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Costeira MJ, Costa P, Roque S, Carvalho I, Vilarinho L, Palha JA. History of Neonatal Screening of Congenital Hypothyroidism in Portugal. Int J Neonatal Screen 2024; 10:16. [PMID: 38390980 PMCID: PMC10885029 DOI: 10.3390/ijns10010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) leads to growth and development delays and is preventable with early treatment. Neonatal screening for CH was initiated in Portugal in 1981. This study examines the history of CH screening in the country. Data were obtained from annual reports and from the national database of neonatal screening laboratory. The CH screening strategy primarily relies on the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), followed by total thyroxine measurement as the second tier for confirmation. The TSH cutoff started at 90 mIU/L, decreasing to the actual 10 mIU/L. The coverage of the screening program has increased rapidly; although voluntary, it reached about 90% in 6 years and became universal in 10 years. Guideline and cutoff updates led to the identification of over 200 additional cases, resulting in specific retesting protocols for preterm and very-low-birth-weight babies. The actual decision tree considers CH when TSH levels are above 40 mIU/L. Data from the CH screening also provide an indication of the iodine status of the population, which is presently indicative of iodine insufficiency. The Portuguese neonatal screening for CH is a history of success. It has rapidly and continuously adapted to changes in knowledge and has become a universal voluntary practice within a few years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria José Costeira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (M.J.C.); (P.C.)
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Department of Neonatology, Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Ave Rua dos Cutileiros, 4835-044 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrício Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (M.J.C.); (P.C.)
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Susana Roque
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (M.J.C.); (P.C.)
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Ivone Carvalho
- Neonatal Screening, Metabolism & Genetics—National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 4000-053 Porto, Portugal; (I.C.); (L.V.)
| | - Laura Vilarinho
- Neonatal Screening, Metabolism & Genetics—National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 4000-053 Porto, Portugal; (I.C.); (L.V.)
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (M.J.C.); (P.C.)
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Lopes-Pereira M, Roque S, Machado SI, Korevaar TIM, Quialheiro A, Machado A, Vilarinho L, Correia-Neves M, Galanti MR, Bordalo AA, Costa P, Palha JA. Iodineminho Study: Iodine Supplementation and Prevalence of Iodine Deficiency in Pregnant Women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024:dgae041. [PMID: 38266309 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgae041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Iodine is necessary for the proper brain development. The prevalence of iodine deficiency in Portuguese pregnant women led the health authorities, in 2013, to recommend iodine supplementation for women in preconception, throughout pregnancy and during lactation. OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of iodine supplementation initiated in the preconception or the first trimester of pregnancy on the prevalence of iodine deficiency and maternal thyroid status. METHODS An observational prospective cohort study that follows thyroid function and iodine status of women recruited in preconception or in the first trimester of pregnancy. RESULTS The median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was significantly higher among women taking iodine supplements (no-supplement group UIC=63µg/L; supplement group UIC =100µg/L, p = 0.002) but still below the levels recommended by the World Health Organization. Only 15% of pregnant women had adequate iodine status and 17% showed UIC < 50 µg/l. There was no influence of whether iodine supplementation started in preconception or in the 1st trimester of gestation (UIC preconception group: 112µg/L vs UIC pregnancy group: 91µg/L, p = 0.569). In the 1st trimester of pregnancy, total thyroxine levels were lower and free triiodothyronine levels were higher in non-supplemented women. Thyroglobulin levels were lower in women who started iodine supplementation in preconception compared to non-supplemented women and women who started iodine supplementation during gestation. CONCLUSION In the Minho region of Portugal, fertile women have insufficient iodine intake. Additional public health measures are needed since the current recommendations for iodine supplementation for pregnancy are unsatisfactory to achieve an adequate iodine status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lopes-Pereira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães
- Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Susana Roque
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães
| | - Sarai Isabel Machado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães
| | - Tim I M Korevaar
- Academic Center for Thyroid Diseases, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anna Quialheiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães
| | - Ana Machado
- Laboratory of Hydrobiology and Ecology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS-UP) & Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environment Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Laura Vilarinho
- Newborn Screening, Metabolism & Genetics Unit, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Porto, Portugal
| | - Margarida Correia-Neves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães
| | | | - Adriano A Bordalo
- Laboratory of Hydrobiology and Ecology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS-UP) & Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environment Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Patrício Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães
- Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal
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3
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Lopes-Pereira M, Quialheiro A, Costa P, Roque S, Correia Santos N, Correia-Neves M, Goios A, Carvalho I, Korevaar TIM, Vilarinho L, Palha JA. Iodine supplementation: compliance and association with adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Eur Thyroid J 2022; 11:e210035. [PMID: 34981750 PMCID: PMC9142800 DOI: 10.1530/etj-21-0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Over 1.9 billion people worldwide are living in areas estimated to be iodine insufficient. Strategies for iodine supplementation include campaigns targeting vulnerable groups, such as women in pre-conception, pregnancy and lactation. Portuguese women of childbearing age and pregnant women were shown to be mildly-to-moderately iodine deficient. As a response, in 2013, the National Health Authority (NHA) issued a recommendation that all women considering pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding, take a daily supplement of 150-200 μg iodine. This study explored how the iodine supplementation recommendation has been fulfilled among pregnant and lactating women in Portugal, and whether the reported iodine supplements intake impacted on adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes. DESIGN AND METHODS Observational retrospective study on pregnant women who delivered or had a fetal loss in the Braga Hospital and had their pregnancies followed in Family Health Units. RESULTS The use of iodine supplements increased from 25% before the recommendation to 81% after the recommendation. This was mostly due to an increase in the use of supplements containing iodine only. Iodine supplementation was protective for the number of adverse obstetric outcomes (odds ratio (OR) = 0.791, P = 0.018) and for neonatal morbidities (OR = 0.528, P = 0.024) after controlling for relevant confounding variables. CONCLUSION The recommendation seems to have succeeded in implementing iodine supplementation during pregnancy. National prospective studies are now needed to evaluate the impact of iodine supplementation on maternal thyroid homeostasis and offspring psychomotor development and on whether the time of the beginning of iodine supplementation (how early during preconception or pregnancy) is relevant to consider.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lopes-Pereira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Anna Quialheiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrício Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Susana Roque
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nadine Correia Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- ACMP5 – Associação Centro de Medicina P5 (P5), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Margarida Correia-Neves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Goios
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ivone Carvalho
- Newborn Screening, Metabolism & Genetics Unit, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Porto, Portugal
| | - Tim I M Korevaar
- Academic Center for Thyroid Diseases, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Laura Vilarinho
- Newborn Screening, Metabolism & Genetics Unit, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center-Braga (2CA-B), Braga, Portugal
- Correspondence should be addressed to J A Palha:
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Serre-Miranda C, Roque S, Barreira-Silva P, Nobrega C, Vieira N, Costa P, Palha JA, Correia-Neves M. Age-related sexual dimorphism on the longitudinal progression of blood immune cells in BALB/cByJ mice. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2021; 77:883-891. [PMID: 34741509 PMCID: PMC9071472 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glab330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of immune system aging is of relevance, considering its myriad of interactions and role in protecting and maintaining body homeostasis. While mouse models have been extensively used to study immune system aging, little is known on how the main immune populations progress over time and what is the impact of sex. To contribute to filling this gap, male and female BALB/cByJ mice were longitudinally evaluated, from 3 to 18 months old, for the main blood populations, assessed by flow cytometry. Using linear mixed-effect models, we observed that the percentages of neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, and total natural killer (NK) cells increase with aging, while those of B cells, T cells (including CD4+ and CD8+ subsets), and Ly6C+ NK cells decrease. Males present higher percentages of neutrophils and classical monocytes Ly6Chigh over time, while females present higher percentages of total T cells, both CD4+ and CD8+, eosinophils, and NK cells. Males and females display similar percentages of B cells, even though with opposite accelerated progressions over time. This study revealed that mouse models recapitulate what is observed in humans during aging: an overall proportional decrease in the adaptive and an increase in the innate immune cells. Additionally, it uncovers an age-related sexual dimorphism in the proportion of immune cells in circulation, further strengthening the need to explore the impact of sex when addressing immune system aging using mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Serre-Miranda
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Susana Roque
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Palmira Barreira-Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Claudia Nobrega
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Neide Vieira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrício Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Margarida Correia-Neves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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5
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Portugal-Nunes C, Reis J, Coelho A, Moreira PS, Castanho TC, Magalhães R, Marques P, Soares JM, Amorim L, Cunha PG, Santos NC, Costa P, Palha JA, Sousa N, Bessa JM. The Association of Metabolic Dysfunction and Mood Across Lifespan Interacts With the Default Mode Network Functional Connectivity. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:618623. [PMID: 34408637 PMCID: PMC8364979 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.618623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Numerous studies suggest a relationship between depression and metabolic syndrome, which is likely influenced by age. Interestingly, functional imaging analysis has shown an association between functional connectivity in the default mode network (DMN-FC) and components of metabolic syndrome, which is explored in this study. Methods: From a larger longitudinal cohort study on healthy aging, 943 individuals were extensively characterized for mood and cognition. Among these, 120 individuals who were selected for displaying extreme cognitive performance within the normal range (good and poor performers) were further studied. Here, in a cross-sectional design, using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the association between metabolic dysfunction and depressive mood as a function of age and its relationship with DMN-FC was studied. Results: Metabolic dysfunction was modeled as a second-order latent variable using CFA. First-order latent variables were obesity, glucose dysmetabolism, lipids imbalance, and blood pressure. Using multiple linear regression models, this study observed that metabolic dysfunction, glucose dysmetabolism, and lipids imbalance were linearly associated with depressive mood, and the association with obesity was U-shaped. The association of metabolic dysfunction, obesity, and glucose dysmetabolism with depressive mood is positive for the younger individuals in our sample and vanishes with aging. The FC of the right superior temporal gyrus with the DMN correlated with both obesity and depressive mood. In participants with higher obesity scores, FC increased with higher GDS scores, while in those with lower GDS scores, FC decreased. Age and blood pressure were associated with a more complex pattern of association between FC of the right supramarginal gyrus and GDS score. Conclusion: The association of metabolic dysfunction with depressive mood is influenced by age and relates with differential patterns of DMN-FC. The combination of the effects of age, mood, and metabolic dysfunction is likely to explain the heterogeneity of DMN-FC, which deserves further investigation with larger and longitudinal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Portugal-Nunes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Joana Reis
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Coelho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Pedro Silva Moreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal.,Psychological Neuroscience Lab, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Teresa Costa Castanho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Magalhães
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Paulo Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - José Miguel Soares
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Liliana Amorim
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Pedro Guimarães Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Centro Hospitalar do Alto Ave-EPE, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nadine Correia Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Patrício Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - João Miguel Bessa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
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6
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Serre-Miranda C, Nobrega C, Roque S, Canto-Gomes J, Silva CS, Vieira N, Barreira-Silva P, Alves-Peixoto P, Cotter J, Reis A, Formigo M, Sarmento H, Pires O, Carvalho A, Petrovykh DY, Diéguez L, Sousa JC, Sousa N, Capela C, Palha JA, Cunha PG, Correia-Neves M. Performance assessment of 11 commercial serological tests for SARS-CoV-2 on hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Int J Infect Dis 2021; 104:661-669. [PMID: 33484862 PMCID: PMC7817432 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Commercial availability of serological tests to evaluate immunoglobulins (Ig) targeting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has grown exponentially since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Thorough validation of these tests is important before use as epidemiological tools to infer seroprevalence in specific populations and as diagnostic tools to complement molecular approaches (e.g., quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction). METHODS Commercial serological tests from 11 suppliers were assayed side-by-side using 126 samples from SARS-CoV-2-infected inpatients and 36 from healthy and HIV-infected individuals. RESULTS The majority of the tests assayed have >95% specificity. For the sensitivity calculation, samples were stratified by days since symptoms onset; sensitivity peaks at 16-21 days for IgM and IgA (maximum 91.2%, Euroimmun) and, dependant on the test, at 16-21 or >21 days for IgG (maximum 94.1%, Snibe). Data from semiquantitative tests show that patients with a severe clinical presentation have lower levels of Ig targeting SARS-CoV-2 at <10 days since symptoms onset and higher levels at >21 days, compared to patients with a non-severe presentation. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the heterogeneity of sensitivity and generally high specificity of the serological tests and establishes a basis for their usefulness to complement diagnostic techniques and population seroprevalence studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Serre-Miranda
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - C Nobrega
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - S Roque
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - J Canto-Gomes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - C S Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - N Vieira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - P Barreira-Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - P Alves-Peixoto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - J Cotter
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Center for the Research and Treatment of Arterial Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk, Internal Medicine Department, Senhora da Oliveira Hospital, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - A Reis
- Center for the Research and Treatment of Arterial Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk, Internal Medicine Department, Senhora da Oliveira Hospital, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - M Formigo
- Center for the Research and Treatment of Arterial Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk, Internal Medicine Department, Senhora da Oliveira Hospital, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - H Sarmento
- Center for the Research and Treatment of Arterial Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk, Internal Medicine Department, Senhora da Oliveira Hospital, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - O Pires
- Hospital of Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - A Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Hospital of Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - D Y Petrovykh
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Braga, Portugal
| | - L Diéguez
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Braga, Portugal
| | - J C Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - N Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal
| | - C Capela
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Hospital of Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - J A Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal
| | - P G Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Center for the Research and Treatment of Arterial Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk, Internal Medicine Department, Senhora da Oliveira Hospital, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - M Correia-Neves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal.
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7
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Tahira A, Marques F, Lisboa B, Feltrin A, Barbosa A, de Oliveira KC, de Bragança Pereira CA, Leite R, Grinberg L, Suemoto C, de Lucena Ferretti-Rebustini RE, Pasqualucci CA, Jacob-Filho W, Brentani H, Palha JA. Are the 50's, the transition decade, in choroid plexus aging? GeroScience 2021; 43:225-237. [PMID: 33576945 PMCID: PMC8050122 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-021-00329-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The choroid plexus (CP) is an important structure for the brain. Besides its major role in the production of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), it conveys signals originating from the brain, and from the circulatory system, shaping brain function in health and in pathology. Previous studies in rodents have revealed altered transcriptome both during aging and in various diseases of the central nervous system, including Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, a high-throughput sequencing of the CP transcriptome was performed in postmortem samples of clinically healthy individuals aged 50's through 80's. The data shows an age-related profile, with the main changes occurring in the transition from the 50's to the 60's, stabilizing thereafter. Specifically, neuronal and membrane functions distinguish the transcriptome between the 50's and the 60's, while neuronal and axon development and extracellular structure organization differentiate the 50's from the 70's. These findings suggest that changes in the CP transcriptome occur early in the aging process. Future studies will unravel whether these relate with processes occurring in late- onset brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Tahira
- LIM23, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Bianca Lisboa
- LIM23, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Arthur Feltrin
- LIM23, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Center of Mathematics, Computing and Cognition, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil
| | - André Barbosa
- LIM23, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Inter-institutional Grad Program on Bioinformatics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Kátia Cristina de Oliveira
- LIM23, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Center of Mathematics, Computing and Cognition, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Renata Leite
- Biobank for Aging Studies Group, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Lea Grinberg
- Biobank for Aging Studies Group, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Claudia Suemoto
- Biobank for Aging Studies Group, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Carlos Augusto Pasqualucci
- Biobank for Aging Studies Group, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Wilson Jacob-Filho
- Biobank for Aging Studies Group, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Helena Brentani
- LIM23, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Departamento de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
- Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal.
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8
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Portugal-Nunes C, Castanho TC, Amorim L, Moreira PS, Mariz J, Marques F, Sousa N, Santos NC, Palha JA. Iron Status is Associated with Mood, Cognition, and Functional Ability in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients 2020; 12:E3594. [PMID: 33238615 PMCID: PMC7700455 DOI: 10.3390/nu12113594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Several conditions are risk factors for iron deficiency (ID), some of which are highly prevalent in older individuals. Despite the amount of evidence pointing for a role of ID in cognition, mood and physical functional ability, the research addressing these associations in older individuals is still scarce. In the present study, 162 older community-dwelling individuals (29.53% classified as ID) were enrolled in a cross-sectional analysis and characterized regarding cognition, mood, functional ability, general nutritional intake and iron status. Assessment of iron status was performed using several blood biomarkers. Storage and erythropoiesis dimensions were positively associated with memory, along with an interaction (moderator effect) between iron storage and nutritional status. A more depressed mood was negatively associated with (iron) transport, transport saturation and erythropoiesis dimensions, and functional tiredness was positively associated with the erythropoiesis dimension. These observations indicate that lower iron status is associated with depressive mood, functional tiredness and poorer memory ability, with the latter moderated by nutritional status. These findings suggest that using iron as a continuous variable may be useful in finding associations with iron homeostasis, eventually missed when iron levels are considered within the usual classification groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Portugal-Nunes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (C.P.-N.); (T.C.C.); (L.A.); (P.S.M.); (J.M.); (F.M.); (N.S.); (N.C.S.)
- ICVS/3B′s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center—Braga, 4710-243 Braga, Portugal
| | - Teresa Costa Castanho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (C.P.-N.); (T.C.C.); (L.A.); (P.S.M.); (J.M.); (F.M.); (N.S.); (N.C.S.)
- ICVS/3B′s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center—Braga, 4710-243 Braga, Portugal
| | - Liliana Amorim
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (C.P.-N.); (T.C.C.); (L.A.); (P.S.M.); (J.M.); (F.M.); (N.S.); (N.C.S.)
- ICVS/3B′s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Associação Centro de Medicina P5 (ACMP5), 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Pedro Silva Moreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (C.P.-N.); (T.C.C.); (L.A.); (P.S.M.); (J.M.); (F.M.); (N.S.); (N.C.S.)
- ICVS/3B′s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center—Braga, 4710-243 Braga, Portugal
| | - José Mariz
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (C.P.-N.); (T.C.C.); (L.A.); (P.S.M.); (J.M.); (F.M.); (N.S.); (N.C.S.)
- ICVS/3B′s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center—Braga, 4710-243 Braga, Portugal
- Emergency Department, Intermediate Care Unit (EDIMCU), Hospital de Braga, 4710-243 Braga, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (C.P.-N.); (T.C.C.); (L.A.); (P.S.M.); (J.M.); (F.M.); (N.S.); (N.C.S.)
- ICVS/3B′s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (C.P.-N.); (T.C.C.); (L.A.); (P.S.M.); (J.M.); (F.M.); (N.S.); (N.C.S.)
- ICVS/3B′s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center—Braga, 4710-243 Braga, Portugal
| | - Nadine Correia Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (C.P.-N.); (T.C.C.); (L.A.); (P.S.M.); (J.M.); (F.M.); (N.S.); (N.C.S.)
- ICVS/3B′s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Associação Centro de Medicina P5 (ACMP5), 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (C.P.-N.); (T.C.C.); (L.A.); (P.S.M.); (J.M.); (F.M.); (N.S.); (N.C.S.)
- ICVS/3B′s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center—Braga, 4710-243 Braga, Portugal
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9
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Lopes-Pereira M, Roque S, Costa P, Quialheiro A, Santos NC, Goios A, Vilarinho L, Correia-Neves M, Palha JA. Impact of iodine supplementation during preconception, pregnancy and lactation on maternal thyroid homeostasis and offspring psychomotor development: protocol of the IodineMinho prospective study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2020; 20:693. [PMID: 33187482 PMCID: PMC7664061 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-020-03376-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of preventable brain harm and cognitive impairment in children. Portuguese women of childbearing age, pregnant women and their progeny were shown to have inadequate iodine intake. Consequently, the Portuguese Health Authorities have recommended a daily supplementation with 150-200 µg iodine in preconception, pregnancy, and lactation. The IodineMinho study intends to evaluate whether (i) this recommendation impacted on the prevalence of iodine deficiency in pregnant women from the Minho region of Portugal, (ii) the time of initiation of iodine supplementation (if any) influences the serum levels of thyroid hormones at several intervals during pregnancy and (iii) there are serum thyroid-hormone parameters in the 1st trimester of pregnancy that predict psychomotor development of the child at 18 months of age. METHODS Most Portuguese women are followed throughout pregnancy in community Family Health Units, where family physicians may choose to follow the National recommendation or other, concerning iodine sufficiency. This study will recruit women (N = 304) who intend to become pregnant or are already pregnant from 10 representative Units. Physician's approach and prescriptions, sociodemographic, nutrition and clinical information will be obtained at baseline and throughout pregnancy. To evaluate endocrine function, blood and urine samples will be collected at recruitment, once in each trimester of pregnancy, at delivery and 3 months after delivery. Breastmilk samples will be collected for iodine and energy content analysis. Children will be evaluated for psychomotor development at 18 months. Maternal thyroid volume will be evaluated by ultrasound scan at baseline, in the 3rd trimester and at 3 months after delivery. DISCUSSION Iodine deficiency early during development precludes children from achieving full intellectual capabilities. This protocol describes a study that is innovative and unique in its detailed and comprehensive evaluation of maternal and child endocrine and psychomotor parameters. By evaluating the effectiveness of the iodine supplementation recommendation, it will contribute to the public health systems' efforts to provide excellence in maternal and infant care. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04288531 . Registered 28 February 2020-Retrospectively registered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lopes-Pereira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal
- Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Susana Roque
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal
| | - Patrício Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal
| | - Anna Quialheiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal
| | - Nadine Correia Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal
| | - Ana Goios
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal
| | - Laura Vilarinho
- Newborn Screening, Metabolism & Genetics Unit, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Porto, Portugal
| | - Margarida Correia-Neves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal.
- Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal.
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10
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Pego JM, Palha JA, Scoles PV, Sousa N. Strategies for remote assessment of medical students at University of Minho. Med Educ 2020; 54:1074-1075. [PMID: 32857875 PMCID: PMC7754481 DOI: 10.1111/medu.14322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
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11
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Serre-Miranda C, Roque S, Santos NC, Costa P, Sousa N, Palha JA, Correia-Neves M. Cognition Is Associated With Peripheral Immune Molecules in Healthy Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2045. [PMID: 32983153 PMCID: PMC7493640 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cognition in the elderly is heterogeneous. Senescence of the immune system is increasingly considered as a potential player in cognitive performance. We explored here the interplay between cognitive performance and peripheral immune molecules in healthy older individuals. Methods A cross-sectional study of clinically well characterized senior healthy individuals (120; 51-87 years old) previously clustered as "Good" and "Poor" performers based on established tests that evaluate memory and executive function. A plasma concentration of 30 immune molecules was assessed by multiplex analysis and correlated with parameters of cognitive performance. Results Participants with worse cognitive performance ("Poor") exhibited increased concentrations of IL-1β, IL-8, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) when compared to individuals with a better cognitive performance ("Good"). The cognitive dimensions memory and executive function, when considered separately, displayed a negative association with several immune molecules (IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-6, IL-13, IP-10, and TNF with memory and only IL-1β with executive function), even controlling for age, sex, years of formal education, mood, and use of anti-inflammatory drugs. Regression analysis showed that several of these molecules (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-13) contribute to predicting whether an individual belongs to the "Good" or "Poor" cognitive performance group. Conclusion These results strengthen the hypothesis that increased concentrations of peripheral immune molecules, like IL-1β, are associated with worse cognitive performance in senior healthy individuals. It further highlights that some poorly studied immune molecules should be considered in the context of cognitive aging, such as IL-13, here revealed as a new player in such interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Serre-Miranda
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Susana Roque
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nadine Correia Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Patrício Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Margarida Correia-Neves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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12
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Portugal-Nunes C, Castanho TC, Moreira PS, Magalhães R, Marques P, Costa P, Palha JA, Sousa N, Santos NC, Bessa JM. The moderator effect of age in the association between mood and adiposity in the elderly is specific for the subcutaneous adipose compartment: An MRI study. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2020; 35:113-121. [PMID: 31657069 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The positive association between obesity and depressive mood in young- and middle-age individuals is a phenomenon with major clinical implications in public health. Interestingly, the trend of this association in older individuals is not clear, given the conflicting results of multiple studies. Since aging is accompanied by changes in body fat distribution, we questioned whether age is a modulator of such association. This study explores the role of age in the association between mood and general (body mass index [BMI]) and abdominal adiposity (waist circumference [WC]) in older adults characterizing the different abdominal adipose tissue compartments (subcutaneous adipose tissue [SAT] and visceral adipose tissue [VAT]) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. METHODS One hundred twenty aged community-dwelling individuals (≥50 y of age) were assessed regarding depressive mood (Geriatric Depression Scale) and adiposity (BMI and WC). From these, 96 were assessed for SAT and VAT using MRI. RESULTS Using multiple linear regression models, depressive mood was positively associated with BMI, WC, and VAT. Age was a significant moderator of the association between depressive mood and BMI, WC, and SAT: positive in younger participants and null or negative in older participants. On the other hand, higher VAT was significantly associated with a more depressive mood, independently of age. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies age as a relevant moderator in the association between depressive mood and adiposity in the elderlies. Furthermore, the body fat compartment analysis revealed that the effect of age is specific for the SAT, suggesting its protective role in depressive mood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Portugal-Nunes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Teresa Costa Castanho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Pedro Silva Moreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Magalhães
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Paulo Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Patrício Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nadine Correia Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - João Miguel Bessa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
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13
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Carvalho AC, Santos NC, Portugal-Nunes C, Castanho TC, Moreira P, Costa PS, Sousa N, Palha JA. 25-OH Vitamin D Levels and Cognitive Performance: Longitudinal Assessment in a Healthy Aging Cohort. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:330. [PMID: 31827432 PMCID: PMC6890840 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Declining serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D, a biomarker of vitamin D status] with aging is a well-recognized phenomenon. However, scarce information is available on the relation between 25(OH)D levels and cognitive performance over time in older individuals. Our purpose was to evaluate, longitudinally, the association of 25(OH)D with cognitive function in a healthy older adults’ cohort. Methods: Sixty-four individuals over 55 years-old with no cognitive impairment, clustered as healthy “Poor” and “Good” cognitive performers, were followed for an average of 18 months. Seasonal-adjusted 25(OH)D serum levels (measured by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) were related, longitudinally, with cognitive (memory and general/executive) composite scores. Results: Overall seasonal-adjusted median serum 25(OH)D level was of 47 nmol/l [interquartile range (IQR), 38–60 nmol/l]. A negative correlation between baseline 25(OH)D and the general/executive composite score was found in the “Poor” cognitive performers (rs = −0.52, p = 0.006), an association lost after adjusting 25(OH)D levels for the season. No effect was found in both groups between seasonal-adjusted 25(OH)D levels and the variation of both memory and general/executive composites during follow-up when adjusted for age, gender and education level. Conclusion: In this healthy older population with no cognitive impairment, lower serum levels of 25(OH)D were not longitudinally associated with poorer cognitive scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Couto Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal.,Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Santo Antonio Hospital-Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nadine Correia Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal
| | - Carlos Portugal-Nunes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal
| | - Teresa Costa Castanho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal
| | - Pedro Moreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal
| | - Patrício Soares Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal
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Novais A, Silva A, Ferreira AC, Falcão AM, Sousa N, Palha JA, Marques F, Sousa JC. Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis Modulation by the Membrane-Associated Progesterone Receptor Family Member Neudesin. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:463. [PMID: 30534059 PMCID: PMC6275434 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neudesin (Neuron-derived neurotrophic factor, NENF), a membrane-associated progesterone receptor family (MAPR) member, is a neuron secreted protein with neurotrophic properties during embryonic stages. However, its role in the adult brain is still poorly addressed. In this study we have used neudesin-null (Nenf−/−) mice and performed a characterization of the proliferation state of the adult neurogenic niches, the adult subventricular zone (SVZ) and the hippocampus subgranular zone (SGZ). Nenf−/− males did not presented any deficits in proliferation in the SVZ neither in vivo nor in vitro. On the other hand a decrease in cell proliferation in the SGZ was observed, as well as a decrease in the number of newborn neurons in the dentate gyrus (DG) that was accompanied by impaired context discrimination in a contextual fear conditioning (CFC) task. Since NENF neurotrophic action is suggested to occur via the formation of a progesterone stability complex for the activation of non-genomic cascade, we further evaluated progesterone metabolism in the absence of NENF. Interestingly, expression of progesterone catabolic rate-determining enzyme, 5-α-reductase was upregulated in the DG of Nenf−/−, together with a significant increase in the expression of the δGABAA receptor gene, involved in DG tonic inhibition. Taken together, these findings add in vivo evidence on the neurotrophic properties of NENF in the adult brain. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of NENF in this process might implicate neurosteroids modulation, at least in the DG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Novais
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), Neuroscience Domain, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Alberto Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), Neuroscience Domain, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Catarina Ferreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), Neuroscience Domain, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Mendanha Falcão
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), Neuroscience Domain, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), Neuroscience Domain, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), Neuroscience Domain, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), Neuroscience Domain, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - João Carlos Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), Neuroscience Domain, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
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15
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Ferreira AC, Santos T, Sampaio-Marques B, Novais A, Mesquita SD, Ludovico P, Bernardino L, Correia-Neves M, Sousa N, Palha JA, Sousa JC, Marques F. Lipocalin-2 regulates adult neurogenesis and contextual discriminative behaviours. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:1031-1039. [PMID: 28485407 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In the adult mammalian brain, newborn granule cells are continuously integrated into hippocampal circuits, and the fine-tuning of this process is important for hippocampal function. Thus, the identification of factors that control adult neural stem cells (NSCs) maintenance, differentiation and integration is essential. Here we show that the deletion of the iron trafficking protein lipocalin-2 (LCN2) induces deficits in NSCs proliferation and commitment, with impact on the hippocampal-dependent contextual fear discriminative task. Mice deficient in LCN2 present an increase in the NSCs population, as a consequence of a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest induced by increased endogenous oxidative stress. Of notice, supplementation with the iron-chelating agent deferoxamine rescues NSCs oxidative stress, promotes cell cycle progression and improves contextual fear conditioning. LCN2 is, therefore, a novel key modulator of neurogenesis that, through iron, controls NSCs cell cycle progression and death, self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation and, ultimately, hippocampal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Ferreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - T Santos
- Health Sciences Research Center (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - B Sampaio-Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - A Novais
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - S D Mesquita
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - P Ludovico
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - L Bernardino
- Health Sciences Research Center (CICS-UBI), University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - M Correia-Neves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - N Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - J A Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - J C Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - F Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
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16
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Castanho TC, Amorim L, Moreira PS, Mariz J, Palha JA, Sousa N, Santos NC. Assessing Cognitive Function in Older Adults Using a Videoconference Approach. EBioMedicine 2016; 11:278-284. [PMID: 27515687 PMCID: PMC5049917 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of communication technologies is an emerging trend in healthcare and research. Despite efficient, reliable and accurate neuropsychological batteries to evaluate cognitive performance in-person, more diverse and less expensive and time consuming solutions are needed. Here we conducted a pilot study to determine the applicability of a videoconference (VC, Skype®) approach to assess cognitive function in older adults, using The Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-Modified - Portuguese version (TICSM-PT). METHODS After inclusion and exclusion criteria, 69 individuals (mean age=74.90±9.46years), selected from registries of local health centers and assisted-living facilities, were assessed on cognitive performance using videoconference, telephone and in-person approaches. FINDINGS The videoconference administration method yielded comparable results to the traditional application. Correlation analyses showed high associations between the testing modalities: TICSM-PT VC and TICSM-PT telephone (r=0.885), TICSM-PT VC and MMSE face-to-face (r=0.801). Using the previously validated threshold for cognitive impairment on the TICSM-PT telephone, TICSM-PT VC administration presented a sensitivity of 87.8% and a specificity of 84.6%. INTERPRETATION Findings indicate for the range of settings where videoconference approaches can be used, and for their applicability and acceptability, providing an alternative to current cognitive assessment methods. Continued validation studies and adaptation of neuropsychological instruments is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Costa Castanho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center-Braga (CCAB), Braga, Portugal
| | - Liliana Amorim
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center-Braga (CCAB), Braga, Portugal
| | - Pedro Silva Moreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center-Braga (CCAB), Braga, Portugal
| | - José Mariz
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center-Braga (CCAB), Braga, Portugal; Emergency Department, Intermediate Care Unit (EDIMCU), Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center-Braga (CCAB), Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center-Braga (CCAB), Braga, Portugal
| | - Nadine Correia Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center-Braga (CCAB), Braga, Portugal.
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17
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Castanho TC, Portugal-Nunes C, Moreira PS, Amorim L, Palha JA, Sousa N, Correia Santos N. Applicability of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (Modified) in a community sample with low education level: association with an extensive neuropsychological battery. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2016; 31:128-36. [PMID: 25963399 DOI: 10.1002/gps.4301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Revised: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the applicability of a Portuguese (PT) version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS), with a delayed recall item [modified (M)], here termed TICSM-PT, against an extensive (in-person) battery of neuropsychological instruments, in a sample of older individuals with low educational level and without clinically manifest/diagnosed cognitive impairment. METHODS Following translation/back-translation and pilot testing in 33 community dwellers, 142 community dwellers aged 52 to 84 years (mean = 67.45, SD = 7.91) were selected from local health care centres for the study (convenience sampling; stratified age and gender). Cronbach's alpha was used to assess internal consistency, and convergent validity was evaluated through the correlation between TICSM-PT and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), as well as with a comprehensive battery of cognitive instruments. Divergent/discriminant validity was assessed through a battery of psychological instruments. The receiver operating curve was determined for TICSM-PT to classify participants with and without possible indication of cognitive impairment. RESULTS TICSM-PT showed a satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.705), convergent validity and discriminant validity. TICSM-PT presented a positive association with the global cognitive measures Mini Mental State Examination and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and also with most neuropsychological parameters. Receiver operating curve curves presented a sensitivity of 90.6% and specificity of 73.7%. The area under the curve statistic yielded a threshold score equal or below 13.5 for cognitive impairment. CONCLUSION TICSM-PT is a practical tool for rapid cognitive assessment among older individuals with low educational background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Costa Castanho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Carlos Portugal-Nunes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Pedro Silva Moreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Liliana Amorim
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nadine Correia Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
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18
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Aslani S, Vieira N, Marques F, Costa PS, Sousa N, Palha JA. The effect of high-fat diet on rat's mood, feeding behavior and response to stress. Transl Psychiatry 2015; 5:e684. [PMID: 26795748 PMCID: PMC5545690 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2015.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
An association between obesity and depression has been indicated in studies addressing common physical (metabolic) and psychological (anxiety, low self-esteem) outcomes. Of consideration in both obesity and depression are chronic mild stressors to which individuals are exposed to on a daily basis. However, the response to stress is remarkably variable depending on numerous factors, such as the physical health and the mental state at the time of exposure. Here a chronic mild stress (CMS) protocol was used to assess the effect of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity on response to stress in a rat model. In addition to the development of metabolic complications, such as glucose intolerance, diet-induced obesity caused behavioral alterations. Specifically, animals fed on HFD displayed depressive- and anxious-like behaviors that were only present in the normal diet (ND) group upon exposure to CMS. Of notice, these mood impairments were not further aggravated when the HFD animals were exposed to CMS, which suggest a ceiling effect. Moreover, although there was a sudden drop of food consumption in the first 3 weeks of the CMS protocol in both ND and HFD groups, only the CMS-HFD displayed an overall noticeable decrease in total food intake during the 6 weeks of the CMS protocol. Altogether, the study suggests that HFD impacts on the response to CMS, which should be considered when addressing the consequences of obesity in behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Aslani
- Life and Health Sciences Research
Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho,
Braga, Portugal,Life and Health Sciences Research
Institute (ICVS)/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory,
Guimarães, Braga, Portugal
| | - N Vieira
- Life and Health Sciences Research
Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho,
Braga, Portugal,Life and Health Sciences Research
Institute (ICVS)/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory,
Guimarães, Braga, Portugal
| | - F Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research
Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho,
Braga, Portugal,Life and Health Sciences Research
Institute (ICVS)/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory,
Guimarães, Braga, Portugal
| | - P S Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research
Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho,
Braga, Portugal,Life and Health Sciences Research
Institute (ICVS)/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory,
Guimarães, Braga, Portugal
| | - N Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research
Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho,
Braga, Portugal,Life and Health Sciences Research
Institute (ICVS)/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory,
Guimarães, Braga, Portugal
| | - J A Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research
Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho,
Braga, Portugal,Life and Health Sciences Research
Institute (ICVS)/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory,
Guimarães, Braga, Portugal,Neuroscience Research Domain, Life and Health Sciences
Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho,
Campus Gualtar, Braga
4710-057, Portugal. E-mail:
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19
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Palha JA, Almeida A, Correia-Pinto J, Costa MJ, Ferreira MA, Sousa N. Longitudinal evaluation, acceptability and long-term retention of knowledge on a horizontally integrated organic and functional systems course. Perspect Med Educ 2015; 4:191-195. [PMID: 26228737 PMCID: PMC4530529 DOI: 10.1007/s40037-015-0195-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Undergraduate medical education is moving from traditional disciplinary basic science courses into more integrated curricula. Integration models based on organ systems originated in the 1950s, but few longitudinal studies have evaluated their effectiveness. This article outlines the development and implementation of the Organic and Functional Systems (OFS) courses at the University of Minho in Portugal, using evidence collected over 10 years. It describes the organization of content, student academic performance and acceptability of the courses, the evaluation of preparedness for future courses and the retention of knowledge on basic sciences. Students consistently rated the OFS courses highly. Physician tutors in subsequent clinical attachments considered that students were appropriately prepared. Performance in the International Foundations of Medicine examination of a self-selected sample of students revealed similar performances in basic science items after the last OFS course and 4 years later, at the moment of graduation. In conclusion, the organizational and pedagogical approaches of the OFS courses achieve high acceptability by students and result in positive outcomes in terms of preparedness for subsequent training and long-term retention of basic science knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
| | - Armando Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Jorge Correia-Pinto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Manuel João Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Maria Amélia Ferreira
- Center for Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, and Clinical Academic Center-Braga (2CA), University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
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20
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Serre-Miranda C, Roque S, Santos NC, Portugal-Nunes C, Costa P, Palha JA, Sousa N, Correia-Neves M. Effector memory CD4(+) T cells are associated with cognitive performance in a senior population. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm 2014; 2:e54. [PMID: 25566544 PMCID: PMC4277304 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000000054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Immunosenescence and cognitive decline are common markers of the aging process. Taking into consideration the heterogeneity observed in aging processes and the recently described link between lymphocytes and cognition, we herein explored the possibility of an association between alterations in lymphocytic populations and cognitive performance. Methods: In a cohort of cognitively healthy adults (n = 114), previously characterized by diverse neurocognitive/psychological performance patterns, detailed peripheral blood immunophenotyping of both the innate and adaptive immune systems was performed by flow cytometry. Results: Better cognitive performance was associated with lower numbers of effector memory CD4+ T cells and higher numbers of naive CD8+ T cells and B cells. Furthermore, effector memory CD4+ T cells were found to be predictors of general and executive function and memory, even when factors known to influence cognitive performance in older individuals (e.g., age, sex, education, and mood) were taken into account. Conclusions: This is the first study in humans associating specific phenotypes of the immune system with distinct cognitive performance in healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Serre-Miranda
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), Braga/Guimarães; and Clinical Academic Center-Braga (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S.), Braga, Portugal
| | - Susana Roque
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), Braga/Guimarães; and Clinical Academic Center-Braga (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S.), Braga, Portugal
| | - Nadine Correia Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), Braga/Guimarães; and Clinical Academic Center-Braga (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S.), Braga, Portugal
| | - Carlos Portugal-Nunes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), Braga/Guimarães; and Clinical Academic Center-Braga (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S.), Braga, Portugal
| | - Patrício Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), Braga/Guimarães; and Clinical Academic Center-Braga (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S.), Braga, Portugal
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), Braga/Guimarães; and Clinical Academic Center-Braga (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S.), Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), Braga/Guimarães; and Clinical Academic Center-Braga (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S.), Braga, Portugal
| | - Margarida Correia-Neves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S., M.C.-N.), Braga/Guimarães; and Clinical Academic Center-Braga (C.S.-M., S.R., N.C.S., C.P.-N., P.C., J.A.P., N.S.), Braga, Portugal
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21
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Abstract
The aging process correlates with a progressive failure in the normal cellular and organ functioning; these alterations are aggravated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In both aging and AD there is a general decrease in the capacity of the body to eliminate toxic compounds and, simultaneously, to supply the brain with relevant growth and nutritional factors. The barriers of the brain are targets of this age related dysfunction; both the endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier and the choroid plexus epithelial cells of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier decrease their secretory capacity towards the brain and their ability to remove toxic compounds from the brain. Additionally, during normal aging and in AD, the permeability of the brain barriers increase. As such, a greater contact of the brain parenchyma with the blood content alters the highly controlled neural environment, which impacts on neural function. Of interest, the brain barriers are more than mere obstacles to the passage of molecules and cells, and therefore active players in brain homeostasis, which is still to be further recognized and investigated in the context of health and disease. Herein, we provide a review on how the brain barriers change during aging and in AD and how these processes impact on brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal
| | - João Carlos Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimaraes, Portugal
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Pereira VH, Cerqueira JJ, Palha JA, Sousa N. The relevance of the brain in the diseased heart: Authors' response. Int J Cardiol 2013; 168:5095. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2013.07.259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Santos NC, Costa PS, Cunha P, Cotter J, Sampaio A, Zihl J, Almeida OFX, Cerqueira JJ, Palha JA, Sousa N. Mood is a key determinant of cognitive performance in community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional analysis. Age (Dordr) 2013; 35:1983-1993. [PMID: 23054829 PMCID: PMC3776101 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-012-9482-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2012] [Accepted: 09/25/2012] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Identification of predictors of cognitive trajectories through the establishment of composite or single-parameter dimensional categories of cognition and mood may facilitate development of strategies to improve quality of life in the elderly. Participants (n = 487, aged 50+ years) were representative of the Portuguese population in terms of age, gender, and educational status. Cognitive and mood profiles were established using a battery of neurocognitive and psychological tests. Data were subjected to principal component analysis to identify core dimensions of cognition and mood, encompassing multiple test variables. Dimensions were correlated with age and with respect to gender, education, and occupational status. Cluster analysis was applied to isolate distinct patterns of cognitive performance and binary logistic regression models to explore interrelationships between aging, cognition, mood, and socio-demographic characteristics. Four main dimensions were identified: memory, executive function, global cognitive status, and mood. Based on these, strong and weak cognitive performers were distinguishable. Cluster analysis revealed further distinction within these two main categories into very good, good, poor, and very poor performers. Mood was the principal factor contributing to the separation between very good and good, as well as poor and very poor, performers. Clustering was also influenced by gender and education, albeit to a lesser extent; notably, however, female gender × lower educational background predicted significantly poorer cognitive performance with increasing age. Mood has a significant impact on the rate of cognitive decline in the elderly. Gender and educational level are early determinants of cognitive performance in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Correia Santos
- />Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- />ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- />Clinical Academic Center, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Patrício Soares Costa
- />Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- />ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- />Clinical Academic Center, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Pedro Cunha
- />Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- />ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- />Centro Hospitalar do Alto Ave–EPE, 4810-055 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Jorge Cotter
- />Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- />ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- />Centro Hospitalar do Alto Ave–EPE, 4810-055 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Adriana Sampaio
- />Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- />Neuropsychophysiology Lab, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Joseph Zihl
- />Department of Psychology–Neuropsychology, University of Munich, D80802 Munich, Germany
- />Max-Planck Institute of Psychiatry, D80804 Munich, Germany
| | | | - João J Cerqueira
- />Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- />ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- />Clinical Academic Center, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- />Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- />ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- />Clinical Academic Center, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- />Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- />ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- />Clinical Academic Center, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Costa PS, Santos NC, Cunha P, Palha JA, Sousa N. The use of bayesian latent class cluster models to classify patterns of cognitive performance in healthy ageing. PLoS One 2013; 8:e71940. [PMID: 23977183 PMCID: PMC3748115 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Accepted: 07/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The main focus of this study is to illustrate the applicability of latent class analysis in the assessment of cognitive performance profiles during ageing. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to detect main cognitive dimensions (based on the neurocognitive test variables) and Bayesian latent class analysis (LCA) models (without constraints) were used to explore patterns of cognitive performance among community-dwelling older individuals. Gender, age and number of school years were explored as variables. Three cognitive dimensions were identified: general cognition (MMSE), memory (MEM) and executive (EXEC) function. Based on these, three latent classes of cognitive performance profiles (LC1 to LC3) were identified among the older adults. These classes corresponded to stronger to weaker performance patterns (LC1>LC2>LC3) across all dimensions; each latent class denoted the same hierarchy in the proportion of males, age and number of school years. Bayesian LCA provided a powerful tool to explore cognitive typologies among healthy cognitive agers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrício Soares Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nadine Correia Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Pedro Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Centro Hospital Alto Ave – EPE, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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Falcão AM, Palha JA, Ferreira AC, Marques F, Sousa N, Sousa JC. Unbiased stereological method to assess proliferation throughout the subependymal zone. Methods Mol Biol 2013; 1035:141-152. [PMID: 23959988 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-508-8_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The subependymal zone (SEZ), frequently named as adult subventricular zone (SVZ), is a niche of adult neural stem and progenitor cells that lines a large extension of the lateral ventricles of the brain. The majority of the studies do not analyze the SEZ throughout its entire extension. Instead, studies of cell populations within the SEZ typically focus their analysis on a narrow space between specific bregma coordinates that provides a perspective of only a small portion of the SEZ. We have previously proposed a standard division for the SEZ at the anterior-posterior and dorsal-ventral axes based on external brain anatomical hallmarks (Falcao et al., PLoS One 7:e38647, 2012). Herein, we describe in detail the procedure and a stereological approach that can be used to obtain an unbiased estimation of the SEZ cell proliferation under physiological and pathological conditions. This approach takes into consideration clear SEZ anatomical divisions, both on the anterior-posterior and dorsal-ventral axes, which will standardize future studies on the SEZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Mendanha Falcão
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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26
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Rodrigues AJ, Leão P, Pêgo JM, Cardona D, Carvalho MM, Oliveira M, Costa BM, Carvalho AF, Morgado P, Araújo D, Palha JA, Almeida OFX, Sousa N. Mechanisms of initiation and reversal of drug-seeking behavior induced by prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids. Mol Psychiatry 2012; 17:1295-305. [PMID: 21968930 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2011.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Stress and exposure to glucocorticoids (GC) during early life render individuals vulnerable to brain disorders by inducing structural and chemical alterations in specific neural substrates. Here we show that adult rats that had been exposed to in utero GCs (iuGC) display increased preference for opiates and ethanol, and are more responsive to the psychostimulatory actions of morphine. These animals presented prominent changes in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), a key component of the mesolimbic reward circuitry; specifically, cell numbers and dopamine (DA) levels were significantly reduced, whereas DA receptor 2 (Drd2) mRNA expression levels were markedly upregulated in the NAcc. Interestingly, repeated morphine exposure significantly downregulated Drd2 expression in iuGC-exposed animals, in parallel with increased DNA methylation of the Drd2 gene. Administration of a therapeutic dose of L-dopa reverted the hypodopaminergic state in the NAcc of iuGC animals, normalized Drd2 expression and prevented morphine-induced hypermethylation of the Drd2 promoter. In addition, L-dopa treatment promoted dendritic and synaptic plasticity in the NAcc and, importantly, reversed drug-seeking behavior. These results reveal a new mechanism through which drug-seeking behaviors may emerge and suggest that a brief and simple pharmacological intervention can restrain these behaviors in vulnerable individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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Miguelote RF, Vides B, Santos RF, Palha JA, Matias A, Sousa N. Cortical maturation in fetuses referred for 'isolated' mild ventriculomegaly: a longitudinal ultrasound assessment. Prenat Diagn 2012; 32:1273-81. [PMID: 23080211 DOI: 10.1002/pd.3992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare cortical maturation between fetuses with isolated mild ventriculomegaly (IMV) and healthy fetuses, and to explore its potential prognostic value in IMV. METHODS This prospective study quantified cortical maturation by ultrasound in 24 fetuses with IMV and 46 healthy fetuses. Depth and grading the developmental pattern of the parieto-occipital fissure (POF), calcarine fissure (CF) and sylvian fissure, and grading the Sylvian fissure operculization at 23-25, 27-28 and 31-32 weeks gestation were determined. RESULTS At 23-25 and 27-28 gestational weeks, POF and CF mean depths were statistically lower in the IMV group. The POF and CF depth distribution had a normal distribution in the control group but displayed a bimodal distribution in the IMV group. IMV with progression of ventricular dilatation showed mean depth of CF lower than IMV in which ventriculomegaly regressed or remained stable. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of a CF depth below the fifth percentile to predict progression of ventricular dilatation were, at 28 weeks, 100%, 88%, 67% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Cortical fissure assessment by ultrasound allowed the differentiation of a subgroup of IMV fetuses with a higher risk of progression of ventricular dilatation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R F Miguelote
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
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28
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Abstract
Appropriate decision-making relies on the ability to shift between different behavioral strategies according to the context in which decisions are made. A cohort of subjects exposed to prolonged stress, and respective gender- and age-matched controls, performed an instrumental behavioral task to assess their decision-making strategies. The stressed cohort was reevaluated after a 6-week stress-free period. The behavioral analysis was complemented by a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study to detect the patterns of activation in corticostriatal networks ruling goal-directed and habitual actions. Using structural MRI, the volumes of the main cortical and subcortical regions implicated in instrumental behavior were determined. Here we show that chronic stress biases decision-making strategies in humans toward habits, as choices of stressed subjects become insensitive to changes in outcome value. Using functional imaging techniques, we demonstrate that prolonged exposure to stress in humans causes an imbalanced activation of the networks that govern decision processes, shifting activation from the associative to the sensorimotor circuits. These functional changes are paralleled by atrophy of the medial prefrontal cortex and the caudate, and by an increase in the volume of the putamina. Importantly, a longitudinal assessment of the stressed individuals showed that both the structural and functional changes triggered by stress are reversible and that decisions become again goal-directed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Soares
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B's—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal,Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal
| | - A Sampaio
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,Neuropsychophysiology Lab, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - L M Ferreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B's—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal,Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal
| | - N C Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B's—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal,Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal
| | - F Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B's—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal,Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal
| | - J A Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B's—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal,Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal
| | - J J Cerqueira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B's—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal,Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal
| | - N Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B's—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal,Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal,Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal. E-mail:
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29
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Pereira VH, Cerqueira JJ, Palha JA, Sousa N. Stressed brain, diseased heart: a review on the pathophysiologic mechanisms of neurocardiology. Int J Cardiol 2012; 166:30-7. [PMID: 22521375 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2012.03.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2011] [Revised: 01/23/2012] [Accepted: 03/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are traditionally related to well known risk factors like dyslipidemia, smoking, diabetes and hypertension. More recently, stress, anxiety and depression have been proposed as risk factors for cardiovascular diseases including heart failure, ischemic disease, hypertension and arrhythmias. Interestingly, this association has been established largely on the basis of epidemiological data, due to insufficient knowledge on the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms. This review will revisit evidence on the interaction between the cardiovascular and nervous systems, highlighting the perspective on how the central nervous system is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Such knowledge is likely to be of relevance for the development of better strategies to treat patients in a holistic perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitor Hugo Pereira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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30
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Paulo AC, Sampaio A, Santos NC, Costa PS, Cunha P, Zihl J, Cerqueira J, Palha JA, Sousa N. Patterns of cognitive performance in healthy ageing in Northern Portugal: a cross-sectional analysis. PLoS One 2011; 6:e24553. [PMID: 21931752 PMCID: PMC3169618 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0024553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2011] [Accepted: 08/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Minho Integrative Neuroscience Database (MIND)-Ageing project aims to identify predictors of healthy cognitive ageing, including socio-demographic factors. In this exploratory analysis we sought to establish baseline cohorts for longitudinal assessment of age-related changes in cognition. METHODS The population sample (472 individuals) was strictly a convenient one, but similar to the Portuguese population in the age profile. Participants older than 55 years of age were included if they did not present defined disabling pathologies or dementia. A standardized clinical interview was conducted to assess medical history and a battery of neuropsychological tests was administered to characterize global cognition (Mini Mental State Examination), memory and executive functions (Selective Reminding Test; Stroop Color and Word Test; and Block Design subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale). Cross-sectional analysis of the neuropsychological performance with individual characteristics such as age, gender, educational level and setting (retirement home, senior university, day care center or community), allowed the establishment of baseline clusters for subsequent longitudinal studies. RESULTS Based on different socio-demographic characteristics, four main clusters that group distinctive patterns of cognitive performance were identified. The type of institution where the elders were sampled from, together with the level of formal education, were the major hierarchal factors for individual distribution in the four clusters. Of notice, education seems to delay the cognitive decline that is associated with age in all clusters. CONCLUSIONS Social-inclusion/engagement and education seem to have a protective effect on mental ageing, although this effect may not be effective in the eldest elders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cristina Paulo
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Adriana Sampaio
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nadine Correia Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrício Soares Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Pedro Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Centro Hospital Alto Ave-EPE, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Joseph Zihl
- Department of Psychology – Neuropsychology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - João Cerqueira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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Roque S, Oliveira TG, Nobrega C, Barreira-Silva P, Nunes-Alves C, Sousa N, Palha JA, Correia-Neves M. Interplay between Depressive-Like Behavior and the Immune System in an Animal Model of Prenatal Dexamethasone Administration. Front Behav Neurosci 2011; 5:4. [PMID: 21344016 PMCID: PMC3036954 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2011.00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2010] [Accepted: 01/19/2011] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids, namely dexamethasone, are prescribed during late gestation in pregnancies at risk of originating premature newborns, to promote fetal lung maturation. However, adverse early life events have been reported to induce long-lasting changes in the immune and central nervous systems. The accumulating evidence on bidirectional interactions between both systems in psychiatric disorders like depression, prompted us to further investigate the long-term impact of prenatal dexamethasone administration in depressive-like behavior, the immune system and in the ability to mount an immune response to acute infection. The adult male offspring of pregnant dams treated with dexamethasone present depressive-like behavior concomitant with a decrease in CD8(+) T lymphocytes and an increase in B and CD4(+) regulatory T cells. This is accompanied by lower levels of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10. Despite of these differences, when spleen cells are stimulated, in vitro, with lipopolysaccharide, those from adult rats prenatally treated with dexamethasone display a stronger pro-inflammatory cytokine response. However, this immune system profile does not hamper the ability of rats prenatally treated with dexamethasone to respond to acute infection by Listeria monocytogenes. Of notice, L. monocytogenes infection triggers depressive-like behavior in control animals but does not worsen that already present in dexamethasone-treated animals. In summary, prenatal administration of dexamethasone has long-lasting effects on the immune system and on behavior, which are not further aggravated by acute infection with L. monocytogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Roque
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Minho Braga, Portugal
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The thyroid hormone milieu is of crucial importance for the developing fetus. Pregnancy induces physiological changes in thyroid homeostasis that are influenced by the iodine status. However, longitudinal studies addressing thyroid function during pregnancy and after delivery are still lacking in mild-to-moderate iodine-deficient populations. Here we characterize the serum parameters of thyroid function throughout pregnancy, and until 1 year after delivery, in a population of pregnant women whom we have previously reported to be iodine deficient (median urinary iodine levels below 75 microg/L). METHODS One hundred eighteen pregnant women were studied. Clinical data were recorded and serum was collected. Serum total and free thyroxine (T(4)) and triiodothyronine (T(3)), thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxine-binding globulin, and thyroglobulin were measured. RESULTS Mean total T(4) ranged from 159 at the start of gestation to 127 nmol/L at 1 year after delivery, free T(4) from 14.2 to 17.8 pmol/L, total T(3) from 2.4 to 2.1 nmol/L, free T(3) from 6.7 pmol/L to 6.4 pmol/L, thyroid-stimulating hormone from 1.2 to 1.4 mIU/L, T(4)-binding globulin from 62.0 to 26.9 mg/L, and thyroglobulin from 11 to 10 microg/L. CONCLUSION The pregnant women in this study had an absence of the usual free T(4) spike and a smaller than expected increment in total T(4), described during pregnancy in iodine-sufficient populations. A greater number of women had subclinical hypothyroidism compared with iodine-sufficient populations. This hormonal profile, most likely due to iodine insufficiency, may result in inadequate thyroid hormone supply to the developing fetus. We conclude that care should be taken when reviewing the results of thyroid hormone tests in iodine-insufficient populations and when no gestation-specific reference values have been established. In addition, we recommend iodine supplementation in our population and populations with similar iodine status, particularly during pregnancy and lactation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria José Costeira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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Sousa JC, Costa MJ, Palha JA. Teaching the extracellular matrix and introducing online databases within a multidisciplinary course with i-cell-MATRIX: A student-centered approach. Biochem Mol Biol Educ 2010; 38:79-84. [PMID: 21567800 DOI: 10.1002/bmb.20338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The biochemistry and molecular biology of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is difficult to convey to students in a classroom setting in ways that capture their interest. The understanding of the matrix's roles in physiological and pathological conditions study will presumably be hampered by insufficient knowledge of its molecular structure. Internet-available resources can bridge the division between the molecular details and ECM's biological properties and associated processes. This article presents an approach to teach the ECM developed for first year medical undergraduates who, working in teams: (i) Explore a specific molecular component of the matrix, (ii) identify a disease in which the component is implicated, (iii) investigate how the component's structure/function contributes to ECM' supramolecular organization in physiological and in pathological conditions, and (iv) share their findings with colleagues. The approach-designated i-cell-MATRIX-is focused on the contribution of individual components to the overall organization and biological functions of the ECM. i-cell-MATRIX is student centered and uses 5 hours of class time. Summary of results and take home message: A "1-minute paper" has been used to gather student feedback on the impact of i-cell-MATRIX. Qualitative analysis of student feedback gathered in three consecutive years revealed that students appreciate the approach's reliance on self-directed learning, the interactivity embedded and the demand for deeper insights on the ECM. Learning how to use internet biomedical resources is another positive outcome. Ninety percent of students recommend the activity for subsequent years. i-cell-MATRIX is adaptable by other medical schools which may be looking for an approach that achieves higher student engagement with the ECM.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Carlos Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Bessa JM, Ferreira D, Melo I, Marques F, Cerqueira JJ, Palha JA, Almeida OFX, Sousa N. The mood-improving actions of antidepressants do not depend on neurogenesis but are associated with neuronal remodeling. Mol Psychiatry 2009; 14:764-73, 739. [PMID: 18982002 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2008.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 418] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying the initiation/onset of, and the recovery from, depression are still largely unknown; views that neurogenesis in the hippocampus may be important for the pathogenesis and amelioration of depressive symptoms have gained currency over the years although the original evidence has been challenged. In this study, an unpredictable chronic mild stress protocol was used to induce a depressive-like phenotype in rats. In the last 2 weeks of stress exposure, animals were treated with the antidepressants fluoxetine, imipramine, CP 156,526 or SSR 1494515, alone or combined with methylazoxymethanol, a cytostatic agent used to arrest neurogenesis. We found that antidepressants retain their therapeutic efficacy in reducing both measured indices of depression-like behavior (learned helplessness and anhedonia), even when neurogenesis is blocked. Instead, our experiments suggest re-establishment of neuronal plasticity (dendritic remodeling and synaptic contacts) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, rather than neurogenesis, as the basis for the restoration of behavioral homeostasis by antidepressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Bessa
- Life and Health Science Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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Marques F, Falcao AM, Sousa JC, Coppola G, Geschwind D, Sousa N, Correia-Neves M, Palha JA. Altered iron metabolism is part of the choroid plexus response to peripheral inflammation. Endocrinology 2009; 150:2822-8. [PMID: 19213835 DOI: 10.1210/en.2008-1610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Iron is essential for normal cellular homeostasis but in excess promotes free radical formation and is detrimental. Therefore, iron metabolism is tightly regulated. Here, we show that mechanisms regulating systemic iron metabolism may also control iron release into the brain at the blood-choroid plexus-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier. Intraperitoneal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice triggers a transient transcription of the gene encoding for hepcidin, a key regulator of iron homeostasis, in the choroid plexus, which correlated with increased detection of pro-hepcidin in the CSF. Similarly, the expression of several other iron-related genes is influenced in the choroid plexus by the inflammatory stimulus. Using primary cultures of rat choroid plexus epithelial cells, we show that this response is triggered not only directly by LPS but also by molecules whose expression increases in the blood in response to inflammation, such as IL-6. Intracellular conveyors of these signaling molecules include signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, which becomes phosphorylated, and SMAD family member 4, whose mRNA levels increase soon after LPS administration. This novel role for the choroid plexus-CSF barrier in regulating iron metabolism may be particularly relevant to restrict iron availability for microorganism growth, and in neurodegenerative diseases in which an inflammatory underlying component has been reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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Mesquita AR, Correia-Neves M, Roque S, Castro AG, Vieira P, Pedrosa J, Palha JA, Sousa N. IL-10 modulates depressive-like behavior. J Psychiatr Res 2008; 43:89-97. [PMID: 18394646 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2008.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2007] [Revised: 02/20/2008] [Accepted: 02/21/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The role of pro-inflammatory cytokines in psychiatric disorders has been the focus of great research attention in recent years. Paradoxically, the same is not true for anti-inflammatory cytokines. In the present study, we assessed the behavioral profile of animals with altered expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. We performed a battery of tests to assess anxiety, depressive-like and cognitive behaviors in mice overexpressing IL-10 (PMT10) and IL-10(-/-) animals; in the later mice we also tested the behavioral effect of IL-10 administration. In the forced-swimming test, IL-10(-/-) females displayed increased depressive-like behavior; importantly, this phenotype was reverted by the injection of IL-10. Moreover, mice overexpressing IL-10 presented a decreased depressive-like behavior. Despite the presence of a similar trend, male animals did not reach significant differences in depressive-like behavior. Assessment in the open-field showed that the absence of IL-10 decreased the percentage of time spent in the center of the arena in both male and female mice, while male animals overexpressing IL-10 revealed an opposite behavior. For both sexes, imbalance in IL-10 levels did not affect spatial reference memory. In conclusion, variations in IL-10 expression are associated with an altered depressive-like behavior, but do not influence cognitive performance. Interestingly, IL-10 imbalance produced more profound behavioral changes in females than in male animals. This is in accordance with clinical data demonstrating an increased susceptibility of women to mood disorders, suggesting an interplay between anti-inflammatory cytokines and sexual steroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Raquel Mesquita
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Sousa JC, Marques F, Dias-Ferreira E, Cerqueira JJ, Sousa N, Palha JA. Transthyretin influences spatial reference memory. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2007; 88:381-5. [PMID: 17698379 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2007.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2007] [Revised: 07/01/2007] [Accepted: 07/04/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) is a plasma and cerebrospinal fluid carrier for thyroxine and retinol, described also to sequester the amyloid beta peptide. TTR levels have been described as decreased in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Alzheimer's disease. In order to investigate the role of TTR in learning and memory, we studied young adult and old TTR-null 129/Sv mice for cognitive performance. In the absence of TTR, 5-month-old mice display spatial reference memory impairment when compared to age-matched wild-type mice. Interestingly, while aging in wild-type mice is associated with a worsening reference memory performance, TTR-null mice show no further impairment with increasing age. As a result, no significant differences were found in this spatial reference task in old mice. Our data show that the absence of TTR seems to accelerate the poorer cognitive performance normally associated with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Carlos Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Saraiva MJ, Almeida MR, Alves IL, Bonifácio MJ, Damas AM, Palha JA, Goldsteins G, Lundgren E. Modulating conformational factors in transthyretin amyloid. Ciba Found Symp 2007; 199:47-52; discussion 52-7. [PMID: 8915603 DOI: 10.1002/9780470514924.ch4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
We have analysed the structure, binding properties, stability and amyloidogenicity of particular transthyretin (TTR) mutations-TTR Met30 and TTR Pro55, both associated with familial amyloid polyneuropathy, and TTR Met119, a non-pathogenic TTR mutation with apparent protective effects on the amyloidogenicity of the Met30 mutation. Our results show that in contrast to the Met30 mutation, the Met119 mutation increases the stability of the tetramer towards dissociation into monomers and confers a higher affinity to thyroxine, which binds on the channel that runs through the tetramer. This variant also shows a greater resistance to amyloid formation in vitro, in contrast to the Pro55 variant, which is more susceptible to amyloid formation. Crystallographic studies of the structure of the Pro55 variant are underway and reveal major conformational changes. Interestingly, these changes affect the D strand of TTR, which when deleted or modified in vitro leads to accelerated rates of amyloid formation. The conformational changes observed in these "aggressive' mutations may resemble intermediate forms in the process of amyloidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Saraiva
- Centro de Estudos de Paramiloidose, Hospital de Sto. Antonio, Porto, Portugal
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Ruano D, Macedo A, Soares MJ, Valente J, Azevedo MH, Pato C, Hutz MH, Gama CS, Lobato MI, Belmonte-de-Abreu P, Heutink P, Palha JA. Family-based and case-control studies reveal no association of lipocalin-type prostaglandin D2 synthase with schizophrenia. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2007; 144B:642-6. [PMID: 17230501 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.30477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Several observations point to the involvement of disturbed lipid biology in schizophrenia. Reduced response to niacin flushing test, which involves vasodilatation induced by prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), is among the evidences, together with decreased CSF levels of lipocalin-type prostaglandin D2 synthase (PTGDS), the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of PGD2 in the brain. Since PTGDS is also a carrier for lipophilic molecules such as retinoids and thyroid hormones, altered PTGDS levels might influence both PGD2-mediated signaling, and vitamin A and thyroid hormone availability. To test whether genetic variants of PTGDS are involved in the etiology of schizophrenia, we searched for variants in the coding and regulatory regions of the gene. We identified four previously described polymorphisms. Using two case-control samples from Portugal and Brazil, none of the polymorphisms tested was associated with the disease. In addition, no transmission distortion was observed in an independent parents-offspring sample from the Azorean Islands. Our data do not support the involvement of the PTGDS gene in the etiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Ruano
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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Abstract
Increased levels of neuropeptide Y have been reported in transthyretin-null mice. This effect might be related to transthyretin ligands (retinol and thyroxine) since, through binding to nuclear receptors, they modulate the expression of genes that control cellular metabolism. The retinoic X receptors form obligatory heterodimers with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors and liver X receptors - potent regulators of fat, glucose and cholesterol homeostasis. We used transthyretin-null mice to investigate whether the absence of transthyretin influences metabolism. Transthyretin-null mice do not differ from controls in body weight and white adipose tissue morphology, nor in basal or fast-induced circulating levels of glucose, lipids, and leptin. Glucose tolerance tests show that transthyretin-null mice have normal capacity to remove and metabolize energy substrates. Expression of genes encoding lipid transporters and nuclear receptors are also similar in transthyretin-null and control mice. Therefore, the absence of transthyretin does not seem to influence the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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Abstract
The ability to manage the constantly growing clinically relevant information in genetics available on the internet is becoming crucial in medical practice. Therefore, training students in teaching environments that develop bioinformatics skills is a particular challenge to medical schools. We present here an instructional approach that potentiates learning of hormone/vitamin mechanisms of action in gene regulation with the acquisition and practice of bioinformatics skills. The activity is integrated within the study of the Endocrine System module. Given a nucleotide sequence of a hormone or vitamin-response element, students use internet databases and tools to find the gene to which it belongs. Subsequently, students search how the corresponding hormone/vitamin influences the expression of that particular gene and how a dysfunctional interaction might cause disease. This activity was presented for four consecutive years to cohorts of 50–60 students/year enrolled in the 2nd year of the medical degree. 90% of the students developed a better understanding of the usefulness of bioinformatics and 98% intend to use web-based resources in the future. Since hormones and vitamins regulate genes of all body organ systems, this activity successfully integrates the whole body physiology of the medical curriculum.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Carlos Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
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Marques F, Sousa JC, Correia-Neves M, Oliveira P, Sousa N, Palha JA. The choroid plexus response to peripheral inflammatory stimulus. Neuroscience 2007; 144:424-30. [PMID: 17069984 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2006] [Revised: 09/15/2006] [Accepted: 09/20/2006] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Increased interest is being raised on the interaction between systemic inflammation and the brain. The choroid plexus (CP) constitutes a monolayer of epithelial cells located within the brain ventricles and is responsible for the production of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Despite the knowledge that the CP capillaries are fenestrated, allowing free passage of molecules and cells, the involvement of the vast blood-brain boundary represented by the CP/CSF barrier in brain inflammatory processes has seldom been considered. In the present study we investigate, in mice, how the expression of genes encoding major constitutively expressed CP proteins is influenced by a systemic inflammatory stimulus. Confirming that the CP responds to peripheral inflammation, the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin 1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha are rapidly induced. As for the constitutively expressed proteins, while the mRNA for genes encoding transthyretin and transferrin remain unaltered by the inflammatory challenge, that for prostaglandin D2 synthase (LPTGDS) is up-regulated at 6 h, and stays up-regulated up to 24 h after lipopolysacharide administration. Accordingly, LPTGDS CSF levels are also augmented. LPTGDS catalyzes the synthesis of the major prostanoid of the CNS and, being increased in the CSF, might mediate immune signaling into the brain. These observations emphasize that the CP must be considered a relevant mediator of immune signals between the periphery and the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Palha JA, Goodman AB. Thyroid hormones and retinoids: a possible link between genes and environment in schizophrenia. Brain Research Reviews 2006; 51:61-71. [PMID: 16325258 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresrev.2005.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2005] [Revised: 08/28/2005] [Accepted: 10/03/2005] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Phenotypic discordance for schizophrenia in monozygotic twins clearly indicates involvement of environmental factors as key determinants in disease development. Positive findings from genome scans, linkage and association studies apply in only a minority of those affected, while post-mortem brain investigations reveal altered expression of genes and proteins involved in numerous neurodevelopmental, metabolic and neurotransmitter pathways. Such altered expressions could result, on the one hand, from mutations in coding regions or polymorphisms in the promoter and regulatory regions in genes within those areas identified by gene searches or, on the other hand, from inadequate amounts of modulators, transporters and synthesizers of transcription factors necessary for regulation of the putative genes. Hormones and vitamins are such modulators. They could serve as bridges between genes and environment in schizophrenia. Multiple evidence supports the suggestion of retinoids and thyroid hormones as plausible actors in these roles. Both are not only essential for normal development of the central nervous system but also regulate the expression of many neurotransmitters, their synthesizing enzymes and receptors, and other genes in broader signaling transduction cascades affecting pathways that are altered in response to treatment. Functional and positional candidate genes include retinoic acid and thyroid hormone receptors, retinaldehyde dehydrogenases and deiodinases, which synthesize the powerful morphogens, retinoic acid and triiodothyronine, and the enzymes involved in their inactivation. This review highlights selective evidence supporting the retinoid and thyroid hormone hypotheses of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
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Sousa JC, Cardoso I, Marques F, Saraiva MJ, Palha JA. Transthyretin and Alzheimer's disease: where in the brain? Neurobiol Aging 2006; 28:713-8. [PMID: 16698124 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2006.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2005] [Revised: 03/24/2006] [Accepted: 03/31/2006] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR), a carrier protein for thyroxine and retinol in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), has been shown to bind the amyloid beta peptide. Accordingly, TTR has been suggested to protect against amyloid beta deposition, a key pathological feature in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Supporting this view are the reduced TTR levels found in CSF of patients with AD, as well as reports of altered TTR expression in the cortex and hippocampus of AD rodent models. Importantly, early characterization of TTR distribution revealed the choroid plexus as the site of TTR synthesis within the brain. To resolve this controversy we used precise laser microdissection technology to assay for TTR mRNA expression. Our results clearly demonstrate that TTR is not produced in the brain parenchyma of wild-type mice nor in two different transgenic mouse models of AD, suggesting that contamination by choroid plexus contributed to the recent results indicating TTR production in various brain regions. The relevance of TTR to AD should now take into consideration TTR production by the choroid plexus and its ability, in the CSF, to sequester the amyloid beta peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Carlos Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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45
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Service S, DeYoung J, Karayiorgou M, Roos JL, Pretorious H, Bedoya G, Ospina J, Ruiz-Linares A, Macedo A, Palha JA, Heutink P, Aulchenko Y, Oostra B, van Duijn C, Jarvelin MR, Varilo T, Peddle L, Rahman P, Piras G, Monne M, Murray S, Galver L, Peltonen L, Sabatti C, Collins A, Freimer N. Magnitude and distribution of linkage disequilibrium in population isolates and implications for genome-wide association studies. Nat Genet 2006; 38:556-60. [PMID: 16582909 DOI: 10.1038/ng1770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2005] [Accepted: 02/28/2006] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The genome-wide distribution of linkage disequilibrium (LD) determines the strategy for selecting markers for association studies, but it varies between populations. We assayed LD in large samples (200 individuals) from each of 11 well-described population isolates and an outbred European-derived sample, using SNP markers spaced across chromosome 22. Most isolates show substantially higher levels of LD than the outbred sample and many fewer regions of very low LD (termed 'holes'). Young isolates known to have had relatively few founders show particularly extensive LD with very few holes; these populations offer substantial advantages for genome-wide association mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Service
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
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46
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Sousa JC, Costa MJ, Palha JA. Hormone mediated nuclear effects and bioinformatics: learning one from the other. FASEB J 2006. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.20.5.a975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joao Carlos Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS)School of Health SciencesUniversity of MinhoCampus GualtarBraga4710‐057Portugal
| | - Manuel Joao Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS)School of Health SciencesUniversity of MinhoCampus GualtarBraga4710‐057Portugal
| | - Joana Almeida Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS)School of Health SciencesUniversity of MinhoCampus GualtarBraga4710‐057Portugal
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47
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Sousa JC, de Escobar GM, Oliveira P, Saraiva MJ, Palha JA. Transthyretin is not necessary for thyroid hormone metabolism in conditions of increased hormone demand. J Endocrinol 2005; 187:257-66. [PMID: 16293773 DOI: 10.1677/joe.1.06406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones circulate in blood mainly bound to plasma proteins. Transthyretin is the major thyroxine plasma carrier in mice. Studies in transthyretin-null mice revealed that the absence of transthyretin results in euthyroid hypothyroxinemia and normal thyroid hormone tissue distribution, with the exception of the choroid plexus in the brain. Therefore, transthyretin does not influence normal thyroid hormone homeostasis under standard laboratory conditions. To investigate if transthyretin has a buffer/storage role we challenged transthyretin-null and wild-type mice with conditions of increased hormone demand: (i) exposure to cold, which elicits thermogenesis, a process that requires thyroid hormones; and (ii) thyroidectomy, which abolishes thyroid hormone synthesis and secretion and induces severe hypothyroidism. Transthyretin-null mice responded as the wild-type both to changes induced by stressful events, namely in body weight, food intake and thyroid hormone tissue content, and in the mRNA levels of genes whose expression is altered in such conditions. These results clearly exclude a role for transthyretin in thyroid hormone homeostasis even under conditions of increased hormone demand.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
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48
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Damas AM, Ribeiro S, Lamzin VS, Palha JA, Saraiva MJ. Structure of the Val122Ile variant transthyretin - a cardiomyopathic mutant. Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr 2005; 52:966-72. [PMID: 15299606 DOI: 10.1107/s0907444996003307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The Val122Ile mutant transthyretin (TTR Ile122) is an amyloidogenic protein which has been described as the major protein component of amyloid fibrils isolated from patients with familial amyloidotic cardiomyopathy (FAC), a disease characterized by cardiac failure and amyloid deposits in the heart. The reasons for the deposition of TTR are still unknown and it is conceivable that a conformational alteration, resulting from the mutation, is fundamental for amyloid formation. The three-dimensional structure of TTR Ile122 was determined and refined to a crystallographic R factor of 15.8% at 1.9 A resolution. The r.m.s. deviation from ideality in bond distances is 0.019 A and in angle-bonded distances is 0.027 A. The presence of two crystallographically independent monomers in the asymmetric unit allowed additional means of estimation of atomic coordinate error. The structure of the mutant is essentially identical to that of the wild-type transthyretin (TTR). The largest deviations occur in surface loops and in the region of the substitution. The protein is a tetramer composed of identical subunits; each monomer has two four-stranded beta-sheets which are extended to eight-stranded beta-sheets when two monomers associate through hydrogen bonds forming a dimer, which is the crystallographic asymmetric unit. The replacement of valine for isoleucine introduces very small alterations in relation to the wild-type protein; nevertheless they seem to confirm a tendency for a less stable tetrameric structure. This would support the idea that the tetrameric structure might be disrupted in amyloid fibrils.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Damas
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
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49
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Ruano D, Macedo A, Dourado A, Soares MJ, Valente J, Coelho I, Santos V, Azevedo MH, Goodman A, Hutz MH, Gama C, Lobato MI, Belmonte-de-Abreu P, Palha JA. NR4A2 and schizophrenia: lack of association in a Portuguese/Brazilian study. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2004; 128B:41-5. [PMID: 15211629 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.30031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The present study investigates the association of mutations in the nuclear receptor NR4A2 in schizophrenic patients. The human Nur-related receptor 1, NR4A2, is an orphan nuclear receptor that can be constitutively active as a transcription factor and for which no natural ligand has yet been identified. Alone or with retinoid X receptor, RXR, NR4A2 influences the expression of several genes important for human brain development and regulation. In the absence of Nurr1 (the mouse homologue to human NR4A2), ventral mesencephalic dopaminergic mouse neurons evidence severe developmental failure, a condition that is lethal soon after birth. Nurr1 involvement in the dopaminergic system makes it a good candidate for study in neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and Parkinson disease. Evidence by others support this hypothesis (1) mapping of the NR4A2 gene to chromosome 2q22-23, a region with suggestive linkage to schizophrenia and (2) identification of mutations in patients with schizophrenia (c.366-369delTAC, c.308A > G, c.-469delG), manic depression (c.289A > G), and familial Parkinson's disease (c.-291delT, c.-245T > G). To further extend these observations, we searched for all these mutations in 176 Caucasian Portuguese and 82 Caucasian Brazilian subjects with lifetime diagnosis of schizophrenia. The study failed to identify any of the described mutations in patients or controls. Nevertheless, these negative results do not exclude altered expression of nuclear receptors in schizophrenia or the presence of other mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Ruano
- Health Sciences School, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Sousa JC, Grandela C, Fernández-Ruiz J, de Miguel R, de Sousa L, Magalhães AI, Saraiva MJ, Sousa N, Palha JA. Transthyretin is involved in depression-like behaviour and exploratory activity. J Neurochem 2004; 88:1052-8. [PMID: 15009661 DOI: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.2003.02309.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR), the major transporter of thyroid hormones and vitamin A in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), binds the Alzheimer beta-peptide and thus might confer protection against neurodegeneration. In addition, altered TTR levels have been described in the CSF of patients with psychiatric disorders, yet its function in the CNS is far from understood. To determine the role of TTR in behaviour we evaluated the performance of TTR-null mice in standardized tasks described to assess depression, exploratory activity and anxiety. We show that the absence of TTR is associated with increased exploratory activity and reduced signs of depressive-like behaviour. In order to investigate the mechanism underlying these alterations, we measured the levels of catecholamines. We found that the levels of noradrenaline were significantly increased in the limbic forebrain of TTR-null mice. This report represents the first clear indication that TTR plays a role in behaviour, probably by modulation of the noradrenergic system.
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