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Tomescu MI, Van der Donck S, Perisanu EM, Berceanu AI, Alaerts K, Boets B, Carcea I. Social functioning predicts individual changes in EEG microstates following intranasal oxytocin administration: A double-blind, cross-over randomized clinical trial. Psychophysiology 2024:e14581. [PMID: 38594888 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14581] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) modulates social behaviors. However, the administration of exogenous OXT in humans produces inconsistent behavioral changes, affecting future consideration of OXT as a treatment for autism and other disorders with social symptoms. Inter-individual variability in social functioning traits might play a key role in how OXT changes brain activity and, therefore, behavior. Here, we investigated if inter-individual variability might dictate how single-dose intranasal OXT administration (IN-OXT) changes spontaneous neural activity during the eyes-open resting state. We used a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over design on 30 typically developing young adult men to investigate the dynamics of EEG microstates corresponding to activity in defined neural networks. We confirmed previous reports that, at the group level, IN-OXT increases the representation of the attention and salience microstates. Furthermore, we identified a decreased representation of microstates associated with the default mode network. Using multivariate partial least square statistical analysis, we found that social functioning traits associated with IN-OXT-induced changes in microstate dynamics in specific spectral bands. Correlation analysis further revealed that the higher the social functioning, the more IN-OXT increased the appearance of the visual network-associated microstate, and suppressed the appearance of a default mode network-related microstate. The lower the social functioning, the more IN-OXT increases the appearance of the salience microstate. The effects we report on the salience microstate support the hypothesis that OXT regulates behavior by enhancing social salience. Moreover, our findings indicate that social functioning traits modulate responses to IN-OXT and could partially explain the inconsistent reports on IN-OXT effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miralena I Tomescu
- Faculty of Educational Sciences, Department of Psychology, University "Stefan cel Mare" of Suceava, Bucharest, Romania
- CINETic Center, National University of Theatre and Film "I.L. Caragiale" Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Stephanie Van der Donck
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emanuela M Perisanu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Timisoara, Romania
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Sibiu, Sibiu, Romania
| | - Alexandru I Berceanu
- CINETic Center, National University of Theatre and Film "I.L. Caragiale" Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Kaat Alaerts
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Boets
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ioana Carcea
- CINETic Center, National University of Theatre and Film "I.L. Caragiale" Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, Rutgers Brain Health Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA
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Bremer J, Meinhardt A, Katona I, Senderek J, Kämmerer‐Gassler EK, Roos A, Ferbert A, Schröder JM, Nikolin S, Nolte K, Sellhaus B, Popzhelyazkova K, Tacke F, Schara‐Schmidt U, Neuen‐Jacob E, de Groote CC, de Jonghe P, Timmerman V, Baets J, Weis J. Myelin protein zero mutation-related hereditary neuropathies: Neuropathological insight from a new nerve biopsy cohort. Brain Pathol 2024; 34:e13200. [PMID: 37581289 PMCID: PMC10711263 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13200] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Myelin protein zero (MPZ/P0) is a major structural protein of peripheral nerve myelin. Disease-associated variants in the MPZ gene cause a wide phenotypic spectrum of inherited peripheral neuropathies. Previous nerve biopsy studies showed evidence for subtype-specific morphological features. Here, we aimed at enhancing the understanding of these subtype-specific features and pathophysiological aspects of MPZ neuropathies. We examined archival material from two Central European centers and systematically determined genetic, clinical, and neuropathological features of 21 patients with MPZ mutations compared to 16 controls. Cases were grouped based on nerve conduction data into congenital hypomyelinating neuropathy (CHN; n = 2), demyelinating Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT type 1; n = 11), intermediate (CMTi; n = 3), and axonal CMT (type 2; n = 5). Six cases had combined muscle and nerve biopsies and one underwent autopsy. We detected four MPZ gene variants not previously described in patients with neuropathy. Light and electron microscopy of nerve biopsies confirmed fewer myelinated fibers, more onion bulbs and reduced regeneration in demyelinating CMT1 compared to CMT2/CMTi. In addition, we observed significantly more denervated Schwann cells, more collagen pockets, fewer unmyelinated axons per Schwann cell unit and a higher density of Schwann cell nuclei in CMT1 compared to CMT2/CMTi. CHN was characterized by basal lamina onion bulb formation, a further increase in Schwann cell density and hypomyelination. Most late onset axonal neuropathy patients showed microangiopathy. In the autopsy case, we observed prominent neuromatous hyperinnervation of the spinal meninges. In four of the six muscle biopsies, we found marked structural mitochondrial abnormalities. These results show that MPZ alterations not only affect myelinated nerve fibers, leading to either primarily demyelinating or axonal changes, but also affect non-myelinated nerve fibers. The autopsy case offers insight into spinal nerve root pathology in MPZ neuropathy. Finally, our data suggest a peculiar association of MPZ mutations with mitochondrial alterations in muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Bremer
- Institute of NeuropathologyRWTH Aachen University HospitalAachenGermany
| | - Axel Meinhardt
- Institute of NeuropathologyRWTH Aachen University HospitalAachenGermany
| | - Istvan Katona
- Institute of NeuropathologyRWTH Aachen University HospitalAachenGermany
| | - Jan Senderek
- Friedrich Baur Institute at the Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospital, LMU MunichMunichGermany
| | | | - Andreas Roos
- Institute of NeuropathologyRWTH Aachen University HospitalAachenGermany
- Department of NeuropaediatricsUniversity of EssenEssenGermany
| | | | | | - Stefan Nikolin
- Institute of NeuropathologyRWTH Aachen University HospitalAachenGermany
| | - Kay Nolte
- Institute of NeuropathologyRWTH Aachen University HospitalAachenGermany
| | - Bernd Sellhaus
- Institute of NeuropathologyRWTH Aachen University HospitalAachenGermany
| | | | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin BerlinCampus Virchow‐Klinikum (CVK) and Campus Charité Mitte (CCM)BerlinGermany
| | | | - Eva Neuen‐Jacob
- Department of NeuropathologyUniversity Hospital, Heinrich‐Heine University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Chantal Ceuterick de Groote
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Pathology, Institute Born‐Bunge, and Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of AntwerpBelgium
| | - Peter de Jonghe
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Pathology, Institute Born‐Bunge, and Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of AntwerpBelgium
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospital AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Vincent Timmerman
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Pathology, Institute Born‐Bunge, and Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of AntwerpBelgium
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Group, Department of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Jonathan Baets
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Pathology, Institute Born‐Bunge, and Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of AntwerpBelgium
- Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospital AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Joachim Weis
- Institute of NeuropathologyRWTH Aachen University HospitalAachenGermany
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Van Lent J, Vendredy L, Adriaenssens E, Da Silva Authier T, Asselbergh B, Kaji M, Weckhuysen S, Van Den Bosch L, Baets J, Timmerman V. Downregulation of PMP22 ameliorates myelin defects in iPSC-derived human organoid cultures of CMT1A. Brain 2023; 146:2885-2896. [PMID: 36511878 PMCID: PMC10316758 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac475] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is the most common inherited disorder of the PNS. CMT1A accounts for 40-50% of all cases and is caused by a duplication of the PMP22 gene on chromosome 17, leading to dysmyelination in the PNS. Patient-derived models to study such myelination defects are lacking as the in vitro generation of human myelinating Schwann cells has proved to be particularly challenging. Here, we present an induced pluripotent stem cell-derived organoid culture, containing various cell types of the PNS, including myelinating human Schwann cells, which mimics the human PNS. Single-cell analysis confirmed the PNS-like cellular composition and provides insight into the developmental trajectory. We used this organoid model to study disease signatures of CMT1A, revealing early ultrastructural myelin alterations, including increased myelin periodic line distance and hypermyelination of small axons. Furthermore, we observed the presence of onion-bulb-like formations in a later developmental stage. These hallmarks were not present in the CMT1A-corrected isogenic line or in a CMT2A iPSC line, supporting the notion that these alterations are specific to CMT1A. Downregulation of PMP22 expression using short-hairpin RNAs or a combinatorial drug consisting of baclofen, naltrexone hydrochloride and D-sorbitol was able to ameliorate the myelin defects in CMT1A-organoids. In summary, this self-organizing organoid model can capture biologically meaningful features of the disease and capture the physiological complexity, forms an excellent model for studying demyelinating diseases and supports the therapeutic approach of reducing PMP22 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Van Lent
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Pathology, Institute Born Bunge, and Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
| | - Leen Vendredy
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Pathology, Institute Born Bunge, and Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
| | - Elias Adriaenssens
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Pathology, Institute Born Bunge, and Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
| | - Tatiana Da Silva Authier
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Pathology, Institute Born Bunge, and Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
| | - Bob Asselbergh
- Neuromics Support Facility, VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
- Neuromics Support Facility, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
| | - Marcus Kaji
- Applied & Translational Neurogenomics Group, VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
| | - Sarah Weckhuysen
- Applied & Translational Neurogenomics Group, VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
- Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven—University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
- VIB-Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Jonathan Baets
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Pathology, Institute Born Bunge, and Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
- Neuromuscular Reference Centre, Department of Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
| | - Vincent Timmerman
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Pathology, Institute Born Bunge, and Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
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Daniels N, Moerkerke M, Steyaert J, Bamps A, Debbaut E, Prinsen J, Tang T, Van der Donck S, Boets B, Alaerts K. Effects of multiple-dose intranasal oxytocin administration on social responsiveness in children with autism: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Mol Autism 2023; 14:16. [PMID: 37081454 PMCID: PMC10117268 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-023-00546-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intranasal administration of oxytocin is increasingly explored as a new approach to facilitate social development and reduce disability associated with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The efficacy of multiple-dose oxytocin administration in children with ASD is, however, not well established. METHODS A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with parallel design explored the effects of a 4-week intranasal oxytocin administration (12 IU, twice daily) on parent-rated social responsiveness (Social Responsiveness Scale: SRS-2) in pre-pubertal school-aged children (aged 8-12 years, 61 boys, 16 girls). Secondary outcomes included a questionnaire-based assessment of repetitive behaviors, anxiety, and attachment. Effects of oxytocin were assessed immediately after the administration period and at a follow-up, 4 weeks after the last administration. The double-blind phase was followed by a 4-week single-blind phase during which all participants received intranasal oxytocin. RESULTS In the double-blind phase, both the oxytocin and placebo group displayed significant pre-to-post-improvements in social responsiveness and secondary questionnaires, but improvements were not specific to the intranasal oxytocin. Notably, in the single-blind phase, participants who were first allocated to intranasal placebo and later changed to intranasal oxytocin displayed a significant improvement in social responsiveness, over and above the placebo-induced improvements noted in the first phase. Participants receiving oxytocin in the first phase also showed a significant further improvement upon receiving a second course of oxytocin, but only at the 4-week follow-up. Further, exploratory moderator analyses indicated that children who received psychosocial trainings (3 or more sessions per month) along with oxytocin administration displayed a more pronounced improvement in social responsiveness. LIMITATIONS Future studies using larger cohorts and more explicitly controlled concurrent psychosocial trainings are warranted to further explore the preliminary moderator effects, also including understudied populations within the autism spectrum, such as children with co-occurring intellectual disabilities. CONCLUSIONS Four weeks of oxytocin administration did not induce treatment-specific improvements in social responsiveness in school-aged children with ASD. Future studies are warranted to further explore the clinical efficacy of oxytocin administration paired with targeted psychosocial trainings that stimulate socio-communicative behaviors. Trial registration The trial was registered with the European Clinical Trial Registry (EudraCT 2018-000769-35) on June 7th, 2018 ( https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2018-000769-35/BE ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky Daniels
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, Box 1501, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthijs Moerkerke
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean Steyaert
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Child Psychiatry, UPC KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annelies Bamps
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Child Psychiatry, UPC KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Edward Debbaut
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Child Psychiatry, UPC KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jellina Prinsen
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, Box 1501, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tiffany Tang
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephanie Van der Donck
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Boets
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kaat Alaerts
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, Box 1501, 3001, Leuven, Belgium.
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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