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Yan B, Liao P, Wang C, Han Z, Cheng F, Lei P. Genetic causal association between varicella-zoster virus infection and psychiatric disorders: A 2-sample Mendelian randomization study. Behav Brain Res 2024; 464:114927. [PMID: 38428645 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.114927] [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: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia (SCZ), major depressive (MDD), and bipolar disorder (BD) have a profound impact on millions of individuals worldwide. The critical step toward developing effective preventive and treatment strategies lies in comprehending the causal mechanisms behind these diseases and identifying modifiable risk factors associated with them. METHODS In this study, we conducted a 2-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to explore the potential links between chickenpox(varicella-zoster virus infection) and three major psychiatric disorders(SCZ, MDD, BD). RESULTS In our MR study, among the three major psychiatric disorders, chickenpox was shown to be causally related to BD, indicating that infection with chickenpox may increase the risk of developing BD (IVW: OR = 1.064, 95% CI =1.025-1.104, P=0.001; RAPS: OR=1.066, 95% CI=1.024-1.110, P=0.002), while there was no causal relationship between SCZ and MDD. Similar estimated causal effects were observed consistently across the various MR models. The robustness of the identified causal relationship between chickenpox and BD holds true regardless of the statistical methods employed, as confirmed by extensive sensitivity analyses that address violations in model assumptions. The MR-Egger regression test failed to reveal any signs of directional pleiotropy (intercept = -0.042, standard error (SE) = 0.029, p = 0.236). Similarly, the MR-PRESSO analysis revealed no evidence of directional pleiotropy or outliers among the chickenpox-related instrumental variables (global test p = 0.653). Furthermore, a leave-one-out sensitivity analysis yielded consistent results, further underscoring the credibility and stability of the causal relationship. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide compelling evidence of a causal effect of chickenpox on the risk of BD. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of this association and its underlying mechanisms, additional research is needed. Such investigations are pivotal in identifying effective interventions for promoting BD prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Yan
- Department of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of Nervous System, Tianjin, China
| | - Pan Liao
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Conglin Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of Nervous System, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhaoli Han
- Department of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Fangyuan Cheng
- Department of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of Nervous System, Tianjin, China
| | - Ping Lei
- Department of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of Nervous System, Tianjin, China.
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Dallaspezia S, Cardaci V, Mazza MG, De Lorenzo R, Rovere Querini P, Colombo C, Benedetti F. Higher Seasonal Variation of Systemic Inflammation in Bipolar Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4310. [PMID: 38673894 PMCID: PMC11049938 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084310] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Seasonal rhythms affect the immune system. Evidence supports the involvement of immuno-inflammatory mechanisms in bipolar disorder (BD), with the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and the systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII; platelets × neutrophils/lymphocytes) consistently reported to be higher in patients with BD than in HC, but seasonal rhythms of innate and adaptive immunity have never been studied. We retrospectively studied NLR and SII in 824 participants divided into three groups: 321 consecutively admitted inpatients affected by a major depressive episode in course of BD, and 255 consecutively admitted inpatients affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD; positive psychiatric control), and 248 healthy controls (HC). Patients with BD showed markedly higher markers of systemic inflammation in autumn and winter, but not in spring and summer, in respect to both HC and patients with OCD, thus suggesting a specific effect of season on inflammatory markers in BD, independent of a shared hospital setting and drug treatment. Given that systemic inflammation is emerging as a new marker and as target for treatment in depressive disorders, we suggest that seasonal rhythms should be considered for tailoring antidepressant immuno-modulatory treatments in a precision medicine approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Dallaspezia
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milano, Italy; (S.D.); (M.G.M.)
| | - Vincenzo Cardaci
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milano, Italy; (V.C.); (P.R.Q.); (C.C.)
| | - Mario Gennaro Mazza
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milano, Italy; (S.D.); (M.G.M.)
| | - Rebecca De Lorenzo
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milano, Italy;
| | - Patrizia Rovere Querini
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milano, Italy; (V.C.); (P.R.Q.); (C.C.)
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milano, Italy;
| | - Cristina Colombo
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milano, Italy; (V.C.); (P.R.Q.); (C.C.)
- Mood Disorders Unit, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Benedetti
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milano, Italy; (S.D.); (M.G.M.)
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 20132 Milano, Italy; (V.C.); (P.R.Q.); (C.C.)
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Bransfield RC, Mao C, Greenberg R. Microbes and Mental Illness: Past, Present, and Future. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 12:83. [PMID: 38200989 PMCID: PMC10779437 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12010083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
A review of the association between microbes and mental illness is performed, including the history, relevant definitions, infectious agents associated with mental illnesses, complex interactive infections, total load theory, pathophysiology, psychoimmunology, psychoneuroimmunology, clinical presentations, early-life infections, clinical assessment, and treatment. Perspectives on the etiology of mental illness have evolved from demonic possession toward multisystem biologically based models that include gene expression, environmental triggers, immune mediators, and infectious diseases. Microbes are associated with a number of mental disorders, including autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depressive disorders, and anxiety disorders, as well as suicidality and aggressive or violent behaviors. Specific microbes that have been associated or potentially associated with at least one of these conditions include Aspergillus, Babesia, Bartonella, Borna disease virus, Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Candida, Chlamydia, coronaviruses (e.g., SARS-CoV-2), Cryptococcus neoformans, cytomegalovirus, enteroviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis C, herpes simplex virus, human endogenous retroviruses, human immunodeficiency virus, human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1, influenza viruses, measles virus, Mycoplasma, Plasmodium, rubella virus, Group A Streptococcus (PANDAS), Taenia solium, Toxoplasma gondii, Treponema pallidum (syphilis), Trypanosoma, and West Nile virus. Recognition of the microbe and mental illness association with the development of greater interdisciplinary research, education, and treatment options may prevent and reduce mental illness morbidity, disability, and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C. Bransfield
- Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutey, NJ 07110, USA
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Kotsiri I, Resta P, Spyrantis A, Panotopoulos C, Chaniotis D, Beloukas A, Magiorkinis E. Viral Infections and Schizophrenia: A Comprehensive Review. Viruses 2023; 15:1345. [PMID: 37376644 DOI: 10.3390/v15061345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder with multiple genetic and environmental factors contributing to its pathogenesis. Viral infections have been suggested to be one of the environmental factors associated with the development of this disorder. We comprehensively review all relevant published literature focusing on the relationship between schizophrenia and various viral infections, such as influenza virus, herpes virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), retrovirus, coronavirus, and Borna virus. These viruses may interfere with the normal maturation of the brain directly or through immune-induced mediators, such as cytokines, leading to the onset of schizophrenia. Changes in the expression of critical genes and elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines have been linked to virally-induced infections and relevant immune activities in schizophrenia. Future research is necessary to understand this relationship better and provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Kotsiri
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asklipeion General Hospital, Voulas, 16673 Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Resta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
- National AIDS Reference Centre of Southern Greece, Department of Public Health Policy, University of West Attica, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandros Spyrantis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asklipeion General Hospital, Voulas, 16673 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Dimitrios Chaniotis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
| | - Apostolos Beloukas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
- National AIDS Reference Centre of Southern Greece, Department of Public Health Policy, University of West Attica, 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Magiorkinis
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sotiria General Hospital for Chest Diseases, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Itoh K, Tsutani H, Mitsuke Y, Iwasaki H. Two possible mechanisms of ganciclovir for treatment of major depressive disorder. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1109723. [PMID: 37181897 PMCID: PMC10166851 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1109723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Itoh
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Hospital Organization Awara Hospital, Awara, Japan
- Division of Infection Control and Prevention, University of Fukui Hospital, Fukui, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Tsutani
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Hospital Organization Awara Hospital, Awara, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Mitsuke
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Hospital Organization Awara Hospital, Awara, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Iwasaki
- Division of Infection Control and Prevention, University of Fukui Hospital, Fukui, Japan
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Abstract
There is increasingly compelling evidence that microorganisms may play an etiological role in the emergence of mental illness in a subset of the population. Historically, most work has focused on the neurotrophic herpesviruses, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as well as the protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii. In this chapter, we provide an umbrella review of this literature and additionally highlight prospective studies that allow more mechanistic conclusions to be drawn. Next, we focus on clinical trials of anti-microbial medications for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. We critically evaluate six trials that tested the impact of anti-herpes medications on inflammatory outcomes in the context of a medical disorder, nine clinical trials utilizing anti-herpetic medications for the treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) or schizophrenia, and four clinical trials utilizing anti-parasitic medications for the treatment of schizophrenia. We then turn our attention to evidence for a gut dysbiosis and altered microbiome in psychiatric disorders, and the potential therapeutic effects of probiotics, including an analysis of more than 10 randomized controlled trials of probiotics in the context of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (BD), and major depressive disorder (MDD).
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Dickerson F, Katsafanas E, Origoni A, Newman T, Rowe K, Ziemann RS, Bhatia K, Severance E, Ford G, Yolken R. Cigarette smoking is associated with Herpesviruses in persons with and without serious mental illness. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280443. [PMID: 36652488 PMCID: PMC9847975 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Herpesviruses are recognized as major causes of human diseases. Following initial infection, Herpesviruses can undergo cycles of reactivation controlled largely by the immune system. Cigarette smoking is an important modulator of the immune system particularly in individuals with serious mental illness where smoking is associated with increased rates of cardiopulmonary diseases and mortality. However, the effect of smoking on Herpesviruses has not been extensively studied. METHODS In this nested cohort study, cigarette smoking was assessed in 1323 persons with serious mental illness or without a psychiatric disorder ascertained in a psychiatric health care system and the adjacent community. Participants provided a blood sample from which were measured IgG class antibodies to five human Herpesviruses: Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), Herpes Simplex Virus-Type 1 (HSV-1); Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV); and Human Herpes Virus-Type 6 (HHV-6). The associations between smoking variables and antibody levels to the Herpesviruses were analyzed among diagnostic groups in multiple regression models adjusted for age, sex, and race. RESULTS Current smoking was significantly associated with higher levels of antibodies to CMV (coefficient .183, 95% CI .049, .317, p<.001, q<.007) and the three EBV proteins (EBV NA -(coefficient .088, 95% CI .032, .143, p = .002, q<.014; EBV Virion - coefficient .100, 95% CI .037, .163, p = .002, q<.014; and EBV VCA - coefficient .119, 95% CI .061, .177, p = .00004, q<.0016). The amount of cigarettes smoked was also correlated with higher levels of antibodies to the three EBV proteins. Interaction analyses indicated that the association between cigarette smoking and levels of antibodies to CMV and EBV was independent of diagnostic group. Cigarette smoking was not significantly associated with the level of antibodies to HSV-1, VZV, or HHV-6. CONCLUSIONS Individuals who smoke cigarettes have increased levels of IgG antibodies to CMV and EBV. Cigarette smoking may be a contributory factor in the relationship between CMV, EBV and chronic somatic disorders associated with these viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith Dickerson
- The Stanley Research Program at Sheppard Pratt, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Emily Katsafanas
- The Stanley Research Program at Sheppard Pratt, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Andrea Origoni
- The Stanley Research Program at Sheppard Pratt, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Theresa Newman
- The Stanley Research Program at Sheppard Pratt, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kelly Rowe
- The Stanley Research Program at Sheppard Pratt, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Rita S. Ziemann
- The Stanley Research Program at Sheppard Pratt, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kamal Bhatia
- The Stanley Research Program at Sheppard Pratt, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Emily Severance
- The Stanley Neurovirology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Glen Ford
- VanPelt Biosciences, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Robert Yolken
- The Stanley Neurovirology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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Depression compromises antiviral innate immunity via the AVP-AHI1-Tyk2 axis. Cell Res 2022; 32:897-913. [PMID: 35821088 PMCID: PMC9274186 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-022-00689-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a serious public-health issue. Recent reports have suggested higher susceptibility to viral infections in depressive patients. However, how depression affects antiviral innate immune signaling remains unknown. Here, we revealed a reduction in expression of Abelson helper integration site 1 (AHI1) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and macrophages from the patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), which leads to attenuated antiviral immune response. We found that depression-related arginine vasopressin (AVP) induces reduction of AHI1 in macrophages. Further studies demonstrated that AHI1 is a critical stabilizer of basal type-I-interferon (IFN-I) signaling. Mechanistically, AHI1 recruits OTUD1 to deubiquitinate and stabilize Tyk2, while AHI1 reduction downregulates Tyk2 and IFN-I signaling activity in macrophages from both MDD patients and depression model mice. Interestingly, we identified a clinical analgesic meptazinol that effectively stimulates AHI1 expression, thus enhancing IFN-I antiviral defense in depression model mice. Our study promotes the understanding of the signaling mechanisms of depression-mediated antiviral immune dysfunction, and reveals meptazinol as an enhancer of antiviral innate immunity in depressive patients.
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Dickerson F, Katsafanas E, Newman T, Origoni A, Rowe K, Squire A, Ziemann RS, Khushalani S, Yolken R. Experiences of Persons With Serious Mental Illness During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Psychiatr Serv 2022; 73:133-140. [PMID: 34189930 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.202100130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to characterize the experiences of persons with serious mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Adults with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, or no psychiatric disorder (N=195) were interviewed between July 2020 and January 2021. All were previously enrolled in a cohort study. The interviews focused on mental distress and suicidal thoughts, the impact of the pandemic and pandemic-related worries, tobacco and alcohol use, and access to care. Responses of persons with serious mental illness were compared with responses of those without a psychiatric disorder by using multivariate ordered logistic regression analyses. For a subset of participants, responses about suicidal ideation were compared with their responses prior to the pandemic. RESULTS Compared with participants with no psychiatric disorder, individuals with schizophrenia were more likely to endorse that they felt overwhelmed or anxious, had difficulty concentrating, or were concerned about medical bills and having enough food; they also reported significantly increased tobacco smoking. Individuals with bipolar disorder also reported more COVID-19-related worries than did participants without a psychiatric disorder. Overall, those with a psychiatric disorder reported more frequent mental distress and more recent missed medical visits and medications than did those with no psychiatric disorder. However, participants with serious mental illness did not report a higher rate of suicidal thoughts compared with their prepandemic responses. CONCLUSIONS The pandemic poses significant challenges to individuals with serious mental illness in terms of COVID-19-related distress. Psychiatric services should proactively address the emotional distress and worries associated with the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith Dickerson
- Sheppard Pratt (Dickerson, Katsafanas, Newman, Origoni, Rowe, Squire, Ziemann, Khushalani) and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Yolken), Baltimore
| | - Emily Katsafanas
- Sheppard Pratt (Dickerson, Katsafanas, Newman, Origoni, Rowe, Squire, Ziemann, Khushalani) and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Yolken), Baltimore
| | - Theresa Newman
- Sheppard Pratt (Dickerson, Katsafanas, Newman, Origoni, Rowe, Squire, Ziemann, Khushalani) and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Yolken), Baltimore
| | - Andrea Origoni
- Sheppard Pratt (Dickerson, Katsafanas, Newman, Origoni, Rowe, Squire, Ziemann, Khushalani) and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Yolken), Baltimore
| | - Kelly Rowe
- Sheppard Pratt (Dickerson, Katsafanas, Newman, Origoni, Rowe, Squire, Ziemann, Khushalani) and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Yolken), Baltimore
| | - Amalia Squire
- Sheppard Pratt (Dickerson, Katsafanas, Newman, Origoni, Rowe, Squire, Ziemann, Khushalani) and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Yolken), Baltimore
| | - Rita S Ziemann
- Sheppard Pratt (Dickerson, Katsafanas, Newman, Origoni, Rowe, Squire, Ziemann, Khushalani) and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Yolken), Baltimore
| | - Sunil Khushalani
- Sheppard Pratt (Dickerson, Katsafanas, Newman, Origoni, Rowe, Squire, Ziemann, Khushalani) and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Yolken), Baltimore
| | - Robert Yolken
- Sheppard Pratt (Dickerson, Katsafanas, Newman, Origoni, Rowe, Squire, Ziemann, Khushalani) and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Yolken), Baltimore
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Guo P, Chen S, Wang H, Wang Y, Wang J. A Systematic Analysis on the Genes and Their Interaction Underlying the Comorbidity of Alzheimer's Disease and Major Depressive Disorder. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 13:789698. [PMID: 35126089 PMCID: PMC8810513 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.789698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background During the past years, clinical and epidemiological studies have indicated a close relationship between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other mental disorders like major depressive disorder (MDD). At the same time, a number of genes genetically associated with AD or MDD have been detected. However, our knowledge on the mechanisms that link the two disorders is still incomplete, and controversies exist. In such a situation, a systematic analysis on these genes could provide clues to understand the molecular features of two disorders and their comorbidity. Methods In this study, we compiled the genes reported to be associated with AD or MDD by a comprehensive search of human genetic studies and genes curated in disease-related database. Then, we investigated the features of the shared genes between AD and MDD using the functional enrichment analysis. Furthermore, the major biochemical pathways enriched in the AD- or MDD-associated genes were identified, and the cross talks between the pathways were analyzed. In addition, novel candidate genes related to AD and MDD were predicted in the context of human protein-protein interactome. Results We obtained 650 AD-associated genes, 447 MDD-associated genes, and 77 shared genes between AD and MDD. The functional analysis revealed that biological processes involved in cognition, neural development, synaptic transmission, and immune-related processes were enriched in the common genes, indicating a complex mechanism underlying the comorbidity of the two diseases. In addition, we conducted the pathway enrichment analysis and found 102 shared pathways between AD and MDD, which involved in neuronal development, endocrine, cell growth, and immune response. By using the pathway cross-talk analysis, we found that these pathways could be roughly clustered into four modules, i.e., the immune response-related module, the neurodevelopmental module, the cancer or cell growth module, and the endocrine module. Furthermore, we obtained 37 novel candidate genes potentially related to AD and MDD with node degrees > 5.0 by mapping the shared genes to human protein-protein interaction network (PPIN). Finally, we found that 37 novel candidate genes are significantly expressed in the brain. Conclusion These results indicated shared biological processes and pathways between AD and MDD and provided hints for the comorbidity of AD and MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Guo
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shasha Chen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hao Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yaogang Wang
- School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Yaogang Wang
| | - Ju Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Ju Wang
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Risk factors for natural cause mortality in a cohort of 1494 persons with serious mental illness. Psychiatry Res 2021; 298:113755. [PMID: 33578064 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Persons with serious mental illness die on average more than 10 years younger than those in the overall population, mostly due to natural causes. Previous studies have identified predictors of natural cause mortality in this population but few have been prospective studies using clinical variables from in-person evaluations. A cohort of 1494 individuals with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder were assessed at baseline and mortality status was determined from the US National Death Index after up to 20 years of follow-up. Analyses included multivariate Cox proportional hazard models to determine independent predictors of natural cause mortality. A total of 125 (8.4%) individuals died of natural causes. In multivariate models, the strongest predictor of mortality after age was tobacco smoking at baseline with a dose-related effect. Having diabetes, a cardiovascular condition, particularly hypertension, and lower cognitive functioning were also significant risks, along with divorced/separated status. The receipt of gabapentin or fluoxetine also significantly increased mortality risk. Premature death can be reduced by smoking cessation and the improved management of conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
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Dickerson F, Katsafanas E, Origoni A, Squire A, Khushalani S, Newman T, Rowe K, Stallings C, Savage CLG, Sweeney K, Nguyen TT, Breier A, Goff D, Ford G, Jones-Brando L, Yolken R. Exposure to Epstein Barr virus and cognitive functioning in individuals with schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2021; 228:193-197. [PMID: 33450604 PMCID: PMC8023564 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive deficits are a central feature of schizophrenia whose etiology is not fully understood. Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) is a potentially neurotropic infectious agent that can generate persistent infections with immunomodulatory effects. Previous studies have found an association between EBV antibodies and cognitive functioning in different populations, but there has been limited investigation in schizophrenia. In this study, 84 individuals with schizophrenia were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). Participants also provided a blood sample, from which antibodies to the EBV whole virion and specific proteins were measured. Multivariate models were constructed to determine the association between these antibodies and cognitive performance on the MCCB overall and domain scores. Using these models, we found a significant association between the MCCB overall percent composite score and level of antibodies to the EBV Nuclear Antigen-1 (EBNA-1) protein, the Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA) protein, and the EBV whole virion. A significant association was also found for the MCCB social cognition domain with the level of antibodies to the EBV Nuclear Antigen-1 (EBNA-1) protein, the Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA) protein, and the EBV whole virion. In all cases, a higher level of antibodies was associated with a lower level cognitive performance. These findings suggest that exposure to EBV may contribute to cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, a finding which may have implications for new methods of prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kelly Rowe
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | - Tanya T Nguyen
- University of California San Diego, CA, USA; VA San Diego Healthcare System, CA, USA
| | - Alan Breier
- University of Indiana, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Glen Ford
- VanPelt Biosciences, Rockville, MD, USA
| | | | - Robert Yolken
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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