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Tesfaye M, Jaholkowski P, Shadrin AA, van der Meer D, Hindley GF, Holen B, Parker N, Parekh P, Birkenæs V, Rahman Z, Bahrami S, Kutrolli G, Frei O, Djurovic S, Dale AM, Smeland OB, O’Connell KS, Andreassen OA. Identification of Novel Genomic Loci for Anxiety and Extensive Genetic Overlap with Psychiatric Disorders. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2023.09.01.23294920. [PMID: 37693403 PMCID: PMC10491354 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.01.23294920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Background Anxiety disorders are prevalent and anxiety symptoms co-occur with many psychiatric disorders. We aimed to identify genomic risk loci associated with anxiety, characterize its genetic architecture, and genetic overlap with psychiatric disorders. Methods We used the GWAS of anxiety symptoms, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We employed MiXeR and LAVA to characterize the genetic architecture and genetic overlap between the phenotypes. Conditional and conjunctional false discovery rate analyses were performed to boost the identification of genomic loci associated with anxiety and those shared with psychiatric disorders. Gene annotation and gene set analyses were conducted using OpenTargets and FUMA, respectively. Results Anxiety was polygenic with 12.9k estimated genetic risk variants and overlapped extensively with psychiatric disorders (4.1-11.4k variants). MiXeR and LAVA revealed predominantly positive genetic correlations between anxiety and psychiatric disorders. We identified 114 novel loci for anxiety by conditioning on the psychiatric disorders. We also identified loci shared between anxiety and major depression (n = 47), bipolar disorder (n = 33), schizophrenia (n = 71), and ADHD (n = 20). Genes annotated to anxiety loci exhibit enrichment for a broader range of biological pathways and differential tissue expression in more diverse tissues than those annotated to the shared loci. Conclusions Anxiety is a highly polygenic phenotype with extensive genetic overlap with psychiatric disorders. These genetic overlaps enabled the identification of novel loci for anxiety. The shared genetic architecture may underlie the extensive cross-disorder comorbidity of anxiety, and the identified genetic loci implicate molecular pathways that may lead to potential drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markos Tesfaye
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Piotr Jaholkowski
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alexey A. Shadrin
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Dennis van der Meer
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Guy F.L. Hindley
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Børge Holen
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nadine Parker
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pravesh Parekh
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Viktoria Birkenæs
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Zillur Rahman
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Shahram Bahrami
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gleda Kutrolli
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Oleksandr Frei
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Center for Bioinformatics, Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Srdjan Djurovic
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anders M. Dale
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Multimodal Imaging Laboratory, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Olav B. Smeland
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kevin S. O’Connell
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ole A. Andreassen
- Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Aktar S, Ferdousi F, Kondo S, Kagawa T, Isoda H. Transcriptomics and biochemical evidence of trigonelline ameliorating learning and memory decline in the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) model by suppressing proinflammatory cytokines and elevating neurotransmitter release. GeroScience 2024; 46:1671-1691. [PMID: 37721682 PMCID: PMC10828270 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00919-x] [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: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, exploring natural compounds with functional properties to ameliorate aging-associated cognitive decline has become a research priority to ensure healthy aging. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Trigonelline (TG), a plant alkaloid, on memory and spatial learning in 16-week-old senescence-accelerated mouse model SAMP8 using an integrated approach for cognitive and molecular biology aspects. After 30 days of oral administration of TG at the dose of 5 mg/kg/day, the mice were trained in Morris Water Maze task. TG-treated SAMP8 mice exhibited significant improvement in the parameters of escape latency, distance moved, and annulus crossing index. Next, we performed a whole-genome transcriptome profiling of the mouse hippocampus using microarrays. Gene ontology analyses showed that a wide range of biological processes, including nervous system development, mitochondrial function, ATP synthesis, and several signaling pathways related to inflammation, autophagy, and neurotransmitter release, were significantly enriched in TG-treated SAMP8 compared to nontreated. Further, a nonlinear dimensionality reduction technique, Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP), was applied to identify clusters of functions that revealed TG primarily regulated pathways related to inflammation, followed by those involved in neurotransmitter release. In addition, a protein-protein interaction network analysis indicated that TG may exert its biological effects through negatively modulating Traf6-mediated NF-κB activation. Finally, ELISA test showed that TG treatment significantly decreased proinflammatory cytokines- TNFα and IL6 and increased neurotransmitters- dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin in mouse hippocampus. Altogether, our integrated bio-cognitive approach highlights the potential of TG in alleviating age-related memory and spatial impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharmin Aktar
- Alliance for Research on the Mediterranean and North Africa (ARENA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Farhana Ferdousi
- Alliance for Research on the Mediterranean and North Africa (ARENA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shinji Kondo
- Alliance for Research on the Mediterranean and North Africa (ARENA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | - Hiroko Isoda
- Alliance for Research on the Mediterranean and North Africa (ARENA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
- Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
- Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibarak, 305-8572, Japan.
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Aoul AT, Al-Nasseri A, Hall C, He C, Abernathy J. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome in a Patient on Concomitant Treatment with Levetiracetam and Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CASE REPORTS 2024; 25:e942982. [PMID: 38247161 PMCID: PMC10812293 DOI: 10.12659/ajcr.942982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and levetiracetam are commonly prescribed medications in the treatment of infections and seizures, respectively. Despite their known efficacy, each has a reputation for triggering severe and sometimes life-threatening cutaneous adverse drug reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Although the mechanism of such cutaneous adverse drug reactions cannot be fully explained, it is thought to be a type IV T cell and NK cells-mediated hypersensitivity reaction that leads to keratinocyte apoptosis and epidermal necrosis. It is also thought that cutaneous adverse drug reactions are also linked to a patient's genetic predispositions, especially the human leukocyte antigens profiles and the N-acetyl transferase 2 phenotypic variation. CASE REPORT We describe a case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in a severely ill 51-year-old man who was treated in an outside health care facility simultaneously with Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and levetiracetam. The patient presented to our Emergency Department with Stevens-Johnson syndrome believed to possibly be related to the combination of these 2 agents. CONCLUSIONS The concomitant use of Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and levetiracetam might have been responsible for heightening the potential of these 2 medications to trigger an unfortunate adverse drug reaction, but no formal culprit was able to be identified and no in vivo study was performed, due to ethical considerations. Thus, through this case report we strive to increase awareness of the potential risk of simultaneously prescribing these 2 medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amel Tabet Aoul
- Department of Internal Medicine, HCA Healthcare Florida Citrus Hospital Florida, Inverness, FL, USA
| | - Abraheim Al-Nasseri
- Department of Internal Medicine, HCA Healthcare Florida Citrus Hospital Florida, Inverness, FL, USA
| | - Chase Hall
- Department of Internal Medicine, HCA Healthcare Florida Citrus Hospital Florida, Inverness, FL, USA
| | - Chun He
- Department of Pathology, HCA Healthcare Florida Citrus Hospital Florida, Inverness, FL, USA
| | - John Abernathy
- Department of Internal Medicine, HCA Healthcare Florida Citrus Hospital Florida, Inverness, FL, USA
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Groenink L, Verdouw PM, Zhao Y, Ter Heegde F, Wever KE, Bijlsma EY. Pharmacological modulation of conditioned fear in the fear-potentiated startle test: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:2361-2401. [PMID: 36651922 PMCID: PMC10593622 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06307-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Fear conditioning is an important aspect in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders. The fear-potentiated startle test is based on classical fear conditioning and over the years, a broad range of drugs have been tested in this test. Synthesis of the available data may further our understanding of the neurotransmitter systems that are involved in the expression of conditioned fear. METHODS Following a comprehensive search in Medline and Embase, we included 68 research articles that reported on 103 drugs, covering 56 different drug classes. The systematic review was limited to studies using acute, systemic drug administration in naive animals. RESULTS Qualitative data synthesis showed that most clinically active anxiolytics, but not serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, reduced cued fear. Anxiogenic drugs increased fear potentiation in 35% of the experiments, reduced fear potentiation in 29% of the experiments, and were without effect in 29% of the experiments. Meta-analyses could be performed for five drug classes and showed that benzodiazepines, buspirone, 5-HT1A agonists, 5-HT1A antagonists, and mGluR2,3 agonists reduced cued conditioned fear. The non-cued baseline startle response, which may reflect contextual anxiety, was only significantly reduced by benzodiazepines and 5-HT1A antagonists. No associations were found between drug effects and methodological characteristics, except for strain. CONCLUSIONS The fear-potentiated startle test appears to have moderate to high predictive validity and may serve as a valuable tool for the development of novel anxiolytics. Given the limited available data, the generally low study quality and high heterogeneity additional studies are warranted to corroborate the findings of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucianne Groenink
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - P Monika Verdouw
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Yulong Zhao
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Freija Ter Heegde
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kimberley E Wever
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth Y Bijlsma
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Mehrhoff EA, Booher WC, Hutchinson J, Schumacher G, Borski C, Lowry CA, Hoeffer CA, Ehringer MA. Diazepam effects on anxiety-related defensive behavior of male and female high and low open-field activity inbred mouse strains. Physiol Behav 2023; 271:114343. [PMID: 37689380 PMCID: PMC11131367 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Open-field activity is a commonly used measure of anxiety-related behavior in rodents. The inbred High and Low Activity strains of mice, selected for extreme differences in open-field activity, have been used as a genetic model of anxiety-related behaviors. These selected strains have been thoroughly studied through extensive behavioral testing, quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, whole-genome sequencing, and RNA sequencing, to uncover phenotypic and genotypic differences related to anxiety-related behavior. However, the effects of anxiolytic drugs on anxiety-related behavior in these strains have not been studied previously. This study allowed us to expand on previous findings to further characterize the anxiety-related behavior of these unique strains, using an anxiolytic drug. The goal of this study was to determine whether the treatment of adult male and female High Activity (low anxiety) and Low Activity (high anxiety) mice with diazepam, an agonist at the benzodiazepine allosteric site on the GABAA receptor and a drug commonly prescribed to treat anxiety disorders in humans, led to decreases in anxiety-like defensive behavioral responses as assessed in the open-field test (OFT) and elevated plus-maze (EPM). We tested the effects of three doses of diazepam (0, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 mg/kg, i.p.), given 30 min before behavioral testing to one High Activity strain (H2) and two Low Activity strains (L1 and L2). There was an anxiolytic effect of diazepam observed in the High Activity strain, with more entries into the open arms of the elevated plus-maze, an effect similar to that seen in common mouse strains. However, the only anxiolytic effect of diazepam seen in the Low Activity strains was a reduction in stretch attend posture (SAP). Low Activity strains also displayed freezing behavior in both the OFT and EPM. The combination of the observed freezing behavior, that was not reduced by diazepam, and the reduction in SAP seen with diazepam, suggests a more complex phenotype that includes a component of innate fear in addition to anxiety-related risk assessment behaviors. Since fear and anxiety are distinguishable traits, and both contribute to human anxiety disorders, these results provide novel insight about interpretation of previous genetic and phenotypic differences observed between the High and Low Activity strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika A Mehrhoff
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States; Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States
| | - Winona C Booher
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States; Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Julianna Hutchinson
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States
| | - Grace Schumacher
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States
| | - Curtis Borski
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States; Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States
| | - Christopher A Lowry
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States
| | - Charles A Hoeffer
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States; Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States
| | - Marissa A Ehringer
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States; Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, United States.
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Savage K, Sarris J, Hughes M, Bousman CA, Rossell S, Scholey A, Stough C, Suo C. Neuroimaging Insights: Kava's ( Piper methysticum) Effect on Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex GABA in Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Nutrients 2023; 15:4586. [PMID: 37960239 PMCID: PMC10649338 DOI: 10.3390/nu15214586] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a prevalent, chronic mental health disorder. The measurement of regional brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) offers insight into its role in anxiety and is a potential biomarker for treatment response. Research literature suggests Piper methysticum (Kava) is efficacious as an anxiety treatment, but no study has assessed its effects on central GABA levels. This study investigated dorsal anterior cingulate (dACC) GABA levels in 37 adult participants with GAD. GABA was measured using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) at baseline and following an eight-week administration of Kava (standardised to 120 mg kavalactones twice daily) (n = 20) or placebo (n = 17). This study was part of the Kava for the Treatment of GAD (KGAD; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02219880), a 16-week intervention study. Compared with the placebo group, the Kava group had a significant reduction in dACC GABA (p = 0.049) at eight weeks. Baseline anxiety scores on the HAM-A were positively correlated with GABA levels but were not significantly related to treatment. Central GABA reductions following Kava treatment may signal an inhibitory effect, which, if considered efficacious, suggests that GABA levels are modulated by Kava, independent of reported anxiety symptoms. dACC GABA patterns suggest a functional role of higher levels in clinical anxiety but warrants further research for symptom benefit. Findings suggest that dACC GABA levels previously un-examined in GAD could serve as a biomarker for diagnosis and treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Savage
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, 427-451 Burwood Road, Melbourne 3122, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne University, Melbourne 3121, Australia
| | - Jerome Sarris
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne University, Melbourne 3121, Australia
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney 2751, Australia
| | - Matthew Hughes
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne 3122, Australia
| | - Chad A. Bousman
- Departments of Medical Genetics, Psychiatry, Physiology & Pharmacology, and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Susan Rossell
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne 3122, Australia
- Mental Health, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne 3065, Australia
| | - Andrew Scholey
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, 427-451 Burwood Road, Melbourne 3122, Australia
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Melbourne 3168, Australia
| | - Con Stough
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, 427-451 Burwood Road, Melbourne 3122, Australia
| | - Chao Suo
- Brain Park, Turner Institute of Brain and Mind, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
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Cutuli D, Decandia D, Giacovazzo G, Coccurello R. Physical Exercise as Disease-Modifying Alternative against Alzheimer's Disease: A Gut-Muscle-Brain Partnership. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14686. [PMID: 37834132 PMCID: PMC10572207 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common cause of dementia characterized by neurodegenerative dysregulations, cognitive impairments, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Physical exercise (PE) has emerged as a powerful tool for reducing chronic inflammation, improving overall health, and preventing cognitive decline. The connection between the immune system, gut microbiota (GM), and neuroinflammation highlights the role of the gut-brain axis in maintaining brain health and preventing neurodegenerative diseases. Neglected so far, PE has beneficial effects on microbial composition and diversity, thus providing the potential to alleviate neurological symptoms. There is bidirectional communication between the gut and muscle, with GM diversity modulation and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production affecting muscle metabolism and preservation, and muscle activity/exercise in turn inducing significant changes in GM composition, functionality, diversity, and SCFA production. This gut-muscle and muscle-gut interplay can then modulate cognition. For instance, irisin, an exercise-induced myokine, promotes neuroplasticity and cognitive function through BDNF signaling. Irisin and muscle-generated BDNF may mediate the positive effects of physical activity against some aspects of AD pathophysiology through the interaction of exercise with the gut microbial ecosystem, neural plasticity, anti-inflammatory signaling pathways, and neurogenesis. Understanding gut-muscle-brain interconnections hold promise for developing strategies to promote brain health, fight age-associated cognitive decline, and improve muscle health and longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Cutuli
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy;
| | - Davide Decandia
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giacomo Giacovazzo
- European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy;
- Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Teramo (UniTE), 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Roberto Coccurello
- European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy;
- Institute for Complex Systems (ISC), National Council of Research (CNR), 00185 Rome, Italy
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Govindula A, Ranadive N, Nampoothiri M, Rao CM, Arora D, Mudgal J. Emphasizing the Crosstalk Between Inflammatory and Neural Signaling in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2023; 18:248-266. [PMID: 37097603 PMCID: PMC10577110 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-023-10064-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: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic incapacitating condition with recurrent experience of trauma-related memories, negative mood, altered cognition, and hypervigilance. Agglomeration of preclinical and clinical evidence in recent years specified that alterations in neural networks favor certain characteristics of PTSD. Besides the disruption of hypothalamus-pituitary-axis (HPA) axis, intensified immune status with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and arachidonic metabolites of COX-2 such as PGE2 creates a putative scenario in worsening the neurobehavioral facet of PTSD. This review aims to link the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders (DSM-V) symptomology to major neural mechanisms that are supposed to underpin the transition from acute stress reactions to the development of PTSD. Also, to demonstrate how these intertwined processes can be applied to probable early intervention strategies followed by a description of the evidence supporting the proposed mechanisms. Hence in this review, several neural network mechanisms were postulated concerning the HPA axis, COX-2, PGE2, NLRP3, and sirtuins to unravel possible complex neuroinflammatory mechanisms that are obscured in PTSD condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusha Govindula
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Niraja Ranadive
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Madhavan Nampoothiri
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - C Mallikarjuna Rao
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Devinder Arora
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast campus, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4222, Australia.
| | - Jayesh Mudgal
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
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Du L, He X, Fan X, Wei X, Xu L, Liang T, Wang C, Ke Y, Yung WH. Pharmacological interventions targeting α-synuclein aggregation triggered REM sleep behavior disorder and early development of Parkinson's disease. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 249:108498. [PMID: 37499913 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia characterized by elevated motor behaviors and dream enactments in REM sleep, often preceding the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). As RBD could serve as a biomarker for early PD developments, pharmacological interventions targeting α-synuclein aggregation triggered RBD could be applied toward early PD progression. However, robust therapeutic guidelines toward PD-induced RBD are lacking, owing in part to a historical paucity of effective treatments and trials. We reviewed the bidirectional links between α-synuclein neurodegeneration, progressive sleep disorders, and RBD. We highlighted the correlation between RBD development, α-synuclein aggregation, and neuronal apoptosis in key brainstem regions involved in REM sleep atonia maintenance. The current pharmacological intervention strategies targeting RBD and their effects on progressive PD are discussed, as well as current treatments for progressive neurodegeneration and their effects on RBD. We also evaluated emerging and potential pharmacological solutions to sleep disorders and developing synucleinopathies. This review provides insights into the mechanisms and therapeutic targets underlying RBD and PD, and explores bidirectional treatment effects for both diseases, underscoring the need for further research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lida Du
- Institute of Molecular Medicine & Innovative Pharmaceutics, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Xiaoli He
- Institute of Medical Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaonuo Fan
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, USA
| | - Xiaoya Wei
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Linhao Xu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tuo Liang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Institute of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chunbo Wang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine & Innovative Pharmaceutics, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ya Ke
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wing-Ho Yung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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10
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LeDuke DO, Borio M, Miranda R, Tye KM. Anxiety and depression: A top-down, bottom-up model of circuit function. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023; 1525:70-87. [PMID: 37129246 PMCID: PMC10695657 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14997] [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] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
A functional interplay of bottom-up and top-down processing allows an individual to appropriately respond to the dynamic environment around them. These processing modalities can be represented as attractor states using a dynamical systems model of the brain. The transition probability to move from one attractor state to another is dependent on the stability, depth, neuromodulatory tone, and tonic changes in plasticity. However, how does the relationship between these states change in disease states, such as anxiety or depression? We describe bottom-up and top-down processing from Marr's computational-algorithmic-implementation perspective to understand depressive and anxious disease states. We illustrate examples of bottom-up processing as basolateral amygdala signaling and projections and top-down processing as medial prefrontal cortex internal signaling and projections. Understanding these internal processing dynamics can help us better model the multifaceted elements of anxiety and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deryn O. LeDuke
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Matilde Borio
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Raymundo Miranda
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
- Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Kay M. Tye
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
- Kavli Institute for the Brain and Mind, La Jolla, California, USA
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11
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Perdikaris P, Dermon CR. Altered GABAergic, glutamatergic and endocannabinoid signaling is accompanied by neuroinflammatory response in a zebrafish model of social withdrawal behavior. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1120993. [PMID: 37284463 PMCID: PMC10239971 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1120993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Deficits in social communication are in the core of clinical symptoms characterizing many neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. The occurrence of anxiety-related behavior, a common co-morbid condition in individuals with impairments in social domain, suggests the presence of overlapping neurobiological mechanisms between these two pathologies. Dysregulated excitation/inhibition balance and excessive neuroinflammation, in specific neural circuits, are proposed as common etiological mechanisms implicated in both pathologies. Methods and Results In the present study we evaluated changes in glutamatergic/GABAergic neurotransmission as well as the presence of neuroinflammation within the regions of the Social Decision-Making Network (SDMN) using a zebrafish model of NMDA receptor hypofunction, following sub-chronic MK-801 administration. MK-801-treated zebrafish are characterized by impaired social communication together with increased anxiety levels. At the molecular level, the behavioral phenotype was accompanied by increased mGluR5 and GAD67 but decreased PSD-95 protein expression levels in telencephalon and midbrain. In parallel, MK-801-treated zebrafish exhibited altered endocannabinoid signaling as indicated by the upregulation of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) in the telencephalon. Interestingly, glutamatergic dysfunction was positively correlated with social withdrawal behavior whereas defective GABAergic and endocannabinoid activity were positively associated with anxiety-like behavior. Moreover, neuronal and astrocytic IL-1β expression was increased in regions of the SDMN, supporting the role of neuroinflammatory responses in the manifestation of MK-801 behavioral phenotype. Colocalization of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) with β2-adrenergic receptors (β2-ARs) underlies the possible influence of noradrenergic neurotransmission to increased IL-1β expression in comorbidity between social deficits and elevated anxiety comorbidity. Discussion Overall, our results indicate the contribution of altered excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission as well as excessive neuroinflammatory responses in the manifestation of social deficits and anxiety-like behavior of MK-801-treated fish, identifying possible novel targets for amelioration of these symptoms.
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12
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Martinotti G, Dell'Osso B, Di Lorenzo G, Maina G, Bertolino A, Clerici M, Barlati S, Rosso G, Di Nicola M, Marcatili M, d'Andrea G, Cavallotto C, Chiappini S, De Filippis S, Nicolò G, De Fazio P, Andriola I, Zanardi R, Nucifora D, Di Mauro S, Bassetti R, Pettorruso M, McIntyre RS, Sensi SL, di Giannantonio M, Vita A. Treating bipolar depression with esketamine: Safety and effectiveness data from a naturalistic multicentric study on esketamine in bipolar versus unipolar treatment-resistant depression. Bipolar Disord 2023; 25:233-244. [PMID: 36636839 DOI: 10.1111/bdi.13296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bipolar depression accounts for most of the disease duration in type I and type II bipolar disorder (BD), with few treatment options, often poorly tolerated. Many individuals do not respond to first-line therapeutic options, resulting in treatment-resistant bipolar depression (B-TRD). Esketamine, the S-enantiomer of ketamine, has recently been approved for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but no data are available on its use in B-TRD. OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy of esketamine in two samples of unipolar and bipolar TRD, providing preliminary indications of its effectiveness in B-TRD. Secondary outcomes included the evaluation of the safety and tolerability of esketamine in B-TRD, focusing on the average risk of an affective switch. METHODS Thirty-five B-TRD subjects treated with esketamine nasal spray were enrolled and compared with 35 TRD patients. Anamnestic data and psychometric assessments (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale/MADRS, Hamilton-depression scale/HAM-D, Hamilton-anxiety scale/HAM-A) were collected at baseline (T0), at one month (T1), and three months (T2) follow up. RESULTS A significant reduction in depressive symptoms was found at T1 and T2 compared to T0, with no significant differences in response or remission rates between subjects with B-TRD and TRD. Esketamine showed a greater anxiolytic action in subjects with B-TRD than in those with TRD. Improvement in depressive symptoms was not associated with treatment-emergent affective switch. CONCLUSIONS Our results supported the effectiveness and tolerability of esketamine in a real-world population of subjects with B-TRD. The low risk of manic switch in B-TRD patients confirmed the safety of this treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Martinotti
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Bernardo Dell'Osso
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco and Aldo Ravelli Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutic, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Giorgio Di Lorenzo
- Chair of Psychiatry, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maina
- Department of Neurosciences Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Clerici
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Stefano Barlati
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Italy
| | - Gianluca Rosso
- Department of Neurosciences Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Di Nicola
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Marcatili
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Giacomo d'Andrea
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
| | - Clara Cavallotto
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefania Chiappini
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | | | - Giuseppe Nicolò
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction, ASL Roma 5, Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale De Fazio
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Raffaella Zanardi
- Mood Disorder Unit, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Roberta Bassetti
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Mauro Pettorruso
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
| | - Roger S McIntyre
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, Poul Hansen Family Centre for Depression, University Health Network, ON, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, ON, Toronto, Canada
- Canadian Rapid Treatment Center of Excellence, ON, Mississauga, Canada
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, ON, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, ON, Toronto, Canada
| | - Stefano L Sensi
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
| | - Massimo di Giannantonio
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
| | - Antonio Vita
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Italy
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13
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Alijanpour S, Rezayof A. Activation of ventral hippocampal CB1 receptors inhibits ketamine-induced anxiogenic-like behavior: Alteration of BDNF/c-Fos levels in the mouse hippocampus. Brain Res 2023; 1810:148378. [PMID: 37121426 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148378] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Considering the increasing usage of ketamine as a recreational drug with hallucinogenic properties and also scarce studies about receptor systems responsible for its effects, in the present study we aimed to investigate whether the activation of the ventral hippocampal (VH) CB1 cannabinoid receptors affects the anxiety-like behaviors induced by ketamine. Also, the levels of BDNF and c-Fos proteins in the mouse hippocampus were measured following the treatments. For this purpose, male NMRI mice were cannulated bilaterally in the VH with a stereotaxic apparatus. Anxiety properties and protein changes were measured using elevated plus-maze (EPM) and western blotting respectively. The results revealed that intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of ketamine (5-20 mg/kg) significantly decreased the percentage of open arm time (%OAT) and open arm entry (%OAE) in the EPM with no alteration in the locomotor activity suggesting an anxiogenic-like behavior to ketamine. Furthermore, ketamine administration (10 mg/kg, i.p.) increased BDNF and c-Fos levels in the hippocampus. Interestingly, activation of the VH CB1 receptors by ACPA (0.5-4 ng/mouse) inhibited the anxiogenic-like behaviors produced by ketamine, whereas the microinjection of the same doses of ACPA into VH by itself had no effect on the EPM parameters. Hippocampal levels of BDNF and c-Fos decreased after treatment with combined ketamine with ACPA. These results suggest the therapeutic potency of cannabinoid receptor agonists for ketamine-induced anxiogenic-related responses. This effect might be at least partially mediated by the alteration of BDNF and c-Fos signaling in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakineh Alijanpour
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran.
| | - Ameneh Rezayof
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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14
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Antunes JL, Amado J, Veiga F, Paiva-Santos AC, Pires PC. Nanosystems, Drug Molecule Functionalization and Intranasal Delivery: An Update on the Most Promising Strategies for Increasing the Therapeutic Efficacy of Antidepressant and Anxiolytic Drugs. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030998. [PMID: 36986859 PMCID: PMC10054777 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression and anxiety are high incidence and debilitating psychiatric disorders, usually treated by antidepressant or anxiolytic drug administration, respectively. Nevertheless, treatment is usually given through the oral route, but the low permeability of the blood-brain barrier reduces the amount of drug that will be able to reach it, thus consequently reducing the therapeutic efficacy. Which is why it is imperative to find new solutions to make these treatments more effective, safer, and faster. To overcome this obstacle, three main strategies have been used to improve brain drug targeting: the intranasal route of administration, which allows the drug to be directly transported to the brain by neuronal pathways, bypassing the blood-brain barrier and avoiding the hepatic and gastrointestinal metabolism; the use of nanosystems for drug encapsulation, including polymeric and lipidic nanoparticles, nanometric emulsions, and nanogels; and drug molecule functionalization by ligand attachment, such as peptides and polymers. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic in vivo studies' results have shown that intranasal administration can be more efficient in brain targeting than other administration routes, and that the use of nanoformulations and drug functionalization can be quite advantageous in increasing brain-drug bioavailability. These strategies could be the key to future improved therapies for depressive and anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica L Antunes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Amado
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Francisco Veiga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Cláudia Paiva-Santos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Patrícia C Pires
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
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15
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Singewald N, Sartori SB, Reif A, Holmes A. Alleviating anxiety and taming trauma: Novel pharmacotherapeutics for anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder. Neuropharmacology 2023; 226:109418. [PMID: 36623804 PMCID: PMC10372846 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders associated with psychological trauma, stress and anxiety are a highly prevalent and increasing cause of morbidity worldwide. Current therapeutic approaches, including medication, are effective in alleviating symptoms of anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), at least in some individuals, but have unwanted side-effects and do not resolve underlying pathophysiology. After a period of stagnation, there is renewed enthusiasm from public, academic and commercial parties in designing and developing drug treatments for these disorders. Here, we aim to provide a snapshot of the current state of this field that is written for neuropharmacologists, but also practicing clinicians and the interested lay-reader. After introducing currently available drug treatments, we summarize recent/ongoing clinical assessment of novel medicines for anxiety and PTSD, grouped according to primary neurochemical targets and their potential to produce acute and/or enduring therapeutic effects. The evaluation of putative treatments targeting monoamine (including psychedelics), GABA, glutamate, cannabinoid, cholinergic and neuropeptide systems, amongst others, are discussed. We emphasize the importance of designing and clinically assessing new medications based on a firm understanding of the underlying neurobiology stemming from the rapid advances being made in neuroscience. This includes harnessing neuroplasticity to bring about lasting beneficial changes in the brain rather than - as many current medications do - produce a transient attenuation of symptoms, as exemplified by combining psychotropic/cognitive enhancing drugs with psychotherapeutic approaches. We conclude by noting some of the other emerging trends in this promising new phase of drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Singewald
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), Leopold Franzens University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Simone B Sartori
- Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), Leopold Franzens University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Reif
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andrew Holmes
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
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16
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Frank D, Gruenbaum BF, Shelef I, Zvenigorodsky V, Severynovska O, Fleidervish I, Knyazer B, Frenkel A, Zlotnik A, Kofman O, Boyko M. Blood glutamate scavenging as a novel glutamate-based therapeutic approach for post-traumatic brain injury anxiety and social impairment. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:41. [PMID: 36739271 PMCID: PMC9899234 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02329-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious condition that is associated with an increased risk of severe, long-term psychiatric consequences. Drugs that target the glutamatergic system have proven successful in treating both TBI and many of its psychiatric sequelae. Blood glutamate scavengers (BGS) cause a decrease in blood glutamate levels, leading to a reduction in glutamate's concentration gradient from the brain to the blood and decreased levels of brain glutamate. This study evaluated the BGS pyruvate as a treatment for TBI-related neuropsychiatric conditions in a rat model. 213 rats were divided into four groups in a 2 × 2 design: Sham or TBI rats treated with pyruvate or control treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging, neurological status, brain glutamate and blood glutamate levels were assessed following the injury. Four weeks after the start of treatment, all rats underwent behavioral tests to assess anxious behavior and social impairment (aggressive and hierarchical behavior). Rats responded positively to pyruvate in several tasks, lowering brain glutamate levels and reducing anxiety and depression, as well as modulating TBI-related changes in social behavior. Glutamate scavenging with pyruvate may be an effective therapeutic option for post-TBI behavioral changes by reducing associated elevations in brain glutamate levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Frank
- grid.412686.f0000 0004 0470 8989Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Benjamin F. Gruenbaum
- grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL USA
| | - Ilan Shelef
- grid.412686.f0000 0004 0470 8989Department of Radiology, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Vladislav Zvenigorodsky
- grid.412686.f0000 0004 0470 8989Department of Radiology, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Olena Severynovska
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology of the Faculty of Biology and Ecology, Oles Gonchar of the Dnipro National University, Dnipro, Ukraine
| | - Ilya Fleidervish
- grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences and Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben–Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105 Israel
| | - Boris Knyazer
- grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Department of Ophthalmology, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Amit Frenkel
- grid.412686.f0000 0004 0470 8989Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Alexander Zlotnik
- grid.412686.f0000 0004 0470 8989Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ora Kofman
- grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Psychology Department, Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, POB 653, Beer-Sheva, 84105 Israel
| | - Matthew Boyko
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
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17
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Kruyer A, Kalivas PW, Scofield MD. Astrocyte regulation of synaptic signaling in psychiatric disorders. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:21-36. [PMID: 35577914 PMCID: PMC9700696 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01338-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Over the last 15 years, the field of neuroscience has evolved toward recognizing the critical role of astroglia in shaping neuronal synaptic activity and along with the pre- and postsynapse is now considered an equal partner in tripartite synaptic transmission and plasticity. The relative youth of this recognition and a corresponding deficit in reagents and technologies for quantifying and manipulating astroglia relative to neurons continues to hamper advances in understanding tripartite synaptic physiology. Nonetheless, substantial advances have been made and are reviewed herein. We review the role of astroglia in synaptic function and regulation of behavior with an eye on how tripartite synapses figure into brain pathologies underlying behavioral impairments in psychiatric disorders, both from the perspective of measures in postmortem human brains and more subtle influences on tripartite synaptic regulation of behavior in animal models of psychiatric symptoms. Our goal is to provide the reader a well-referenced state-of-the-art understanding of current knowledge and predict what we may discover with deeper investigation of tripartite synapses using reagents and technologies not yet available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kruyer
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Peter W Kalivas
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
- Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Michael D Scofield
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
- Department of Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
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18
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Okhovat A, Cruces W, Docampo-Palacios ML, Ray KP, Ramirez GA. Psychoactive Isoxazoles, Muscimol, and Isoxazole Derivatives from the Amanita (Agaricomycetes) Species: Review of New Trends in Synthesis, Dosage, and Biological Properties. Int J Med Mushrooms 2023; 25:1-10. [PMID: 37824402 DOI: 10.1615/intjmedmushrooms.2023049458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Herbal products found in nature can serve as great systems of study for drug design. The Amanita muscaria mushroom is native to many parts of the Northern Hemisphere and has a very distinctive appearance with its red cap and white spotted warts. The mushroom comprises several pharmacologically active alkaloids, including muscazone, muscarine, ibotenic acid, and muscimol, the latter two compounds being potent GABA agonists. Muscimol has served as a backbone in the design of GABA agonists devoid of effects on the GABA-metabolizing enzyme, GABA transaminase, and GABA uptake systems. In this sense, several analogs of muscimol have been synthesized and studied including THIP, THPO, iso-THIP, iso-THAZ and 4-PIOL which all interact with the GABA receptors much differently. The growing pharmacological and toxicological interest based on many conflicting opinions on the use of the neuroprotective role of muscimol analogs against some neurodegenerative diseases, its potent role in the treatment of cerebral ischemia and other socially significant health conditions provided the basis for this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Okhovat
- Colorado Chromatography Labs, Parker, CO 80134, USA
| | | | | | - Kyle P Ray
- Colorado Chromatography Labs, Parker, CO 80134, USA
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19
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Nano and Microemulsions for the Treatment of Depressive and Anxiety Disorders: An Efficient Approach to Improve Solubility, Brain Bioavailability and Therapeutic Efficacy. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14122825. [PMID: 36559318 PMCID: PMC9783281 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Most drugs used for the treatment of depression, anxiety and related disorders have low absorption, high metabolism, low brain targeting and/or low water solubility, which can make it hard to formulate them at high strength and can also lead to decreased bioavailability. Incorporating these drugs into nanometric emulsions can solve these issues. Hence, the aim of the present review was to assess the potential of nano and micro emulsions for the delivery of antidepressant and anxiolytic drugs. The results from several studies showed that nanometric emulsions were able to increase drug strength up to 20,270-fold (compared to aqueous solubility). Moreover, in general, the formulations showed droplet size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, viscosity, osmolality, pH, in vitro drug release and ex vivo drug permeation as adequate for the intended effect and administration route. In vivo animal pharmacokinetic experiments showed that nanometric emulsions improved systemic drug bioavailability and/or brain targeting, and in vivo pharmacodynamic studies showed that they had antidepressant and/or anxiolytic effects, also being apparently safe. Hence, the current review provides proof of the potential of nano and microemulsions for improving solubilization and increasing the overall bioavailability of antidepressant and/or anxiolytic drugs, providing evidence of a possible useful strategy for future therapies.
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Serum metabolomic abnormalities in survivors of non-severe COVID-19. Heliyon 2022; 8:e10473. [PMID: 36065322 PMCID: PMC9433334 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10473] [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: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is a distinctive characteristic of SARS-CoV-2 infection, which refers to metabolic changes in hosts triggered by viruses for their survival and spread. It is current urgent to understand the metabolic health status of COVID-19 survivors and its association with long-term health consequences of infection, especially for the predominant non-severe patients. Herein, we show systemic metabolic signatures of survivors of non-severe COVID-19 from Wuhan, China at six months after discharge using metabolomics approaches. The serum amino acids, organic acids, purine, fatty acids and lipid metabolism were still abnormal in the survivors, but the kynurenine pathway and the level of itaconic acid have returned to normal. These metabolic abnormalities are associated with liver injury, mental health, energy production, and inflammatory responses. Our findings identify and highlight the metabolic abnormalities in survivors of non-severe COVID-19, which provide information on biomarkers and therapeutic targets of infection and cues for post-hospital care and intervention strategies centered on metabolism reprogramming.
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21
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Gruenbaum BF, Zlotnik A, Fleidervish I, Frenkel A, Boyko M. Glutamate Neurotoxicity and Destruction of the Blood–Brain Barrier: Key Pathways for the Development of Neuropsychiatric Consequences of TBI and Their Potential Treatment Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179628. [PMID: 36077024 PMCID: PMC9456007 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with significant cognitive and psychiatric conditions. Neuropsychiatric symptoms can persist for years following brain injury, causing major disruptions in patients’ lives. In this review, we examine the role of glutamate as an aftereffect of TBI that contributes to the development of neuropsychiatric conditions. We hypothesize that TBI causes long-term blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction lasting many years and even decades. We propose that dysfunction in the BBB is the central factor that modulates increased glutamate after TBI and ultimately leads to neurodegenerative processes and subsequent manifestation of neuropsychiatric conditions. Here, we have identified factors that determine the upper and lower levels of glutamate concentration in the brain after TBI. Furthermore, we consider treatments of disruptions to BBB integrity, including repairing the BBB and controlling excess glutamate, as potential therapeutic modalities for the treatment of acute and chronic neuropsychiatric conditions and symptoms. By specifically focusing on the BBB, we hypothesize that restoring BBB integrity will alleviate neurotoxicity and related neurological sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin F. Gruenbaum
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Alexander Zlotnik
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Ilya Fleidervish
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences and Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Amit Frenkel
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Matthew Boyko
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
- Correspondence:
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22
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Stress resilience-associated behaviors following predator scent stress are accompanied by upregulated nucleus accumbens mGlu5 transcription in female Sprague Dawley rats. Behav Brain Res 2022; 436:114090. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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23
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Luessen DJ, Conn PJ. Allosteric Modulators of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors as Novel Therapeutics for Neuropsychiatric Disease. Pharmacol Rev 2022; 74:630-661. [PMID: 35710132 PMCID: PMC9553119 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.121.000540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors, a family of G-protein-coupled receptors, have been identified as novel therapeutic targets based on extensive research supporting their diverse contributions to cell signaling and physiology throughout the nervous system and important roles in regulating complex behaviors, such as cognition, reward, and movement. Thus, targeting mGlu receptors may be a promising strategy for the treatment of several brain disorders. Ongoing advances in the discovery of subtype-selective allosteric modulators for mGlu receptors has provided an unprecedented opportunity for highly specific modulation of signaling by individual mGlu receptor subtypes in the brain by targeting sites distinct from orthosteric or endogenous ligand binding sites on mGlu receptors. These pharmacological agents provide the unparalleled opportunity to selectively regulate neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission, and subsequent behavioral output pertinent to many brain disorders. Here, we review preclinical and clinical evidence supporting the utility of mGlu receptor allosteric modulators as novel therapeutic approaches to treat neuropsychiatric diseases, such as schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and stress-related disorders.
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24
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Andrade ALM, Di Girolamo Martins G, Scatena A, Lopes FM, de Oliveira WA, Kim HS, De Micheli D. The Effect of Psychosocial Interventions for Reducing Co-occurring Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in Individuals with Problematic Internet Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Int J Ment Health Addict 2022; 21:1-22. [PMID: 35677712 PMCID: PMC9164571 DOI: 10.1007/s11469-022-00846-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of psychosocial interventions in reducing problematic Internet use (PIU), anxiety, and depression symptoms in a sample of people. This review was registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42020181912) and a total of 15 studies were included. Analyses of the effect of the interventions were conducted based on the standardized mean difference of the studied outcomes (PIU, anxiety, and depression). Most studies reported a positive effect of psychosocial interventions on reducing symptoms of PIU, depression, and anxiety among people with PIU. However, only one detected a robust effect in reducing symptoms of anxiety. For depression, this effect was more modest, and there was no difference between the different modalities of psychosocial interventions. The results suggest that psychosocial interventions are effective in reducing both symptoms of PIU and co-occurring symptoms of depression and anxiety in individuals with PIU. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11469-022-00846-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Luiz Monezi Andrade
- Center of Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas, John Boyd Dunlop st, S/N - Jardim Ipajussara, Campinas, SP 13034-685 Brazil
| | - Gabriella Di Girolamo Martins
- Center of Life Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas, John Boyd Dunlop st, S/N - Jardim Ipajussara, Campinas, SP 13034-685 Brazil
| | - Adriana Scatena
- Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Napoleão de Barros st, 1038, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, 04024-003 Brazil
| | - Fernanda Machado Lopes
- Department of Psychology, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, , Florianópolis, SC 88.040-970 Brazil
| | - Wanderlei Abadio de Oliveira
- Departament of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas, John Boyd Dunlop st, S/N - Jardim Ipajussara, Campinas, SP 13034-685 Brazil
| | - Hyoun S. Kim
- Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3 Canada
| | - Denise De Micheli
- Departament of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros, 1038, Vila Clementino, SP 04024-003 Brazil
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25
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Olfson E, Lebowitz ER, Hommel G, Pashankar N, Silverman WK, Fernandez TV. Whole-exome DNA sequencing in childhood anxiety disorders identifies rare de novo damaging coding variants. Depress Anxiety 2022; 39:474-484. [PMID: 35312124 PMCID: PMC9246845 DOI: 10.1002/da.23251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic factors contribute to the development of anxiety disorders, yet few risk genes have been previously identified. One genomic approach that has achieved success in identifying risk genes in related childhood neuropsychiatric conditions is investigations of de novo variants, which has yet to be leveraged in childhood anxiety disorders. METHODS We performed whole-exome DNA sequencing in 76 parent-child trios (68 trios after quality control) recruited from a childhood anxiety disorder clinic and compared rates of rare and ultra-rare de novo variants with 790 previously sequenced control trios (783 trios after quality control). We then explored overlap with risk genes for other neuropsychiatric conditions and enrichment in biologic pathways. RESULTS Rare and ultra-rare de novo likely gene disrupting and predicted damaging missense genetic variants are enriched in anxiety disorder probands compared with controls (rare variant rate ratio 1.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-3.34, p = .03; ultra-rare variant rate ratio 2.59, 95% CI: 1.35-4.70, p = .008). These de novo damaging variants occur in individuals with a variety of childhood anxiety disorders and impact genes that have been associated with other neuropsychiatric conditions. Exploratory network analyses reveal enrichment of deleterious variants in canonical biological pathways. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide a path for identifying risk genes and promising biologic pathways in childhood anxiety disorders by de novo genetic variant detection. Our results suggest the discovery potential of applying this approach in larger anxiety disorder cohorts to advance our understanding of the underlying biology of these common and debilitating conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Olfson
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven CT,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Eli R. Lebowitz
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven CT
| | - Grace Hommel
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven CT
| | - Neha Pashankar
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven CT
| | - Wendy K. Silverman
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven CT
| | - Thomas V. Fernandez
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven CT,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
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26
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The imidazodiazepine, KRM-II-81: An example of a newly emerging generation of GABAkines for neurological and psychiatric disorders. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 213:173321. [PMID: 35041859 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
GABAkines, or positive allosteric modulators of γ-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptors, are used for the treatment of anxiety, epilepsy, sleep, and other disorders. The search for improved GABAkines, with reduced safety liabilities (e.g., dependence) or side-effect profiles (e.g., sedation) constituted multiple discovery and development campaigns that involved a multitude of strategies over the past century. Due to the general lack of success in the development of new GABAkines, there had been a decades-long draught in bringing new GABAkines to market. Recently, however, there has been a resurgence of efforts to bring GABAkines to patients, the FDA approval of the neuroactive steroid brexanolone for post-partum depression in 2019 being the first. Other neuroactive steroids are in various stages of clinical development (ganaxolone, zuranolone, LYT-300, Sage-324, PRAX 114, and ETX-155). These GABAkines and non-steroid compounds (GRX-917, a TSPO binding site ligand), darigabat (CVL-865), an α2/3/5-preferring GABAkine, SAN711, an α3-preferring GABAkine, and the α2/3-preferring GABAkine, KRM-II-81, bring new therapeutic promise to this highly utilized medicinal target in neurology and psychiatry. Herein, we also discuss possible conditions that have enabled the transition to a new age of GABAkines. We highlight the pharmacology of KRM-II-81 that has the most preclinical data reported. KRM-II-81 is the lead compound in a new series of orally bioavailable imidazodiazepines entering IND-enabling safety studies. KRM-II-81 has a preclinical profile predicting efficacy against pharmacoresistant epilepsies, traumatic brain injury, and neuropathic pain. KRM-II-81 also produces anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects in rodent models. Other key features of the pharmacology of this compound are its low sedation rate, lack of tolerance development, and the ability to prevent the development of seizure sensitization.
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27
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Brandley ET, Kirkland AE, Baron M, Baraniuk JN, Holton KF. The Effect of the Low Glutamate Diet on the Reduction of Psychiatric Symptoms in Veterans With Gulf War Illness: A Pilot Randomized-Controlled Trial. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:926688. [PMID: 35795023 PMCID: PMC9251130 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.926688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this pilot study was to examine the effects of the low glutamate diet on anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression in veterans with Gulf War Illness (GWI). The low glutamate diet removes dietary excitotoxins and increases consumption of micronutrients which are protective against glutamatergic excitotoxicity. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT#03342482). Forty veterans with GWI completed psychiatric questionnaires at baseline and after 1-month following the low glutamate diet. Participants were then randomized into a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover challenge with monosodium glutamate (MSG; a dietary excitotoxin) vs. placebo over three consecutive days per week, with assessments on day three. Data were analyzed across the full sample and with participants categorized by baseline symptom severity. Pre-post-dietary intervention change scores were analyzed with Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and paired sample t-tests across the full sample, and changes across symptom severity categories were analyzed using ANOVA. Crossover challenge results were analyzed with linear mixed modeling accounting for challenge material (MSG v. placebo), sequence (MSG/placebo v. placebo/MSG), period (challenge week 1 v. week 2), pre-diet baseline symptom severity category (minimal/mild, moderate, or severe), and the challenge material*symptom severity category interaction. A random effect of ID (sequence) was also included. All three measures showed significant improvement after 1 month on the diet, with significant differences between baseline severity categories. Individuals with severe psychological symptoms at baseline showed the most improvement after 1 month on the diet, while those with minimal/mild symptoms showed little to no change. Modeling results from the challenge period demonstrated a significant worsening of anxiety from MSG in only the most severe group, with no significant effects of MSG challenge on depression nor PTSD symptoms. These results suggest that the low glutamate diet may be an effective treatment for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, but that either (a) glutamate is only a direct cause of symptoms in anxiety, or (b) underlying nutrient intake may prevent negative psychiatric effects from glutamate exposure. Future, larger scale clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings and to further explore the potential influence of increased micronutrient intake on the improvements observed across anxiety, PTSD, and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth T Brandley
- Department of Health Studies, American University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Anna E Kirkland
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Michael Baron
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, American University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - James N Baraniuk
- Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Kathleen F Holton
- Department of Health Studies, American University, Washington, DC, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, American University, Washington, DC, United States.,Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, Washington, DC, United States
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28
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Grodstein F, Yu L, de Jager PL, Levey A, Seyfried NT, Bennett DA. Exploring Cortical Proteins Underlying the Relation of Neuroticism to Cognitive Resilience. AGING BRAIN 2022; 2:100031. [PMID: 36874358 PMCID: PMC9979250 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbas.2022.100031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Some individuals maintain cognitive health despite neuropathology. Targets impacting "cognitive resilience" may provide interventions for preventing dementia without decreasing neuropathology. Neuroticism represents the tendency to experience negative emotions, and is related to worse cognitive resilience. Exploring proteins associated with cognitive resilience risk factors, such as neuroticism, could yield new protein targets. We used 355 postmortem prefrontal cortex from two cohorts to measure 8356 proteins. We identified (i) proteins associated with both neuroticism and cognitive resilience, and (ii) proteins statistically mediating relations of neuroticism to cognitive resilience. We found two proteins, 40S ribosomal proteinS3 (RPS3) and branched chain keto acid dehydrogenase E1, subunit beta (BCKDHB), ranked in the top 1% of smallest p-values in parallel linear regression models of neuroticism to protein levels, and protein levels to cognitive decline resilience. In mediation models, RPS3 and BCKDHB accounted for 25% (p=0.005) of the relation of neuroticism to cognitive resilience. Our sample size is modest, thus results may be due to chance (p-values did not meet Bonferroni significance) and will require further confirmation; however, investigating biologic mediators of associations of risk factors to cognitive resilience may help discover targets to promote cognitive resilience and reduce dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francine Grodstein
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Lei Yu
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.,Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Philip L de Jager
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NY, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Allan Levey
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Nicholas T Seyfried
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.,Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
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29
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Therapeutic Potentials of Ketamine and Esketamine in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and Eating Disorders (ED): A Review of the Current Literature. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11070856. [PMID: 34199023 PMCID: PMC8301752 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11070856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The obsessive–compulsive spectrum refers to disorders drawn from several diagnostic categories that share core features related to obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), such as obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors and anxiety. Disorders that include these features can be grouped according to the focus of the symptoms, e.g., bodily preoccupation (i.e., eating disorders, ED) or impulse control (i.e., substance use disorders, SUD), and they exhibit intriguing similarities in phenomenology, etiology, pathophysiology, patient characteristics and clinical outcomes. The non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAr) antagonist ketamine has been indicated to produce remarkable results in patients with treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and OCD in dozens of small studies accrued over the past decade, and it appears to be promising in the treatment of SUD and ED. However, despite many small studies, solid evidence for the benefits of its use in the treatment of OCD spectrum and addiction is still lacking. Thus, the aim of this perspective article is to examine the potential for ketamine and esketamine in treating OCD, ED and SUD, which all involve recurring and intrusive thoughts and generate associated compulsive behavior. A comprehensive and updated overview of the literature regarding the pharmacological mechanisms of action of both ketamine and esketamine, as well as their therapeutic advantages over current treatments, are provided in this paper. An electronic search was performed, including all papers published up to April 2021, using the following keywords (“ketamine” or “esketamine”) AND (“obsessive” OR “compulsive” OR “OCD” OR “SUD” OR “substance use disorder” OR “addiction” OR “craving” OR “eating” OR “anorexia”) NOT review NOT animal NOT “in vitro”, on the PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science online databases. The review was conducted in accordance with preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The use and efficacy of ketamine in SUD, ED and OCD is supported by glutamatergic neurotransmission dysregulation, which plays an important role in these conditions. Ketamine’s use is increasing, and preliminary data are optimistic. Further studies are needed in order to better clarify the many unknowns related to the use of both ketamine and esketamine in SUD, ED and OCD, and to understand their long-term effectiveness.
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30
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Chen Y, Xu J, Chen Y. Regulation of Neurotransmitters by the Gut Microbiota and Effects on Cognition in Neurological Disorders. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13062099. [PMID: 34205336 PMCID: PMC8234057 DOI: 10.3390/nu13062099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 73.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence indicates that gut microbiota is important in the regulation of brain activity and cognitive functions. Microbes mediate communication among the metabolic, peripheral immune, and central nervous systems via the microbiota–gut–brain axis. However, it is not well understood how the gut microbiome and neurons in the brain mutually interact or how these interactions affect normal brain functioning and cognition. We summarize the mechanisms whereby the gut microbiota regulate the production, transportation, and functioning of neurotransmitters. We also discuss how microbiome dysbiosis affects cognitive function, especially in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijing Chen
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen–Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; (Y.C.); (J.X.)
| | - Jinying Xu
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen–Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; (Y.C.); (J.X.)
- Shenzhen College of Advanced Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen–Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China; (Y.C.); (J.X.)
- Shenzhen College of Advanced Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Disease and Drug Development, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen–Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518057, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-755-26925498
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31
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Abstract
Welcome to Insights, a new series in which articles published in FEBS Open Bio are summarised for the wider community. We hope that this series will help make the findings we publish more accessible to the general public and encourage greater engagement. In this first article of the series, we introduce a research paper on fear in rats, authored by Professor Yuchio Yanagawa and colleagues and published in this issue. Photo: Young rat and cat in front of black background. Cynoclub/Shutterstock.com.
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