1
|
Branca C, Bortolato M. The role of neuroactive steroids in tic disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 160:105637. [PMID: 38519023 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Tics are sudden, repetitive movements or vocalizations. Tic disorders, such as Tourette syndrome (TS), are contributed by the interplay of genetic risk factors and environmental variables, leading to abnormalities in the functioning of the cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuitry. Various neurotransmitter systems, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and dopamine, are implicated in the pathophysiology of these disorders. Building on the evidence that tic disorders are predominant in males and exacerbated by stress, emerging research is focusing on the involvement of neuroactive steroids, including dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and allopregnanolone, in the ontogeny of tics and other phenotypes associated with TS. Emerging evidence indicates that DHEAS levels are significantly elevated in the plasma of TS-affected boys, and the clinical onset of this disorder coincides with the period of adrenarche, the developmental stage characterized by a surge in DHEAS synthesis. On the other hand, allopregnanolone has garnered particular attention for its potential to mediate the adverse effects of acute stress on the exacerbation of tic severity and frequency. Notably, both neurosteroids act as key modulators of GABA-A receptors, suggesting a pivotal role of these targets in the pathophysiology of various clinical manifestations of tic disorders. This review explores the potential mechanisms by which these and other neuroactive steroids may influence tic disorders and discusses the emerging therapeutic strategies that target neuroactive steroids for the management of tic disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Branca
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cadeddu R, Braccagni G, Branca C, van Luik ER, Pittenger C, Thomsen MS, Bortolato M. Activation of M 4 muscarinic receptors in the striatum reduces tic-like behaviours in two distinct murine models of Tourette syndrome. Br J Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38689378 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16392] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current pharmacotherapies for Tourette syndrome (TS) are often unsatisfactory and poorly tolerated, underscoring the need for novel treatments. Insufficient striatal acetylcholine has been suggested to contribute to tic ontogeny. Thus, we tested whether activating M1 and/or M4 receptors-the two most abundant muscarinic receptors in the striatum-reduced tic-related behaviours in mouse models of TS. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Studies were conducted using CIN-d and D1CT-7 mice, two TS models characterized by early-life depletion of striatal cholinergic interneurons and cortical neuropotentiation, respectively. First, we tested the effects of systemic and intrastriatal xanomeline, a selective M1/M4 receptor agonist, on tic-like and other TS-related responses. Then, we examined whether xanomeline effects were reduced by either M1 or M4 antagonists or mimicked by the M1/M3 agonist cevimeline or the M4 positive allosteric modulator (PAM) VU0467154. Finally, we measured striatal levels of M1 and M4 receptors and assessed the impact of VU0461754 on the striatal expression of the neural marker activity c-Fos. KEY RESULTS Systemic and intrastriatal xanomeline reduced TS-related behaviours in CIN-d and D1CT-7 mice. Most effects were blocked by M4, but not M1, receptor antagonists. VU0467154, but not cevimeline, elicited xanomeline-like ameliorative effects in both models. M4, but not M1, receptors were down-regulated in the striatum of CIN-d mice. Additionally, VU0467154 reduced striatal c-Fos levels in these animals. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Activation of striatal M4, but not M1, receptors reduced tic-like manifestations in mouse models, pointing to xanomeline and M4 PAMs as novel putative therapeutic strategies for TS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Cadeddu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Giulia Braccagni
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Caterina Branca
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Easton R van Luik
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Christopher Pittenger
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Child Study Center, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Center for Brain and Mind Health, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Brown DG, Murphy M, Cadeddu R, Bell R, Weis A, Chiaro T, Klag K, Morgan J, Coon H, Stephens WZ, Bortolato M, Round JL. Colitis reduces active social engagement in mice and is ameliorated by supplementation with human microbiota members. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2769. [PMID: 38553486 PMCID: PMC10980768 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46733-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple neurological disorders are associated with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, it is unclear whether GI distress itself can modify aspects of behavior. Here, we show that mice that experience repeated colitis have impaired active social engagement, as measured by interactions with a foreign mouse, even though signs of colitis were no longer present. We then tested the hypothesis that individuals with ASD harbor a microbiota that might differentially influence GI health by performing microbiota transplantation studies into male germfree animals, followed by induction of colitis. Animals that harbor a microbiota from ASD individuals have worsened gut phenotypes when compared to animals colonized with microbiotas from familial neurotypical (NT) controls. We identify the enrichment of Blautia species in all familial NT controls and observe an association between elevated abundance of Bacteroides uniformis and reductions in intestinal injury. Oral treatment with either of these microbes reduces colon injury in mice. Finally, provision of a Blautia isolate from a NT control ameliorates gut injury-associated active social engagement in mice. Collectively, our data demonstrate that past intestinal distress is associated with changes in active social behavior in mice that can be ameliorated by supplementation of members of the human microbiota.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Garrett Brown
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Michaela Murphy
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Roberto Cadeddu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology University of Utah College of Pharmacy, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Rickesha Bell
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Allison Weis
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Tyson Chiaro
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Kendra Klag
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jubel Morgan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Hilary Coon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - W Zac Stephens
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology University of Utah College of Pharmacy, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - June L Round
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Anderson CJ, Cadeddu R, Anderson DN, Huxford JA, VanLuik ER, Odeh K, Pittenger C, Pulst SM, Bortolato M. A novel naïve Bayes approach to identifying grooming behaviors in the force-plate actometric platform. J Neurosci Methods 2024; 403:110026. [PMID: 38029972 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2023.110026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-grooming behavior in rodents serves as a valuable behavioral index for investigating stereotyped and perseverative responses. Most current grooming analyses rely on video observation, which lacks standardization, efficiency, and quantitative information about force. To address these limitations, we developed an automated paradigm to analyze grooming using a force-plate actometer. NEW METHOD Grooming behavior is quantified by calculating ratios of relevant movement power spectral bands. These ratios are input into a naïve Bayes classifier, trained with manual video observations. The effectiveness of this method was tested using CIN-d mice, an animal model developed through early-life depletion of striatal cholinergic interneurons (CIN-d) and featuring prolonged grooming responses to acute stressors. Behavioral monitoring was simultaneously conducted on the force-place actometer and by video recording. RESULTS The naïve Bayes approach achieved 93.7% accurate classification and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.894. We confirmed that male CIN-d mice displayed significantly longer grooming durations than controls. However, this elevation was not correlated with increases in grooming force. Notably, the dopaminergic antagonist haloperidol reduced grooming force and duration. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS In contrast to observation-based approaches, our method affords rapid, unbiased, and automated assessment of grooming duration, frequency, and force. CONCLUSIONS Our novel approach enables fast and accurate automated detection of grooming behaviors. This method holds promise for high-throughput assessments of grooming stereotypies in animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Collin J Anderson
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia; School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia; Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Roberto Cadeddu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Daria Nesterovich Anderson
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Job A Huxford
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Easton R VanLuik
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Karen Odeh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Christopher Pittenger
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Child Study Center, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Center for Brain and Mind Health, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stefan M Pulst
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Floris G, Godar SC, Braccagni G, Piras IS, Ravens A, Zanda MT, Huentelman MJ, Bortolato M. The sinking platform test: a novel paradigm to measure persistence in animal models. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024:10.1038/s41386-024-01827-0. [PMID: 38396257 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01827-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Persistence is the propensity to maintain goal-directed actions despite adversities. While this temperamental trait is crucial to mitigate depression risk, its neurobiological foundations remain elusive. Developing behavioral tasks to capture persistence in animal models is crucial for understanding its molecular underpinnings. Here, we introduce the Sinking Platform Test (SPT), a novel high-throughput paradigm to measure persistence. Mice were trained to exit a water-filled tank by ascending onto a platform above water level. Throughout the training, mice were also occasionally exposed to "failure trials," during which an operator would submerge a platform right after the mouse climbed onto it, requiring the mouse to reach and ascend a newly introduced platform. Following training, mice were subjected to a 5-min test exclusively consisting of failure trials. Male and female mice exhibited comparable persistence, measured by the number of climbed platforms during the test. Furthermore, this index was increased by chronic administration of fluoxetine or imipramine; conversely, it was reduced by acute and chronic haloperidol. Notably, six weeks of social isolation reduced SPT performance, and this effect was rescued by imipramine treatment over the last two weeks. A 4-week regimen of voluntary wheel running also improved persistence in socially isolated mice. Finally, comparing transcriptomic profiles of the prefrontal cortex of mice with high and low SPT performance revealed significant enrichment of immediate-early genes known to shape susceptibility for chronic stress. These findings highlight the potential of SPT as a promising method to uncover the biological mechanisms of persistence and evaluate novel interventions to enhance this response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Floris
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Neural Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sean C Godar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Giulia Braccagni
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Ignazio S Piras
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Alicia Ravens
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Mary T Zanda
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Matthew J Huentelman
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Piras IS, Braccagni G, Huentelman MJ, Bortolato M. A preliminary transcriptomic analysis of the orbitofrontal cortex of antisocial individuals. CNS Neurosci Ther 2023; 29:3173-3182. [PMID: 37269073 PMCID: PMC10580340 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and conduct disorder (CD) are characterized by a persistent pattern of violations of societal norms and others' rights. Ample evidence shows that the pathophysiology of these disorders is contributed by orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) alterations, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. To address this knowledge gap, we performed the first-ever RNA sequencing study of postmortem OFC samples from subjects with a lifetime diagnosis of ASPD and/or CD. METHODS The transcriptomic profiles of OFC samples from subjects with ASPD and/or CD were compared to those of unaffected age-matched controls (n = 9/group). RESULTS The OFC of ASPD/CD-affected subjects displayed significant differences in the expression of 328 genes. Further gene-ontology analyses revealed an extensive downregulation of excitatory neuron transcripts and upregulation of astrocyte transcripts. These alterations were paralleled by significant modifications in synaptic regulation and glutamatergic neurotransmission pathways. CONCLUSION These preliminary findings suggest that ASPD and CD feature a complex array of functional deficits in the pyramidal neurons and astrocytes of the OFC. In turn, these aberrances may contribute to the reduced OFC connectivity observed in antisocial subjects. Future analyses on larger cohorts are needed to validate these results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ignazio S. Piras
- Neurogenomics DivisionTranslational Genomics Research Institute (TGen)PhoenixArizonaUSA
| | - Giulia Braccagni
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyCollege of PharmacyUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
| | - Matthew J. Huentelman
- Neurogenomics DivisionTranslational Genomics Research Institute (TGen)PhoenixArizonaUSA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyCollege of PharmacyUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Scheggi S, Bortolato M. Psychological resilience and hyperthymia: Is there a link? J Affect Disord 2023; 338:187-188. [PMID: 37301294 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Scheggi
- Dept. of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Italy.
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Cadeddu R, Van Zandt M, Santovito LS, Odeh K, Anderson CJ, Flanagan D, Nordkild P, Pinna G, Pittenger C, Bortolato M. Prefrontal allopregnanolone mediates the adverse effects of acute stress in a mouse model of tic pathophysiology. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1288-1299. [PMID: 37198434 PMCID: PMC10354086 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01603-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Ample evidence suggests that acute stress can worsen symptom severity in Tourette syndrome (TS); however, the neurobiological underpinnings of this phenomenon remain poorly understood. We previously showed that acute stress exacerbates tic-like and other TS-associated responses via the neurosteroid allopregnanolone (AP) in an animal model of repetitive behavioral pathology. To verify the relevance of this mechanism to tic pathophysiology, here we tested the effects of AP in a mouse model recapitulating the partial depletion of dorsolateral cholinergic interneurons (CINs) seen in post-mortem studies of TS. Mice underwent targeted depletion of striatal CINs during adolescence and were tested in young adulthood. Compared with controls, partially CIN-depleted male mice exhibited several TS-relevant abnormalities, including deficient prepulse inhibition (PPI) and increased grooming stereotypies after a 30-min session of spatial confinement - a mild acute stressor that increases AP levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). These effects were not seen in females. Systemic and intra-PFC AP administration dose-dependently worsened grooming stereotypies and PPI deficits in partially CIN-depleted males. Conversely, both AP synthesis inhibition and pharmacological antagonism reduced the effects of stress. These results further suggest that AP in the PFC mediates the adverse effects of stress on the severity of tics and other TS-related manifestations. Future studies will be necessary to confirm these mechanisms in patients and define the circuitry responsible for the effects of AP on tics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Cadeddu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Meghan Van Zandt
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Luca Spiro Santovito
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Karen Odeh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Collin J Anderson
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Deirdre Flanagan
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Graziano Pinna
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- UI Center on Depression and Resilience (UICDR), Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics (CARE), Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Christopher Pittenger
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Child Study Center, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Center for Brain and Mind Health, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Anderson CJ, Cadeddu R, Anderson DN, Huxford JA, VanLuik ER, Odeh K, Pittenger C, Pulst SM, Bortolato M. A novel naïve Bayes approach to identifying grooming behaviors in the force-plate actometric platform. bioRxiv 2023:2023.07.08.548198. [PMID: 37503098 PMCID: PMC10369919 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.08.548198] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Background Self-grooming behavior in rodents serves as a valuable model for investigating stereotyped and perseverative responses. Most current grooming analyses primarily rely on video observation, which lacks standardization, efficiency, and quantitative information about force. To address these limitations, we developed an automated paradigm to analyze grooming using a force-plate actometer. New Method Grooming behavior is quantified by calculating ratios of relevant movement power spectral bands. These ratios are then input into a naïve Bayes classifier, trained with manual video observations. To validate the effectiveness of this method, we applied it to the behavioral analysis of the early-life striatal cholinergic interneuron depletion (CIN-d) mouse, a model of tic pathophysiology recently developed in our laboratory, which exhibits prolonged grooming responses to acute stressors. Behavioral monitoring was simultaneously conducted on the force-place actometer and by video recording. Results The naïve Bayes approach achieved 93.7% accurate classification and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.894. We confirmed that male CIN-d mice displayed significantly longer grooming durations compared to controls. However, this elevation was not correlated with increases in grooming force. Notably, haloperidol, a benchmark therapy for tic disorders, reduced both grooming force and duration. Comparison with Existing Methods In contrast to observation-based approaches, our method affords rapid, unbiased, and automated assessment of grooming duration, frequency, and force. Conclusions Our novel approach enables fast and accurate automated detection of grooming behaviors. This method holds promise for high-throughput assessments of grooming stereotypies in animal models of tic disorders and other psychiatric conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Collin J Anderson
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Roberto Cadeddu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Daria Nesterovich Anderson
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Job A Huxford
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Easton R VanLuik
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Karen Odeh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Christopher Pittenger
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Child Study Center, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Brain and Mind Health, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stefan M Pulst
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Frau R, Traccis F, Concas L, Cadeddu R, Mosher LJ, Nordkild P, Gaikwad NW, Bortolato M. Prefrontal allopregnanolone synergizes with D 1 receptor activation to disrupt sensorimotor gating in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:1359-1372. [PMID: 37129616 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06375-x] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle reflex is the best-established index of sensorimotor gating. We documented that the neurosteroid allopregnanolone (AP) is necessary to reduce PPI in response to D1 dopamine receptor agonists. Since Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats are poorly sensitive to the PPI-disrupting effects of these drugs, we hypothesized that AP might increase this susceptibility. OBJECTIVES We tested whether AP is sufficient to increase the vulnerability of SD rats to PPI deficits in response to the D1 receptor full agonist SKF82958. METHODS SD rats were tested for PPI after treatment with SKF82958 (0.05-0.3 mg/kg, SC) in combination with either intraperitoneal (1-10 mg/kg) or intracerebral (0.5 μg/μl/side) AP administration into the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) or nucleus accumbens shell. To rule out potential confounds, we measured whether SKF82958 affected the endogenous mPFC levels of AP. RESULTS SD rats exhibited marked PPI deficits in response to the combination of systemic and intra-mPFC AP with SKF82958 but not with the D2 receptor agonist quinpirole (0.3-0.6 mg/kg, SC). SKF82958 did not elevate mPFC levels of AP but enhanced the content of its precursor progesterone. The PPI deficits caused by SKF82958 in combination with AP were opposed by the AP antagonist isoallopregnanolone (10 mg/kg, IP) and the glutamate NMDA receptor positive modulator CIQ (5 mg/kg, IP). CONCLUSION These results suggest that AP enables the detrimental effects of D1 receptor activation on sensorimotor gating. AP antagonism or glutamatergic modulation counters these effects and may have therapeutic potential for neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by gating deficits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Frau
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
- Guy Everett Laboratory, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Francesco Traccis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Luca Concas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Roberto Cadeddu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Laura J Mosher
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | | | | | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Serra V, Aroni S, Bortolato M, Frau R, Melis M. Endocannabinoid-dependent decrease of GABAergic transmission on dopaminergic neurons is associated with susceptibility to cocaine stimulant effects in pre-adolescent male MAOA hypomorphic mice exposed to early life stress. Neuropharmacology 2023; 233:109548. [PMID: 37080337 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Vulnerability to cocaine use disorder depends upon a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors. While early life adversity is a critical environmental vulnerability factor for drug misuse, allelic variants of the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene have been shown to moderate its influence on the risk of drug-related problems. However, data on the interactions between MAOA variants and early life stress (ES) with respect to predisposition to cocaine abuse are limited. Here, we show that a mouse model capturing the interaction of genetic (low-activity alleles of the Maoa gene; MAOANeo) and environmental (i.e., ES) vulnerability factors displays an increased sensitivity to repeated in vivo cocaine psychomotor stimulant actions associated with a reduction of GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition of dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition (DSI), a 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2AG)-dependent form of short-term plasticity, also becomes readily expressed by dopamine neurons from male MAOANeo ES mice repeatedly treated with cocaine. The activation of either dopamine D2 or CB1 receptors contributes to cocaine-induced DSI expression, decreased GABA synaptic efficacy, and hyperlocomotion. Next, in vivo pharmacological enhancement of 2AG signaling during repeated cocaine exposure occludes its actions both in vivo and ex vivo. This data extends our knowledge of the multifaceted sequelae imposed by this gene-environment interaction in VTA dopamine neurons of male pre-adolescent mice and contributes to our understanding of neural mechanisms of vulnerability for early onset cocaine use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Sonia Aroni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, 84112, USA
| | - Roberto Frau
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Miriam Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Braccagni G, Scheggi S, Bortolato M. Elevated levels of serotonin 5-HT 2A receptors in the orbitofrontal cortex of antisocial individuals. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023; 273:411-425. [PMID: 36094569 PMCID: PMC10831872 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-022-01480-y] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Antisocial behavior (ASB) is characterized by frequent violations of the rights and properties of others, as well as aggressive conduct. While ample evidence points to a critical role of serotonin in the emotional modulation of social responses, the implication of this neurotransmitter in ASB is unclear. Here, we performed the first-ever postmortem analysis of serotonergic markers in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) of male subjects with ASB (n = 9). We focused on this brain region, given its well-recognized role in social response and ASB pathophysiology. Given that all individuals also had a substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis, two age-matched control groups were used: SUD only and unaffected controls. Tissues were processed for immunoblotting analyses on eight key serotonergic targets: tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2), the rate-limiting enzyme of brain serotonin synthesis; serotonin transporter (SERT), the primary carrier for serotonin uptake; monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), the primary enzyme for serotonin catabolism; and five serotonin receptors previously shown to influence social behavior: 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, and 5-HT4. Our analyses documented a significant increase in 5-HT2A receptor levels in the ASB + SUD group compared to SUD-only controls. Furthermore, TPH2 levels were significantly reduced in the SUD group (including SUD only and ASB + SUD) compared to unaffected controls. No difference was detected in the expression of any other serotonergic target. These results are in keeping with previous evidence showing high 5-HT2A receptor binding in the OFC of pathologically aggressive individuals and point to this molecule as a potential target for ASB treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Braccagni
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, L.S. Skaggs Hall, Room 3916, 30 S 2000 E, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Simona Scheggi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, L.S. Skaggs Hall, Room 3916, 30 S 2000 E, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Geng Y, Zhang T, Alonzo IG, Godar SC, Yates C, Pluimer BR, Harrison DL, Nath AK, Yeh JRJ, Drummond IA, Bortolato M, Peterson RT. Top2a promotes the development of social behavior via PRC2 and H3K27me3. Sci Adv 2022; 8:eabm7069. [PMID: 36417527 PMCID: PMC9683714 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm7069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Little is understood about the embryonic development of sociality. We screened 1120 known drugs and found that embryonic inhibition of topoisomerase IIα (Top2a) resulted in lasting social deficits in zebrafish. In mice, prenatal Top2 inhibition caused defects in social interaction and communication, which are behaviors that relate to core symptoms of autism. Mutation of Top2a in zebrafish caused down-regulation of a set of genes highly enriched for genes associated with autism in humans. Both the Top2a-regulated and autism-associated gene sets have binding sites for polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), a regulatory complex responsible for H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3). Moreover, both gene sets are highly enriched for H3K27me3. Inhibition of the PRC2 component Ezh2 rescued social deficits caused by Top2 inhibition. Therefore, Top2a is a key component of an evolutionarily conserved pathway that promotes the development of social behavior through PRC2 and H3K27me3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Geng
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Tejia Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Ivy G. Alonzo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Sean C. Godar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Christopher Yates
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Brock R. Pluimer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Devin L. Harrison
- The Graduate Program in Biophysical Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Anjali K. Nath
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
- Metabolism Program, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jing-Ruey Joanna Yeh
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Iain A. Drummond
- Davis Center for Aging and Regeneration, MDI Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Randall T. Peterson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Nedic Erjavec G, Tudor L, Nikolac Perkovic M, Podobnik J, Dodig Curkovic K, Curkovic M, Svob Strac D, Cusek M, Bortolato M, Pivac N. Serotonin 5-HT 2A receptor polymorphisms are associated with irritability and aggression in conduct disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 117:110542. [PMID: 35257831 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In childhood and adolescence, overt antisocial and aggressive manifestations are typically diagnosed as conduct disorder (CD). Given that the emerging research has pointed to the influence of 5-HT2A receptors in the ontogeny of aggression, we aimed to analyze the association of its genetic polymorphisms with CD. The study included 228 male adolescent subjects (120 with and 108 without CD). CD was diagnosed according to Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV criteria, while evaluations of aggressive/dissociative behaviors were performed using psychometric questionnaires including the PCL-YV, OAS-M, KADS, and CBCL. Platelet 5-HT concentration was determined by spectrophotofluorometry. Genotyping of 5-HT2A receptor polymorphisms rs2070040, rs9534511, rs4142900, rs9534512 was performed using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays. Subjective irritability, physical aggression toward others, and antisocial behavior were strongly associated with the G allele of rs2070040 and rs4142900, and the C allele of rs9534511 and rs9534512. A significantly increased platelet 5-HT concentration in CD subjects, compared to controls, was lost after the correction according to the smoking status. Our results indicate an association of the studied HTR2A polymorphisms and their haplotypes with irritability and impulsivity traits, which may contribute to the aggressive and antisocial behavior in male adolescents with CD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gordana Nedic Erjavec
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Division of Molecular Medicine, Bijenicka cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lucija Tudor
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Division of Molecular Medicine, Bijenicka cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Matea Nikolac Perkovic
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Division of Molecular Medicine, Bijenicka cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Josip Podobnik
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Hospital for Children and Youth Zagreb, Kukuljeviceva 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Katarina Dodig Curkovic
- Department for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Clinical Hospital Center Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Mario Curkovic
- Family Medicine, Park Kralja Petra Krešimira IV. 6, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Dubravka Svob Strac
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Division of Molecular Medicine, Bijenicka cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Salt Lake City, 30 South 2000 East, UT 84112, USA.
| | - Nela Pivac
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Division of Molecular Medicine, Bijenicka cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Brown S, Fite PJ, Bortolato M. The mediating role of impulsivity in the associations between child maltreatment types and past month substance use. Child Abuse Negl 2022; 128:105591. [PMID: 35306342 PMCID: PMC9119917 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Child maltreatment has emerged as an important risk factor for substance use. However, despite evidence consistently demonstrating that substance use peaks during emerging adulthood, less is known about the specificity of maltreatment effects on substance use during this critical developmental period. Further, the factors that might play a role in these associations are not well understood. OBJECTIVE The current study examined the associations between child maltreatment types (i.e., physical abuse, physical neglect, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and emotional neglect) and past month marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco use among emerging adults, and tested whether impulsivity accounted for these associations. METHODS Participants were 500 emerging adults ranging in age between 18 and 25 years old (M = 18.96, SD = 1.22, 49.6% male) recruited from a large, public university in the Midwest United States. RESULTS Tests of indirect effects suggested that impulsivity accounted for associations between emotional abuse and past month marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco use. CONCLUSIONS Current findings provide support for impulsivity as a mechanism linking childhood emotional abuse to substance use among emerging adults, highlighting the need for targeted screening and intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaquanna Brown
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, 2009 Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
| | - Paula J Fite
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, 2009 Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, 2009 Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Bortolato M, Madden GJ. Editorial: Behavioral Addictions, Risk-Taking, and Impulsive Choice. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:924030. [PMID: 35615567 PMCID: PMC9125390 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.924030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- *Correspondence: Marco Bortolato
| | - Gregory J. Madden
- Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
- Gregory J. Madden
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Frau R, Pardu A, Godar S, Bini V, Bortolato M. Combined Antagonism of 5-HT2 and NMDA Receptors Reduces the Aggression of Monoamine Oxidase a Knockout Mice. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15020213. [PMID: 35215325 PMCID: PMC8875523 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The enzyme monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) catalyzes the degradation of several neurotransmitters, including serotonin. A large body of evidence has shown that genetic MAOA deficiency predisposes humans and mice to aggression and antisocial behavior. We previously documented that the aggression of male MAOA-deficient mice is contributed by serotonin 5-HT2 and glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Indeed, blocking either receptor reduces the aggression of MAOA knockout (KO) mice; however, 5-HT2 receptor antagonists, such as ketanserin (KET), reduce locomotor activity, while NMDA receptor blockers are typically associated with psychotomimetic properties. To verify whether NMDA receptor blockers induce psychotomimetic effects in MAOA KO mice, here we tested the effects of these compounds on prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle reflex. We found that male MAOA KO mice are hypersensitive to the PPI-disrupting properties of NMDA receptor antagonists, including the non-competitive antagonist dizocilpine (DIZ; 0.1, 0.3 mg/kg, IP) and the NR2B subunit-specific blocker Ro-256981 (5, 10 mg/kg, IP). Since KET has been previously shown to counter the PPI deficits caused by NMDA receptor antagonists, we tested the behavioral effects of the combination of KET (2 mg/kg, IP) and these drugs. Our results show that the combination of KET and DIZ potently reduces aggression in MAOA KO mice without any PPI deficits and sedative effects. While the PPI-ameliorative properties of KET were also observed after infusion in the medial PFC (0.05 μg/side), KET did not counter the PPI-disruptive effects of Ro-256981 in MAOA KO mice. Taken together, these results point to the combination of non-subunit-selective NMDA and 5-HT2 receptor antagonists as a potential therapeutic approach for aggression and antisocial behavior with a better safety and tolerability profile than each monotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Frau
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (A.P.); (V.B.)
- Guy Everett Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
- Correspondence: (R.F.); (M.B.)
| | - Alessandra Pardu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (A.P.); (V.B.)
| | - Sean Godar
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Valentina Bini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (A.P.); (V.B.)
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Correspondence: (R.F.); (M.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Floris G, Scheggi S, Pes R, Bortolato M. The steroidogenic inhibitor finasteride reverses pramipexole-induced alterations in probability discounting. Brain Res Bull 2022; 181:157-166. [PMID: 35122898 PMCID: PMC9012661 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Pramipexole is a potent agonist of D3 and D2 dopamine receptors, currently approved for clinical use in Parkinson's disease (PD) and restless leg syndrome. Several studies have shown that pramipexole significantly increases the risk of pathological gambling and impulse-control disorders. While these iatrogenic complications can impose a severe social and financial burden, their treatment poses serious clinical challenges. Our group previously reported that the steroidogenic inhibitor finasteride reduced pathological gambling severity in PD patients who developed this complication following pramipexole treatment. To study the mechanisms underlying these effects, here we tested the impact of finasteride in a rat model of pramipexole-induced alterations of probability discounting. We previously showed that, in rats exposed to low doses of the monoamine-depleting agent reserpine (1mg/kg/day, SC), pramipexole (0.3mg/kg/day, SC) increased the propensity to engage in disadvantageous choices. This effect was paralleled by a marked D3 receptor upregulation in the nucleus accumbens. First, we tested how finasteride (25-50mg/kg, IP) intrinsically affects probability discounting. While the highest dose of finasteride produced a marked lack of interest in lever pressing (manifested as a significant increase in omissions), the 25mg/kg (IP) dose did not intrinsically modify probability discounting. However, this finasteride regimen significantly reduced the adverse effects of reserpine and pramipexole in probability discounting by diminishing rats' propensity to engage in highly disadvantageous probabilistic choices. The same regimen also reversed the upregulation of D3 receptors in the nucleus accumbens induced by reserpine and pramipexole. These findings confirm that finasteride opposes the impulsivity caused by pramipexole and suggest that this effect may be underpinned by a normalizing effect on D3 receptor expression in the nucleus accumbens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Floris
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (UT), USA.
| | - Simona Scheggi
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (UT), USA; Dept. of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Siena, ITALY
| | - Romina Pes
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence (KS), USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (UT), USA; Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence (KS), USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Bortolato M, Coffey BJ, Gabbay V, Scheggi S. Allopregnanolone: The missing link to explain the effects of stress on tic exacerbation? J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13022. [PMID: 34423500 PMCID: PMC8800948 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The neurosteroid allopregnanolone (3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one; AP) elicits pleiotropic effects in the central nervous system, ranging from neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory functions to the regulation of mood and emotional responses. Several lines of research show that the brain rapidly produces AP in response to acute stress to reduce the allostatic load and enhance coping. These effects not only are likely mediated by GABAA receptor activation but also result from the contributions of other mechanisms, such as the stimulation of membrane progesterone receptors. In keeping with this evidence, AP has been shown to exert rapid, potent antidepressant properties and has been recently approved for the therapy of moderate-to-severe postpartum depression. In addition to depression, emerging evidence points to the potential of AP as a therapy for other neuropsychiatric disorders, including anxiety, seizures, post-traumatic stress disorder and cognitive problems. Although this evidence has spurred interest in further therapeutic applications of AP, some investigations suggest that this neurosteroid may also be associated with adverse events in specific disorders. For example, our group has recently documented that AP increases tic-like manifestations in several animal models of tic disorders; furthermore, our results indicate that inhibiting AP synthesis and signalling reduces the exacerbation of tic severity associated with acute stress. Although the specific mechanisms of these effects remain partially elusive, our findings point to the possibility that the GABAergic activation by AP may also lead to disinhibitory effects, which could interfere with the ability of patients to suppress their tics. Future studies will be necessary to verify whether these mechanisms may apply to other externalising manifestations, such as impulse-control problems and manic symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyCollege of PharmacyUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUTUSA
- Research Consortium on NeuroEndocrine Causes of Tics (ReConNECT)
| | - Barbara J. Coffey
- Research Consortium on NeuroEndocrine Causes of Tics (ReConNECT)
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral ScienceMiller School of MedicineUniversity of MiamiMiamiFLUSA
| | - Vilma Gabbay
- Research Consortium on NeuroEndocrine Causes of Tics (ReConNECT)
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesAlbert Einstein College of MedicineBronxNYUSA
| | - Simona Scheggi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental MedicineSchool of MedicineUniversity of SienaSienaItaly
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
DiPierro-Sutton M, Poquiz J, Brown S, Fite P, Bortolato M. Models predicting the role of emotion reactivity in the link between reasons for not using and lifetime substance use. J Am Coll Health 2022; 70:527-535. [PMID: 32407218 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1756828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Objective Substance use peaks in emerging adulthood, with evidence suggesting that college-attending emerging adults have a higher rate of substance use than their non-college attending peers. More insight into the factors that might contribute to substance use among college-attending emerging adults is needed. The current study examined the moderating role of emotion reactivity in the link between perceived importance of reasons for not using substances and lifetime marijuana and alcohol use. Participants: 440 undergraduate students under the age of 21 (M = 18.67, 47.7% Male) from a large Midwestern university participated in the study. Methods Participants responded survey items assessing reasons for not using, lifetime marijuana and alcohol use, and emotion reactivity. Results: Emotion reactivity only moderated the link between reasons for not using alcohol (i.e., reasons related to self-control) and lifetime alcohol use. Conclusions: Future research on reasons for not using is warranted. Implications for preventative interventions are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moneika DiPierro-Sutton
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Jonathan Poquiz
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Shaquanna Brown
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Paula Fite
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake, Utah, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Niu C, Leavitt LS, Lin Z, Paguigan ND, Sun L, Zhang J, Torres JP, Raghuraman S, Chase K, Cadeddu R, Karthikeyan M, Bortolato M, Reilly CA, Hughen RW, Light AR, Olivera BM, Schmidt EW. Neuroactive Type-A γ-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Allosteric Modulator Steroids from the Hypobranchial Gland of Marine Mollusk, Conus geographus. J Med Chem 2021; 64:7033-7043. [PMID: 33949869 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In a program to identify pain treatments with low addiction potential, we isolated five steroids, conosteroids A-E (1-5), from the hypobranchial gland of the mollusk Conus geographus. Compounds 1-5 were active in a mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) assay that suggested that they might be analgesic. A synthetic analogue 6 was used for a detailed pharmacological study. Compound 6 significantly increased the pain threshold in mice in the hot-plate test at 2 and 50 mg/kg. Compound 6 at 500 nM antagonizes type-A γ-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAARs). In a patch-clamp experiment, out of the six subunit combinations tested, 6 exhibited subtype selectivity, most strongly antagonizing α1β1γ2 and α4β3γ2 receptors (IC50 1.5 and 1.0 μM, respectively). Although the structures of 1-6 differ from those of known neuroactive steroids, they are cell-type-selective modulators of GABAARs, expanding the known chemical space of neuroactive steroids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Changshan Niu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Lee S Leavitt
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Zhenjian Lin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Noemi D Paguigan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Lili Sun
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Joshua P Torres
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Shrinivasan Raghuraman
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Kevin Chase
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Roberto Cadeddu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Manju Karthikeyan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Christopher A Reilly
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Ronald W Hughen
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Alan R Light
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Baldomero M Olivera
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Eric W Schmidt
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Festucci F, Buccheri C, Parvopassu A, Oggiano M, Bortolato M, Laviola G, Curcio G, Adriani W. "Himalayan Bridge": A New Unstable Suspended Bridge to Investigate Rodents' Venturesome Behavior. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:637074. [PMID: 33994967 PMCID: PMC8113634 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.637074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
While both risk-taking and avoidant behaviors are necessary for survival, their imbalanced expression can lead to impulse-control and anxiety disorders, respectively. In laboratory rodents, the conflict between risk proneness and anxiety can be studied by using their innate fear of heights. To explore this aspect in detail and investigate venturesome behavior, here we used a "Himalayan Bridge," a rat-adapted version of the suspended wire bridge protocol originally developed for mice. The apparatus is composed of two elevated scaffolds connected by bridges of different lengths and stability at 1 m above a foam rubber-covered floor. Rats were allowed to cross the bridge to reach food, and crossings, pawslips, turnabouts, and latencies to cross were measured. Given the link between risky behavior and adolescence, we used this apparatus to investigate the different responses elicited by a homecage mate on the adolescent development of risk-taking behavior. Thus, 24 wild-type (WT) subjects were divided into three different housing groups: WT rats grown up with WT adult rats; control WT adolescent rats (grown up with WT adolescents), which showed a proclivity to risk; and WT rats grown up with an adult rat harboring a truncated mutation for their dopamine transporter (DAT). This latter group exhibited risk-averse responses reminiscent of lower venturesomeness. Our results suggest that the Himalayan Bridge may be useful to investigate risk perception and seeking; thus, it should be included in the behavioral phenotyping of rat models of psychiatric disorders and cognitive dysfunctions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Festucci
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Clelia Buccheri
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Parvopassu
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Giovanni Laviola
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Curcio
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Walter Adriani
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Bosse GD, Cadeddu R, Floris G, Farero RD, Vigato E, Lee SJ, Zhang T, Gaikwad NW, Keefe KA, Phillips PE, Bortolato M, Peterson RT. The 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride reduces opioid self-administration in animal models of opioid use disorder. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:143990. [PMID: 33848264 DOI: 10.1172/jci143990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid use disorder (OUD) has become a leading cause of death in the United States, yet current therapeutic strategies remain highly inadequate. To identify potential treatments for OUD, we screened a targeted selection of over 100 drugs using a recently developed opioid self-administration assay in zebrafish. This paradigm showed that finasteride, a steroidogenesis inhibitor approved for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenetic alopecia, reduced self-administration of multiple opioids without affecting locomotion or feeding behavior. These findings were confirmed in rats; furthermore, finasteride reduced the physical signs associated with opioid withdrawal. In rat models of neuropathic pain, finasteride did not alter the antinociceptive effect of opioids and reduced withdrawal-induced hyperalgesia. Steroidomic analyses of the brains of fish treated with finasteride revealed a significant increase in dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). Treatment with precursors of DHEAS reduced opioid self-administration in zebrafish in a fashion akin to the effects of finasteride. These results highlight the importance of steroidogenic pathways as a rich source of therapeutic targets for OUD and point to the potential of finasteride as a new treatment option for this disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel D Bosse
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Roberto Cadeddu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Gabriele Floris
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Ryan D Farero
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Eva Vigato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Suhjung J Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Tejia Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | | | - Kristen A Keefe
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Paul Em Phillips
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Randall T Peterson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Kolla NJ, Bortolato M. The role of monoamine oxidase A in the neurobiology of aggressive, antisocial, and violent behavior: A tale of mice and men. Prog Neurobiol 2020; 194:101875. [PMID: 32574581 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, research has revealed that genetic factors shape the propensity for aggressive, antisocial, and violent behavior. The best-documented gene implicated in aggression is MAOA (Monoamine oxidase A), which encodes the key enzyme for the degradation of serotonin and catecholamines. Congenital MAOA deficiency, as well as low-activity MAOA variants, has been associated with a higher risk for antisocial behavior (ASB) and violence, particularly in males with a history of child maltreatment. Indeed, the interplay between low MAOA genetic variants and early-life adversity is the best-documented gene × environment (G × E) interaction in the pathophysiology of aggression and ASB. Additional evidence indicates that low MAOA activity in the brain is strongly associated with a higher propensity for aggression; furthermore, MAOA inhibition may be one of the primary mechanisms whereby prenatal smoke exposure increases the risk of ASB. Complementary to these lines of evidence, mouse models of Maoa deficiency and G × E interactions exhibit striking similarities with clinical phenotypes, proving to be valuable tools to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying antisocial and aggressive behavior. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the knowledge on the involvement of MAOA in aggression, as defined by preclinical and clinical evidence. In particular, we show how the convergence of human and animal research is proving helpful to our understanding of how MAOA influences antisocial and violent behavior and how it may assist in the development of preventative and therapeutic strategies for aggressive manifestations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan J Kolla
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Research Imaging Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Violence Prevention Neurobiological Research Unit, CAMH, Toronto, ON, Canada; Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, Penetanguishene, ON, Canada; Translational Initiative on Antisocial Personality Disorder (TrIAD); Program of Research on Violence Etiology, Neurobiology, and Treatment (PReVENT).
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Translational Initiative on Antisocial Personality Disorder (TrIAD); Program of Research on Violence Etiology, Neurobiology, and Treatment (PReVENT).
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Orrù M, Strathman HJ, Floris G, Scheggi S, Levant B, Bortolato M. The adverse effects of pramipexole on probability discounting are not reversed by acute D 2 or D 3 receptor antagonism. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 32:104-119. [PMID: 31983530 PMCID: PMC9325630 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Pramipexole (PPX) is a D2 and D3 dopamine receptor agonist approved for clinical use, which is associated with a higher risk of impulse-control disorders. Using a rat model, we recently found that low doses of the monoamine-depleting agent reserpine (RES; 1 mg/kg/day, SC) dramatically increased the untoward effects of PPX (0.3 mg/kg/day, SC) on probability discounting, a key impulsivity function. To further understand the neurobehavioral mechanisms underlying these effects, we first tested whether the combination of PPX and RES may lead to a generalized enhancement in risk taking, as tested in the suspended wire-beam paradigm. The association of RES and PPX did not augment the proclivity of rats to cross the bridge in order to obtain a reward, suggesting that the effects of RES and PPX on probability discounting do not reflect a generalized increase in impulsivity. We then studied what receptors mediate the effects of PPX in RES-treated rats. The combination of RES and PPX increased membrane expression and binding of D3, but not D2 dopamine receptors, in the nucleus accumbens. However, the behavioral effects of PPX and RES were not reduced by acute treatments with the D2/D3 receptor antagonist raclopride (0.01-0.05 mg/kg, SC), the highly selective D2 receptor antagonist L-741,626 (0.1-1 mg/kg, SC) or the D3 receptor antagonists GR 103691 (0.1-0.3 mg/kg, SC) and SB 277011A (1-10 mg/kg, SC). These findings collectively suggest that the effects of PPX in probability discounting do not reflect generalized enhancements in impulsivity or acute dopamine D2 or D3 receptor activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Orrù
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Skaggs Hall, Room 3916, 30 S 2000 E, Salt Lake City, UT, Unites States
| | - Hunter J Strathman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Skaggs Hall, Room 3916, 30 S 2000 E, Salt Lake City, UT, Unites States
| | - Gabriele Floris
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Skaggs Hall, Room 3916, 30 S 2000 E, Salt Lake City, UT, Unites States
| | - Simona Scheggi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Skaggs Hall, Room 3916, 30 S 2000 E, Salt Lake City, UT, Unites States; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Beth Levant
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, Unites States
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Skaggs Hall, Room 3916, 30 S 2000 E, Salt Lake City, UT, Unites States.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Fite PJ, Brown S, Hossain WA, Manzardo A, Butler MG, Bortolato M. Sex-Dimorphic Interactions of MAOA Genotype and Child Maltreatment Predispose College Students to Polysubstance Use. Front Genet 2020; 10:1314. [PMID: 32010186 PMCID: PMC6978277 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Polysubstance use (PSU) is highly prevalent among college students. Recent evidence indicates that PSU is based on gene x environment (G×E) interactions, yet the specific biosocial factors underlying this problem remain elusive. We recently reported that lifetime use of tobacco and cannabis in college students is influenced by the interaction of the X-linked MAOA (monoamine oxidase A) gene and child maltreatment. Building on these premises, here we evaluated whether the same G×E interaction may also predict PSU in this population. Students of a large Midwestern university (n = 470; 50.9% females) took part in a computer survey for substance use, as well as childhood trauma exposure, using the Child Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). DNA was extracted from their saliva samples and genotyped for MAOA variable-number of tandem repeat (VNTR) variants. Findings indicated that the highest number of substances were used by male students harboring low-activity MAOA alleles with a history of childhood emotional abuse. In contrast, female homozygous high-activity MAOA carriers with a history of emotional and physical abuse reported consumption of the greatest number of substances. Our results indicate that PSU among college students is influenced by the interaction of MAOA and child maltreatment in a sex-specific fashion. Further studies are warranted to understand the mechanisms of sex differences in the biosocial interplays underlying PSU in this at-risk group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula J. Fite
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Shaquanna Brown
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Waheeda A. Hossain
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Ann Manzardo
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Merlin G. Butler
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Jeon N, Bortolato M. What drugs modify the risk of iatrogenic impulse-control disorders in Parkinson's disease? A preliminary pharmacoepidemiologic study. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227128. [PMID: 31910240 PMCID: PMC6946157 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Parkinson's disease (PD) patients treated with pramipexole (PPX) and ropinirole (ROP) exhibit a higher risk of developing impulse control disorders (ICDs), including gambling disorder, compulsive shopping, and hypersexuality. The management of ICDs in PD is challenging, due to the limited availability of effective therapeutic alternatives or counteractive strategies. Here, we used a pharmacoepidemiological approach to verify whether the risk for PPX/ROP-associated ICDs in PD patients was reduced by drugs that have been posited to exert therapeutic effects on idiopathic ICDs-including atypical antipsychotics (AAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and glutamatergic modulators (GMs). METHODS To quantify the strength of the associations between PPX/ROP and other medications with respect to ICD risk, odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for age, gender, marital status race, psychiatric comorbidities, and use of cabergoline and levodopa. RESULTS A total of 935 patients were included in the analysis. Use of GMs, SSRIs, and AAs was not associated with a decreased ICD risk in PD patients treated with PPX/ROP; conversely, ICD risk was significantly increased in patients treated with either GMs (Adjusted Odds Ratio, ORa: 14.00 [3.58-54.44]) or SSRIs (ORa: 3.67 [1.07-12.59]). Results were inconclusive for AAs, as available data were insufficient to compute a reliable ORa. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that some of the key pharmacological strategies used to treat idiopathic ICD may not be effective for ICDs associated with PPX and ROP in PD patients. Future studies with larger cohorts are needed to confirm, validate, and extend these findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nakyung Jeon
- College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwang-ju, Republic of Korea
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Cadeddu R, Bäckström T, Floris G, Nordkild P, Segerdahl M, Bortolato M. Isoallopregnanolone reduces tic-like behaviours in the D1CT-7 mouse model of Tourette syndrome. J Neuroendocrinol 2020; 32:e12754. [PMID: 31175669 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterised by multiple, persistent tics. These semi-voluntary motor and phonic manifestations are typically aggravated by exposure to acute stress, yet the mechanisms underlying this exacerbation remain unclear. Using a well-characterised animal model of TS, the D1CT-7 mouse, we recently showed that acute stress increases tic-like responses and causes sensorimotor gating deficits, as measured by the prepulse inhibition of the startle. We showed that these effects are promoted by the brain synthesis of the neurosteroid allopregnanolone (AP). In line with this idea, inhibition of AP synthesis by finasteride was found to suppress the tic-exacerbating effects of stress; conversely, AP administration resulted in a marked enhancement of the number of tic-like motor bursts. Given that the primary mechanism of AP is based on the positive allosteric modulation of GABAA receptors, in the present study, we hypothesised that the enhancement in tic-like behaviours induced by either stress or AP may be countered by isoallopregnanolone (isoAP), the natural 3β-epimer of AP that acts as an antagonist to the AP-binding site within GABAA receptors. In agreement with our hypothesis, isoAP (5-10 mg kg-1 , s.c.) dose-dependently reduced the number of tic-like behaviours induced by stress in D1CT-7 mice. These effects were comparable to those elicited by both the benchmark TS therapy haloperidol (0.3 mg kg-1 , i.p.), as well as finasteride (25 mg kg-1 , i.p.). IsoAP also countered the prepulse inhibition deficits secondary to stress in D1CT-7 mice. Finally, isoAP opposed the enhancement of tic-like behaviours induced by AP (15 mg kg-1 , i.p.). Given that isoAP is well-tolerated and has an optimal safety profile, these data suggest that this steroid may have therapeutic properties in TS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Cadeddu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Torbjörn Bäckström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Asarina Pharma, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gabriele Floris
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | | | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Frau R, Traccis F, Bortolato M. Neurobehavioural complications of sleep deprivation: Shedding light on the emerging role of neuroactive steroids. J Neuroendocrinol 2020; 32:e12792. [PMID: 31505075 PMCID: PMC6982588 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Sleep deprivation (SD) is associated with a broad spectrum of cognitive and behavioural complications, including emotional lability and enhanced stress reactivity, as well as deficits in executive functions, decision making and impulse control. These impairments, which have profound negative consequences on the health and productivity of many individuals, reflect alterations of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and its connectivity with subcortical regions. However, the molecular underpinnings of these alterations remain elusive. Our group and others have begun examining how the neurobehavioural outcomes of SD may be influenced by neuroactive steroids, a family of molecules deeply implicated in sleep regulation and the stress response. These studies have revealed that, similar to other stressors, acute SD leads to increased synthesis of the neurosteroid allopregnanolone in the PFC. Whereas this up-regulation is likely aimed at counterbalancing the detrimental impact of oxidative stress induced by SD, the increase in prefrontal allopregnanolone levels contributes to deficits in sensorimotor gating and impulse control, signalling a functional impairment of PFC. This scenario suggests that the synthesis of neuroactive steroids during acute SD may be enacted as a neuroprotective response in the PFC; however, such compensation may in turn set off neurobehavioural complications by interfering with the corticolimbic connections responsible for executive functions and emotional regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Frau
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Monserrato (CA), Italy
- National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), University of Cagliari, Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Francesco Traccis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (UT), USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Godar SC, Cadeddu R, Floris G, Mosher LJ, Mi Z, Jarmolowicz DP, Scheggi S, Walf AA, Koonce CJ, Frye CA, Muma NA, Bortolato M. The Steroidogenesis Inhibitor Finasteride Reduces the Response to Both Stressful and Rewarding Stimuli. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9110749. [PMID: 31752360 PMCID: PMC6920809 DOI: 10.3390/biom9110749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Finasteride (FIN) is the prototypical inhibitor of steroid 5α-reductase (5αR), the enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step of the conversion of progesterone and testosterone into their main neuroactive metabolites. FIN is clinically approved for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and male baldness; while often well-tolerated, FIN has also been shown to cause or exacerbate psychological problems in vulnerable subjects. Evidence on the psychological effects of FIN, however, remains controversial, in view of inconsistent clinical reports. Here, we tested the effects of FIN in a battery of tests aimed at capturing complementary aspects of mood regulation and stress reactivity in rats. FIN reduced exploratory, incentive, prosocial, and risk-taking behavior; furthermore, it decreased stress coping, as revealed by increased immobility in the forced-swim test (FST). This last effect was also observed in female and orchiectomized male rats, suggesting that the mechanism of action of FIN does not primarily reflect changes in gonadal steroids. The effects of FIN on FST responses were associated with a dramatic decrease in corticotropin release hormone (CRH) mRNA and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels. These results suggest that FIN impairs stress reactivity and reduces behavioral activation and impulsive behavior by altering the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean C. Godar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake, UT 84112, USA; (S.C.G.); (R.C.); (G.F.); (L.J.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Roberto Cadeddu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake, UT 84112, USA; (S.C.G.); (R.C.); (G.F.); (L.J.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Gabriele Floris
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake, UT 84112, USA; (S.C.G.); (R.C.); (G.F.); (L.J.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Laura J. Mosher
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake, UT 84112, USA; (S.C.G.); (R.C.); (G.F.); (L.J.M.); (S.S.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy; Lawrence, KS 66045, USA; (Z.M.); (N.A.M.)
| | - Zhen Mi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy; Lawrence, KS 66045, USA; (Z.M.); (N.A.M.)
| | - David P. Jarmolowicz
- Department of Applied Behavioral Science; University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA;
- Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment; University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Simona Scheggi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake, UT 84112, USA; (S.C.G.); (R.C.); (G.F.); (L.J.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Alicia A. Walf
- Department of Cognitive Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA;
- Department of Psychology; The University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA; (C.J.K.); (C.A.F.)
| | - Carolyn J. Koonce
- Department of Psychology; The University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA; (C.J.K.); (C.A.F.)
| | - Cheryl A. Frye
- Department of Psychology; The University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA; (C.J.K.); (C.A.F.)
- Department of Biological Sciences; The University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, The University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- Comprehensive Neuropsychological Services, Albany, NY 12203, USA
| | - Nancy A. Muma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy; Lawrence, KS 66045, USA; (Z.M.); (N.A.M.)
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake, UT 84112, USA; (S.C.G.); (R.C.); (G.F.); (L.J.M.); (S.S.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Mosher LJ, Cadeddu R, Yen S, Staudinger JL, Traccis F, Fowler SC, Maguire JL, Bortolato M. Allopregnanolone is required for prepulse inhibition deficits induced by D 1 dopamine receptor activation. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 108:53-61. [PMID: 31228750 PMCID: PMC6773911 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Revised: 06/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The extraction of salient information from the environment is modulated by the activation of dopamine receptors. Using rodent models, we previously reported that gating deficits caused by dopamine receptor activation - as measured by the prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle - are effectively opposed by inhibitors of the steroidogenic enzyme 5α-reductase (5αR). The specific 5αR isoenzyme and steroids implicated in these effects, however, remain unknown. METHODS The effects of the selective D1 dopamine receptor agonist SKF-82958 (SKF, 0.3 mg/kg, IP) and D2 receptor agonist quinpirole (QUIN, 0.5 mg/kg, IP) were tested in the startle reflex and PPI of knockout (KO) mice for either 5αR type 1 (5αR1) or type 2 (5αR2). Furthermore, we established whether these effects may be modified by the 5α-reduced steroids dihydroprogesterone (DHP), allopregnanolone (AP), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol (3α-diol), or androsterone. To test the mechanisms whereby 5αR products may alter the PPI-disrupting properties of D1 agonists, we studied the involvement of GABA-A and PXR, two receptors targeted by neuroactive steroids. Specifically, we tested the effects of SKF in combination with the GABA-A antagonist bicuculline, as well as in KO mice for the GABA-A δ subunit and PXR. RESULTS 5αR1, but not 5αR2, knockout (KO) mice were insensitive to the PPI-disrupting effects of SKF. This sensitivity was reinstated by AP (3 mg/kg, IP), but not other 5α-reduced steroids. The PPI deficits induced by SKF were not modified by bicuculline, δ-subunit KO mice and PXR KO mice. CONCLUSIONS These results collectively suggest that 5αR1 enables the negative effects of D1 dopamine receptor activation on information processing via production of AP. The contribution of AP to the PPI-disrupting mechanisms of D1 receptor agonists, however, do not appear to be mediated by either GABA-A or PXR receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Mosher
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (UT),Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence (KS)
| | - Roberto Cadeddu
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (UT)
| | - Sabrina Yen
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston (MA)
| | - Jeffrey L Staudinger
- Department of Basic Science, Kansas City University, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Joplin (MO)
| | - Francesco Traccis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Stephen C Fowler
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence (KS)
| | - Jamie L Maguire
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston (MA)
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City UT United States.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Godar SC, Mosher LJ, Scheggi S, Devoto P, Moench KM, Strathman HJ, Jones CM, Frau R, Melis M, Gambarana C, Wilkinson B, DeMontis MG, Fowler SC, Coba MP, Wellman CL, Shih JC, Bortolato M. Gene-environment interactions in antisocial behavior are mediated by early-life 5-HT 2A receptor activation. Neuropharmacology 2019; 159:107513. [PMID: 30716416 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The ontogeny of antisocial behavior (ASB) is rooted in complex gene-environment (G×E) interactions. The best-characterized of these interplays occurs between: a) low-activity alleles of the gene encoding monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), the main serotonin-degrading enzyme; and b) child maltreatment. The purpose of this study was to develop the first animal model of this G×E interaction, to help understand the neurobiological mechanisms of ASB and identify novel targets for its therapy. Maoa hypomorphic transgenic mice were exposed to an early-life stress regimen consisting of maternal separation and daily intraperitoneal saline injections and were then compared with their wild-type and non-stressed controls for ASB-related neurobehavioral phenotypes. Maoa hypomorphic mice subjected to stress from postnatal day (PND) 1 through 7 - but not during the second postnatal week - developed overt aggression, social deficits and abnormal stress responses from the fourth week onwards. On PND 8, these mice exhibited low resting heart rate - a well-established premorbid sign of ASB - and a significant and selective up-regulation of serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in the prefrontal cortex. Notably, both aggression and neonatal bradycardia were rescued by the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist ketanserin (1-3 mg kg-1, IP), as well as the selective 5-HT2A receptor blocker MDL-100,907 (volinanserin, 0.1-0.3 mg kg-1, IP) throughout the first postnatal week. These findings provide the first evidence of a molecular basis of G×E interactions in ASB and point to early-life 5-HT2A receptor activation as a key mechanism for the ontogeny of this condition. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'The neuropharmacology of social behavior: from bench to bedside'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean C Godar
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Laura J Mosher
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Simona Scheggi
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Dept. of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Paola Devoto
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, UNICA, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Kelly M Moench
- Dept. of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Program in Neural Science and Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Hunter J Strathman
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Cori M Jones
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Roberto Frau
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, UNICA, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Miriam Melis
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, UNICA, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Carla Gambarana
- Dept. of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Brent Wilkinson
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute and Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Stephen C Fowler
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Marcelo P Coba
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute and Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Cara L Wellman
- Dept. of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Program in Neural Science and Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Jean C Shih
- Depts. of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Integrated Anatomic Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Jackson DA, Michael T, Vieira de Abreu A, Agrawal R, Bortolato M, Fisher SJ. Prevention of Severe Hypoglycemia-Induced Brain Damage and Cognitive Impairment With Verapamil. Diabetes 2018; 67:2107-2112. [PMID: 29724724 PMCID: PMC6152340 DOI: 10.2337/db18-0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
People with insulin-treated diabetes are uniquely at risk for severe hypoglycemia-induced brain damage. Because calcium influx may mediate brain damage, we tested the hypothesis that the calcium-channel blocker, verapamil, would significantly reduce brain damage and cognitive impairment caused by severe hypoglycemia. Sprague-Dawley rats (10 weeks old) were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: 1) control hyperinsulinemic (200 mU ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1)-euglycemic (80-100 mg/dL) clamps (n = 14), 2) hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemic (10-15 mg/dL) clamps (n = 16), or 3) hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemic clamps, followed by a single treatment with verapamil (20 mg/kg) (n = 11). Compared with euglycemic controls, hypoglycemia markedly increased dead/dying neurons in the hippocampus by 16-fold and cortex by 14-fold. Verapamil treatment strikingly decreased hypoglycemia-induced hippocampal and cortical damage, by 87% and 94%, respectively. Morris Water Maze probe trial results demonstrated that hypoglycemia induced a retention, but not encoding, memory deficit (noted by both abolished target quadrant preference and reduced target quadrant time). Verapamil treatment significantly rescued spatial memory as noted by restoration of target quadrant preference and target quadrant time. In summary, a one-time treatment with verapamil after severe hypoglycemia prevented neural damage and memory impairment caused by severe hypoglycemia. For people with insulin-treated diabetes, verapamil may be a useful drug to prevent hypoglycemia-induced brain damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David A Jackson
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Trevin Michael
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Adriana Vieira de Abreu
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Rahul Agrawal
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Simon J Fisher
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Fanni S, Scheggi S, Rossi F, Tronci E, Traccis F, Stancampiano R, De Montis MG, Devoto P, Gambarana C, Bortolato M, Frau R, Carta M. 5alpha-reductase inhibitors dampen L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia via normalization of dopamine D1-receptor signaling pathway and D1-D3 receptor interaction. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 121:120-130. [PMID: 30261284 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although 1-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) is the mainstay therapy for treating Parkinson's disease (PD), its long-term administration is accompanied by the development of motor complications, particularly L-DOPA induced dyskinesia (LID), that dramatically affects patients' quality of life. LID has consistently been related to an excessive dopamine receptor transmission, particularly at the down-stream signaling of the striatal D1 receptors (D1R), resulting in an exaggerated stimulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. We previously reported that pharmacological blockade of 5alpha-reductase (5AR), the rate-limiting enzyme in neurosteroids synthesis, attenuates the severity of a broad set of behavioral alterations induced by D1R and D3R activation, without inducing extrapyramidal symptoms. In line with this evidence, in a recent study, we found that inhibition of 5AR by finasteride (FIN) produced a significant reduction of dyskinesia induced by L-DOPA and direct dopaminergic agonists in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. In the attempt to further investigate the effect of 5AR inhibitors on dyskinesia and shed light on the mechanism of action, in the present study we compared the effect of FIN and dutasteride (DUTA), a potent dual 5AR inhibitor, on the development of LID, on the therapeutic efficacy of L-DOPA, on the molecular alterations downstream to the D1R, as well as on D1R-D3R interaction. The results indicated that both FIN and DUTA administration significantly reduced development and expression of LID; however, DUTA appeared more effective than FIN at a lower dose and produced its antidyskinetic effect without impacting the ability of L-DOPA to increase motor activation, or ameliorate forelimb use in parkinsonian rats. Moreover, this study demonstrates for the first time that 5AR inhibitors are able to prevent key events in the appearance of dyskinesia, such as L-DOPA-induced upregulation of striatal D1R-related cAMP/PKA/ERK signaling pathways and D1R-D3R coimmunoprecipitation, an index of heteromer formation. These findings are relevant as they confirm the 5AR enzyme as a potential therapeutic target for treatment of dyskinesia in PD, suggesting the first ever evidence that neurosteroidogenesis may affect functional interaction between dopamine D1R and D3R.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Fanni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria SP 8, Monserrato 09042, Italy
| | - Simona Scheggi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Rossi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria SP 8, Monserrato 09042, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Tronci
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria SP 8, Monserrato 09042, Italy
| | - Francesco Traccis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria SP 8, Monserrato 09042, Italy
| | - Roberto Stancampiano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria SP 8, Monserrato 09042, Italy
| | - Maria Graziella De Montis
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Paola Devoto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria SP 8, Monserrato 09042, Italy
| | - Carla Gambarana
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, 30 S 2000 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Roberto Frau
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria SP 8, Monserrato 09042, Italy; Tourette Syndrome Center, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria SP 8, Monserrato 09042, Italy; Sleep Medicine Center, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria SP 8, Monserrato 09042, Italy; National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), University of Cagliari, Monserrato, CA, Italy.
| | - Manolo Carta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria SP 8, Monserrato 09042, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Hartin SN, Hossain WA, Manzardo AM, Brown S, Fite PJ, Bortolato M, Butler MG. A descriptive study on selected growth parameters and growth hormone receptor gene in healthy young adults from the American Midwest. Growth Horm IGF Res 2018; 41:48-53. [PMID: 29459141 PMCID: PMC6064664 DOI: 10.1016/j.ghir.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The first study of growth hormone receptor (GHR) genotypes in healthy young adults in the United States attending a Midwestern university and impact on selected growth parameters. OBJECTIVE To describe the frequency of GHR genotypes in a sample of healthy young adults from the United States attending a university in the Midwest and analyze the relationship between GHR genotypes and selected growth parameters. DESIGN Saliva was collected from 459 healthy young adults (237 females, 222 males; age range = 18-25 y) and DNA isolated for genotyping of GHR alleles (fl/fl, fl/d3, or d3/d3). Selected growth parameters were collected and GHR genotype data examined for previously reported associations (e.g., height, weight or bone mass density) or novel findings (e.g., % body water and index finger length). RESULTS We found 219 participants (48%) homozygous for fl/fl, 203 (44%), heterozygous fl/d3 and 37 (8%) homozygous d3/d3. The distribution of GHR genotypes in our participants was consistent with previous reports of non-US populations. Several anthropometric measures differed by sex. The distribution of GHR genotypes did not significantly differ by sex, weight, or other anthropometric measures. However, the fl/d3 genotype was more common among African-Americans. CONCLUSIONS Our study of growth and anthropometric parameters in relationship to GHR genotypes found no association with height, weight, right index finger length, BMI, bone mass density, % body fat or % body water in healthy young adults. We did identify sex differences with increased body fat, decreased bone density, body water and index finger length in females.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha N Hartin
- Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics and Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Waheeda A Hossain
- Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics and Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Ann M Manzardo
- Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics and Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Shaquanna Brown
- Clinical Child Psychology Program and Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Paula J Fite
- Clinical Child Psychology Program and Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Merlin G Butler
- Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics and Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Fite PJ, Brown S, Hossain W, Manzardo A, Butler MG, Bortolato M. Tobacco and cannabis use in college students are predicted by sex-dimorphic interactions between MAOA genotype and child abuse. CNS Neurosci Ther 2018; 25:101-111. [PMID: 29952131 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postsecondary students in Western countries exhibit a high prevalence of cannabis and tobacco use disorders. The etiology of these problems is contributed by several psychosocial factors, including childhood adversity and trauma; however, the mechanisms whereby these environmental determinants predispose to the use of these substances remain elusive, due to our poor knowledge of genetic and biological moderators. Converging evidence points to the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene as a moderator of the effects of lifetime stress on the initiation of substance use. AIMS Building on these premises, in this study, we analyzed whether MAOA upstream variable number tandem repeat (uVNTR) alleles interact with child maltreatment history to predict for lifetime cannabis and tobacco consumption. MATERIALS AND METHODS Five hundred college students (age: 18-25 years) from a large Midwestern University were surveyed for their child maltreatment history (encompassing emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, as well as emotional and physical neglect) and lifetime consumption of cannabis and tobacco. Saliva samples were obtained to determine the MAOA uVNTR genotype of each participant. RESULTS In female students, lifetime tobacco and cannabis use was predicted by the interaction of physical and emotional abuse with high-activity MAOA allelic variants; conversely, in males, the interaction of low-activity MAOA alleles and physical abuse was associated with lifetime use of tobacco, but not cannabis. DISCUSSION These findings collectively suggest that the vulnerability to smoke tobacco and cannabis is predicted by sex-dimorphic interactions of MAOA gene with childhood abuse. CONCLUSION These biosocial underpinnings of tobacco and cannabis use may prove important in the development of novel personalized preventive strategies for substance use disorders in adolescents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula J Fite
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.,Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Shaquanna Brown
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.,Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Waheeda Hossain
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.,Departments of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Ann Manzardo
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.,Departments of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Merlin G Butler
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.,Departments of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Jarmolowicz DP, Hudnall JL, Hale L, Fowler SC, Bortolato M, Lemley SM, Sofis MJ. Delay discounting as impaired valuation: Delayed rewards in an animal obesity model. J Exp Anal Behav 2018; 108:171-183. [PMID: 28940395 DOI: 10.1002/jeab.275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is a major public health problem, which, like many forms of addiction, is associated with an elevated tendency to choose smaller immediate rather than larger delayed rewards, a response pattern often referred to as excessive delay discounting. Although some accounts of delay discounting conceptualize this process as impulsivity (placing the emphasis on overvaluing the smaller immediate reward), others have conceptualized delay discounting as an executive function (placing the emphasis on delayed rewards failing to retain their value). The present experiments used a popular animal model of obesity that has been shown to discount delayed rewards at elevated rates (i.e., obese Zucker rats) to test two predictions that conceptualize delay discounting as executive function. In the first experiment, acquisition of lever pressing with delayed rewards was compared in obese versus lean Zucker rats. Contrary to predictions based on delay discounting as executive function, obese Zucker rats learned to press the lever more quickly than controls. In the second experiment, progressive ratio breakpoints (a measure of reward efficacy) with delayed rewards were compared in obese versus lean Zucker rats. Contrary to the notion that obese rats fail to value delayed rewards, the obese Zucker rats' breakpoints were (at least) as high as those of the lean Zucker rats.
Collapse
|
38
|
Frau R, Bortolato M. Repurposing steroidogenesis inhibitors for the therapy of neuropsychiatric disorders: Promises and caveats. Neuropharmacology 2018; 147:55-65. [PMID: 29907425 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Steroids exert a profound influence on behavioral reactivity, by modulating the functions of most neurotransmitters and shaping the impact of stress and sex-related variables on neural processes. This background - as well as the observation that most neuroactive steroids (including sex hormones, glucocorticoids and neurosteroids) are synthetized and metabolized by overlapping enzymatic machineries - points to steroidogenic pathways as a powerful source of targets for neuropsychiatric disorders. Inhibitors of steroidogenic enzymes have been developed and approved for a broad range of genitourinary and endocrine dysfunctions, opening to new opportunities to repurpose these drugs for the treatment of mental problems. In line with this idea, preliminary clinical and preclinical results from our group have shown that inhibitors of key steroidogenic enzymes, such as 5α-reductase and 17,20 desmolase-lyase, may have therapeutic efficacy in specific behavioral disorders associated with dopaminergic hyperfunction. While the lack of specificity of these effects raises potential concerns about endocrine adverse events, these initial findings suggest that steroidogenesis modulators with greater brain specificity may hold significant potential for the development of alternative therapies for psychiatric problems. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Drug Repurposing: old molecules, new ways to fast track drug discovery and development for CNS disorders'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Frau
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Monserrato CA, Italy; Tourette Syndrome Center, University of Cagliari, Monserrato CA, Italy; Sleep Medicine Center, University of Cagliari, Monserrato CA, Italy; National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), University of Cagliari, Monserrato CA, Italy.
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Bortolato M, Floris G, Shih JC. From aggression to autism: new perspectives on the behavioral sequelae of monoamine oxidase deficiency. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2018; 125:1589-1599. [PMID: 29748850 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-018-1888-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The two monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzymes, A and B, catalyze the metabolism of monoamine neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. The phenotypic outcomes of MAO congenital deficiency have been studied in humans and animal models, to explore the role of these enzymes in behavioral regulation. The clinical condition caused by MAOA deficiency, Brunner syndrome, was first described as a disorder characterized by overt antisocial and aggressive conduct. Building on this discovery, subsequent studies were focused on the characterization of the role of MAOA in the neurobiology of antisocial conduct. MAO A knockout mice were found to display high levels of intermale aggression; however, further analyses of these mutants unveiled additional behavioral abnormalities mimicking the core symptoms of autism-spectrum disorder. These findings were strikingly confirmed in newly reported cases of Brunner syndrome. The role of MAOB in behavioral regulation remains less well-understood, even though Maob-deficient mice have been found to exhibit greater behavioral disinhibition and risk-taking responses, supporting previous clinical studies showing associations between low MAO B activity and impulsivity. Furthermore, lack of MAOB was found to exacerbate the severity of psychopathological deficits induced by concurrent MAOA deficiency. Here, we summarize how the convergence of clinical reports and behavioral phenotyping in mutant mice has helped frame a complex picture of psychopathological features in MAO-deficient individuals, which encompass a broad spectrum of neurodevelopmental problems. This emerging knowledge poses novel conceptual challenges towards the identification of the endophenotypes shared by autism-spectrum disorder, antisocial behavior and impulse-control problems, as well as their monoaminergic underpinnings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, L.S. Skaggs Hall, 30 S 2000 E, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
| | - Gabriele Floris
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, L.S. Skaggs Hall, 30 S 2000 E, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Jean C Shih
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Cell and Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Mosher LJ, Godar SC, Morissette M, McFarlin KM, Scheggi S, Gambarana C, Fowler SC, Di Paolo T, Bortolato M. Steroid 5α-reductase 2 deficiency leads to reduced dominance-related and impulse-control behaviors. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 91:95-104. [PMID: 29544191 PMCID: PMC5901899 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The enzyme steroid 5α-reductase 2 (5αR2) catalyzes the conversion of testosterone into the potent androgen 5α-dihydrotestosterone. Previous investigations showed that 5αR2 is expressed in key brain areas for emotional and socio-affective reactivity, yet the role of this enzyme in behavioral regulation remains mostly unknown. Here, we profiled the behavioral characteristics of 5αR2 heterozygous (HZ) and knockout (KO) mice, as compared with their wild-type (WT) littermates. While male 5αR2 KO mice displayed no overt alterations in motoric, sensory, information-processing and anxiety-related behaviors, they exhibited deficits in neurobehavioral correlates of dominance (including aggression against intruders, mating, and tube dominance) as well as novelty-seeking and risk-taking responses. Furthermore, male 5αR2 KO mice exhibited reduced D2-like dopamine receptor binding in the shell of the nucleus accumbens - a well-recognized molecular signature of social dominance. Collectively, these results suggest that 5αR2 is involved in the establishment of social dominance and its behavioral manifestations. Further studies are warranted to understand how the metabolic actions of 5αR2 on steroid profile may be implicated in social ranking, impulse control, and the modulation of dopamine receptor expression in the nucleus accumbens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Mosher
- Dept of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States; Dept of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Sean C Godar
- Dept of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Marc Morissette
- Neuroscience Research Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, CHUL, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kenneth M McFarlin
- Dept of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States.
| | - Simona Scheggi
- Dept of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Carla Gambarana
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Stephen C Fowler
- Dept of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Thérèse Di Paolo
- Neuroscience Research Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, CHUL, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada; Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Dept of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Abstract
Background The lack of adequate benefit with current 5HT2 / D2 antipsychotics in large proportions of schizophrenic patients suggests it is essential to modulate other mechanisms for improving symptoms of schizophrenia (SCZ). Increasing evidence implicates NMDAr hypofunction, and hippocampal hyperactivity, in the dysregulation not only of mesolimbic DA neurons but also of Glu neurons, leading to increasing synaptic activity of Glu in the PFC. Injection of NMDAr antagonists (PCP, ketamine) at doses that produce psychotomimetic effects lead to a downstream increase of Glu neurotransmission at non-NMDAr. The excessive firing and the hyper-glutamatergic tone represent alternative targets of treatment for SCZ ultimately affecting positive, negative, cognitive symptoms. The addition of Glu release inhibitors may augment the benefits of the antipsychotics in patients showing inadequate response. Evenamide uniquely does not interact with monoaminergic (DA, 5-HT, NA, H) pathways affected by current antipsychotics, or with more than 130 different targets that are involved in CNS activity, except sodium channels. Preclinical data suggests that by the modulation of the firing abnormalities, evenamide normalizes the aberrant spread of Glu excitatory transmission that occurs in the brains of patients with SCZ. Evenamide showed efficacy in animal models relevant to SCZ (sensory motor gating, mania, psychosis, depression, impulse control, cognition, social interaction), in monotherapy and as an add on to first or second generation antipsychotics irrespective of whether impairment was either spontaneous, induced by amphetamine or NMDAr antagonists or stress. Evenamide, has also shown significant benefit in a p.c phase 2 trial as an add-on to risperidone and aripiprazole in patients worsening on dopaminergic/serotoninergic antagonist medication, suggesting it acts through other mechanisms. New animal data further confirm evenamide’s activity in reducing SCZ symptoms provoked by Glu alteration. Methods Effects of evenamide (EVE 1.25, 5, 15 mg/kg PO) to restore the impaired information processing (a deficit observed in SCZ), were evaluated in the rat model of the Pre-Pulse Inhibition (PPI) deficit induced by injection of the NMDAr antagonist ketamine (KET 6 mg/kg, SC). Clozapine (CLO 7.5 mg/kg, IP) was used as a positive control. Results PPI analysis showed significant main effects for KET to lower PPI levels [F(1,264)=139.67, P<0.0001], for EVE [F(3,264)=3.14, P<0.05] and CLO to enhance PPI levels [F(1,98)=30.89, P<0.001]. Notably, significant EVE x KET [F(3,264)=2.79, P<0.05] and CLO x KET interactions [F(1,98)=5.45, P<0.05] were found. Post-hoc analyses (Tukey’s) revealed that KET significantly lowered PPI (P<0.0001) for each group; both EVE (5 mg/kg) and CLO significantly increased PPI in KET-treated rats (P=0.02; p<0.001). Discussion Evenamide as monotherapy has similar effect to clozapine in reversing ketamine- induced worsening of PPI. Together with previously demonstrated effects to reverse PCP-induced PPI and social interaction deficits, this further supports its potential to affect both positive and negative symptoms of SCZ by targeting altered Glu transmission. Efficacy of evenamide as an add-on to antipsychotics would revolutionize development of novel antipsychotics that would target aberrant firing and Glu transmission in SCZ. Two clinical trials have been planned to support the hypothesis that the addition of evenamide should add a non-dopaminergic mechanism for augmenting antipsychotic efficacy in patients who are not responding adequately to current antipsychotic, and in patients with treatment resistant SCZ who are not responding/worsening on clozapine.
Collapse
|
42
|
Santangelo A, Bortolato M, Mosher LJ, Crescimanno G, Di Giovanni G, Cassioli E, Ricca V, Casarrubea M. Behavioral fragmentation in the D1CT-7 mouse model of Tourette's syndrome. CNS Neurosci Ther 2018; 24:703-711. [PMID: 29314714 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM The transgenic D1CT-7 mouse is one of the best-characterized animal models of Tourette's syndrome (TS), exhibiting spontaneous tic-like Head-Body Twitches (HBT) and deficits in sensorimotor gating. This study is aimed at evaluating the behavioral dynamics of these mutants and their potential relevance to TS. METHODS The behavior of D1CT-7 and Wild Type littermates was firstly assessed by considering frequencies and durations. To detect recurrent real-time behavioral sequences, the multivariate T-pattern analysis was employed. Analyses of transition probabilities among behaviors further provided an overall picture of the behavioral dynamics. RESULTS T-patterns and transition matrices revealed in D1CT-7 mice a clear-cut hyperactivity compared to controls, with a lower behavioral organization and a marked shift from cautious sniffing toward locomotion. Moreover, the behavioral patterns of the transgenic mice were pervasively disturbed by intrusive tic-like HBT leading to a marked fragmentation of the behavior. Novel exposure to open field provoked a transient inhibitory control over the disrupting phenotype. CONCLUSION The results of this study show that the D1CT-7 mouse model is subjected to a behavioral fragmentation, with repercussions going beyond the simple tic-like phenomenon. These phenotypes are strikingly akin to behavioral problems observed in patients with TS and further validate the power of this model in summarizing pivotal behavioral aspects of TS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Santangelo
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Laura J Mosher
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Giuseppe Crescimanno
- Laboratory of Behavioral Physiology, Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Human Physiology Section, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Di Giovanni
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Emanuele Cassioli
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Valdo Ricca
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Maurizio Casarrubea
- Laboratory of Behavioral Physiology, Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Human Physiology Section, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Bortolato M, Pittenger C. Modeling tics in rodents: Conceptual challenges and paths forward. J Neurosci Methods 2017; 292:12-19. [PMID: 28237575 PMCID: PMC5568514 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent advances in our understanding of the neurobiology of tics have led to the development of novel rodent models capturing different pathophysiological and phenotypic aspects of Tourette syndrome. The proliferation of these models, however, raises vexing questions on what standards should be adopted to assess their theoretical validity and empirical utility. Assessing the homology of a rodent motoric burst with a tic remains problematic, due to our incomplete knowledge of the underpinnings of tics, their high phenotypic complexity and variability, limitations in our ability test key aspects of tic phenomenology (such as premonitory sensory phenomena) in animals, and between-species differences in neuroanatomy and behavioral repertoire. These limitations underscore that any interpretation of behavioral output in an animal model cannot exclusively rely on the recognition of features that bear superficial resemblance with tics, but must be supported by other etiological and convergent phenomenological criteria. NEW METHOD Here, we discuss two complementary approaches for the study and validation of tic-like manifestations in rodents, based respectively on the use of contextual modulators and accompanying features of repetitive motor manifestations and on the reproduction of pathogenic factors. RESULTS Neither strategy can by itself provide convincing evidence that a model informatively recapitulates tic pathophysiology. Their combination holds promise to enhance the rigorous evaluation and translational relevance of rodent models of tic disorders. CONCLUSIONS This systematic consideration of different approaches to the validation and study of animal models of tic pathophysiology provides a framework for future work in this area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, University of Utah, 30 S 2000 E, Skaggs Hall, Room 3916, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
| | - Christopher Pittenger
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Psychology, Child Study Center, Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, 34 Park Street, W315, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
|
45
|
Frau R, Bini V, Soggiu A, Scheggi S, Pardu A, Fanni S, Roncada P, Puligheddu M, Marrosu F, Caruso D, Devoto P, Bortolato M. The Neurosteroidogenic Enzyme 5α-Reductase Mediates Psychotic-Like Complications of Sleep Deprivation. Neuropsychopharmacology 2017; 42:2196-2205. [PMID: 28102229 PMCID: PMC5603808 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Revised: 12/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Acute sleep deprivation (SD) can trigger or exacerbate psychosis- and mania-related symptoms; the neurobiological basis of these complications, however, remains elusive. Given the extensive involvement of neuroactive steroids in psychopathology, we hypothesized that the behavioral complications of SD may be contributed by 5α-reductase (5αR), the rate-limiting enzyme in the conversion of progesterone into the neurosteroid allopregnanolone. We first tested whether rats exposed to SD may exhibit brain-regional alterations in 5αR isoenzymes and neuroactive steroid levels; then, we assessed whether the behavioral and neuroendocrine alterations induced by SD may be differentially modulated by the administration of the 5αR inhibitor finasteride, as well as progesterone and allopregnanolone. SD selectively enhanced 5αR expression and activity, as well as AP levels, in the prefrontal cortex; furthermore, finasteride (10-100 mg/kg, IP) dose-dependently ameliorated PPI deficits, hyperactivity, and risk-taking behaviors, in a fashion akin to the antipsychotic haloperidol and the mood stabilizer lithium carbonate. Finally, PPI deficits were exacerbated by allopregnanolone (10 mg/kg, IP) and attenuated by progesterone (30 mg/kg, IP) in SD-subjected, but not control rats. Collectively, these results provide the first-ever evidence that 5αR mediates a number of psychosis- and mania-like complications of SD through imbalances in cortical levels of neuroactive steroids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Frau
- Department of Biomedical Sciences,
Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Monserrato,
Italy,Tourette Syndrome Center,
Monserrato, Italy,Sleep Medicine Center; University of
Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Valentina Bini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences,
Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Monserrato,
Italy,Tourette Syndrome Center,
Monserrato, Italy
| | - Alessio Soggiu
- ‘L. Spallanzani’ Institute,
Proteomics Section—Department of Veterinary Sciences and Public Health,
University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Scheggi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental
Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy,Department of Pharmacology and
Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake
City, UT, USA
| | - Alessandra Pardu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences,
Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Monserrato,
Italy
| | - Silvia Fanni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences,
Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Monserrato,
Italy
| | - Paola Roncada
- ‘L. Spallanzani’ Institute,
Proteomics Section—Department of Veterinary Sciences and Public Health,
University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Puligheddu
- Tourette Syndrome Center,
Monserrato, Italy,Sleep Medicine Center; University of
Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy,Department of Public Health, Section of
Neurology, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Francesco Marrosu
- Tourette Syndrome Center,
Monserrato, Italy,Sleep Medicine Center; University of
Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy,Department of Public Health, Section of
Neurology, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Donatella Caruso
- Department of Pharmacological and
Biomolecular Sciences, Center of Excellence for Neurodegenerative Diseases,
University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Devoto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences,
Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Monserrato,
Italy,Tourette Syndrome Center,
Monserrato, Italy,Sleep Medicine Center; University of
Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and
Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake
City, UT, USA,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of
Pharmacy, University of Utah, Skaggs Hall, Room 3916, 30S 2000
E, Salt Lake City
84112, UT, USA, Tel: 801 587 3352, Fax:
801 585 5111, E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Brown S, Fite PJ, DiPierro M, Bortolato M. Links between stressful life events and proactive and reactive functions of aggression. J Aggress Maltreat Trauma 2017; 26:691-699. [PMID: 31223229 PMCID: PMC6586432 DOI: 10.1080/10926771.2017.1322658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Recently, more attention has been devoted to understanding how stressful life events might relate to proactive and reactive aggression. Findings suggest that stressful life events are more strongly linked to reactive, than proactive, aggression; however, it is unclear whether the impact of stressful life events on proactive and reactive aggression might vary as a function of the level of exposure to or type of stressful life event. The current study examined how level of exposure to stressful life events (i.e., witnessed, experienced, and learned about) and stressful life event types (i.e., war zone exposure, sexual victimization, interpersonal violence, and other trauma exposure) related to proactive and reactive aggression. The sample was comprised of 500 undergraduate students (M = 18.96, SD = 1.22, 49.6% male) recruited from a Midwestern university. Findings indicated that all three levels of stressful life event exposure (i.e., experienced, witnesses, and learned) were associated with reactive aggression; however, only witnessed stressful life events were associated with proactive aggression. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaquanna Brown
- Clinical Child Psychology Program and Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, 2009 Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Paula J. Fite
- Clinical Child Psychology Program and Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, 2009 Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Moneika DiPierro
- Clinical Child Psychology Program and Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, 2009 Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, and ConTRADA, University of Kansas
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Frau R, Savoia P, Fanni S, Fiorentini C, Fidalgo C, Tronci E, Stancampiano R, Meloni M, Cannas A, Marrosu F, Bortolato M, Devoto P, Missale C, Carta M. The 5-alpha reductase inhibitor finasteride reduces dyskinesia in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. Exp Neurol 2017; 291:1-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2017.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
|
48
|
Brown S, Mitchell TB, Fite PJ, Bortolato M. Impulsivity as a moderator of the associations between child maltreatment types and body mass index. Child Abuse Negl 2017; 67:137-146. [PMID: 28262605 PMCID: PMC5436933 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Child maltreatment has emerged as an important risk factor for adult obesity (Danese & Tan, 2014; Hemmingsson et al., 2014). However, there is a need for research delineating the factors that play a role in this association. Impulsivity has been shown to be associated with both child maltreatment (Brodsky et al., 2001) and body mass index (BMI; Cortese et al., 2008; Thamotharan et al., 2013). Further, given previous research showing that adverse events interact with impulsivity to predict hazardous drinking behaviors (Fox et al., 2010), there is reason to hypothesize that child maltreatment might interact with impulsivity to predict other adverse health outcomes, such as elevated BMI. Accordingly, the current study examined whether impulsivity moderated the association between child maltreatment types (i.e., physical abuse, physical neglect, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and emotional neglect) and BMI. The sample was comprised of 500 undergraduate students (49.6% male) between the ages of 18 and 25 years. Regression analyses suggested that maltreatment types and impulsivity were not uniquely associated with BMI. However, impulsivity moderated the association between childhood sexual abuse and adult BMI, such that BMI was highest at high levels of both sexual abuse and impulsivity. Impulsivity did not moderate the associations between the other child maltreatment types and BMI. Limitations, future directions, and clinical implications of this research are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaquanna Brown
- Clinical Child Psychology Program and Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, 2009 Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
| | - Tarrah B Mitchell
- Clinical Child Psychology Program and Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, 2009 Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Paula J Fite
- Clinical Child Psychology Program and Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse (ConTRADA), University of Kansas, 2009 Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, 3916 Skaggs Hall, 30 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; ConTRADA, University of Kansas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Brown S, Fite PJ, Stone K, Richey A, Bortolato M. Associations between emotional abuse and neglect and dimensions of alexithymia: The moderating role of sex. Psychol Trauma 2017; 10:300-308. [PMID: 28414491 DOI: 10.1037/tra0000279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Child maltreatment, specifically emotional maltreatment (i.e., an act, such as belittling, blaming, or rejection, that is potentially harmful to a child's emotional development), has emerged as an important correlate of alexithymia. However, the evidence is mixed with regard to how emotional abuse and neglect might relate to dimensions of alexithymia (i.e., externally oriented thinking, difficulty describing feelings, and difficulty identifying feelings). Furthermore, research is needed to identify individual factors that might influence these associations. The current study examined the links between emotional abuse and neglect and externally oriented thinking, difficulty describing feelings, and difficulty identifying feelings and evaluated whether sex moderated these associations. METHOD Participants included 500 emerging adults (49.6% male) who completed an online battery of questionnaires assessing history of child maltreatment and dimensions of alexithymia. RESULTS Regression analyses revealed that emotional abuse was associated with difficulty describing feelings and externally oriented thinking, but not difficulty identifying feelings. Emotional neglect was associated with difficulty identifying feelings, but not difficulty describing feelings or externally oriented thinking. There were no sex differences associated with difficulty describing feelings or externally oriented thinking. However, sex moderated the associations between emotional abuse and neglect and difficulty identifying feelings such that emotional abuse and neglect were both more strongly associated with difficulty identifying feelings for females. CONCLUSION These results suggest that, in the aftermath of emotional maltreatment, sex may play an important role in the development of difficulty identifying feelings. (PsycINFO Database Record
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paula J Fite
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas
| | - Katie Stone
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas
| | - Allora Richey
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), which catalyses the degradation of dopamine and norepinephrine, is posited to participate in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia. In support of this notion, rich evidence has documented that the severity of various BD and schizophrenia symptoms is moderated by rs4680, a single nucleotide polymorphism of the COMT gene featuring a valine (Val)-to-methionine (Met) substitution that results in lower catalytic activity. Nevertheless, the specific relevance of COMT enzymatic activity in the pathophysiology of BD and schizophrenia dimensions remains elusive. METHODS We measured COMT catalytic activity in post-mortem prefrontal cortices, striata and cerebella of schizophrenia and BD patients, as well as non-affected controls. These values were then correlated with rs4680 genotypes and psychopathology scores in the last week of life. RESULTS No direct correlation between COMT activity and rs4680 genotypes was found; however, the severity of manic symptoms was highly correlated with COMT activity in the striatum, irrespective of the diagnostic group. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that COMT striatal activity, but not rs4680 genotype, may serve as a biomarker for manic symptoms. Future studies are warranted to confirm these findings and assess the neurobiological links between COMT striatal activity and manic symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA,Corresponding authors: Marco Bortolato, MD PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, 30 2000 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, . Jackob Moskovitz, PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas, 1251 Wescoe Hall Dr., Lawrence, KS 66045,
| | - Consuelo Walss-Bass
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, 77054, USA
| | - Peter M. Thompson
- Southwest Brain Bank, Department of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University Health Science Center at El Paso, El Paso TX 79905 USA
| | - Jackob Moskovitz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA,Corresponding authors: Marco Bortolato, MD PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, 30 2000 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, . Jackob Moskovitz, PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas, 1251 Wescoe Hall Dr., Lawrence, KS 66045,
| |
Collapse
|