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Sep MSC, Geuze E, Joëls M. Impaired learning, memory, and extinction in posttraumatic stress disorder: translational meta-analysis of clinical and preclinical studies. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:376. [PMID: 38062029 PMCID: PMC10703817 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02660-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Current evidence-based treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are efficacious in only part of PTSD patients. Therefore, novel neurobiologically informed approaches are urgently needed. Clinical and translational neuroscience point to altered learning and memory processes as key in (models of) PTSD psychopathology. We extended this notion by clarifying at a meta-level (i) the role of information valence, i.e. neutral versus emotional/fearful, and (ii) comparability, as far as applicable, between clinical and preclinical phenotypes. We hypothesized that cross-species, neutral versus emotional/fearful information processing is, respectively, impaired and enhanced in PTSD. This preregistered meta-analysis involved a literature search on PTSD+Learning/Memory+Behavior, performed in PubMed. First, the effect of information valence was estimated with a random-effects meta-regression. The sources of variation were explored with a random forest-based analysis. The analyses included 92 clinical (N = 6732 humans) and 182 preclinical (N = 6834 animals) studies. A general impairment of learning, memory and extinction processes was observed in PTSD patients, regardless of information valence. Impaired neutral learning/memory and fear extinction were also present in animal models of PTSD. Yet, PTSD models enhanced fear/trauma memory in preclinical studies and PTSD impaired emotional memory in patients. Clinical data on fear/trauma memory was limited. Mnemonic phase and valence explained most variation in rodents but not humans. Impaired neutral learning/memory and fear extinction show stable cross-species PTSD phenotypes. These could be targeted for novel PTSD treatments, using information gained from neurobiological animal studies. We argue that apparent cross-species discrepancies in emotional/fearful memory deserve further in-depth study; until then, animal models targeting this phenotype should be applied with utmost care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milou S C Sep
- Brain Research and Innovation Centre, Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- GGZ inGeest Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Mood, Anxiety, Psychosis, Sleep & Stress Program, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health Program, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Elbert Geuze
- Brain Research and Innovation Centre, Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Karst H, Joëls M. Corticosterone rapidly reduces glutamatergic but not GABAergic transmission in the infralimbic prefrontal cortex of male mice. Steroids 2023; 198:109283. [PMID: 37487816 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2023.109283] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Rapid non-genomic effects of corticosteroid hormones, affecting glutamatergic and GABAergic transmission, have been described for many limbic structures in the rodent brain. These rapid effects appear to be region specific. It is not always clear which (or even whether) corticosteroid receptor -the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) or mineralocorticoid receptor (MR)- initiate these rapid effects. In the hippocampus and amygdala membrane-associated MR, but also membrane-associated GR (in amygdala), are involved. Other studies indicate that the rapid modulation may be induced by transactivation of kinases, or other receptors, like the G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) which was recently found to bind the mineralocorticoid aldosterone. In the current study we explored, in young adult male C57Bl6 mice, possible rapid effects of corticosterone on layer 2/3 infralimbic-prefrontal cortex (IL-PFC) neurons. We show that corticosterone, via non-genomic MR activation, reduces the mEPSC -but does not affect mIPSC- frequency; we observed no effect on mEPSC or mIPSC amplitude. As a result, overall spontaneous activity in the IL-PFC is suppressed. A potential role of GPER cannot be excluded, since G-15, an antagonist of GPER, also prevented the rapid effects of corticosterone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henk Karst
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands; University of Amsterdam, SILS-CNS, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Marian Joëls
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Abstract
Mary Dallman has left a legacy in neuroendocrinology, not only as the scientist who elaborated on new concepts such as rapid corticosteroid feedback pathways, but also as a role model, particularly for women who followed in her footsteps. In this contribution, I compare i) the remarkable journey she made towards her position as the first female faculty member ever at the physiology department at USCF with that of generations after her; ii) the contribution of our labs on rapid corticosteroid actions; and, iii) finally, our experiences with unexpected findings for which one should always keep an open mind, a standpoint that was fervently advocated by Mary Dallman.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Joëls
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands; and
- University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
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Karst H, Droogers WJ, van der Weerd N, Damsteegt R, van Kroonenburg N, Sarabdjitsingh RA, Joëls M. Acceleration of GABA-switch after early life stress changes mouse prefrontal glutamatergic transmission. Neuropharmacology 2023; 234:109543. [PMID: 37061088 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
Early life stress (ELS) alters the excitation-inhibition-balance (EI-balance) in various rodent brain areas and may be responsible for behavioral impairment later in life. The EI-balance is (amongst others) influenced by the switch of GABAergic transmission from excitatory to inhibitory, the so-called "GABA-switch". Here, we investigated how ELS affects the GABA-switch in mouse infralimbic Prefrontal Cortex layer 2/3 neurons, using the limited-nesting-and-bedding model. In ELS mice, the GABA-switch occurred already between postnatal day (P) 6 and P9, as opposed to P15-P21 in controls. This was associated with increased expression of the inward chloride transporter NKCC1, compared to the outward chloride transporter KCC2, both of which are important for the intracellular chloride concentration and, hence, the GABA reversal potential (Erev). Chloride transporters are not only important for regulating chloride concentration postsynaptically, but also presynaptically. Depending on the Erev of GABA, presynaptic GABAA receptor stimulation causes a depolarization or hyperpolarization, and thereby enhanced or reduced fusion of glutamate vesicles respectively, in turn changing the frequency of miniature postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). In accordance, bumetanide, a blocker of NKCC1, shifted the Erev GABA towards more hyperpolarized levels in P9 control mice and reduced the mEPSC frequency. Other modulators of chloride transporters, e.g. VU0463271 (a KCC2 antagonist) and aldosterone -which increases NKCC1 expression-did not affect postsynaptic Erev in ELS P9 mice, but did increase the mEPSC frequency. We conclude that the mouse GABA-switch is accelerated after ELS, affecting both the pre- and postsynaptic chloride homeostasis, the former altering glutamatergic transmission. This may considerably affect brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henk Karst
- Dept Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands.
| | - Wouter J Droogers
- Dept Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Nelleke van der Weerd
- Dept Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Ruth Damsteegt
- Dept Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Nicky van Kroonenburg
- Dept Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - R Angela Sarabdjitsingh
- Dept Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Dept Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands; University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
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de Kloet ER, Joëls M. The cortisol switch between vulnerability and resilience. Mol Psychiatry 2023:10.1038/s41380-022-01934-8. [PMID: 36599967 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01934-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In concert with neuropeptides and transmitters, the end products of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the glucocorticoid hormones cortisol and corticosterone (CORT), promote resilience: i.e., the ability to cope with threats, adversity, and trauma. To exert this protective action, CORT activates mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) that operate in a complementary manner -as an on/off switch- to coordinate circadian events, stress-coping, and adaptation. The evolutionary older limbic MR facilitates contextual memory retrieval and supports an on-switch in the selection of stress-coping styles at a low cost. The rise in circulating CORT concentration after stress subsequently activates a GR-mediated off-switch underlying recovery of homeostasis by providing the energy for restraining the primary stress reactions and promoting cognitive control over emotional reactivity. GR activation facilitates contextual memory storage of the experience to enable future stress-coping. Such complementary MR-GR-mediated actions involve rapid non-genomic and slower gene-mediated mechanisms; they are time-dependent, conditional, and sexually dimorphic, and depend on genetic background and prior experience. If coping fails, GR activation impairs cognitive control and promotes emotional arousal which eventually may compromise resilience. Such breakdown of resilience involves a transition to a chronic stress construct, where information processing is crashed; it leads to an imbalanced MR-GR switch and hence increased vulnerability. Novel MR-GR modulators are becoming available that may reset a dysregulated stress response system to reinstate the cognitive flexibility required for resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Ronald de Kloet
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Leiden/Amsterdam Center of Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Marian Joëls
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Buurstede JC, Umeoka EHL, da Silva MS, Krugers HJ, Joëls M, Meijer OC. Application of a pharmacological transcriptome filter identifies a shortlist of mouse glucocorticoid receptor target genes associated with memory consolidation. Neuropharmacology 2022; 216:109186. [PMID: 35835211 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109186] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids regulate memory consolidation, facilitating long-term storage of relevant information to adequately respond to future stressors in similar conditions. This effect of glucocorticoids is well-established and is observed in multiple types of behaviour that depend on various brain regions. By and large, higher glucocorticoid levels strengthen event-related memory, while inhibition of glucocorticoid signalling impairs consolidation. The mechanism underlying this glucocorticoid effect remains unclear, but it likely involves the transcriptional effects of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). We here used a powerful paradigm to investigate the transcriptional effects of GR in the dorsal hippocampus of mice after training in an auditory fear conditioning task, aiming to identify a shortlist of GR target genes associated to memory consolidation. Therefore, we utilized in an explorative study the properties of selective GR modulators (CORT108297 and CORT118335), alongside the endogenous agonist corticosterone and the classical GR antagonist RU486, to pinpoint GR-dependent transcriptional changes. First, we confirmed that glucocorticoids can modulate memory strength via GR activation. Subsequently, by assessing the specific effects of the available GR-ligands on memory strength, we established a pharmacological filter which we imposed on the hippocampal transcriptome data. This identified a manageable shortlist of eight genes by which glucocorticoids may modulate memory consolidation, warranting in-depth follow-up. Overall, we showcase the strength of the concept of pharmacological transcriptome filtering, which can be readily applied to other research topics with an established role of glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacobus C Buurstede
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Eduardo H L Umeoka
- Brain Plasticity Group, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Neuroscience and Behavioural Sciences Department, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Marcia Santos da Silva
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Harm J Krugers
- Brain Plasticity Group, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, SILS-CNS, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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Abstract
Social defeat activates midbrain cells, promoting sleep and reducing anxiety in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - E Ronald de Kloet
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
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Bonapersona, Born FJ, Bakvis P, Branje S, Elzinga B, Evers A, van Eysden M, Fernandez G, Habets PC, Hartman CA, Hermans EJ, Meeus W, van Middendorp H, Nelemans S, Oei NY, Oldehinkel AJ, Roelofs K, de Rooij SR, Smeets T, Tollenaar MS, Joëls M, Vinkers CH. The STRESS-NL database: A resource for human acute stress studies across the Netherlands. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 141:105735. [PMID: 35447495 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105735] [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: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Stress initiates a cascade of (neuro)biological, physiological, and behavioral changes, allowing us to respond to a challenging environment. The human response to acute stress can be studied in detail in controlled settings, usually in a laboratory environment. To this end, many studies employ acute stress paradigms to probe stress-related outcomes in healthy and patient populations. Though valuable, these studies in themselves often have relatively limited sample sizes. We established a data-sharing and collaborative interdisciplinary initiative, the STRESS-NL database, which combines (neuro)biological, physiological, and behavioral data across many acute stress studies in order to accelerate our understanding of the human acute stress response in health and disease (www.stressdatabase.eu). Researchers in the stress field from 12 Dutch research groups of 6 Dutch universities created a database to achieve an accurate inventory of (neuro)biological, physiological, and behavioral data from laboratory-based human studies that used acute stress tests. Currently, the STRESS-NL database consists of information on 5529 individual participants (2281 females and 3348 males, age range 6-99 years, mean age 27.7 ± 16 years) stemming from 57 experiments described in 42 independent studies. Studies often did not use the same stress paradigm; outcomes were different and measured at different time points. All studies currently included in the database assessed cortisol levels before, during and after experimental stress, but cortisol measurement will not be a strict requirement for future study inclusion. Here, we report on the creation of the STRESS-NL database and infrastructure to illustrate the potential of accumulating and combining existing data to allow meta-analytical, proof-of-principle analyses. The STRESS-NL database creates a framework that enables human stress research to take new avenues in explorative and hypothesis-driven data analyses with high statistical power. Future steps could be to incorporate new studies beyond the borders of the Netherlands; or build similar databases for experimental stress studies in rodents. In our view, there are major scientific benefits in initiating and maintaining such international efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonapersona
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University,Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - F J Born
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University,Utrecht, The Netherlands; Charité University, Berlin,Germany
| | - P Bakvis
- Clinical Psychology unit, Institute of Psychology and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University,The Netherlands; SEIN, Epilepsy Institute in the Netherlands,Heemstede,The Netherlands
| | - S Branje
- Department of Youth & Family, Utrecht University,Utrecht,The Netherlands
| | - B Elzinga
- Clinical Psychology unit, Institute of Psychology and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University,The Netherlands
| | - Awm Evers
- Health, Medical & Neuropsychology unit, Institute of Psychology and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, The Netherlands
| | - M van Eysden
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University,Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - G Fernandez
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center,Nijmegen,The Netherlands
| | - P C Habets
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Psychiatry,DeBoelelaan 1117, Amsterdam,The Netherlands; Amsterdam Neurosciences, Mood, Anxiety, Psychosis, Stress, and Sleep (MAPSS),Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C A Hartman
- Department of Psychiatry and Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen,Groningen,The Netherlands
| | - E J Hermans
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center,Nijmegen,The Netherlands
| | - W Meeus
- Department of Youth & Family, Utrecht University,Utrecht,The Netherlands
| | - H van Middendorp
- Health, Medical & Neuropsychology unit, Institute of Psychology and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, The Netherlands
| | - S Nelemans
- Department of Youth & Family, Utrecht University,Utrecht,The Netherlands
| | - N Y Oei
- Amsterdam Brain and Cognition (ABC), University of Amsterdam,Amsterdam,The Netherlands; Department of Developmental Psychology, Addiction Development and Psychopathology(ADAPT)-Lab, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, University of Amsterdam,Amsterdam,The Netherlands
| | - A J Oldehinkel
- Department of Psychiatry and Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen,Groningen,The Netherlands
| | - K Roelofs
- Radboud University Nijmegen: Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour and Behavioural Science Institute
| | - S R de Rooij
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC,Amsterdam,The Netherlands
| | - T Smeets
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Center of Research on Psychological disorders and Somatic diseases (CoRPS), Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University,Tilburg,The Netherlands
| | - M S Tollenaar
- Clinical Psychology unit, Institute of Psychology and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University,The Netherlands
| | - M Joëls
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen,Groningen,The Netherlands
| | - C H Vinkers
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Psychiatry,DeBoelelaan 1117, Amsterdam,The Netherlands; Amsterdam Neurosciences, Mood, Anxiety, Psychosis, Stress, and Sleep (MAPSS),Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Schwabe L, Hermans EJ, Joëls M, Roozendaal B. Mechanisms of memory under stress. Neuron 2022; 110:1450-1467. [PMID: 35316661 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
It is well established that stress has a major impact on memory, driven by the concerted action of various stress mediators on the brain. Recent years, however, have seen considerable advances in our understanding of the cellular, neural network, and cognitive mechanisms through which stress alters memory. These novel insights highlight the intricate interplay of multiple stress mediators, including-beyond corticosteroids, catecholamines, and peptides-for instance, endocannabinoids, which results in time-dependent shifts in large-scale neural networks. Such stress-induced network shifts enable highly specific memories of the stressful experience in the long run at the cost of transient impairments in mnemonic flexibility during and shortly after a stressful event. Based on these recent discoveries, we provide a new integrative framework that links the cellular, systems, and cognitive mechanisms underlying acute stress effects on memory processes and points to potential targets for treating aberrant memory in stress-related mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Schwabe
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Erno J Hermans
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Benno Roozendaal
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Karst H, den Boon FS, Vervoort N, Adrian M, Kapitein LC, Joëls M. Non-genomic steroid signaling through the mineralocorticoid receptor: Involvement of a membrane-associated receptor? Mol Cell Endocrinol 2022; 541:111501. [PMID: 34740745 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Corticosteroid receptors in the mammalian brain mediate genomic as well as non-genomic actions. Although receptors mediating genomic actions were already cloned 35 years ago, it remains unclear whether the same molecules are responsible for the non-genomic actions or that the latter involve a separate class of receptors. Here we focus on one type of corticosteroid receptors, i.e. the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). We summarize some of the known properties and the current insight in the localization of the MR in peripheral cells and neurons, especially in relation to non-genomic signaling. Previous studies from our own and other labs provided evidence that MRs mediating non-genomic actions are identical to the ones involved in genomic signaling, but may be translocated to the plasma cell membrane instead of the nucleus. With fixed cell imaging and live cell imaging techniques we tried to visualize these presumed membrane-associated MRs, using antibodies or overexpression of MR-GFP in COS7 and hippocampal cultured neurons. Despite the physiological evidence for MR location in or close to the cell membrane, we could not convincingly visualize membrane localization of endogenous MRs or GFP-MR molecules. However, we did find punctae of labeled antibodies intracellularly, which might indicate transactivating spots of MR near the membrane. We also found some evidence for trafficking of MR via beta-arrestins. In beta-arrestin knockout mice, we didn't observe metaplasticity in the basolateral amygdala anymore, indicating that internalization of MRs could play a role during corticosterone activation. Furthermore, we speculate that membrane-associated MRs could act indirectly via activating other membrane located structures like e.g. GPER and/or receptor tyrosine kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henk Karst
- Dept Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands.
| | - Femke S den Boon
- Dept Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Niek Vervoort
- University Utrecht, Faculty of Science, Division of Cell Biology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Max Adrian
- University Utrecht, Faculty of Science, Division of Cell Biology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lukas C Kapitein
- University Utrecht, Faculty of Science, Division of Cell Biology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Dept Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands; University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
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Schuler H, Bonapersona V, Joëls M, Sarabdjitsingh RA. Effects of early life adversity on immediate early gene expression: Systematic review and 3-level meta-analysis of rodent studies. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0253406. [PMID: 35025862 PMCID: PMC8757918 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life adversity (ELA) causes long-lasting structural and functional changes to the brain, rendering affected individuals vulnerable to the development of psychopathologies later in life. Immediate-early genes (IEGs) provide a potential marker for the observed alterations, bridging the gap between activity-regulated transcription and long-lasting effects on brain structure and function. Several heterogeneous studies have used IEGs to identify differences in cellular activity after ELA; systematically investigating the literature is therefore crucial for comprehensive conclusions. Here, we performed a systematic review on 39 pre-clinical studies in rodents to study the effects of ELA (alteration of maternal care) on IEG expression. Females and IEGs other than cFos were investigated in only a handful of publications. We meta-analyzed publications investigating specifically cFos expression. ELA increased cFos expression after an acute stressor only if the animals (control and ELA) had experienced additional hits. At rest, ELA increased cFos expression irrespective of other life events, suggesting that ELA creates a phenotype similar to naïve, acutely stressed animals. We present a conceptual theoretical framework to interpret the unexpected results. Overall, ELA likely alters IEG expression across the brain, especially in interaction with other negative life events. The present review highlights current knowledge gaps and provides guidance to aid the design of future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heike Schuler
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Valeria Bonapersona
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - R. Angela Sarabdjitsingh
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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12
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Kok L, Hillegers MHJ, Veldhuijzen DS, Joëls M, Boks MPM, Vinkers CH, Dieleman JM, Slooter AJC, van Dijk D. Stress-related psychopathology after cardiac surgery and intensive care treatment. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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13
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Kalamari A, Kentrop J, Hinna Danesi C, Graat EAM, van IJzendoorn MH, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ, Joëls M, van der Veen R. Complex Housing, but Not Maternal Deprivation Affects Motivation to Liberate a Trapped Cage-Mate in an Operant Rat Task. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:698501. [PMID: 34512284 PMCID: PMC8427758 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.698501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Early life environment influences the development of various aspects of social behavior, particularly during sensitive developmental periods. We studied how challenges in the early postnatal period or (early) adolescence affect pro-social behavior. To this end, we designed a lever-operated liberation task, to be able to measure motivation to liberate a trapped conspecific (by progressively increasing required lever pressing for door-opening). Liberation of the trapped rat resulted either in social contact or in liberation into a separate compartment. Additionally, a condition was tested in which both rats could freely move in two separate compartments and lever pressing resulted in social contact. When partners were not trapped, rats were more motivated to press the lever for opening the door than in either of the trapped configurations. Contrary to our expectations, the trapped configuration resulted in a reduced motivation to act. Early postnatal stress (24 h maternal deprivation on postnatal day 3) did not affect behavior in the liberation task. However, rearing rats from early adolescence onwards in complex housing conditions (Marlau cages) reduced the motivation to door opening, both in the trapped and freely moving conditions, while the motivation for a sucrose reward was not affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini Kalamari
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jiska Kentrop
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Chiara Hinna Danesi
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Evelien A M Graat
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marinus H van IJzendoorn
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Primary Care Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen University, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Rixt van der Veen
- Brain Plasticity group, SILS Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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14
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Sep MSC, Vellinga M, Sarabdjitsingh RA, Joëls M. The rodent object-in-context task: A systematic review and meta-analysis of important variables. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249102. [PMID: 34270575 PMCID: PMC8284613 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental information plays an important role in remembering events. Information about stable aspects of the environment (here referred to as 'context') and the event are combined by the hippocampal system and stored as context-dependent memory. In rodents (such as rats and mice), context-dependent memory is often investigated with the object-in-context task. However, the implementation and interpretation of this task varies considerably across studies. This variation hampers the comparison between studies and-for those who design a new experiment or carry out pilot experiments-the estimation of whether observed behavior is within the expected range. Also, it is currently unclear which of the variables critically influence the outcome of the task. To address these issues, we carried out a preregistered systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42020191340) and provide an up-to-date overview of the animal-, task-, and protocol-related variations in the object-in-context task for rodents. Using a data-driven explorative meta-analysis we next identified critical factors influencing the outcome of this task, such as sex, testbox size and the delay between the learning trials. Based on these observations we provide recommendations on sex, strain, prior arousal, context (size, walls, shape, etc.) and timing (habituation, learning, and memory phase) to create more consensus in the set-up, procedure, and interpretation of the object-in-context task for rodents. This could contribute to a more robust and evidence-based design in future animal experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milou S. C. Sep
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Brain Research and Innovation Centre, Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marijn Vellinga
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - R. Angela Sarabdjitsingh
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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15
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Vegter RJK, van Keeken HG, de Groot S, Houdijk HJP, Joëls M, van der Woude LHV. RehabMove2018: active lifestyle for people with physical disabilities; mobility, exercise & sports. Disabil Rehabil 2021; 43:3425-3426. [PMID: 34184586 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1940319] [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: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Riemer J K Vegter
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Helco G van Keeken
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sonja de Groot
- Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center, Reade, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Han J P Houdijk
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lucas H V van der Woude
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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16
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Hartmann J, Bajaj T, Klengel C, Chatzinakos C, Ebert T, Dedic N, McCullough KM, Lardenoije R, Joëls M, Meijer OC, McCann KE, Dudek SM, Sarabdjitsingh RA, Daskalakis NP, Klengel T, Gassen NC, Schmidt MV, Ressler KJ. Mineralocorticoid receptors dampen glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity to stress via regulation of FKBP5. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109185. [PMID: 34077736 PMCID: PMC8244946 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [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: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Responding to different dynamic levels of stress is critical for mammalian survival. Disruption of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling is proposed to underlie hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation observed in stress-related psychiatric disorders. In this study, we show that FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP5) plays a critical role in fine-tuning MR:GR balance in the hippocampus. Biotinylated-oligonucleotide immunoprecipitation in primary hippocampal neurons reveals that MR binding, rather than GR binding, to the Fkbp5 gene regulates FKBP5 expression during baseline activity of glucocorticoids. Notably, FKBP5 and MR exhibit similar hippocampal expression patterns in mice and humans, which are distinct from that of the GR. Pharmacological inhibition and region- and cell type-specific receptor deletion in mice further demonstrate that lack of MR decreases hippocampal Fkbp5 levels and dampens the stress-induced increase in glucocorticoid levels. Overall, our findings demonstrate that MR-dependent changes in baseline Fkbp5 expression modify GR sensitivity to glucocorticoids, providing insight into mechanisms of stress homeostasis.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cells, Cultured
- Gene Deletion
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Hippocampus/metabolism
- Humans
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Models, Biological
- Neurons/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/genetics
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/metabolism
- Receptors, Mineralocorticoid/genetics
- Receptors, Mineralocorticoid/metabolism
- Stress, Physiological
- Tacrolimus Binding Proteins/genetics
- Tacrolimus Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Hartmann
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA.
| | - Thomas Bajaj
- Research Group Neurohomeostasis, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Claudia Klengel
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Chris Chatzinakos
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Tim Ebert
- Research Group Neurohomeostasis, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Nina Dedic
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Kenneth M McCullough
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Roy Lardenoije
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center, Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Katharine E McCann
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Serena M Dudek
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - R Angela Sarabdjitsingh
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center, Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Nikolaos P Daskalakis
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Torsten Klengel
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nils C Gassen
- Research Group Neurohomeostasis, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Mathias V Schmidt
- Research Group Neurobiology of Stress Resilience, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA.
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17
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van Leeuwen JMC, Vinkers CH, Vink M, Kahn RS, Joëls M, Hermans EJ. Disrupted upregulation of salience network connectivity during acute stress in siblings of schizophrenia patients. Psychol Med 2021; 51:1038-1048. [PMID: 31941558 PMCID: PMC8161434 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291719004033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An adaptive neural stress response is essential to adequately cope with a changing environment. It was previously argued that sympathetic/noradrenergic activity during acute stress increases salience network (SN) connectivity and reduces executive control network (ECN) connectivity in healthy controls, with opposing effects in the late aftermath of stress. Altered temporal dynamics of these networks in response to stress are thought to play a role in the development of psychopathology in vulnerable individuals. METHODS We exposed male healthy controls (n = 40, mean age = 33.9) and unaffected siblings of schizophrenia patients (n = 39, mean age = 33.2) to the stress or control condition of the trier social stress test and subsequently investigated resting state functional connectivity of the SN and ECN directly after and 1.5 h after stress. RESULTS Acute stress resulted in increased functional connectivity within the SN in healthy controls, but not in siblings (group × stress interaction pfwe < 0.05). In the late aftermath of stress, stress reduced functional connectivity within the SN in both groups. Moreover, we found increased functional connectivity between the ECN and the cerebellum in the aftermath of stress in both healthy controls and siblings of schizophrenia patients. CONCLUSIONS The results show profound differences between siblings of schizophrenia patients and controls during acute stress. Siblings lacked the upregulation of neural resources necessary to quickly and adequately cope with a stressor. This points to a reduced dynamic range in the sympathetic response, and may constitute a vulnerability factor for the development of psychopathology in this at-risk group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith M. C. van Leeuwen
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Christiaan H. Vinkers
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry/GGZ InGeest, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Matthijs Vink
- Utrecht University, Experimental Psychology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - René S. Kahn
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Erno J. Hermans
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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18
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Abstract
Stress is a major risk factor for bipolar disorder. Even though we do not completely understand how stress increases the risk for the onset and poorer course of bipolar disorder, knowledge of stress physiology is rapidly evolving. Following stress, stress hormones - including (nor)adrenaline and corticosteroid - reach the brain and change neuronal function in a time-, region-, and receptor-dependent manner. Stress has direct consequences for a range of cognitive functions which are time-dependent. Directly after stress, emotional processing is increased at the cost of higher brain functions. In the aftermath of stress, the reverse is seen, i.e., increased executive function and contextualization of information. In bipolar disorder, basal corticosteroid levels (under non-stressed conditions) are generally found to be increased with blunted responses in response to experimental stress. Moreover, patients who have bipolar disorder generally show impaired brain function, including reward processing. There is some evidence for a causal role of (dysfunction of) the stress system in the etiology of bipolar disorder and their effects on brain system functionality. However, longitudinal studies investigating the functionality of the stress systems in conjunction with detailed information on the development and course of bipolar disorder are vital to understand in detail how stress increases the risk for bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo H L Umeoka
- Faculty of Medicine, University Center Unicerrado, Goiatuba, GO, Brazil.
| | - Judith M C van Leeuwen
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Christiaan H Vinkers
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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19
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Sep MSC, Joëls M, Geuze E. Individual differences in the encoding of contextual details following acute stress: An explorative study. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 55:2714-2738. [PMID: 33249674 PMCID: PMC9291333 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15067] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Information processing under stressful circumstances depends on many experimental conditions, like the information valence or the point in time at which brain function is probed. This also holds true for memorizing contextual details (or ‘memory contextualization’). Moreover, large interindividual differences appear to exist in (context‐dependent) memory formation after stress, but it is mostly unknown which individual characteristics are essential. Various characteristics were explored from a theory‐driven and data‐driven perspective, in 120 healthy men. In the theory‐driven model, we postulated that life adversity and trait anxiety shape the stress response, which impacts memory contextualization following acute stress. This was indeed largely supported by linear regression analyses, showing significant interactions depending on valence and time point after stress. Thus, during the acutephase of the stress response, reduced neutral memory contextualization was related to salivary cortisol level; moreover, certain individual characteristics correlated with memory contextualization of negatively valenced material: (a) life adversity, (b) α‐amylase reactivity in those with low life adversity and (c) cortisol reactivity in those with low trait anxiety. Better neutral memory contextualization during the recoveryphase of the stress response was associated with (a) cortisol in individuals with low life adversity and (b) α‐amylase in individuals with high life adversity. The data‐driven Random Forest‐based variable selection also pointed to (early) life adversity—during the acutephase—and (moderate) α‐amylase reactivity—during the recoveryphase—as individual characteristics related to better memory contextualization. Newly identified characteristics sparked novel hypotheses about non‐anxious personality traits, age, mood and states during retrieval of context‐related information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milou S C Sep
- Brain Research and Innovation Centre, Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Elbert Geuze
- Brain Research and Innovation Centre, Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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20
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van der Veen R, Bonapersona V, Joëls M. The relevance of a rodent cohort in the Consortium on Individual Development. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2020; 45:100846. [PMID: 32957026 PMCID: PMC7509002 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2020.100846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the features of the Consortium on Individual Development is the existence of a rodent cohort, in parallel with the human cohorts. Here we give an overview of the current status. We first elaborate on the choice of rat and mouse models mimicking early life adverse or beneficial conditions during development. We performed a systematic literature search on early life adversity and adult social behavior to address the status quo. Next, we describe the behavioral tasks we used and designed to examine behavioral control and social competence in rodents. The results so far indicate that manipulation of the environment in the first postnatal week only subtly affects social behavior. Stronger effects were seen in the model that targeted early adolescence; once adult, these rats are characterized by increased attention, a higher degree of impulsiveness and reduced social interest in peers. Many experiments in our rodent models with tightly controlled conditions were inspired by findings in human cohorts, and now allow in-depth mechanistic investigations. Vice versa, some of the findings in rodents are currently followed up by dedicated investigations in the human cohorts. This exemplifies the added value of animal investigations in a consortium encompassing primarily human developmental cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rixt van der Veen
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Valeria Bonapersona
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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21
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Kentrop J, Kalamari A, Danesi CH, Kentrop JJ, van IJzendoorn MH, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ, Joëls M, van der Veen R. Pro-social preference in an automated operant two-choice reward task under different housing conditions: Exploratory studies on pro-social decision making. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2020; 45:100827. [PMID: 32739841 PMCID: PMC7393525 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2020.100827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to develop a behavioral task that measures pro-social decision making in rats. A fully automated, operant pro-social two-choice task is introduced that quantifies pro-social preferences for a mutual food reward in a set-up with tightly controlled task contingencies. Pairs of same-sex adult Wistar rats were placed in an operant chamber divided into two compartments (one rat per compartment), separated by a transparent barrier with holes that allowed the rats to see, hear, smell, but not touch each other. Test rats could earn a sucrose pellet either for themselves (own reward) or for themselves and the partner (both reward) by means of lever pressing. On average, male rats showed a 60 % preference for the lever that yielded a food reward for both themselves and their partner. In contrast, females did not show lever preference, regardless of the estrous cycle phase. Next, the impact of juvenile environmental factors on male rat social decision making was studied. Males were group-housed from postnatal day 26 onwards in complex housing Marlau™ cages that provided social and physical enrichment and stimulation in the form of novelty. Complex housed males did not show a preference for the pro-social lever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiska Kentrop
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Aikaterini Kalamari
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Chiara Hinna Danesi
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - John J Kentrop
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marinus H van IJzendoorn
- Dept. Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Primary Care Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Marian Joëls
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Rixt van der Veen
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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22
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Knop J, van IJzendoorn MH, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ, Joëls M, van der Veen R. Maternal care of heterozygous dopamine receptor D4 knockout mice: Differential susceptibility to early-life rearing conditions. Genes Brain Behav 2020; 19:e12655. [PMID: 32306548 PMCID: PMC7540036 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The differential susceptibility hypothesis proposes that individuals who are more susceptible to the negative effects of adverse rearing conditions may also benefit more from enriched environments. Evidence derived from human experiments suggests the lower efficacy dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) 7‐repeat as a main factor in exhibiting these for better and for worse characteristics. However, human studies lack the genetic and environmental control offered by animal experiments, complicating assessment of causal relations. To study differential susceptibility in an animal model, we exposed Drd4+/− mice and control litter mates to a limited nesting/bedding (LN), standard nesting (SN) or communal nesting (CN) rearing environment from postnatal day (P) 2‐14. Puberty onset was examined from P24 to P36 and adult females were assessed on maternal care towards their own offspring. In both males and females, LN reared mice showed a delay in puberty onset that was partly mediated by a reduction in body weight at weaning, irrespective of Drd4 genotype. During adulthood, LN reared females exhibited characteristics of poor maternal care, whereas dams reared in CN environments showed lower rates of unpredictability towards their own offspring. Differential susceptibility was observed only for licking/grooming levels of female offspring towards their litter; LN reared Drd4+/− mice exhibited the lowest and CN reared Drd4+/− mice the highest levels of licking/grooming. These results indicate that both genetic and early‐environmental factors play an important role in shaping maternal care of the offspring for better and for worse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelle Knop
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marinus H van IJzendoorn
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Primary Care Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rixt van der Veen
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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23
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Sep MSC, van Ast VA, Gorter R, Joëls M, Geuze E. Time-dependent effects of psychosocial stress on the contextualization of neutral memories. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 108:140-149. [PMID: 31280058 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Memories about stressful experiences need to be both specific and generalizable to adequately guide future behavior. Memory strength is influenced by emotional significance, and contextualization (i.e., encoding experiences with their contextual details) enables selective context-dependent retrieval and protects against overgeneralization. The current randomized-controlled study investigated how the early and late phase of the endogenous stress response affects the contextualization of neutral and negative information. One hundred healthy male participants were randomly divided into three experimental groups that performed encoding either 1) without stress (control), 2) immediately after acute stress (early) or 3) two hours after acute stress (late). Stress was induced via the Trier Social Stress Test and salivary alpha-amylase and cortisol levels were measured throughout the experiment. In the Memory Contextualization Task, neutral and angry faces (items) were depicted against unique context pictures during encoding. During testing 24 h later, context-dependent recognition memory of the items was assessed by presenting these in either congruent or incongruent contexts (relative to encoding). Multilevel analyses revealed that neutral information was more contextualized when encoding took place two hours after psychosocial stress, than immediately after the stressor. Results suggest that the late effects in the unique, time-dependent sequence of a healthy endogenous stress response, could complement reduced contextualization immediately after stress. The contextualization of negative information was not influenced by psychosocial stress, as opposed to earlier reported effects of exogenous hydrocortisone administration. An imbalance between the early and late effects of the endogenous stress response could increase vulnerability for stress-related psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milou S C Sep
- Brain Research and Innovation Centre, Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Vanessa A van Ast
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rosalie Gorter
- Brain Research and Innovation Centre, Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Elbert Geuze
- Brain Research and Innovation Centre, Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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24
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van Leeuwen JMC, Vink M, Joëls M, Kahn RS, Hermans EJ, Vinkers CH. Reward-Related Striatal Responses Following Stress in Healthy Individuals and Patients With Bipolar Disorder. Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging 2019; 4:966-974. [PMID: 31471186 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2019.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stress has a major impact on the onset and recurrence of mood episodes in bipolar disorder (BD), but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Previous studies have shown distinct time-dependent effects of stress on reward processing in healthy individuals. Impaired reward processing is a core characteristic of BD, and altered reward processing during recovery from stress could influence the development and course of bipolar disorder. METHODS We investigated brain responses during reward processing 50 minutes after stress using functional magnetic resonance imaging in 40 healthy control subjects and 40 patients with euthymic BD assigned to either an acute stress test (Trier Social Stress Test) or a no-stress condition. RESULTS Acute stress increased cortisol levels in both healthy control subjects and patients with BD. Ventral striatal responses to reward outcome were increased in healthy control subjects during stress recovery but not in patients with BD. For anticipation, no differences were found between the groups following stress. CONCLUSIONS For the first time, we show altered reward processing in patients with BD during the recovery phase of stress. These data suggest reduced neural flexibility of hedonic signaling in response to environmental challenges. This may increase the susceptibility to stressful life events in the future and play a role in the development of further psychopathology in the longer term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith M C van Leeuwen
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Matthijs Vink
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - René S Kahn
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Erno J Hermans
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Christiaan H Vinkers
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry/GGZ InGeest, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam UMC (location VUmc), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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25
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Bonapersona V, Damsteegt R, Adams ML, van Weert LTCM, Meijer OC, Joëls M, Sarabdjitsingh RA. Sex-Dependent Modulation of Acute Stress Reactivity After Early Life Stress in Mice: Relevance of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Expression. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:181. [PMID: 31440147 PMCID: PMC6693524 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [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: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Early life stress (ELS) is considered a major risk factor for developing psychopathology. Increasing evidence points towards sex-dependent dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis as a contributing mechanism. Additionally, clinical studies suggest that the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) may further confer genetic vulnerability/resilience on a background of ELS. The link between ELS, sex and the HPA axis and how this interacts with MR genotype is understudied, yet important to understand vulnerability/resilience to stress. We used the early life-limited nesting and bedding model to test the effect of ELS on HPA properties in adult female and male mice carrying a forebrain-specific heterozygous knockout for MR. Basal HPA axis activity was measured by circadian peak and nadir corticosterone levels, in addition to body weight and weight of stress-sensitive tissues. HPA axis reactivity was assessed by mapping corticosterone levels after 10 min immobilization. Additionally, we measured the effects of ELS on steroid receptor [MR and glucocorticoid receptor (GR)] levels in the dorsal hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) with western blot. Finally, behavioral reactivity towards a novel environment was measured as a proxy for anxiety-like behavior. Results show that HPA axis activity under rest conditions was not affected by ELS. HPA axis reactivity after immobilization was decreased by ELS in females and increased, at trend-level in males. This effect in females was further exacerbated by low expression of the MR. We also observed a sex*ELS interaction regarding MR and GR expression in the dorsal hippocampus, with a significant upregulation of MR in males only. The sex-dependent interaction with ELS was not reflected in the behavioral response to novel environment and time spent in a sheltered compartment. We did find increased locomotor activity in all groups after a history of ELS, which attenuated after 4 h in males but not females regardless of condition. Our findings support that ELS alters HPA axis functioning sex-dependently. Genetic predisposition to low MR function may render females more susceptible to the harmful effect of ELS whereas in males low MR function promotes resilience. We propose that this model may be a useful tool to investigate the underlying mechanisms of sex-dependent and genetic vulnerability/resilience to stress-related psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Bonapersona
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ruth Damsteegt
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Mirjam L Adams
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Lisa T C M van Weert
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Ratna Angela Sarabdjitsingh
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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26
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Bonapersona V, Kentrop J, Van Lissa CJ, van der Veen R, Joëls M, Sarabdjitsingh RA. The behavioral phenotype of early life adversity: A 3-level meta-analysis of rodent studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 102:299-307. [PMID: 31047892 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Altered cognitive performance is considered an intermediate phenotype mediating early life adversity (ELA) effects on later-life development of mental disorders, e.g. depression. Whereas most human studies are limited to correlational conclusions, rodent studies can prospectively investigate how ELA alters cognitive performance in several domains. Despite the volume of reports, there is no consensus on i) the behavioral domains being affected by ELA and ii) the extent of these effects. To test how ELA (here: aberrant maternal care) affects specific behavioral domains, we used a 3-level mixed-effect meta-analysis, and thoroughly explored heterogeneity with MetaForest, a novel machine-learning approach. Our results are based on >400 independent experiments, involving ∼8600 animals. Especially in males, ELA promotes memory formation during stressful learning but impairs non-stressful learning. Furthermore, ELA increases anxiety-like and decreases social behavior. The ELA phenotype was strongest when i) combined with other negative experiences ("hits"); ii) in rats; iii) in ELA models of ∼10days duration. All data is easily accessible with MaBapp (https://osf.io/ra947/), allowing researchers to run tailor-made meta-analyses, thereby revealing the optimal choice of experimental protocols and study power.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Bonapersona
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands.
| | - J Kentrop
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - C J Van Lissa
- Department of Methodology and Statistics, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - R van der Veen
- Centre for Child and Family Studies, Leiden University, the Netherlands
| | - M Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands; University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen University, the Netherlands
| | - R A Sarabdjitsingh
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
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27
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Knop J, van IJzendoorn MH, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ, Joëls M, van der Veen R. The effects of different rearing conditions on sexual maturation and maternal care in heterozygous mineralocorticoid receptor knockout mice. Horm Behav 2019; 112:54-64. [PMID: 30953639 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Sexual and social development is affected by a complex interplay between genetic makeup and the early-life rearing environment. While many rodent studies focused primarily on the detrimental effects of early-life stress, human literature suggests that genetic susceptibility may not be restricted to negative environments; it may also enhance the beneficial effects of positive rearing conditions. To examine this interaction in a controlled setting, heterozygous mineralocorticoid receptor knockout (MR+/-) mice and control litter mates were exposed to a limited nesting/bedding (LN, impoverished), standard nesting (SN, control) or communal nesting (CN, enriched) paradigm from postnatal day 2-9 (P2-P9). Offspring was monitored for puberty onset between P24-P36 and, in females, maternal care-giving (i.e. as F1) during adulthood, after which basal corticosterone was measured. Different home-cage environments resulted in profound differences in received maternal care and offspring body weight. In male offspring, LN resulted in delayed puberty onset that was mediated by body weight and unpredictability of maternal care received during early development. In female offspring, rearing condition did not significantly alter sexual maturation and had little effect on their own maternal care-giving behavior. Genotype did affect maternal care: female MR+/- offspring exhibited a less active nursing style and upregulated fragmentation during adulthood, irrespective of early life conditions. Basal corticosterone levels were highest in MR+/- mice with a background of LN. Overall, we found a gene-by-environment interaction with respect to basal corticosterone levels, but not for sexual maturation or maternal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelle Knop
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marinus H van IJzendoorn
- Dept. of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Primary Care Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Marian Joëls
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Rixt van der Veen
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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28
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den Boon FS, de Vries T, Baelde M, Joëls M, Karst H. Circadian and Ultradian Variations in Corticosterone Level Influence Functioning of the Male Mouse Basolateral Amygdala. Endocrinology 2019; 160:791-802. [PMID: 30689790 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis involves timed signaling between the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands and back to the brain, causing an inherently oscillating system. Corticosteroids such as corticosterone (CORT) are secreted in a circadian rhythm, characterized by low and high levels at the start of the inactive and active phases, respectively. The circadian rhythm overarches ultradian CORT pulses, with approximate 1-hour interpulse intervals. We examined the physiological relevance of pulsatile CORT exposure for neurons of the basolateral amygdala (BLA), an area important for fear learning. We first applied four pulses of equal, high CORT concentration and measured the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) reflecting spontaneous glutamate signaling. BLA neurons responded differently to each pulse, showing "metaplasticity," extending earlier studies. Next, we mimicked the progression of the inactive and active phases by four CORT pulses of increasing and decreasing concentrations, respectively. CORT pulses of increasing concentration were necessary and sufficient to gradually increase baseline (between-pulse) mEPSC frequency during the mimicked inactive phase, whereas the opposite was seen with decreasing CORT levels during the mimicked active phase. To study the relevance of changed glutamate transmission on behavior, mice were tested in tone-cued fear conditioning during the active or inactive phase. Animals tested at the inactive compared with the active phase showed efficient fear learning; this was also observed when animals tested during the active phase were treated with the CORT synthesis blocker metyrapone. This suggests that natural CORT rhythms influence electrical activity in the BLA, possibly contributing to altered behavioral function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femke Susanne den Boon
- Deparment of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Tessa de Vries
- Deparment of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marin Baelde
- Deparment of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Deparment of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Henk Karst
- Deparment of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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29
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Umeoka EHL, Robinson EJ, Turimella SL, van Campen JS, Motta-Teixeira LC, Sarabdjitsingh RA, Garcia-Cairasco N, Braun K, de Graan PN, Joëls M. Hyperthermia-induced seizures followed by repetitive stress are associated with age-dependent changes in specific aspects of the mouse stress system. J Neuroendocrinol 2019; 31:e12697. [PMID: 30773738 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Stress is among the most frequently self-reported factors provoking epileptic seizures in children and adults. It is still unclear, however, why some people display stress-sensitive seizures and others do not. Recently, we showed that young epilepsy patients with stress-sensitive seizures exhibit a dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis. Most likely, this dysregulation gradually develops, and is triggered by stressors occurring early in life (early-life stress [ELS]). ELS may be particularly impactful when overlapping with the period of epileptogenesis. To examine this in a controlled and prospective manner, the present study investigated the effect of repetitive variable stressors or control treatment between postnatal day (PND) 12 and 24 in male mice exposed on PND10 to hyperthermia (HT)-induced prolonged seizures (control: normothermia). A number of peripheral and central indices of HPA-axis activity were evaluated at pre-adolescent and young adult age (ie, at PND25 and 90, respectively). At PND25 but not at PND90, body weight gain and absolute as well as relative (to body weight) thymus weight were reduced by ELS (vs control), whereas relative adrenal weight was enhanced, confirming the effectiveness of the stress treatment. Basal and stress-induced corticosterone levels were unaffected, though, by ELS at both ages. HT by itself did not affect any of these peripheral markers of HPA-axis activity, nor did it interact with ELS. However, centrally we did observe age-specific interaction effects of HT and ELS with regard to hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor mRNA expression, neurogenesis with the immature neurone marker doublecortin and the number of hilar (ectopic) granule cells using Prox1 staining. This lends some support to the notion that exposure to repetitive stress after HT-induced seizures may dysregulate central components of the stress system in an age-dependent manner. Such dysregulation could be one of the mechanisms conferring higher vulnerability of individuals with epilepsy to develop seizures in the face of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo H L Umeoka
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences Department, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Edward J Robinson
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sada Lakshmi Turimella
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jolien S van Campen
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lívia C Motta-Teixeira
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - R Angela Sarabdjitsingh
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Norberto Garcia-Cairasco
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences Department, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
- Physiology Department, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Kees Braun
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pierre N de Graan
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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30
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van Leeuwen J, Vink M, Joëls M, Kahn R, Hermans E, Vinkers C. Increased responses of the reward circuitry to positive task feedback following acute stress in healthy controls but not in siblings of schizophrenia patients. Neuroimage 2019; 184:547-554. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.09.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
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31
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Sep MSC, Gorter R, van Ast VA, Joëls M, Geuze E. No Time-Dependent Effects of Psychosocial Stress on Fear Contextualization and Generalization: A Randomized-Controlled Study With Healthy Participants. Chronic Stress (Thousand Oaks) 2019; 3:2470547019896547. [PMID: 32440603 PMCID: PMC7219903 DOI: 10.1177/2470547019896547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The formation of context-dependent fear memories (fear contextualization) can aid the recognition of danger in new, similar, situations. Overgeneralization of fear is often seen as hallmark of anxiety and trauma-related disorders. In this randomized-controlled study, we investigated whether exposure to a psychosocial stressor influences retention of fear contextualization and generalization in a time-dependent manner. The Trier Social Stress Test was used to induce psychosocial stress. Healthy male participants (n = 117) were randomly divided into three experimental groups that were subjected to the acquisition phase of the Fear Generalization Task: (1) without stress, (2) immediately after acute stress, or (3) 2 h after acute stress. In this task, a male with neutral facial expression (conditioned stimuli) was depicted in two different contexts that modulated the conditioned stimuli-unconditioned stimuli (=shock) association (threat, safe). Salivary alpha-amylase and cortisol levels were measured throughout the experiment. After a 24-h delay, context-dependency of fear memory was investigated with an unannounced memory test consisting of the threat and safe contexts alternated with a novel context (the generalization context). Multilevel analyses revealed that participants showed increased fear-potentiated startle responses to the conditioned stimuli in the threat compared to the safe context, at the end of the acquisition phase, indicating adequate fear contextualization. Directly after acquisition, there were no time-dependent effects of psychosocial stress on fear contextualization. Context-dependency of fear memories was retained 24 h later, as fear-potentiated startle responding was modulated by context (threat > safe or novel). At that time, the context-dependency of fear memories was also not influenced by the early or late effects of the endogenous stress response during acquisition. These results with experimental stress deviate in some aspects from those earlier obtained with exogenous hydrocortisone administration, suggesting a distinct role for stress mediators other than cortisol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milou S. C. Sep
- Brain Research and Innovation
Centre, Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Translational
Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the
Netherlands
| | - Rosalie Gorter
- Brain Research and Innovation
Centre, Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Vanessa A. van Ast
- Department of Clinical Psychology,
University
of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the
Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational
Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the
Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University
Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Elbert Geuze
- Brain Research and Innovation
Centre, Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC
Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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32
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Schür RR, van Leeuwen JMC, Houtepen LC, Joëls M, Kahn RS, Boks MP, Vinkers CH. Glucocorticoid receptor exon 1 F methylation and the cortisol stress response in health and disease. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 97:182-189. [PMID: 30036796 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Childhood trauma has been proposed to increase vulnerability to develop psychopathology in part through an altered cortisol stress response. Research in rats has suggested that this effect is mediated by methylation in the glucocorticoid receptor 17 region (GR-17 or GR-1F in humans), with higher methylation after poor maternal care leading to an increased cortisol stress response in adulthood. In humans, the associations between childhood trauma and GR-1F methylation or the cortisol stress response are equivocal. Remarkably, evidence for the relation between GR-1F methylation and the cortisol stress response has been conflicting as well. To further explore this, we investigated the associations of peripheral GR-1F methylation (52 CpGs) with the cortisol stress response (Trier Social Stress Test) and with childhood trauma in three independent studies (total N = 241) including healthy controls, patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and unaffected siblings of patients with one of these disorders. We did not find any significant association between GR-1F methylation and the cortisol stress response (areas under the curve) or childhood trauma, nor did we observe any group differences between patients, siblings and healthy controls. Our findings do not support GR-1F methylation as a proxy for the cortisol stress response, nor its link with childhood trauma or psychopathology. These results suggest that multifactorial models for stress-related psychopathology are needed. Alternatively, future longitudinal studies may reveal GR-1F methylation to be a useful parameter at an individual level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remmelt R Schür
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Judith M C van Leeuwen
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lotte C Houtepen
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, England, United Kingdom; School of Experimental Psychology at the University of Bristol, Bristol, England, United Kingdom
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands; University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - René S Kahn
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Marco P Boks
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Christiaan H Vinkers
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Kentrop J, Smid CR, Achterberg EJM, van IJzendoorn MH, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ, Joëls M, van der Veen R. Effects of Maternal Deprivation and Complex Housing on Rat Social Behavior in Adolescence and Adulthood. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:193. [PMID: 30254573 PMCID: PMC6141926 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Early life context and stressful experiences are known to increase the risk of developing psychiatric disorders later in life, including disorders with deficits in the social domain. Our study aimed to investigate the influence of early life environment on social behavior in a well-controlled animal model. To this end we tested the effects of maternal deprivation (MD) on rat social play behavior in adolescence and social interaction in adulthood. Additionally, we provided a stimulating environment during adolescence (complex housing) as a potential intervention to diminish the effects of early life stress. Male and female Wistar rats were deprived from their mother for 24 h on postnatal day 3 (PND 3) or were left undisturbed. Complex housing started 5 days after weaning and consisted of housing 10 same-sex conspecifics in large, two-floor MarlauTM cages until the end of the study. Social play behavior in adolescence was tested under different conditions (3 h vs. 24 h social isolation prior to testing). Maternally deprived males – but not females – showed a longer latency to play and a decreased total amount of social play behavior, after a 24 h isolation period. In adulthood, social discrimination was impaired in deprived male and female rats in the three-chamber social approach task. Complex housing did not moderate the effects of MD, but in itself induced a strong behavioral phenotype. Both complex housed males and females hardly displayed any play behavior after a 3 h isolation period. However, after 24 h of isolation, these animals showed shorter latencies to engage in social play behavior. Only complex housed males truly showed more social play behavior here, while showing less social interest in adulthood. We conclude that MD has mild negative effects on social behavior in adolescence and adulthood, which are not counteracted by complex housing. Complex housing induces a specific phenotype associated with rapid habituation; a lack of social play after short isolation periods, while increasing play behavior after a prolonged period of isolation in adolescence, and less social interest, paired with intact social discrimination in adulthood. In both early life settings, males seem to be more influenced by the early life environment compared to females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiska Kentrop
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Claire R Smid
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - E J M Achterberg
- Department of Animals in Science and Society, Division of Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marinus H van IJzendoorn
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Primary Care Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Rixt van der Veen
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
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Abstract
The brain is continuously exposed to varying levels of adrenal corticosteroid hormones such as corticosterone in rodents and cortisol in humans. Natural fluctuations occur due to ultradian and circadian variations or are caused by exposure to stressful situations. Brain cells express two types of corticosteroid receptors, i.e. mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors, which differ in distribution and affinity. These receptors can mediate both rapid non-genomic and slow gene-mediated neuronal actions. As a consequence of these factors, natural (e.g. stress-induced) shifts in corticosteroid level are associated with a complex mosaic of time- and region-dependent changes in neuronal activity. A series of experiments in humans and rodents have revealed that these time- and region-dependent cellular characteristics are also reflected in distinct cognitive patterns after stress. Thus, directly after a peak of corticosteroids, attention and vigilance are increased, and areas involved in emotional responses and simple behavioral strategies show enhanced activity. In the aftermath of stress, areas involved in higher cognitive functions become activated allowing individuals to link stressful events to the specific context and to store information for future use. Both phases of the brain's response to stress are important to face a continuously changing environment, promoting adaptation at the short as well as long term. We argue that a balanced response during the two phases is essential for resilience. This balance may become compromised after repeated stress exposure, particularly in genetically vulnerable individuals and aggravate disease manifestation. This not only applies to psychiatric disorders but also to neurological diseases such as epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceBrain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- University of GroningenUniversity Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Kok L, Hillegers MH, Veldhuijzen DS, Boks MP, Dieleman JM, van Dijk D, Joëls M, Vinkers CH. Genetic variation in the glucocorticoid receptor and psychopathology after dexamethasone administration in cardiac surgery patients. J Psychiatr Res 2018; 103:167-172. [PMID: 29879676 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2018.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonist dexamethasone is frequently used for its anti-inflammatory properties. We recently showed that a single high-dose of dexamethasone had long-lasting protective effects on the development of psychopathology after cardiac surgery and postoperative intensive care unit stay. In this study, we investigated whether common genetic variation in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis would influence the susceptibility for PTSD and depression after dexamethasone administration. Participants (n = 996) of the Dexamethasone for Cardiac Surgery (DECS) randomized clinical trial were followed after receiving a single high intraoperative dose of dexamethasone (1 mg/kg), a GR agonist, or placebo. PTSD and depressive symptoms were assessed up to four years after cardiac surgery. We focused primarily on five common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Secondarily, we comprehensively assessed common genetic variation in the FK506 binding protein (FKBP5) and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). The protective effects of dexamethasone on postoperative PTSD symptoms were dependent on the GR polymorphisms rs41423247 (p = .009), rs10052957 (p = .003), and rs6189 (p = .002), but not on rs6195 (p = .025) or rs6198, (p = .026) after Bonferroni correction. No genotype-dependent effects were found for postoperative depressive symptoms. Also, no associations of FKBP5 and MR polymorphisms were found on PTSD and depression outcomes. Protective effects of dexamethasone on PTSD symptoms after cardiac surgery and ICU stay seem to depend on common genetic variation in its target receptor, the GR. These effects indicate that pre-operative genetic screening could potentially help in stratifying patients for their vulnerability for developing PTSD symptoms after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotte Kok
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Manon H Hillegers
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dieuwke S Veldhuijzen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marco Pm Boks
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan M Dieleman
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Diederik van Dijk
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Christiaan H Vinkers
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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van Leeuwen JMC, Vink M, Fernández G, Hermans EJ, Joëls M, Kahn RS, Vinkers CH. At-risk individuals display altered brain activity following stress. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:1954-1960. [PMID: 29483659 PMCID: PMC6046038 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0026-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Stress is a major risk factor for almost all psychiatric disorders, however, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain largely elusive. In healthy individuals, a successful stress response involves an adequate neuronal adaptation to a changing environment. This adaptive response may be dysfunctional in vulnerable individuals, potentially contributing to the development of psychopathology. In the current study, we investigated brain responses to emotional stimuli following stress in healthy controls and at-risk individuals. An fMRI study was conducted in healthy male controls (N = 39) and unaffected healthy male siblings of schizophrenia patients (N = 39) who are at increased risk for the development of a broad range of psychiatric disorders. Brain responses to pictures from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) were measured 33 min after exposure to stress induced by the validated trier social stress test (TSST) or a control condition. Stress-induced levels of cortisol, alpha-amylase, and subjective stress were comparable in both groups. Yet, stress differentially affected brain responses of schizophrenia siblings versus controls. Specifically, control subjects, but not schizophrenia siblings, showed reduced brain activity in key nodes of the default mode network (PCC/precuneus and mPFC) and salience network (anterior insula) as well as the STG, MTG, MCC, vlPFC, precentral gyrus, and cerebellar vermis in response to all pictures following stress. These results indicate that even in the absence of a psychiatric disorder, at-risk individuals display abnormal functional activation following stress, which in turn may increase their vulnerability and risk for adverse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M C van Leeuwen
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - M Vink
- Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - G Fernández
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - E J Hermans
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - M Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - R S Kahn
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - C H Vinkers
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Abstract
After stress, the brain is exposed to waves of stress mediators, including corticosterone (in rodents) and cortisol (in humans). Corticosteroid hormones affect neuronal physiology in two time‐domains: rapid, non‐genomic actions primarily via mineralocorticoid receptors; and delayed genomic effects via glucocorticoid receptors. In parallel, cognitive processing is affected by stress hormones. Directly after stress, emotional behaviour involving the amygdala is strongly facilitated with cognitively a strong emphasis on the “now” and “self,” at the cost of higher cognitive processing. This enables the organism to quickly and adequately respond to the situation at hand. Several hours later, emotional circuits are dampened while functions related to the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus are promoted. This allows the individual to rationalize the stressful event and place it in the right context, which is beneficial in the long run. The brain's response to stress depends on an individual's genetic background in interaction with life events. Studies in rodents point to the possibility to prevent or reverse long‐term consequences of early life adversity on cognitive processing, by normalizing the balance between the two receptor types for corticosteroid hormones at a critical moment just before the onset of puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Joëls
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceBrain Center Rudolf MagnusUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
- University Medical Center GroningenUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - H. Karst
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceBrain Center Rudolf MagnusUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - R. A. Sarabdjitsingh
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceBrain Center Rudolf MagnusUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
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38
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Sinke MRT, Otte WM, Christiaens D, Schmitt O, Leemans A, van der Toorn A, Sarabdjitsingh RA, Joëls M, Dijkhuizen RM. Diffusion MRI-based cortical connectome reconstruction: dependency on tractography procedures and neuroanatomical characteristics. Brain Struct Funct 2018; 223:2269-2285. [PMID: 29464318 PMCID: PMC5968063 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-018-1628-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [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: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Diffusion MRI (dMRI)-based tractography offers unique abilities to map whole-brain structural connections in human and animal brains. However, dMRI-based tractography indirectly measures white matter tracts, with suboptimal accuracy and reliability. Recently, sophisticated methods including constrained spherical deconvolution (CSD) and global tractography have been developed to improve tract reconstructions through modeling of more complex fiber orientations. Our study aimed to determine the accuracy of connectome reconstruction for three dMRI-based tractography approaches: diffusion tensor (DT)-based, CSD-based and global tractography. Therefore, we validated whole brain structural connectome reconstructions based on ten ultrahigh-resolution dMRI rat brain scans and 106 cortical regions, from which varying tractography parameters were compared against standardized neuronal tracer data. All tested tractography methods generated considerable numbers of false positive and false negative connections. There was a parameter range trade-off between sensitivity: 0.06-0.63 interhemispherically and 0.22-0.86 intrahemispherically; and specificity: 0.99-0.60 interhemispherically and 0.99-0.23 intrahemispherically. Furthermore, performance of all tractography methods decreased with increasing spatial distance between connected regions. Similar patterns and trade-offs were found, when we applied spherical deconvolution informed filtering of tractograms, streamline thresholding and group-based average network thresholding. Despite the potential of CSD-based and global tractography to handle complex fiber orientations at voxel level, reconstruction accuracy, especially for long-distance connections, remains a challenge. Hence, connectome reconstruction benefits from varying parameter settings and combination of tractography methods to account for anatomical variation of neuronal pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel R T Sinke
- Biomedical MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Group, Center for Image Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht/Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Willem M Otte
- Biomedical MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Group, Center for Image Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht/Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht/Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Daan Christiaens
- Department of Electrical Engineering, KU Leuven, ESAT/PSI, Leuven, Belgium
- Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Oliver Schmitt
- Department of Anatomy, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Alexander Leemans
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht/Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Annette van der Toorn
- Biomedical MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Group, Center for Image Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht/Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - R Angela Sarabdjitsingh
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht/Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht/Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rick M Dijkhuizen
- Biomedical MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Group, Center for Image Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht/Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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de Kloet ER, Meijer OC, de Nicola AF, de Rijk RH, Joëls M. Importance of the brain corticosteroid receptor balance in metaplasticity, cognitive performance and neuro-inflammation. Front Neuroendocrinol 2018; 49:124-145. [PMID: 29428549 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [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: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Bruce McEwen's discovery of receptors for corticosterone in the rat hippocampus introduced higher brain circuits in the neuroendocrinology of stress. Subsequently, these receptors were identified as mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) that are involved in appraisal processes, choice of coping style, encoding and retrieval. The MR-mediated actions on cognition are complemented by slower actions via glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) on contextualization, rationalization and memory storage of the experience. These sequential phases in cognitive performance depend on synaptic metaplasticity that is regulated by coordinate MR- and GR activation. The receptor activation includes recruitment of coregulators and transcription factors as determinants of context-dependent specificity in steroid action; they can be modulated by genetic variation and (early) experience. Interestingly, inflammatory responses to damage seem to be governed by a similarly balanced MR:GR-mediated action as the initiating, terminating and priming mechanisms involved in stress-adaptation. We conclude with five questions challenging the MR:GR balance hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- E R de Kloet
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - O C Meijer
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - A F de Nicola
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - R H de Rijk
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands & Department of Clinical Psychology, Leiden University, The Netherlands.
| | - M Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Pillai AG, Arp M, Velzing E, Lesuis SL, Schmidt MV, Holsboer F, Joëls M, Krugers HJ. Early life stress determines the effects of glucocorticoids and stress on hippocampal function: Electrophysiological and behavioral evidence respectively. Neuropharmacology 2018; 133:307-318. [PMID: 29412144 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to early-life adversity may program brain function to prepare individuals for adaptation to matching environmental contexts. In this study we tested this hypothesis in more detail by examining the effects of early-life stress - induced by raising offspring with limited nesting and bedding material from postnatal days 2-9 - in various behavioral tasks and on synaptic function in adult mice. Early-life stress impaired adult performance in the hippocampal dependent low-arousing object-in-context recognition memory task. This effect was absent when animals were exposed to a single stressor before training. Early-life stress did not alter high-arousing context and auditory fear conditioning. Early-life stress-induced behavioral modifications were not associated with alterations in the dendritic architecture of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons or principal neurons of the basolateral amygdala. However, early-life stress reduced the ratio of NMDA to AMPA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents and glutamate release probability specifically in hippocampal CA1 neurons, but not in the basolateral amygdala. These ex vivo effects in the hippocampus were abolished by acute glucocorticoid treatment. Our findings support that early-life stress can hamper object-in-context learning via pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms that affect hippocampal function but these effects are counteracted by acute stress or elevated glucocorticoid levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anup G Pillai
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Marit Arp
- SILS-Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Els Velzing
- SILS-Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sylvie L Lesuis
- SILS-Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mathias V Schmidt
- Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry, Department Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Holsboer
- Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry, Department Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Munich, Germany
| | - Marian Joëls
- Dept. Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Harm J Krugers
- SILS-Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Riis-Vestergaard MI, van Ast V, Cornelisse S, Joëls M, Haushofer J. The effect of hydrocortisone administration on intertemporal choice. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 88:173-182. [PMID: 29306836 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Intertemporal choices - decisions involving trade-offs of outcomes at different points in time - are often made under stress. Stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, resulting in the release of corticosteroids. Recent studies provide evidence that corticosteroids can induce rapid non-genomic effects focused on immediate resolution of the stressful situation, followed by slower genomic effects focused on long-term recovery after stress. It remains unknown, however, how corticosteroids affect intertemporal choice. We randomly assigned healthy men to receive either 10 mg hydrocortisone or a placebo before measuring intertemporal choice. To target time-dependent effects, hydrocortisone was administered either 195 or 15 min before choice elicitation, while a placebo was administered at the other timepoint, in a double-blind design. Intertemporal choices were elicited by offering subjects decisions between small rewards available sooner vs. large rewards available later. We demonstrate a time-dependent effect of hydrocortisone administration on intertemporal choice: when tested 15 min after hydrocortisone administration, subjects showed a strongly increased preference for the small, soon reward over the larger, delayed reward. In contrast, this effect was not found when testing occurred 195 min after hydrocortisone administration. Together, these results suggest that the physiological effects of acute, but not delayed, stress may increase temporal discounting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michala Iben Riis-Vestergaard
- Department of Psychology and Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA; Busara Center for Behavioral Economics, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Vanessa van Ast
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Cornelisse
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes Haushofer
- Department of Psychology and Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA; Busara Center for Behavioral Economics, Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Economics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA; National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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van Campen JS, Hessel EVS, Bohmbach K, Rizzi G, Lucassen PJ, Lakshmi Turimella S, Umeoka EHL, Meerhoff GF, Braun KPJ, de Graan PNE, Joëls M. Stress and Corticosteroids Aggravate Morphological Changes in the Dentate Gyrus after Early-Life Experimental Febrile Seizures in Mice. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:3. [PMID: 29434572 PMCID: PMC5790804 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress is the most frequently self-reported seizure precipitant in patients with epilepsy. Moreover, a relation between ear stress and epilepsy has been suggested. Although ear stress and stress hormones are known to influence seizure threshold in rodents, effects on the development of epilepsy (epileptogenesis) are still unclear. Therefore, we studied the consequences of ear corticosteroid exposure for epileptogenesis, under highly controlled conditions in an animal model. Experimental febrile seizures (eFS) were elicited in 10-day-old mice by warm-air induced hyperthermia, while a control group was exposed to a normothermic condition. In the following 2 weeks, mice received either seven corticosterone or vehicle injections or were left undisturbed. Specific measures indicative for epileptogenesis were examined at 25 days of age and compared with vehicle injected or untreated mice. We examined structural [neurogenesis, dendritic morphology, and mossy fiber sprouting (MFS)] and functional (glutamatergic postsynaptic currents and long-term potentiation) plasticity in the dentate gyrus (DG). We found that differences in DG morphology induced by eFS were aggravated by repetitive (mildly stressful) vehicle injections and corticosterone exposure. In the injected groups, eFS were associated with decreases in neurogenesis, and increases in cell proliferation, dendritic length, and spine density. No group differences were found in MFS. Despite these changes in DG morphology, no effects of eFS were found on functional plasticity. We conclude that corticosterone exposure during early epileptogenesis elicited by eFS aggravates morphological, but not functional, changes in the DG, which partly supports the hypothesis that ear stress stimulates epileptogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolien S. van Campen
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Child Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ellen V. S. Hessel
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Kirsten Bohmbach
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Giorgio Rizzi
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Paul J. Lucassen
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sada Lakshmi Turimella
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Eduardo H. L. Umeoka
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Neursocience and Behavioral Sciences Department, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Gideon F. Meerhoff
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Kees P. J. Braun
- Department of Child Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Pierre N. E. de Graan
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Sarabdjitsingh RA, Loi M, Joëls M, Dijkhuizen RM, van der Toorn A. Early life stress-induced alterations in rat brain structures measured with high resolution MRI. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185061. [PMID: 28945761 PMCID: PMC5612645 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Adverse experiences early in life impair cognitive function both in rodents and humans. In humans this increases the vulnerability to develop mental illnesses while in the rodent brain early life stress (ELS) abnormalities are associated with changes in synaptic plasticity, excitability and microstructure. Detailed information on the effects of ELS on rodent brain structural integrity at large and connectivity within the brain is currently lacking; this information is highly relevant for understanding the mechanism by which early life stress predisposes to mental illnesses. Here, we exposed rats to 24 hours of maternal deprivation (MD) at postnatal day 3, a paradigm known to increase corticosterone levels and thereby activate glucocorticoid receptors in the brain. Using structural magnetic resonance imaging we examined: i) volumetric changes and white/grey matter properties of the whole cerebrum and of specific brain areas; and ii) whether potential alterations could be normalized by blocking glucocorticoid receptors with mifepristone during the critical developmental window of early adolescence, i.e. between postnatal days 26 and 28. The results show that MD caused a volumetric reduction of the prefrontal cortex, particularly the ventromedial part, and the orbitofrontal cortex. Within the whole cerebrum, white (relative to grey) matter volume was decreased and region-specifically in prefrontal cortex and dorsomedial striatum following MD. A trend was found for the hippocampus. Grey matter fractions were not affected. Treatment with mifepristone did not normalize these changes. This study indicates that early life stress in rodents has long lasting consequences for the volume and structural integrity of the brain. However, changes were relatively modest and–unlike behavior- not mitigated by blockade of glucocorticoid receptors during a critical developmental period.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Angela Sarabdjitsingh
- Department Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Manila Loi
- Department Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rick M. Dijkhuizen
- Biomedical MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Group, Center for Images Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Annette van der Toorn
- Biomedical MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Group, Center for Images Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Abstract
In 1968, Bruce McEwen discovered that 3H-corticosterone administered to adrenalectomised rats is retained in neurons of hippocampus rather than those of hypothalamus. This discovery signalled the expansion of endocrinology into the science of higher brain regions. With this in mind, our contribution highlights the saga of the brain mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in three episodes. First, the precloning era dominated by the conundrum of two types of corticosterone-binding receptors in the brain, which led to the identification of the high-affinity corticosterone receptor as the 'promiscuous' MR cloned in 1987 by Jeff Arriza and Ron Evans in addition to the classical glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Then, the post-cloning period aimed to disentangle the function of the brain MR from that of the closely related GR on different levels of biological complexity. Finally, the synthesis section that highlights the two faces of brain MR: Salt and Stress. 'Salt' refers to the regulation of salt appetite, and reciprocal arousal, motivation and reward, by a network of aldosterone-selective MR-expressing neurons projecting from nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) and circumventricular organs. 'Stress' is about the limbic-forebrain nuclear and membrane MRs, which act as a switch in the selection of the best response to cope with a stressor. For this purpose, activation of the limbic MR promotes selective attention, memory retrieval and the appraisal process, while driving emotional expressions of fear and aggression. Subsequently, rising glucocorticoid concentrations activate GRs in limbic-forebrain circuitry underlying executive functions and memory storage, which contribute in balance with MR-mediated actions to homeostasis, excitability and behavioural adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceBrain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- University of GroningenUniversity Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - E Ronald de Kloet
- Division of EndocrinologyDepartment of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Knop J, Joëls M, van der Veen R. The added value of rodent models in studying parental influence on offspring development: opportunities, limitations and future perspectives. Curr Opin Psychol 2017; 15:174-181. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Hartmann J, Dedic N, Pöhlmann ML, Häusl A, Karst H, Engelhardt C, Westerholz S, Wagner KV, Labermaier C, Hoeijmakers L, Kertokarijo M, Chen A, Joëls M, Deussing JM, Schmidt MV. Forebrain glutamatergic, but not GABAergic, neurons mediate anxiogenic effects of the glucocorticoid receptor. Mol Psychiatry 2017; 22:466-475. [PMID: 27240530 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [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: 07/29/2015] [Revised: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders constitute a major disease and social burden worldwide; however, many questions concerning the underlying molecular mechanisms still remain open. Besides the involvement of the major excitatory (glutamate) and inhibitory (gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)) neurotransmitter circuits in anxiety disorders, the stress system has been directly implicated in the pathophysiology of these complex mental illnesses. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is the major receptor for the stress hormone cortisol (corticosterone in rodents) and is widely expressed in excitatory and inhibitory neurons, as well as in glial cells. However, currently it is unknown which of these cell populations mediate GR actions that eventually regulate fear- and anxiety-related behaviors. In order to address this question, we generated mice lacking the receptor specifically in forebrain glutamatergic or GABAergic neurons by breeding GRflox/flox mice to Nex-Cre or Dlx5/6-Cre mice, respectively. GR deletion specifically in glutamatergic, but not in GABAergic, neurons induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity and reduced fear- and anxiety-related behavior. This was paralleled by reduced GR-dependent electrophysiological responses in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Importantly, viral-mediated GR deletion additionally showed that fear expression, but not anxiety, is regulated by GRs in glutamatergic neurons of the BLA. This suggests that pathological anxiety likely results from altered GR signaling in glutamatergic circuits of several forebrain regions, while modulation of fear-related behavior can largely be ascribed to GR signaling in glutamatergic neurons of the BLA. Collectively, our results reveal a major contribution of GRs in the brain's key excitatory, but not inhibitory, neurotransmitter system in the regulation of fear and anxiety behaviors, which is crucial to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Hartmann
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - N Dedic
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - M L Pöhlmann
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - A Häusl
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - H Karst
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - C Engelhardt
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - S Westerholz
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - K V Wagner
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - C Labermaier
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - L Hoeijmakers
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - M Kertokarijo
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - A Chen
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - M Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - J M Deussing
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - M V Schmidt
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
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de Kloet ER, Joëls M. Brain mineralocorticoid receptor function in control of salt balance and stress-adaptation. Physiol Behav 2017; 178:13-20. [PMID: 28089704 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.12.045] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We will highlight in honor of Randall Sakai the peculiar characteristics of the brain mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in its response pattern to the classical mineralocorticoid aldosterone and the naturally occurring glucocorticoids corticosterone and cortisol. Neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) and circumventricular organs express MR, which mediate selectively the action of aldosterone on salt appetite, sympathetic outflow and volume regulation. The MR-containing NTS neurons innervate limbic-forebrain circuits enabling aldosterone to also modulate reciprocally arousal, motivation, fear and reward. MR expressed in abundance in this limbic-forebrain circuitry, is target of cortisol and corticosterone in modulation of appraisal processes, memory performance and selection of coping strategy. Complementary to this role of limbic MR is the action mediated by the lower affinity glucocorticoid receptors (GR), which promote subsequently memory storage of the experience and facilitate behavioral adaptation. Current evidence supports the hypothesis that an imbalance between MR- and GR-mediated actions compromises resilience and adaptation to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edo Ronald de Kloet
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
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Houtepen LC, Schür RR, Wijnen JP, Boer VO, Boks MPM, Kahn RS, Joëls M, Klomp DW, Vinkers CH. Acute stress effects on GABA and glutamate levels in the prefrontal cortex: A 7T 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Neuroimage Clin 2017; 14:195-200. [PMID: 28180078 PMCID: PMC5280001 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2017.01.001] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
There is ample evidence that the inhibitory GABA and the excitatory glutamate system are essential for an adequate response to stress. Both GABAergic and glutamatergic brain circuits modulate hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis activity, and stress in turn affects glutamate and GABA levels in the rodent brain. However, studies examining stress-induced GABA and glutamate levels in the human brain are scarce. Therefore, we investigated the influence of acute psychosocial stress (using the Trier Social Stress Test) on glutamate and GABA levels in the medial prefrontal cortex of 29 healthy male individuals using 7 Tesla proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In vivo GABA and glutamate levels were measured before and 30 min after exposure to either the stress or the control condition. We found no associations between psychosocial stress or cortisol stress reactivity and changes over time in medial prefrontal glutamate and GABA levels. GABA and glutamate levels over time were significantly correlated in the control condition but not in the stress condition, suggesting that very subtle differential effects of stress on GABA and glutamate across individuals may occur. However, overall, acute psychosocial stress does not appear to affect in vivo medial prefrontal GABA and glutamate levels, at least this is not detectable with current practice 1H-MRS. Psychosocial stress did not alter glutamate and GABA levels in the medial prefrontal cortex in healthy male individuals. Moreover, cortisol stress reactivity was not associated with medial prefrontal glutamate and GABA level change over time. Together, acute stress does not seem to affect in vivo medial prefrontal 7T MRI GABA and glutamate levels in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Houtepen
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - R R Schür
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - J P Wijnen
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - V O Boer
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - M P M Boks
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - R S Kahn
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - M Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - D W Klomp
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - C H Vinkers
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Kok L, Sep MS, Veldhuijzen DS, Cornelisse S, Nierich AP, van der Maaten J, Rosseel PM, Hofland J, Dieleman JM, Vinkers CH, Joëls M, van Dijk D, Hillegers MH. Trait anxiety mediates the effect of stress exposure on post-traumatic stress disorder and depression risk in cardiac surgery patients. J Affect Disord 2016; 206:216-223. [PMID: 27479534 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2016.07.020] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2016] [Revised: 06/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are common after cardiac surgery. Lifetime stress exposure and personality traits may influence the development of these psychiatric conditions. METHODS Self-reported rates of PTSD and depression and potential determinants (i.e., trait anxiety and stress exposure) were established 1.5 to 4 years after cardiac surgery. Data was available for 1125 out of 1244 (90.4%) participants. Multivariable linear regressions were conducted to investigate mediating and/or moderating effects of trait anxiety on the relationship between stress exposure, and PTSD and depression. Pre-planned subgroup analyses were performed for both sexes. RESULTS PTSD and depression symptoms were present in 10.2% and 13.1% of the participants, respectively. Trait anxiety was a full mediator of the association between stress exposure and depression in both the total cohort and female and male subgroups. Moreover, trait anxiety partially mediated the relationship between stress exposure and PTSD in the full cohort and the male subgroup, whereas trait anxiety fully mediated this relationship in female patients. Trait anxiety did not play a moderating role in the total patient sample, nor after stratification on gender. LIMITATIONS The unequal distribution of male (78%) and female patients (22%) might limit the generalizability of our findings. Furthermore, risk factors were investigated retrospectively and with variable follow-up time. CONCLUSIONS In cardiac surgery patients, trait anxiety was found to be an important mediator of postoperative PTSD and depression. Prospective research is necessary to verify whether these factors are reliable screening measures of individuals' vulnerability for psychopathology development after cardiac surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotte Kok
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Milou S Sep
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dieuwke S Veldhuijzen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Cornelisse
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Arno P Nierich
- Department of Anesthesiology, Isala Clinics, Zwolle, The Netherlands
| | - Joost van der Maaten
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter M Rosseel
- Department of Anesthesiology, Amphia Hospital, Breda, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Hofland
- Department of Anesthesiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan M Dieleman
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Christiaan H Vinkers
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Diederik van Dijk
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Manon H Hillegers
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Schür RR, Boks MP, Geuze E, Prinsen HC, Verhoeven-Duif NM, Joëls M, Kahn RS, Vermetten E, Vinkers CH. Development of psychopathology in deployed armed forces in relation to plasma GABA levels. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016; 73:263-270. [PMID: 27566489 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The GABA system is pivotal for an adequate response to a stressful environment but has remained largely unexplored in this context. The present study investigated the relationship of prospectively measured plasma GABA levels with psychopathology symptoms in military deployed to Afghanistan at risk for developing psychopathology following trauma exposure during deployment, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Plasma GABA levels were measured in military personnel (N=731) one month prior to deployment (T0), and one (T1) and six months (T2) after deployment using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Mental health problems and depressive symptoms were measured with the Dutch revised Symptom Checklist (SCL-90) and PTSD symptoms with the Dutch Self-Rating Inventory for PTSD (SRIP). Six months after deployment increases in GABA concentrations were present in individuals who had developed mental health problems (T2: β=0.06, p=1.6×10-2, T1: β=4.7×10-2, p=0.13), depressive symptoms (T2: β=0.29, p=7.9×10-3, T1: β=0.23, p=0.072) and PTSD symptoms at T2 (T2: β=0.12, p=4.3×10-2, T1: β=0.11, p=0.13). Plasma GABA levels prior to and one month after deployment poorly predicted a high level of psychopathology symptoms either one or six months after deployment. The number of previous deployments, trauma experienced during deployment, childhood trauma, age and sex were not significantly associated with plasma GABA levels over time. Exclusion of subjects who either started or stopped smoking, alcohol or medication use between the three time points rendered the association of increasing GABA levels with the emergence of psychopathology symptoms more pronounced (mental health problems at T2: β=0.09, p=4.2×10-3; depressive symptoms at T2: β=0.35, p=3.5×10-3, PTSD symptoms at T2: β=0.17, p=1.7×10-2). To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide prospective evidence that the development of psychopathology after military deployment is associated with increasing plasma GABA levels. Our finding that plasma GABA rises after the emergence of psychopathology symptoms suggests that GABA increase may constitute a compensatory mechanism and warrants further exploration of the GABA system as a potential target for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remmelt R Schür
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Marco P Boks
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elbert Geuze
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; Research Center-Military Mental Healthcare, Ministry of Defence, Lundlaan 1, 3584 EZ Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hubertus C Prinsen
- Department of Genetics, Section Metabolic Diagnostics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Lundlaan 6, 3584 EA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nanda M Verhoeven-Duif
- Department of Genetics, Section Metabolic Diagnostics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Lundlaan 6, 3584 EA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marian Joëls
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - René S Kahn
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Vermetten
- Research Center-Military Mental Healthcare, Ministry of Defence, Lundlaan 1, 3584 EZ Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusweg 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Christiaan H Vinkers
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
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