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Ostrowska-Leśko M, Herbet M, Pawłowski K, Korga-Plewko A, Poleszak E, Dudka J. Pathological Changes and Metabolic Adaptation in the Myocardium of Rats in Response to Chronic Variable Mild Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5899. [PMID: 38892086 PMCID: PMC11172974 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115899] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic variable mild stress (CVS) in rats is a well-established paradigm for inducing depressive-like behaviors and has been utilized extensively to explore potential therapeutic interventions for depression. While the behavioral and neurobiological effects of CVS have been extensively studied, its impact on myocardial function remains largely unexplored. To induce the CVS model, rats were exposed to various stressors over 40 days. Behavioral assessments confirmed depressive-like behavior. Biochemical analyses revealed alterations in myocardial metabolism, including changes in NAD+ and NADP+, and NADPH concentrations. Free amino acid analysis indicated disturbances in myocardial amino acid metabolism. Evaluation of oxidative DNA damage demonstrated an increased number of abasic sites in the DNA of rats exposed to CVS. Molecular analysis showed significant changes in gene expression associated with glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, and cardiac remodeling pathways. Histological staining revealed minor morphological changes in the myocardium of CVS-exposed rats, including increased acidophilicity of cells, collagen deposition surrounding blood vessels, and glycogen accumulation. This study provides novel insights into the impact of chronic stress on myocardial function and metabolism, highlighting potential mechanisms linking depression and cardiovascular diseases. Understanding these mechanisms may aid in the development of targeted therapeutic strategies to mitigate the adverse cardiovascular effects of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Ostrowska-Leśko
- Department of Toxicology, Medical University of Lublin, 8b Jaczewski Street, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (M.H.); (J.D.)
| | - Mariola Herbet
- Department of Toxicology, Medical University of Lublin, 8b Jaczewski Street, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (M.H.); (J.D.)
| | - Kamil Pawłowski
- Department of Toxicology, Medical University of Lublin, 8b Jaczewski Street, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (M.H.); (J.D.)
| | - Agnieszka Korga-Plewko
- Independent Medical Biology Unit, Medical University of Lublin, 8b Jaczewski Street, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewa Poleszak
- Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodźko Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Jarosław Dudka
- Department of Toxicology, Medical University of Lublin, 8b Jaczewski Street, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (M.H.); (J.D.)
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Lin K, Sunko D, Wang J, Yang J, Parsey RV, DeLorenzo C. Investigating the relationship between hippocampus/dentate gyrus volume and hypothalamus metabolism in participants with major depressive disorder. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10622. [PMID: 38724691 PMCID: PMC11082185 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61519-z] [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: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Reduced hippocampal volume occurs in major depressive disorder (MDD), potentially due to elevated glucocorticoids from an overactivated hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. To examine this in humans, hippocampal volume and hypothalamus (HPA axis) metabolism was quantified in participants with MDD before and after antidepressant treatment. 65 participants (n = 24 males, n = 41 females) with MDD were treated in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial of escitalopram. Participants received simultaneous positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after treatment. Linear mixed models examined the relationship between hippocampus/dentate gyrus volume and hypothalamus metabolism. Chi-squared tests and multivariable logistic regression examined the association between hippocampus/dentate gyrus volume change direction and hypothalamus activity change direction with treatment. Multiple linear regression compared these changes between remitter and non-remitter groups. Covariates included age, sex, and treatment type. No significant linear association was found between hippocampus/dentate gyrus volume and hypothalamus metabolism. 62% (38 of 61) of participants experienced a decrease in hypothalamus metabolism, 43% (27 of 63) of participants demonstrated an increase in hippocampus size (51% [32 of 63] for the dentate gyrus) following treatment. No significant association was found between change in hypothalamus activity and change in hippocampus/dentate gyrus volume, and this association did not vary by sex, medication, or remission status. As this multimodal study, in a cohort of participants on standardized treatment, did not find an association between hypothalamus metabolism and hippocampal volume, it supports a more complex pathway between hippocampus neurogenesis and hypothalamus metabolism changes in response to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Junying Wang
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Family, Population & Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ramin V Parsey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Christine DeLorenzo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
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Güneş M, Güneş E, Kaya Mİ, Küçükelyas HD, Barut H, Öner S. Relationship Between Dexamethasone Suppression Test Cortisol Level >0.9 μg/dL and Depression and Quality of Life in Adrenal Incidentalomas: A Single Center Observational Case-Control Study. Endocr Pract 2024:S1530-891X(24)00510-X. [PMID: 38729569 DOI: 10.1016/j.eprac.2024.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There has been increasing evidence that patients with adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) who have 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) cortisol levels >0.9 μg/dL may be exposed to the adverse consequences of hypercortisolaemia. We aim to evaluate whether there is a difference in Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and quality of life (QoL) score in patients with AI based on the threshold of a DST cortisol level >0.9 μg/dL. METHODS This case-control study included 42 nonfunctional adrenal incidentaloma (NFAI), 53 mild autonomic cortisol secretion (MACS) and 42 healthy controls (HCs). In addition, patients were categorized as ≤0.9 and >0.9 μg/dL according to their DST cortisol results. RESULTS There was no difference in the QoL and BDI-II scores of MACS compared to NFAI. The BDI-II score was higher and QoL was lower in MACS and NFAI compared to HCs. The difference in QoL and BDI-II scores between MACS and NFAI remained insignificant when the DST cortisol levels threshold was graded upward (5.0 μg/dL). The prevalence of depression was higher in the AI >0.9 μg/dL group than the AI ≤0.9 μg/dL group (respectively, 16.7% and 55.8%, P = .003), BDI-II scores were higher in the AI >0.9 μg/dL group than in the AI ≤0.9 μg/dL group and HCs. The DST was an independent factor affecting the frequency of depression (odds ratio: 1.39, P = .037). CONCLUSION MACS and patients with NFAI had similar QoL and depression scores according to the 1.8 μg/dL and above, whereas, had lower QoL and higher depression scores according to the 0.9 μg/dL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutlu Güneş
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Health Sciences University, Bursa, Turkey.
| | - Elif Güneş
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Bursa State Hospital, Health Sciences University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Muhammet İlker Kaya
- Department of Internal Medicine, Bursa State Hospital, Health Sciences University, Bursa, Turkey
| | | | - Hatice Barut
- Department of Neurology, Bursa State Hospital, Health Sciences University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Sedat Öner
- Department of Urology, Bursa State Hospital, Health Sciences University, Bursa, Turkey
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Duko B, Gebremedhin AT, Tessema GA, Dunne J, Alati R, Pereira G. The effects of pre-eclampsia on social and emotional developmental vulnerability in children at age five in Western Australia: A population data linkage study. J Affect Disord 2024; 352:349-356. [PMID: 38360367 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.02.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is important to explore factors that may hinder early childhood development in AEDC Emotional Maturity and Social Competence domains as these underpin the foundation for health, well-being, and productivity over the life course. No previous study has examined whether, or to what extent, preeclampsia increases the risk of developmental vulnerability in social and emotional domains in early childhood. METHODS We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study on the association between preeclampsia and childhood developmental vulnerability in emotional maturity and social competence domains in children born in Western Australia in 2009, 2012 and 2015. We obtained records of births, developmental anomalies, midwives notifications and hospitalisations. These data were linked to the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC), from which developmental vulnerability in emotional maturity and social competence domains at a median age of 5 years was ascertained. Causal relative risks (RR) were estimated with doubly robust estimation. RESULTS A total of 64,391 mother-offspring pairs were included in the final analysis. For the whole cohort, approximately 25 % and 23 % of children were classified as developmentally vulnerable or at-risk on AEDC emotional maturity and social competence domains, respectively. Approximately 2.8 % of children were exposed in utero to preeclampsia. Children exposed to preeclampsia were more likely to be classified as developmentally vulnerable or at-risk on the emotional maturity (RR = 1.19, 95%CI:1.11-1.28) and social competence domains (RR = 1.22, 95 % CI:1.13-1.31). CONCLUSION Children exposed to pre-eclampsia in utero were more likely to be developmentally vulnerable in emotional maturity and social competence domains in this cohort. Our findings provide new insights into the harmful effect of preeclampsia on childhood developmental vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bereket Duko
- Australian Centre for Precision Health, UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
| | | | - Gizachew Assefa Tessema
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia; enAble Institute, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
| | - Jennifer Dunne
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Rosa Alati
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia; enAble Institute, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia; Institute for Social Sciences Research, The University of Queensland, 80 Meier's Rd, Indooroopilly, Queensland 4068, Australia
| | - Gavin Pereira
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia; enAble Institute, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
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Pivonello C, Patalano R, Simeoli C, Montò T, Negri M, Amatrudo F, Di Paola N, Larocca A, Crescenzo EM, Pirchio R, Solari D, de Angelis C, Auriemma RS, Cavallo LM, Colao A, Pivonello R. Circulating myomiRNAs as biomarkers in patients with Cushing's syndrome. J Endocrinol Invest 2024; 47:655-669. [PMID: 37682493 PMCID: PMC10904409 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02184-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Impairment of skeletal muscle mass and strength affects 40-70% of patients with active Cushing's syndrome (CS). Glucocorticoid excess sustains muscle atrophy and weakness, while muscle-specific microRNAs (myomiRs) level changes were associated with muscle organization and function perturbation. The aim of the current study is to explore changes in circulating myomiRs in CS patients compared to healthy controls and their involvement in IGFI/PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway regulation in skeletal muscle. METHODS C2C12, mouse myocytes, were exposed to hydrocortisone (HC), and atrophy-related gene expression was investigated by RT-qPCR, WB and IF to assess HC-mediated atrophic signalling. miRNAs were evaluated in HC-treated C2C12 by PCR Arrays. MyomiRs significantly overexpressed in C2C12 were investigated in 37 CS patients and 24 healthy controls serum by RT-qPCR. The anti-anabolic role of circulating miRNAs significantly upregulated in CS patients was explored in C2C12 by investigating the IGFI/PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway regulation. RESULTS HC induced higher expression of atrophy-related genes, miR-133a-3p, miR-122-5p and miR-200b-3p in C2C12 compared to untreated cells. Conversely, the anabolic IGFI/PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling was reduced and this effect was mediated by miR-133a-3p. In CS patients miR-133a-3p and miR-200b-3p revealed higher circulating levels (p < 0.0001, respectively) compared to controls. ROC curves for miR-133a-3p (AUC 0.823, p < 0.0001) and miR-200b-3p (AUC 0.850, p < 0.0001) demonstrated that both myomiRs represent potential biomarkers to discriminate between CS and healthy subjects. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that circulating levels of miR-133a-3p are directly correlated with 24 h urinary-free cortisol level (r = 0.468, p = 0.004) in CS patients. CONCLUSIONS HC induces atrophic signals by miR-133a-3p overexpression in mouse myocytes and humans. Circulating miR-133a-3p is promising biomarkers of hypercortisolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Pivonello
- Department of Public Health, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - R Patalano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Diabetologia, Andrologia e Nutrizione, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - C Simeoli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Diabetologia, Andrologia e Nutrizione, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - T Montò
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Diabetologia, Andrologia e Nutrizione, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - M Negri
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Diabetologia, Andrologia e Nutrizione, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - F Amatrudo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Diabetologia, Andrologia e Nutrizione, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - N Di Paola
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Diabetologia, Andrologia e Nutrizione, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - A Larocca
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Diabetologia, Andrologia e Nutrizione, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - E M Crescenzo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Diabetologia, Andrologia e Nutrizione, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - R Pirchio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Diabetologia, Andrologia e Nutrizione, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - D Solari
- Department of Neuroscience, Division of Neurosurgery, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - C de Angelis
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Diabetologia, Andrologia e Nutrizione, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - R S Auriemma
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Diabetologia, Andrologia e Nutrizione, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - L M Cavallo
- Department of Neuroscience, Division of Neurosurgery, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - A Colao
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Diabetologia, Andrologia e Nutrizione, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
- UNESCO Chair for Health Education and Sustainable Development, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - R Pivonello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Diabetologia, Andrologia e Nutrizione, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy.
- UNESCO Chair for Health Education and Sustainable Development, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
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Ramalho D, Araújo A, Correia S, Rocha G, Alves H, Oliveira MJ. Deleterious effects of endogenous hypercortisolism on brain structure: What do we know? ANNALES D'ENDOCRINOLOGIE 2024; 85:85-88. [PMID: 37722975 DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2023.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Ramalho
- Endocrinology Department, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Rua Conceição Fernandes, s/n, 4434-502, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
| | - André Araújo
- Neuroradiology Department, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Rua Conceição Fernandes, s/n, 4434-502, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Sara Correia
- Endocrinology Department, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Rua Conceição Fernandes, s/n, 4434-502, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Gustavo Rocha
- Endocrinology Department, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Rua Conceição Fernandes, s/n, 4434-502, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Helena Alves
- Endocrinology Department, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Rua Conceição Fernandes, s/n, 4434-502, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Maria João Oliveira
- Endocrinology Department, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Rua Conceição Fernandes, s/n, 4434-502, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
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Page‐Wilson G, Oak B, Silber A, Okeyo JC, Ortiz N, O'Hara M, Moloney S, Geer EB. Holistic burden of illness in patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome: A systematic literature review. Endocrinol Diabetes Metab 2024; 7:e464. [PMID: 38124436 PMCID: PMC10782070 DOI: 10.1002/edm2.464] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this systematic literature review (SLR) was to summarize the latest studies evaluating the burden of illness in endogenous Cushing's syndrome (CS), including the impact of CS on overall and domain-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the economic burden of CS to provide a holistic understanding of disease and treatment burden. METHODS An SLR was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE and Embase using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist to identify peer-reviewed manuscripts and conference abstracts published in English from 2015 to December 4, 2020. RESULTS Forty-five publications were eligible for inclusion; data were extracted from 37 primary studies while 8 SLRs were included for reference only. Thirty-one studies reported HRQoL using validated patient reported outcome (PRO) measures in pre- or post-surgery, radiotherapy and pharmacotherapy patients. Overall, this SLR found that patients with CS have worse outcomes relative to healthy populations across specific dimensions, such as depression, despite an improvement in HRQoL post-treatment. These findings reveal that CS symptoms are not fully resolved by the existing care paradigm. Few studies report on the economic burden of CS and currently available data indicate a high direct healthcare system cost burden. CONCLUSIONS Patients with CS experience a significant, complex and multifactorial HRQoL burden. Symptom-specific burden studies are sparse in the literature and the understanding of long-term CS symptomatic burden and economic burden is limited. This review intends to provide an updated reference for clinicians, payers and other stakeholders on the burden of CS as reported in published literature and to encourage further research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Page‐Wilson
- Division of EndocrinologyColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | | | | | - Janetricks C. Okeyo
- Formerly at Strongbridge Biopharma plc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Xeris Biopharma Holdings, Inc.TrevosePennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Nancy Ortiz
- Formerly at Strongbridge Biopharma plc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Xeris Biopharma Holdings, Inc.TrevosePennsylvaniaUSA
| | | | - Stephen Moloney
- Formerly at Strongbridge Biopharma plc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Xeris Biopharma Holdings, Inc.TrevosePennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Eliza B. Geer
- Multidisciplinary Pituitary and Skull Base Tumor CenterMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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Pofi R, Caratti G, Ray DW, Tomlinson JW. Treating the Side Effects of Exogenous Glucocorticoids; Can We Separate the Good From the Bad? Endocr Rev 2023; 44:975-1011. [PMID: 37253115 PMCID: PMC10638606 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnad016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
It is estimated that 2% to 3% of the population are currently prescribed systemic or topical glucocorticoid treatment. The potent anti-inflammatory action of glucocorticoids to deliver therapeutic benefit is not in doubt. However, the side effects associated with their use, including central weight gain, hypertension, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and osteoporosis, often collectively termed iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome, are associated with a significant health and economic burden. The precise cellular mechanisms underpinning the differential action of glucocorticoids to drive the desirable and undesirable effects are still not completely understood. Faced with the unmet clinical need to limit glucocorticoid-induced adverse effects alongside ensuring the preservation of anti-inflammatory actions, several strategies have been pursued. The coprescription of existing licensed drugs to treat incident adverse effects can be effective, but data examining the prevention of adverse effects are limited. Novel selective glucocorticoid receptor agonists and selective glucocorticoid receptor modulators have been designed that aim to specifically and selectively activate anti-inflammatory responses based upon their interaction with the glucocorticoid receptor. Several of these compounds are currently in clinical trials to evaluate their efficacy. More recently, strategies exploiting tissue-specific glucocorticoid metabolism through the isoforms of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase has shown early potential, although data from clinical trials are limited. The aim of any treatment is to maximize benefit while minimizing risk, and within this review we define the adverse effect profile associated with glucocorticoid use and evaluate current and developing strategies that aim to limit side effects but preserve desirable therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Pofi
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford OX3 7LE, UK
| | - Giorgio Caratti
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford OX3 7LE, UK
| | - David W Ray
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford OX3 7LE, UK
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Oxford Kavli Centre for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX37LE, UK
| | - Jeremy W Tomlinson
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford OX3 7LE, UK
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Cheng H, Gao L, Jing R, Hou B, Guo X, Yao Y, Feng M, Xing B, Feng F, Fan Y. Reversibility of Impaired Large-Scale Functional Brain Networks in Cushing's Disease after Surgery Treatment: A Longitudinal Study. Neuroendocrinology 2023; 114:250-262. [PMID: 37913760 PMCID: PMC10911171 DOI: 10.1159/000534789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic exposure to excessive endogenous cortisol leads to brain changes in Cushing's disease (CD). However, it remains unclear how CD affects large-scale functional networks (FNs) and whether these effects are reversible after treatment. This study aimed to investigate functional network changes of CD patients and their reversibility in a longitudinal cohort. METHODS Active CD patients (N = 37) were treated by transsphenoidal pituitary surgery and reexamined 3 months later. FNs were computed from resting-state fMRI data of the CD patients and matched normal controls (NCs, N = 37). A pattern classifier was built on the FNs to distinguish active CD patients from controls and applied to FNs of the CD patients at the 3-month follow-up. Two subgroups of endocrine-remitted CD patients were identified according to their classification scores, referred to as image-based phenotypically (IBP) recovered and unrecovered CD patients, respectively. The informative FNs identified by the classification model were compared between NCs, active CD patients, and endocrine-remitted patients as well as between IBP recovered and unrecovered CD patients to explore their functional network reversibility. RESULTS All 37 CD patients reached endocrine remission after treatment. The classification model identified three informative FNs, including cerebellar network (CerebN), fronto-parietal network (FPN), and default mode network. Among them, CerebN and FPN partially recovered toward normal at 3 months after treatment. Moreover, the informative FNs were correlated with 24-h urinary-free cortisol and emotion scales in CD patients. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that CD patients have aberrant FNs that are partially reversible toward normal after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hewei Cheng
- Research Center of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, PR China
- Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Digital Medical Equipment and Systems, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, PR China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Medical Electronics and Information Technology, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Lu Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
- China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, China Pituitary Adenoma Specialist Council, Beijing, PR China
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
| | - Rixing Jing
- School of Instrument Science and Opto-Electronic Engineering, Beijing Information Science and Technology University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Bo Hou
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xiaopeng Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
- China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, China Pituitary Adenoma Specialist Council, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yong Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
- China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, China Pituitary Adenoma Specialist Council, Beijing, PR China
| | - Ming Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
- China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, China Pituitary Adenoma Specialist Council, Beijing, PR China
| | - Bing Xing
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
- China Pituitary Disease Registry Center, China Pituitary Adenoma Specialist Council, Beijing, PR China
| | - Feng Feng
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yong Fan
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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10
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De Alcubierre D, Ferrari D, Mauro G, Isidori AM, Tomlinson JW, Pofi R. Glucocorticoids and cognitive function: a walkthrough in endogenous and exogenous alterations. J Endocrinol Invest 2023; 46:1961-1982. [PMID: 37058223 PMCID: PMC10514174 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02091-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis exerts many actions on the central nervous system (CNS) aside from stress regulation. Glucocorticoids (GCs) play an important role in affecting several cognitive functions through the effects on both glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptors (MR). In this review, we aim to unravel the spectrum of cognitive dysfunction secondary to derangement of circulating levels of endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoids. METHODS All relevant human prospective and retrospective studies published up to 2022 in PubMed reporting information on HPA disorders, GCs, and cognition were included. RESULTS Cognitive impairment is commonly found in GC-related disorders. The main brain areas affected are the hippocampus and pre-frontal cortex, with memory being the most affected domain. Disease duration, circadian rhythm disruption, circulating GCs levels, and unbalanced MR/GR activation are all risk factors for cognitive decline in these patients, albeit with conflicting data among different conditions. Lack of normalization of cognitive dysfunction after treatment is potentially attributable to GC-dependent structural brain alterations, which can persist even after long-term remission. CONCLUSION The recognition of cognitive deficits in patients with GC-related disorders is challenging, often delayed, or mistaken. Prompt recognition and treatment of underlying disease may be important to avoid a long-lasting impact on GC-sensitive areas of the brain. However, the resolution of hormonal imbalance is not always followed by complete recovery, suggesting irreversible adverse effects on the CNS, for which there are no specific treatments. Further studies are needed to find the mechanisms involved, which may eventually be targeted for treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- D De Alcubierre
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - D Ferrari
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - G Mauro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - A M Isidori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - J W Tomlinson
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - R Pofi
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK.
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11
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Antonoudiou P, Stone B, Colmers PLW, Evans-Strong A, Walton N, Maguire J. Influence of chronic stress on network states governing valence processing: Potential relevance to the risk for psychiatric illnesses. J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13274. [PMID: 37186481 PMCID: PMC11025365 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Stress is a major risk factor for psychiatric illnesses and understanding the mechanisms through which stress disrupts behavioral states is imperative to understanding the underlying pathophysiology of mood disorders. Both chronic stress and early life stress alter valence processing, the process of assigning value to sensory inputs and experiences (positive or negative), which determines subsequent behavior and is essential for emotional processing and ultimately survival. Stress disrupts valence processing in both humans and preclinical models, favoring negative valence processing and impairing positive valence processing. Valence assignment involves neural computations performed in emotional processing hubs, including the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and ventral hippocampus, which can be influenced by neuroendocrine mediators. Oscillations within and between these regions are critical for the neural computations necessary to perform valence processing functions. Major advances in the field have demonstrated a role for oscillatory states in valence processing under physiological conditions and emerging studies are exploring how these network states are altered under pathophysiological conditions and impacted by neuroendocrine factors. The current review highlights what is currently known regarding the impact of stress and the role of neuroendocrine mediators on network states and valence processing. Further, we propose a model in which chronic stress alters information routing through emotional processing hubs, resulting in a facilitation of negative valence processing and a suppression of positive valence processing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bradly Stone
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Najah Walton
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jamie Maguire
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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12
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Rusch JA, Layden BT, Dugas LR. Signalling cognition: the gut microbiota and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1130689. [PMID: 37404311 PMCID: PMC10316519 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1130689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive function in humans depends on the complex and interplay between multiple body systems, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The gut microbiota, which vastly outnumbers human cells and has a genetic potential that exceeds that of the human genome, plays a crucial role in this interplay. The microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis is a bidirectional signalling pathway that operates through neural, endocrine, immune, and metabolic pathways. One of the major neuroendocrine systems responding to stress is the HPA axis which produces glucocorticoids such as cortisol in humans and corticosterone in rodents. Appropriate concentrations of cortisol are essential for normal neurodevelopment and function, as well as cognitive processes such as learning and memory, and studies have shown that microbes modulate the HPA axis throughout life. Stress can significantly impact the MGB axis via the HPA axis and other pathways. Animal research has advanced our understanding of these mechanisms and pathways, leading to a paradigm shift in conceptual thinking about the influence of the microbiota on human health and disease. Preclinical and human trials are currently underway to determine how these animal models translate to humans. In this review article, we summarize the current knowledge of the relationship between the gut microbiota, HPA axis, and cognition, and provide an overview of the main findings and conclusions in this broad field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jody A. Rusch
- Division of Chemical Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- C17 Chemical Pathology Laboratory, Groote Schuur Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Brian T. Layden
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Medicine, Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Lara R. Dugas
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Public Health Sciences, Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
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13
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Yin X, Chen S, Ju X, Hu X. Case report: Treatment-resistant depression with acute psychosis in an adolescent girl with Cushing's syndrome. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1170890. [PMID: 37333925 PMCID: PMC10272371 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1170890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Cushing's syndrome (CS) is a rare disease with multiple somatic signs and a high prevalence of co-occurring depression. However, the characteristics of depression secondary to CS and the differences from major depression have not been described in detail. In this case, we report a 17-year-old girl with treatment-resistant depression with a series of atypical features and acute psychotic episodes, which is a rare condition secondary to CS. This case showed a more detailed profile of depression secondary to CS and highlighted the differences with major depression in clinical features, and it will improve insight into the differential diagnosis especially when the symptoms are not typical.
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14
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Sulu C, Koca O, Icli TB, Oz A, Kargin OA, Durcan E, Sahin S, Arslan S, Turan S, Kadioglu P, Ozkaya HM. Altered thalamic volume in patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion: a structural brain MRI study. Neuroradiology 2023; 65:1037-1051. [PMID: 37121916 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-023-03156-3] [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: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare thalamic volume and cognitive functions of patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) with control subjects and patients with overt Cushing's syndrome (CS). METHODS In this cross-sectional study, volumes of regions of interest were assessed using 3 T magnetic resonance imaging and a voxel-based morphometry approach in 23 patients with MACS, 21 patients with active CS, 27 patients with CS in remission, and 21 control subjects. Cognitive functions were assessed using validated questionnaires. RESULTS Patients with MACS had smaller left thalamic (F = 3.8, p = 0.023), left posterior thalamic (F = 4.9, p = 0.01), left medial thalamic (F = 4.7, p = 0.028), and right lateral thalamic (F = 4.1, p = 0.025) volumes than control subjects. Patients with active CS also had smaller left thalamic (F = 3.8, p = 0.044), left posterior thalamic (F = 4.9, p = 0.007), left medial thalamic (F = 4.7, p = 0.006), and right lateral thalamic (F = 4.1, p = 0.042) volumes compared to controls. Patients with CS in remission had smaller left medial (F = 4.7, p = 0.030) and right lateral thalamic (F = 4.1, p = 0.028) volumes than controls. Neuropsychological tests showed no difference between the groups. CONCLUSION MACS may decrease thalamic volume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cem Sulu
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Oguzhan Koca
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Tevhide Betul Icli
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Ahmet Oz
- Department of Radiology, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Osman Aykan Kargin
- Department of Radiology, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | | | - Serdar Sahin
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Serdar Arslan
- Department of Radiology, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Senol Turan
- Department of Psychiatry, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Pinar Kadioglu
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Pituitary Center, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Hande Mefkure Ozkaya
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye.
- Pituitary Center, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye.
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15
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Lin K, Sunko D, Wang J, Yang J, Parsey R, DeLorenzo C. Investigating The Relationship Between Hippocampus:Dentate Gyrus Volume and Hypothalamus Metabolism in Participants with Major Depressive Disorder. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2729363. [PMID: 37066238 PMCID: PMC10104266 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2729363/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Reduced hippocampal volume occurs in major depressive disorder (MDD), theoretically due to elevated glucocorticoids from an overactivated hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. To examine this in humans, hippocampal volume, and hypothalamus (HPA axis) metabolism was quantified in participants with MDD before and after antidepressant treatment. 65 participants (n = 24 males, n = 41 females) with MDD were treated in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial of escitalopram. Participants received simultaneous positron emission tomography (PET) / magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after treatment. Linear mixed models examined the relationship between hippocampus/dentate gyrus volume and hypothalamus metabolism. Chi-squared tests and multivariable logistic regression examined the association between hippocampus/dentate gyrus volume change direction and hypothalamus activity change direction with treatment. Multiple linear regression compared these changes between remitter and non-remitter groups. Covariates included age, sex, and treatment type. No significant linear association was found between hippocampus/dentate gyrus volume and hypothalamus metabolism. 62% (38 of 61) of participants experienced a decrease in hypothalamus metabolism, 43% (27 of 63) of participants demonstrated an increase in hippocampus size (51% [32 of 63] for the dentate gyrus) following treatment. No significant association was found between change in hypothalamus activity and change in hippocampus/dentate gyrus volume, and this association did not vary by sex, medication, or remission status. As this multimodal study, in a cohort of participants on standardized treatment, did not find an association between hypothalamus metabolism and hippocampal volume, it supports a more complex pathway between hippocampus neurogenesis and treatment response.
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16
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Harbeck B, Kropp P, Kreitschmann-Andermahr I. Glucocorticoid replacement therapy for primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency and their impact on cognition. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1153595. [PMID: 37008924 PMCID: PMC10064134 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1153595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) are treated with conventional or modified-release glucocorticoid (GC) replacement therapy (GRT). Although current GRT regimens aim to mimic the physiological circadian pattern of cortisol secretion, temporary phases of hypo- and hypercortisolism are common. There is good evidence that prolonged phases of hypo- or hypercortisolism are associated with impaired cognitive functioning. However, little is known about cognitive functioning in patients with AI regarding the effects of dosage and duration of glucocorticoid replacement therapy. There is also little data available comparing the effects of GC therapy on patients with primary and secondary forms of AI as well as with respect to different formulas. This Mini-Review gives an overview of the current studies on GRT for primary and secondary AI and their impact on cognition. Strengths and weaknesses of the studies and their Implications for clinical daily routine are discussed with a special emphasis on practical considerations for the treating endocrinologist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Harbeck
- III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum (MVZ) Amedes Experts, Endocrinology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Kropp
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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17
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James KA, Stromin JI, Steenkamp N, Combrinck MI. Understanding the relationships between physiological and psychosocial stress, cortisol and cognition. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1085950. [PMID: 36950689 PMCID: PMC10025564 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1085950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress is viewed as a state of real or perceived threat to homeostasis, the management of which involves the endocrine, nervous, and immune systems. These systems work independently and interactively as part of the stress response. The scientific stress literature, which spans both animal and human studies, contains heterogeneous findings about the effects of stress on the brain and the body. This review seeks to summarise and integrate literature on the relationships between these systems, examining particularly the roles of physiological and psychosocial stress, the stress hormone cortisol, as controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and the effects of stress on cognitive functioning. Health conditions related to impaired HPA axis functioning and their associated neuropsychiatric symptoms will also be considered. Lastly, this review will provide suggestions of clinical applicability for endocrinologists who are uniquely placed to measure outcomes related to endocrine, nervous and immune system functioning and identify areas of intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine Ann James
- Applied Cognitive Science and Experimental Neuropsychology Team (ACSENT) Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Juliet Ilena Stromin
- Applied Cognitive Science and Experimental Neuropsychology Team (ACSENT) Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nina Steenkamp
- Applied Cognitive Science and Experimental Neuropsychology Team (ACSENT) Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marc Irwin Combrinck
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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18
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Liu MS, Tian ZY, Zhang Z, Yang F, Lou Y, Wang YJ, Zeng YJ, Zhang ZW, Zhu DL, Li P. Impaired Cognitive Function in Patients With Autonomous Cortisol Secretion in Adrenal Incidentalomas. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:633-641. [PMID: 36263685 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Glucocorticoids have potent effects on the central nervous system. However, while patients with Cushing syndrome frequently report impairments in cognitive function, studies investigating cognitive function in patients with autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) in adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) are scarce. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to evaluate neurocognitive function in patients with ACS. METHODS We prospectively recruited 63 patients with AI, 36 patients with nonfunctional adrenal adenoma (NFA) (46.5 ± 10.5 years), and 27 patients with ACS (48.6 ± 9.1 years); these patients underwent a battery of validated neuropsychological tests. ACS was diagnosed when serum cortisol levels after a 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (cortisol1 mg DST) ≥ 50 nmol/L. RESULTS Patients with ACS had higher frequency of subjective memory complaints (40.7% vs 13.9%, P < 0.05) and higher proportion of mild cognitive impairment (22.2% vs 2.8%, P < 0.05) than patients with NFA. Furthermore, patients with ACS had worse performance on working memory and the visuospatial/constructional domain than patients with NFA (all P < 0.05). Serum cortisol1 mg DST was negatively correlated with working memory and visuospatial/constructional domains (r = -0.307 and -0.306, respectively, all P < 0.05). Performance on working memory and visuospatial/constructional domains gradually deteriorated with increases in serum cortisol1 mg DST (all P values for trend < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that serum cortisol1 mg DST was a significant risk factor for impairment of working memory and visuospatial/constructional domains (B = -0.006 and -0.043, respectively, all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION This study is the first to report that ACS is accompanied by impaired cognitive function. Consequently, cognitive function assessment should be incorporated into the clinical evaluation of patients with ACS. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05357456.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Si Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zhao-Yang Tian
- Department of Endocrinology, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School, Branch of National Clinical Research Centre for Metabolic Diseases, Nanjing 210008, China
- Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Medical Center, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zhou Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School, Branch of National Clinical Research Centre for Metabolic Diseases, Nanjing 210008, China
- Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Medical Center, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School, Branch of National Clinical Research Centre for Metabolic Diseases, Nanjing 210008, China
- Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Medical Center, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yuan Lou
- Department of Endocrinology, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School, Branch of National Clinical Research Centre for Metabolic Diseases, Nanjing 210008, China
- Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Medical Center, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yi-Jie Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yang-Jie Zeng
- Department of Endocrinology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zi-Wei Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School, Branch of National Clinical Research Centre for Metabolic Diseases, Nanjing 210008, China
- Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Medical Center, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Da-Long Zhu
- Department of Endocrinology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing 210008, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School, Branch of National Clinical Research Centre for Metabolic Diseases, Nanjing 210008, China
- Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Medical Center, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School, Branch of National Clinical Research Centre for Metabolic Diseases, Nanjing 210008, China
- Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Medical Center, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
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19
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Viho EMG, Kroon J, Feelders RA, Houtman R, van den Dungen ESR, Pereira AM, Hunt HJ, Hofland LJ, Meijer OC. Peripheral glucocorticoid receptor antagonism by relacorilant with modest HPA axis disinhibition. J Endocrinol 2023; 256:JOE-22-0263. [PMID: 36445262 PMCID: PMC9874980 DOI: 10.1530/joe-22-0263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoid stress hormones are produced in response to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation. Glucocorticoids are essential for physiology and exert numerous actions via binding to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Relacorilant is a highly selective GR antagonist currently undergoing a phase 3 clinical evaluation for the treatment of endogenous Cushing's syndrome. It was found that increases in serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol concentrations after relacorilant treatment were substantially less than the increases typically observed with mifepristone, but it is unclear what underlies these differences. In this study, we set out to further preclinically characterize relacorilant in comparison to the classical but non-selective GR antagonist mifepristone. In human HEK-293 cells, relacorilant potently antagonized dexamethasone- and cortisol-induced GR signaling, and in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, relacorilant largely prevented the anti-inflammatory effects of dexamethasone. In mice, relacorilant treatment prevented hyperinsulinemia and immunosuppression caused by increased corticosterone exposure. Relacorilant treatment reduced the expression of classical GR target genes in peripheral tissues but not in the brain. In mice, relacorilant induced a modest disinhibition of the HPA axis as compared to mifepristone. In line with this, in mouse pituitary cells, relacorilant was generally less potent than mifepristone in regulating Pomc mRNA and ACTH release. This contrast between relacorilant and mifepristone is possibly due to the distinct transcriptional coregulator recruitment by the GR. In conclusion, relacorilant is thus an efficacious peripheral GR antagonist in mice with only modest disinhibition of the HPA axis, and the distinct properties of relacorilant endorse the potential of selective GR antagonist treatment for endogenous Cushing's syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M G Viho
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Kroon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Corcept Therapeutics, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Richard A Feelders
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Alberto M Pereira
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Leo J Hofland
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Corcept Therapeutics, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- Correspondence should be addressed to O C Meijer:
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20
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Rakovec M, Zhu W, Khalafallah AM, Salvatori R, Hamrahian AH, Gallia GL, Ishii M, London NR, Ramanathan M, Rowan NR, Mukherjee D. Patient reported outcomes and treatment satisfaction in patients with cushing syndrome. Endocrine 2023; 79:161-170. [PMID: 36227510 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-022-03214-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cushing Syndrome (CS) is a rare endocrine disorder associated with physical and mental symptoms that can drastically affect quality of life (QoL). This study characterizes QoL in patients with CS, describes their treatment experiences, and identifies patient subsets associated with decreased QoL or shared impressions of treatment. METHODS A 136-question survey addressing QoL factors and treatment experiences was completed by adult patients with CS from the Cushing Support and Research Foundation. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment information were collected. Bivariate analyses were conducted to determine if patients' symptoms or treatment experiences were significantly associated with demographics or other variables. RESULTS A total of 178 patients, predominantly female (94%) with mean age 53 years, completed the survey. Anxiety and/or depression (n = 163, 94%), loss of physical strength (n = 164, 93%), loneliness (n = 156, 90%), fatigue from treatment (n = 142, 89%), memory loss (n = 153, 88%), insomnia (n = 144, 83%), and pain (n = 141, 83%) were symptoms most commonly experienced by respondents. Patients experiencing delay of diagnosis >10 years were more likely to have suicidal thoughts (p = 0.002). Younger patients were more likely to express concerns about hair loss (p = 0.007), loneliness (p = 0.025), pain (p = 0.004), or the impact of CS on their marriage (p = 0.039) or children (p = 0.024). CONCLUSION This survey demonstrates CS impacts patients across many dimensions, emphasizing the need for holistic support. We identified patient subsets in which QoL may be improved with additional patient resources or provider attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen Rakovec
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - William Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Adham M Khalafallah
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Roberto Salvatori
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Amir H Hamrahian
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Gary L Gallia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Masaru Ishii
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Nyall R London
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Murugappan Ramanathan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Nicholas R Rowan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Debraj Mukherjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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21
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Ballaz S, Bourin M. Anti-Inflammatory Therapy as a Promising Target in Neuropsychiatric Disorders. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1411:459-486. [PMID: 36949322 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-7376-5_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
This chapter analyzes the therapeutic potential of current anti-inflammatory drugs in treating psychiatric diseases from a neuro-immunological perspective. Based on the bidirectional brain-immune system relationship, the rationale is that a dysregulated inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of psychiatric and neurological disorders, while the immunology function is associated with psychological variables like stress, affective disorders, and psychosis. Under certain social, psychological, and environmental conditions and biological factors, a healthy inflammatory response and the associated "sickness behavior," which are aimed to resolve a physical injury and microbial threat, become harmful to the central nervous system. The features and mechanisms of the inflammatory response are described across the main mental illnesses with a special emphasis on the profile of cytokines and the function of the HPA axis. Next, it is reviewed the potential clinical utility of immunotherapy (cytokine agonists and antagonists), glucocorticoids, unconventional anti-inflammatory agents (statins, minocycline, statins, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)), the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and particularly celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) inhibitor, as adjuvants of conventional psychiatric medications. The implementation of anti-inflammatory therapies holds great promise in psychiatry. Because the inflammatory background may account for the etiology and/or progression of psychiatric disorders only in a subset of patients, there is a need to elucidate the immune underpinnings of the mental illness progression, relapse, and remission. The identification of immune-related bio-signatures will ideally assist in the stratification of the psychiatric patient to predict the risk of mental disease, the prognosis, and the response to anti-inflammatory therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Ballaz
- School of Biological Science and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Urcuquí, Ecuador
- Medical School, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Samborondón, Ecuador
| | - Michel Bourin
- Neurobiology of Anxiety and Mood Disorders, University of Nantes, Nantes, France.
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22
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Wydra A, Cylke-Falkowska K, Czajka-Oraniec I, Kolasińska-Ćwikła A, Ćwikła J, Zgliczyński W, Stelmachowska-Banaś M. Severe ectopic Cushing syndrome in a transgender man with a metastatic gastrinoma and an adrenal tumor-A case report and review of the literature. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1135016. [PMID: 37008936 PMCID: PMC10061007 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1135016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
A 38-year-old transgender man with advanced metastatic functional pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (PanNEN) gastrinoma was admitted to the Department of Endocrinology due to severe ACTH-dependent hypercortisolemia. An ectopic production of ACTH by PanNEN was suspected. The patient qualified for bilateral adrenalectomy after preoperative treatment with metyrapone. Finally, the patient underwent resection of the left adrenal gland with the tumor only, which surprisingly resulted in a significant decrease in ACTH and cortisol levels, leading to clinical improvement. Pathology report revealed an adenoma of the adrenal cortex with positive ACTH staining. The result of the simultaneous liver lesion biopsy confirmed a metastatic NEN G2 with positive ACTH immunostaining as well. We looked for a correlation between gender-affirming hormone treatment and the onset of the disease and its rapid progression. This may be the first case describing the coexistence of gastrinoma and ectopic Cushing disease in a transsexual patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnika Wydra
- Department of Endocrinology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Agnieszka Kolasińska-Ćwikła
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Maria Skłodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Radiology, Maria Skłodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jarosław Ćwikła
- Department of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Medical School University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland
- Diagnostic and Therapy Center – Gammed, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wojciech Zgliczyński
- Department of Endocrinology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maria Stelmachowska-Banaś
- Department of Endocrinology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
- *Correspondence: Maria Stelmachowska-Banaś,
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23
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Han Y, Gu S, Li Y, Qian X, Wang F, Huang JH. Neuroendocrine pathogenesis of perimenopausal depression. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1162501. [PMID: 37065890 PMCID: PMC10098367 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1162501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
With the development of social economics and the increase of working pressure, more and more women are suffering from long-term serious stress and showing symptoms of perimenopausal depression (PMD). The incidence rate of PMD is increasing, and the physical and mental health are seriously affected. However, due to the lack of accurate knowledge of pathophysiology, its diagnosis and treatment cannot be accurately executed. By consulting the relevant literature in recent years, this paper elaborates the neuroendocrine mechanism of perimenopausal depression from the aspects of epigenetic changes, monoamine neurotransmitter and receptor hypothesis, glial cell-induced neuroinflammation, estrogen receptor, interaction between HPA axis and HPG axis, and micro-organism-brain gut axis. The purpose is to probe into new ways of treatment of PMD by providing new knowledge about the neuroendocrine mechanism and treatment of PMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuping Han
- Department of Psychology, Medical School, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Simeng Gu
- Department of Psychology, Medical School, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- *Correspondence: Simeng Gu,
| | - Yumeng Li
- Department of Psychology, Medical School, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Xin Qian
- Department of Psychology, Medical School, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Fushun Wang
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jason H. Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor Scott and White Health, Temple, TX, United States
- Department of Surgery, Texas A&M University, Temple, TX, United States
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24
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Sungura R, Shirima G, Spitsbergen J, Mpolya E, Vianney JM. A case-control study on the driving factors of childhood brain volume loss: What pediatricians must explore. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276433. [PMID: 36584214 PMCID: PMC9803277 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The brain volume loss also known as brain atrophy is increasingly observed among children in the course of performing neuroimaging using CT scan and MRI brains. While severe forms of brain volume loss are frequently associated with neurocognitive changes due to effects on thought processing speed, reasoning and memory of children that eventually alter their general personality, most clinicians embark themselves in managing the neurological manifestations of brain atrophy in childhood and less is known regarding the offending factors responsible for developing pre-senile brain atrophy. It was therefore the goal of this study to explore the factors that drive the occurrence of childhood brain volume under the guidance of brain CT scan quantitative evaluation. METHODS This study was a case-control study involving 168 subjects with brain atrophy who were compared with 168 age and gender matched control subjects with normal brains on CT scan under the age of 18 years. All the children with brain CT scan were subjected to an intense review of their birth and medical history including laboratory investigation reports. RESULTS Results showed significant and influential risk factors for brain atrophy in varying trends among children including age between 14-17(OR = 1.1), male gender (OR = 1.9), birth outside facility (OR = 0.99), immaturity (OR = 1.04), malnutrition (OR = 0.97), head trauma (OR = 1.02), maternal alcoholism (OR = 1.0), antiepileptic drugs & convulsive disorders (OR = 1.0), radiation injury (OR = 1.06), space occupying lesions and ICP (OR = 1.01) and birth injury/asphyxia (OR = 1.02). CONCLUSIONS Pathological reduction of brain volume in childhood exhibits a steady trend with the increase in pediatric age, with space occupying lesions & intracranial pressure being the most profound causes of brain atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Sungura
- Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Nelson Mandela- African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
- * E-mail:
| | - Gabriel Shirima
- Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Nelson Mandela- African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - John Spitsbergen
- Department of Neuroscience, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, United States of America
| | - Emmanuel Mpolya
- Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Nelson Mandela- African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - John-Mary Vianney
- Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Science, Nelson Mandela- African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
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25
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Sulu C, Karadayi Kaynak G, Koskun T, Koca O, Icli TB, Kavla Y, Ozkaya HM, Turan S, Eskin M, Kadioglu P. Problem-solving therapy can reduce psychological distress in patients with Cushing's disease: a randomized controlled trial. Pituitary 2022; 25:891-902. [PMID: 36050587 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-022-01275-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of online group problem-solving therapy (PST) for reducing negative problem orientation (NPO), psychological distress, and increasing quality of life in patients with Cushing's disease (CD). METHODS In this randomized trial, we allocated 55 eligible patients to either PST (n = 28) or treatment as usual (TAU) (n = 27) groups. The analyses primarily relied on intent-to-treat (ITT) principle and were repeated with intervention completers (per-protocol analyses). Social problem-solving inventory-revised short form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), The Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Cushing's Quality of Life scale were used. Pre-test, post-test, and follow-up measures were obtained. Linear mixed models were used to compare PST and treatment as usual (TAU) groups across time. RESULTS Of the total 55 patients with CD, the mean age was 46 ± 12 years, 49 patients (89%) were female, and 41 patients (74.5%) were in remission. The patients within the PST and TAU groups were similar in terms of age, sex, and disease activity. ITT analyses showed a greater reduction of NPO scores in patients who received PST as compared to patients who received usual care (df = 45.9, p = 0.029, Cohen's d = 0.47). The decrease in NPO was sustained at follow-up (mean difference: - 2.2, p = 0.007). Results of the ITT analyses revealed no superior benefits of the intervention for psychological distress. However, per-protocol analyses demonstrated that PST provided a greater decrease in BDI, PSS, and GHQ-12 scores. CONCLUSION PST may decrease NPO and improve the psychological well-being of patients with CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cem Sulu
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes-Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Tolga Koskun
- Department of Psychology, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Oguzhan Koca
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tevhide Betul Icli
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yasin Kavla
- Department of Psychiatry, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hande Mefkure Ozkaya
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes-Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
- Pituitary Center, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Senol Turan
- Department of Psychiatry, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Eskin
- Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Pinar Kadioglu
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes-Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Pituitary Center, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Kocamustafapasa Street No:53 Fatih, 34098, Istanbul, Turkey.
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26
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Pivonello R, Zacharieva S, Elenkova A, Tóth M, Shimon I, Stigliano A, Badiu C, Brue T, Georgescu CE, Tsagarakis S, Cohen F, Fleseriu M. Levoketoconazole in the treatment of patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized withdrawal study (LOGICS). Pituitary 2022; 25:911-926. [PMID: 36085339 PMCID: PMC9675660 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-022-01263-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The efficacy of levoketoconazole for endogenous Cushing's syndrome was demonstrated in a phase 3, open-label study (SONICS). This study (LOGICS) evaluated drug-specificity of cortisol normalization. METHODS LOGICS was a phase 3, placebo-controlled, randomized-withdrawal study with open-label titration-maintenance (14-19 weeks) followed by double-blind, randomized-withdrawal (~ 8 weeks), and restoration (~ 8 weeks) phases. RESULTS 79 patients received levoketoconazole during titration-maintenance; 39 patients on a stable dose (~ 4 weeks or more) proceeded to randomization. These and 5 SONICS completers who did not require dose titration were randomized to levoketoconazole (n = 22) or placebo (n = 22). All patients with loss of response (the primary endpoint) met the prespecified criterion of mean urinary free cortisol (mUFC) > 1.5 × upper limit of normal. During randomized-withdrawal, 21 patients withdrawn to placebo (95.5%) lost mUFC response compared with 9 patients continuing levoketoconazole (40.9%); treatment difference: - 54.5% (95% CI - 75.7, - 27.4; P = 0.0002). At the end of randomized-withdrawal, mUFC normalization was observed among 11 (50.0%) patients receiving levoketoconazole and 1 (4.5%) receiving placebo; treatment difference: 45.5% (95% CI 19.2, 67.9; P = 0.0015). Restoration of levoketoconazole reversed loss of cortisol control in most patients who had received placebo. Adverse events were reported in 89% of patients during treatment with levoketoconazole (dose-titration, randomized-withdrawal, and restoration phases combined), most commonly nausea (29%) and hypokalemia (26%). Prespecified adverse events of special interest with levoketoconazole were liver-related (10.7%), QT interval prolongation (10.7%), and adrenal insufficiency (9.5%). CONCLUSIONS Levoketoconazole reversibly normalized urinary cortisol in patients with Cushing's syndrome. No new risks of levoketoconazole treatment were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ilan Shimon
- Rabin Medical Center and Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Corin Badiu
- National Institute of Endocrinology CI Parhon and "C. Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Thierry Brue
- Aix-Marseille Université and Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hôpital de la Conception, Marseille, France
| | - Carmen Emanuela Georgescu
- Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Endocrinology Clinical Unit, Cluj County Emergency Hospital, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Dabbah-Assadi F, Handel R, Shamir A. What we know about the role of corticosteroids in psychiatric disorders; evidence from animal and clinical studies. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 155:363-370. [PMID: 36182765 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.09.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Corticosteroids, often known as steroids, are anti-inflammatory medicine prescribed for various conditions. There is accumulating evidence of immune dysregulation in major psychiatric disorders. Significant changes in concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers (i.e., IL-6 and TNF-a) have been previously reported in individuals with schizophrenia, autistic individuals, and depressive patients. Thus, systemic corticosteroids can be used as an adjuvant treatment to reduce inflammation in major psychiatric disorders. However, despite their well-known potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant properties, this treatment is often associated with increased severity of several psychiatric symptoms and relapse. This article reviews the available literature on psychiatric and cognitive changes during corticosteroid therapy. Specifically, we will provide data on the good and the bad of corticosteroid therapy in autism, schizophrenia, mood disorders, and PTSD. This review will summarize the vital role of corticosteroid therapy in social and cognitive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadwa Dabbah-Assadi
- Psychobiology Research Laboratory, Mazor Mental Health Center, Akko, Israel; The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ran Handel
- Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Zefat, Israel
| | - Alon Shamir
- Psychobiology Research Laboratory, Mazor Mental Health Center, Akko, Israel; The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
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28
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Rosenfeld BH, Vedere T, Hamilton P, Nam GH, Malchoff CD, Ristau BT. Resolution of manic symptoms following unilateral adrenalectomy in patient with primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia. Urol Case Rep 2022; 45:102277. [PMID: 36406008 PMCID: PMC9668685 DOI: 10.1016/j.eucr.2022.102277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH) is often associated with symptoms of cortisol excess, which may include neuropsychological symptoms. We report a patient with PBMAH who presented with manic symptoms that resolved following unilateral adrenalectomy.
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29
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Braun LT, Vogel F, Zopp S, Marchant Seiter T, Rubinstein G, Berr CM, Künzel H, Beuschlein F, Reincke M. Whom Should We Screen for Cushing Syndrome? The Endocrine Society Practice Guideline Recommendations 2008 Revisited. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:e3723-e3730. [PMID: 35730067 PMCID: PMC9387700 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Cushing syndrome (CS) is a rare and serious disease with high mortality. Patients are often diagnosed late in the course of the disease. OBJECTIVE This work investigated whether defined patient populations should be screened outside the at-risk populations defined in current guidelines. METHODS As part of the prospective German Cushing registry, we studied 377 patients with suspected CS. The chief complaint for CS referral was documented. Using urinary free cortisol, late-night salivary cortisol, and the 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test as well as long-term clinical observation, CS was confirmed in 93 patients and ruled out for the remaining 284. RESULTS Patients were referred for 18 key symptoms, of which 5 were more common in patients with CS than in those in whom CS was ruled out: osteoporosis (8% vs 2%; P = .02), adrenal incidentaloma (17% vs 8%, P = 0.01), metabolic syndrome (11% vs 4%; P = .02), myopathy (10% vs 2%; P < .001), and presence of multiple symptoms (16% vs 1%; P < .001). Obesity was more common in patients in whom CS was ruled out (30% vs 4%, P < .001), but recent weight gain was prominent in those with CS. A total of 68 of 93 patients with CS (73%) had typical chief complaints, as did 106 of 284 of patients with ruled-out CS status (37%) according to the Endocrine Society practice guideline 2008. CONCLUSION The 2008 Endocrine Society Practice guideline for screening and diagnosis of CS defined at-risk populations that should undergo testing. These recommendations are still valid in 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah T Braun
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Frederick Vogel
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Stephanie Zopp
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Marchant Seiter
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - German Rubinstein
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Christina M Berr
- Department of Endocrinology, I. Medical Clinic, University Hospital, University of Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany
| | - Heike Künzel
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Felix Beuschlein
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Klinik für Endokrinologie, Diabetologie und Klinische Ernährung, Universitätsspital Zürich (USZ) und Universität Zürich (UZH), 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Reincke
- Correspondence: Martin Reincke, MD, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, LMU Klinikum, Ziemssenstraße 5, 80336 Munich, Germany.
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30
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Godet A, Fortier A, Bannier E, Coquery N, Val-Laillet D. Interactions between emotions and eating behaviors: Main issues, neuroimaging contributions, and innovative preventive or corrective strategies. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2022; 23:807-831. [PMID: 34984602 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-021-09700-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Emotional eating is commonly defined as the tendency to (over)eat in response to emotion. Insofar as it involves the (over)consumption of high-calorie palatable foods, emotional eating is a maladaptive behavior that can lead to eating disorders, and ultimately to metabolic disorders and obesity. Emotional eating is associated with eating disorder subtypes and with abnormalities in emotion processing at a behavioral level. However, not enough is known about the neural pathways involved in both emotion processing and food intake. In this review, we provide an overview of recent neuroimaging studies, highlighting the brain correlates between emotions and eating behavior that may be involved in emotional eating. Interaction between neural and neuro-endocrine pathways (HPA axis) may be involved. In addition to behavioral interventions, there is a need for a holistic approach encompassing both neural and physiological levels to prevent emotional eating. Based on recent imaging, this review indicates that more attention should be paid to prefrontal areas, the insular and orbitofrontal cortices, and reward pathways, in addition to regions that play a major role in both the cognitive control of emotions and eating behavior. Identifying these brain regions could allow for neuromodulation interventions, including neurofeedback training, which deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambre Godet
- Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer (NuMeCan), INRAE, INSERM, Univ Rennes, St Gilles, France
| | - Alexandra Fortier
- Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer (NuMeCan), INRAE, INSERM, Univ Rennes, St Gilles, France
| | - Elise Bannier
- CRNS, INSERM, IRISA, INRIA, Univ Rennes, Empenn Rennes, France
- Radiology Department, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Nicolas Coquery
- Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer (NuMeCan), INRAE, INSERM, Univ Rennes, St Gilles, France
| | - David Val-Laillet
- Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer (NuMeCan), INRAE, INSERM, Univ Rennes, St Gilles, France.
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31
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Vogel F, Reincke M. Endocrine risk factors for COVID-19: Endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoid excess. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2022; 23:233-250. [PMID: 34241765 PMCID: PMC8267234 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-021-09670-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Patients with endogenous or exogenous glucocorticoid (GC) excess exhibit a range of side effects, including an increased risk of infections. Via both mechanism, immune impairments and cardiometabolic concomitant diseases, patients with GC excess could be at increased risk for COVID-19. The impact on incidence and outcome of a SARS-CoV-2 infection in this population are not yet completely clear. This review aims to compile the data available to date and to discuss the existing literature on this topic. Further we highlight potential effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis as well as the influence of endogenous or exogenous GC excess on SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. There is growing evidence suggesting an increased risk of infection and severe outcome in patients with high-dose GC therapy after contracting SARS-CoV-2. The few data and case reports on patients with endogenous GC excess and SARS-CoV-2 infection point in a similar direction: chronic GC excess seems to be associated with an unfavorable course of COVID-19. Whether this is mainly a primary immune-mediated effect, or also triggered by the many GC-associated comorbidities in this population, is not yet fully understood. Patients with endogenous or exogenous GC excess should be considered as a vulnerable group during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Regardless of the cause, vaccination and consistent surveillance and control of associated comorbidities are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick Vogel
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Reincke
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
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Ionadi A, Johnson JD. Interaction between corticosterone and PER2 in regulating emotional behaviors in the rat. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 137:105628. [PMID: 34952453 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Circadian rhythms play a prominent role in psychiatric health with disruption in rhythms associated with poor mental health. Corticosterone (CORT) is an important hormone in entraining the biological rhythms of many cells throughout the body and coordinating peripheral rhythms with the central master clock. Here, we tested the hypothesis that excess CORT during the circadian trough would lead to a flattening of period genes (Per1 and Per2) rhythms in limbic brain areas, and thus impact emotional behaviors. Male rats were injected daily with 2.5 mg/kg CORT or vehicle for 21 days at either ZT0 or ZT12 and sucrose preference, open field, and forced swim behaviors measured during the dark phase of the light cycle. After three weeks of injections, a reduction in sucrose preference was observed in animals injected with CORT at ZT0 and the reduction significantly correlated with reductions in Per2 mRNA expression in the central amygdala (CeA) and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). No changes in behavior or period gene expression were observed in animals injected with CORT at ZT12. DsiRNA was used to directly reduce Per2 levels in either the CeA or BNST and behavior was assessed. Despite reductions in Per2 expression in the CeA, no behavioral changes were observed. In contrast, a reduction in Per2 expression in the BNST was sufficient to reduce sucrose preference. The results demonstrate that CORT significantly contributes to the circadian expression of Period genes in certain limbic brain areas and disruption in diurnal CORT or Per2 expression can lead to impaired emotional behavioral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Ionadi
- Kent State University, School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent, OH 44240, United States
| | - John D Johnson
- Kent State University, School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent, OH 44240, United States; Kent State University, Biological Sciences Department, Kent, OH 44240, United States; Kent State University, Brain Health Research Institute, Kent, OH 44242, United States.
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Daya R, Seedat F, Blomerus E, Bulbulia S, Bayat Z. Neuropsychiatric symptoms in a patient with Cushing’s syndrome. S Afr J Psychiatr 2022; 28:1706. [PMID: 35169510 PMCID: PMC8831970 DOI: 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v28i0.1706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Cushing’s syndrome (CS) may present with different neurological and/or psychiatric symptoms including anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment and psychosis. Psychosis is a rare clinical manifestation, with literature limited to case reports. We report a case of a 52-year-old woman with psychosis secondary to CS who was mis-diagnosed as schizophrenia-like psychosis. This case highlights the importance of considering CS as a differential when ruling out medical causes in patients with either new or persistent mental health disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reyna Daya
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Helen Joseph Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Faheem Seedat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Helen Joseph Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Emilia Blomerus
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Helen Joseph Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Saajidah Bulbulia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Helen Joseph Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Zaheer Bayat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Helen Joseph Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Pathophysiology of Mild Hypercortisolism: From the Bench to the Bedside. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020673. [PMID: 35054858 PMCID: PMC8775422 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mild hypercortisolism is defined as biochemical evidence of abnormal cortisol secretion without the classical detectable manifestations of overt Cushing’s syndrome and, above all, lacking catabolic characteristics such as central muscle weakness, adipose tissue redistribution, skin fragility and unusual infections. Mild hypercortisolism is frequently discovered in patients with adrenal incidentalomas, with a prevalence ranging between 5 and 50%. This high variability is mainly due to the different criteria used for defining this condition. This subtle cortisol excess has also been described in patients with incidentally discovered pituitary tumors with an estimated prevalence of 5%. To date, the mechanisms responsible for the pathogenesis of mild hypercortisolism of pituitary origin are still not well clarified. At variance, recent advances have been made in understanding the genetic background of bilateral and unilateral adrenal adenomas causing mild hypercortisolism. Some recent data suggest that the clinical effects of glucocorticoid (GC) exposure on peripheral tissues are determined not only by the amount of the adrenal GC production but also by the peripheral GC metabolism and by the GC sensitivity. Indeed, in subjects with normal cortisol secretion, the combined estimate of cortisol secretion, cortisone-to-cortisol peripheral activation by the 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme and GC receptor sensitizing variants have been suggested to be associated with the presence of hypertension, diabetes and bone fragility, which are three well-known consequences of hypercortisolism. This review focuses on the pathophysiologic mechanism underlying both the different sources of mild hypercortisolism and their clinical consequences (bone fragility, arterial hypertension, subclinical atherosclerosis, cardiovascular remodeling, dyslipidemia, glucose metabolism impairment, visceral adiposity, infections, muscle damage, mood disorders and coagulation).
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Genetic Variation and Mendelian Randomization Approaches. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1390:327-342. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11836-4_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Castle-Kirszbaum M, Wang YY, King J, Goldschlager T. Quality of Life After Endoscopic Surgical Management of Pituitary Adenomas. Neurosurgery 2022; 90:81-91. [PMID: 34982874 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000001740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient-reported quality of life (QOL) is a vital metric for surgical success. OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of surgery on QOL in the largest prospectively collected, longitudinal cohort of surgically managed pituitary adenomas. METHODS A consecutive surgical adenoma cohort (n = 304) between late 2016 and mid-2020 underwent a scheduled overall (Anterior Skull Base Questionnaire-35) and sinonasal-specific (Sinonasal Outcome Test-22) QOL assessment. Scores were stratified by adenoma subtype and analyzed for clinical predictors of QOL changes. RESULTS The average age was 53.8 ± 16 yr, and 53% of participants were female. 60.9% of adenomas were nonfunctioning while adrenocorticotropic hormone adenomas (16.4%), growth hormone adenomas (14.1%), and prolactinomas (5.9%) were the most prevalent secreting adenomas. Baseline overall QOL differed between tumor types (P = .006), with adrenocorticotropic hormone adenomas worse than growth hormone adenomas (P = .03) and nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) (P < .001). Sinonasal QOL worsened in the 3 wk after surgery but returned to baseline by 6 wk and beyond. Overall QOL worsened at 3 wk after surgery (P < .001) but significantly improved from baseline by 3 mo (P = .009) and beyond (P < .001). Emotional functioning improved soon after surgery, followed by performance and pain, and then, by 6 mo, physical function and vitality. Predictors of improved QOL were sellar/suprasellar lesions (P = .01), prolactinomas (P = .003), and NFPA (P = .04). Conversely, new postoperative hypopituitarism (P = .04) and larger adenoma volume (P = .04) predicted QOL worsening. CONCLUSION QOL is worsened after surgery at early time points. Prolactinomas and NFPA enjoy significant QOL improvements from surgery as early as 3 mo postoperatively. Other functional tumors may experience early benefits in younger patients without hypopituitarism and when isolated to the sellar/suprasellar region. These findings provide valuable information for counseling patients and setting expectations for surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yi Yuen Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, St Vincent's Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - James King
- Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tony Goldschlager
- Department of Neurosurgery, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Jayan D, deRoon-Cassini TA, Sauber G, Hillard CJ, Fitzgerald JM. A cluster analytic approach to examining the role of cortisol in the development of post-traumatic stress and dysphoria in adult traumatic injury survivors. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 135:105450. [PMID: 34775251 PMCID: PMC8686692 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Identification of specific risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) versus depression after trauma has been challenging, in part due to the high comorbidity of these disorders. As exposure to trauma triggers activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis, examining atypical stress responses via HPA-axis hormones, namely cortisol, may help in the delineation of these disorders. Indeed, extant research demonstrates that, following stress, individuals with chronic PTSD exhibit hypocortisolism (e.g., lower cortisol response than controls), while those with chronic depression exhibit hypercortisolism (e.g., higher response than controls). Less is known about the role of cortisol and these seemingly disparate profiles immediately following traumatic injury as well as whether cortisol can be used as a predictor of future development of PTSD versus depression symptoms. In this study cortisol was measured blood from 172 traumatic injury survivors during hospitalization (on average 2.5 days post-injury). PTSD and depression severity were assessed from Clinician Assessed PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) six-eight months later using a two-factor dimensional approach that measures trauma-specific symptoms of PTSD versus dysphoria (akin to depression). Cluster analysis was used to group individuals based on post-injury cortisol, PTSD, and dysphoria. Results demonstrated that trauma survivors who only developed symptoms of dysphoria at six months (with minimal symptoms of PTSD) were differentiated by high post-injury cortisol compared to other groups. By contrast, individuals who developed symptoms of both PTSD and dysphoria were differentiated by low post-injury cortisol and most severe symptoms of PTSD. Findings provide support for the presence of subgroups of trauma survivors defined, in part, by post-trauma cortisol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devi Jayan
- Department of Psychology, Marquette University, 317 Cramer Hall, Milwaukee, 53233, USA
| | - Terri A. deRoon-Cassini
- Departments of Trauma & Acute Care Surgery, Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine, and the Institute for Health & Equity, Comprehensive Injury Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Garrett Sauber
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Cecilia J. Hillard
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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Cellular Senescence in Adrenocortical Biology and Its Disorders. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123474. [PMID: 34943980 PMCID: PMC8699888 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular senescence is considered a physiological process along with aging and has recently been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of many age-related disorders. Cellular senescence was first found in human fibroblasts and gradually explored in many other organs, including endocrine organs. The adrenal cortex is essential for the maintenance of blood volume, carbohydrate metabolism, reaction to stress and the development of sexual characteristics. Recently, the adrenal cortex was reported to harbor some obvious age-dependent features. For instance, the circulating levels of aldosterone and adrenal androgen gradually descend, whereas those of cortisol increase with aging. The detailed mechanisms have remained unknown, but cellular senescence was considered to play an essential role in age-related changes of the adrenal cortex. Recent studies have demonstrated that the senescent phenotype of zona glomerulosa (ZG) acts in association with reduced aldosterone production in both physiological and pathological aldosterone-producing cells, whereas senescent cortical-producing cells seemed not to have a suppressed cortisol-producing ability. In addition, accumulated lipofuscin formation, telomere shortening and cellular atrophy in zona reticularis cells during aging may account for the age-dependent decline in adrenal androgen levels. In adrenocortical disorders, including both aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and cortisol-producing adenoma (CPA), different cellular subtypes of tumor cells presented divergent senescent phenotypes, whereby compact cells in both APA and CPA harbored more senescent phenotypes than clear cells. Autonomous cortisol production from CPA reinforced a local cellular senescence that was more severe than that in APA. Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) was also reported to harbor oncogene-induced senescence, which compensatorily follows carcinogenesis and tumor progress. Adrenocortical steroids can induce not only a local senescence but also a periphery senescence in many other tissues. Therefore, herein, we systemically review the recent advances related to cellular senescence in adrenocortical biology and its associated disorders.
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Jaschke NP, Paehlig S, Rachner TD. Stress-induced muscle-to-CNS signaling. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2021; 32:750-751. [PMID: 33994280 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2021.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Soluble mediators secreted by skeletal muscles (collectively referred to as myokines) exert systemic effects by signaling to distant organs. Rai et al. have now uncovered a muscle-to-central nervous system (CNS) signaling axis, which is engaged in response to proteostatic stress. These adaptations confer protection against pathological protein accumulation in the CNS, a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai P Jaschke
- Department of Medicine III, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Sophie Paehlig
- Department of Medicine III, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tilman D Rachner
- Department of Medicine III, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Al-Harbi SD, Mashi AH, AlJohani NJ. A Case of Cushing's Disease Presenting with Isolated Suicidal Attempt. CLINICAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS-CASE REPORTS 2021; 14:11795476211027668. [PMID: 34602830 PMCID: PMC8485263 DOI: 10.1177/11795476211027668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cushing's disease is an abnormal secretion of ACTH from the pituitary that causes an increase in cortisol production from the adrenal glands. Resultant manifestations from this excess in cortisol include multiple metabolic as well as psychiatric disturbances which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. In this report, 23-year-old woman presented to mental health facility with history of severe depression and suicidal ideations. During evaluation, she found to have Cushing's disease, which is unusual presentation. She had significant improvement in her symptoms with reduction of antidepressant medications after achieving eucortisolism. Cushing syndrome can present with wide range of neuropsychiatric manifestations including major depression. Although presentation with suicidal depression is unusual. Early diagnosis and prompt management of hypercortisolsim may aid in preventing or lessening of psychiatric symptoms The psychiatric and neurocognitive disorders improve after disease remission (the normalization of cortisol secretion), but some studies showed that these disorders can partially improve, persist, or exacerbate, even long-term after the resolution of hypercortisolism. The variable response of neuropsychiatric disorders after Cushing syndrome remission necessitate long term follow up.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Naji Jamal AlJohani
- Obesity, Endocrine, and Metabolism Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Šojat AS, Dunjić-Kostić B, Marina LV, Ivović M, Radonjić NV, Kendereški A, Ćirković A, Tančić-Gajić M, Arizanović Z, Mihajlović S, Vujović S. Depression: another cortisol-related comorbidity in patients with adrenal incidentalomas and (possible) autonomous cortisol secretion. J Endocrinol Invest 2021; 44:1935-1945. [PMID: 33528757 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-021-01509-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hypercortisolism is associated with a high prevalence of depression and impaired health-related quality of life (QoL). According to the available literature, studies examining the depression risk in patients with adrenal incidentalomas (AI), nonfunctioning and the ones with (possible) autonomous cortisol secretion ((P)ACS) are scarce. The aim of this observational, case-control study was to screen patients with nonfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas (NAI) and the ones with (P)ACS for depression and to assess their QoL. METHODS The total studied group consisted of 92 subjects-26 with NAI, 34 with (P)ACS and 32 age-matched healthy controls (HC). To screen for depression, we used the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and to assess the QoL, we used the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS Patients with (P)ACS had significantly higher BDI-II scores and substantially lower QoL than patients with NAI or HC. Midnight cortisol level was the most significant predictor of BDI-II and SF-36 score. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that a midnight cortisol value of 86.95 nmol/l had a high sensitivity (82.8%) and high specificity (80%) for detection of mild depression in patients with (P)ACS. CONCLUSION Screening for depression and QoL assessment should become an integral part of clinical evaluation in patients with (P)ACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Šojat
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Dr Subotica 13, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - B Dunjić-Kostić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 8, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
- Clinic for Psychiatry, Clinical Center of Serbia, Pasterova 2, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - L V Marina
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Dr Subotica 13, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 8, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - M Ivović
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Dr Subotica 13, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 8, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - N V Radonjić
- Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - A Kendereški
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Dr Subotica 13, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 8, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - A Ćirković
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 8, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute of Medical Statistics and Informatics, Dr Subotica 15, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - M Tančić-Gajić
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Dr Subotica 13, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 8, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Z Arizanović
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Dr Subotica 13, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - S Mihajlović
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 8, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
- University Hospital Centre Dr Dragisa Misovic, Heroja Milana Tepica 1, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - S Vujović
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Dr Subotica 13, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 8, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
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de Menezes Galvão AC, Almeida RN, de Sousa GM, Leocadio-Miguel MA, Palhano-Fontes F, de Araujo DB, Lobão-Soares B, Maia-de-Oliveira JP, Nunes EA, Hallak JEC, Schuch FB, Sarris J, Galvão-Coelho NL. Pathophysiology of Major Depression by Clinical Stages. Front Psychol 2021; 12:641779. [PMID: 34421705 PMCID: PMC8374436 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.641779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The comprehension of the pathophysiology of the major depressive disorder (MDD) is essential to the strengthening of precision psychiatry. In order to determine the relationship between the pathophysiology of the MDD and its clinical progression, analyzed by severity of the depressive symptoms and sleep quality, we conducted a study assessing different peripheral molecular biomarkers, including the levels of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), serum mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF), serum cortisol (SC), and salivary cortisol awakening response (CAR), of patients with MDD (n = 58) and a control group of healthy volunteers (n = 62). Patients with the first episode of MDD (n = 30) had significantly higher levels of CAR and SC than controls (n = 32) and similar levels of mBDNF of controls. Patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD, n = 28) presented significantly lower levels of SC and CAR, and higher levels of mBDNF and CRP than controls (n = 30). An increased severity of depressive symptoms and worse sleep quality were correlated with levels low of SC and CAR, and with high levels of mBDNF. These results point out a strong relationship between the stages clinical of MDD and changes in a range of relevant biological markers. This can assist in the development of precision psychiatry and future research on the biological tests for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cecília de Menezes Galvão
- Postgraduate Program in Psychobiology, Laboratory of Hormone Measurement, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Raíssa Nobrega Almeida
- Postgraduate Program in Psychobiology, Laboratory of Hormone Measurement, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Geovan Menezes de Sousa
- Postgraduate Program in Psychobiology, Laboratory of Hormone Measurement, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Mario André Leocadio-Miguel
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Biological Rhythms, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | | | | | - Bruno Lobão-Soares
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Translational Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - João Paulo Maia-de-Oliveira
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Translational Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Emerson Arcoverde Nunes
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Translational Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Jaime Eduardo Cecilio Hallak
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Translational Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felipe Barreto Schuch
- Department of Sports Methods and Techniques, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Jerome Sarris
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Professorial Unit, The Melbourne Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicole Leite Galvão-Coelho
- Postgraduate Program in Psychobiology, Laboratory of Hormone Measurement, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Translational Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Professorial Unit, The Melbourne Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Association of Thyroid Function with Suicidal Behavior: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 57:medicina57070714. [PMID: 34356995 PMCID: PMC8303342 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57070714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid disease is a very common condition that influences the entire human body, including cognitive function and mental health. As a result, thyroid disease has been associated with multiple neuropsychiatric conditions. However, the relationship between thyroid dysfunction and suicide is still controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to describe the association of thyroid function with suicidal behavior in adults. We searched four data bases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Scopus) from their inception to 20 July 2018. Studies that reported mean values and standard deviation (SD) of thyroid hormone levels [Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), total thyroxine (TT4), and total triiodothyronine (TT3)] in patients with suicidal behavior compared with controls were included in this meta-analysis. The abstracts and papers retrieved with our search strategies were reviewed independently and in duplicate by four reviewers for assessment of inclusion criteria and data extraction, as well as for evaluation of risk of bias. Random-effects models were used in this meta-analysis to establish the mean difference on thyroid function tests between groups. Overall, 2278 articles were identified, and 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies involved 2807 participants, including 826 participants identified with suicidal behavior. We found that patients with suicide behavior had lower levels of FT3 (−0.20 pg/mL; p = 0.02) and TT4 (−0.23 µg/dL; p = 0.045) compared to controls. We found no differences in either TSH, FT4, or TT3 levels among groups. With our search strategy, we did not identify studies with a comparison of overt/subclinical thyroid disease prevalence between patients with and without suicide behavior. The studies included in this meta-analysis had a low-to-moderate risk of bias. In the available literature, the evidence regarding the association of thyroid disorders and suicidal behavior is limited. We found that patients with suicidal behavior have significantly lower mean FT3 and TT4 levels when compared to patients without suicidal behavior. The clinical implications and pathophysiologic mechanisms of these differences remain unknown and further research is needed.
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Fleseriu M, Auchus RJ, Pivonello R, Salvatori R, Zacharieva S, Biller BMK. Levoketoconazole: a novel treatment for endogenous Cushing's syndrome. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2021; 16:159-174. [PMID: 34380370 DOI: 10.1080/17446651.2021.1945440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Endogenous Cushing's syndrome (CS) is a rare, life-threatening endocrine disorder that is caused by chronic exposure to cortisol overproduction. Levoketoconazole (Recorlev), a 2S, 4R stereoisomer of ketoconazole, is a steroidogenesis inhibitor under investigation for the treatment of CS.Areas covered: This review covers the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of levoketoconazole for the treatment of patients with endogenous CS.Expert opinion: Based on the preclinical and clinical pharmacology findings, levoketoconazole appears to be the relevant enantiomer of ketoconazole for inhibition of steroidogenesis, with more potent inhibition of both cortisol and androgen synthesis relative to ketoconazole racemate and the 2R, 4S stereoisomer dextroketoconazole. Results from the phase III SONICS study showed that levoketoconazole was effective in normalizing cortisol levels and improving biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in a significant percentage of patients. In addition, treatment with levoketoconazole showed improvements in subjective clinical assessments of clinician-rated CS clinical signs and symptoms, patient-reported quality of life, and depression symptom severity. Testosterone levels decreased significantly in women. Levoketoconazole had an acceptable safety profile with no unexpected safety signals. The favorable pharmacology, efficacy, and safety profile of levoketoconazole supports its use as medical therapy for CS, if approved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fleseriu
- Oregon Health and Science University, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Neurological Surgery, and Pituitary Center, Portland, USA
| | - Richard J Auchus
- University of Michigan Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Pharmacology, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Rosario Pivonello
- Università Federico II Di Napoli, Dipartimento Di Medicina Clinica E Chirurgia, Sezione Di Endocrinologia, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Salvatori
- Johns Hopkins University, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Pituitary Center, Baltimore, USA
| | - Sabina Zacharieva
- Medical University-Sofia, Department of Endocrinology, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Beverly M K Biller
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center, Boston, USA
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Burne R, Birkett R, Bennet W, Shetty A. An unusual presentation of prolonged delirium. BMJ 2021; 373:n1423. [PMID: 34135010 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.n1423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard Burne
- Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Russell Birkett
- Mental Health Research Unit, School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
| | - William Bennet
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Medicine, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Northern General Hospital, South Yorkshire, UK
| | - Abhi Shetty
- Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
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Bengtsson D, Ragnarsson O, Berinder K, Dahlqvist P, Edén Engström B, Ekman B, Höybye C, Burman P, Wahlberg J. Psychotropic Drugs in Patients with Cushing's Disease Before Diagnosis and at Long-Term Follow-Up: A Nationwide Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 106:1750-1760. [PMID: 33567076 PMCID: PMC8118365 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Psychiatric symptoms are common in Cushing's disease (CD) and seem only partly reversible following treatment. OBJECTIVE To investigate drug dispenses associated to psychiatric morbidity in CD patients before treatment and during long-term follow-up. DESIGN Nationwide longitudinal register-based study. SETTING University Hospitals in Sweden. SUBJECTS CD patients diagnosed between 1990 and 2018 (N = 372) were identified in the Swedish Pituitary Register. Longitudinal data was collected from 5 years before, at diagnosis, and during follow-up. Four matched controls per patient were included. Cross-sectional subgroup analysis of 76 patients in sustained remission was also performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Data from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register and the Patient Register. RESULTS In the 5-year period before and at diagnosis, use of antidepressants (odds ratio [OR] 2.2 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-3.7]) and 2.3 [1.6-3.5]), anxiolytics [2.9 (1.6-5.3) and 3.9 (2.3-6.6)], and sleeping pills [2.1 (1.2-3.7) and 3.8 (2.4-5.9)] was more common in CD than controls. ORs remained elevated at 5-year follow-up for antidepressants [2.4 (1.5-3.9)] and sleeping pills [3.1 (1.9-5.3)]. Proportions of CD patients using antidepressants (26%) and sleeping pills (22%) were unchanged at diagnosis and 5-year follow-up, whereas drugs for hypertension and diabetes decreased. Patients in sustained remission for median 9.3 years (interquartile range 8.1-10.4) had higher use of antidepressants [OR 2.0 (1.1-3.8)] and sleeping pills [2.4 (1.3-4.7)], but not of drugs for hypertension. CONCLUSIONS Increased use of psychotropic drugs in CD was observed before diagnosis and remained elevated regardless of remission status, suggesting persisting negative effects on mental health. The study highlights the importance of early diagnosis of CD, and the need for long-term monitoring of mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Bengtsson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kalmar, Region of Kalmar County, Kalmar, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Correspondence: Daniel Bengtsson, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Hälsogränd 2, 391 85 Kalmar, Sweden.
| | - Oskar Ragnarsson
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Katarina Berinder
- Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Dahlqvist
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Britt Edén Engström
- Department of Medical Sciences, Endocrinology and Mineral Metabolism, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bertil Ekman
- Department of Endocrinology in Linköping and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Charlotte Höybye
- Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pia Burman
- Department of Endocrinology, Skåne University Hospital, University of Lund, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Jeanette Wahlberg
- Department of Endocrinology in Linköping and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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Jaszczyk A, Juszczak GR. Glucocorticoids, metabolism and brain activity. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 126:113-145. [PMID: 33727030 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The review integrates different experimental approaches including biochemistry, c-Fos expression, microdialysis (glutamate, GABA, noradrenaline and serotonin), electrophysiology and fMRI to better understand the effect of elevated level of glucocorticoids on the brain activity and metabolism. The available data indicate that glucocorticoids alter the dynamics of neuronal activity leading to context-specific changes including both excitation and inhibition and these effects are expected to support the task-related responses. Glucocorticoids also lead to diversification of available sources of energy due to elevated levels of glucose, lactate, pyruvate, mannose and hydroxybutyrate (ketone bodies), which can be used to fuel brain, and facilitate storage and utilization of brain carbohydrate reserves formed by glycogen. However, the mismatch between carbohydrate supply and utilization that is most likely to occur in situations not requiring energy-consuming activities lead to metabolic stress due to elevated brain levels of glucose. Excessive doses of glucocorticoids also impair the production of energy (ATP) and mitochondrial oxidation. Therefore, glucocorticoids have both adaptive and maladaptive effects consistently with the concept of allostatic load and overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Jaszczyk
- Department of Animal Behavior and Welfare, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-552 Jastrzebiec, 36a Postepu str., Poland
| | - Grzegorz R Juszczak
- Department of Animal Behavior and Welfare, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-552 Jastrzebiec, 36a Postepu str., Poland.
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Abstract
Treatment for critical illness typically focuses on a patient's short-term physical recovery; however, recent work has broadened our understanding of the long-term implications of illness and treatment strategies. In particular, survivors of critical illness have significantly elevated risk of developing lasting cognitive impairment and psychiatric disorders. In this review, we examine the role of endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoids in neuropsychiatric outcomes following critical illness. Illness is marked by acute elevation of free cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone suppression, which typically normalize after recovery; however, prolonged dysregulation can sometimes occur. High glucocorticoid levels can cause lasting alterations to the plasticity and structural integrity of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, and this mechanism may plausibly contribute to impaired memory and cognition in critical illness survivors, though specific evidence is lacking. Glucocorticoids may also exacerbate inflammation-associated neural damage. Conversely, current evidence indicates that glucocorticoids during illness may protect against the development of post-traumatic stress disorder. We propose future directions for research in this field, including determining the role of persistent glucocorticoid elevations after illness in neuropsychiatric outcomes, the role of systemic vs neuroinflammation, and probing unexplored lines of investigation on the role of mineralocorticoid receptors and the gut-brain axis. Progress toward personalized medicine in this area has the potential to produce tangible improvements to the lives patients after a critical illness, including Coronavirus Disease 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice R Hill
- Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Joanna L Spencer-Segal
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Deparment of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Correspondence: Joanna L. Spencer-Segal, MD, PhD, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, 205 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Sungura R, Onyambu C, Mpolya E, Sauli E, Vianney JM. The extended scope of neuroimaging and prospects in brain atrophy mitigation: A systematic review. INTERDISCIPLINARY NEUROSURGERY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.inat.2020.100875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Yalin N, Kempton MJ, Mazibuko N, Mehta MA, Young AH, Stokes PR. Mifepristone enhances the neural efficiency of human visuospatial memory encoding and recall. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 125:105116. [PMID: 33418240 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.105116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonism is a promising new treatment for cognitive dysfunction in psychiatric disorders but the effects of GR antagonism on cognition related brain activity is poorly understood. This study examines the effects of the GR and progesterone receptor antagonist mifepristone on the neural correlates of visuospatial learning and working memory in healthy male participants. The study used a pharmacological functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) design to determine mifepristone effects on visuospatial paired associates learning (vPAL) and n-back working memory (WM) fMRI task related brain activations. 20 right-handed healthy male participants received 600 mg mifepristone or placebo on two separate imaging days and each participant performed fMRI tasks four hours later. The effect of mifepristone on task related brain activations was determined using Region of Interest (ROI) fMRI analyses and an exploratory whole brain voxel-wise fMRI task analyses was also conducted. The vPAL task ROI analysis found that mifepristone administration was significantly associated with decreased fusiform cortex activations in first and second encoding blocks (p = 0.007, p = 0.04) and decreased angular and precuneal cortices activations in the first recall block (p = 0.01, p = 0.02). There were no significant differences in fMRI brain activations associated with mifepristone administration in the n-back task ROI's (all p > 0.05). Mifepristone administration did not significantly affect fMRI brain activations in the whole brain voxel-wise analyses for both tasks. N-back and vPAL task reaction times and accuracy were similar in both mifepristone and placebo conditions (all p > 0.05). Our finding of decreased fusiform, angular and precuneal vPAL task related brain activity associated with mifepristone administration for the same behavioural performance as found in the placebo condition may represent improved efficiency of visuospatial memory encoding and recall. These findings provide evidence that mifepristone may enhance the efficiency of human visuospatial memory and calls for further studies in patient populations using an fMRI approach to provide proof of concept for new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nefize Yalin
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry & Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College of London, London, UK.
| | - Matthew J Kempton
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology &Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Ndaba Mazibuko
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Mitul A Mehta
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Allan H Young
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry & Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College of London, London, UK.
| | - Paul Ra Stokes
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry & Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College of London, London, UK.
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