Article
Environmental Sciences
Xudan Liu, Ruo Zhang, Juanjun Fan, Yao Chen, Huanhuan Wang, Yanhong Ge, Huning Liang, Wanying Li, Huimin Liu, Zhengyang Lv, Wenting Dou, Hong Jiang, Xin Li
Summary: Arsenic pollution in groundwater remains a serious public health concern worldwide. This study found that arsenic exposure through drinking water led to depression-/anxiety-like behaviors in mice, accompanied by oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Interventions with the ROS scavenger NAC alleviated the social behavior impairments and reduced ROS generation and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. The study further identified the involvement of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway in ROS-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Overall, this research reveals the role of the ROS/p38 MAPK/NLRP3 inflammasome cascade in arsenic-induced depression-/anxiety-disorders and suggests NAC as a potential therapeutic agent.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yuelee Khoo, Ilya Demchenko, Benicio N. Frey, Roumen Milev, Arun Ravindran, Sagar Parikh, Keith Ho, Susan Rotzinger, Wendy Lou, Raymond W. Lam, Sidney H. Kennedy, Venkat Bhat
Summary: Early improvement in anxiety and depression during the first two weeks of treatment significantly predicts the eventual treatment outcomes for anxiety and depression. Baseline anxiety severity is a strong predictor of anxiety outcomes at weeks 2 and 8. The study suggests that focusing on early improvement in anxiety may be more beneficial in predicting treatment outcomes for anxiety depression.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ethan A. Poweleit, Margaret A. Cinibulk, Sarah A. Novotny, Melissa Wagner-Schuman, Laura B. Ramsey, Jeffrey R. Strawn
Summary: Pregnancy can affect the pharmacokinetics of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are commonly used for treating depressive and anxiety disorders. The activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, which metabolize SSRIs, changes significantly during pregnancy, leading to pharmacokinetic variability that may impact the tolerability and efficacy of these medications. This perspective examines the impact of pharmacokinetic genes related to CYP activity on SSRI pharmacokinetics during pregnancy and discusses the implications for dosing and future research.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Medhat Taha, Mohamed Ezzat Mahmoud, Abdullah G. Al-Kushi, Anas Sarhan, Omer Abdelbagi, Tourki A. S. Baokbah, Omar Babateen, Ibrahim El-Shenbaby, Naeem F. Qusty, Sara T. Elazab
Summary: This study examined the neuroprotective effects of alkaline Zamzam water (ZW) on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors induced by diabetes in rats. The results showed that ZW had anxiolytic and antidepressant effects, and modulated various biological pathways related to oxidative stress, neurotransmitters, and inflammatory markers.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Suvi Virtanen, Tyra Lagerberg, Lotfi Khemiri, Jaana Suvisaari, Henrik Larsson, Paul Lichtenstein, Zheng Chang, Antti Latvala
Summary: The cohort study in Sweden found that individuals with anxiety/depression had a higher risk of substance misuse before starting SSRI treatment, but the risk decreased after treatment initiation.
Review
Reproductive Biology
Subina Upadhyaya, Alan Brown, Keely Cheslack-Postava, Mika Gissler, David Gyllenberg, Emmi Heinonen, Joonas Laitinen, Ian McKeague, Susanna Hinkka-Yli-Salomaki, Andre Sourander, Aleksi Tornio, Heli Malm
Summary: Previous studies on the relationship between prenatal SSRI exposure and long-term offspring depressive or anxiety behaviors have been inconclusive. This study aims to critically review previous findings and propose a new study protocol using Finnish national register data to investigate the association between prenatal SSRI exposure and offspring depression or anxiety. The study includes a large sample size and aims to disentangle the effects of maternal SSRI exposure, maternal depression, and familial loading history of psychiatric disorders. The study has potential public health significance and can provide guidance for clinicians in treating pregnant women.
REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hridaya Raj Devkota, Tula Ram Sijali, Ramji Bogati, Meraj Ahmad, Karuna Laxmi Shakya, Pratik Adhikary
Summary: This study identified an increased prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms during the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal. Factors such as region, gender, and living situation were found to be associated with these mental health issues. The findings emphasize the urgent need for developing and implementing community-based mental health programs targeting individuals at risk for adverse mental health outcomes.
Article
Psychiatry
Maja Kesic, Gordana Mokrovic, Ante Tvrdeic, Branko Mise, Jasminka Stefulj, Lipa Cicin-Sain
Summary: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed medications for treating mood disorders, but individual response to SSRIs varies. Individual serotonin levels may play a role in influencing the biological actions of SSRIs.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gui-Hong Zhang, Kai Ling Chin, Shi-Yan Yan, Rahmawati Pare
Summary: This study revealed the neuroprotective role of Tβ4 in Alzheimer's disease, which may open up new therapeutic applications for this disease.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jeffrey R. Strawn, Jeffrey A. Mills, Vikram Suresh, Tara S. Peris, John T. Walkup, Paul E. Croarkin
Summary: The combination of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be more effective in treating depression and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. The added value of CBT becomes more significant as treatment progresses, and this approach is robust across a variety of patient characteristics.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yong Gu, Nanxin Zhang, Shujie Zhu, Shuanghui Lu, Huidi Jiang, Hui Zhou
Summary: Estrogen deficiency-induced female depression is closely related to 5-HT deficiency. This study found that estradiol regulates PMAT expression and 5-HT reuptake through estrogen receptors and related signaling pathways, highlighting the importance of PMAT in the antidepressant effects of estradiol.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Javad Amini, Cordian Beyer, Adib Zendedel, Nima Sanadgol
Summary: Anxiety-related disorders are chronic neuropsychological diseases and a leading cause of disability. Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRs) is observed in the pathological course of these disorders. This study identified anxiolytic and anxiogenic miRs that target specific genes and cellular pathways, primarily the MAPK signaling pathway. The findings suggest that miR-34c, Let-7d, miR-17, miR-19b, miR-92a, and miR-218 are important modulators in anxiety pathophysiology. Further investigation is needed to explore the potential role of E2F5 as a target for anxiolytic miRNAs in anxiety-related disorders.
Review
Reproductive Biology
Sarah M. Hutchison, Louise C. Masse, Jodi L. Pawluski, Tim F. Oberlander
Summary: Research has focused on the impact of SSRI and other antidepressants during the perinatal period on anxiety and depression behaviors in offspring, showing varying outcomes influenced by factors such as early exposure timing, gender, maternal stress experimental models, and non-SSRI medications. Additionally, maternal caregiving and gene-environment interactions may also contribute to the effects of perinatal SSRI exposure and maternal mental illness on affective behaviors in children.
REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Mohammadreza Askari, Elnaz Daneshzad, Manije Darooghegi Mofrad, Nick Bellissimo, Katherine Suitor, Leila Azadbakht
Summary: This systematic review examined the association between a vegetarian diet and mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and stress. The results from 13 publications were analyzed, including four cohort studies and nine cross-sectional studies. The findings suggest that there is no significant association between a vegetarian diet and depression or anxiety. However, due to insufficient data, the relationship with stress could not be determined. Further cohort studies are needed to explore the effects of a vegetarian diet on mental health outcomes.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mei Liu, Rui-bo Wang, Jian-hong Xing, Ying-xue Tang
Summary: The study found that Atractylenolide (ATL) has a significant impact on apoptosis and oxidative stress in HTR-8/SVneo cells during preeclampsia (PE) development, alleviating cell apoptosis and oxidative stress by activating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. ATL has the potential to be a potential therapeutic candidate for PE.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Alyssa Salcido, Eden Hernandez Robles, Kiran Chaudhary, Luis Alvarado, Sergio D. Iniguez, Javier Vargas-Medrano, Valeria Diaz-Pacheco, Maria Theresa Villanos, Bharathi S. Gadad, Sarah L. Martin
Summary: Pediatric obesity and ADHD are growing health concerns in the US, particularly among Hispanic children and adolescents. Existing research indicates higher obesity prevalence rates in this community, but there is limited data on ADHD rates. This study aims to examine the prevalence of obesity in children with ADHD compared to the general population.
FRONTIERS IN INTEGRATIVE NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
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
Neurosciences
Collin D. Teague, Joseph A. Picone, William J. Wright, Caleb J. Browne, Gabriella M. Silva, Rita Futamura, Angelica Minier-Toribio, Molly E. Estill, Aarthi Ramakrishnan, Freddyson J. Martinez-Rivera, Arthur Godino, Eric M. Parise, Kyra H. Schmidt, Nathalia V. Pulido, Zachary S. Lorsch, Jee Hyun Kim, Li Shen, Rachael L. Neve, Yan Dong, Eric J. Nestler, Peter J. Hamilton
Summary: During chronic drug use, brain transcriptional neuroadaptation contributes to changes in drug use behavior. The transcription factor CREB has been shown to counteract the rewarding properties of drugs, and zinc finger protein 189 (Zfp189) is identified as a target gene of CREB in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of mice. By manipulating the CREB-Zfp189 interaction, researchers found that it can increase Zfp189 expression and decrease the reinforcing responses to cocaine. The induction of Zfp189 by CREB in different types of medium spiny neurons also affects their electrophysiological activity and diminishes cocaine-conditioned behaviors.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Roxanna J. Nahvi, Arax Tanelian, Chiso Nwokafor, Arthur Godino, Eric Parise, Molly Estill, Li Shen, Eric J. Nestler, Esther L. Sabban
Summary: This study investigated the transcriptome profiles in the locus coeruleus (LC) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) in response to traumatic stress, and found that they exhibit different gene expression patterns. The LC had significantly more differentially-expressed genes associated with morphological changes, while the NAc had gene expression changes related to DNA repair and synthesis, as well as cytokine production. The study also identified MTPN and NR3C1 as important regulators of stress susceptibility in the LC.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Verenice Ascencio Gutierrez, Audrey A. Carrillo, Gretha J. Boersma, Kellie L. K. Tamashiro, Timothy H. Moran, Sergio D. Iniguez, Yada Treesukosol
Summary: Early-life exposure to stress or antidepressant medication has long-term effects on memory and depression in adulthood. This study investigated the influence of juvenile exposure to stress or fluoxetine on conditioned taste aversion (CTA) learning in adulthood. The results showed that neither early-life stress nor fluoxetine exposure had an impact on CTA learning in adulthood.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Gessynger Morais-Silva, Rianne R. Campbell, Hyungwoo Nam, Mahashweta Basu, Marco Pagliusi, Megan E. Fox, C. Savio Chan, Sergio D. Iniguez, Seth Ament, Nathan Cramer, Marcelo Tadeu Marin, Mary Kay Lobo
Summary: The altered activity of the ventral pallidum (VP) is responsible for disrupted motivation in stress and drug exposure. To investigate the role of Neuronal PAS 1-positive (Npas1+) VP neurons, we analyzed their projection targets and conducted RNA sequencing on VP Npas1+ neurons to understand their molecular identities. Chemogenetic activation of VP Npas1+ neurons modulated susceptibility to social stressors and anxiety-like behavior. Our findings reveal the circuitry, molecular identity, and stress response role of VP Npas1+ neurons.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(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
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amaia Nunez-delMoral, Paula C. Bianchi, Iria Brocos-Mosquera, Augusto Anesio, Paola Palombo, Rosana Camarini, Fabio C. Cruz, Luis F. Callado, Vincent Vialou, Amaia M. Erdozain
Summary: A protein called hevin is highly expressed in the adult brain and plays a role in stress resilience and motivated behaviors. This study found that hevin levels are elevated in the brain tissue of individuals with alcohol use disorder, and that alcohol exposure and withdrawal can alter hevin levels. Moreover, suppressing hevin expression in a specific brain region leads to increased alcohol consumption.
Review
Neurosciences
Trevonn M. Gyles, Eric J. Nestler, Eric M. Parise
Summary: There is a need for more effective treatments for stress-related illnesses, and animal models play an important role in this effort. However, current approaches have had limited success in developing new therapeutic mechanisms. Recent research has shown that chronic stress models in rodents can replicate some molecular pathology seen in depressed individuals, validating the relevance of these models. This review discusses the limitations of current stress models and explores opportunities to enhance their translational use.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Javier Vargas-Medrano, Luis M. Carcoba, Guadalupe Vidal Martinez, Zuber D. Mulla, Victoria Diaz, Alejandra Ruiz-Velasco, Fabian Alvarez-Primo, Gabriela Colina, Sergio D. Iniguez, Peter M. Thompson, Laura E. O'Dell, Bharathi S. Gadad
Summary: Chronic nicotine exposure affects the expression of regulatory genes associated with metabolic function and neuronal alterations in the brain. The effects of sex and diet on gene expression in nicotine-exposed brains have not been well studied. Comparing pre-clinical models and human subjects can provide valuable insights into biomarkers of nicotine's harmful effects and help develop interventions for smoking cessation.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caleb J. Browne, Rita Futamura, Angelica Minier-Toribio, Emily M. Hicks, Aarthi Ramakrishnan, Freddyson J. Martinez-Rivera, Molly Estill, Arthur Godino, Eric M. Parise, Angelica Torres-Berrio, Ashley M. Cunningham, Peter J. Hamilton, Deena M. Walker, Laura M. Huckins, Yasmin L. Hurd, Li Shen, Eric J. Nestler
Summary: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a severe medical crisis and understanding the molecular changes involved is crucial for developing effective therapeutics. This study used RNA sequencing and heroin self-administration in mice to create a comprehensive brain reward circuit-wide atlas of opioid-induced transcriptional regulation. Analysis of the data revealed region-specific and pan-circuit biological changes, as well as molecular processes that contribute to OUD vulnerability. Comparison with human OUD data identified potential therapeutic gene candidates. These findings provide important insights into the molecular reprogramming underlying OUD and could inform future treatment strategies.
Article
Psychiatry
Alejandro Orrico-Sanchez, Bruno P. Guiard, Stella Manta, Jacques Callebert, Jean-Marie Launay, Franck Louis, Antoine Paccard, Carole Gruszczynski, Catalina Betancur, Vincent Vialou, Sophie Gautron
Summary: This study provides the first evidence of the physiological relevance of OCT2-mediated tryptophan transport and its biological consequences on serotonin homeostasis in the brain and SSRI efficacy.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(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.
Meeting Abstract
Neurosciences
Arthur Godino, Marine Salery, Angelica Minier-Toribio, Vishwendra Patel, John Fullard, Eric Parise, Carole Morel, Sarah Montgomery, Scott Russo, Panos Roussos, Robert Blitzer, Eric Nestler
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Neurosciences
Sergio Iniguez, Israel Garcia-Carachure
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)