Article
Neurosciences
Paul J. Marvar, Raul Andero, Rene Hurlemann, Tiffany R. Lago, Moriel Zelikowsky, Joanna Dabrowska
Summary: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with dysregulation of limbic neuropeptides, with studies showing that blocking certain pathways can weaken fear memory consolidation, enhance fear extinction, and improve threat discrimination. Novel approaches targeting these pathways offer promising potential for treating core elements of PTSD pathophysiology.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Margaux Evenepoel, Matthijs Moerkerke, Nicky Daniels, Viktoria Chubar, Stephan Claes, Jonathan Turner, Bart Vanaudenaerde, Lynn Willems, Johan Verhaeghe, Jellina Prinsen, Jean Steyaert, Bart Boets, Kaat Alaerts
Summary: This study found that alterations in the brain's oxytocinergic system play an important role in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children with ASD displayed diminished oxytocin levels in the morning and a rise in oxytocin levels in the afternoon, which was associated with higher stress-induced cortisol release. Additionally, the study found differences in DNA methylation related to cortisol regulation in children with ASD.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Megan Galbally, Stuart J. Watson, Jeffrey A. Keelan, Olav Spigset, Andrew Lewis
Summary: This study examined the relationship between antidepressant use during the perinatal period and oxytocin levels. While concurrent oxytocin blood concentrations were not associated with antidepressant use, women taking antidepressants during pregnancy showed larger increases in oxytocin over the perinatal period compared to control women. Future research could investigate specific antidepressant agents and their impact on parenting.
PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Elizabeth Roof, Cheri L. Deal, Shawn E. McCandless, Ronald L. Cowan, Jennifer L. Miller, Jill K. Hamilton, Elizabeth R. Roeder, Shana E. McCormack, Tamanna R. Roshan Lal, Hussein D. Abdul-Latif, Andrea M. Haqq, Kathryn S. Obrynba, Laura C. Torchen, Alaina P. Vidmar, David H. Viskochil, Jean-Pierre Chanoine, Carol K. L. Lam, Melinda J. Pierce, Laurel L. Williams, Lynne M. Bird, Merlin G. Butler, Diane E. Jensen, Susan E. Myers, Oliver J. Oatman, Charumathi Baskaran, Laura J. Chalmers, Cary Fu, Nathalie Alos, Scott D. McLean, Ajay Shah, Barbara Y. Whitman, Brent A. Blumenstein, Sarah F. Leonard, Jessica P. Ernest, Joseph W. Cormier, Sara P. Cotter, Davis C. Ryman
Summary: In this study, researchers found that intranasal carbetocin, an analog of oxytocin, was safe and effective in treating symptoms of PWS, especially in reducing hyperphagia and anxiety and distress behaviors. Although the enrollment was prematurely stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the results suggest that intranasal carbetocin is a promising therapy for PWS.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Masoumeh Kashkouli, Shahideh Jahanian Sadatmahalleh, Saeideh Ziaei, Anoshirvan Kazemnejad, Ashraf Saber, Hamid Darvishnia, Khadijeh Azarbayjani
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between plasma concentrations of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and the score of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The results showed a significant positive relationship between plasma AVP levels and EPDS score, with higher AVP concentrations in the depressed group compared to the non-depressed group. Multiparity and non-exclusive breastfeeding were associated with increased odds of postpartum depression (PPD), while maternal gender preference decreased the odds of PPD.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Valerie L. Hedges, Elizabeth C. Heaton, Claudia Amaral, Lauren E. Benedetto, Clio L. Bodie, Breanna D'Antonio, Dayana R. Davila Portillo, Rachel H. Lee, M. Taylor Levine, Emily C. O'Sullivan, Natalie P. Pisch, Shantal Taveras, Hannah R. Wild, Zachary A. Grieb, Amy P. Ross, H. Elliott Albers, Laura E. Been
Summary: This study in Syrian hamsters found that estrogen withdrawal results in increased anxiety-like behaviors and neuroplasticity changes in oxytocin neurocircuitry. Blocking oxytocin receptors can prevent the high-anxiety behavioral phenotype in estrogen-withdrawn females.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Lauren M. Osborne, Kristin Voegtline, Lindsay R. Standeven, Bridget Sundel, Meeta Pangtey, Liisa Hantsoo, Jennifer L. Payne
Summary: Anxiety in pregnancy is a strong predictor of postpartum depression, with high worry being more indicative than psychiatric diagnosis or elevated antenatal depressive symptoms. The Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) may be a valuable tool in identifying high worry during pregnancy.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Shigehiro Kuraku, Hiroyuki Kaiya, Tomohiro Tanaka, Susumu Hyodo
Summary: Homeostatic control and reproductive functions in humans are regulated by peptide hormones secreted from endocrine and neuroendocrine cells. Homologs of these hormones are present in many vertebrate species, but the evolution of the endocrine system involving these factors remains unclear due to limited genome DNA sequence information. This article focuses on jawless and cartilaginous fishes to illustrate how genome sequence information helps understand the diversification of vertebrate gene repertoires.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF ANIMAL BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kelly H. M. Cooijmans, Roseriet Beijers, Bonnie E. Brett, Carolina de Weerth
Summary: Mother-infant skin-to-skin contact during the early postpartum period may reduce anxiety and fatigue symptoms for mothers, but not depressive, stress, and pain symptoms. Replication studies are recommended.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Qianmin Chen, Jingwen Zhuang, Ronghua Zuo, Huiwen Zheng, Jingjing Dang, Zhiping Wang
Summary: This study aimed to explore the association between postpartum depression (PPD) and oxytocin (OXT) levels, as well as assess the interaction between peripheral secretion and central release of OXT. The results showed that OXT concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), plasma, and saliva were negatively correlated with PPD and could be valuable predictors of PPD. Additionally, OXT concentrations in plasma and saliva were positively correlated with CSF OXT concentrations.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Harald Murck, Christian Adolf, Anna Schneider, Lena Schlageter, Daniel Heinrich, Katrin Ritzel, Lisa Sturm, Marcus Quinkler, Felix Beuschlein, Martin Reincke, Heike Kuenzel
Summary: The mineralocorticoid receptor and aldosterone, two key factors in the pathophysiology of depression, may be targeted for therapeutic interventions. Analysis of patient data revealed that different treatments for primary aldosteronism had varying effects on depression and anxiety symptoms, suggesting distinct mechanistic pathways for these two conditions mediated via the mineralocorticoid receptor.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mariana Rae, Mariana Lemos Duarte, Ivone Gomes, Rosana Camarini, Lakshmi A. Devi
Summary: OT and AVP exhibit opposite roles in modulating stress, anxiety, and social behaviors, potentially due to their high sequence homology with their receptors. The crosstalk between these peptides and receptors in vivo remains unclear, but understanding this interaction is essential for elucidating the roles of OT and AVP, as well as for therapeutic targets in treating human disorders.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mutasim Makeen, Lia M. Farrell, Kelsea R. LaSorda, Yangyang Deng, Valeria Altamirano, Olivia Jarvis, Tanya Kenkre, Grace Lim
Summary: Pain and depression are associated with postpartum depression but may not necessarily improve maternal-infant attachment. Lower pain scores are related to higher maternal-infant attachment, while higher depression scores are related to lower maternal-infant attachment.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Anneli Andersson, Miguel Garcia-Argibay, Alexander Viktorin, Laura Ghirardi, Agnieszka Butwicka, Charlotte Skoglund, Kathrine Bang Madsen, Brian M. D'onofrio, Paul Lichtenstein, Catherine Tuvblad, Henrik Larsson
Summary: Background: ADHD is associated with an increased risk of poor mental health during the postpartum period among women. This study aimed to examine the risk of depression and anxiety disorders in women with and without an ADHD diagnosis during the postpartum period. The results showed that women with an ADHD diagnosis had a higher prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders postpartum, indicating that ADHD is an important risk factor for these mental health conditions.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Kimford J. Meador, Zachary N. Stowe, Carrie Brown, Chelsea P. Robalino, Abigail G. Matthews, Laura A. Kalayjian, P. Emanuela Voinescu, Elizabeth E. Gerard, Patricia Penovich, Evan R. Gedzelman, Jennifer Cavitt, Page B. Pennell
Summary: The study found that while there was no difference in the incidence of MDE among pregnant women with epilepsy during pregnancy and postpartum compared to the control groups, they experienced more severe depressive and anxiety symptoms. Factors associated with MDE included seizure frequency, anticonvulsant polytherapy, unplanned pregnancy, and history of mood disorder.
Article
Neurosciences
Stephanie Ashley, Steven Bradburn, Chris Murgatroyd
Summary: The meta-analysis found that individuals with AD or age-related cognitive deficits and MCI have lower levels of circulatory α-tocopherol compared to healthy controls, while levels of β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols did not significantly differ between groups. This suggests that lower levels of α-tocopherol are strongly associated with AD and MCI, providing evidence for the role of diet and vitamin E in AD risk and age-related cognitive decline.
NUTRITIONAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrew R. McEwan, Connor Davidson, Elizabeth Hay, Yvonne Turnbull, Johanna Celene Erickson, Pietro Marini, Dana Wilson, Andrew M. McIntosh, Mark J. Adams, Chris Murgatroyd, Perry Barrett, Mirela Delibegovic, Toni-Kim Clarke, Alasdair MacKenzie
Summary: This study identified a significant interaction between allelic variation of the human GAL5.1 gene, alcohol intake, and anxiety in men, using human association analysis. Disruption of GAL5.1 in mice resulted in reduced ethanol intake and anxiety-like behavior in male animals. The EGR1 transcription factor was found to be important in the activity of the GG genotype of GAL5.1 in amygdala and hypothalamus.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mariana Villalba de la Pena, Veysi Piskobulu, Christopher Murgatroyd, Reinmar Hager
Summary: DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation patterns in response to temperature variation were investigated in the viviparous cockroach Diploptera punctata, with high levels of DNA methylation in several tissues but low levels of DNA hydroxymethylation in the brain. Methylation patterns of the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) showed significant differences in response to temperature, with global DNA methylation variation considerably lower at 28 degrees C compared to other temperatures, indicating a potential optimal temperature for this species. The results suggest that DNA methylation may provide a mechanism for insects to respond dynamically to changing temperature conditions in their environment.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Georgios Ponirakis, Tarik Elhadd, Subitha Chinnaiyan, Abdul H. Hamza, Sanaulla Sheik, Mohamed A. Kalathingal, Mohamed S. Anodiyil, Zeinab Dabbous, Mashhood A. Siddique, Hamad Almuhannadi, Ioannis N. Petropoulos, Adnan Khan, Khaled A E Ashawesh, Khaled M. Dukhan, Ziyad R. Mahfoud, Mahmoud A. Zirie, Amin Jayyousi, Christopher Murgatroyd, Mark Slevin, Rayaz A. Malik
Summary: This study in Qatar found a lower prevalence of DPN and pDPN in patients with type 2 diabetes in primary healthcare compared to secondary healthcare, with risk factors including age, duration of diabetes, poor glycemic control, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and reduced physical activity. Approximately 80% of patients had not been previously diagnosed with DPN, highlighting the need for improved screening and management in both primary and secondary healthcare settings.
JOURNAL OF DIABETES INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Sero Toriano Parel, Catherine Jensen Pena
Summary: Both early-life stress and female sex are associated with increased risk for depression, and the interactions between ELS, brain development, and sex are complex. ELS reveals latent sex differences and produces transcriptomic changes in response to adult stress, with sex-specific gene contributions.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrew McEwan, Johanna Celene Erickson, Connor Davidson, Jenny Heijkoop, Yvonne Turnbull, Mirela Delibegovic, Christopher Murgatroyd, Alasdair MacKenzie
Summary: Excessive maternal fat intake and obesity can increase susceptibility of offspring to conditions like chronic anxiety and substance abuse. This study suggests that environmental factors can influence DNA methylation changes in regulatory regions of the genome, impacting behaviors related to anxiety and alcohol intake. Results showed that early life stress did not significantly affect DNA methylation levels within GAL5.1, but exposure of pregnant mothers to high-fat diet had a notable effect on DNA methylation levels within GAL5.1 in specific brain regions of male offspring. Further studies indicated that DNA methylation plays a repressive role on GAL5.1 activity and response to stimuli, while disrupting GAL5.1 from the genome resulted in decreased intake of high-fat diet, highlighting its potential role in regulating behaviors influenced by environmental factors like diet. This suggests a possible mechanism linking maternal high-fat diet with transgenerational susceptibility to alcohol abuse and anxiety through epigenetic regulation.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Yentl Y. van der Zee, Casey K. Lardner, Eric M. Parise, Philipp Mews, Aarthi Ramakrishnan, Vishwendra Patel, Collin D. Teague, Marine Salery, Deena M. Walker, Caleb J. Browne, Benoit Labonte, Lyonna F. Parise, Hope Kronman, Catherine J. Pena, Angelica Torres-Berrio, Julia E. Duffy, Laurence de Nijs, Lars M. T. Eijssen, Li Shen, Bart Rutten, Orna Issler, Eric J. Nestler
Summary: The protein SLIT1 is downregulated in the adult ventromedial prefrontal cortex of women with depression, but not in men. This sex-specific downregulation is also observed in mice exposed to chronic variable stress.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Reema Alyamani, Ben Nephew, Chris Murgatroyd
Summary: This study aimed to explore the genetic regulatory pathways underlying how maternal social stress and reduced care mediates stress-related behavioral changes in offspring across generations. Using a social stress-based rat model, transcriptome analyses in the hippocampus of F1 and F2 generations revealed differential expression of key genes involved in the regulation of depression, potentially suggesting a neural pathway for the intergenerational transmission of depressed maternal care and maternal anxiety in the CSS model. Further research is needed to determine the extent to which these results are due to molecular germline inheritance and social propagation of deficits in maternal care.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Syed Faraz Kazim, Abhijeet Sharma, Sivaprakasam R. Saroja, Joon Ho Seo, Chloe S. Larson, Aarthi Ramakrishnan, Minghui Wang, Robert D. Blitzer, Li Shen, Catherine J. Pena, John F. Crary, Larissa A. Shimoda, Bin Zhang, Eric J. Nestler, Ana C. Pereira
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) on pathological tau seeding, cognitive function, synaptic plasticity, neuronal network excitability, and gene expression profiles in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The results showed that CIH increased the spread of pathological tau and exacerbated memory and synaptic plasticity deficits in the mice. CIH also had no effect on seizure susceptibility and network hyperexcitability.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Hope Kronman, Angelica Torres-Berrio, Simone Sidoli, Orna Issler, Arthur Godino, Aarthi Ramakrishnan, Philipp Mews, Casey K. Lardner, Eric M. Parise, Deena M. Walker, Yentl Y. van der Zee, Caleb J. Browne, Brittany F. Boyce, Rachael Neve, Benjamin A. Garcia, Li Shen, Catherine J. Pena, Eric J. Nestler
Summary: Early life stress increases susceptibility to chronic stress in adulthood, with alterations in histone modifications in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) being crucial for these effects. Specifically, dimethylation of lysine 79 of histone H3 (H3K79me2) and the enzymes controlling this modification play a key role in the expression of stress susceptibility induced by early life stress. Systemic delivery of a small molecule inhibitor of DOT1L can reverse the behavioral deficits induced by early life stress, highlighting the clinical relevance of this epigenetic mechanism.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Ashley M. Cunningham, Deena M. Walker, Aarthi Ramakrishnan, Marie A. Doyle, Rosemary C. Bagot, Hannah M. Cates, Catherine J. Pena, Orna Issler, Casey Lardner, Caleb Browne, Scott J. Russo, Li Shen, Eric J. Nestler
Summary: Studies have shown that paternal stress can lead to long-lasting changes in germ cells, with differences in transmission patterns between stress-resilient and stress-susceptible mice. Research on chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) has revealed significant alterations in sperm transcriptomes of susceptible versus resilient fathers, particularly in the regulation by long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). These findings advance our understanding of intergenerational epigenetic transmission of behavioral experience.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Anesthesiology
Benjamin C. Nephew, Angela C. Incollingo Rodriguez, Veronica Melican, Justin J. Polcari, Kathryn E. Nippert, Mikhail Rashkovskii, Lilly-Beth Linnell, Ruofan Hu, Carolina Ruiz, Jean A. King, Paula Gardiner
Summary: This study analyzed the relationship between depression and chronic pain in patients and found that depression affects pain interference through high perceived stress, low pain self-efficacy, and poor sleep quality. These findings provide insights for improving treatment strategies, particularly in racialized and income-disadvantaged populations.
Article
Psychiatry
Angela C. Incollingo Rodriguez, Justin J. Polcari, Benjamin C. Nephew, Rebeca Harris, Chongben Zhang, Chris Murgatroyd, Hudson P. Santos Jr
Summary: Latinx mothers in the United States are highly vulnerable to psychosocial stressors, including discrimination and acculturative stress. This study found that acculturative stress predicted shorter telomere length, which in turn predicted greater postpartum depression symptom severity. The results highlight the unique impact of acculturative stress on the health of Latinx mothers.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Angela C. Incollingo Rodriguez, Laura Smith, Rebeca Harris, Benjamin C. Nephew, Hudson P. Santos, Chris Murgatroyd
Summary: This study found that the oxytocinergic system may modulate sensitivity to prenatal stress in the development of postnatal mood and anxiety disorders in Latina mothers. Mothers with low oxytocin levels and low oxytocin receptor methylation were more likely to experience postnatal depression and anxiety symptoms, especially if they had higher levels of acculturation. Furthermore, carriers of the G-allele at rs53576 had significant relationships between prenatal psychosocial factors (discrimination and acculturation) and postnatal depression and anxiety.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rebecca M. Woods, Jarred M. Lorusso, Isabella Harris, Hager M. Kowash, Christopher Murgatroyd, Joanna C. Neill, Jocelyn D. Glazier, Michael Harte, Reinmar Hager
Summary: Exposure to maternal immune activation (MIA) in utero increases the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. The study investigates the relationship between MIA and cognitive deficits by focusing on Reelin signalling in the brain. The findings suggest that dysregulation of Reelin signalling due to MIA contributes to cognitive deficits through altered NMDA receptor function.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Andreia Biolchi Mayer, Henrique de Oliveira Amaral, Danilo Gustavo R. de Oliveira, Gabriel Avohay Alves Campos, Priscilla Galante Ribeiro, Solange Cristina Rego Fernandes, Adolfo Carlos Barros de Souza, Raffael Hinio Araijo de Castro, Anamelia Lorenzetti Bocca, Marcia Renata Mortari
Summary: This study synthesized three bioinspired peptides based on fraternine and tested their effects in a Parkinson's disease model. The peptides fra-10 and fra-14 improved motor coordination, but most of the peptides were toxic at the applied doses. All three peptides reduced the intensity of lesion-induced rotations. The peptide fra-24 increased the number of TH+ neurons in the substantia nigra and reduced the concentration of the cytokine TNF-alpha, suggesting it has neuroprotective effects in Parkinson's disease.
