Characterisation of behaviours relevant to apathy syndrome in the aged male rat

Apathy is a complex psychiatric syndrome characterised by motivational deficit, emotional blunting and cognitive changes. It occurs alongside a broad range of neurological disorders, but also occurs in otherwise healthy ageing. Despite its clinical prevalence, apathy does not yet have a designated treatment strategy. Generation of a translational animal model of apathy syndrome would facilitate the development of novel treatments. Given the multidimensional nature of apathy, a model cannot be achieved with a single behavioural test. Using a battery of behavioural tests we investigated whether aged rats exhibit behavioural deficits across different domains relevant to apathy. Using the effort for reward and progressive ratio tasks we found that aged male rats (21-27 months) show intact reward motivation. Using the novelty supressed feeding test and position-based object exploration we found aged rats showed increased anxiety-like behaviour inconsistent with emotional blunting. The sucrose preference test and reward learning assay showed intact reward sensitivity and reward-related cognition in aged rats. However, using a bowl-digging version of the probabilistic reversal learning task, we found a deficit in cognitive flexibility in aged rats that did not translate across to a touchscreen version of the task. While these data reveal important changes in cognitive flexibility and anxiety associated with ageing, aged rats do not show deficits across other behavioural domains relevant to apathy. This suggests that aged rats are not a suitable model for age-related apathy syndrome. These findings contrast with previous work in mice, revealing important species differences in behaviours relevant to apathy syndrome in ageing.

Vulnerable at rest? A resting-state EEG study and psychosocial factors of young adult offspring of alcohol-dependent parents

BACKGROUND

Offspring of parents with alcohol use disorder (AUD) are more susceptible to developing AUD, with an estimated heritability of around 50%. Vulnerability to AUD in first-degree relatives is influenced by biological factors, such as spontaneous brain activity, and high-risk psychosocial characteristics. However, existing resting-state EEG studies in AUD offspring have shown inconsistent findings regarding theta, alpha, and beta band frequencies. Additionally, research consistently demonstrates an increased risk of internalizing and externalizing disorders, self-regulation difficulties, and interpersonal issues among AUD offspring.

METHODS

This study aimed to investigate the absolute power of theta, alpha, and beta frequencies in young adult offspring with a family history of AUD compared to individuals without family history. The psychosocial profiles of the offspring were also examined in relation to individuals without a family history of AUD. Furthermore, the study sought to explore the potential association between differences in frequency bands and psychosocial variables. Resting-state EEG recordings were obtained from 31 young adult healthy offspring of alcohol-dependent individuals and 43 participants with no family history of AUD (age range: 16-25 years). Participants also completed self-report questionnaires assessing anxiety and depressive symptoms, impulsivity, emotion regulation, and social involvement.

RESULTS

The results revealed no significant differences in spontaneous brain activity between the offspring and participants without a family history of AUD. However, in terms of psychosocial factors, the offspring exhibited significantly lower social involvement than the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study does not provide evidence suggesting vulnerability in offspring based on differences in spontaneous brain activity. Moreover, this investigation highlights the importance of interventions aimed at enhancing social connections in offspring. Such interventions can not only reduce the risk of developing AUD, given its strong association with increased feelings of loneliness but also improve the overall well-being of the offspring.

Higher Intersubject Variability in Neural Response to Narrative Social Stimuli Among Youth With Higher Social Anxiety

OBJECTIVE

Social anxiety is associated with alterations in socioemotional processing, but the pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Movies present an opportunity to examine more naturalistic socioemotional processing by providing narrative and sensory context to emotion cues. This study aimed to characterize associations between neural response to contextualized social cues and social anxiety symptoms in children.

METHOD

Data from the Healthy Brain Network (final N = 740; age range 5-15 years) were split into discovery and replication samples to maximize generalizability of findings. Associations of parent- and self-reported social anxiety (Screen for Child Anxiety-related Emotional Disorders) with mean differences and person-to-person variability in functional magnetic resonance imaging-measured activation to 2 emotionally dynamic movies were characterized.

RESULTS

Though no evidence was found to indicate social anxiety symptoms were associated with mean differences in neural activity to emotional content (fit Spearman rs < 0.09), children with high social anxiety symptoms had higher intersubject activation variability in the posterior cingulate, supramarginal gyrus, and inferior frontal gyrus (Bonferroni familywise error-corrected ps < .05)-regions associated with attention, alertness, and emotion cue processing. Identified regions varied by age group and informant. Across ages, these effects were enhanced for scenes containing greater sensory intensity (brighter, louder, more motion, more vibrance).

CONCLUSION

These results provide evidence that children with high social anxiety symptoms show high person-to-person variability in the neural processing of sensory aspects of emotional content. These data indicate that children with high social anxiety may require personalized interventions for sensory and emotional difficulties, as the underlying neurology differs from child to child.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT

One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science. One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented sexual and/or gender groups in science. One or more of the authors of this paper received support from a program designed to increase minority representation in science. We actively worked to promote sex and gender balance in our author group. We actively worked to promote inclusion of historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science in our author group. While citing references scientifically relevant for this work, we also actively worked to promote sex and gender balance in our reference list. While citing references scientifically relevant for this work, we also actively worked to promote inclusion of historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science in our reference list.

Integration of Prior Expectations and Suppression of Prediction Errors During Expectancy-Induced Pain Modulation: The Influence of Anxiety and Pleasantness

Pain perception arises from the integration of prior expectations with sensory information. Although recent work has demonstrated that treatment expectancy effects (e.g., placebo hypoalgesia) can be explained by a Bayesian integration framework incorporating the precision level of expectations and sensory inputs, the key factor modulating this integration in stimulus expectancy-induced pain modulation remains unclear. In a stimulus expectancy paradigm combining emotion regulation in healthy male and female adults, we found that participants' voluntary reduction in anticipatory anxiety and pleasantness monotonically reduced the magnitude of pain modulation by negative and positive expectations, respectively, indicating a role of emotion. For both types of expectations, Bayesian model comparisons confirmed that an integration model using the respective emotion of expectations and sensory inputs explained stimulus expectancy effects on pain better than using their respective precision. For negative expectations, the role of anxiety is further supported by our fMRI findings that (1) functional coupling within anxiety-processing brain regions (amygdala and anterior cingulate) reflected the integration of expectations with sensory inputs and (2) anxiety appeared to impair the updating of expectations via suppressed prediction error signals in the anterior cingulate, thus perpetuating negative expectancy effects. Regarding positive expectations, their integration with sensory inputs relied on the functional coupling within brain structures processing positive emotion and inhibiting threat responding (medial orbitofrontal cortex and hippocampus). In summary, different from treatment expectancy, pain modulation by stimulus expectancy emanates from emotion-modulated integration of beliefs with sensory evidence and inadequate belief updating.

Understanding the heterogeneity of anxiety using a translational neuroscience approach

Anxiety disorders affect millions of people worldwide and present a challenge in neuroscience research because of their substantial heterogeneity in clinical presentation. While a great deal of progress has been made in understanding the neurobiology of fear and anxiety, these insights have not led to effective treatments. Understanding the relationship between phenotypic heterogeneity and the underlying biology is a critical first step in solving this problem. We show translation, reverse translation, and computational modeling can contribute to a refined, cross-species understanding of fear and anxiety as well as anxiety disorders. More specifically, we outline how animal models can be leveraged to develop testable hypotheses in humans by using targeted, cross-species approaches and ethologically informed behavioral paradigms. We discuss reverse translational approaches that can guide and prioritize animal research in nontraditional research species. Finally, we advocate for the use of computational models to harmonize cross-species and cross-methodology research into anxiety. Together, this translational neuroscience approach will help to bridge the widening gap between how we currently conceptualize and diagnose anxiety disorders, as well as aid in the discovery of better treatments for these conditions.

Sleep loss and emotion: A systematic review and meta-analysis of over 50 years of experimental research

In a largely sleep-deprived society, quantifying the effects of sleep loss on emotion is critical for promoting psychological health. This preregistered systematic review and meta-analysis quantified the effects of various forms of sleep loss on multiple aspects of emotional experiences. Eligible studies used experimental reductions of sleep via total sleep deprivation, partial sleep restriction, or sleep fragmentation in healthy populations to examine effects on positive affect, negative affect, general mood disturbances, emotional reactivity, anxiety symptoms, and/or depressive symptoms. In total, 1,338 effect sizes across 154 studies were included (N = 5,717; participant age range = 7-79 years). Random effects models were conducted, and all forms of sleep loss resulted in reduced positive affect (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.27 to -1.14), increased anxiety symptoms (SMD = 0.57-0.63), and blunted arousal in response to emotional stimuli (SMD = -0.20 to -0.53). Findings for negative affect, reports of emotional valence in response to emotional stimuli, and depressive symptoms were mixed and depended on the type of sleep loss. Nonlinear effects for the amount of sleep loss as well as differences based on the stage of sleep restricted (i.e., rapid eye movement sleep or slow-wave sleep) were also detected. This study represents the most comprehensive quantitative synthesis of experimental sleep and emotion research to date and provides strong evidence that periods of extended wakefulness, shortened sleep duration, and/or nighttime awakenings adversely influence human emotional functioning. Findings provide an integrative foundation for future research on sleep and emotion and elucidate the precise ways that inadequate sleep may impact our daytime emotional lives. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The VLPFC-Engaged Voluntary Emotion Regulation: Combined TMS-fMRI Evidence for the Neural Circuit of Cognitive Reappraisal

A clear understanding of the neural circuit underlying emotion regulation (ER) is important for both basic and translational research. However, a lack of evidence based on combined neuroimaging and neuromodulation techniques calls into question (1) whether the change of prefrontal-subcortical activity intrinsically and causally contributes to the ER effect; and (2) whether the prefrontal control system directly modulates the subcortical affective system. Accordingly, we combined fMRI recordings with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to map the causal connections between the PFC and subcortical affective structures (amygdala and insula). A total of 117 human adult participants (57 males and 60 females) were included in the study. The results revealed that TMS-induced ventrolateral PFC (VLPFC) facilitation led to enhanced activity in the VLPFC and ventromedial PFC (VMPFC) as well as attenuated activity in the amygdala and insula during reappraisal but not during nonreappraisal (i.e., baseline). Moreover, the activated VLPFC intensified the prefrontal-subcortical couplings via the VMPFC during reappraisal only. This study provides combined TMS-fMRI evidence that downregulating negative emotion involves the prefrontal control system suppressing the subcortical affective system, with the VMPFC serving as a crucial hub within the VLPFC-subcortical network, suggesting an indirect pathway model of the ER circuit. Our findings outline potential protocols for improving ER ability by intensifying the VLPFC-VMPFC coupling in patients with mood and anxiety disorders.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Using fMRI to examine the TMS effect, we uncovered that the opposite neural changes in prefrontal (enhanced) and subcortical (attenuated) regions are not a byproduct of emotion regulation (ER); instead, this prefrontal-subcortical activity per se causally contributes to the ER effect. Furthermore, using TMS to amplify the neural changes within the ER circuit, the "bridge" role of the VMPFC is highlighted under the reappraisal versus nonreappraisal contrast. This "perturb-and-measure" approach overcomes the correlational nature of fMRI data, helping us to identify brain regions that causally support reappraisal (the VLPFC and VMPFC) and those that are modulated by reappraisal (the amygdala and insula). The uncovered ER circuit is important for understanding the neural systems underlying reappraisal and valuable for translational research.

The bidirectional effect of stress and functionality in multiple sclerosis and the interaction role of anxiety, coping and social support

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims to analyse the bidirectional hypothesis between stress and multiple sclerosis with several measures of stress, impairment and functionality, considering also the interaction role of stress-related psychosocial factors such as anxiety, coping and social support.

METHODS

A one-year follow-up was conducted with 26 people with multiple sclerosis. Participants reported i) at baseline, anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), and social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support); ii) daily, Ecological Momentary Assessment through self-reported diaries of stressful events and coping strategies; iii) monthly, the perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), iv) trimonthly, the self-reported functionality (Functionality Assessment in multiple sclerosis) and v) at baseline and at the end, neurologist rated impairment (Expanded Disability Status Scale). Mixed-effect regression models were conducted.

RESULTS

The bidirectional hypothesis was confirmed with perceived stress and self-reported functionality, which were negatively related in both directions. Coping and anxiety showed an interaction effect: active coping increased functionality only with high levels of stress, and high-trait anxiety showed lower functionality whereas low-trait anxiety showed higher functionality but only with low stress levels.

CONCLUSION

People with multiple sclerosis may benefit from different types of psychological therapies, from gold-standard therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to third-waves therapies like Dialectical Behaviour Therapy or mindfulness, that focus on dealing with stress and affective symptoms, adjusting to the disease, and to improving their overall quality of life. More research is needed in this field under the biopsychosocial model.

Gut enterochromaffin cells drive visceral pain and anxiety

Gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort is a hallmark of most gut disorders and represents an important component of chronic visceral pain1. For the growing population afflicted by irritable bowel syndrome, GI hypersensitivity and pain persist long after tissue injury has resolved2. Irritable bowel syndrome also exhibits a strong sex bias, afflicting women three times more than men1. Here, we focus on enterochromaffin (EC) cells, which are rare excitable, serotonergic neuroendocrine cells in the gut epithelium3-5. EC cells detect and transduce noxious stimuli to nearby mucosal nerve endings3,6 but involvement of this signalling pathway in visceral pain and attendant sex differences has not been assessed. By enhancing or suppressing EC cell function in vivo, we show that these cells are sufficient to elicit hypersensitivity to gut distension and necessary for the sensitizing actions of isovalerate, a bacterial short-chain fatty acid associated with GI inflammation7,8. Remarkably, prolonged EC cell activation produced persistent visceral hypersensitivity, even in the absence of an instigating inflammatory episode. Furthermore, perturbing EC cell activity promoted anxiety-like behaviours which normalized after blockade of serotonergic signalling. Sex differences were noted across a range of paradigms, indicating that the EC cell-mucosal afferent circuit is tonically engaged in females. Our findings validate a critical role for EC cell-mucosal afferent signalling in acute and persistent GI pain, in addition to highlighting genetic models for studying visceral hypersensitivity and the sex bias of gut pain.

Cardiogenic control of affective behavioural state

Emotional states influence bodily physiology, as exemplified in the top-down process by which anxiety causes faster beating of the heart1-3. However, whether an increased heart rate might itself induce anxiety or fear responses is unclear3-8. Physiological theories of emotion, proposed over a century ago, have considered that in general, there could be an important and even dominant flow of information from the body to the brain9. Here, to formally test this idea, we developed a noninvasive optogenetic pacemaker for precise, cell-type-specific control of cardiac rhythms of up to 900 beats per minute in freely moving mice, enabled by a wearable micro-LED harness and the systemic viral delivery of a potent pump-like channelrhodopsin. We found that optically evoked tachycardia potently enhanced anxiety-like behaviour, but crucially only in risky contexts, indicating that both central (brain) and peripheral (body) processes may be involved in the development of emotional states. To identify potential mechanisms, we used whole-brain activity screening and electrophysiology to find brain regions that were activated by imposed cardiac rhythms. We identified the posterior insular cortex as a potential mediator of bottom-up cardiac interoceptive processing, and found that optogenetic inhibition of this brain region attenuated the anxiety-like behaviour that was induced by optical cardiac pacing. Together, these findings reveal that cells of both the body and the brain must be considered together to understand the origins of emotional or affective states. More broadly, our results define a generalizable approach for noninvasive, temporally precise functional investigations of joint organism-wide interactions among targeted cells during behaviour.

Inescapable footshocks induce molecular changes in the prefrontal cortex of rats in an amyloid-beta-42 model of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects several brain areas, including the prefrontal cortex (PFC) involved in execution, working memory, and fear extinction. Despite these critical roles, the PFC is understudied in AD pathology. People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have twice the risk of developing AD, and the underlying mechanisms linking these two diseases are less understood. Here, we investigated the effect of footshock stress on behavioural vis-a-vis molecular changes in the PFC of an amyloid-beta (Aβ)-42 lesion rat model of AD. Trauma-like conditions were induced by exposing the animals to several footshocks. AD-like condition was induced via intra-hippocampal injection of Aβ-42 peptide. Following Aβ-42 injections, animals were tested for behavioural changes using the Open Field Test (OFT) and Y-maze test. The PFC was later harvested for neurochemical analyses. Our results showed an interactive effect of footshocks and Aβ-42 lesion on: reduced percentage alternation in the Y-maze test, suggesting memory impairment; reduced number of line crosses and time spent in the centre square of the OFT, indicating anxiogenic responses. Similarly, there was an interactive effect of footshocks and Aβ-42 lesion on: increased FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP5) expression, which can be associated with stress-induced anxiogenic behaviours; and increased neuronal apoptosis in the PFC of the animals. In addition, footshocks, as well as Aβ-42 lesion, reduced superoxide dismutase levels and Bridging Integrator-1 (BIN1) expression in the PFC of the animals, which can be linked to the observed memory impairment. In conclusion, our findings indicate that footshocks exaggerate PFC-associated behavioural and molecular changes induced by an AD-like pathology.

NAc-VTA circuit underlies emotional stress-induced anxiety-like behavior in the three-chamber vicarious social defeat stress mouse model

Emotional stress is considered a severe pathogenetic factor of psychiatric disorders. However, the circuit mechanisms remain largely unclear. Using a three-chamber vicarious social defeat stress (3C-VSDS) model in mice, we here show that chronic emotional stress (CES) induces anxiety-like behavior and transient social interaction changes. Dopaminergic neurons of ventral tegmental area (VTA) are required to control this behavioral deficit. VTA dopaminergic neuron hyperactivity induced by CES is involved in the anxiety-like behavior in the innate anxiogenic environment. Chemogenetic activation of VTA dopaminergic neurons directly triggers anxiety-like behavior, while chemogenetic inhibition of these neurons promotes resilience to the CES-induced anxiety-like behavior. Moreover, VTA dopaminergic neurons receiving nucleus accumbens (NAc) projections are activated in CES mice. Bidirectional modulation of the NAc-VTA circuit mimics or reverses the CES-induced anxiety-like behavior. In conclusion, we propose that a NAc-VTA circuit critically establishes and regulates the CES-induced anxiety-like behavior. This study not only characterizes a preclinical model that is representative of the nuanced aspect of CES, but also provides insight to the circuit-level neuronal processes that underlie empathy-like behavior.

Dietary rescue of adult behavioral deficits in the Fmr1 knockout mouse

The current study aimed to further address important questions regarding the therapeutic efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids for various behavioral and neuroimmune aspects of the Fmr1 phenotype. To address these questions, our experimental design utilized two different omega-3 fatty acid administration timepoints, compared to both standard laboratory chow controls ("Standard") and a diet controlling for the increase in fat content ("Control Fat"). In the first paradigm, post-weaning supplementation (after postnatal day 21) with the omega-3 fatty acid diet ("Omega-3") reversed deficits in startle threshold, but not deficits in prepulse inhibition, and the effect on startle threshold was not specific to the Omega-3 diet. However, post-weaning supplementation with both experimental diets also impaired acquisition of a fear response, recall of the fear memory and contextual fear conditioning compared to the Standard diet. The post-weaning Omega-3 diet reduced hippocampal expression of IL-6 and this reduction of IL-6 was significantly associated with diminished performance in the fear conditioning task. In the perinatal experimental paradigm, the Omega-3 diet attenuated hyperactivity and acquisition of a fear response. Additionally, perinatal exposure to the Control Fat diet (similar to a "Western" diet) further diminished nonsocial anxiety in the Fmr1 knockout. This study provides significant evidence that dietary fatty acids throughout the lifespan can significantly impact the behavioral and neuroimmune phenotype of the Fmr1 knockout model.

Worst Pain Severity Profiles of Oncology Patients Are Associated With Significant Stress and Multiple Co-Occurring Symptoms

Little is known about the associations between pain, stress, and co-occurring symptoms in oncology patients. Purpose was to identify subgroups of patients with distinct worst pain profiles and evaluate for differences among the subgroups in demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as stress and symptom scores. Oncology outpatients (n = 1305) completed questionnaires prior to their second or third chemotherapy cycle. Worst pain intensity was assessed 6 times over 2 chemotherapy cycles using a 0 to 10 numeric rating scale. The 371 patients (28.4%) who had ≤1 occurrence of pain over the 6 assessments were classified as the None class. For the remaining 934 patients whose data were entered into the latent profile analysis, 3 distinct worst pain profiles were identified (ie Mild [12.5%], Moderate [28.6%], Severe [30.5%]). Compared to None class, Severe class had fewer years of education and a lower annual income; were less likely to be employed and married; less likely to exercise on a regular basis, had a higher comorbidity burden, and a worse functional status. Compared to None class, Severe class reported higher levels of general, disease-specific, and cumulative life stress and lower levels of resilience, as well as higher levels of depressive symptoms, anxiety, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and cognitive dysfunction. This study is the first to identify distinct worst pain profiles in a large sample of oncology patients receiving chemotherapy and associated risk factors. PERSPECTIVE: Unrelieved pain remains a significant problem for oncology patients receiving chemotherapy. High levels of stress and co-occurring symptoms contribute to a more severe pain profile in these patients.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase in dorsal raphe nucleus mediates PTSD-like behaviors induced by single-prolonged stress through inhibiting serotonergic neurons activity

The pathogenesis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains largely unclear. A large body of evidence suggests that the abnormal level of serotonin (5-HT) is closely related to the onset of PTSD. Several reports reveal that nitric oxide (NO) affects extracellular 5-HT levels in various brain regions, but no consistent direction of change was found and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The most of serotonergic neurons in dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), a major source of serotonergic input to the forebrain, co-expresses neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), a synthase derived nitric oxide (NO) in the central nervous system. Here, we found that the excessive expression of nNOS and thereby the high concentration of NO followed by single-prolonged stress (SPS) caused suppression of the activity of DRN 5-HT neurons, inducing PTSD-like phenotype including increased anxiety-like behaviors, enhanced contextual fear memory, and fear generalization. Our study uncovered an important role of DRN nNOS-NO pathway in the pathology of PTSD, which may contribute to new understanding of the molecular mechanism of PTSD.

Selection for Reduced Fear of Humans Changes Intra-Specific Social Behavior in Red Junglefowl—Implications for Chicken Domestication

The domestic fowl has a different social behavior compared to their ancestor, the red junglefowl. To examine whether selection for tameness has affected their intra-specific social behavior, 32 red junglefowl from two selection lines, one selected for increased tameness and one selected for a high fear of humans for ten generations, were kept in a group of two females and two males each and were observed in a semi-natural undisturbed enclosure. Birds selected for a low fear of humans had more social conflict, and the males from this selection crowed more and were more often observed in low social proximity to others. The high-fear birds spent more time close together with the rest of the group and performed more social, non-aggressive pecking. These results are consistent with known differences between ancestral red junglefowl and domesticated laying hens. Our results show that intra-specific social behavior has been affected as a side-effect of selection for increased tameness. This may have interesting implications for the emergence of the domestication syndrome in chickens.

Hypothalamic steroid receptor coactivator-2 regulates adaptations to fasting and overnutrition

The neuroendocrine system coordinates metabolic and behavioral adaptations to fasting, including reducing energy expenditure, promoting counterregulation, and suppressing satiation and anxiety to engage refeeding. Here, we show that steroid receptor coactivator-2 (SRC-2) in pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons is a key regulator of all these responses to fasting. POMC-specific deletion of SRC-2 enhances the basal excitability of POMC neurons; mutant mice fail to efficiently suppress energy expenditure during food deprivation. SRC-2 deficiency blunts electric responses of POMC neurons to glucose fluctuations, causing impaired counterregulation. When food becomes available, these mutant mice show insufficient refeeding associated with enhanced satiation and discoordination of anxiety and food-seeking behavior. SRC-2 coactivates Forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) to suppress POMC gene expression. POMC-specific deletion of SRC-2 protects mice from weight gain induced by an obesogenic diet feeding and/or FoxO1 overexpression. Collectively, we identify SRC-2 as a key molecule that coordinates multifaceted adaptive responses to food shortage.

Depression and anxiety symptoms at TNF inhibitor initiation are associated with impaired treatment response in axial spondyloarthritis

OBJECTIVES

Depression and anxiety are associated with more severe disease in cross-sectional studies of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). We examined the association between baseline symptoms of depression or anxiety and response to TNF inhibitors (TNFi) in axSpA.

METHODS

Biologic naïve participants from a national axSpA register completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) before initiating TNFi. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were each categorized as moderate-severe (≥11), mild (8-10) and 'none' (≤7), and compared against change in disease indices [BASDAI and AS Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)] over time and time to treatment discontinuation using marginal structural models. Inverse-probability weights balanced baseline age, gender, BMI, deprivation, education and baseline values of respective disease indices.

RESULTS

Of the 742 participants (67% male, mean age 45 years), 176 (24%) had moderate-severe and 26% mild depression; 295 (40%) had moderate-severe and 23% mild anxiety. Baseline disease activity was higher in higher HADS symptom categories for both depression and anxiety. Participants with moderate-severe depression had significantly poorer response compared with those with 'none' throughout follow-up. At 6 months, the difference was approximately 2.2 BASDAI and 0.8 ASDAS units after balancing their baseline values. Equivalent comparisons for anxiety were 1.7 BASDAI and 0.7 ASDAS units. Treatment discontinuation was 1.59-fold higher (hazard ratio 95% CI: 1.12, 2.26) in participants with moderate-severe anxiety compared with 'none'.

CONCLUSIONS

Symptoms of depression and anxiety at TNFi initiation are associated with poorer treatment outcomes. Targeted interventions to optimize mental health have potential to substantially improve treatment response and persistence.

Gut microbiota depletion from early adolescence alters anxiety and depression-related behaviours in male mice with Alzheimer-like disease

The gut-microbiota-brain axis plays an important role in stress-related disorders, and dysfunction of this complex bidirectional system is associated with Alzheimer's disease. This study aimed to assess the idea that whether gut microbiota depletion from early adolescence can alter anxiety- and depression-related behaviours in adult mice with or without Alzheimer-like disease. Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with an antibiotic cocktail from weaning to adulthood. Adult mice received an intracerebroventricular injection of amyloid-beta (Aβ)1-42, and were subjected to anxiety and depression tests. We measured, brain malondialdehyde and glutathione following anxiety tests, and assessed brain oxytocin and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function by measuring adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone following depression tests. Healthy antibiotic-treated mice displayed significant decreases in anxiety-like behaviours, whereas they did not show any alterations in depression-like behaviours and HPA axis function. Antibiotic treatment from early adolescence prevented the development of anxiety- and depression-related behaviours, oxidative stress and HPA axis dysregulation in Alzheimer-induced mice. Antibiotic treatment increased oxytocin in the brain of healthy but not Alzheimer-induced mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that gut microbiota depletion following antibiotic treatment from early adolescence might profoundly affect anxiety- and depression-related behaviours, and HPA axis function in adult mice with Alzheimer-like disease.

Electrolytic lesions of the bilateral ventrolateral orbital cortex not only directly reduce depression-like behavior but also decreased desperate behavior induced by chronic unpredicted mild stress in rats

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have revealed that ventrolateral orbital cortex (VLO) may play an important role in the regulation of emotional behavior. However, it is not known what effect VLO damage will have on emotion regulation.

RESULTS

Data showed that damage of VLO increased the anxiety-like behavior in open field test and elevated plus maze, and decreased the depressive behavior in forced swimming test and learned helplessness test. Besides, the impulsive aggressive behaviors were also increased while the attack latency decreased after VLO lesion. What's more, damage of VLO decreased depressive behaviors induced by chronic unpredicted mild stress in rats.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the integrity of VLO plays an important role in emotional regulation, and the damage of VLO may inhibit the development of depression-like behavior.

Mechanism of Chronic Stress-Induced Glutamatergic Neuronal Damage in the Basolateral Amygdaloid Nucleus

Stress is a ubiquitous part of our life, while appropriate stress levels can help improve the body's adaptability to the environment. However, sustained and excessive levels of stress can lead to the occurrence of multiple devastating diseases. As an emotional center, the amygdala plays a key role in the regulation of stress-induced psycho-behavioral disorders. The structural changes in the amygdala have been shown to affect its functional characteristics. The amygdala-related neurotransmitter imbalance is closely related to psychobehavioral abnormalities. However, the mechanism of structural and functional changes of glutamatergic neurons in the amygdala induced by stress has not been fully elucidated. Here, we identified that chronic stress could lead to the degeneration and death of glutamatergic neurons in the lateral amygdaloid nucleus, resulting in neuroendocrine and psychobehavioral disorders. Therefore, our studies further suggest that the Protein Kinase R-like ER Kinase (PERK) pathway may be therapeutically targeted as one of the key mechanisms of stress-induced glutamatergic neuronal degeneration and death in the amygdala.

Crabp1 Modulates HPA Axis Homeostasis and Anxiety-like Behaviors by Altering FKBP5 Expression

Retinoic acid (RA), the principal active metabolite of vitamin A, is known to be involved in stress-related disorders. However, its mechanism of action in this regard remains unclear. This study reports that, in mice, endogenous cellular RA binding protein 1 (Crabp1) is highly expressed in the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. Crabp1 knockout (CKO) mice exhibit reduced anxiety-like behaviors accompanied by a lowered stress induced-corticosterone level. Furthermore, CRH/DEX tests show an increased sensitivity (hypersensitivity) of their feedback inhibition in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Gene expression studies show reduced FKBP5 expression in CKO mice; this would decrease the suppression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling thereby enhancing their feedback inhibition, consistent with their dampened corticosterone level and anxiety-like behaviors upon stress induction. In AtT20, a pituitary gland adenoma cell line elevating or reducing Crabp1 level correspondingly increases or decreases FKBP5 expression, and its endogenous Crabp1 level is elevated by GR agonist dexamethasone or RA treatment. This study shows, for the first time, that Crabp1 regulates feedback inhibition of the the HPA axis by modulating FKBP5 expression. Furthermore, RA and stress can increase Crabp1 level, which would up-regulate FKBP5 thereby de-sensitizing feedback inhibition of HPA axis (by decreasing GR signaling) and increasing the risk of stress-related disorders.

Heart rate variability and psychosocial symptoms in adolescents and young adults with cancer

Background

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a valid, scalable biomarker of stress. We aimed to examine associations between HRV and psychosocial outcomes in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of baseline data from a randomized trial testing a resilience intervention in AYAs with cancer. Two widely used HRV metrics, the standard deviation of normal to normal beats (SDNN) and root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), were derived from electrocardiograms. Patient-reported outcome (PRO) survey measures included quality of life, anxiety, depression, distress, and resilience. Linear regression models were used to test associations between HRV and PRO scores. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to test differences in median HRV values among participant subgroups.

Results

Among the n = 76 patients with available electrocardiograms, the mean age was 16 years (SD 3y), 63% were white, and leukemia/lymphoma was the most common diagnosis. Compared to healthy adolescents, AYAs with cancer had lower median HRV (SDNN [Females: 31.9 (12.8–50.7) vs 66.4 (46.0–86.8), p<0.01; Males: 29.9 (11.5–47.9) vs 63.2 (48.4–84.6), p<0.01]; RMSSD [Females: 28.2 (11.1–45.5) vs 69.0 (49.1–99.6), p<0.01; Males: 27.9 (8.6–48.6) vs 58.7 (44.8–88.2), p<0.01]). There was no statistically significant association between PRO measures and SDNN or RMSSD in either an unadjusted or adjusted linear regression models.

Conclusion

In this secondary analysis, we did not find an association between HRV and psychosocial PROs among AYAs with cancer. HRV measures were lower than for healthy adolescents. Larger prospective studies in AYA biopsychosocial research are needed.

Early-Life Stress Reprograms Stress-Coping Abilities in Male and Female Juvenile Rats

Prenatal stress (PS) is a major risk factor for the development of emotional disorders in adulthood that may be mediated by an altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response to stress. Although the early onset of stress-related disorders is recognized as a major public health problem, to date, there are relatively few studies that have examined the incidence of early-life stressors in younger individuals. In this study, we assessed PS impact on the stress-coping response of juvenile offspring in behavioral tests and in the induced molecular changes in the hippocampus. Furthermore, we assessed if pregnancy stress could be driving changes in patterns of maternal behavior during early lactation. We found that PS modified stress-coping abilities of both sex offspring. In the hippocampus, PS increased the expression of bdnf-IV and crfr1 and induced sex difference changes on glucocorticoids and BDNF mRNA receptor levels. PS changed the hippocampal epigenetic landscape mainly in male offspring. Stress during pregnancy enhanced pup-directed behavior of stressed dams. Our study indicates that exposure to PS, in addition to enhanced maternal behavior, induces dynamic neurobehavioral variations at juvenile ages of the offspring that should be considered adaptive or maladaptive, depending on the characteristics of the confronting environment. Our present results highlight the importance to further explore risk factors that appear early in life that will be important to allow timely prevention strategies to later vulnerability to stress-related disorders.

Adult medial habenula neurons require GDNF receptor GFRα1 for synaptic stability and function

The medial habenula (mHb) is an understudied small brain nucleus linking forebrain and midbrain structures controlling anxiety and fear behaviors. The mechanisms that maintain the structural and functional integrity of mHb neurons and their synapses remain unknown. Using spatiotemporally controlled Cre-mediated recombination in adult mice, we found that the glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor receptor alpha 1 (GFRα1) is required in adult mHb neurons for synaptic stability and function. mHb neurons express some of the highest levels of GFRα1 in the mouse brain, and acute ablation of GFRα1 results in loss of septohabenular and habenulointerpeduncular glutamatergic synapses, with the remaining synapses displaying reduced numbers of presynaptic vesicles. Chemo- and optogenetic studies in mice lacking GFRα1 revealed impaired circuit connectivity, reduced AMPA receptor postsynaptic currents, and abnormally low rectification index (R.I.) of AMPARs, suggesting reduced Ca2+ permeability. Further biochemical and proximity ligation assay (PLA) studies defined the presence of GluA1/GluA2 (Ca2+ impermeable) as well as GluA1/GluA4 (Ca2+ permeable) AMPAR complexes in mHb neurons, as well as clear differences in the levels and association of AMPAR subunits with mHb neurons lacking GFRα1. Finally, acute loss of GFRα1 in adult mHb neurons reduced anxiety-like behavior and potentiated context-based fear responses, phenocopying the effects of lesions to septal projections to the mHb. These results uncover an unexpected function for GFRα1 in the maintenance and function of adult glutamatergic synapses and reveal a potential new mechanism for regulating synaptic plasticity in the septohabenulointerpeduncular pathway and attuning of anxiety and fear behaviors.

Protein lactylation induced by neural excitation

Lactate has diverse roles in the brain at the molecular and behavioral levels under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. This study investigates whether lysine lactylation (Kla), a lactate-derived post-translational modification in macrophages, occurs in brain cells and if it does, whether Kla is induced by the stimuli that accompany changes in lactate levels. Here, we show that Kla in brain cells is regulated by neural excitation and social stress, with parallel changes in lactate levels. These stimuli increase Kla, which is associated with the expression of the neuronal activity marker c-Fos, as well as with decreased social behavior and increased anxiety-like behavior in the stress model. In addition, we identify 63 candidate lysine-lactylated proteins and find that stress preferentially increases histone H1 Kla. This study may open an avenue for the exploration of a role of neuronal activity-induced lactate mediated by protein lactylation in the brain.

Behavioral alterations in long-term Toxoplasma gondii infection of C57BL/6 mice are associated with neuroinflammation and disruption of the blood brain barrier

The Apicomplexa protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is a mandatory intracellular parasite and the causative agent of toxoplasmosis. This illness is of medical importance due to its high prevalence worldwide and may cause neurological alterations in immunocompromised persons. In chronically infected immunocompetent individuals, this parasite forms tissue cysts mainly in the brain. In addition, T. gondii infection has been related to mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, as well as mood, personality, and other behavioral changes. In the present study, we evaluated the kinetics of behavioral alterations in a model of chronic infection, assessing anxiety, depression and exploratory behavior, and their relationship with neuroinflammation and parasite cysts in brain tissue areas, blood-brain-barrier (BBB) integrity, and cytokine status in the brain and serum. Adult female C57BL/6 mice were infected by gavage with 5 cysts of the ME-49 type II T. gondii strain, and analyzed as independent groups at 30, 60 and 90 days postinfection (dpi). Anxiety, depressive-like behavior, and hyperactivity were detected in the early (30 dpi) and long-term (60 and 90 dpi) chronic T. gondii infection, in a direct association with the presence of parasite cysts and neuroinflammation, independently of the brain tissue areas, and linked to BBB disruption. These behavioral alterations paralleled the upregulation of expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and CC-chemokines (CCL2/MCP-1, CCL3/MIP-1α, CCL4/MIP-1β and CCL5/RANTES) in the brain tissue. In addition, increased levels of interferon-gamma (IFNγ), TNF and CCL2/MCP-1 were detected in the peripheral blood, at 30 and 60 dpi. Our data suggest that the persistence of parasite cysts induces sustained neuroinflammation, and BBB disruption, thus allowing leakage of cytokines of circulating plasma into the brain tissue. Therefore, all these factors may contribute to behavioral changes (anxiety, depressive-like behavior, and hyperactivity) in chronic T. gondii infection.

Sexual Functioning in Adolescents With Major Depressive Disorder: A Prospective Study

Objective: To examine the association between sexual functioning, depression and anxiety severity, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use in adolescents.

Methods: From September 2010 to December 2014, 15- to 20-year-old participants, either unmedicated or within a month of beginning SSRI treatment, completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ) at baseline and every 4 months for up to 2 years. The DSM-IV-TR was used to determine presence of psychiatric disorders. Data regarding use of medications and hormonal contraception were collected. Polymorphisms of the HTR2A and ABCB1 genes were genotyped. Linear mixed-effects regression models examined the association between depression and anxiety symptom severity, SSRI use, and sexual functioning, accounting for relevant covariates.

Results: A total of 263 participants (59% female, mean ± SD age = 18.9 ± 1.6 years, 70% with major depressive disorder) contributed to this analysis. After adjusting for age, sex, and duration in the study, depression severity, but not anxiety severity, was associated with lower CSFQ total scores (β = -0.13, P < .0001) and lower arousal, orgasm, and pleasure subscale scores (all β = -0.03, P < .003). Higher SSRI doses were associated with lower orgasm subscale scores (β = -0.30, P < .03). Hormonal contraceptive use was associated with higher CSFQ total scores (β = 0.97, P < .003) and higher arousal (β = 0.25, P < .009), desire (β = 0.24, P < .001), orgasm (β = 0.27, P < .02), and pleasure (β = 0.15, P < .004) subscale scores. No significant genetic moderating effect was found.

Conclusions: In adolescents, depression is associated with lower sexual functioning while SSRI use impairs orgasm.

Subjective sensory sensitivity and its relationship with anxiety in people with probable migraine

OBJECTIVE

To better characterize differences in interictal sensory experience in adults with migraine and more comprehensively describe the relevance of anxiety to these experiences.

BACKGROUND

Evidence suggests that sensitivity to sensory input may not be limited to migraine attacks but continues between them. However, there is a need to better understand whether this is the case across senses, and to clearly distinguish sensory experience from measured sensory threshold, which are not straightforwardly related. Previous literature also indicates a co-occurrence between sensory sensitivity, migraine, and anxiety, but this relationship remains to be fully elucidated.

METHODS

The present cross-sectional study used online questionnaires to investigate how self-reported sensory experiences relate to migraine in a large community sample including 117 individuals with probable migraine and 827 without. Mediation analyses were also used to determine whether any relationship between migraine and sensory sensitivity was mediated by anxiety.

RESULTS

Significant increases in subjective reports of sensory sensitivity (d = 0.80) and sensory avoidance (d = 0.71) were found in participants with migraine. Anxiety symptoms partially mediated the relationship between subjective sensory sensitivity and migraine. Finally, visual, movement, and auditory subscales were found to provide unique explanatory variance in analyses predicting the incidence of migraine (area under the curve = 0.73, 0.69, 0.62 respectively).

CONCLUSION

Subjective sensory sensitivities are present between attacks and across senses in individuals with migraine. Anxiety symptoms are relevant to this relationship; however, sensory sensitivities appear to exist independent of this affective influence. The implications of interictal sensitivities for the daily lives of those with migraine should, therefore, be considered in clinical management wherever appropriate.

Resveratrol Attenuates Learning, Memory, and Social Interaction Impairments in Rats Exposed to Arsenic

Arsenic (As) toxicity has deleterious effects on human health causing disorder in the brain. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible neuroprotective effect of resveratrol (RSV) on arsenic-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Neurotoxicity in rats was developed by treating As 10 mg/kg/day for 21 days orally. Animals were put into seven groups: control, vehicle, As, As+RSV10, As+RSV20 mg/kg, RSV10, and RSV20 mg/kg. Behavioral assessments such as the social interaction test, novel object recognition test, elevated plus maze, open field, the Morris water maze, in addition to assessment of biomarkers such as ferric reducing ability of plasma assay, glutathione assay, and malondialdehyde assay, were used to evaluate the effects of RSV on cognitive impairment and molecular changes induced by As. The results showed that cognitive performance impaired in As rats. RSV20 mg/kg significantly could ameliorate behavioral changes like spatial learning in days 3 and 4 (p < 0.05), recognition learning and memory (p < 0.01), disabilities in motor coordination and stress (p < 0.05), increased anxiety (p < 0.05), and social interaction deficit (sociability (p < 0.001) and social memory (p < 0.05)). RSV20 mg/kg also attenuated molecular modifications like decreased antioxidant power (p < 0.001), reduced glutathione content (p < 0.05), and increased malondialdehyde level (p < 0.05) induced by As. In addition to oxidative stress assessments, RSV10 mg/kg could significantly increase FRAP (p < 0.01) and GSH (p < 0.05); however, MDA was not significantly increased. Our current behavioral findings suggest that RSV has neuroprotective effects against AS toxicity.

Quantification of brainstem norepinephrine relative to vocal impairment and anxiety in the Pink1-/- rat model of Parkinson disease

Vocal communication impairment and anxiety are co-occurring and interacting signs of Parkinson Disease (PD) that are common, poorly understood, and under-treated. Both vocal communication and anxiety are influenced by the noradrenergic system. In light of this shared neural substrate and considering that noradrenergic dysfunction is a defining characteristic of PD, tandem investigation of vocal impairment and anxiety in PD relative to noradrenergic mechanisms is likely to yield insights into the underlying disease-specific causes of these impairments. In order to address this gap in knowledge, we assessed vocal impairment and anxiety behavior relative to brainstem noradrenergic markers in a genetic rat model of early-onset PD (Pink1-/-) and wild type controls (WT). We hypothesized that 1) brainstem noradrenergic markers would be disrupted in Pink1-/-, and 2) brainstem noradrenergic markers would be associated with vocal acoustic changes and anxiety level. Rats underwent testing of ultrasonic vocalization and anxiety (elevated plus maze) at 4, 8, and 12 months of age. At 12 months, brainstem norepinephrine markers were quantified with immunohistochemistry. Results demonstrated that vocal impairment and anxiety were increased in Pink1-/- rats, and increased anxiety was associated with greater vocal deficit in this model of PD. Further, brainstem noradrenergic markers including TH and α1 adrenoreceptor immunoreactivity in the locus coeruleus, and β1 adrenoreceptor immunoreactivity in vagal nuclei differed by genotype, and were associated with vocalization and anxiety behavior. These findings demonstrate statistically significant relationships among vocal impairment, anxiety, and brainstem norepinephrine in the Pink1-/- rat model of PD.

BOTOX® counteracts the innate anxiety-related behaviours in correlation with increased activities of key antioxidant enzymes in the hippocampus of ageing experimental mice

Cholinergic crisis and oxidative stress in the hippocampus of the brain have been known to induce anxiety disorders upon ageing. BOTOX® is a widely used therapeutic form of botulinum neurotoxin that acts by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine (ACh) from the nerve terminals at the neuromuscular junction. BOTOX® can migrate from the muscle to the brain through retrograde axonal transport and modulate neuroplasticity. While a mild dose of BOTOX® has been used to manage various neurological deficits and psychiatric complications including depression, the efficacy and experimental evidence for its anxiolytic effects and antioxidant properties remain limited. In this study, we have investigated the effect of BOTOX® on the innate anxiety-like behaviours in ageing mice upon exposure to different behavioural paradigms like open field test, elevated plus maze and light-dark box test, and estimated the enzymatic activities of key antioxidants in the hippocampus. Results revealed that animals injected with a mild intramuscular dosage of BOTOX® showed reduced level of innate anxiety-related symptoms and increased activities of hippocampal antioxidant enzymes compared to the control group. This study strongly supports that BOTOX® could be implemented to prevent or treat anxiety and hippocampal oxidative stress resulting from ageing, emotional and mood disorders.

Difference and Disdain as Indicators of the Public Stigma of Mental Illness

ABSTRACT

Viewing a stigmatized group as different from everyone else is believed to be a contentless stigma that leads to disdain. This study tests whether three emotions-intergroup anxiety, anger, and empathy-mediate the path between difference and disdain. Six hundred thirty-eight research participants from MTurk provided valid responses to an online survey via Qualtrics. The survey used standardized measures of difference, disdain, intergroup anxiety, anger, and empathy. The hypothesized path model was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). Fit indicators from SEM and corresponding betas supported a two-mediator model. Specifically, difference was found to be significantly associated with disdain. The path between the two was positively mediated by anger and negatively mediated by empathy. Difference and disdain may become important constructs in predicting and assessing stigma change. Perspective-taking that enhances empathy may prove especially useful for decreasing difference and disdain perceptions about people with mental illness.

Emotion Regulation Difficulties and Depression Among Individuals With Dermatological and Body Dysmorphic Concerns

ABSTRACT

Existing literature demonstrates strong links between emotion regulation (ER) difficulties and depression. Although high rates of depression are observed among individuals with body dysmorphic disorder and skin disease, little is known about these co-occurring syndromes. To advance our understanding of a vulnerable population, this study examined facets of ER difficulties in relation to depression among adults with skin disease symptoms and body dysmorphic concerns (N = 97). Participants were recruited online and completed self-report measures. The overall hierarchical regression model accounted for 61.6% of the variance in depression. After controlling for anxiety and stress, ER difficulties added 9.9% unique variance. In particular, limited access to ER strategies was the only ER dimension significantly associated with depression. This study integrates divergent literatures and suggests the important role of ER difficulties in depression in this unique sample, thereby highlighting directions for future investigation.

Adaptogenic activity of Cinnamomum camphora, Eucalyptus globulus, Lavandula stœchas and Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil used in North-African folk medicine

Depressive anxiety is one of the most emotional disorders in our industrial societies. Many treatments of phobias exist and are based on plant extracts therapies, which play an important role in the amelioration of the behavior. Our study aimed to evaluate the adaptogenic activity of different essential oils provided from local plants: Cinnamomum camphora (Camphora), Eucalyptus globulus (Blue gum), Lavandula stœchas (Topped lavender) and Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) on Wistar rats. The adaptogenic activity was evaluated on the elevated plus-maze. The efficacy of the extract (200 mL/kg) was compared with the standard anxiolytic drug Diazepam® 1 mg. Animals administered by the essential oil of Lavandula stœchas, Cinnamomum camphora, Rosmarinus officinalis and Eucalyptus globulus showed a behavior similar to those treated with Diazepam®. For groups treated with the following essential oils: Rosmarinus officinalis, Lavandula stoechas and Cinnamomum camphora at a dose of 200 mL/kg, we notice an increase in the time spent on the open arms of the elevated plus-maze and a decrease in time spent on the closed arms of the elevated plus-maze, especially for Rosmarinus officinalis, which explains the anxiolytic effect of these plants. We also notice a decrease in the number of entries in closed arms, open arms and the number of passing to the central square. The increase in the number of entries to open arms with Eucalyptus globulus essential oil shows a reduction in anxiety behavior in rodents and this shows that these plants have an inhibitory effect.

Contribution of AMPA Receptor-Mediated LTD in LA/BLA-CeA Pathway to Comorbid Aversive and Depressive Symptoms in Neuropathic Pain

Comorbid anxiety and depressive symptoms in chronic pain are a common health problem, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Previously, we have demonstrated that sensitization of the CeA neurons via decreased GABAergic inhibition contributes to anxiety-like behaviors in neuropathic pain rats. In this study, by using male Sprague Dawley rats, we reported that the CeA plays a key role in processing both sensory and negative emotional-affective components of neuropathic pain. Bilateral electrolytic lesions of CeA, but not lateral/basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (LA/BLA), abrogated both pain hypersensitivity and aversive and depressive symptoms of neuropathic rats induced by spinal nerve ligation (SNL). Moreover, SNL rats showed structural and functional neuroplasticity manifested as reduced dendritic spines on the CeA neurons and enhanced LTD at the LA/BLA-CeA synapse. Disruption of GluA2-containing AMPAR trafficking and endocytosis from synapses using synthetic peptides, either pep2-EVKI or Tat-GluA2(3Y), restored the enhanced LTD at the LA/BLA-CeA synapse, and alleviated the mechanical allodynia and comorbid aversive and depressive symptoms in neuropathic rats, indicating that the endocytosis of GluA2-containing AMPARs from synapses is probably involved in the LTD at the LA/BLA-CeA synapse and the comorbid aversive and depressive symptoms in neuropathic pain in SNL-operated rats. These data provide a novel mechanism for elucidating comorbid aversive and depressive symptoms in neuropathic pain and highlight that structural and functional neuroplasticity in the amygdala may be important as a promising therapeutic target for comorbid negative emotional-affective disorders in chronic pain.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Several studies have demonstrated the high comorbidity of negative affective disorders in patients with chronic pain. Understanding the affective aspects related to chronic pain may facilitate the development of novel therapies for more effective management. Here, we unravel that the CeA plays a key role in processing both sensory and negative emotional-affective components of neuropathic pain, and LTD at the amygdaloid LA/BLA-CeA synapse mediated by GluA2-containing AMPAR endocytosis underlies the comorbid aversive and depressive symptoms in neuropathic pain. This study provides a novel mechanism for elucidating comorbid aversive and depressive symptoms in neuropathic pain and highlights that structural and functional neuroplasticity in the amygdala may be important as a promising therapeutic target for comorbid negative emotional-affective disorders in chronic pain.

The paraventricular thalamus provides a polysynaptic brake on limbic CRF neurons to sex-dependently blunt binge alcohol drinking and avoidance behavior in mice

Bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) neurons that synthesize corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) drive binge alcohol drinking and anxiety. Here, we found that female C57BL/6J mice binge drink more than males and have greater basal BNSTCRF neuron excitability and synaptic excitation. We identified a dense VGLUT2 + synaptic input from the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) that releases glutamate directly onto BNSTCRF neurons but also engages a large BNST interneuron population to ultimately inhibit BNSTCRF neurons, and this polysynaptic PVTVGLUT2-BNSTCRF circuit is more robust in females than males. Chemogenetic inhibition of the PVTBNST projection promoted binge alcohol drinking only in female mice, while activation reduced avoidance behavior in both sexes. Lastly, repeated binge drinking produced a female-like phenotype in the male PVT-BNSTCRF excitatory synapse without altering the function of PVTBNST neurons per se. Our data describe a complex, feedforward inhibitory PVTVGLUT2-BNSTCRF circuit that is sex-dependent in its function, behavioral roles, and alcohol-induced plasticity.

Depression, anxiety and associated factors among people with epilepsy and attending outpatient treatment at primary public hospitals in northwest Ethiopia: A multicenter cross-sectional study

Objective

To assess the magnitude and factors associated with depression and anxiety among people with epilepsy and attending out-patient treatment at central Gondar zone primary public hospitals, northwest, Ethiopia.

Method

An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from May—June, 2020 at central Gondar zone primary public hospitals. A total of 589 participants were chosen by systematic sampling technique. Data was collected by utilizing Amharic version interviewer-administered structured and semi-structured questioners. Depression and anxiety were assessed by using hospital anxiety and depression scale. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to recognize variables related to both depression and anxiety. Association was described by using “adjusted odds ratio” (AOR) along with 95% full Confidence interval (CI). Finally, P-values < 0.05 in adjusted analysis were taken as a cut off for significant association.

Result

Out of 556 participants included in the study, 30.9%, 33.1% had depression and anxiety respectively. Being divorced/widowed (AOR = 2.43, 95% CI, 1.18–4.99), using two and above number of antiepileptic medications (AOR = 1.77,95% CI,1.02–3.09), very frequent seizure frequency (AOR = 2.68, 95% CI,1.30–5.51), current substance use (AOR = 1.82, 95% CI, 1.03–3.22), perceived stigma (AOR = 5.67,95% CI,3.14–8.18), and hazardous alcohol use (AOR = 2.84, 95% CI,1.32–6.09) were statistically associated with depression. While, being a single (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI, 1.04–2.63), using two and above number of antiepileptic medications (AOR = 2.27, 95% CI, 1.42–3.62), duration of illness ≥16 years (AOR = 2.82, 95% CI, 1.26–6.31), and perceived stigma (AOR = 2.49, 95% CI, 1.63–3.82) were statistically associated with anxiety at a p-value < 0.05.

Conclusion

This study showed that the magnitude of depression and anxiety were relatively high among people with epilepsy. Using two and above number of antiepileptic medications and perceived stigma were statistically associated with both depression and anxiety. Screening, early identification and providing appropriate intervention of depression and anxiety among people with epilepsy should be great concern for the health care providers.

Roles of preoperative anxiety and depression in the outcomes of microvascular decompression in hemifacial spasm for adolescent patients

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) has been recognized as the frequently occurring disease of cranial nerve. At the same time, several articles indicate that, dystonia results in certain psychological disorders. Consequently, this study aimed to examine the association of preoperative depression and anxiety with HFS severity; meanwhile, the role in microvascular decompression (MVD) outcomes after surgery among adolescent patients was also examined.All cases had been classified as two groups based on MVD outcomes among HFS cases; in addition, the preoperative Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HARS) and the Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS) scores were compared between patients not and still suffering from spasm. Moreover, the multiple logistic regression model was employed in assessing the relationship between preoperative HARS as well as HDRS scores and outcomes of adolescent cases undergoing MVD.The preoperative HARS and HDRS scores showed positive correlation with Cohen spasm grades in HFS patients. Meanwhile, compared with spasm-free group, patients of persistent spams group had apparently higher preoperative HARS and HDRS scores.Our results suggest that, preoperative anxiety and depression status show close association with HFS severity, and they could also impact the MVD outcomes for adolescent cases.

Error-related negativity predicts increases in anxiety in a sample of clinically anxious female children and adolescents over 2 years

BACKGROUND

An increased neural response to making errors has emerged as a biomarker of anxiety. Error negativity (Ne) or errorrelated negativity (ERN) is an event-related potential generated when people commit errors; the Ne/ERN is greater among people with anxiety and predicts increases in anxiety. However, no previous study has examined whether the Ne/ERN can be used as a prognostic indicator among people with current anxiety. The present study addressed this gap by examining whether the Ne/ERN prospectively predicts increases in anxiety symptoms in clinically anxious children and adolescents.

METHODS

The sample included 34 female participants between the ages of 8 and 14 years who met the criteria for a clinical anxiety disorder based on clinical interview. The Ne/ERN was measured using a flanker task.

RESULTS

Increased Ne/ERN at baseline predicted increases in total anxiety symptoms 2 years later, even when accounting for baseline symptoms. The Ne/ERN predicted increases in the symptom domains of generalized anxiety, social anxiety and harm avoidance/perfectionism, but not panic, separation anxiety, school avoidance or physical symptoms.

LIMITATIONS

The sample size was small, which may have inflated the false discovery rate. To mitigate this possibility, we used multiple self-report measures, and the results for the 2 measures (as well as their symptom domains) converged.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that the Ne/ERN can delineate specific risk trajectories, even among those who already meet the criteria for a clinical anxiety disorder. Considering the need for prognostic markers among people with clinical anxiety, the current findings are an important and novel extension of previous work.

Comparative Clinical and Neuropsychological Characteristics in Schizophrenia and Schizophrenia-Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Patients

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to compare neuropsychological characteristics of patients with schizophrenia and patients with schizophrenia-obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A total of 78 patients were included in the study, with 32 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 46 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia-OCD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition criteria. Two groups of the patients were compared with each other in terms of demographic data, psychotic symptoms, and clinical and neuropsychological characteristics. In this study, the schizophrenia-OCD relationship was seen at a higher rate in male patients, and this group has worse clinical features. In addition, there was no significant difference among sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, and social and neuropsychological functionality between the two groups. According to our results, patients with schizophrenia-OCD experience more depression and anxiety that are related to poorer quality of life. Longitudinal and more homogeneous patient groups are needed for further studies to reveal whether schizophrenia accompanied by OCD is a comorbidity, a subtype of schizophrenia, or a different disorder.

Neonatal Brain Response to Deviant Auditory Stimuli and Relation to Maternal Trait Anxiety

OBJECTIVE

Excessive response to unexpected or "deviant" stimuli during infancy and early childhood represents an early risk marker for anxiety disorders. However, research has yet to delineate the specific brain regions underlying the neonatal response to deviant stimuli near birth and the relation to risk for anxiety disorders. The authors used task-based functional MRI (fMRI) to delineate the neonatal response to deviant stimuli and its relationship to maternal trait anxiety.

METHODS

The authors used fMRI to measure brain activity evoked by deviant auditory stimuli in 45 sleeping neonates (mean age, 27.8 days; 60% female; 64% African American). In 41 of the infants, neural response to deviant stimuli was examined in relation to maternal trait anxiety on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, a familial risk factor for offspring anxiety.

RESULTS

Neonates manifested a robust and widespread neural response to deviant stimuli that resembles patterns found previously in adults. Higher maternal trait anxiety was related to higher responses within multiple brain regions, including the left and right anterior insula, the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, and multiple areas within the anterior cingulate cortex. These areas overlap with brain regions previously linked to anxiety disorders and other psychiatric illnesses in adults.

CONCLUSIONS

The neural architecture sensitive to deviant stimuli robustly functions in newborns. Excessive responsiveness of some circuitry components at birth may signal risk for anxiety and other psychiatric disorders.

Effect of chronically electric foot shock stress on spatial memory and hippocampal blood brain barrier permeability

Maintaining blood-brain barrier (BBB) contributes critically to preserving normal brain functions. According to the available evidence, intense or chronic exposure to stress would potentially affect different brain structures, such as the hippocampus, negatively. The purpose of this study was to define the relationship between the BBB permeability of the hippocampus and the performance of spatial learning and memory under chronically electric foot shock stress. Sixteen rats were divided into the control and stress groups equally. Animals in the stress group were exposed to foot shock (1 mA, 1 Hz) for 10-s duration every 60 s (1 h/day) for 10 consecutive days. The anxiety-related behavior, spatial learning, and memory were assessed by an Open Field (OF) and the Morris Water Maze (MWM) respectively. The hippocampal BBB permeability was determined by Evans blue penetration assay. Our results demonstrated that the stress model not only increased locomotor activities in the OF test but reduced spatial learning and memory in MWM. Moreover, these effects coincided with a significant increase in hippocampal BBB permeability. In sum, the stress model can be used in future studies focusing on the relationship between stress and BBB permeability of the hippocampus.

Distinct projections from the infralimbic cortex exert opposing effects in modulating anxiety and fear

Anxiety-related disorders can be treated by cognitive therapies and transcranial magnetic stimulation, which involve the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Subregions of the mPFC have been implicated in mediating different and even opposite roles in anxiety-related behaviors. However, precise causal targets of these top-down connections among diverse possibilities have not been established. Here, we show that the lateral septum (LS) and the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) represent 2 direct targets of the infralimbic cortex (IL), a subregion of the mPFC that modulates anxiety and fear. Two projections were unexpectedly found to exert opposite effects on the anxious state and learned freezing: the IL-LS projection promoted anxiety-related behaviors and fear-related freezing, whereas the IL-CeA projection exerted anxiolytic and fear-releasing effects for the same features. Furthermore, selective inhibition of corresponding circuit elements showed opposing behavioral effects compared with excitation. Notably, the IL-CeA projection implemented top-down control of the stress-induced high-anxiety state. These results suggest that distinct IL outputs exert opposite effects in modulating anxiety and fear and that modulating the excitability of these projections with distinct strategies may be beneficial for the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Differential mechanisms of synaptic plasticity for susceptibility and resilience to chronic social defeat stress in male mice

Mood dysregulation refers to the inability of a person to control their negative emotions, and it is linked to various stressful experiences. Dysregulated neural synaptic plasticity and actin-filament dynamics are important regulators of stress response in animal models. However, until now, there is no evidence to differential the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and actin-filament dynamics in stress susceptibility and stress-resistant. Here we found that depression-like behaviour was observed in the susceptible group following chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) exposure, but not in stress-resistant mice. High-frequency stimulation-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) was impaired in the CSDS-induced depression-susceptible group. Further, the levels of pro-brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), mature BDNF, PSD-95, phosphorylated CaMKII, and phosphorylated Cofilin, an actin-filament dynamics regulator, were reduced in CSDS-induced depression-susceptible mice unlike in stress-resistant mice. These results demonstrate that synaptic plasticity-related molecules, such as BDNF and phosphorylated Cofilin, are important for maintaining synaptic functions and structure in mice that experience more stress.

Fragmented day-night cycle induces period lengthening, lowered anxiety, and anhedonia in male mice

Light exposure at night disrupts circadian-regulated biological functions, including mood. However, the consequence of fragmenting the night period and distributing it across the 24-hr period is less understood. Here we show that fragmenting an 8 -h and 6 -h night into equally distributed 2 -h periods throughout the 24-hr day results in period lengthening of the circadian rhythm in mice. Furthermore, mice exhibited less anxiety, which indicates increased risk-taking behavior, and a lack of pleasure-seeking, known as anhedonia. The successive alley and open field tests were used to assess anxiety, while the sucrose preference test was used to assess anhedonia. Analysis of depressive-like behaviors with the forced swim and tail suspension tests were not observed. After two weeks in 12 h light - 12 h dark, mice exposed to the fragmented night recovered and exhibited normal behaviors for both anxiety and anhedonia. Our results are congruent with published studies that describe the detrimental effects of constant light conditions on circadian rhythms and mood. These findings unveil the negative impact that fragmenting the day-night cycle has on circadian rhythms and mood.

Oxytocin in the anterior cingulate cortex attenuates neuropathic pain and emotional anxiety by inhibiting presynaptic long-term potentiation

Oxytocin is a well-known neurohypophysial hormone that plays an important role in behavioral anxiety and nociception. Two major forms of long-term potentiation, presynaptic LTP (pre-LTP) and postsynaptic LTP (post-LTP), have been characterized in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Both pre-LTP and post-LTP contribute to chronic-pain-related anxiety and behavioral sensitization. The roles of oxytocin in the ACC have not been studied. Here, we find that microinjections of oxytocin into the ACC attenuate nociceptive responses and anxiety-like behavioral responses in animals with neuropathic pain. Application of oxytocin selectively blocks the maintenance of pre-LTP but not post-LTP. In addition, oxytocin enhances inhibitory transmission and excites ACC interneurons. Similar results are obtained by using selective optical stimulation of oxytocin-containing projecting terminals in the ACC in animals with neuropathic pain. Our results demonstrate that oxytocin acts on central synapses and reduces chronic-pain-induced anxiety by reducing pre-LTP.

A computational network perspective on pediatric anxiety symptoms

BACKGROUND

While taxonomy segregates anxiety symptoms into diagnoses, patients typically present with multiple diagnoses; this poses major challenges, particularly for youth, where mixed presentation is particularly common. Anxiety comorbidity could reflect multivariate, cross-domain interactions insufficiently emphasized in current taxonomy. We utilize network analytic approaches that model these interactions by characterizing pediatric anxiety as involving distinct, inter-connected, symptom domains. Quantifying this network structure could inform views of pediatric anxiety that shape clinical practice and research.

METHODS

Participants were 4964 youths (ages 5-17 years) from seven international sites. Participants completed standard symptom inventory assessing severity along distinct domains that follow pediatric anxiety diagnostic categories. We first applied network analytic tools to quantify the anxiety domain network structure. We then examined whether variation in the network structure related to age (3-year longitudinal assessments) and sex, key moderators of pediatric anxiety expression.

RESULTS

The anxiety network featured a highly inter-connected structure; all domains correlated positively but to varying degrees. Anxiety patients and healthy youth differed in severity but demonstrated a comparable network structure. We noted specific sex differences in the network structure; longitudinal data indicated additional structural changes during childhood. Generalized-anxiety and panic symptoms consistently emerged as central domains.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric anxiety manifests along multiple, inter-connected symptom domains. By quantifying cross-domain associations and related moderation effects, the current study might shape views on the diagnosis, treatment, and study of pediatric anxiety.

Aberrant salience and reward processing: a comparison of measures in schizophrenia and anxiety

BACKGROUND

Aberrant salience may contribute to the development of schizophrenia symptoms via alterations in reward processing and motivation. However, tests of this hypothesis have yielded inconsistent results. These inconsistencies may reflect problems with the validity and specificity of measures of aberrant salience in schizophrenia. Therefore, we investigated relationships among measures of aberrant salience, reward, and motivation in schizophrenia and anxiety.

METHOD

Individuals with schizophrenia (n = 30), anxiety (n = 33) or unaffected by mental disorder (n = 30) completed measures of aberrant salience [Aberrant Salience Inventory (ASI), Salience Attribution Test (SAT)], motivation (Effort Expenditure for Reward Task), and reinforcer sensitivity (Stimulus Chase Task).

RESULTS

Schizophrenia participants scored higher than anxiety (d = 0.71) and unaffected (d = 1.54) groups on the ASI and exhibited greater aberrant salience (d = 0.60) and lower adaptive salience (d = 0.98) than anxious participants on the SAT. There was no evidence of a correlation between measures of aberrant salience. Schizophrenia was associated with related deficits in motivated behaviour and maladaptive reward processing. However, these differences in reward processing did not correlate with aberrant salience measures.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that key measures of aberrant salience have limited specificity and validity. These problems may account for inconsistent findings reported in the literature.