of Medicine Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Domenico Praticò
- Alzheimer's Center at Temple, Lewis Katz School of Medicine Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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14
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Jakubowski H. Homocysteine Modification in Protein Structure/Function and Human Disease. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:555-604. [PMID: 30427275 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00003.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies established that elevated homocysteine, an important intermediate in folate, vitamin B12, and one carbon metabolism, is associated with poor health, including heart and brain diseases. Earlier studies show that patients with severe hyperhomocysteinemia, first identified in the 1960s, exhibit neurological and cardiovascular abnormalities and premature death due to vascular complications. Although homocysteine is considered to be a nonprotein amino acid, studies over the past 2 decades have led to discoveries of protein-related homocysteine metabolism and mechanisms by which homocysteine can become a component of proteins. Homocysteine-containing proteins lose their biological function and acquire cytotoxic, proinflammatory, proatherothrombotic, and proneuropathic properties, which can account for the various disease phenotypes associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. This review describes mechanisms by which hyperhomocysteinemia affects cellular proteostasis, provides a comprehensive account of the biological chemistry of homocysteine-containing proteins, and discusses pathophysiological consequences and clinical implications of their formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hieronim Jakubowski
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, International Center for Public Health , Newark, New Jersey ; and Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Poznań University of Life Sciences , Poznań , Poland
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15
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Abstract
AbstractIn recent decades, clinical trials in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have failed at an unprecedented rate. The etiology of AD has since come under renewed scrutiny, both to elucidate the underlying pathologies and to identify novel therapeutic strategies. Here, diet has emerged as a potential causative/protective agent. A variety of nutrients, including lipids, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and sugars as well as broader dietary patterns and microbiotal interactions have demonstrated associations with AD. Although clinical trials have yet to definitively implicate any singular dietary element as therapeutic or causative, it is apparent that dietary preferences, likely in complex synergies, may influence the risk, onset and course of AD. This review catalogs the impact of major dietary elements on AD. It further examines an unexplored reciprocal association where AD may modulate diet, as well as how potential therapeutics may complicate these interactions. In doing so, we observe diet may have profound effects on the outcome of a clinical trial, either as a confounder of a drug/disease interaction or as a generally disruptive covariate. We therefore conclude that future clinical trials in AD should endeavor to control for diet, either in study design or subsequent analyses.
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16
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Lang B, Kindy MS, Kozel FA, Schultz SK, Taheri S. Multi-Parametric Classification of Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: The Impact of Diverse Cerebrovascular Injury Biomarkers. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 62:39-60. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-170733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brittany Lang
- Clinical Psychology Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Mark S. Kindy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida Tampa, FL, USA
- James A. Haley VA Medical Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - F. Andrew Kozel
- James A. Haley VA Medical Center, Tampa, FL, USA
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Susan K. Schultz
- James A. Haley VA Medical Center, Tampa, FL, USA
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Saeid Taheri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida Tampa, FL, USA
- Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
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17
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Animal models of cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Clin Sci (Lond) 2017; 131:2469-2488. [PMID: 28963121 DOI: 10.1042/cs20170033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), due to vascular amyloid β (Aβ) deposition, is a risk factor for intracerebral haemorrhage and dementia. CAA can occur in sporadic or rare hereditary forms, and is almost invariably associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Experimental (animal) models are of great interest in studying mechanisms and potential treatments for CAA. Naturally occurring animal models of CAA exist, including cats, dogs and non-human primates, which can be used for longitudinal studies. However, due to ethical considerations and low throughput of these models, other animal models are more favourable for research. In the past two decades, a variety of transgenic mouse models expressing the human Aβ precursor protein (APP) has been developed. Many of these mouse models develop CAA in addition to senile plaques, whereas some of these models were generated specifically to study CAA. In addition, other animal models make use of a second stimulus, such as hypoperfusion or hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), to accelerate CAA. In this manuscript, we provide a comprehensive review of existing animal models for CAA, which can aid in understanding the pathophysiology of CAA and explore the response to potential therapies.
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18
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Sanchez-Espinosa MP, Atienza M, Cantero JL. Sleep mediates the association between homocysteine and oxidative status in mild cognitive impairment. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7719. [PMID: 28798397 PMCID: PMC5552792 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08292-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Tremendous progress has been made over the last few years in understanding how sleep and amyloid-β (Aβ) cooperate to speed up the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it remains unknown whether sleep deficits also interact with other risk factors that exacerbate the pathological cascade of AD. Based on evidence showing that higher levels of homocysteine (HCY) and sleep loss increase oxidative damage, we here investigate whether the relationship between HCY and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) is mediated by changes in objective sleep in healthy older (HO, N = 21) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI, N = 21) subjects. Results revealed that reduced TAC levels in MCI was significantly correlated with increased HCY, shorter sleep duration, lower sleep efficiency, and reduced volume of temporal regions. However, only the HCY-TAC association showed diagnostic value, and this relationship was mediated by poorer sleep quality in MCI patients. We further showed that HCY-related cerebral volume loss in MCI depended on the serial relationship between poorer sleep quality and lower TAC levels. These findings provide novel insights into how impaired sleep may contribute to maintain the relationship between HCY and oxidative stress in prodromal AD, and offer empirical foundations to design therapeutic interventions aimed to weaken this link.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayely P Sanchez-Espinosa
- Laboratory of Functional Neuroscience, Spanish Network of Excellence for Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain
| | - Mercedes Atienza
- Laboratory of Functional Neuroscience, Spanish Network of Excellence for Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain
| | - Jose L Cantero
- Laboratory of Functional Neuroscience, Spanish Network of Excellence for Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain.
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19
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Troesch B, Weber P, Mohajeri MH. Potential Links between Impaired One-Carbon Metabolism Due to Polymorphisms, Inadequate B-Vitamin Status, and the Development of Alzheimer's Disease. Nutrients 2016; 8:E803. [PMID: 27973419 PMCID: PMC5188458 DOI: 10.3390/nu8120803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the major cause of dementia and no preventive or effective treatment has been established to date. The etiology of AD is poorly understood, but genetic and environmental factors seem to play a role in its onset and progression. In particular, factors affecting the one-carbon metabolism (OCM) are thought to be important and elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels, indicating impaired OCM, have been associated with AD. We aimed at evaluating the role of polymorphisms of key OCM enzymes in the etiology of AD, particularly when intakes of relevant B-vitamins are inadequate. Our review indicates that a range of compensatory mechanisms exist to maintain a metabolic balance. However, these become overwhelmed if the activity of more than one enzyme is reduced due to genetic factors or insufficient folate, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and/or vitamin B12 levels. Consequences include increased Hcy levels and reduced capacity to synthetize, methylate and repair DNA, and/or modulated neurotransmission. This seems to favor the development of hallmarks of AD particularly when combined with increased oxidative stress e.g., in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ε4 carriers. However, as these effects can be compensated at least partially by adequate intakes of B-vitamins, achieving optimal B-vitamin status for the general population should be a public health priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Troesch
- DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Wurmisweg 576, Kaiseraugst 4303, Switzerland.
| | - Peter Weber
- DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Wurmisweg 576, Kaiseraugst 4303, Switzerland.
| | - M Hasan Mohajeri
- DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Wurmisweg 576, Kaiseraugst 4303, Switzerland.
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20
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Oikonomidi A, Lewczuk P, Kornhuber J, Smulders Y, Linnebank M, Semmler A, Popp J. Homocysteine metabolism is associated with cerebrospinal fluid levels of soluble amyloid precursor protein and amyloid beta. J Neurochem 2016; 139:324-332. [PMID: 27507672 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Revised: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Disturbed homocysteine metabolism may contribute to amyloidogenesis by modulating the amyloid precursor protein (APP) production and processing. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between cerebral amyloid production and both blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers of the homocysteine metabolism. We assessed CSF concentrations of soluble APPα, soluble APPβ, and amyloid β1-42 (Aβ1-42), as well as plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcys), total vitamin B12, and folate, and CSF concentrations of homocysteine (Hcys-CSF), 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) in 59 subjects with normal cognition. Linear regression analyses were performed to assess associations between homocysteine metabolism parameters and amyloid production. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the University of Bonn. After controlling for age, gender, APOEe4 status, and albumin ratio (Qalb), higher Aβ1-42 CSF levels were associated with high Hcys and low vitamin B12 plasma levels as well as with high Hcys, high SAH, and low 5-MTHF CSF levels. Higher CSF concentrations of sAPPα and sAPPβ were associated with high SAH levels. The results suggest that disturbed homocysteine metabolism is related to increased CSF levels of sAPP forms and Aβ1-42, and may contribute to the accumulation of amyloid pathology in the brain. Disturbed homocysteine metabolism may contribute to amyloidogenesis by modulating the amyloid precursor protein (APP) production and processing. We found associations between CSF levels of soluble APP forms and Aβ1-42, and markers of the homocysteine metabolism in both plasma and CSF in adults with normal cognition. Disturbed homocysteine metabolism may represent a target for preventive and early disease-modifying interventions in Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini Oikonomidi
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Old Age Psychiatry, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Piotr Lewczuk
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Neurodegeneration Diagnostics, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yvo Smulders
- Department of Internal Medicine, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Institute for Cardiovascular Research ICaR-VU, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michael Linnebank
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Semmler
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Julius Popp
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Old Age Psychiatry, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. .,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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21
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Affiliation(s)
- A. David Smith
- OPTIMA, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QT, United Kingdom;
| | - Helga Refsum
- OPTIMA, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QT, United Kingdom;
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway;
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22
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Hyperhomocysteinemia impairs regional blood flow: involvements of endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide. Pflugers Arch 2016; 468:1517-25. [PMID: 27417104 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-016-1849-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence support the idea that hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is responsible for pathogenesis underlying cerebral, coronary, renal, and other vascular circulatory disorders and for hypertension. Impaired synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) in the endothelium or increased production of asymmetric dimethylarginine and activated oxygen species are involved in the impairment of vasodilator effects of NO. Impaired circulation in the brain derived from reduced synthesis and actions of NO would be an important triggering factor to dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Reduced actions of NO and brain hypoperfusion trigger increased production of amyloid-β that inhibits endothelial function, thus establishing a vicious cycle for impairing brain circulation. HHcy is involved in the genesis of anginal attack and coronary myocardial infarction. HHcy is also involved in renal circulatory diseases. The homocysteine (Hcy)-induced circulatory failure is promoted by methionine and is prevented by increased folic acid and vitamin B6/B12. Eliminating poor life styles, such as smoking and being sedentary; keeping favorable dietary habits; and early treatment maintaining constitutive NOS functions healthy, reducing oxidative stresses would be beneficial in protecting HHcy-induced circulatory failures.
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Chung YC, Kruyer A, Yao Y, Feierman E, Richards A, Strickland S, Norris EH. Hyperhomocysteinemia exacerbates Alzheimer's disease pathology by way of the β-amyloid fibrinogen interaction. J Thromb Haemost 2016; 14:1442-52. [PMID: 27090576 PMCID: PMC4949110 DOI: 10.1111/jth.13340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Essentials Evidence suggests a comorbidity between hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Homocysteine (HC) could affect the β-amyloid (Aβ)-fibrinogen interaction in AD pathology. AD patients with concomitant HHC have increased fibrin and Aβ deposits in their brains. HC contributes to AD pathology via the Aβ-fibrinogen interaction. SUMMARY Background Accumulating clinical evidence suggests that hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC) is correlated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia. Objective This study was carried out to elucidate the specific role of elevated homocysteine (HC) levels in AD pathophysiology. Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to examine β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition along blood vessels, also known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), fibrin(ogen) deposition, and their correlation to each other in the brains of AD patients with and without HHC. To study AD-HHC co-morbidity in detail, an AD mouse model was administered a high methionine diet for several months. Parenchymal Aβ plaques, CAA-positive vessels and fibrin deposits were then assessed by immunohistochemistry at different stages of AD progression. Memory deficits were evaluated with contextual fear conditioning and the Barnes maze. Additionally, the effect of HC and its metabolite, homocysteine thiolactone (HCTL), on the Aβ-fibrinogen interaction was analyzed by pull-down, ELISA and fibrin clot formation and fibrinolysis assays in vitro. Results We found increased fibrin(ogen) levels and Aβ deposits in the blood vessels and brain parenchyma of AD patients with HHC. We demonstrate that HC and HCTL enhance the interaction between fibrinogen and Aβ, promote the formation of tighter fibrin clots and delay clot fibrinolysis. Additionally, we show that diet-induced HHC in an AD mouse model leads to severe CAA and parenchymal Aβ deposition, as well as significant impairments in learning and memory. Conclusions These findings suggest that elevated levels of plasma HC/HCTL contribute to AD pathology via the Aβ-fibrin(ogen) interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Cheul Chung
- Patricia and John Rosenwald Laboratory of Neurobiology & Genetics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Anna Kruyer
- Patricia and John Rosenwald Laboratory of Neurobiology & Genetics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Yao Yao
- Patricia and John Rosenwald Laboratory of Neurobiology & Genetics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Emily Feierman
- Patricia and John Rosenwald Laboratory of Neurobiology & Genetics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Allison Richards
- Patricia and John Rosenwald Laboratory of Neurobiology & Genetics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sidney Strickland
- Patricia and John Rosenwald Laboratory of Neurobiology & Genetics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Erin H. Norris
- Patricia and John Rosenwald Laboratory of Neurobiology & Genetics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
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24
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Pang H, Han B, Fu Q, Zong Z. Association of High Homocysteine Levels With the Risk Stratification in Hypertensive Patients at Risk of Stroke. Clin Ther 2016; 38:1184-92. [PMID: 27021605 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2016.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Revised: 02/27/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to investigate the association between stroke morbidity and different stratifications of classic risk factors, such as increasing age, body mass index (BMI), blood lipids, and blood glucose, in hypertensive patients with high homocysteine levels. METHODS A cross-sectional study of 2258 patients with primary hypertension were enrolled in this study, including 871 stroke cases (62.89%) in 1385 hypertensive patients without hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and 647 (74.11%) stroke cases in 873 hypertensive patients with HHcy. Basic information of patients were collected, including age, sex, height, weight, smoking, alcohol consumption, and disease history. Blood chemical assays were performed to determine the levels of glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol, and homocysteine. Subsequently, comparison of stroke morbidity between the 2 groups was performed after the stratification of risk factors. Moreover, the correlation between the stroke morbidity and the risk factors was analyzed using a trend test in patients with H-type hypertension. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between baseline factors and prevalence of stroke in H-type hypertensive patients. FINDINGS After the stratification of risk factors, a statistical difference was noted in age (range, 45-74 yrs), glucose ranges (<6.1 and ≥7.0 mmol/L), BMI, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), non-HDL-C, and triglyceride level of <200 mg/dL (P<0.05) in the H-type hypertension group compared with those in non-H-type hypertension group. Gradual elevation of stroke morbidity was identified with the increase of fasting glucose, SBP, and DBP. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, only higher SBP, DBP, fasting glucose level, homocysteine, and history of diabetes mellitus were the independent predictors for the stroke morbidity. IMPLICATIONS Comprehensive evaluation and strict management of multiple risk factors have become increasingly important in the alleviation of stroke morbidity for H-type hypertensive patients because these patients were more sensitive to the classic risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Pang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, XuZhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical College, Affiliated XuZhou Hospital of Medical College of Southeast University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Bing Han
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, XuZhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical College, Affiliated XuZhou Hospital of Medical College of Southeast University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiang Fu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, XuZhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical College, Affiliated XuZhou Hospital of Medical College of Southeast University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhenkun Zong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
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25
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Gooch J, Wilcock DM. Animal Models of Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (VCID). Cell Mol Neurobiol 2016; 36:233-9. [PMID: 26988696 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-015-0286-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) is the most common etiology of dementia in the elderly. Both, vascular and Alzheimer's disease, pathologies work synergistically to create neurodegeneration and cognitive impairments. The main causes of VCID include hemorrhage/microbleed (i.e., hyperhomocysteinemia), cerebral small vessel disease, multi-infarct dementia, severe hypoperfusion (i.e., bilateral common carotid artery stenosis), strategic infarct, angiopathy (i.e., cerebral angiopathy), and hereditary vasculopathy (i.e., cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy). In this review, we will discuss the experimental animal models that have been developed to study these pathologies. We will discuss the limitations and strengths of these models and the important research findings that have advanced the field through the use of the models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Gooch
- Department of Physiology, Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, 424 Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, 800 S. Limestone St, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Donna M Wilcock
- Department of Physiology, Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, 424 Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, 800 S. Limestone St, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
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Román GC. MTHFR Gene Mutations: A Potential Marker of Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease? J Alzheimers Dis 2015; 47:323-7. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-150304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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27
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Sharma M, Tiwari M, Tiwari RK. Hyperhomocysteinemia: Impact on Neurodegenerative Diseases. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2015; 117:287-96. [DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.12424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Sharma
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Centre for Biomedical Research; University of Delhi; Delhi India
- Chapman University School of Pharmacy; Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus; Irvine CA USA
| | - Manisha Tiwari
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Centre for Biomedical Research; University of Delhi; Delhi India
| | - Rakesh Kumar Tiwari
- Chapman University School of Pharmacy; Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus; Irvine CA USA
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Du X, Pang TY. Is Dysregulation of the HPA-Axis a Core Pathophysiology Mediating Co-Morbid Depression in Neurodegenerative Diseases? Front Psychiatry 2015; 6:32. [PMID: 25806005 PMCID: PMC4353372 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence of prodromal manifestation of neuropsychiatric symptoms in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD). These affective symptoms may be observed many years before the core diagnostic symptoms of the neurological condition. It is becoming more apparent that depression is a significant modifying factor of the trajectory of disease progression and even treatment outcomes. It is therefore crucial that we understand the potential pathophysiologies related to the primary condition, which could contribute to the development of depression. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis is a key neuroendocrine signaling system involved in physiological homeostasis and stress response. Disturbances of this system lead to severe hormonal imbalances, and the majority of such patients also present with behavioral deficits and/or mood disorders. Dysregulation of the HPA-axis is also strongly implicated in the pathology of major depressive disorder. Consistent with this, antidepressant drugs, such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been shown to alter HPA-axis activity. In this review, we will summarize the current state of knowledge regarding HPA-axis pathology in Alzheimer's, PD and HD, differentiating between prodromal and later stages of disease progression when evidence is available. Both clinical and preclinical evidence will be examined, but we highlight animal model studies as being particularly useful for uncovering novel mechanisms of pathology related to co-morbid mood disorders. Finally, we purpose utilizing the preclinical evidence to better inform prospective, intervention studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Du
- Mental Health Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
| | - Terence Y Pang
- Behavioural Neurosciences Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
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