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Mallick R, Duttaroy AK. Epigenetic modification impacting brain functions: Effects of physical activity, micronutrients, caffeine, toxins, and addictive substances. Neurochem Int 2023; 171:105627. [PMID: 37827244 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2023.105627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Changes in gene expression are involved in many brain functions. Epigenetic processes modulate gene expression by histone modification and DNA methylation or RNA-mediated processes, which is important for brain function. Consequently, epigenetic changes are also a part of brain diseases such as mental illness and addiction. Understanding the role of different factors on the brain epigenome may help us understand the function of the brain. This review discussed the effects of caffeine, lipids, addictive substances, physical activity, and pollutants on the epigenetic changes in the brain and their modulatory effects on brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Mallick
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
| | - Asim K Duttaroy
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, POB 1046 Blindern, Oslo, Norway.
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2
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Cheng AWF, Chan HB, Ip LS, Wan KKY, Yu ELM, Chiu WK, Chung PH, Yeoh EK. The physical and developmental outcomes of children whose mothers are substance abusers: Analysis of associated factors and the impact of early intervention. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:1004890. [PMID: 36340731 PMCID: PMC9631827 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.1004890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/objectives Maternal illicit drug use is associated with negative physical and developmental outcomes for their born children. We aim to find out the incidence of different developmental problems in a cohort of Chinese children born to drug-abusing mothers, compare the physical health and developmental outcomes of the subjects recruited in the Integrated Program to the Comprehensive Child Development Service (CCDS), and to study the potential factors on their associations. Methods A retrospective longitudinal cohort study with frequent clinical assessments of the children's physical and developmental outcomes in a HKSAR's regional hospital from birth until 5 years old. 123 Children in Integrated Program were compared with 214 children in CCDS between 1 January 2008 and 28 February 2019. Cox regression analysis was performed to determine the possible factors associated with the developmental outcomes. Results Developmental delay was detected in 129 children (38.9%). CCDS group has significantly higher incidence of cognitive delay (p = < 0.001), language delay (p = < 0.001), motor delay (p = < 0.001), social delay (p = 0.002), and global delay (p = 0.002). On Cox multivariable regression analysis, integrated program (HRadj 0.53, 95% C. I. 0.34-0.84), social support (HRadj 0.45, 95% C.I. 0.25-0.80), and maternal abstinence from drug use up to 2-year post-delivery (HRadj 0.62, 95% C.I. 0.40-0.95) were significant protective factors, while male gender (HRadj 1.73, 95% C.I. 1.18-2.54) was a significant risk factor. Conclusion CCDS achieves early engagement of drug-abusing expectant mothers during pregnancy, and an early integrated program with multidisciplinary collaboration was an independent factor in improving the developmental outcomes of these vulnerable children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wai Fun Cheng
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hin Biu Chan
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lai Sheung Ip
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Katy Kit Ying Wan
- Rainbow Lutheran Centre, Hong Kong Lutheran Social Service, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ellen Lok Man Yu
- Clinical Research Centre, Kowloon West Cluster, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wa Keung Chiu
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Pui Hong Chung
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Eng Kiong Yeoh
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Aghazadeh R, Roshan-Milani S, Derafshpour L, Saboory E. Effects of prenatal methamphetamine exposure on spatial cognition and hippocampal synaptic plasticity in adolescent rats. Int J Dev Neurosci 2022; 82:471-485. [PMID: 35707884 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Global rise in methamphetamine (MA) abuse during pregnancy has placed a large number of children at risk for the adverse consequences of prenatal methamphetamine exposure (PME). While behavioral and neurocognitive deficits of PME have been extensively studied in humans and adult rodents, far less is known regarding the sex- and dose-dependent effects of PME as well as the underlying mechanisms. Adolescence in nonhuman primates is also a less explored territory. In the present study, PME was inducted by oral treatment to pregnant rats on gestational days 15-19 with either low dose (0.1 mg/ml) or high dose (0.6 mg/ml) of MA. The cognitive effects of PME were then evaluated in two adolescence age-intervals: early adolescent (started on postnatal day [PND] 21) and mid-adolescent (started on PND 33), among male and female rat offspring using Morris water maze (MWM) test. Alterations in hippocampal synaptic plasticity in Schaffer collaterals-CA1 pathway were also measured in vitro. Results of behavioral test showed that PME led to serious deficits of learning and memory abilities in both male and female rat offspring. PME also depressed LTP in most of the PME subgroups. Moreover, 21-day-old rats were more sensitive to PME-induced cognitive impairment in MWM tasks, but not in hippocampal synaptic plasticity, than 33-day-old rats. No sex-dependent effects of PME were found on the cognitive function and synaptic plasticity. These findings confirmed that PME impacted negatively on cognitive performance in prepubertal male and female rats, and the impairment of hippocampal synaptic functions might partly play a significant role in these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razieh Aghazadeh
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Shiva Roshan-Milani
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Leila Derafshpour
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Ehsan Saboory
- Zanjan Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
- Department of addiction studies, School of medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
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Torres DJ, Yorgason JT, Andres MA, Bellinger FP. Methamphetamine Exposure During Development Causes Lasting Changes to Mesolimbic Dopamine Signaling in Mice. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2022; 42:2433-2438. [PMID: 34138411 PMCID: PMC8678368 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-021-01120-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (MA) abuse remains a public health issue. Prenatal MA exposure (PME) poses a significant health problem, as we know very little about the drug's long-term physiological impact on the developing human brain. We investigated the long-term consequences of early MA exposure using a mouse model that targets the brain growth spurt, which occurs during human third-trimester. Adult mice previously subjected to acute MA during post-natal days 4-9 exhibited hyperactivity during the Open-Field Test, while exhibiting no motor coordination changes during the Rotarod Test. Neonatal MA exposure reduced basal dopamine (DA) uptake rates in adult nucleus accumbens slices compared with saline-injected controls. Although slices from neonatal MA-exposed mice showed no change in evoked DA signals in the presence of MA, they exhibited potentiated non-evoked DA release through DA efflux in response to MA. These data suggest that developmental MA exposure alters brain development to produce long-lasting physiological changes to the adult mesolimbic DA system, as well as altering responses to acute MA exposure in adulthood. This study provides new insights into an important, under-investigated area in drugs of abuse research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Torres
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA.
- Pacific Biosciences Research Center, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA.
| | - Jordan T Yorgason
- Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Marilou A Andres
- Pacific Biosciences Research Center, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Frederick P Bellinger
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA
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Ochozková A, Mihalčíková L, Yamamotová A, Šlamberová R. Can prenatal methamphetamine exposure be considered a good animal model for ADHD? Physiol Res 2021; 70:S431-S440. [PMID: 35099261 PMCID: PMC8884398 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.934815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental disorder with a heterogeneous origin with a global incidence that continues to grow. Its causes and pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood. It includes a combination of persistent symptoms such as difficulty in concentration, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Maternal methamphetamine (MA) abuse is a serious problem worldwide, it can lead to behavioral changes in their offspring that have similarities with behavioral changes seen in children with ADHD. There are several types of ADHD animal models, e.g. genetic models, pharmacologically, chemically and exogenously induced models. One of the exogenously induced ADHD models is the hypoxia-induced model. Our studies, as well as those of others, have demonstrated that maternal MA exposure can lead to abnormalities in the placenta and umbilical cord that result in prenatal hypoxia as well as fetal malnutrition that can result in irreversible changes to experimental animals. Therefore, the aim the present study was to compare the cognitive impairments in MA exposure model with those in established model of ADHD - prenatal hypoxia model, to test whether MA exposure is a valid model of ADHD. Pregnant Wistar rats were divided into four groups based on their gestational exposure to MA: (1) daily subcutaneous injections of MA (5 mg/kg), (2) saline injections at the same time and volume, (3) daily 1-hr hypoxia (10 % O2), and (4) no gestational exposure (controls). Male rat offspring were tested for short-term memory in the Novel Object Recognition Test and the Object Location Test between postnatal days 35 and 40. Also their locomotor activity in both tests was measured. Based on the present results, it seems that prenatal MA exposure is not the best animal model for ADHD since it shows corresponding symptoms only in certain measures. Given our previous results supporting our hypothesis, more experiments are needed to further test possible use of prenatal MA exposure as an animal model of the ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ochozková
- Department of Physiology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Zhang Y, Gong F, Liu P, He Y, Wang H. Effects of prenatal methamphetamine exposure on birth outcomes, brain structure, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Dev Neurosci 2021; 43:271-280. [PMID: 34139695 DOI: 10.1159/000517753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Youyou Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Forensic Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fuhua Gong
- Department of Geriatrics Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Pan Liu
- Department of Geriatrics Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ya He
- Department of Geriatrics Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Geriatrics Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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Laboy-Hernández S, Cruz-Bermúdez ND, Bernal G. Effects of Prenatal Drug Exposure on Children’s Working Memory: A Systematic Review. ANNALS OF CHILD NEUROLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.26815/acn.2020.00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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Roos A, Fouche JP, du Toit S, du Plessis S, Stein DJ, Donald KA. Structural brain network development in children following prenatal methamphetamine exposure. J Comp Neurol 2020; 528:1856-1863. [PMID: 31953852 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Brain imaging studies in children with prenatal methamphetamine exposure (PME) suggest structural and functional alterations of striatal, frontal, parietal, and limbic regions. However, no longitudinal studies have investigated changes in structural connectivity during the first 2 years of formal schooling. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of PME on structural connectivity of brain networks in children over the critical first 2 years of formal schooling when foundational learning takes place. Networks are expected to gradually increase in global connectedness while segregating into defined systems. Graph theoretical analysis was used to investigate changes in structural connectivity at age 6 and 8 years in children with and without PME. While healthy control children showed increased connectivity in frontal and limbic hubs over time, children with PME showed increased connectivity in the superior parietal cortex and striatum in their global network. Furthermore, compared to control children, those with PME were characterized by less change in segregation of structural networks over time. These findings are consistent with previous work on regions implicated in children with PME, but they additionally demonstrate alterations in structural connectivity between regions that underlie primary cognitive, behavioral, and emotional development. Understanding patterns of network development during critical periods in at-risk children may inform strategies for supporting this group of children in these developmental tasks important for lifelong brain health and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annerine Roos
- Department Psychiatry, SU/UCT MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Developmental Pediatrics, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jean-Paul Fouche
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stefani du Toit
- Department Psychiatry, SU/UCT MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stefan du Plessis
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsten A Donald
- Division of Developmental Pediatrics, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Jalayeri-Darbandi Z, Rajabzadeh A, Hosseini M, Beheshti F, Ebrahimzadeh-Bideskan A. The effect of methamphetamine exposure during pregnancy and lactation on hippocampal doublecortin expression, learning and memory of rat offspring. Anat Sci Int 2018; 93:351-363. [PMID: 29177969 DOI: 10.1007/s12565-017-0419-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of methamphetamine (MA) exposure during pregnancy and lactation on doublecortin (DCX) expression in the hippocampus of rat offspring and also on learning/memory. Thirty-five pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups of 5 rats each: three experimental groups, each receiving 5 mg/kg body weight (BW) intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of MA during pregnancy or/and lactation; three sham groups, each receiving saline injections; one control group, receiving no injection. After the interventions, two male pups (1 and 22 days old) were randomly selected from each mother, sacrificed and their brains subjected to DCX immunohistochemistry. One additional male pup from each mother was randomly selected and maintained for 60 days for testing in the Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests. MA administration during pregnancy was found to have significantly decreased the number of DCX-positive cells in the CA1, CA3 and DG regions of the hippocampus in the 1-day pups (P ≤ 0.05) and to have significantly decreased the number of DCX-positive cells in only two regions of the hippocampus, the CA1 and DG regions, in 22-day old pups. In comparison, exposure to MA during lactation was only associated with a significant decrease in the number of DCX-positive cells in the DG. Exposure to MA during pregnancy had significant impact on the intensity of DCX expression in the hippocampus of 1- and 22-day pups (P ≤ 0.05). There was no significant difference in memory/learning among the study groups. Our results indicate the administration of MA during pregnancy had a greater effect that during the lactation period on DCX expression in the hippocampus of rat offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Jalayeri-Darbandi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Azadi Sq., Vakilabad Blvd., P.O. Box 91779-48564, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Aliakbar Rajabzadeh
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Azadi Sq., Vakilabad Blvd., P.O. Box 91779-48564, Mashhad, Iran
- Microanatomy Research Centre, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Hosseini
- Physiology, Neurocognitive Research Centre, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farimah Beheshti
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Alireza Ebrahimzadeh-Bideskan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Azadi Sq., Vakilabad Blvd., P.O. Box 91779-48564, Mashhad, Iran.
- Microanatomy Research Centre, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Brinker MJ, Cohen JG, Sharrette JA, Hall TA. Neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental impact of prenatal methamphetamine exposure: A comparison study of prenatally exposed children with nonexposed ADHD peers. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-CHILD 2017; 8:132-139. [PMID: 29185821 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2017.1401479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal methamphetamine exposure has become an increasingly pervasive concern, especially in rural-based populations and populations of lower socioeconomic status. While research has begun to highlight the effects of prenatal methamphetamine exposure, the long-term impact of this exposure remains an under-investigated topic. This study attempts to investigate the neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental effects of prenatal methamphetamine exposure by comparing the index and full-scale IQ scores on the WISC-IV between a sample of clinically referred children prenatally exposed to methamphetamine (N = 80) and a sample of clinically referred nonexposed children diagnosed with ADHD (N = 44). Children prenatally exposed to methamphetamine showed significantly lower scores on all WISC-IV domains when compared to peers with ADHD. When taking into account polysubstance exposure to alcohol, these differences remained statistically significant, with the exception of the Processing Speed Index (PSI); children reported to have been prenatally exposed to methamphetamine and to alcohol (PME) remained below ADHD peers on all other WISC-IV index scores. Within the prenatally exposed sample, regression analyses indicated that age was a significant negative predictor of PSI scores. Overall findings suggest that prenatal methamphetamine exposure is associated with a notable cognitive impact independent of polysubstance exposure to alcohol, and that the impact of this exposure on processing speed skills may become more pronounced with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Brinker
- a Neuropsychology Department , Northwest Neurobehavioral Health , Boise , Idaho
| | - Jodie G Cohen
- a Neuropsychology Department , Northwest Neurobehavioral Health , Boise , Idaho
| | | | - Trevor A Hall
- a Neuropsychology Department , Northwest Neurobehavioral Health , Boise , Idaho
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Kendler KS, Ohlsson H, Svikis DS, Sundquist K, Sundquist J. The Protective Effect of Pregnancy on Risk for Drug Abuse: A Population, Co-Relative, Co-Spouse, and Within-Individual Analysis. Am J Psychiatry 2017; 174:954-962. [PMID: 28595490 PMCID: PMC5624829 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.16091006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The authors sought to determine whether pregnancy is an intrinsic motivator for cessation of drug abuse. METHOD The authors conducted prospective cohort, co-relative, co-spouse, and within-person analyses of registration for drug abuse during pregnancy among Swedish women born between 1980 and 1990 who gave birth between ages 20 and 35 (N=149,512). Drug abuse was assessed from medical, criminal, and pharmacy registries. RESULTS In the population, rates of drug abuse were lower during pregnancy (unadjusted odds ratio=0.67, 95% CI=0.60, 0.74). Compared with population results, the negative association between pregnancy and drug abuse was moderately stronger in cousins (odds ratio=0.49, 95% CI=0.39, 0.62) and substantially stronger in siblings (odds ratio=0.35, 95% CI=0.24, 0.51) discordant for pregnancy. The estimated odds ratio for drug abuse in pregnancy-discordant monozygotic twins was even stronger, at 0.17 (95% CI=0.10, 0.31). Within individuals, the odds ratio for drug abuse while pregnant compared with an equivalent prepregnancy interval was similar to that seen in pregnancy-discordant monozygotic twins, at 0.22 (95% CI=0.19, 0.26). Compared with cohabiting fathers, mothers had a greater reduction in risk for drug abuse during pregnancy (odds ratio=0.40, 95% CI=0.34, 0.47). Pregnancy was more protective in women with low parental education and without a cohabiting, actively drug-abusing father. Compared with prepregnancy baseline, within-individual analyses indicate that risk for drug abuse is also substantially reduced in the postpartum period, for example, the odds ratio for postpartum days 0-242 was 0.13 (95% CI=0.11, 0.16). CONCLUSIONS Risk for drug abuse in women is substantially reduced during pregnancy. Multiple analyses suggest that this association is largely causal, suggesting that pregnancy is indeed a strong intrinsic motivator for drug abuse cessation. Similar strong protective effects may be present in the immediate postpartum period. Our results have implications for our etiologic models of drug abuse and especially for contingency management programs seeking to reduce drug abuse risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth S. Kendler
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA, USA.,Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Henrik Ohlsson
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Dace S. Svikis
- Department of Psychology, Institute for Women’s Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Jan Sundquist
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
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Brooks S, Burch K, Maiorana S, Cocolas E, Schioth H, Nilsson E, Kamaloodien K, Stein D. Psychological intervention with working memory training increases basal ganglia volume: A VBM study of inpatient treatment for methamphetamine use. Neuroimage Clin 2016; 12:478-91. [PMID: 27625988 PMCID: PMC5011179 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2016.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protracted methamphetamine (MA) use is associated with decreased control over drug craving and altered brain volume in the frontostriatal network. However, the nature of volumetric changes following a course of psychological intervention for MA use is not yet known. METHODS 66 males (41 MA patients, 25 healthy controls, HC) between the ages of 18-50 were recruited, the MA patients from new admissions to an in-patient drug rehabilitation centre and the HC via public advertisement, both in Cape Town, South Africa. 17 MA patients received 4 weeks of treatment as usual (TAU), and 24 MA patients completed TAU plus daily 30-minute cognitive training (CT) using an N-back working memory task. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and 4-week follow-up was acquired and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used for analysis. RESULTS TAU was associated with larger bilateral striatum (caudate/putamen) volume, whereas CT was associated with more widespread increases of the bilateral basal ganglia (incorporating the amygdala and hippocampus) and reduced bilateral cerebellum volume coinciding with improvements in impulsivity scores. CONCLUSIONS While psychological intervention is associated with larger volume in mesolimbic reward regions, the utilisation of additional working memory training as an adjunct to treatment may further normalize frontostriatal structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- S.J. Brooks
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, MRC Unit on Anxiety and Stress Disorders, South Africa
| | - K.H. Burch
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, MRC Unit on Anxiety and Stress Disorders, South Africa
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, UK
| | - S.A. Maiorana
- Department of Psychology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - E. Cocolas
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, MRC Unit on Anxiety and Stress Disorders, South Africa
| | - H.B. Schioth
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - E.K. Nilsson
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - K. Kamaloodien
- Department of Psychology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - D.J. Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, MRC Unit on Anxiety and Stress Disorders, South Africa
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Abstract
The characteristics of neurological, psychiatric, developmental and substance-use disorders in low- and middle-income countries are unique and the burden that they have will be different from country to country. Many of the differences are explained by the wide variation in population demographics and size, poverty, conflict, culture, land area and quality, and genetics. Neurological, psychiatric, developmental and substance-use disorders that result from, or are worsened by, a lack of adequate nutrition and infectious disease still afflict much of sub-Saharan Africa, although disorders related to increasing longevity, such as stroke, are on the rise. In the Middle East and North Africa, major depressive disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder are a primary concern because of the conflict-ridden environment. Consanguinity is a serious concern that leads to the high prevalence of recessive disorders in the Middle East and North Africa and possibly other regions. The burden of these disorders in Latin American and Asian countries largely surrounds stroke and vascular disease, dementia and lifestyle factors that are influenced by genetics. Although much knowledge has been gained over the past 10 years, the epidemiology of the conditions in low- and middle-income countries still needs more research. Prevention and treatments could be better informed with more longitudinal studies of risk factors. Challenges and opportunities for ameliorating nervous-system disorders can benefit from both local and regional research collaborations. The lack of resources and infrastructure for health-care and related research, both in terms of personnel and equipment, along with the stigma associated with the physical or behavioural manifestations of some disorders have hampered progress in understanding the disease burden and improving brain health. Individual countries, and regions within countries, have specific needs in terms of research priorities.
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Fukushiro DF, Olivera A, Liu Y, Wang Z. Neonatal exposure to amphetamine alters social affiliation and central dopamine activity in adult male prairie voles. Neuroscience 2015; 307:109-16. [PMID: 26321240 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.08.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 08/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) is a socially monogamous rodent species that forms pair bonds after mating. Recent data have shown that amphetamine (AMPH) is rewarding to prairie voles as it induces conditioned place preferences. Further, repeated treatment with AMPH impairs social bonding in adult prairie voles through a central dopamine (DA)-dependent mechanism. The present study examined the effects of neonatal exposure to AMPH on behavior and central DA activity in adult male prairie voles. Our data show that neonatal exposure to AMPH makes voles less social in an affiliation test during adulthood, but does not affect animals' locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior. Neonatal exposure to AMPH also increases the levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and DA transporter (DAT) mRNA expression in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in the brain, indicating an increase in central DA activity. As DA has been implicated in AMPH effects on behavioral and cognitive functions, altered DA activity in the vole brain may contribute to the observed changes in social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- D F Fukushiro
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - A Olivera
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Y Liu
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Z Wang
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
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Fialová M, Šírová J, Bubeníková-Valešová V, Šlamberová R. The Effect of Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure on Recognition Memory in Adult Rats. Prague Med Rep 2015; 116:31-9. [DOI: 10.14712/23362936.2015.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of methamphetamine (MA) among pregnant women is an increasing world-wide health problem. Prenatal MA exposure may cause changes in foetus but the exact effects have remained unclear. The aim of this study is to present the effect of prenatal MA exposure on recognition memory in adult rats. Adult female Wistar rats were injected daily with D-methamphetamine HCl (MA; 5 mg/kg, s.c.) during the entire gestation period. Control females were treated with saline in the same regime. Adult male offspring was administrated acutely by MA (1 mg/kg i.p.) or saline 30 minutes before beginning of an experiment. For testing recognition memory two tasks were chosen: Novel Object Recognition Test (NORT) and Object Location Test (OLT). Our results demonstrate that prenatally MA-exposed animals were worse in NORT independently on an acute administration of MA in adulthood. Prenatally MA-exposed rats did not deteriorate in OLT, but after acute administration of MA in adulthood, there was significant worsening compared to appropriate control. Prenatally saline-exposed offspring did not deteriorate in any test even after acute administration of MA. Our data suggest that prenatal MA exposure in rats cause impairment in recognition memory in adult offspring, but not in spatial memory. In addition, acute administration of MA to controls did not deteriorate either recognition or spatial memory.
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Roos A, Kwiatkowski MA, Fouche JP, Narr KL, Thomas KGF, Stein DJ, Donald KA. White matter integrity and cognitive performance in children with prenatal methamphetamine exposure. Behav Brain Res 2014; 279:62-7. [PMID: 25446763 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2014] [Revised: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
There is emerging evidence on the harmful effects of prenatal methamphetamine (MA) exposure on the structure and function of the developing brain. However, few studies have assessed white matter structural integrity in the presence of prenatal MA exposure, and results are inconsistent. This investigation thus used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to investigate white matter microstructure and cognitive performance in a group of prenatal MA exposed (or MA) children and controls of similar age. Seventeen MA children and 15 healthy controls (aged 6-7 years) underwent DTI and assessment of motor function and general cognitive ability. Whole brain analyses of white matter structure were performed using FSL's tract-based spatial statistics comparing fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD) and axial diffusivity (AD). Mean diffusion values were extracted from white matter regions shown to differ across groups to determine whether variations in FA predicted cognitive performance. Analyses were controlled for maternal nicotine use. MA children showed significantly lower FA as well as higher MD, RD and AD in tracts that traverse striatal, limbic and frontal regions. Abnormal FA levels in MA children were significantly associated with poorer motor coordination and general cognitive ability sub-items that relate to aspects of executive function. Our findings suggest that, consistent with previous studies in older children, there are disruptions of white matter microstructural integrity in striatal, limbic and frontal regions of young MA exposed children, with prominent cognitive implications. Future longitudinal studies may clarify how prenatal MA exposure affects white matter structural connectivity at different stages of brain maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annerine Roos
- SU/UCT MRC Unit on Anxiety and Stress Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, PO Box 19063, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa.
| | | | | | - Katherine L Narr
- University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Neurology, Los Angeles, United States
| | | | - Dan J Stein
- University of Cape Town, Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, South Africa
| | - Kirsty A Donald
- University of Cape Town, Division of Developmental Paediatrics, South Africa
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Abstract
The etiology of many brain diseases remains allusive to date after intensive investigation of genomic background and symptomatology from the day of birth. Emerging evidences indicate that a third factor, epigenetics prior to the birth, can exert profound influence on the development and functioning of the brain and over many neurodevelopmental syndromes. This chapter reviews how aversive environmental exposure to parents might predispose or increase vulnerability of offspring to neurodevelopmental deficit through alteration of epigenetics. These epigenetic altering environmental factors will be discussed in the category of addictive agents, nutrition or diet, prescriptive medicine, environmental pollutant, and stress. Epigenetic alterations induced by these aversive environmental factors cover all aspects of epigenetics including DNA methylation, histone modification, noncoding RNA, and chromatin modification. Next, the mechanisms how these environmental inputs influence epigenetics will be discussed. Finally, how environmentally altered epigenetic marks affect neurodevelopment is exemplified by the alcohol-induced fetal alcohol syndrome. It is hoped that a thorough understanding of the nature of prenatal epigenetic inputs will enable researchers with a clear vision to better unravel neurodevelopmental deficit, late-onset neuropsychiatric diseases, or idiosyncratic mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiao-Ling Lo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Stark Neuroscience Research Institute, Indiana Alcohol Research Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, and Department of Psychology, Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Feng C Zhou
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Stark Neuroscience Research Institute, Indiana Alcohol Research Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, and Department of Psychology, Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
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