Regulation of Serotonin 1A Receptor SUMOylation by SENP2 and PIASxα

Epigenome-wide DNA methylation analysis of whole blood cells derived from patients with GAD and OCD in the Chinese Han population

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) had high comorbidity and affected more than 44 million people around the world leading to a huge burden on health and economy. Here, we conducted an epigenome-wide DNA methylation study employing 93 patients with GAD, 65 patients with OCD, and 302 health controls, to explore epigenetic alterations associated with the onset and differences of GAD and OCD. We identified multiple differentially methylated positions (DMPs) and regions (DMRs): three DMP genes included RIOK3 (cg21515243, p = 8.00 × 10^-10), DNASE2 (cg09379601, p = 1.10 × 10^-9), and PSMB4 (cg01334186, p = 3.70 × 10^-7) and two DMR genes USP6NL (p = 4.50 × 10^-4) and CPLX1 (p = 6.95 × 10^-4) were associated with the onset of GAD and OCD; three DMPs genes included LDLRAP1 (cg21400344, p = 4.40 × 10^-12), ACIN1 (cg23712970, p = 2.98×10^-11), and SCRT1 (cg25472897, p = 5.60 × 10^-11) and three DMR genes WDR19 (p = 3.39 × 10^-3), SYCP1 (p = 6.41 × 10^-3), and FAM172A (p = 5.74 × 10^-3) were associated with the differences between GAD and OCD. Investigation of epigenetic age and chronological age revealed a different epigenetic development trajectory of GAD and OCD. Conclusively, our findings which yielded robust models may aid in distinguishing patients from healthy controls (AUC = 0.90-0.99) or classifying patients with GAD and OCD (AUC = 0.89-0.99), and may power the precision medicine for them.

Chronic-Exposure Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields (Magnetotherapy and Magnetic Stimulation) Influence Serum Serotonin Concentrations in Patients with Low Back Pain-Clinical Observation Study

(1) Background: The influence of serotonin on many regulatory mechanisms has not been sufficiently studied. The use of a physical method, assuming the possibility of its action on increasing the concentration of serotonin, may be the direction of therapy limiting the number of antidepressants used. The aim of the research was to study the effects of low-frequency magnetic fields of different characteristics on the circadian profile of serotonin in men with low back pain. (2) Methods: 16 men with back pain syndrome participated in the study. The patients were divided into two groups. In group 1, magnetotherapy (2.9 mT, 40 Hz, square wave, bipolar) was applied at 10.00 a.m. In group 2, the M2P2 magnetic stimulation program of the Viofor JPS device was used. Treatments in each group lasted 3 weeks, 5 days each, with breaks for Saturday and Sunday. The daily serotonin profile was determined the day before the exposure and the day after the last treatment. Blood samples (at night with red light) were collected at 8:00, 12:00, 16:00, 24:00, and 4:00. The patients did not suffer from any chronic or acute disease and were not taking any medications. (3) Results: In group 1, a significant increase in serotonin concentration was observed after 15 treatments at 4:00. In group 2, a significant increase in serotonin concentration was observed at 8:00 after the end of the treatments. In comparison between magnetotherapy and magnetic stimulation, the time points at which differences appeared after the application of serotonin occurred due to the increase in its concentrations after the application of magnetic stimulation. (4) Conclusions: Magnetotherapy and magnetic stimulation, acting in a similar way, increase the concentration of serotonin. Weak magnetic fields work similarly to the stronger ones used in TMS. It is possible to use them in the treatment of mental disorders or other diseases with low serotonin concentrations.

cAMP-PKA cascade: An outdated topic for depression?

Depression is a common neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by persistent depressed mood and causes serious socioeconomic burden worldwide. Hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, deficiency of monoamine transmitters, neuroinflammation and abnormalities of the gut flora are strongly associated with the onset of depression. The cyclic AMP (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) cascade, a major cross-species cellular signaling pathway, is supposed as important player and regulator of depression onset by controlling synaptic plasticity, cytokinesis, transcriptional regulation and HPA axis. In the central nervous system, the cAMP-PKA cascade can dynamically shape neural circuits by enhancing synaptic plasticity, and affect K⁺ channels by phosphorylating Kir4.1, thereby regulating neuronal excitation. The reduction of cAMP-PKA cascade affects neuronal excitation as well as synaptic plasticity, ultimately leading to pathological outcome of depression, while activation of cAMP-PKA cascade would provide a rapid antidepressant effect. In this review, we proposed to reconsider the function of cAMP-PKA cascade, especially in the rapid antidepressant effect. Local activation or indirect activation of PKA through adjusting anchor proteins would provide new idea for acute treatment of depression.

Pathophysiology of the Serotonin System in the Nervous System and Beyond

Serotonin (5-HT) is an attractive neurotransmitter system, in terms of physiology, physiopathology, and medicines [...].