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Gudbrandsen M, Daly E, Murphy CM, Blackmore CE, Rogdaki M, Mann C, Bletsch A, Kushan L, Bearden CE, Murphy DGM, Craig MC, Ecker C. Brain morphometry in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: an exploration of differences in cortical thickness, surface area, and their contribution to cortical volume. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18845. [PMID: 33139857 PMCID: PMC7606591 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75811-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2DS) is the most common microdeletion in humans, with a heterogenous clinical presentation including medical, behavioural and psychiatric conditions. Previous neuroimaging studies examining the neuroanatomical underpinnings of 22q11.2DS show alterations in cortical volume (CV), cortical thickness (CT) and surface area (SA). The aim of this study was to identify (1) the spatially distributed networks of differences in CT and SA in 22q11.2DS compared to controls, (2) their unique and spatial overlap, as well as (3) their relative contribution to observed differences in CV. Structural MRI scans were obtained from 62 individuals with 22q11.2DS and 57 age-and-gender-matched controls (aged 6-31). Using FreeSurfer, we examined differences in vertex-wise estimates of CV, CT and SA at each vertex, and compared the frequencies of vertices with a unique or overlapping difference for each morphometric feature. Our findings indicate that CT and SA make both common and unique contributions to volumetric differences in 22q11.2DS, and in some areas, their strong opposite effects mask differences in CV. By identifying the neuroanatomic variability in 22q11.2DS, and the separate contributions of CT and SA, we can start exploring the shared and distinct mechanisms that mediate neuropsychiatric symptoms across disorders, e.g. 22q11.2DS-related ASD and/or psychosis/schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gudbrandsen
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, and the Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
| | - E Daly
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, and the Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
| | - C M Murphy
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, and the Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
- Behavioural Genetics Clinic, Adult Autism and ADHD Services, Behavioural and Developmental Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley Foundation, NHS, London, UK
| | - C E Blackmore
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, and the Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
- Behavioural Genetics Clinic, Adult Autism and ADHD Services, Behavioural and Developmental Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley Foundation, NHS, London, UK
| | - M Rogdaki
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
| | - C Mann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - A Bletsch
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - L Kushan
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - C E Bearden
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - D G M Murphy
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, and the Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
| | - M C Craig
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, and the Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
- National Autism Unit, Bethlem Royal Hospital, London, UK
| | - Christine Ecker
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, and the Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK.
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
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Gudbrandsen M, Daly E, Murphy CM, Wichers RH, Stoencheva V, Perry E, Andrews D, Blackmore CE, Rogdaki M, Kushan L, Bearden CE, Murphy DGM, Craig MC, Ecker C. The Neuroanatomy of Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptomatology in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. Cereb Cortex 2019; 29:3655-3665. [PMID: 30272146 PMCID: PMC6644859 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2DS) is a genetic condition associated with a high prevalence of neuropsychiatric conditions that include autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While evidence suggests that clinical phenotypes represent distinct neurodevelopmental outcomes, it remains unknown whether this translates to the level of neurobiology. To fractionate the 22q11.2DS phenotype on the level of neuroanatomy, we examined differences in vertex-wise estimates of cortical volume, surface area, and cortical thickness between 1) individuals with 22q11.2DS (n = 62) and neurotypical controls (n = 57) and 2) 22q11.2DS individuals with ASD symptomatology (n = 30) and those without (n = 25). We firstly observed significant differences in surface anatomy between 22q11.2DS individuals and controls for all 3 neuroanatomical features, predominantly in parietotemporal regions, cingulate and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices. We also established that 22q11.2DS individuals with ASD symptomatology were neuroanatomically distinct from 22q11.2DS individuals without ASD symptoms, particularly in brain regions that have previously been linked to ASD (e.g., dorsolateral prefrontal cortices and the entorhinal cortex). Our findings indicate that different clinical 22q11.2DS phenotypes, including those with ASD symptomatology, may represent different neurobiological subgroups. The spatially distributed patterns of neuroanatomical differences associated with ASD symptomatology in 22q11.2DS may thus provide useful information for patient stratification and the prediction of clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gudbrandsen
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, and the Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, London, UK
| | - E Daly
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, and the Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, London, UK
| | - C M Murphy
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, and the Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, London, UK
| | - R H Wichers
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, and the Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, London, UK
| | - V Stoencheva
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, and the Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, London, UK
| | - E Perry
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, and the Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, London, UK
| | - D Andrews
- The Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, UC Davis School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - C E Blackmore
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, and the Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, London, UK
| | - M Rogdaki
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - L Kushan
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - C E Bearden
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - D G M Murphy
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, and the Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, London, UK
| | - M C Craig
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, and the Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, London, UK
- National Autism Unit, Bethlem Royal Hospital, London, UK
| | - C Ecker
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, and the Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, London, UK
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Zeestraten EA, Gudbrandsen MC, Daly E, de Schotten MT, Catani M, Dell'Acqua F, Lai MC, Ruigrok ANV, Lombardo MV, Chakrabarti B, Baron-Cohen S, Ecker C, Murphy DGM, Craig MC. Sex differences in frontal lobe connectivity in adults with autism spectrum conditions. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1090. [PMID: 28398337 PMCID: PMC5416715 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum conditions (ASC) are more prevalent in males than females. The biological basis of this difference remains unclear. It has been postulated that one of the primary causes of ASC is a partial disconnection of the frontal lobe from higher-order association areas during development (that is, a frontal 'disconnection syndrome'). Therefore, in the current study we investigated whether frontal connectivity differs between males and females with ASC. We recruited 98 adults with a confirmed high-functioning ASC diagnosis (61 males: aged 18-41 years; 37 females: aged 18-37 years) and 115 neurotypical controls (61 males: aged 18-45 years; 54 females: aged 18-52 years). Current ASC symptoms were evaluated using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). Diffusion tensor imaging was performed and fractional anisotropy (FA) maps were created. Mean FA values were determined for five frontal fiber bundles and two non-frontal fiber tracts. Between-group differences in mean tract FA, as well as sex-by-diagnosis interactions were assessed. Additional analyses including ADOS scores informed us on the influence of current ASC symptom severity on frontal connectivity. We found that males with ASC had higher scores of current symptom severity than females, and had significantly lower mean FA values for all but one tract compared to controls. No differences were found between females with or without ASC. Significant sex-by-diagnosis effects were limited to the frontal tracts. Taking current ASC symptom severity scores into account did not alter the findings, although the observed power for these analyses varied. We suggest these findings of frontal connectivity abnormalities in males with ASC, but not in females with ASC, have the potential to inform us on some of the sex differences reported in the behavioral phenotype of ASC.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Zeestraten
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - M C Gudbrandsen
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - E Daly
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - M T de Schotten
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - M Catani
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - F Dell'Acqua
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - M-C Lai
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Child and Youth Mental Health Collaborative at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and The Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - A N V Ruigrok
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - M V Lombardo
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Psychology and Center for Applied Neuroscience, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - B Chakrabarti
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - S Baron-Cohen
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- CLASS Clinic, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - C Ecker
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - D G M Murphy
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
| | - M C Craig
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- National Autism Unit, Bethlem Royal Hospital, SLAM NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Horder J, Lavender T, Mendez MA, O'Gorman R, Daly E, Craig MC, Lythgoe DJ, Barker GJ, Murphy DG. Reduced subcortical glutamate/glutamine in adults with autism spectrum disorders: a [(1)H]MRS study. Transl Psychiatry 2014; 4:e364. [PMID: 24548879 PMCID: PMC3944637 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2014.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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Sarkar S, Craig MC, Catani M, Dell'acqua F, Fahy T, Deeley Q, Murphy DGM. Frontotemporal white-matter microstructural abnormalities in adolescents with conduct disorder: a diffusion tensor imaging study. Psychol Med 2013; 43:401-411. [PMID: 22617495 DOI: 10.1017/s003329171200116x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children with conduct disorder (CD) are at increased risk of developing antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and psychopathy in adulthood. The biological basis for this is poorly understood. A preliminary diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI) study of psychopathic antisocial adults reported significant differences from controls in the fractional anisotropy (FA) of the uncinate fasciculus (UF), a white-matter tract that connects the amygdala to the frontal lobe. However, it is unknown whether developmental abnormalities are present in the UF of younger individuals with CD. METHOD We used DT-MRI tractography to investigate, for the first time, the microstructural integrity of the UF in adolescents with CD, and age-related differences in this tract. We compared FA and perpendicular diffusivity of the UF in 27 adolescents with CD and 16 healthy controls (12 to 19 years old) who did not differ significantly in age, IQ or substance use history. To confirm that these findings were specific to the UF, the same measurements were extracted from two non-limbic control tracts. Participants in the CD group had a history of serious aggressive and violent behaviour, including robbery, burglary, grievous bodily harm and sexual assault. RESULTS Individuals with CD had a significantly increased FA (p = 0.006), and reduced perpendicular diffusivity (p = 0.002), in the left UF. Furthermore, there were significant age-related between-group differences in perpendicular diffusivity of the same tract (Z obs = 2.40, p = 0.01). Controls, but not those with CD, showed significant age-related maturation. There were no significant between-group differences in any measure within the control tracts. CONCLUSIONS Adolescents with CD have significant differences in the 'connectivity' and maturation of UF.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Sarkar
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK.
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Craig MC, Brammer M, Maki PM, Fletcher PC, Daly EM, Rymer J, Giampietro V, Picchioni M, Stahl D, Murphy DGM. The interactive effect of acute ovarian suppression and the cholinergic system on visuospatial working memory in young women. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2010; 35:987-1000. [PMID: 20102786 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [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] [Received: 09/08/2009] [Revised: 12/19/2009] [Accepted: 12/20/2009] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Women have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's Dementia (AD) compared to men. It has been postulated that this risk may be modulated by a reduction in the neuroprotective effects of estrogen on the brain in the early postmenopausal period. This view is supported by, for example, findings that ovariectomy in younger women (i.e. prior to menopause) significantly increases the risk for the development of memory problems and AD in later life. However, the biological basis underlying these cognitive changes is still poorly understood. Our aim in the current study was to understand the interactive effects of acute, pharmacological-induced menopause (after Gonadotropin Hormone Releasing Hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment) and scopolamine (a cholinergic antagonist used to model the memory decline associated with aging and AD) on brain functioning. To this end we used fMRI to study encoding during a Delayed Match to Sample (DMTS) (visual working memory) task. We report a relative attenuation in BOLD response brought about by scopolamine in regions that included bilateral prefrontal cortex and the left parahippocampal gyrus. Further, this was greater in women post-GnRHa than in women whose ovaries were functional. Our results also indicate that following pharmacological-induced menopause, cholinergic depletion produces a more significant behavioural deficit in overall memory performance, as manifest by increased response time. These findings suggest that acute loss of ovarian hormones exacerbate the effects of cholinergic depletion on a memory-related, behavioural measure, which is dependent on fronto-temporal brain regions. Overall, our findings point to a neural network by which acute loss of ovarian function may interact to negatively impact encoding.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Craig
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Craig MC, Catani M, Deeley Q, Latham R, Daly E, Kanaan R, Picchioni M, McGuire PK, Fahy T, Murphy DGM. Altered connections on the road to psychopathy. Mol Psychiatry 2009; 14:946-53, 907. [PMID: 19506560 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2009.40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [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: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Psychopathy is strongly associated with serious criminal behaviour (for example, rape and murder) and recidivism. However, the biological basis of psychopathy remains poorly understood. Earlier studies suggested that dysfunction of the amygdala and/or orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) may underpin psychopathy. Nobody, however, has ever studied the white matter connections (such as the uncinate fasciculus (UF)) linking these structures in psychopaths. Therefore, we used in vivo diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI) tractography to analyse the microstructural integrity of the UF in psychopaths (defined by a Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R) score of > or = 25) with convictions that included attempted murder, manslaughter, multiple rape with strangulation and false imprisonment. We report significantly reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) (P<0.003), an indirect measure of microstructural integrity, in the UF of psychopaths compared with age- and IQ-matched controls. We also found, within psychopaths, a correlation between measures of antisocial behaviour and anatomical differences in the UF. To confirm that these findings were specific to the limbic amygdala-OFC network, we also studied two 'non-limbic' control tracts connecting the posterior visual and auditory areas to the amygdala and the OFC, and found no significant between-group differences. Lastly, to determine that our findings in UF could not be totally explained by non-specific confounds, we carried out a post hoc comparison with a psychiatric control group with a past history of drug abuse and institutionalization. Our findings remained significant. Taken together, these results suggest that abnormalities in a specific amygdala-OFC limbic network underpin the neurobiological basis of psychopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Craig
- Section of Brain Maturation, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London, UK.
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Abstract
Many women complain of memory and other cognitive/emotional difficulties at times that are associated with changes in estrogen levels. However, the biological mechanisms through which estrogen may exert these effects remain poorly understood. The effect of estrogen treatment on cognition and brain function in healthy women, and those with Alzheimer's disease, is controversial. Here we review the evidence that, in healthy women, estrogen affects the dopaminergic, serotonergic, and cholinergic systems, and brain regions crucial to higher cognitive function and mood. We will also present results from recent in vivo randomized-controlled neuroimaging experiments in our laboratory demonstrating that, in young females, and those in mid-life: (1) brain function is modulated by normal variation in ovarian function; (2) acute loss of ovarian hormones increases neuronal membrane breakdown; and (3) acute suppression of ovarian function is associated with reduced activation of brain regions critical to memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Craig
- Section of Brain Maturation, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK
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Craig MC, Fletcher PC, Daly EM, Rymer J, Brammer M, Giampietro V, Stahl D, Maki PM, Murphy DGM. The interactive effect of the cholinergic system and acute ovarian suppression on the brain: an fMRI study. Horm Behav 2009; 55:41-9. [PMID: 18809406 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2008.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2008] [Revised: 08/04/2008] [Accepted: 08/07/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that loss of ovarian function following ovariectomy is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, the biological basis of this risk remains poorly understood. We carried out an fMRI study into the interaction between loss of ovarian function (after Gonadotropin Hormone Releasing Hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment) and scopolamine (a cholinergic antagonist used to model the memory decline associated with aging and AD). Behaviorally, cholinergic depletion produced a deficit in verbal recognition performance in both GnRHa-treated women and wait list controls, but only GnRHa-treated women made more false positive errors with cholinergic depletion. Similarly, cholinergic depletion produced a decrease in activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG; Brodmann area 45)--a brain region implicated in retrieving word meaning--in both groups, and activation in this area was further reduced following GnRHa treatment. These findings suggest biological mechanisms through which ovarian hormone suppression may interact with the cholinergic system and the LIFG. Furthermore, this interaction may provide a useful model to help explain reports of increased risk for cognitive decline and AD in women following ovariectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Craig
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Section of Brain Maturation, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, Denmark Hill, London, UK.
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Abstract
Many women complain of memory and other cognitive difficulties at times that are associated with changes in ovarian steroid levels. However, the biological mechanisms through which ovarian steroids exert these effects remains poorly understood. Furthermore, the effect of hormone therapy, especially oestrogen therapy, on cognition and brain function in healthy women, and its role in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease, remains controversial. Here, we review the evidence that, in healthy women, ovarian steroids/oestrogen affects brain regions crucial to higher cognitive function at the macroscopic, microscopic, functional and neurotransmitter levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Craig
- Section of Brain Maturation, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, UK.
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Craig MC, Cutter WJ, Wickham H, van Amelsvoort TAMJ, Rymer J, Whitehead M, Murphy DGM. Effect of long-term estrogen therapy on dopaminergic responsivity in post-menopausal women--a preliminary study. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2004; 29:1309-16. [PMID: 15288710 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2004.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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] [Received: 11/14/2003] [Revised: 02/05/2004] [Accepted: 03/28/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Females have a higher prevalence than men of neuropsychiatric disorders in which dopaminergic abnormalities play a prominent role, e.g. very late-onset schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease (PD). The biological basis of these sex differences is unknown but may include modulation of the dopaminergic system by sex hormones, as there is preliminary evidence that estrogen modulates treatment response in these disorders. Furthermore, sex differences in dopamine-mediated cognitive decline suggest estrogen may also play a role in healthy aging. However, the effects of estrogen on the dopaminergic system are poorly understood, and nobody has examined the effect of long-term estrogen therapy (ET) on this system. We compared dopaminergic responsivity (growth hormone (GH) response to apomorphine) in post-menopausal women on ET to women who were ET-naïve. GH response to subcutaneous apomorphine (0.005 mg/kg) was measured in two groups of healthy post-menopausal women aged between 55 and 70 years: those taking ET (n = 13) and those who had never taken ET (n = 13). Neither group was taking any other medication. GH was measured at 15 min intervals from -30 min before administration of apomorphine to 90 min post-administration. GH response was measured in two ways: area under the curve (AUC) and maximum response over baseline (GH). There were no between-group differences in demographic or baseline variables. The ET treated women had a significantly greater (p = 0.03) AUC than ET naïve women (mean +/- S.D.; 5.3 +/- 4.7 vs. 2.6 +/- 2.3). However, (GH) did not differ significantly between groups (6.1 mU/l +/- 6.2 vs. 2.7 mU/l +/- S.D. = 4.1). Also, analysis of GH response over time revealed a significant main effect of time (p < 0.0005), and a group by time interaction (p = 0.004) , but no significant main effect of group. Our results suggest that ET may enhance dopaminergic responsivity in post-menopausal women. Estrogen deficiency following menopause may partly explain age and gender differences in late-onset neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Craig
- Section of Brain Maturation, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, PO 50, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK.
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Craig MC, Nepokroeff CM, Lakshmanan MR, Porter JW. Effect of dietary change on the rates of synthesis and degradation of rat liver fatty acid synthetase. Arch Biochem Biophys 1972; 152:619-30. [PMID: 4628998 DOI: 10.1016/0003-9861(72)90258-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Craig MC, Dugan RE, Muesing RA, Slakey LL, Porter JW. Comparative effects of dietary regimens on the levels of enzymes regulating the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol in rat liver. Arch Biochem Biophys 1972; 151:128-36. [PMID: 5044513 DOI: 10.1016/0003-9861(72)90481-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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15
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Slakey LL, Craig MC, Beytia E, Briedis A, Fieldbruegge DH, Dugan RE, Muesing RA, Qureshi A, Subbarayan C, Porter JW. The effect of starvation and re-feeding on the rates of synthesis and degradation of enzyms effecting intermediate reactions in the synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids in rat liver. Biochem J 1972; 128:16P-17P. [PMID: 5085557 PMCID: PMC1173614 DOI: 10.1042/bj1280016pb] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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16
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Slakey LL, Craig MC, Beytia E, Briedis A, Feldbruegge DH, Dugan RE, Qureshi AA, Subbarayan C, Porter JW. The effects of fasting, refeeding, and time of day on the levels of enzymes effecting the conversion of -hydroxy- -methylglutaryl-coenzyme A to squalene. J Biol Chem 1972; 247:3014-22. [PMID: 4337504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
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17
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Collins JM, Craig MC, Nepokroeff CM, Kennan AL, Porter JW. Studies on a protein isolated from livers of diabetic and fasted rats. Arch Biochem Biophys 1971; 143:343-53. [PMID: 4997603 DOI: 10.1016/0003-9861(71)90220-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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18
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Lyon LD, Craig MC, Davis JL, McDaniel DC, Love WD. Relationship of myocardial blood flow and 86Rb clearance in left atrium of dogs. Am J Physiol 1967; 212:1512-4. [PMID: 4952141 DOI: 10.1152/ajplegacy.1967.212.6.1512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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