Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Laura Goetzl, Nune Darbinian, Nana Merabova, Lindsay C. Devane, Sammanda Ramamoorthy
Summary: Patient and providers' fear of fetal exposure to medications may lead to discontinuation of treatment, disease relapse, and maternal morbidity. Placental drug transporters play a critical role in fetal exposure through active transport but the majority of data are limited to the 3rd trimester, when the majority of organogenesis has already occurred. Our objective was to define gestational age (GA) dependent changes in protein activity, expression and modifications of five major placental drug transporters: SERT, P-gp, NET, BCRP and MRP3.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
George Galitsyn, Igor Lomovskiy, Ekaterina Podgorbunskikh
Summary: This study investigated the potential of using sea buckthorn as a natural source of serotonin, and found that one- and two-year-old woody shoots were the best material for obtaining serotonin. A method for serotonin extraction using pre-grinding and mechanical treatment with adipic acid was presented. Serotonin content in sea buckthorn shoots varied depending on the place and time of harvesting, drying method, and plant variety. The study also considered the possibility of industrial cultivation and harvesting of different sea buckthorn varieties.
PLANT FOODS FOR HUMAN NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Shengzhe Deng, Haiwei Zhang, Rongpei Gou, Ding Luo, Zerong Liu, Feng Zhu, Weiwei Xue
Summary: The study investigates the molecular mechanism underlying the transportation of human dopamine transporter (hDAT), which regulates the reuptake of extracellular dopamine (DA) and is an essential target for CNS diseases. Using a structure-based method, allosteric sites on hDAT in inward-open conformation were explored and compounds with allosteric affinity were screened. The discovery of a new allosteric inhibitor for hDAT provides a starting point for lead optimization and demonstrates the usability of the method for discovering novel allosteric modulators of other therapeutic targets.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mu Li, Xintong Zhang, Sixiang Chen, Hanhe Liu, Yuan-Wei Zhang
Summary: This study reveals a novel structural characteristic of the neurotransmitter sodium symporter (NSS) family, specifically in TuriSERT, and demonstrates the unique substrate binding site and 1:1 stoichiometry of sodium-substrate binding.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Lihua Sun, Jing Tang, Heidi Liljenback, Aake Honkaniemi, Jenni Virta, Janne Isojarvi, Tomi Karjalainen, Tatu Kantonen, Pirjo Nuutila, Jarmo Hietala, Valtteri Kaasinen, Kari Kalliokoski, Jussi Hirvonen, Harry Scheinin, Semi Helin, Kim Eerola, Eriika Savontaus, Emrah Yatkin, Juha O. Rinne, Anne Roivainen, Lauri Nummenmaa
Summary: The study found that both humans and rats exhibit significant seasonal variations in cerebral MOR availability, primarily associated with seasonal changes in photoperiod. Changes in daylength were shown to influence MOR availability in the brain, impacting behaviors and physiological responses.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yoon-Sang Oh, Sang-Won Yoo, Chul Hyoung Lyoo, Joong-Seok Kim
Summary: Drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP) is a major cause of misdiagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) and is characterized by a dopamine receptor blockade. This study found that monoamine availability in the thalamus was lower in DIP patients compared to healthy controls and similar to that of early PD patients, suggesting that this could be an imaging biomarker of DIP.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Georgios D. Makris, Richard A. White, Johan Reutfors, Lisa Ekselius, Morten Andersen, Fotios C. Papadopoulos
Summary: There was no overall association between temperature or sunshine with suicidal behavior, but age was a significant effect modifier for suicide and suicide attempt regarding exposure to sunshine and temperature. Older age groups showed a higher risk of suicidal behavior with increased sunshine and temperature.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuting Liu, Elizabeth M. Bafaro, Ann E. Cowan, Robert E. Dempski
Summary: The ECD of human ZIP4 is essential for dimerization of the holo-transporter, and even in the absence of the ECD domain, hZIP4 can still form dimers with similar functional characteristics. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms of diseases related to the hZIP4 protein.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Winston H. Cuddleston, Junhao Li, Xuanjia Fan, Alexey Kozenkov, Matthew Lalli, Shahrukh Khalique, Stella Dracheva, Eran A. Mukamel, Michael S. Breen
Summary: This study investigates RNA editing in different cell populations of the human prefrontal cortex and reveals selective and highly cell type-specific RNA editing in neurons. The findings provide insights into the functional roles of RNA editing in the brain and its implications for brain disorders.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Colby E. Witt, Sergio Mena, Lauren E. Honan, Lauren Batey, Victoria Salem, Yangguang Ou, Parastoo Hashemi
Summary: This study used fast-scan controlled-adsorption voltammetry (FSCAV) to measure low-periodicity fluctuations in serotonin levels in mouse hippocampi. Correlation analyses revealed that these oscillations were present in vivo but not in vitro, and were not significantly different under different conditions (sex and stress paradigm). The administration of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor resulted in a shift in the frequency of the oscillations, suggesting regulation by transporter proteins. Additionally, the experimental parameters of FSCAV were optimized for higher temporal resolution, leading to more pronounced shifts in oscillation frequency and decreased amplitude.
Article
Cell Biology
Huangfei Yu, Tianyin Qu, Jinlan Yang, Qing Dai
Summary: In this study, it is reported that serotonin transporter (SERT) transports serotonin into colorectal cancer cells, enhancing Yes-associated protein (YAP) expression and promoting colon cancer cell growth. The transglutaminase 2 (TG2) mediates RhoA serotonylation and activates RhoA-ROCK1/2 signaling to upregulate YAP expression. Blocking SERT with citalopram reverses serotonin-induced YAP expression and cell proliferation. In addition, SERT expression is correlated with YAP in human colorectal cancer samples and the levels of serotonin are significant in patients with colorectal cancer. Therefore, targeting the serotonin-SERT-YAP axis may be a potential therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2023)
Review
Psychiatry
Simon Cervenka, Andreas Frick, Robert Boden, Mark Lubberink
Summary: Mental disorders are a growing source of disability and high costs worldwide. Molecular imaging techniques like PET have the potential to advance knowledge and treatment approaches for these disorders. However, PET research in psychiatric disorders has largely focused on monoaminergic neurotransmission, leading to limited progress. This article outlines methodological developments in new radioligands, PET data quantification, PET systems, multimodal imaging, and study protocols to overcome these obstacles.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Nikita Deo, Gregory Redpath
Summary: This article examines the important role of endocytosis in the cellular basis of depression and anxiety. It provides a detailed explanation of the endocytic regulation of 5-HT receptors and SERT, and explores how SSRIs and hallucinogenic compounds modulate serotonin signaling through endocytosis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Andrology
Yuanyuan Huang, Jingjing Gao, Pan Gao, Dangwei Peng, Yutian Dai, Hui Jiang, Xiansheng Zhang
Summary: This study found that Chinese premature ejaculation patients with the S'S' genotype have a significantly different response to dapoxetine treatment compared to those with the L' genotype, in terms of treatment response, clinical global impression, adverse effects, etc.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
William B. Grant, Barbara J. Boucher
Summary: Many diseases have seasonal variations, with higher winter mortality rates compared to summer. Blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory infections are associated with atmospheric temperature, humidity, and solar UV exposure. Further research is needed to evaluate the relative effects of temperature and sun exposure on the seasonality of mortality rates for different diseases.
Article
Psychiatry
Stefania Tognin, Hendrika H. van Hell, Kate Merritt, Inge Winter-van Rossum, Matthijs G. Bossong, Matthew J. Kempton, Gemma Modinos, Paolo Fusar-Poli, Andrea Mechelli, Paola Dazzan, Arija Maat, Lieuwe de Haan, Benedicto Crespo-Facorro, Birte Glenthoj, Stephen M. Lawrie, Colm McDonald, Oliver Gruber, Therese van Amelsvoort, Celso Arango, Tilo Kircher, Barnaby Nelson, Silvana Galderisi, Rodrigo Bressan, Jun S. Kwon, Mark Weiser, Romina Mizrahi, Gabriele Sachs, Anke Maatz, Rene Kahn, Phillip McGuire
SCHIZOPHRENIA BULLETIN
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gausiha Rathitharan, Jennifer Truong, Junchao Tong, Tina McCluskey, Jeffrey H. Meyer, Romina Mizrahi, Jerry Warsh, Pablo Rusjan, James L. Kennedy, Sylvain Houle, Stephen J. Kish, Isabelle Boileau
Summary: Research on the brains of chronic MA users suggests that while there is activation of microglial cells, there is no significant increase in microgliosis. This indicates that microglia may not be a substantial therapeutic target for MA addiction, despite their involvement in MA-seeking behavior.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maya R. Jacobson, Jeremy J. Watts, Tania Da Silva, Rachel F. Tyndale, Pablo M. Rusjan, Sylvain Houle, Alan A. Wilson, Ruth A. Ross, Isabelle Boileau, Romina Mizrahi
Summary: Lower levels of FAAH enzyme were found in the brains of adult cannabis users during early abstinence, with higher cannabis use throughout the past year correlating with decreased [C-11]CURB binding. The study also detected lower [C-11]CURB binding in a younger cohort with less cumulative cannabis exposure, confirming and extending previous findings.
Article
Psychiatry
Ana Weidenauer, Martin Bauer, Ulrich Sauerzopf, Lucie Bartova, Lukas Nics, Sarah Pfaff, Cecile Philippe, Neydher Berroteran-Infante, Verena Pichler, Bernhard M. Meyer, Ulrich Rabl, Patrick Sezen, Paul Cumming, Thomas Stimpfl, Harald H. Sitte, Rupert Lanzenberger, Nilufar Mossaheb, Alexander Zimprich, Pablo Rusjan, Georg Dorffner, Markus Mitterhauser, Marcus Hacker, Lukas Pezawas, Siegfried Kasper, Wolfgang Wadsak, Nicole Praschak-Rieder, Matthaeus Willeit
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2020)
Article
Psychiatry
Nathan J. Kolla, Isabelle Boileau, Karolina Karas, Jeremy J. Watts, Pablo Rusjan, Sylvain Houle, Romina Mizrahi
Summary: Individuals with ASPD have lower FAAH density in the amygdala, while FAAH expression in the cerebellum and striatum is inversely related to impulsivity. Cerebellar FAAH density is also negatively associated with assaultive aggression.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Marion Criaud, Jin-Hee Kim, Mateusz Zurowski, Nancy Lobaugh, Sofia Chavez, Sylvain Houle, Antonio P. Strafella
Summary: The study found that anxiety symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients are associated with over-activation of the amygdala and impaired inter-relationship among regions involved in behavior and motor control.
Article
Neurosciences
Duncan G. J. Green, Jinhee Kim, Stephen J. Kish, Rachel F. Tyndale, Matthew N. Hill, Antonio P. Strafella, Junchao Tong, Tina McCluskey, Duncan J. Westwood, Sylvain Houle, Nancy J. Lobaugh, Isabelle Boileau
Summary: This study revealed a negative correlation between levels of the endocannabinoid enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in the amygdala and functional connectivity in frontoamygdalar circuits involved in stress and affect control. The findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the role of FAAH in regulating brain circuits underlying fear and emotion processing in humans.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY & NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Correction
Neurosciences
J. Kolla Nathan, R. Mizrahi, K. Karas, C. Wang, R. M. Bagby, S. McMain, A. I. Simpson, P. M. Rusjan, R. Tyndale, S. Houle, I. Boileau
Summary: The correction to this paper has been published.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Patricia Di Ciano, Harriet de Wit, Esmaeil Mansouri, Sylvain Houle, Isabelle Boileau, Bernard Le Foll
Summary: PET imaging with [C-11]-(+)-PHNO was used to measure changes in dopamine levels in regions of interest in smokers who had maintained abstinence for 7-10 days. Results showed that smoking cues did not increase craving, and there were no significant changes in dopamine binding potential in most regions except for a decrease in the substantia nigra. Further research with a larger sample size is needed to validate these preliminary findings.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Sophia Attwells, Elaine Setiawan, Pablo M. Rusjan, Cynthia Xu, Stephen J. Kish, Neil Vasdev, Sylvain Houle, Apitharani Santhirakumar, Jeffrey H. Meyer
Summary: Oral minocycline did not significantly reduce TSPO V-T in TRD patients, suggesting that this dosage may be insufficient for reducing gliosis in this condition. Alternative therapeutic approaches or intravenous formulations of minocycline should be considered for targeting gliosis in TRD. Additionally, it should not be assumed that oral minocycline will reduce TSPO V-T or gliosis in humans without empirical evidence.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Talwinder Gill, Sarah E. Watling, J. Don Richardson, Tina McCluskey, Junchao Tong, Jeffrey H. Meyer, Jerry Warsh, Rakesh Jetly, Michael G. Hutchison, Shawn G. Rhind, Sylvain Houle, Neil Vasdev, Stephen J. Kish, Isabelle Boileau
Summary: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be associated with astrocyte pathology and a decrease in MAO-B levels. Preliminary results suggest a potential reduction in [C-11]SL25.1188 availability in PTSD patients, especially those with comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD). These findings are partly consistent with preclinical studies and recent PET observations, but further replication in a larger PTSD cohort is needed.
EUROPEAN NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Psychology, Clinical
Alina Kastner-Bosek, Irena Dajic, Nace Mikus, Ana Weidenauer, Matthaus Willeit
Summary: This article discusses the potential relevance of cocaine abuse as a pharmacological model of narcissism, emphasizing the importance of cocaine effects in addressing the neurophysiology of narcissism, and proposing recommendations for further research.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Anna Vasilevskaya, Foad Taghdiri, Namita Multani, Miracle Ozzoude, Apameh Tarazi, Mozhgan Khodadadi, Richard Wennberg, Pablo Rusjan, Sylvain Houle, Robin Green, Brenda Colella, Kaj Blennow, Henrik Zetterberg, Thomas Karikari, David Mikulis, Lili-Naz Hazrati, Gabor G. Kovacs, Karen Deborah Davis, Charles Tator, Maria Carmela Tartaglia
Summary: This study investigated the use of plasma pTau181 as a non-invasive measure to assess the risk of neurodegenerative diseases in retired athletes. The results showed that retired athletes had higher levels of plasma pTau181 and its levels were associated with abnormalities in certain brain regions. However, baseline pTau181 levels were not predictive of longitudinal changes in brain volumes or white-matter integrity in the athletes.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Jeremy J. Watts, Elisa Guma, Sofia Chavez, Rachel F. Tyndale, Ruth A. Ross, Sylvain Houle, Alan A. Wilson, Mallar Chakravarty, Pablo M. Rusjan, Romina Mizrahi
Summary: Dysregulation of hippocampus neurotransmission and volume has been associated with psychiatric disorders, and anandamide and FAAH are related to normal hippocampus function.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Sarah E. Watling, Samantha Jagasar, Tina McCluskey, Jerry Warsh, Shawn G. Rhind, Peter Truong, Sofia Chavez, Sylvain Houle, Junchao Tong, Stephen J. Kish, Isabelle Boileau
Summary: Preliminary data suggests that chronic methamphetamine (MA) use may cause oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. This study aimed to investigate the levels of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) in the brains of chronic MA users and explore the relationship between peripheral immunoinflammatory biomarkers and brain GSH concentrations. The results showed that GSH levels did not differ between MA users and healthy controls, but several immunoinflammatory biomarkers were significantly elevated in MA users and correlated with brain GSH levels.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)