Article
Psychiatry
Weijun Qian, Chao Yu, Shuai Wang, Aijun Niu, Guangyan Shi, Yuancui Cheng, Ning Xu, Qiangqiang Jin, Xu Jing
Summary: The study found that the reduction of HDAC7 in mice under chronic social defeat stress may be associated with depressive-like behaviors, suggesting that HDAC7 could be a promising therapeutic target for depression research.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Zachary S. Lorsch, Alberto Ambesi-Impiombato, Rebecca Zenowich, Irene Morganstern, Emer Leahy, Mukesh Bansal, Eric J. Nestler, Taleen Hanania
Summary: This study utilized machine learning technology to conduct chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) in mice and found that SmartCube analysis successfully distinguished control and defeated-susceptible mice, with defeated-resilient mice more resembling control mice. Treatment of susceptible mice with the antidepressant medication imipramine resulted in a 40.2% recovery of the defeated-susceptible phenotype as assessed by SmartCube. High-throughput analysis can provide a more unbiased and holistic approach to evaluating group differences after CSDS, and potentially other mouse models of psychiatric disease.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Xiaotao Xu, Kaixuan Wu, Xiaqing Ma, Wenying Wang, Haiyan Wang, Min Huang, Limin Luo, Chen Su, Tifei Yuan, Haibo Shi, Ji Han, Aizhong Wang, Tao Xu
Summary: The study demonstrates that mGluR5 expressed in the NAc can modulate pain and social avoidance behavior induced by chronic social defeat stress. Overexpression of mGluR5 prevents the development of depressive-like behaviors and pain in susceptible mice, while knockdown of mGluR5 exacerbates these symptoms. Additionally, mGluR5-mediated eCB production in the NAc relieves stress-induced depressive-like behaviors and pain.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Risako Fujikawa, Jun Yamada, Kyoko M. Iinuma, Shozo Jinno
Summary: The study aims to understand the potential effects of chronic social defeat stress and genistein on neuron-microglia interactions in the mouse hippocampus. The findings suggest that genistein may partially alleviate stress-related symptoms and modulate neuron-microglia signaling via chemokines and neurotrophic factors in the hippocampus.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Amar Ojha, Giana Teresi, George M. Slavich, Ian H. Gotlib, Tiffany C. Ho
Summary: Social threat specifically affects fronto-cingulate-limbic pathways that contribute to the maintenance of depression in adolescents.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Shaoqiang Han, Ruiping Zheng, Shuying Li, Bingqian Zhou, Yu Jiang, Keke Fang, Yarui Wei, Baohong Wen, Jianyue Pang, Hengfen Li, Yong Zhang, Yuan Chen, Jingliang Cheng
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the altered structural covariance of nucleus accumbens (NAcc) in never-treated first-episode patients with depression and how it was modulated by illness duration and severity of symptom. The results revealed that patients with depression exhibited abnormal structural covariance of NAcc connected to key brain regions in the reward system, and this abnormality was distinctly modulated by illness duration and the severity of symptom.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
David M. Lyons, Sarah Ayash, Alan F. Schatzberg, Marianne B. Muller
Summary: Laboratory mouse models play a crucial role in bridging the gap between basic neuroscience and applied stress research. This study examines the ecological validity of social defeat stressors in mouse models of emotional vulnerability and resilience. It was found that the majority of the reviewed reports (95%) focus on males, and many reports (71%) discuss vulnerability and resilience. Limited ecological validity leads to increased vulnerability and decreased resilience. Elements of limited ecological validity include repeated exposure to defeat stressors without opportunities to avoid or escape from pre-screened aggressive conspecifics, which is not representative of naturalistic conditions. Research is needed to establish causality and determine if ecologically valid stressors can build resilience in both sexes of mice.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Jun Kawanokuchi, Ken Takagi, Nobuyuki Tanahashi, Teruhisa Yamamoto, Nobuyuki Nagaoka, Torao Ishida, Ning Ma
Summary: The study examined the preventive and therapeutic effects of acupuncture on depression model mice, revealing that acupuncture can restore reduced expression of neurotrophic factors induced by stress and that this effect occurs earlier than that of antidepressants.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Marco Pagliusi, Daniela Franco, Shannon Cole, Gessynger Morais-Silva, Ramesh Chandra, Megan E. Fox, Sergio D. Iniguez, Cesar R. Sartori, Mary Kay Lobo
Summary: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in stress response, exerting different plasticity effects through its receptors (TrkB and TrkB.t1). The study found that BDNF has an anti-stress effect in the hippocampus and a stress-susceptible effect in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Furthermore, overexpression of TrkB.t1 in specific projection neurons (D2-MSNs) in the NAc can prevent stress-induced social avoidance behavior.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Anna Brancato, Valentina Castelli, Gianluca Lavanco, Cesare D'Amico, Salvatore Feo, Giuseppe Pizzolanti, Martin Kuchar, Carla Cannizzaro
Summary: The functioning of the nucleus accumbens (NAc), which is responsible for processing reward and aversive responses, can be compromised by alcohol binge drinking. This study investigated the effects of social stress on rats during withdrawal from binge-like alcohol exposure, and found abnormal behavioral, neuroendocrine, and molecular plasticity. The administration of cannabidiol (CBD) was able to rescue these effects, suggesting its potential therapeutic value in alcohol- and stress-related harms.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yi-Fan Luo, Lu Lu, Heng-Yi Song, Han Xu, Zhi-Wei Zheng, Zhou-Yue Wu, Chen-Chen Jiang, Chu Tong, Hao-Yang Yuan, Xiu-Xiu Liu, Xiang Chen, Mei-ling Sun, Ya-Min Tang, Heng-Yu Fan, Feng Han, Ying-Mei Lu
Summary: The comorbidity of autism spectrum disorder and anxiety is common, but the underlying circuitry is poorly understood. In this study, the researchers investigated the role of pyramidal neurons (PNs) in the prelimbic cortex (PL) and found that alterations in the PL projections to fast-spiking interneurons (FSIs) in the dorsal striatum (dSTR) and PNs of the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus (BLA) mediated the hyperexcitability of FSIs and PNs, which contributed to autism- and anxiety-like behaviors, respectively. These findings provide insights into the neural circuitry underlying the comorbidity of autism and anxiety and may lead to the development of new therapeutics.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Bo Li, Hao Zhang, Yi Cao, Zhao Li, Xinlei Xu, Zhenhua Song, Jin-hui Wang
Summary: Social support is positively and causally related to mental health. Accompanying with a companion can ameliorate depression-like behaviors and influence gene expression profiles in the nucleus accumbens. Differentially expressed genes and miRNA associated with accompanying with a companion may serve as potential drug targets for the treatment of depression.
BRAIN RESEARCH BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Toshinori Yoshioka, Daisuke Yamada, Riho Kobayashi, Eri Segi-Nishida, Akiyoshi Saitoh
Summary: Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is closely related to depressive disorders, and psychological stress can decrease cell survival rate in the hippocampus of mice, influencing the validity of emotional stress in animal models of depression.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Dinesh Y. Gawande, Gajanan P. Shelkar, Jinxu Liu, Anna D. Ayala, Ratnamala Pavuluri, Diane Choi, Yoland Smith, Shashank M. Dravid
Summary: GluD1 regulates inhibitory neurotransmission in the NAc through a combination of pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms, which is critical for motor control and behaviors relevant to neuropsychiatric disorders.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Naoki Ito, Kazunori Sasaki, Eiji Hirose, Takayuki Nagai, Hiroko Isoda, Hiroshi Odaguchi
Summary: The study utilizing a mouse model demonstrated that Kososan has a preventive effect on recurrent depression-like behaviors and is more effective than the antidepressant milnacipran.
Editorial Material
Clinical Neurology
Melissa L. Perreault, Malcolm King, Chelsea Gabel, Christopher J. Mushquash, Yves De Koninck, Ashley Lawson, Caterina Marra, Caroline Menard, Jennie Z. Young, Judy Illes
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Jessica J. Walsh, Daniel J. Christoffel, Robert C. Malenka
Summary: Positive and prosocial interactions play a crucial role in survival, development, and well-being. These behaviors are regulated by neural circuit mechanisms, and impairments in prosocial behaviors are associated with disruptions in these circuits. Recent studies using rodents have provided insights into the neural circuits involved in prosocial behaviors, especially the modulation of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission by oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine. These findings have also contributed to a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying social deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders, and may guide the development of targeted therapeutic interventions.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Lea C. Perret, Michel Boivin, Genevieve Morneau-Vaillancourt, Till F. M. Andlauer, Stephane Paquin, Stephanie Langevin, Alain Girard, Gustavo Turecki, Kieran O'Donnell, Richard E. Tremblay, Sylvana M. Cote, Jean-Philippe Gouin, Isabelle Ouellet-Morin, Marie-Claude Geoffroy
Summary: This study examined whether having a genetic predisposition to depression increased the risk of experiencing depressive symptoms in peer victimised youth. The results showed that both self- and teacher-reported peer victimisation were associated with depressive symptoms in adolescence, and this association remained significant when accounting for genetic predisposition. However, there was no significant interaction between genetic predisposition and peer victimisation. The findings suggest that genetic predisposition and exposure to peer victimisation are independently associated with depressive symptoms in adolescence.
JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
R. J. Scott Lacombe, Mackenzie E. Smith, Kelly Perlman, Gustavo Turecki, Naguib Mechawar, Richard P. Bazinet
Summary: Through analysis of human brain hemispheres, it was found that oleic acid was the most abundant fatty acid in the human brain, and cholesterol and saturated fatty acids were more enriched in C-13 isotope, while polyunsaturated fatty acids were more depleted in C-13 isotope. These findings provide new insights into the origin and concentration of fatty acids in the human brain.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Long Li, Romain Durand-de Cuttoli, Antonio V. Aubry, C. Joseph Burnett, Flurin Cathomas, Lyonna F. Parise, Kenny L. Chan, Carole Morel, Chongzhen Yuan, Yusuke Shimo, Hsiao-yun Lin, Jun Wang, Scott J. Russo
Summary: Traumatic social experiences in humans can lead to psychiatric disorders. In rodents, little is known about the impact of social trauma on social reward. A study on the chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) model in mice suggests that previously rewarding social targets are perceived as threats in susceptible mice.
Article
Biology
Kyle C. Newton, Dovi Kacev, Simon R. O. Nilsson, Allison L. Saettele, Sam A. Golden, Lavinia Sheets
Summary: Research shows that damage caused by ototoxic compounds affects the response of larval zebrafish to water flow stimuli. Specifically, fish with disrupted lateral lines swim longer distances, for shorter durations, and with greater angular variance. The study also confirms that different lesion methods have unique effects on fish behavior.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Alice Cadoret, Laurence Dion-Albert, Sara Amrani, Laurianne Caron, Mathilde Theberge, Audrey Turmel, Manon Lebel, Caroline Menard
Summary: Experiences and emotions have an impact on memory consolidation and brain neuronal circuits. This study investigates the relationship between emotional valence, memory encoding, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) gene expression. The results show correlations between learning difficulties, anxiety, stress, and changes in BBB-associated gene expression.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Bruno Mari Fredi, Roger Willian De Labio, Lucas Trevizani Rasmussen, Eduardo Federighi Baisi Chagas, Elizabeth Suchi Chen, Gustavo Turecki, Marilia de Arruda Cardoso Smith, Spencer Luiz Marques Payao
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorder that affects different regions of the brain. The accumulation of beta-amyloid protein, formation of neurofibrillary tangles, and inflammatory processes contribute to its pathophysiology. CDK10 and CDK11 have high expression in AD patients compared to control, and they present a positive correlation of gene expression in the analyzed groups and tissues, suggesting their important role in the pathogenesis of AD.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Sam E. J. Paton, Jose L. Solano, Francois Coulombe-Rozon, Manon Lebel, Caroline Menard
Summary: The environment has a significant influence on mental states and behaviors, with biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier and gut barrier serving as important channels for environmental information. Changes in the structural, social, and motor environment at different stages of life can affect the function and integrity of these barriers, leading to behavioral consequences. Each environmental component is associated with distinct immune profiles, glucocorticoid responses, and gut microbiome compositions, which have unique effects on the barriers. The interactions between barriers and the environment are sensitive to changes throughout life, and positive or negative alterations during critical developmental stages can have long-lasting cognitive and behavioral consequences. Understanding these pathways of environmental influence is important in understanding mental disorders and identifying potential pharmacological targets for protection and treatment. This review summarizes the mechanisms through which environmental factors such as social interactions, structural complexity, and physical exercise influence barrier composition, morphology, and development, and discusses the outcomes and implications of these interactions in psychiatric disorders.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY & NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Edwin J. C. G. van den Oord, Lin Y. Xie, Min Zhao, Thomas L. Campbell, Gustavo Turecki, Anna K. Kahler, Brian Dean, Ole Mors, Christina M. Hultman, Nicklas H. Staunstrup, Karolina A. Aberg
Summary: Schizophrenia is a disabling disorder with unclear pathophysiology, but a recent study using methylome-wide association analysis found suggestive associations in all cell types and whole blood, as well as significant associations in monocytes, natural killer cells, and B cells. Validation of these methylomic findings in post-mortem brains revealed significant transcriptional differences correlated with schizophrenia, providing potential genes and loci of functional relevance. This unique approach combining pre-disease onset blood data and post-disease onset brain data may lead to the development of methylation-based biomarkers for early detection of schizophrenia susceptibility.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Laurence Dion-Albert, Katarzyna A. Dudek, Scott J. Russo, Matthew Campbell, Caroline Menard
Summary: The neurovascular unit (NVU) plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis in the central nervous system (CNS) by facilitating substance exchange between the blood and the brain. Recent studies have shown that the NVU also affects brain function, cognition, and emotional processes, especially under stress. Understanding the mechanisms of NVU regulation can provide valuable insights for research on cognition, stress, and brain disorders.
TRENDS IN NEUROSCIENCES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Jose L. Solano, Caroline Menard
Summary: Psychological stress exacerbates gut inflammation and dysmotility by modifying enteric glia and neurons.
Article
Neurosciences
Nicolas Garel, Kyle T. T. Greenway, Le-Anh L. Dinh-Williams, Julien Thibault-Levesque, Didier Jutras-Aswad, Gustavo Turecki, Soham Rej, Stephane Richard-Devantoy
Summary: We provide evidence that sub-anesthetic ketamine infusions can facilitate the discontinuation of long-term benzodiazepine/z-drugs for treatment-resistant depression. In this cohort study, 91% of patients successfully discontinued all benzodiazepine/z-drugs after receiving a course of ketamine infusions. Less than 25% of discontinuers experienced significant worsening of symptoms during the discontinuation phase. During follow-up, 64% of patients remained abstinent from any benzodiazepine/z-drugs. These preliminary results suggest that ketamine infusions may be a novel approach for deprescribing benzodiazepine/z-drugs in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Alice Morgunova, Pascal Ibrahim, Gary Gang Chen, Sache M. Coury, Gustavo Turecki, Michael J. Meaney, Anthony Gifuni, Ian H. Gotlib, Corina Nagy, Tiffany C. Ho, Cecilia Flores
Summary: Dried blood spots (DBS) are a common method to collect biological samples, especially for newborns and in remote areas. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in diseases and are used as markers and regulators. This protocol provides optimized steps to obtain peripheral miRNA expression profiles from DBS, including key practices and the benefits of standardization.
BIOLOGY METHODS & PROTOCOLS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Long Li, Romain Durand-de Cuttoli, Antonio V. Aubry, C. Joseph Burnett, Flurin Cathomas, Lyonna F. Parise, Kenny L. Chan, Carole Morel, Chongzhen Yuan, Yusuke Shimo, Hsiao-yun Lin, Jun Wang, Scott J. Russo
Summary: Research shows that following chronic social defeat stress, a subset of male and female mice tend to avoid social interaction with non-aggressive, same-sex juvenile C57BL/6J mice and do not exhibit context-dependent social reward after encounters. This avoidance behavior seems to be linked to the activation of specific stress-responsive neurons in the lateral septum, which interferes with social reward processing.