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Vaidya N, Marquand AF, Nees F, Siehl S, Schumann G. The impact of psychosocial adversity on brain and behaviour: an overview of existing knowledge and directions for future research. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02556-y. [PMID: 38658773 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02556-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Environmental experiences play a critical role in shaping the structure and function of the brain. Its plasticity in response to different external stimuli has been the focus of research efforts for decades. In this review, we explore the effects of adversity on brain's structure and function and its implications for brain development, adaptation, and the emergence of mental health disorders. We are focusing on adverse events that emerge from the immediate surroundings of an individual, i.e., microenvironment. They include childhood maltreatment, peer victimisation, social isolation, affective loss, domestic conflict, and poverty. We also take into consideration exposure to environmental toxins. Converging evidence suggests that different types of adversity may share common underlying mechanisms while also exhibiting unique pathways. However, they are often studied in isolation, limiting our understanding of their combined effects and the interconnected nature of their impact. The integration of large, deep-phenotyping datasets and collaborative efforts can provide sufficient power to analyse high dimensional environmental profiles and advance the systematic mapping of neuronal mechanisms. This review provides a background for future research, highlighting the importance of understanding the cumulative impact of various adversities, through data-driven approaches and integrative multimodal analysis techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilakshi Vaidya
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS), Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Andre F Marquand
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Frauke Nees
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sebastian Siehl
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Gunter Schumann
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS), Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS), Institute for Science and Technology of Brain-Inspired Intelligence (ISTBI), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Gagnon-Chauvin A, Jacobson SW, Jacobson JL, Fornasier-Bélanger M, Courtemanche Y, Ayotte P, Bélanger RE, Muckle G, Saint-Amour D. Pre- and postnatal exposure to legacy environmental contaminants and sensation seeking in Inuit adolescents from Nunavik. PLOS Glob Public Health 2023; 3:e0002478. [PMID: 37851612 PMCID: PMC10584110 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Despite extensive evidence from cohort studies linking exposure to lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to numerous cognitive outcomes in children and adolescents, very few studies addressed reward sensitivity, a key dimension of emotional regulation. The present study aimed to examine associations between pre- and postnatal exposure to these environmental neurotoxicants and sensation seeking, a behavioral feature of reward. A total of 207 Inuit adolescents (mean age = 18.5, SD = 1.2) from Nunavik, Canada, completed the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (BSSS-4) and Sensation Seeking- 2 (SS-2), two self-report questionnaires assessing proneness to sensation seeking. Prenatal, childhood and adolescent exposure to Pb, Hg and PCBs were measured in cord blood at birth and blood samples at 11 years of age and at time of testing. Multiple linear regression models were performed, potential confounders including participants' sociodemographic characteristics and nutrient fish intake were considered. Results showed that higher child blood levels of Pb (b = -0.18, p = 0.01) and PCB-153 (b = -0.16, p = 0.06) were associated with lower BSSS-4 total scores, while cord and adolescent blood PCB-153 levels were significantly related to lower SS2 total scores (b = -0.15, p = 0.04; b = -0.24, p = 0.004). Such associations persisted after further adjustment for co-exposure to concurrent contaminants. These associations were influenced by self-report positive affect and marginally moderated by sex. Sex differences were only observed for child PCB exposure, with the association for risk-taking sensation seeking observed only in girls but not in boys. Further research is warranted to assess the extent to which reduced sensation seeking in chronically exposed individuals affects their behaviors, well-being, and emotional regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avril Gagnon-Chauvin
- Département de Psychologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal (Québec), Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal (Québec), Canada
| | - Sandra W. Jacobson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Joseph L. Jacobson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Mathieu Fornasier-Bélanger
- Département de Psychologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal (Québec), Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal (Québec), Canada
| | - Yohann Courtemanche
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec (Québec), Canada
| | - Pierre Ayotte
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec (Québec), Canada
- Département de Médecine Sociale et Préventive, Faculté de Médecine, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry, Université Laval, Québec (Québec), Canada
| | - Richard E. Bélanger
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec (Québec), Canada
- Département de Pédiatrie, Université Laval, Centre mère-enfant Soleil du CHU de Québec, Québec (Québec), Canada
| | - Gina Muckle
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec (Québec), Canada
- École de Psychologie, Université Laval, Québec (Québec), Canada
| | - Dave Saint-Amour
- Département de Psychologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal (Québec), Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal (Québec), Canada
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Kadawathagedara M, Muckle G, Quénel P, Michineau L, Le Bot B, Hoen B, Tressieres B, Multigner L, Chevrier C, Cordier S. Infant neurodevelopment and behavior in Guadeloupe after lead exposure and Zika maternal infection during pregnancy. Neurotoxicology 2023; 94:135-146. [PMID: 36402195 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2022.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal lead exposure is known to have neurotoxic effects on the developing fetus, while some viral infections may have a tropism for the central nervous system. Our objective was to study whether the effects of prenatal lead exposure on infant development and behaviors at 18 months of age are modified by the occurrence of a maternal infection to Zika virus (ZIKV) during pregnancy. METHODS During the ZIKV epidemic in Guadeloupe in 2016 a cohort of pregnant women was set up. Blood samples (pregnancy, childbirth and cord) (n = 297) enabled us to measure blood lead levels aimed to determine prenatal lead exposure and the likelihood of maternal infection during pregnancy (ZIKV status + vs -). The 18 months "Ages and Stages Questionnaire" (ASQ) was used to generate scores for global development, fine and gross motor skills, communication, problem solving, and personal-social skills. The questions from a longitudinal cohort study conducted in Canada (Québec) were used to generate hyperactivity, opposition, inattention and physical aggression scores. Associations were tested by multivariate linear regressions. RESULTS Prenatal lead exposure was associated with delays in neurodevelopment at 18 months, reflected by lower scores in ASQ totals, and in the fine motor and problem-solving domains. Some of these associations appeared to be sex-specific, observed almost exclusively in boys (ASQ total, fine motor and personal-social scores). Prenatal lead exposure was not associated with behavioral scores. ZIKV infection during pregnancy was associated with a lower fine motor ASQ score, and higher scores for hyperactivity, opposition and physical aggression. Significant interaction between prenatal lead exposure and ZIKV status was observed with a lower personal-social score in ZIKV (-) only, and for hyperactivity and inattention scores, though some of these interactions (ASQ personal-social score, inattention score) were no longer significant when children with microcephaly were excluded from the analyses. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION Our study confirms previous findings of associations between prenatal exposure to lead at low levels and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes during infancy and the particular vulnerability of boys. It suggests associations between ZIKV infection during pregnancy and adverse effects on a number of neurodevelopmental functions (fine motor function) and behaviors (opposition, hyperactivity), that need to be confirmed at later age. There is no strong evidence of interaction between ZIKV infection and lead exposure but both prenatal risk factors may affect fine motor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kadawathagedara
- Univ Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, IRSET UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - G Muckle
- École de psychologie, Université Laval, et Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - P Quénel
- Univ Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, IRSET UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - L Michineau
- Univ Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, IRSET UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - B Le Bot
- Univ Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, IRSET UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - B Hoen
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique Antilles Guyane CIC 1424 Inserm, CHU de Guadeloupe, 97159 Pointe-à-Pitre, France
| | - B Tressieres
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique Antilles Guyane CIC 1424 Inserm, CHU de Guadeloupe, 97159 Pointe-à-Pitre, France
| | - L Multigner
- Univ Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, IRSET UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - C Chevrier
- Univ Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, IRSET UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - S Cordier
- Univ Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, IRSET UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France.
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Abstract
Neurodegeneration leads to the loss of structural and functioning components of neurons over time. Various studies have related neurodegeneration to a number of degenerative disorders. Neurological repercussions of neurodegeneration can have severe impacts on the physical and mental health of patients. In the recent past, various neurodegenerative ailments such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s illnesses have received global consideration owing to their global occurrence. Environmental attributes have been regarded as the main contributors to neural dysfunction-related disorders. The majority of neurological diseases are mainly related to prenatal and postnatal exposure to industrially produced environmental toxins. Some neurotoxic metals, like lead (Pb), aluminium (Al), Mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As), and also pesticides and metal-based nanoparticles, have been implicated in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. The contaminants are known for their ability to produce senile or amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), which are the key features of these neurological dysfunctions. Besides, solvent exposure is also a significant contributor to neurological diseases. This study recapitulates the role of environmental neurotoxins on neurodegeneration with special emphasis on major neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masarat Nabi
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India
- *Correspondence: Masarat Nabi, , orcid.org/0000-0003-1677-6498; Nahida Tabassum,
| | - Nahida Tabassum
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India
- *Correspondence: Masarat Nabi, , orcid.org/0000-0003-1677-6498; Nahida Tabassum,
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Wang W, Zhang L, Deng C, Chen F, Yu Q, Hu Y, Lu Q, Li P, Zhang A. In utero exposure to methylmercury impairs cognitive function in adult offspring: Insights from proteomic modulation. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2022; 231:113191. [PMID: 35051767 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a hazardous substance that has unique neurodevelopmental toxic effects. However, its molecular alteration profile, sensitive response biomarkers, and mechanism of neuronal injury remain largely unknown. Here, the effects of intrauterine methylmercury chloride (low-, medium- and high-dose groups: 0.6 mg/kg/d, 1.2 mg/kg/d, 2.4 mg/ kg /d, respectively) exposure on learning and memory were assessed in offspring rats by behavioral tests, pathological analysis and hippocampal proteomic analysis. The results suggested that intrauterine MeHg exposure impairs spatial learning and memory and leads a significant reduction in the number and dispersion scattered arrangement in the hippocampus of offspring. Furthermore, in the tandem mass tag-based proteomics analysis, compared with the control group, a total of 74 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were found in the MeHg exposure groups; specifically, 32 down-regulated and 42 up-regulated proteins were identified. In addition, the pathways enrichment analysis indicated that these DEPs are implicated in several biological processes, such as synaptic plasticity and energy metabolism, as well as various molecular functional categories. Simultaneously, MeHg reduced the postsynaptic density, diminished the active zone, amplified the synaptic cleft and changed the synaptic interface of pyramidal cells. Western blot analysis further revealed that MeHg significantly reduced the levels of Forkhead box protein (FOXP2), Synaptophysin (SYP) and Postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95), and down-regulated the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 (NMDAR1), N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2 A (NR2A) and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B (NR2B). In general, from a functional perspective, most overlapping proteins were related to NMDA receptor-mediated glutamatergic signaling, which is an excitotoxicity mechanism known to influence learning and memory. These discoveries contribute to our understanding of the relationship between MeHg and cognitive deficits and provide insight into the protein mediators of this relationship and possible prospective early biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, PR China.
| | - Li Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, PR China
| | - Caiyun Deng
- The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, PR China
| | - Fang Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, PR China
| | - Qing Yu
- The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, PR China
| | - Yi Hu
- The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, PR China
| | - Qin Lu
- The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, PR China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, PR China
| | - Aihua Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, PR China.
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