Article
Oncology
Hansi Pathak, Anton Borchert, Sara Garaali, Alexandra Burkert, Helge Frieling
Summary: This study investigates the interaction and mechanisms between BDNF exon IV promoter methylation and antidepressant treatment. The results show that antidepressant treatment increases promoter methylation and specific CpG methylation affects transcriptional activity. Furthermore, overexpression of DNMT3a also enhances transcription of BDNF exon IV.
CLINICAL EPIGENETICS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Alyssa Murray, Sujeenthar Tharmalingam, Sandhya Khurana, Christine Lalonde, Phong Nguyen, T. C. Tai
Summary: Circadian clocks play a crucial role in controlling various physiological functions, and glucocorticoid signaling can impact these clocks. Prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids can lead to altered circadian rhythm gene expression in specific brain regions and sexes, while spontaneously hypertensive rats show dysregulation of circadian rhythm gene expression in similar brain regions.
Article
Biology
Tyler R. Rivet, Christine Lalonde, T. C. Tai
Summary: The present study investigates how chronic exposure to the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone during late gestation alters the expression of genes related to behavior in brain areas relevant to the regulation and function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The results suggest that prenatal exposure to elevated levels of glucocorticoids plays a role in the dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and potentially learning and memory by altering the expression of specific genes within the amygdala and PVN.
Article
Psychiatry
Barbara Risse Quaioto, Aline Ribeiro Borcoi, Suzanny Oliveira Mendes, Paola Cerbino Doblas, Tamires dos Santos Vieira, Ivana Alece Arantes Moreno, Joaquim Gasparini dos Santos, Andre Willian Hollais, Amanda Sgrancio Olinda, Marcele Lorentz Mattos de Souza, Flavia Vitorino Freitas, Julia Assis Pinheiro, Ester Ribeiro Cunha, Bruna Pereira Sorroche, Lidia Maria Rebolho Batista Arantes, Adriana Madeira Alvares-da-Silva
Summary: This study investigated the methylation of the BDNF gene in individuals with depression who were tobacco users. A total of 384 adults from southeastern Brazil were recruited for the study. The results showed a significant interaction between depression and tobacco use on BDNF methylation levels. Individuals with depression and tobacco use had lower levels of BDNF methylation compared to those with or without depression who did not use tobacco. The findings suggest that tobacco use may interfere with BDNF gene methylation in depressed individuals.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Shuhei Fujima, Ryosuke Yamaga, Haruka Minami, Shota Mizuno, Yo Shinoda, Tetsushi Sadakata, Manabu Abe, Kenji Sakimura, Yoshitake Sano, Teiichi Furuichi
Summary: CAPS2 regulates the release of the social modulatory peptide oxytocin (OXT) through dense-core vesicle (DCV) exocytosis, impacting social behavior in mice. Deficiency in CAPS2 leads to reduced plasma OXT levels but increased levels in the hypothalamus and pituitary, indicating insufficient release. The impaired social interaction and recognition behavior in Caps2 KO mice can be ameliorated by intranasal administration of exogenous OXT.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Marise B. Parent, Hildebrando Candido Ferreira-Neto, Ana Rafaela Kruemmel, Ferdinand Althammer, Atit A. Patel, Sreinick Keo, Kathryn E. Whitley, Daniel N. Cox, Javier E. Stern
Summary: The study found that rats with severely reduced ejection fraction replicated the behavioral symptoms seen in patients with chronic heart failure, including increased anxiety and impaired memory. Heart failure led to downregulation of synaptic plasticity genes in the brain, particularly in the prefrontal cortex and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Rodrigo Moraga-Amaro, Raul Diaz-Galarce, Juan P. Donoso-Ramos, Valentina Ugalde, Sergio Linsambarth, Janine Doorduin, Erik FJ. de Vries, Estibaliz Ampuero, Francisca Pena, Rodrigo Pacheco, Ursula Wyneken, Jimmy Stehberg
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of prenatal fluoxetine exposure on memory and emotional behavior of rat offspring. Results showed that male rats exposed to fluoxetine during gestation displayed memory impairments and increased anxiety- and depressive-like symptoms in adulthood.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jiahui Lei, Meng Zhao, Fengying Deng, Ting Xu, Bingyu Ji, Xietong Wang, Meihua Zhang, Miao Sun, Qinqin Gao
Summary: This study demonstrates that prenatal administration of synthetic glucocorticoids (GCs) affects the reactivity of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in postnatal offspring, increasing their sensitivity to angiotensin II and ultimately leading to increased MCA contractility, which may contribute to the development of cerebrovascular disease.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Sri-Arun Iamjan, Samur Thanoi, Paritat Watiktinkorn, Helene Fachim, Caroline F. Dalton, Sutisa Nudmamud-Thanoi, Gavin P. Reynolds
Summary: The study investigated the effects of methamphetamine on DNA methylation of BDNF in humans and rats, finding increased methylation in patients and rats with METH exposure. These changes may affect BDNF expression and contribute to the neurotoxic effects of METH.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xufeng Li, Wen Hu, Li Li, Ze Chen, Tao Jiang, Dingmei Zhang, Kexin Liu, Hui Wang
Summary: The study confirmed the increased risk of hypercholesterolemia in female adult offspring rats exposed to prenatal dexamethasone, and investigated its intrauterine programming mechanism. The results showed that PDE offspring exhibited elevated cholesterol levels, indicating a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Xu Wang, Haohong Li
Summary: This study found that synaptic remodeling, lipid droplet accumulation, and synaptic dysfunction occur in feeding-related brain regions of obese mice induced by high-fat diet. These impairments are associated with energy homeostasis and reward regulation, which may contribute to overeating in obesity.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Weisheng Li, Likui Lu, Dan Zhu, Jingliu Liu, Yajun Shi, Hongtao Zeng, Xi Yu, Jun Guo, Bin Wei, Yongle Cai, Miao Sun
Summary: This study investigated the impact of fluoride on synaptogenesis and found that prenatal fluoride exposure can lead to neurotoxicity and cognitive impairment by disrupting the BDNF-TrkB pathway. The phosphorylation of Creb1 (p-Creb1) was identified to play a regulatory role in this pathway.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Ting Xu, Bingyu Ji, Lingjun Li, Jiahui Lei, Meng Zhao, Miao Sun, Zhice Xu, Qinqin Gao
Summary: This study found that antenatal dexamethasone exposure has adverse effects on vascular function in adult male offspring, possibly due to increases in IP3R1 and Cav1.2 in blood vessels. These changes are mediated by epigenetic modifications (promotor histone modifications).
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Min Liu, Yi Liu, Lin-guo Pei, Qi Zhang, Hao Xiao, Ya-wen Chen, Hui Wang
Summary: Prenatal dexamethasone exposure can lead to testicular dysplasia and inhibited testosterone synthesis in male offspring rats, with decreased expression of IGF1 and H3K14ac level. Chronic stress in pregnant rats resulted in increased corticosterone levels and improved indicators in adult offspring. Corticosterone at lower levels inhibited testosterone synthesis through the GRα/miR-124-3p/HDAC5 pathway.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zhixin Wu, Yinxian Wen, Hao Xiao, Jiayong Zhu, Bin Li, Yangfan Shangguan, Hangyuan He, Hui Wang, Liaobin Chen
Summary: Epidemiological investigations have shown an increased risk of osteoporosis in individuals treated with dexamethasone during pregnancy. Decreased peak bone mass and increased bone local active corticosterone were observed in prenatal dexamethasone exposure (PDE) offspring, with further decrease and increase after chronic stress. Injection of 118-HSD2 overexpression lentivirus partially alleviated bone loss induced by PDE. Dexamethasone inhibited 118HSD2 expression and aggravated the inhibitory effect of corticosterone on osteogenic differentiation, while overexpression of 118-HSD2 partially alleviated this effect.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ada Trepci, Carl M. Sellgren, Erik Palsson, Lena Brundin, Neda Khanlarkhani, Lilly Schwieler, Mikael Landen, Sophie Erhardt
Summary: The study found that CSF concentrations of KYNA and PIC, as well as the kynurenine/tryptophan ratio, were increased in patients with bipolar disorder, while CSF PIC concentrations were lower in those with a history of suicidal behavior. Genetic variants were associated with metabolite concentrations, suggesting that polymorphisms in ACMSD may lead to excess QUIN formation.
EUROPEAN NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Josef Isung, Mathias Granqvist, Ada Trepci, Jesse Huang, Lilly Schwieler, Marie Kierkegaard, Sophie Erhardt, Jussi Jokinen, Fredrik Piehl
Summary: This study found that acute aerobic exercise affects immune markers and kynurenine pathway metabolites in both systemic and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Changes in various inflammatory proteins and metabolites were observed after acute exercise, indicating a functional link between these processes in plasma and CSF.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pontus Plaven-Sigray, Pauliina Ikonen Victorsson, Alexander Santillo, Granville J. Matheson, Maria Lee, Karin Collste, Helena Fatouros-Bergman, Carl M. Sellgren, Sophie Erhardt, Ingrid Agartz, Christer Halldin, Lars Farde, Simon Cervenka
Summary: Pharmacological and genetic evidence suggest a role for the dopamine D2-receptor in schizophrenia pathophysiology. This study used PET imaging to compare D2-R density in thalamus between first-episode psychosis patients and healthy controls, finding lower binding in patients and suggesting a potential disturbance of thalamocortical connectivity. Additionally, diffusion tensor imaging revealed lower fractional anisotropy values in the inferior thalamic radiation in patients compared to controls.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Elisabeth R. Paul, Lilly Schwieler, Sophie Erhardt, Sandra Boda, Ada Trepci, Robin Kampe, Anna Asratian, Lovisa Holm, Adam Yngve, Robert Dantzer, Markus Heilig, J. Paul Hamilton, Martin Samuelsson
Summary: Considerable data suggests a link between major depressive disorder (MDD) and abnormal immune system functioning. This study found that KP metabolite levels in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are related to metabolic disturbances and brain structure volumes in MDD patients.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kart Matlik, Daniel R. Garton, Ana R. Montano-Rodriguez, Soophie Olfat, Feride Eren, Laoise Casserly, Anastasios Damdimopoulos, Anne Panhelainen, L. Lauriina Porokuokka, Jaakko J. Kopra, Giorgio Turconi, Nadine Schweizer, Erika Bereczki, Fredrik Piehl, Goran Engberg, Simon Cervenka, T. Petteri Piepponen, Fu-Ping Zhang, Petra Sipila, Johan Jakobsson, Carl M. Sellgren, Sophie Erhardt, Jaan-Olle Andressoo
Summary: This study found that increased striatal dopamine signaling in a subgroup of schizophrenia patients may be related to the increase of GDNF. A possible mediator of GDNF-driven dopaminergic abnormalities is A(2A)R. By inhibiting A(2A)R with a drug, striatal and cortical dopamine levels can be partially normalized. These results provide potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of schizophrenia.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Pei Shang, Ada Man-Choi Ho, Maximilian Tufvesson-Alm, Daniel R. Lindberg, Caroline W. Grant, Funda Orhan, Feride Eren, Maria Bhat, Goran Engberg, Lilly Schwieler, Helena Fatouros-Bergman, Sophie Imbeault, Ryan M. Iverson, Surendra Dasari, Fredrik Piehl, Simon Cervenka, Carl M. Sellgren, Sophie Erhardt, Doo-Sup Choi
Summary: This study utilized metabolomics analysis to identify psychosis-associated metabolites in CSF and serum samples, revealing increased levels of CSF serotonin (5-HT) and potential biomarkers for psychosis. Most metabolites remained stable at the 18-month follow-up, indicating improvement in positive symptoms and cognitive functions. Changes in CSF and serum metabolites between baseline and follow-up provided insights into psychosis pathogenesis and progression.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jessica Gracias, Funda Orhan, Elin Horbeck, Jessica Holmen-Larsson, Neda Khanlarkani, Susmita Malwade, Sravan K. Goparaju, Lilly Schwieler, Ilknur S. Demirel, Ting Fu, Helena Fatourus-Bergman, Aurimantas Pelanis, Carleton P. Goold, Anneli Goulding, Kristina Annerbrink, Anniella Isgren, Timea Sparding, Martin Schalling, Viviana A. Carcamo Yanez, Jens C. Gopfert, Johanna Nilsson, Ann Brinkmalm, Kaj Blennow, Henrik Zetterberg, Goran Engberg, Fredrik Piehl, Steven D. Sheridan, Roy H. Perlis, Simon Cervenka, Sophie Erhardt, Mikael Landen, Carl M. Sellgren
Summary: This study found elevated levels of C4A in individuals with schizophrenia and suggested a role of C4A in early schizophrenia pathophysiology.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Martina Svensson, Sophie Erhardt, Ulf Hallmarker, Stefan James, Tomas Deierborg
Summary: This study explores the association between participation in long-distance cross-country ski race and the risk of bipolar disorder diagnosis. It suggests that previous participation in the race is associated with a lower risk of newly diagnosed bipolar disorder, while the impact of exercise intensity varies based on sex.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIPOLAR DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cornelia Larsson, Maria Lee, Tobias Lundgren, Sophie Erhardt, Carl M. Sellgren, Simon Cervenka, Jacqueline Borg, Sven Bolte, Helena Fatouros-Bergman
Summary: This study aimed to investigate whether individuals with first-episode psychosis (FEP) who are either antipsychotic drug-naive or briefly medicated have impaired facial affect recognition (FAR) compared to control participants, as well as whether psychotic symptoms are associated with FAR ability.
Article
Oncology
Erik Boberg, Nadir Kadri, Daniel W. W. Hagey, Lilly Schwieler, Samir El Andaloussi, Sophie Erhardt, Ellen Iacobaeus, Katarina Le Blanc
Summary: Murine studies indicate that after aHSCT, donor-derived macrophages replace damaged microglia and alloreactive T-cells invade the central nervous system. In this study, CNS immune surveillance and metabolic activity were assessed in relation to cognitive dysfunction and fatigue in aHSCT patients. The results showed increased proportions of activated T-cells and CD16+ NK-cells in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with cognitive dysfunction. Immune cell activation was accompanied by reduced levels of anti-inflammatory factors and an upregulation of apoptosis pathway genes. The study suggests potential treatment targets for post-transplant CNS inflammation and neurotoxicity.
Article
Immunology
Feride Eren, Lilly Schwieler, Funda Orhan, Anna Malmqvist, Fredrik Piehl, Simon Cervenka, Carl M. Sellgren, Helena Fatouros-Bergman, Goran Engberg, Sophie Erhardt
Summary: In this study, immune aberrations in schizophrenia were investigated by analyzing a large number of immune-related proteins. It was found that several inflammatory proteins were significantly elevated in the plasma of both first-episode psychosis patients and schizophrenia patients, and these elevations were associated with disease severity. However, only CD5 showed a difference in cerebrospinal fluid.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Leonie J. T. Balter, Xueqi Li, Lilly Schwieler, Sophie Erhardt, John Axelsson, Mats J. Olsson, Julie Lasselin, Mats Lekander
Summary: This study shows that LPS-induced inflammation is associated with changes in kynurenine pathway metabolites, but these changes in blood levels do not directly correlate with symptoms of sickness behavior.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Funda Orhan, Michel Goiny, Meneca Becklen, Levida Mathe, Fredrik Piehl, Lilly Schwieler, Helena Fatouros-Bergman, Lars Farde, Simon Cervenka, Carl M. Sellgren, Goran Engberg, Sophie Erhardt
Summary: This study investigated dopamine levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of first-episode psychosis subjects and found that they had higher dopamine levels compared to healthy controls. These elevated dopamine levels were associated with illness severity and deficits in cognitive functioning, providing biochemical support for the role of dopamine dysfunction in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Neurosciences
Lilly Schwieler, Jacob Ahlberg Weidenfors, Vytautas Griska, Xueqi Li, Fredrik Piehl, Aukse Mickiene, Sophie Erhardt
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Neurosciences
Sophie Erhardt, Lilly Schwieler, Carl M. Sellgren, Feride Eren, Simon Cervenka, Fredrik Piehl, Helena Faturos Bergman, Funda Orhan, Goran Engberg
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)