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Ravichandran S, Sood R, Das I, Dong T, Figueroa JD, Yang J, Finger N, Vaughan A, Vora P, Selvaraj K, Labus JS, Gupta A. Early life adversity impacts alterations in brain structure and food addiction in individuals with high BMI. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13141. [PMID: 38849441 PMCID: PMC11161480 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63414-z] [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: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity and food addiction are associated with distinct brain signatures related to reward processing, and early life adversity (ELA) also increases alterations in these same reward regions. However, the neural mechanisms underlying the effect of early life adversity on food addiction are unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the interactions between ELA, food addiction, and brain morphometry in individuals with obesity. 114 participants with high body mass index (BMI) underwent structural MRIs, and completed several questionnaires (e.g., Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS), Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), Early Traumatic Inventory (ETI)). Freesurfer 6 was applied to generate the morphometry of brain regions. A multivariate pattern analysis was used to derive brain morphometry patterns associated with food addiction. General linear modeling and mediation analyses were conducted to examine the effects of ELA and resilience on food addiction in individuals with obesity. Statistical significance was determined at a level of p < 0.05. High levels of ELA showed a strong association between reward control brain signatures and food addiction (p = 0.03). Resilience positively mediated the effect of ELA on food addiction (B = 0.02, p = 0.038). Our findings suggest that food addiction is associated with brain signatures in motivation and reward processing regions indicative of dopaminergic dysregulation and inhibition of cognitive control regions. These mechanistic variabilities along with early life adversity suggest increased vulnerability to develop food addiction and obesity in adulthood, which can buffer by the neuroprotective effects of resilience, highlighting the value of incorporating cognitive appraisal into obesity therapeutic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumya Ravichandran
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, The Obesity and Ingestive Behavior Program, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Center for Health Sciences 42-210, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- UC San Diego School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - Riya Sood
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, The Obesity and Ingestive Behavior Program, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Center for Health Sciences 42-210, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Isha Das
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, The Obesity and Ingestive Behavior Program, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Center for Health Sciences 42-210, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Tien Dong
- Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
- Goodman Luskin Microbiome Center, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, The Obesity and Ingestive Behavior Program, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Center for Health Sciences 42-210, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Johnny D Figueroa
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, USA
| | - Jennifer Yang
- Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
- Goodman Luskin Microbiome Center, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, The Obesity and Ingestive Behavior Program, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Center for Health Sciences 42-210, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Nicholas Finger
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Allison Vaughan
- Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, The Obesity and Ingestive Behavior Program, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Center for Health Sciences 42-210, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Priten Vora
- Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, The Obesity and Ingestive Behavior Program, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Center for Health Sciences 42-210, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Katie Selvaraj
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, The Obesity and Ingestive Behavior Program, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Center for Health Sciences 42-210, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jennifer S Labus
- Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
- Goodman Luskin Microbiome Center, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, The Obesity and Ingestive Behavior Program, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Center for Health Sciences 42-210, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Arpana Gupta
- Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
- Goodman Luskin Microbiome Center, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, The Obesity and Ingestive Behavior Program, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Center for Health Sciences 42-210, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
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Szenczy AK, Adams EM, Hawes MT, Anatala J, Gair K, Klein DN, Hajcak G, Nelson BD. Childhood anhedonia symptoms and stressful life events predict the development of reward-related brain activity across adolescence. Dev Psychopathol 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38757405 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579424000701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
The reward positivity (RewP) is an event-related potential that indexes reinforcement learning and reward system activation. The RewP has been shown to increase across adolescence; however, most studies have examined the RewP across two assessments, and no studies have examined within-person changes across adolescence into young adulthood. Moreover, the RewP has been identified as a neurobiological risk factor for adolescent-onset depression, but it is unclear whether childhood psychosocial risk factors might predict RewP development across adolescence. In a sample of 317 8- to 14-year-old girls (Mage = 12.4, SD = 1.8), the present study examined self-report measures of depression symptoms and stressful life events at baseline and the ΔRewP during the doors guessing task across three timepoints. Growth modeling indicated that, across all participants, the ΔRewP did not demonstrate linear change across adolescence. However, baseline anhedonia symptoms predicted within-person changes in the ΔRewP, such that individuals with low anhedonia symptoms demonstrated a linear increase in the ΔRewP, but individuals with high anhedonia symptoms had no change in the ΔRewP across adolescence. Similar patterns were observed for stressful life events. The present study suggests that childhood risk factors impact the development of reward-related brain activity, which might subsequently increase risk for psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Szenczy
- Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - E M Adams
- Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - M T Hawes
- Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - J Anatala
- Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - K Gair
- Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - D N Klein
- Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - G Hajcak
- Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA, USA
| | - B D Nelson
- Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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Lallai V, Congiu C, Craig G, Manca L, Chen YC, Dukes AJ, Fowler CD, Dazzi L. Social isolation postweaning alters reward-related dopamine dynamics in a region-specific manner in adolescent male rats. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 30:100620. [PMID: 38486879 PMCID: PMC10937317 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Early development is characterized by dynamic transitions in brain maturation, which may be impacted by environmental factors. Here, we sought to determine the effects of social isolation from postweaning and during adolescence on reward behavior and dopaminergic signaling in male rats. Subjects were socially isolated or group housed at postnatal day 21. Three weeks later, extracellular dopamine concentrations were examined in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and nucleus accumbens shell (NAc) during a feeding bout. Surprisingly, opposing effects were found in which increased mPFC dopamine concentrations were observed in group housed, but not isolated, rats. In stark contrast, increased dopamine levels were found in the NAc of isolated, but not group housed, rats. Moreover, the absence of an effect in the mPFC of the isolated rats could not be reversed by subsequent group housing, demonstrating the remarkable long-term effects on dopamine signaling dynamics. When provided a highly palatable food, the isolated subjects exhibited a dramatic increase in mPFC dopamine levels when the chocolate was novel, but no effects following chronic chocolate consumption. In contrast, the group housed subjects showed significantly increased dopamine levels only with chronic chocolate consumption. The dopamine changes were correlated with differences in behavioral measures. Importantly, the deficit in reward-related behavior during isolation could be reversed by microinjection of either dopamine or cocaine into the mPFC. Together, these data provide evidence that social isolation from postweaning and during adolescence alters reward-induced dopamine levels in a brain region-specific manner, which has important functional implications for reward-related behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Lallai
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Cristina Congiu
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Giulia Craig
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Letizia Manca
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Yen-Chu Chen
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Angeline J. Dukes
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Christie D. Fowler
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Laura Dazzi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Anthropology, Centre of Excellence for the Neurobiology of Dependence, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, CA, Italy
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Sacu S, Dubois M, Hezemans FH, Aggensteiner PM, Monninger M, Brandeis D, Banaschewski T, Hauser TU, Holz NE. Early-Life Adversities Are Associated With Lower Expected Value Signaling in the Adult Brain. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)01249-6. [PMID: 38636886 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.04.005] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early adverse experiences are assumed to affect fundamental processes of reward learning and decision making. However, computational neuroimaging studies investigating these circuits in the context of adversity are sparse and limited to studies conducted in adolescent samples, leaving the long-term effects unexplored. METHODS Using data from a longitudinal birth cohort study (n = 156; 87 female), we investigated associations between adversities and computational markers of reward learning (i.e., expected value, prediction errors). At age 33 years, all participants completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging-based passive avoidance task. Psychopathology measures were collected at the time of functional magnetic resonance imaging investigation and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We applied a principal component analysis to capture common variations across 7 adversity measures. The resulting adversity factors (factor 1: postnatal psychosocial adversities and prenatal maternal smoking; factor 2: prenatal maternal stress and obstetric adversity; factor 3: lower maternal stimulation) were linked with psychopathology and neural responses in the core reward network using multiple regression analysis. RESULTS We found that the adversity dimension primarily informed by lower maternal stimulation was linked to lower expected value representation in the right putamen, right nucleus accumbens, and anterior cingulate cortex. Expected value encoding in the right nucleus accumbens further mediated the relationship between this adversity dimension and psychopathology and predicted higher withdrawn symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggested that early adverse experiences in caregiver context might have a long-term disruptive effect on reward learning in reward-related brain regions, which can be associated with suboptimal decision making and thereby may increase the vulnerability of developing psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seda Sacu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany; German Center for Mental Health, Mannheim, Heidelberg, and Ulm, Germany
| | - Magda Dubois
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Frank H Hezemans
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School and University Hospital, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Department of Computational Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Mental Health, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Pascal-M Aggensteiner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany; German Center for Mental Health, Mannheim, Heidelberg, and Ulm, Germany
| | - Maximilian Monninger
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Daniel Brandeis
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Banaschewski
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany; German Center for Mental Health, Mannheim, Heidelberg, and Ulm, Germany
| | - Tobias U Hauser
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School and University Hospital, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Mental Health, Tübingen, Germany; Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nathalie E Holz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany; German Center for Mental Health, Mannheim, Heidelberg, and Ulm, Germany; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department for Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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5
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Granros M, Burkhouse KL, Feurer C. Relations Between Neighborhood Disadvantage and Electrocortical Reward Processing in Youth at High and Low Risk for Depression. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2024:10.1007/s10802-024-01180-2. [PMID: 38502404 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-024-01180-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Neighborhood-level disadvantage during childhood is a determinant of health that is hypothesized to confer risk for psychopathology via alterations in neuro-affective processing, including reward responsiveness. However, little research has examined the impact of socioeconomic disadvantage assessed at the community-level on reward processing, which may have important implications for targeted dissemination efforts. Furthermore, not all youth exposed to neighborhood disadvantage may exhibit alterations in reward reactivity, highlighting the need to consider factors that may exacerbate risk for blunted reward reactivity. The current study examined associations between geocoded indices of neighborhood disadvantage and electrocortical reward responsivity in youth and tested whether findings were moderated by maternal history of depression. The sample included 137 youth recruited for studies on the intergenerational transmission of depression. Neighborhood disadvantage was assessed using the Area Deprivation Index (ADI) while the reward positivity (RewP), an event-related potential, indexed reward response. Results revealed a significant interaction between ADI and maternal history of depression on youth RewP, such that greater neighborhood disadvantage was significantly associated with lower reward responsiveness, but only for youth with a maternal history of depression. Results were maintained controlling for youth internalizing symptoms and individual-level socioeconomic factors. Findings suggest that neighborhood disadvantage may impact youth neural reward processing, at least partially independently of individual risk factors, for youth with a maternal history of depression. If replicated, results suggest intervention efforts may be implemented at the community level to enhance reward responsiveness, specifically for youth living in low-resourced neighborhoods with a maternal history of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Granros
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Katie L Burkhouse
- The Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Cope Feurer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Kirshenbaum JS, Pagliaccio D, Pizzagalli DA, Auerbach RP. Neural sensitivity following stress predicts anhedonia symptoms: a 2-year multi-wave, longitudinal study. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:106. [PMID: 38388454 PMCID: PMC10884408 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02818-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Animal models of depression show that acute stress negatively impacts functioning in neural regions sensitive to reward and punishment, often manifesting as anhedonic behaviors. However, few human studies have probed stress-induced neural activation changes in relation to anhedonia, which is critical for clarifying risk for affective disorders. Participants (N = 85, 12-14 years-old, 53 female), oversampled for risk of depression, were administered clinical assessments and completed an fMRI guessing task during a baseline (no-stress) period to probe neural response to receipt of rewards and losses. After the initial task run of the fMRI guessing task, participants received an acute stressor and then, were re-administered the guessing task. Including baseline, participants provided up to 10 self-report assessments of life stress and symptoms over a 2 year period. Linear mixed-effects models estimated whether change in neural activation (post- vs. pre-acute stressor) moderated the longitudinal associations between life stress and symptoms. Primary analyses indicated that adolescents with stress-related reductions in right ventral striatum response to rewards exhibited stronger longitudinal associations between life stress and anhedonia severity (β = -0.06, 95%CI[-0.11, -0.02], p = 0.008, pFDR = 0.048). Secondary analyses showed that longitudinal positive associations between life stress and depression severity were moderated by stress-related increases in dorsal striatum response to rewards (left caudate β = 0.11, 95%CI[0.07,0.17], p < 0.001, pFDR = 0.002; right caudate β = 0.07, 95%CI[0.02,0.12], p = 0.002, pFDR = 0.003; left putamen β = 0.09, 95%CI[0.04, 0.14], p < 0.001, pFDR = 0.002; right putamen β = 0.08, 95%CI[0.03, 0.12], p < 0.001, pFDR = 0.002). Additionally, longitudinal positive associations among life stress and anxiety severity were moderated by stress-related reductions in dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (β = -0.07, 95%CI[-0.12,.02], p = 0.008, pFDR = 0.012) and right anterior insula (β = -0.07, 95%CI[-0.12,-0.02], p = 0.002, pFDR = 0.006) response to loss. All results held when adjusting for comorbid symptoms. Results show convergence with animal models, highlighting mechanisms that may facilitate stress-induced anhedonia as well as a separable pathway for the emergence of depressive and anxiety symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaclyn S Kirshenbaum
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.
| | - David Pagliaccio
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Diego A Pizzagalli
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Randy P Auerbach
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Clinical Developmental Neuroscience, Sackler Institute, New York, NY, USA
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7
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Yuan JP, Coury SM, Ho TC, Gotlib IH. Early life stress moderates the relation between systemic inflammation and neural activation to reward in adolescents both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:532-540. [PMID: 37673968 PMCID: PMC10789786 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01708-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Elevated levels of systemic inflammation are associated with altered reward-related brain function in ventral striatal areas of the brain like the nucleus accumbens (NAcc). In adolescents, cross-sectional research indicates that exposure to early life stress (ELS) can moderate the relation between inflammation and neural activation, which may contribute to atypical reward function; however, no studies have tested whether this moderation by ELS of neuroimmune associations persists over time. Here, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis and the first exploratory longitudinal analysis testing whether cumulative severity of ELS moderates the association of systemic inflammation with reward-related processing in the NAcc in adolescents (n = 104; 58F/46M; M[SD] age = 16.00[1.45] years; range = 13.07-19.86 years). For the cross-sectional analysis, we modeled a statistical interaction between ELS and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) predicting NAcc activation during the anticipation and outcome phases of a monetary reward task. We found that higher CRP was associated with blunted NAcc activation during the outcome of reward in youth who experienced higher levels of ELS (β = -0.31; p = 0.006). For the longitudinal analysis, we modeled an interaction between ELS and change in CRP predicting change in NAcc activation across 2 years. This analysis similarly showed that increasing CRP over time was associated with decreasing NAcc during reward outcomes in youth who experienced higher levels of ELS (β = -0.47; p = 0.022). Both findings support contemporary theoretical frameworks involving associations among inflammation, reward-related brain function, and ELS exposure, and suggest that experiencing ELS can have significant and enduring effects on neuroimmune function and adolescent neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin P Yuan
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Saché M Coury
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Tiffany C Ho
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ian H Gotlib
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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8
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Liuzzi MT, Harb F, Petranu K, Huggins AA, Webb EK, Fitzgerald JM, Krukowski JL, Miskovich TA, deRoon-Cassini TA, Larson CL. The Dichotomy of Threat and Deprivation as Subtypes of Childhood Maltreatment: Differential Functional Connectivity Patterns of Threat and Reward Circuits in an Adult Trauma Sample. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2024; 9:227-234. [PMID: 37871776 PMCID: PMC10922968 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2023.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood maltreatment is associated with reduced activation of the nucleus accumbens, a central region in the reward network, and overactivity in the amygdala, a key region in threat processing. However, the long-lasting impact of these associations in the context of later-life stress is not well understood. The current study explored the association between childhood threat and deprivation and functional connectivity of threat and reward regions in an adult trauma sample. METHODS Trauma survivors (N = 169; mean age [SD] = 32.2 [10.3] years; female = 55.6%) were recruited from a level I trauma center. Two weeks after injury, participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (measuring experiences of threat and deprivation) and underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Seed-to-voxel analyses evaluated the effect of childhood threat and deprivation on amygdala and nucleus accumbens resting-state connectivity. RESULTS Higher levels of threat were associated with increased connectivity between the right nucleus accumbens with temporal fusiform gyrus/parahippocampal gyrus and the left amygdala and the precuneus (false discovery rate-corrected p < .05). After controlling for posttraumatic symptoms 2 weeks posttrauma and lifetime trauma exposure, only the nucleus accumbens findings survived. There were no significant relationships between experiences of childhood deprivation and amygdala or nucleus accumbens connectivity. CONCLUSIONS Experiences of threat are associated with increased nucleus accumbens and amygdala connectivity, which may reflect a preparedness to detect salient and visual stimuli. This may also reflect a propensity toward dysregulated reward processing. Overall, these results suggest that childhood threat may be contributing to aberrant neural baseline reward and threat sensitivity later in life in an adult trauma sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Liuzzi
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
| | - Farah Harb
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Kevin Petranu
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Ashley A Huggins
- Brain Imaging & Analysis Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - E Kate Webb
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | - Terri A deRoon-Cassini
- Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Christine L Larson
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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9
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Borchers LR, Yuan JP, Leong JK, Jo B, Chahal R, Ryu J, Nam A, Coury SM, Gotlib IH. Sex-Specific Vulnerability to Externalizing Problems: Sensitivity to Early Stress and Nucleus Accumbens Activation Over Adolescence. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)00038-6. [PMID: 38272286 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.01.011] [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: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure and sensitivity to early-life stress (ELS) are related to increased risk for psychopathology in adolescence. While cross-sectional studies have reported blunted nucleus accumbens (NAcc) activation in the context of these associations, researchers have not yet assessed the effects of ELS on developmental trajectories of activation. We examined whether trajectories are affected by stress and the moderating role of biological sex in predicting vulnerability to symptoms of psychopathology. METHODS Adolescents (n = 173) completed 3 assessments at 2-year intervals across puberty (ages 9-18 years). At baseline, we assessed objective ELS and stress sensitivity using the Traumatic Events Screening Inventory for Children. At all time points, we assessed NAcc activation using the Monetary Incentive Delay task and externalizing, internalizing, and total problems using the Youth Self-Report. We examined correlations between NAcc trajectories (extracted using linear mixed-effects models) with ELS and stress sensitivity and conducted multivariate regression analysis to examine the interaction of NAcc trajectories and biological sex in predicting symptoms of psychopathology. RESULTS Symptoms increased over adolescence. Stress sensitivity, but not objective ELS, was associated with decreasing trajectories of NAcc activation. Biological sex interacted with NAcc trajectories to predict psychopathology; boys, but not girls, with decreasing NAcc activation had more severe externalizing problems in adolescence. These findings were replicated in the putamen and caudate but not in the medial prefrontal cortex or control brain regions. CONCLUSIONS NAcc activation may be a sex-specific marker of externalizing problems in adolescence. Efforts to reduce stress sensitivity may help to decrease symptoms of psychopathology in adolescent boys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren R Borchers
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, California.
| | - Justin P Yuan
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Josiah K Leong
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
| | - Booil Jo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Rajpreet Chahal
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Joshua Ryu
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Andrew Nam
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Saché M Coury
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Ian H Gotlib
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
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10
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Zhou HY, Zhou L, Zheng TX, Ma LP, Fan MX, Liu L, Zhao XD, Yan C. Unraveling the link between childhood maltreatment and depression: Insights from the role of ventral striatum and middle cingulate cortex in hedonic experience and emotion regulation. Dev Psychopathol 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38179683 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579423001591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment is an established risk factor for psychopathology. However, it remains unclear how childhood traumatic events relate to mental health problems and how the brain is involved. This study examined the serial mediation effect of brain morphological alterations and emotion-/reward-related functions on linking the relationship from maltreatment to depression. We recruited 156 healthy adolescents and young adults and an additional sample of 31 adolescents with major depressive disorder for assessment of childhood maltreatment, depressive symptoms, cognitive reappraisal and anticipatory/consummatory pleasure. Structural MRI data were acquired to identify maltreatment-related cortical and subcortical morphological differences. The mediation models suggested that emotional maltreatment of abuse and neglect, was respectively associated with increased gray matter volume in the ventral striatum and greater thickness in the middle cingulate cortex. These structural alterations were further related to reduced anticipatory pleasure and disrupted cognitive reappraisal, which contributed to more severe depressive symptoms among healthy individuals. The above mediating effects were not replicated in our clinical group partly due to the small sample size. Preventative interventions can target emotional and reward systems to foster resilience and reduce the likelihood of future psychiatric disorders among individuals with a history of maltreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Yu Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Changning Mental Health Centre, Shanghai, China
| | - Lan Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | | | - Li-Ping Ma
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (MOE&STCSM), Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming-Xia Fan
- Department of Physics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Materials Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang Liu
- Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Chinese-German Institute of Mental Health, Shanghai Pu-dong New Area Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu-Dong Zhao
- Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Chinese-German Institute of Mental Health, Shanghai Pu-dong New Area Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Yan
- Shanghai Changning Mental Health Centre, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics (MOE&STCSM), Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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11
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Gilgoff R, Mengelkoch S, Elbers J, Kotz K, Radin A, Pasumarthi I, Murthy R, Sindher S, Burke Harris N, Slavich GM. The Stress Phenotyping Framework: A multidisciplinary biobehavioral approach for assessing and therapeutically targeting maladaptive stress physiology. Stress 2024; 27:2327333. [PMID: 38711299 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2024.2327333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Although dysregulated stress biology is becoming increasingly recognized as a key driver of lifelong disparities in chronic disease, we presently have no validated biomarkers of toxic stress physiology; no biological, behavioral, or cognitive treatments specifically focused on normalizing toxic stress processes; and no agreed-upon guidelines for treating stress in the clinic or evaluating the efficacy of interventions that seek to reduce toxic stress and improve human functioning. We address these critical issues by (a) systematically describing key systems and mechanisms that are dysregulated by stress; (b) summarizing indicators, biomarkers, and instruments for assessing stress response systems; and (c) highlighting therapeutic approaches that can be used to normalize stress-related biopsychosocial functioning. We also present a novel multidisciplinary Stress Phenotyping Framework that can bring stress researchers and clinicians one step closer to realizing the goal of using precision medicine-based approaches to prevent and treat stress-associated health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Gilgoff
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Summer Mengelkoch
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jorina Elbers
- Trauma Recovery Program, HeartMath Institute, Boulder Creek, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Isha Pasumarthi
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Reanna Murthy
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Sayantani Sindher
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | | | - George M Slavich
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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12
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Short AK, Weber R, Kamei N, Thai CW, Arora H, Mortazavi A, Stern HS, Glynn L, Baram TZ. Within-subject changes in methylome profile identify individual signatures of early-life adversity, with a potential to predict neuropsychiatric outcome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.16.571594. [PMID: 38187766 PMCID: PMC10769190 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.16.571594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Background Adverse early-life experiences (ELA), including poverty, trauma and neglect, affect a majority of the world's children. Whereas the impact of ELA on cognitive and emotional health throughout the lifespan is well-established, it is not clear how distinct types of ELA influence child development, and there are no tools to predict for an individual child their vulnerability or resilience to the consequences of ELAs. Epigenetic markers including DNA-methylation profiles of peripheral cells may encode ELA and provide a predictive outcome marker. However, the rapid dynamic changes in DNA methylation in childhood and the inter-individual variance of the human genome pose barriers to identifying profiles predicting outcomes of ELA exposure. Here, we examined the relation of several dimensions of ELA to changes of DNA methylation, using a longitudinal within-subject design and a high threshold for methylation changes in the hope of mitigating the above challenges. Methods We analyzed DNA methylation in buccal swab samples collected twice for each of 110 infants: neonatally and at 12 months. We identified CpGs differentially methylated across time, calculated methylation changes for each child, and determined whether several indicators of ELA associated with changes of DNA methylation for individual infants. We then correlated select dimensions of ELA with methylation changes as well as with measures of executive function at age 5 years. We examined for sex differences, and derived a sex-dependent 'impact score' based on sites that most contributed to the methylation changes. Findings Setting a high threshold for methylation changes, we discovered that changes in methylation between two samples of an individual child reflected age-related trends towards augmented methylation, and also correlated with executive function years later. Among the tested factors and ELA dimensions, including income to needs ratios, maternal sensitivity, body mass index and sex, unpredictability of parental and household signals was the strongest predictor of executive function. In girls, an interaction was observed between a measure of high early-life unpredictability and methylation changes, in presaging executive function. Interpretation These findings establish longitudinal, within-subject changes in methylation profiles as a signature of some types of ELA in an individual child. Notably, such changes are detectable beyond the age-associated DNA methylation dynamics. Future studies are required to determine if the methylation profile changes identified here provide a predictive marker of vulnerabilities to poorer cognitive and emotional outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabel K. Short
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California- Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia, 6009 (current)
- Division of Paediatrics/Centre for Child Health Research, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia, 6009 (current)
| | - Ryan Weber
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Noriko Kamei
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California- Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Christina Wilcox Thai
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Hina Arora
- Department of Statistics, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697
| | - Ali Mortazavi
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Hal S. Stern
- Department of Statistics, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697
| | - Laura Glynn
- Department of Psychology, Chapman University, Orange, CA, 92866
| | - Tallie Z. Baram
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California- Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697
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13
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Xu Y, Harms MB, Green CS, Wilson RC, Pollak SD. Childhood unpredictability and the development of exploration. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2303869120. [PMID: 38011553 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303869120] [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: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Early in development, the process of exploration helps children gather new information that fosters learning about the world. Yet, it is unclear how childhood experiences may influence the way humans approach new learning. What influences decisions to exploit known, familiar options versus trying a novel alternative? We found that childhood unpredictability, characterized by unpredictable caregiving and unstable living environments, was associated with reduced exploratory behavior. This effect holds while controlling for individual differences, including anxiety and stress. Individuals who perceived their childhoods as unpredictable explored less and were instead more likely to repeat previous choices (habitual responding). They were also more sensitive to uncertainty than to potential rewards, even when the familiar options yielded lower rewards. We examined these effects across multiple task contexts and via both in-person (N = 78) and online replication (N = 84) studies among 10- to 13-y-olds. Results are discussed in terms of the potential cascading effects of unpredictable environments on the development of decision-making and the effects of early experience on subsequent learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyan Xu
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Madeline B Harms
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN 55812
| | - C Shawn Green
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Robert C Wilson
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
- Cognitive Science Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85716
| | - Seth D Pollak
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
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14
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Diaconu B, Kohls G, Rogers JC, Pauli R, Cornwell H, Bernhard A, Martinelli A, Ackermann K, Fann N, Fernandez-Rivas A, Gonzalez-Torres MA, Gonzalez de Artaza-Lavesa M, Hervas A, Stadler C, Konrad K, Freitag CM, Fairchild G, Rotshtein P, De Brito SA. Emotion processing in maltreated boys and girls: Evidence for latent vulnerability. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2023; 32:2523-2536. [PMID: 36738328 PMCID: PMC10682268 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-022-02132-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Evidence of alterations in emotion processing in maltreated youth has been hypothesized to reflect latent vulnerability for psychopathology. However, previous studies have not systematically examined the influence of psychopathology on the results. Here, we examined emotion recognition and learning in youth who differed in terms of presence vs. absence of maltreatment and psychopathology and tested for potential sex effects. Maltreatment and psychopathology were assessed in 828 youth (514 females) aged 9-18 years using diagnostic interviews and self- and parent-report questionnaires. Emotion recognition was assessed via identification of morphed facial expressions of six universal emotions. For emotion learning, reward and punishment values were assigned to novel stimuli and participants had to learn to correctly respond/withhold response to stimuli to maximize points. A three-way interaction of maltreatment by psychopathology by emotion indicated that when psychopathology was low, maltreated youth were less accurate than non-maltreated youth for happy, fear and disgust. A three-way interaction of sex, maltreatment and emotion indicated that maltreated girls and boys were impaired for fear, but girls showed an impairment for happy, while boys for disgust. There were no effects of maltreatment, psychopathology, or sex on reward learning. However, a two-way interaction between sex and maltreatment showed that maltreated girls were worse at learning from punishment relative to non-maltreated girls, while maltreated boys were better than non-maltreated boys. The study provides the first clear evidence of latent-vulnerability in emotion recognition in maltreated youth and suggests that girls and boys might be characterized by distinct profiles of emotion recognition and learning following maltreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Diaconu
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Gregor Kohls
- Child Neuropsychology Section, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jack C Rogers
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
- Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ruth Pauli
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | | | - Anka Bernhard
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anne Martinelli
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- School of Psychology, Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Katharina Ackermann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nikola Fann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Amaia Hervas
- University Hospital Mutua Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
- Global Institute of Neurodevelopment Integrated Care (IGAIN), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christina Stadler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kerstin Konrad
- Child Neuropsychology Section, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- JARA-Brain Institute II, Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, RWTH Aachen & Research Centre Juelich, Juelich, Germany
| | - Christine M Freitag
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Pia Rotshtein
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Stephane A De Brito
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
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15
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Curley JP, Champagne FA. Shaping the development of complex social behavior. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023; 1530:46-63. [PMID: 37855311 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15076] [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] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Early life experiences can have an enduring impact on the brain and behavior, with implications for stress reactivity, cognition, and social behavior. In particular, the neural systems that contribute to the expression of social behavior are altered by early life social environments. However, paradigms that have been used to alter the social environment during development have typically focused on exposure to stress, adversity, and deprivation of species-typical social stimulation. Here, we explore whether complex social environments can shape the development of complex social behavior. We describe lab-based paradigms for studying early life social complexity in rodents that are generally focused on enriching the social and sensory experiences of the neonatal and juvenile periods of development. The impact of these experiences on social behavior and neuroplasticity is highlighted. Finally, we discuss the degree to which our current approaches for studying social behavior outcomes give insight into "complex" social behavior and how social complexity can be better integrated into lab-based methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Curley
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Frances A Champagne
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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16
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Harms MB, Garrett-Ruffin SD. Disrupting links between poverty, chronic stress, and educational inequality. NPJ SCIENCE OF LEARNING 2023; 8:50. [PMID: 37985671 PMCID: PMC10662171 DOI: 10.1038/s41539-023-00199-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The income-achievement gap is a significant and stubborn problem in the United States, which has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. In this article, we link two emerging literatures that have historically been disparate: the neurobiology of poverty as a form of early life stress, and research on educational policies with the potential to reduce SES-based disparities in academic achievement. In doing so, we (1) integrate the literature on poverty-related mechanisms that contribute to early life stress, alter neurobiology, and lead to educational inequities, and (2) based on this research, highlight policies and practices at the school/classroom level and broader structural level that have the potential to address the problem of inequity in our educational systems. We emphasize that educational inequity is a systemic issue, and its resolution will require coordination of local, state, and national policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline B Harms
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, USA.
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17
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Clements CC, Ascunce K, Nelson CA. In Context: A Developmental Model of Reward Processing, With Implications for Autism and Sensitive Periods. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2023; 62:1200-1216. [PMID: 36336205 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2022.07.861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Differences in reward processing have been associated with numerous psychiatric disorders, including autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Many attempts to understand reward processing characterize differences in clinical populations after disorder onset; however, divergence may begin much earlier. In fact, the typical developmental progression of reward processing in infancy and early childhood is poorly understood. We re-conceptualize classic infant developmental constructs such as preferential looking into a Six-Component Developmental Model of Reward Processing: an infant- and young child-focused framework to guide research and assessment of reward processing across development. METHOD The extant developmental literature including recent textbooks, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses was reviewed to build a conceptual framework. We describe experimental paradigms to assess each developmental component of reward processing longitudinally from infancy. A timeline of each component's emergence was estimated. RESULTS Six components of reward processing were identified-association, discrimination, preference/valuation, effort, anticipation, and response. Selected evidence suggests emergence between birth and 6 months. Application of this model to autism led to a reinterpretation of existing disparate results, and illuminated a path to study the developmental processes underlying a popular hypothesis of autism, the motivation hypothesis. Current evidence further suggests that a sensitive period may exist for the emergence of reward processing. CONCLUSION The proposed framework offers a useful reconceptualization of the extant literature. Future longitudinal work using the suggested experimental paradigms with high-risk populations could elucidate the developmental trajectory of the components and timing of potential sensitive period(s) for each component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin C Clements
- Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience, Division of Developmental Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Massachusetts.
| | | | - Charles A Nelson
- Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience, Division of Developmental Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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18
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Antonoudiou P, Stone B, Colmers PLW, Evans-Strong A, Walton N, Maguire J. Influence of chronic stress on network states governing valence processing: Potential relevance to the risk for psychiatric illnesses. J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13274. [PMID: 37186481 PMCID: PMC11025365 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Stress is a major risk factor for psychiatric illnesses and understanding the mechanisms through which stress disrupts behavioral states is imperative to understanding the underlying pathophysiology of mood disorders. Both chronic stress and early life stress alter valence processing, the process of assigning value to sensory inputs and experiences (positive or negative), which determines subsequent behavior and is essential for emotional processing and ultimately survival. Stress disrupts valence processing in both humans and preclinical models, favoring negative valence processing and impairing positive valence processing. Valence assignment involves neural computations performed in emotional processing hubs, including the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and ventral hippocampus, which can be influenced by neuroendocrine mediators. Oscillations within and between these regions are critical for the neural computations necessary to perform valence processing functions. Major advances in the field have demonstrated a role for oscillatory states in valence processing under physiological conditions and emerging studies are exploring how these network states are altered under pathophysiological conditions and impacted by neuroendocrine factors. The current review highlights what is currently known regarding the impact of stress and the role of neuroendocrine mediators on network states and valence processing. Further, we propose a model in which chronic stress alters information routing through emotional processing hubs, resulting in a facilitation of negative valence processing and a suppression of positive valence processing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bradly Stone
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Najah Walton
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jamie Maguire
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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19
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Boyle CC, Bower JE, Eisenberger NI, Irwin MR. Stress to inflammation and anhedonia: Mechanistic insights from preclinical and clinical models. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105307. [PMID: 37419230 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Anhedonia, as evidenced by impaired pleasurable response to reward, reduced reward motivation, and/or deficits in reward-related learning, is a common feature of depression. Such deficits in reward processing are also an important clinical target as a risk factor for depression onset. Unfortunately, reward-related deficits remain difficult to treat. To address this gap and inform the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies, it is critical to understand the mechanisms that drive impairments in reward function. Stress-induced inflammation is a plausible mechanism of reward deficits. The purpose of this paper is to review evidence for two components of this psychobiological pathway: 1) the effects of stress on reward function; and 2) the effects of inflammation on reward function. Within these two areas, we draw upon preclinical and clinical models, distinguish between acute and chronic effects of stress and inflammation, and address specific domains of reward dysregulation. By addressing these contextual factors, the review reveals a nuanced literature which might be targeted for additional scientific inquiry to inform the development of precise interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe C Boyle
- Norman Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA, USA.
| | - Julienne E Bower
- Norman Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA, USA; Department of Psychology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Michael R Irwin
- Norman Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA, USA
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20
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Deng S, Xie R, Kong A, Luo Y, Li J, Chen M, Wang X, Gong H, Wang L, Fan X, Pan Q, Li D. Early-life stress contributes to depression-like behaviors in a two-hit mouse model. Behav Brain Res 2023; 452:114563. [PMID: 37406776 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114563] [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: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is a common psychological disorder with pathogenesis involving genetic and environmental interactions. Early life stress can adversely affect physical and emotional development and dramatically increase the risk for the development of depression and anxiety disorders. METHODS To examine potential early life stress driving risk for anxiety and depression, we used a two-hit developmental stress model,injecting poly(I: C) into neonatal mice on P2-P6 followed by peripubertal unpredictable stress in adolescence. RESULTS Our study shows that early-life and adolescent stress leads to anxiety and depression-related behavioral phenotypes in male mice. Early-life stress exacerbated depression-like behavior in mice following peripubertal unpredictable stress. We confirmed that early life stress might be involved in the decreased neuronal activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and might be involved in shaping behavioral phenotypes of animals. We found that increased microglia and neuroinflammation in the mPFC of two-hit mice and early life stress further boost microglia activation and inflammatory factors in the mPFC region of mice following adolescent stress. LIMITATIONS The specific neural circuits and mechanisms by which microglia regulate depression-like behaviors require further investigation. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide a novel insight into developmental risk factors and biological mechanisms in depression and anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilong Deng
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Ruxin Xie
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Anqi Kong
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yi Luo
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jianghui Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Mei Chen
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Xiaqing Wang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Hong Gong
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Lian Wang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
| | - Qiangwen Pan
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.
| | - Dabing Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.
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21
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Benoit S, Henry M, Fneich S, Mathou A, Xia L, Foury A, Jouin M, Junien C, Capuron L, Jouneau L, Moisan MP, Delpierre C, Gabory A, Darnaudéry M. Strain-specific changes in nucleus accumbens transcriptome and motivation for palatable food reward in mice exposed to maternal separation. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1190392. [PMID: 37565037 PMCID: PMC10411197 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1190392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction In humans, adversity in childhood exerts enduring effects on brain and increases the vulnerability to psychiatric diseases. It also leads to a higher risk of eating disorders and obesity. Maternal separation (MS) in mice has been used as a proxy of stress during infancy. We hypothesized that MS in mice affects motivation to obtain palatable food in adulthood and changes gene expression in reward system. Methods Male and female pups from C57Bl/6J and C3H/HeN mice strains were subjected to a daily MS protocol from postnatal day (PND) 2 to PND14. At adulthood, their motivation for palatable food reward was assessed in operant cages. Results Compared to control mice, male and female C3H/HeN mice exposed to MS increased their instrumental response for palatable food, especially when the effort required to obtain the reward was high. Importantly, this effect is shown in animals fed ad libitum. Transcriptional analysis revealed 375 genes differentially expressed in the nucleus accumbens of male MS C3H/HeN mice compared to the control group, some of these being associated with the regulation of the reward system (e.g., Gnas, Pnoc). Interestingly, C57Bl/6J mice exposed to MS did not show alterations in their motivation to obtain a palatable reward, nor significant changes in gene expression in the nucleus accumbens. Conclusion MS produces long-lasting changes in motivation for palatable food in C3H/HeN mice, but has no impact in C57Bl/6J mice. These behavioral alterations are accompanied by drastic changes in gene expression in the nucleus accumbens, a key structure in the regulation of motivational processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Benoit
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeurO, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - Mathilde Henry
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeurO, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - Sara Fneich
- Univ. Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, BREED, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Alexia Mathou
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeurO, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - Lin Xia
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeurO, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - Aline Foury
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeurO, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - Mélanie Jouin
- Univ. Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, BREED, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Claudine Junien
- Univ. Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, BREED, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Lucile Capuron
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeurO, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
| | - Luc Jouneau
- Univ. Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, BREED, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | - Cyrille Delpierre
- CERPOP, UMR1295, Inserm, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Anne Gabory
- Univ. Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, BREED, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Muriel Darnaudéry
- Univ. Bordeaux, INRAE, Bordeaux INP, NutriNeurO, UMR 1286, Bordeaux, France
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22
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Burani K, Brush CJ, Shields GS, Klein DN, Nelson B, Slavich GM, Hajcak G. Cumulative lifetime acute stressor exposure interacts with reward responsiveness to predict longitudinal increases in depression severity in adolescence. Psychol Med 2023; 53:4507-4516. [PMID: 37698514 PMCID: PMC10388334 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722001386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Life stress and blunted reward processing each have been associated with the onset and maintenance of major depressive disorder. However, much of this work has been cross-sectional, conducted in separate lines of inquiry, and focused on recent life stressor exposure, despite the fact that theories of depression posit that stressors can have cumulative effects over the lifespan. To address these limitations, we investigated whether acute and chronic stressors occurring over the lifespan interacted with blunted reward processing to predict increases in depression over time in healthy youth. METHOD Participants were 245 adolescent girls aged 8-14 years old (Mage = 12.4, s.d. = 1.8) who were evaluated at baseline and two years later. The reward positivity (RewP), an event-related potential measure of reward responsiveness, was assessed at baseline using the doors task. Cumulative lifetime exposure to acute and chronic stressors was assessed two years later using the Stress and Adversity Inventory for Adolescents (Adolescent STRAIN). Finally, depressive symptoms were assessed at both baseline and follow-up using the Children's Depression Inventory. RESULTS As hypothesized, greater lifetime acute stressor exposure predicted increases in depressive symptoms over two years, but only for youth exhibiting a blunted RewP. This interaction, however, was not found for chronic stressors. CONCLUSIONS Lifetime acute stressor exposure may be particularly depressogenic for youth exhibiting a blunted RewP. Conversely, a robust RewP may be protective in the presence of greater acute lifetime stressor exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kreshnik Burani
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - C. J. Brush
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Grant S. Shields
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Daniel N. Klein
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Brady Nelson
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - George M. Slavich
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Greg Hajcak
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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23
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Kadirvelu B, Bellido Bel T, Wu X, Burmester V, Ananth S, Cabral C C Branco B, Girela-Serrano B, Gledhill J, Di Simplicio M, Nicholls D, Faisal AA. Mindcraft, a Mobile Mental Health Monitoring Platform for Children and Young People: Development and Acceptability Pilot Study. JMIR Form Res 2023; 7:e44877. [PMID: 37358901 DOI: 10.2196/44877] [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: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children and young people's mental health is a growing public health concern, which is further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mobile health apps, particularly those using passive smartphone sensor data, present an opportunity to address this issue and support mental well-being. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to develop and evaluate a mobile mental health platform for children and young people, Mindcraft, which integrates passive sensor data monitoring with active self-reported updates through an engaging user interface to monitor their well-being. METHODS A user-centered design approach was used to develop Mindcraft, incorporating feedback from potential users. User acceptance testing was conducted with a group of 8 young people aged 15-17 years, followed by a pilot test with 39 secondary school students aged 14-18 years, which was conducted for a 2-week period. RESULTS Mindcraft showed encouraging user engagement and retention. Users reported that they found the app to be a friendly tool helping them to increase their emotional awareness and gain a better understanding of themselves. Over 90% of users (36/39, 92.5%) answered all active data questions on the days they used the app. Passive data collection facilitated the gathering of a broader range of well-being metrics over time, with minimal user intervention. CONCLUSIONS The Mindcraft app has shown promising results in monitoring mental health symptoms and promoting user engagement among children and young people during its development and initial testing. The app's user-centered design, the focus on privacy and transparency, and a combination of active and passive data collection strategies have all contributed to its efficacy and receptiveness among the target demographic. By continuing to refine and expand the app, the Mindcraft platform has the potential to contribute meaningfully to the field of mental health care for young people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balasundaram Kadirvelu
- Brain & Behaviour Lab, Department of Computing and Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Teresa Bellido Bel
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Xiaofei Wu
- Brain & Behaviour Lab, Department of Computing and Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Burmester
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shayma Ananth
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bianca Cabral C C Branco
- Brain & Behaviour Lab, Department of Computing and Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Braulio Girela-Serrano
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Julia Gledhill
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martina Di Simplicio
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dasha Nicholls
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - A Aldo Faisal
- Brain & Behaviour Lab, Department of Computing and Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Chair in Digital Health, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
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24
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Pagliaccio D, Pizzagalli D, Auerbach R, Kirshenbaum J. Neural Sensitivity following Stress Predicts Anhedonia Symptoms: A 2-Year Multi-wave, Longitudinal Study. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3060116. [PMID: 37398118 PMCID: PMC10312918 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3060116/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Animal models of depression show that acute stress negatively impacts functioning in neural regions sensitive to reward and punishment, often manifesting as anhedonic behaviors. However, few human studies have probed stress-induced neural activation changes in relation to anhedonia, which is critical for clarifying risk for affective disorders. Participants (N = 85 , 12-14-years-old, 53 female), oversampled for risk of depression, were administered clinical assessments and completed an fMRI guessing task to probe neural response to receipt of rewards and losses. After the initial task run, participants received an acute stressor and then, were re-administered the guessing task. Including baseline, participants provided up to 10 self-report assessments of life stress and symptoms over a 2-year period. Linear mixed-effects models estimated whether change in neural activation (post- vs. pre-acute stressor) moderated the longitudinal associations between life stress and symptoms over time. Primary analyses indicated that adolescents with stress-related reductions in right ventral striatum response to rewards exhibited stronger longitudinal associations between life stress and anhedonia severity p F D R = . 048 . Secondary analyses showed that longitudinal associations among life stress and depression severity were moderated by stress-related increases in dorsal striatum response to rewards p F D R < . 002 . Additionally, longitudinal associations among life stress and anxiety severity were moderated by stress-related reductions in dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and right anterior insula response to loss p F D R ≤ . 012 . All results held when adjusting for comorbid symptoms. Results show convergence with animal models, highlighting mechanisms that may facilitate stress-induced anhedonia as well as a separable pathway for the emergence of depressive and anxiety symptoms.
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25
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Winter JJ, Rodríguez-Acevedo KL, Dittrich M, Heller EA. Early life adversity: Epigenetic regulation underlying drug addiction susceptibility. Mol Cell Neurosci 2023; 125:103825. [PMID: 36842544 PMCID: PMC10247461 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2023.103825] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug addiction is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with more than 70,000 Americans dying from drug overdose in 2019 alone. While only a small percentage of chronic drug users escalate to drug addiction, little is understood on the precise mechanisms of this susceptibility. Early life adversity is causally relevant to adult psychiatric disease and may contribute to the risk of addiction. Here we review recent pre-clinical evidence showing that early life exposure to stress and/or drugs regulates changes in behavior, gene expression, and the epigenome that persist into adulthood. We summarize the major findings and gaps in the preclinical literature, highlighting studies that demonstrate the often profound differences between female and male subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mia Dittrich
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
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26
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Antoniou G, Lambourg E, Steele JD, Colvin LA. The effect of adverse childhood experiences on chronic pain and major depression in adulthood: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Anaesth 2023; 130:729-746. [PMID: 37087334 PMCID: PMC10251130 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2023.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse childhood experiences have been linked to increased multimorbidity, with physical and mental health consequences throughout life. Chronic pain is often associated with mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD); both have been linked to adverse childhood experiences. It is unclear how the effect of adverse childhood experiences on neural processing impacts on vulnerability to chronic pain, MDD, or both, and whether there are shared mechanisms. We aimed to assess evidence for central neural changes associated with adverse childhood experiences in subjects with chronic pain, MDD, or both using systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS Electronic databases were systematically searched for neuroimaging studies of adverse childhood experiences, with chronic pain, MDD, or both. Two independent reviewers screened title, abstracts, and full text, and assessed quality. After extraction of neuroimaging data, activation likelihood estimate meta-analysis was performed to identify significant brain regions associated with these comorbidities. RESULTS Forty-nine of 2414 studies were eligible, of which 43 investigated adverse childhood experiences and MDD and six investigated adverse childhood experiences and chronic pain. None investigated adverse childhood experiences, chronic pain, and MDD together. Functional and structural brain abnormalities were identified in the superior frontal, lingual gyrus, hippocampus, insula, putamen, superior temporal, inferior temporal gyrus, and anterior cerebellum in patients with MDD exposed to adverse childhood experiences. In addition, brain function abnormalities were identified for patients with MDD or chronic pain and exposure to adverse childhood experiences in the cingulate gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, and precuneus in task-based functional MRI studies. CONCLUSIONS We found that adverse childhood experiences exposure can result in different functional and structural brain alterations in adults with MDD or chronic pain compared with those without adverse childhood experiences. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW PROTOCOL PROSPERO CRD42021233989.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Antoniou
- Division of Population Health and Genomics, Medical Research Institute, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| | - Emilie Lambourg
- Division of Population Health and Genomics, Medical Research Institute, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - J Douglas Steele
- Division of Imaging Science and Technology, Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Lesley A Colvin
- Division of Population Health and Genomics, Medical Research Institute, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
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27
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Mendez L, Morelli N, Cromer KD, Villodas M. Parallel Process of Posttraumatic Stress and Externalizing Problems Among Youth at High Risk for Victimization. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE 2023; 33:154-168. [PMID: 36000155 DOI: 10.1111/jora.12796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Research shows comorbidity between posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and externalizing problems among polyvictimized youth. However, the impact of polyvictimization on the longitudinal co-development of PTSS and distinct forms of externalizing problems remains unclear. Growth trajectory modeling was used to address this gap. At ages 8, 12, and 16, polyvictimization was measured using youth, caregiver, and official records; whereas youth self-reported PTSS and caregivers reported aggression and delinquency. Results demonstrate that changes in PTSS and each externalizing domain were independent. Further, polyvictimization and PTSS/aggression were only associated at concurrent time points. In contrast, polyvictimization and delinquency were generally associated at concurrent and distal time points, suggesting that polyvictimization may have a more enduring impact on youths' delinquent behaviors than other symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nick Morelli
- San Diego State University/University of California San Diego
| | | | - Miguel Villodas
- San Diego State University/University of California San Diego
- San Diego State University
- Child and Adolescent Services Research Center
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28
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Seitz KI, Ueltzhöffer K, Rademacher L, Paulus FM, Schmitz M, Herpertz SC, Bertsch K. Your smile won't affect me: Association between childhood maternal antipathy and adult neural reward function in a transdiagnostic sample. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:70. [PMID: 36828811 PMCID: PMC9958053 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02364-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation in the ventral striatum (VS) during reward anticipation may be a key mechanism linking adverse childhood experiences (ACE) to transdiagnostic psychopathology. This study aimed to elucidate whether retrospectively reported ACE, specifically maternal antipathy, relate to monetary and social reward anticipation in a transdiagnostic adult sample. A cross-sectional neuroimaging study was conducted in 118 participants with varying levels of ACE, including 25 participants with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 32 with major depressive disorder (MDD), 29 with somatic symptom disorder (SSD), and 32 healthy volunteers (HVs). Participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging during a monetary and social incentive delay task, and completed a self-report measure of ACE, including maternal antipathy. Neural correlates of monetary and social reward anticipation and their association with ACE, particularly maternal antipathy, were analyzed. Participants showed elevated activation in brain regions underlying reward processing, including the VS, only while anticipating social, but not monetary rewards. Participants reporting higher levels of maternal antipathy exhibited reduced activation in the brain reward network, including the VS, only during social, but not monetary reward anticipation. Group affiliation moderated the association between maternal antipathy and VS activation to social reward anticipation, with significant associations found in participants with PTSD and HVs, but not in those with MDD and SSD. Results were not associated with general psychopathology or psychotropic medication use. Childhood maternal antipathy may confer risk for aberrant social reward anticipation in adulthood, and may thus be considered in interventions targeting reward expectations from social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja I. Seitz
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kai Ueltzhöffer
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lena Rademacher
- grid.4562.50000 0001 0057 2672Social Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany ,grid.4562.50000 0001 0057 2672Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Frieder M. Paulus
- grid.4562.50000 0001 0057 2672Social Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany ,grid.4562.50000 0001 0057 2672Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Marius Schmitz
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.5252.00000 0004 1936 973XDepartment of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabine C. Herpertz
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja Bertsch
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.5252.00000 0004 1936 973XDepartment of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
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29
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Suor JH, Granros M, Calentino AE, Luan Phan K, Burkhouse KL. The interplay of childhood maltreatment and maternal depression in relation to the reward positivity in youth. Dev Psychopathol 2023; 35:168-178. [PMID: 36914290 PMCID: PMC10014903 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579421000857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Guided by developmental psychopathology and dual-risk frameworks, the present study examined the interplay between childhood maltreatment and maternal major depression history in relation to neural reward responsiveness in youth. The sample consisted of 96 youth (ages 9-16; M = 12.29 years, SD = 2.20; 68.8% female) drawn from a large metropolitan city. Youth were recruited based on whether their mothers had a history of major depressive disorder (MDD) and were categorized into two groups: youth with mothers with a history of MDD (high risk; HR; n = 56) and youth with mothers with no history of psychiatric disorders (low risk; LR; n = 40). The reward positivity (RewP), an event-related potential component, was utilized to measure reward responsiveness and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire measured childhood maltreatment. We found a significant two-way interaction between childhood maltreatment and risk group in relation to RewP. Simple slope analysis revealed that in the HR group, greater childhood maltreatment was significantly associated with reduced RewP. The relationship between childhood maltreatment and RewP was not significant among the LR youth. The present findings demonstrate that the association between childhood maltreatment and blunted reward responsiveness is dependent on whether offspring have mothers with histories of MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer H Suor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Maria Granros
- Department of Psychology and Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alison E Calentino
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Psychology, The Stony Brook University, Stony Book, NY, USA
| | - K Luan Phan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Katie L Burkhouse
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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30
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Novick AM, Stoddard J, Johnson RL, Duffy KA, Berkowitz L, Costa VD, Sammel MD, Epperson CN. Adverse childhood experiences and hormonal contraception: Interactive impact on sexual reward function. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0279764. [PMID: 36649369 PMCID: PMC9844925 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279764] [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: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The current literature suggests that some women are uniquely vulnerable to negative effects of hormonal contraception (HC) on affective processes. However, little data exists as to which factors contribute to such vulnerability. The present study evaluated the impact of prepubertal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on reward processing in women taking HC (N = 541) compared to naturally cycling women (N = 488). Participants completed an online survey assessing current and past HC use and exposure to 10 different adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) before puberty (ACE Questionnaire), with participants categorized into groups of low (0-1) versus high (≥2) prepubertal ACE exposure. Participants then completed a reward task rating their expected and experienced valence for images that were either erotic, pleasant (non-erotic), or neutral. Significant interactions emerged between prepubertal ACE exposure and HC use on expected (p = 0.028) and experienced (p = 0.025) valence ratings of erotic images but not pleasant or neutral images. Importantly, follow-up analyses considering whether women experienced HC-induced decreases in sexual desire informed the significant interaction for expected valence ratings of erotic images. For current HC users, prepubertal ACEs interacted with HC-induced decreased sexual desire (p = 0.008), such that high ACE women reporting decreased sexual desire on HC showed substantially decreased ratings for anticipated erotic images compared to both high prepubertal ACE women without decreased sexual desire (p < 0.001) and low prepubertal ACE women also reporting decreased sexual desire (p = 0.010). The interaction was not significant in naturally cycling women reporting previous HC use, suggesting that current HC use could be impacting anticipatory reward processing of sexual stimuli among certain women (e.g., high prepubertal ACE women reporting HC-induced decreases in sexual desire). The study provides rationale for future randomized, controlled trials to account for prepubertal ACE exposure to promote contraceptive selection informed by behavioral evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M. Novick
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Joel Stoddard
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Rachel L. Johnson
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Korrina A. Duffy
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Lily Berkowitz
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Vincent D. Costa
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Mary D. Sammel
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - C. Neill Epperson
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
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Sex differences in addiction-relevant behavioral outcomes in rodents following early life stress. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 6. [PMID: 37101684 PMCID: PMC10124992 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2023.100067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In humans, exposure to early life stress (ELS) is an established risk factor for the development of substance use disorders (SUDs) during later life. Similarly, rodents exposed to ELS involving disrupted mother-infant interactions, such as maternal separation (MS) or adverse caregiving due to scarcity-adversity induced by limited bedding and nesting (LBN) conditions, also exhibit long-term alterations in alcohol and drug consumption. In both humans and rodents, there is a range of addiction-related behaviors that are associated with drug use and even predictive of subsequent SUDs. In rodents, these include increased anxiety-like behavior, impulsivity, and novelty-seeking, altered alcohol and drug intake patterns, as well as disrupted reward-related processes involving consummatory and social behaviors. Importantly, the expression of these behaviors often varies throughout the lifespan. Moreover, preclinical studies suggest that sex differences play a role in how exposure to ELS impacts reward and addiction-related phenotypes as well as underlying brain reward circuitry. Here, addiction-relevant behavioral outcomes and mesolimbic dopamine (DA) dysfunction resulting from ELS in the form of MS and LBN are discussed with a focus on age- and sex-dependent effects. Overall, these findings suggest that ELS may increase susceptibility for later life drug use and SUDs by interfering with the normal maturation of reward-related brain and behavioral function.
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Yan L, Kohn N, Yi W, Wang N, Duan H, Wu J. Blunted reward responsiveness prospectively predicts emotional distress when exposed to a naturalistic stressor. Br J Psychol 2022; 114:376-392. [PMID: 36573298 DOI: 10.1111/bjop.12625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Both stress and blunted reward responsiveness have been identified as core risk factors of depression. Whether blunted reward responsiveness increases psychological vulnerability to real-life stress from a dynamic perspective (from stress reactivity to recovery) has not been investigated. By utilizing a real-world stressful event (i.e. the final examination), this study aimed to explore the role of reward responsiveness in the stress-emotional distress relationship during stress reactivity and recovery phases. We followed 57 undergraduates with three assessments, from six weeks before examination weeks (T1, baseline), one day before the examinations (T2) to two weeks after the examinations (T3), therefore, covering stress reactivity (T1 to T2) and recovery (T2 to T3) phases. At baseline, reward responsiveness was measured as the Reward Positivity (RewP) in the doors task. Stress and emotional distress (anxiety and depression) were reported at T1, T2 and T3 to capture their dynamic changes. Results showed that self-report stress levels significantly increased from T1 to T2 (stress reactivity phase) and decreased from T2 to T3 (stress recovery phase). Furthermore, blunted reward responsiveness at baseline prospectively predicted emotional distress during the stress reactivity phase but not the recovery phase. Specifically, during the stress reactivity phase, higher perceived stress was associated with greater anxiety and depression only in participants with relatively smaller residual RewP amplitudes but not in participants with relatively larger residual RewP amplitudes. Our study demonstrated that a blunted reward responsiveness is a vulnerable factor of depression, especially when exposed to stress. Our findings provide insights into prevention and intervention for stress-related disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Yan
- Center for Brain Disorder and Cognitive Science Shenzhen University Shenzhen China
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Nils Kohn
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Wei Yi
- Center for Brain Disorder and Cognitive Science Shenzhen University Shenzhen China
| | - Naiyi Wang
- Faculty of Education Beijing Normal University Beijing China
- Lab for Educational Neuroscience, Center for Educational Science and Technology Beijing Normal University Beijing China
| | - Hongxia Duan
- Center for Brain Disorder and Cognitive Science Shenzhen University Shenzhen China
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen The Netherlands
- Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience Shenzhen China
| | - Jianhui Wu
- Center for Brain Disorder and Cognitive Science Shenzhen University Shenzhen China
- Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience Shenzhen China
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Morelli NM, Hong K, Elzie X, Garcia J, Evans MC, Duong J, Villodas MT. Bidirectional associations between family conflict and child behavior problems in families at risk for maltreatment. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 133:105832. [PMID: 36027861 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children's exposure to family conflict is associated with the development of behavior problems. However, it remains unclear whether this association (1) functions bidirectionally and (2) exists independent of more severe forms of violent victimization. OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to examine bidirectional and transactional associations between family conflict and children's behavioral problems, controlling for time-varying violent victimization experiences. Invariance testing examined whether these models differed by gender and by maltreatment status prior to initial recruitment. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Participants were caregiver-child dyads identified prospectively as being at risk for maltreatment and family violence exposure prior to age four (N = 1281; 51.4 % female; 74.6 % persons of color). METHODS Caregivers were interviewed prospectively about family conflict, children's aggressive and delinquent behavior, and children's victimization experiences at child ages 6, 8, and 10. RESULTS After controlling for prior victimization, significant cross-lagged bidirectional associations were identified between family conflict and child behavior problems. Indirect effects from age 6 to age 10 externalizing problems through age 8 family conflict were not supported. Several bidirectional paths were stronger among boys than girls. Results revealed little evidence for moderation by prerecruitment maltreatment status. CONCLUSIONS Findings support a conceptualization of the family-child relationship that is reciprocal in nature and highlight the importance of non-violent, everyday negative family processes. Interventions aiming to improve child behavior problems by targeting severely dysfunctional family processes should also address non-violent, lower-level patterns of negative family interactions, such as everyday instances of blame, criticism, nonacceptance, and favoritism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas M Morelli
- San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, United States of America.
| | - Kajung Hong
- San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, United States of America
| | - Xavier Elzie
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, United States of America
| | - Jackelyne Garcia
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, United States of America
| | - Meghan C Evans
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, United States of America
| | - Jacqueline Duong
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, United States of America
| | - Miguel T Villodas
- San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, United States of America; Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, United States of America
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Duque-Quintero M, Hooijmans CR, Hurowitz A, Ahmed A, Barris B, Homberg JR, Hen R, Harris AZ, Balsam P, Atsak P. Enduring effects of early-life adversity on reward processes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104849. [PMID: 36116576 PMCID: PMC10729999 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Two-thirds of individuals experience adversity during childhood such as neglect, abuse or highly-stressful events. Early-life adversity (ELA) increases the life-long risk of developing mood and substance use disorders. Reward-related deficits has emerged as a key endophenotype of such psychiatric disorders. Animal models are invaluable for studying how ELA leads to reward deficits. However, the existing literature is heterogenous with difficult to reconcile findings. To create an overview, we conducted a systematic review containing multiple meta-analyses regarding the effects of ELA on reward processes overall and on specific aspects of reward processing in animal models. A comprehensive search identified 120 studies. Most studies omitted key details resulting in unclear risk of bias. Overall meta-analysis showed that ELA significantly reduced reward behaviors (SMD: -0.42 [-0.60; -0.24]). The magnitude of ELA effects significantly increased with longer exposure. When reward domains were analyzed separately, ELA only significantly dampened reward responsiveness (SMD: -0.525[-0.786; -0.264]) and social reward processing (SMD: -0.374 [-0.663; -0.084]), suggesting that ELA might lead to deficits in specific reward domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Duque-Quintero
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Carlijn R Hooijmans
- Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation (SYRCLE), Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Hurowitz
- Integrative Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York 10032, USA
| | - Afsana Ahmed
- Integrative Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York 10032, USA
| | - Ben Barris
- Integrative Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York 10032, USA
| | - Judith R Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rene Hen
- Integrative Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York 10032, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Alexander Z Harris
- Integrative Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York 10032, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Peter Balsam
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Piray Atsak
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Integrative Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York 10032, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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Burani K, Brush CJ, Shields GS, Klein DN, Nelson BD, Slavich GM, Hajcak G. Greater Cumulative Lifetime Stressor Exposure Predicts Blunted Reward Positivity in Adolescent Girls Followed for 2 Years. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2022; 7:1017-1024. [PMID: 35688415 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2022.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although research has found that life stress is associated with reward-related brain activity, few studies have examined how cumulative stressors occurring over the entire lifetime affect reward processing during adolescence. METHODS To address this issue, we investigated how lifetime stressor exposure related to reward processing, indexed by the reward positivity, in 240 adolescent girls between ages 8 and 14 years (mean age = 12.4). Participants were followed for 2 years. They completed a reward task at baseline and follow-up and the Stress and Adversity Inventory at follow-up. RESULTS As hypothesized, greater lifetime stressor exposure was related to a blunted reward positivity at the follow-up session while controlling for baseline age, baseline reward positivity, and time between assessments. Furthermore, this association was evident for acute but not chronic lifetime stressors. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that the development of adaptive reward processing may be adversely affected by experiencing major life stressors. The results may thus have implications for understanding how stressors increase risk for psychopathology, such as major depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kreshnik Burani
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida.
| | | | - Grant S Shields
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
| | - Daniel N Klein
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Brady D Nelson
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - George M Slavich
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Greg Hajcak
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
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36
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Liu Y, Peng H, Wu J, Wang N, Duan H. Linking Mild Childhood Adversity with Conflict and False Feedback Monitoring. Dev Neuropsychol 2022; 47:353-368. [PMID: 36476284 DOI: 10.1080/87565641.2022.2155163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
It was proposed that dimensions of childhood adversity (i.e., deprivation and threat) have distinct effects on neural development and function. Present study examined the relationships between mild deprivation/threat and performance monitoring among undergraduate students without psychiatric diagnoses. By using event-related potentials (ERPs), 78 participants underwent a modified Flanker task in which false feedback on approximately 10% of the correct response trials was administered. The dynamic stages of performance monitoring in this task were differentiated into interference monitoring, feedback processing, and behavior adjustment. Childhood adversity was assessed by a Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), which was further divided into subscales of neglect (as a proxy for deprivation dimension) and abuse (as a proxy for threat dimension). Our results showed that higher score of childhood neglect was associated with more interference cost indicated by longer RT to interference trials at the behavioral level, and altered interference monitoring indicated by smaller N2 amplitude to interference trials at the neural level. Meanwhile, higher score of childhood abuse was related to smaller P3 amplitude to unexpected negative feedback. These results suggested that mild childhood deprivation might be associated with altered processing of interference monitoring, while mild childhood threat might be linked to lower electrophysiological response to unexpected negative feedback among young adults without psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Liu
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Huini Peng
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, Peking, China
| | - Jianhui Wu
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience, 518057, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Naiyi Wang
- Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University, 100875, Beijing, Peking, China
- Lab for Educational Neuroscience, Center for Educational Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University, 100875, Beijing, Peking, China
| | - Hongxia Duan
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Kapittelweg 29, 6525 EN, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Hu W, Zhao X, Liu Y, Ren Y, Wei Z, Tang Z, Tian Y, Sun Y, Yang J. Reward sensitivity modulates the brain reward pathway in stress resilience via the inherent neuroendocrine system. Neurobiol Stress 2022; 20:100485. [PMID: 36132434 PMCID: PMC9483565 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2022.100485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In the previous 10 years, researchers have suggested a critical role for the brain reward system in stress resilience. However, no study has provided an empirical link between activity in the mesostriatal reward regions during stress and the recovery of cortisol stress response. Moreover, although reward sensitivity as a trait has been demonstrated to promote stress resilience, it remains unclear whether it modulates the brain reward system in stress resilience and how this effect is achieved by the inherent neuroendocrine system. To investigate these uncertainties, 70 young adults were recruited to participate in a ScanSTRESS task, and their brain imaging data and saliva samples (for cortisol assay) were collected during the task. In addition, we assessed reward sensitivity, cortisol awakening response, and intrinsic functional connectivity of the brain in all the participants. We found that left putamen activation during stress exposure positively predicted cortisol recovery. In addition, reward sensitivity was positively linked with activation of the left putamen, and this relationship was serially mediated by the cortisol awakening response and right hippocampus-left inferior frontal gyrus intrinsic connectivity. These findings suggest that reward sensitivity modulates reward pathways in stress resilience through the interplay of the diurnal stress response system and network of the hippocampus-prefrontal circuitry. Summarily, the current study built a model to highlight the dynamic and multifaceted interaction between pertinent allostatic factors in the reward-resilience pathway and uncovered new insight into the resilience function of the mesostriatal reward system during stress. Cortisol recovery can be predicted by activation of the left putamen in stress. Activation of the left putamen was positively linked with reward sensitivity. This relationship was serially mediated by the cortisol awakening response and right hippocampus-left inferior frontal gyrus intrinsic coupling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyu Hu
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.,Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Xiaolin Zhao
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.,Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yadong Liu
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.,Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yipeng Ren
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.,Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Zhenni Wei
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.,Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Zihan Tang
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.,Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yun Tian
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.,Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yadong Sun
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Juan Yang
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.,Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
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Featherstone RE, Gifford RL, Crown LM, Amirfathi F, Alaniz JP, Yi J, Tran A, Adomian D, Schwenk A, Melnychenko O, Duval C, Parekh K, Lee DJ, Siegel SJ. Early life social instability stress causes lasting cognitive decrement and elevated hippocampal stress-related gene expression. Exp Neurol 2022; 354:114099. [PMID: 35490720 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114099] [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: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early life stress may have profound effects on brain health, yielding both short- and long-term cognitive or psychiatric impairment. Early life Social Instability Stress (SIS) in rodents has been used to model the effects of early chronic human stress. While many studies have assessed acute and short-term responses to this stressor, less attention has been paid to the lasting effects of early life stress in rodents. METHODS The current study utilized SIS in young mice to assess the impact of early life adversity over the lifespan. Mice were assessed in adulthood between the ages of 18 to 66 weeks for changes in behaviors associated with anxiety, affect, sociability, aggression, motivation, and recognition memory. Additionally, mice were assessed for changes in glucocorticoid level and hippocampal mRNA expression in a subset of genes that display alterations in humans following exposure to stress (CRHR1, CRHR2, FKBP5, SLC6A4). RESULTS Mice exposed to early SIS showed disrupted memory and increased hippocampal expression of FKBP5, CRHR2 and SLC6A4 mRNA compared to non-stressed mice. Importantly, there was a significant association between increased FKBP5 and CRHR2 with reduced recognition memory. Additionally, mice exposed to SIS showed increased responding on a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement, indicating that reduction in memory performance was not mediated by decreased effort. CONCLUSIONS Ecologically-relevant social stress in mice causes long-term decrements in recognition memory, possibly mediated by persistent changes in moderators of the stress cascade. Additionally, animals exposed to early life stress showed increased motivation for reward, which may contribute to a host of hedonic seeking behaviors throughout life. These data suggest that SIS can be used to evaluate therapeutic interventions to attenuate or reverse lasting effects of early life adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Featherstone
- Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America
| | - Raymond L Gifford
- Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America
| | - Lindsey M Crown
- Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America
| | - Felix Amirfathi
- Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America
| | - Jon P Alaniz
- Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America
| | - Janice Yi
- Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America
| | - AiVi Tran
- Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America
| | - Derrick Adomian
- Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America
| | - Andrew Schwenk
- Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America
| | - Olya Melnychenko
- Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America
| | - Christina Duval
- Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America
| | - Krishna Parekh
- Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America
| | - Darrin J Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America; Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1200 North State St., Suite 3300, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America
| | - Steven J Siegel
- Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America.
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Neurobiological Mechanisms Modulating Emotionality, Cognition and Reward-Related Behaviour in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rodents. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147952. [PMID: 35887310 PMCID: PMC9317076 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Affective and substance-use disorders are associated with overweight and obesity-related complications, which are often due to the overconsumption of palatable food. Both high-fat diets (HFDs) and psychostimulant drugs modulate the neuro-circuitry regulating emotional processing and metabolic functions. However, it is not known how they interact at the behavioural level, and whether they lead to overlapping changes in neurobiological endpoints. In this literature review, we describe the impact of HFDs on emotionality, cognition, and reward-related behaviour in rodents. We also outline the effects of HFD on brain metabolism and plasticity involving mitochondria. Moreover, the possible overlap of the neurobiological mechanisms produced by HFDs and psychostimulants is discussed. Our in-depth analysis of published results revealed that HFDs have a clear impact on behaviour and underlying brain processes, which are largely dependent on the developmental period. However, apart from the studies investigating maternal exposure to HFDs, most of the published results involve only male rodents. Future research should also examine the biological impact of HFDs in female rodents. Further knowledge about the molecular mechanisms linking stress and obesity is a crucial requirement of translational research and using rodent models can significantly advance the important search for risk-related biomarkers and the development of clinical intervention strategies.
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Prosociality moderates outcome evaluation in competition tasks. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11397. [PMID: 35794209 PMCID: PMC9259582 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15570-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study investigated the effect of prosociality on outcome evaluation without involving social comparison and reward processing in face-to-face competition tasks. The results showed that when faced with medium and large outcome feedback, the feedback-related negativity (FRN) amplitude induced in high-prosocial individuals was significantly more negative than that of low-prosocial individuals. In addition, the P300 amplitude induced in high-prosocial individuals was smaller than that in low-prosocial individuals in the face of large outcome feedback; hence, the prosociality score was significantly correlated with FRN amplitude. However, there was no significant difference in FRN between high-and low-prosocial individuals in the face of small outcome feedback. It was concluded that individual prosocial traits can moderate outcome evaluation.
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Clinical Considerations of Ultra-processed Food Addiction Across Weight Classes: an Eating Disorder Treatment and Care Perspective. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2022; 9:255-267. [PMID: 35531579 PMCID: PMC9058754 DOI: 10.1007/s40429-022-00411-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review To examine the prevalence rates of ultra-processed food addiction across different weight classes and offer guidelines for diagnosis and treatment. Clinicians are provided with practical considerations in the assessment of ultra-processed food addiction beyond the use of validated instruments. Recent Findings The weighted mean prevalence of ultra-processed food addiction is approximately 20% worldwide and varies widely based on the sample. At first glance, there appears a linear relationship between ultra-processed food addiction and BMI class. Further investigation indicates a J-shaped curve with heightened prevalence among the underweight. These findings highlight the need to assess for additional factors that may increase objective or subjective food addiction symptoms including eating disorders, dietary restraint, and other mental health diagnoses. Summary While clinical considerations across different weight classes vary, overemphasis on weight status may detract from the clinical utility of the ultra-processed food addiction construct. Considering weight status in conjunction with other psychiatric symptoms helps to better understand the various biopsychosocial mechanisms that influence eating behavior and can inform individualized treatment strategies.
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Wiss DA, Brewerton TD, Tomiyama AJ. Limitations of the protective measure theory in explaining the role of childhood sexual abuse in eating disorders, addictions, and obesity: an updated model with emphasis on biological embedding. Eat Weight Disord 2022; 27:1249-1267. [PMID: 34476763 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-021-01293-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to its immediate negative consequences, childhood sexual abuse is associated with lifelong deleterious mental and physical health outcomes. This review employs a biopsychosocial perspective to better understand pathways from childhood sexual abuse to eating disorders, food and drug addictions, and obesity across the life course. Guided by an updated conceptual model, this review delineates how the biological embedding of childhood sexual abuse triggers a cascade of interrelated conditions that often result in failed attempts at weight suppression and eventually obesity. Such biological embedding involves pathways such as inflammation, allostatic load, reward sensitivity, activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, epigenetics, and structural and functional changes in the brain. These pathways are in turn theorized to lead to food addiction, substance use disorder, and eating disorders-each with potential pathways toward obesity over time. Predisposing factors to childhood sexual abuse including gender, culture, and age are discussed. This model calls into question the longstanding "protective measure" theory that purports individuals exposed to sexual abuse will deliberately or subconsciously gain weight in attempt to prevent future victimization. A more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms by which childhood sexual abuse becomes biologically embedded may help clinicians and survivors normalize and/or address disordered eating and weight-related outcomes, as well as identify intervention strategies.Level of evidence: Level V: opinions of respected authorities, based on descriptive studies, narrative reviews, clinical experience, or reports of expert committees.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Wiss
- Community Health Sciences Department, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, 650 Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Timothy D Brewerton
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - A Janet Tomiyama
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
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Young KS, Ward C, Vinograd M, Chen K, Bookheimer SY, Nusslock R, Zinbarg RE, Craske MG. Individual differences in threat and reward neural circuitry activation: Testing dimensional models of early adversity, anxiety and depression. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 55:2739-2753. [PMID: 34989038 PMCID: PMC9149108 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Altered functioning of the brain's threat and reward circuitry has been linked to early life adversity and to symptoms of anxiety and depression. To date, however, these relationships have been studied largely in isolation and in categorical-based approaches. It is unclear to what extent early life adversity and psychopathology have unique effects on brain functioning during threat and reward processing. We examined functional brain activity during a face processing task in threat (amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex) and reward (ventral striatum and orbitofrontal cortex) regions of interest among a sample (N = 103) of young adults (aged 18-19 years) in relation to dimensional measures of early life adversity and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Results demonstrated a significant association between higher scores on the deprivation adversity dimension and greater activation of reward neural circuitry during viewing of happy faces, with the largest effect sizes observed in the orbitofrontal cortex. We found no significant associations between the threat adversity dimension, or symptom dimensions of anxiety and depression, and neural activation in threat or reward circuitries. These results lend partial support to theories of adversity-related alterations in neural activation and highlight the importance of testing dimensional models of adversity and psychopathology in large sample sizes to further our understanding of the biological processes implicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine S. Young
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre, Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK,NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research CentreKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Camilla Ward
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre, Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Meghan Vinograd
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental HealthVeterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare SystemSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA,Department of PsychiatryUniversity of California San DiegoSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kelly Chen
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of ArizonaTucsonArizonaUSA
| | - Susan Y. Bookheimer
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral SciencesUniversity of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)Los AngelesCaliforniaUnited States
| | - Robin Nusslock
- Department of PsychologyNorthwestern UniversityEvanstonIllinoisUSA
| | - Richard E. Zinbarg
- Department of PsychologyNorthwestern UniversityEvanstonIllinoisUSA,The Family InstituteNorthwestern UniversityEvanstonIllinoisUSA
| | - Michelle G. Craske
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral SciencesUniversity of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)Los AngelesCaliforniaUnited States,Department of PsychologyUniversity of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)Los AngelesCaliforniaUSA
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44
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Catale C, Lo Iacono L, Martini A, Heil C, Guatteo E, Mercuri NB, Viscomi MT, Palacios D, Carola V. Early Life Social Stress Causes Sex- and Region-Dependent Dopaminergic Changes that Are Prevented by Minocycline. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:3913-3932. [PMID: 35435618 PMCID: PMC9148283 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02830-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Early life stress (ELS) is known to modify trajectories of brain dopaminergic development, but the mechanisms underlying have not been determined. ELS perturbs immune system and microglia reactivity, and inflammation and microglia influence dopaminergic transmission and development. Whether microglia mediate the effects of ELS on dopamine (DA) system development is still unknown. We explored the effects of repeated early social stress on development of the dopaminergic system in male and female mice through histological, electrophysiological, and transcriptomic analyses. Furthermore, we tested whether these effects could be mediated by ELS-induced altered microglia/immune activity through a pharmacological approach. We found that social stress in early life altered DA neurons morphology, reduced dopamine transporter (DAT) and tyrosine hydroxylase expression, and lowered DAT-mediated currents in the ventral tegmental area but not substantia nigra of male mice only. Notably, stress-induced DA alterations were prevented by minocycline, an inhibitor of microglia activation. Transcriptome analysis in the developing male ventral tegmental area revealed that ELS caused downregulation of dopaminergic transmission and alteration in hormonal and peptide signaling pathways. Results from this study offer new insight into the mechanisms of stress response and altered brain dopaminergic maturation after ELS, providing evidence of neuroimmune interaction, sex differences, and regional specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa Catale
- Division of Experimental Neuroscience, Neurobiology of Behavior Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa Lo Iacono
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Martini
- Division of Experimental Neuroscience, Experimental Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Constantin Heil
- Division of Experimental Neuroscience, Epigenetics and Signal Transduction Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Ezia Guatteo
- Division of Experimental Neuroscience, Experimental Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Motor Science and Wellness, University of Naples Parthenope, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Biagio Mercuri
- Division of Experimental Neuroscience, Experimental Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Systems Medicine, Università Degli Studi Di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Viscomi
- Department of Life Science and Public Health, Section of Histology and Embryology, Università Cattolica Del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Palacios
- Division of Experimental Neuroscience, Epigenetics and Signal Transduction Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy
- Department of Life Science and Public Health, Section of Biology, Università Cattolica Del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Carola
- Division of Experimental Neuroscience, Neurobiology of Behavior Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, Rome, Italy.
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Hendrikse CJ, Plessis S, Luckhoff HK, Vink M, Heuvel LL, Scheffler F, Phahladira L, Smit R, Asmal L, Seedat S, Emsley R. Childhood trauma exposure and reward processing in healthy adults: A functional neuroimaging study. J Neurosci Res 2022; 100:1452-1462. [PMID: 35434795 PMCID: PMC9546243 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The association between childhood trauma exposure and risk of developing psychopathology may in part be mediated by the effects of chronic stress on dopaminergic neurotransmission. However, little is known about the differential effects of distinct trauma types on reward processing, particularly in adults without concurrent medical or psychiatric disorders. We examined the association of childhood trauma exposure, including the differential effects of abuse and neglect, with reward processing in healthy adults (n = 114). Functional magnetic resonance imaging during a monetary incentive delay task was used to assess neural activity in the ventral striatum and orbitofrontal cortex in relation to reward anticipation and reward outcome, respectively. Exposure to childhood trauma, including abuse and neglect, was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire‐Short Form. We found a significant effect for abuse on ventral striatal activation during reward anticipation, adjusting for age, sex, scanner site, educational level, and household monthly income. There were no effects for abuse or neglect, independently or combined, on orbitofrontal cortex activation during reward outcome. Our findings suggest differential effects of childhood abuse on ventral striatum activation during reward anticipation in healthy adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stéfan Plessis
- Department of Psychiatry Stellenbosch University Cape Town South Africa
- Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit South African Medical Research Council / Stellenbosch University Cape Town South Africa
| | | | - Matthijs Vink
- Departments of Experimental and Developmental Psychology Utrecht University Utrecht Netherlands
| | - Leigh Luella Heuvel
- Department of Psychiatry Stellenbosch University Cape Town South Africa
- Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit South African Medical Research Council / Stellenbosch University Cape Town South Africa
| | - Freda Scheffler
- Department of Psychiatry Stellenbosch University Cape Town South Africa
| | | | - Retha Smit
- Department of Psychiatry Stellenbosch University Cape Town South Africa
| | - Laila Asmal
- Department of Psychiatry Stellenbosch University Cape Town South Africa
| | - Soraya Seedat
- Department of Psychiatry Stellenbosch University Cape Town South Africa
- Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit South African Medical Research Council / Stellenbosch University Cape Town South Africa
| | - Robin Emsley
- Department of Psychiatry Stellenbosch University Cape Town South Africa
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46
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Early life adversity accelerates epileptogenesis and enhances depression-like behaviors in rats. Exp Neurol 2022; 354:114088. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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47
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Oltean LE, Șoflău R, Miu AC, Szentágotai-Tătar A. Childhood adversity and impaired reward processing: A meta-analysis. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022:105596. [PMID: 35346502 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood adversity (CA) is associated with increased risk of psychopathology, and reward processing (RP) may be one of the underlying mechanisms. However, evidence on impaired RP in childhood adversity is theoretically and methodologically heterogeneous. OBJECTIVE To provide a quantitative overview of studies on the relation between childhood adversity and RP assessed at the behavioral and subjective levels, and identify differences between studies that influence the effect size. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Twenty-seven studies (overall N = 6801) were included. METHODS Peer-reviewed publications describing empirical studies on the relation between CA and behavioral and self-report measures of RP in humans were identified through systematic searches in six bibliographic databases. Effect sizes (r) were pooled using random-effects models. The potential moderator role of RP dimension, type of RP assessment, type of childhood adversity assessment, and age were examined. RESULTS Results indicated a small, but consistent association between CA and impaired RP (r = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.16), with medium heterogeneity (I2 = 62.43). The effect size was significantly larger (i.e., medium-sized) in studies that focused on reward learning rather than reward valuation and reward responsiveness; used cognitive tasks rather than self-report assessments of RP; and relied on official records rather than subjective reports of CA. There was evidence of publication bias, but overall effect size remained significant after imputation. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that multidimensional RP impairments (e.g., deficits in reward learning, biased reward valuation) are a consistent marker of CA, and may represent mechanisms underlying the increased risk of psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lia-Ecaterina Oltean
- Evidence-Based Assessment and Psychological Interventions Doctoral School, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; The International Institute for the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Radu Șoflău
- The International Institute for the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, CJ, Romania
| | - Andrei C Miu
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, CJ, Romania.
| | - Aurora Szentágotai-Tătar
- The International Institute for the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, CJ, Romania.
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48
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Teicher MH, Gordon JB, Nemeroff CB. Recognizing the importance of childhood maltreatment as a critical factor in psychiatric diagnoses, treatment, research, prevention, and education. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:1331-1338. [PMID: 34737457 PMCID: PMC8567985 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01367-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment is the most important preventable risk factor for psychiatric disorders. Maltreated individuals typically develop psychiatric disorders at an earlier age, have a more pernicious course, more comorbidities, greater symptom severity, and respond less favorably to treatments than non-maltreated individuals with the same primary DSM-5 diagnosis. Furthermore, maltreated individuals have alterations in stress-susceptible brain regions, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal response, and inflammatory marker levels not discernible in their non-maltreated counterparts. Hence, maltreated and non-maltreated individuals with the same primary DSM-5 diagnoses appear to be clinically and neurobiologically distinct. The failure to embody this distinction in DSM-5 has interfered with our ability to discover novel treatments, to recommend currently available treatments most likely to be efficacious, and has been a largely unrecognized confound that has thwarted our ability to identify the biological basis for major psychiatric disorders. Incorporating this distinction into DSM will help transform this sign and symptom-based classification system to a more etiologically informed nosology. We discuss several diagnostic alternatives and recommend the inclusion of a Developmental Trauma Disorder diagnosis for severely dysregulated individuals, of all ages, with numerous comorbidities, who experienced interpersonal victimization and disruptions in attachment, such as emotional maltreatment or neglect. For less severely affected maltreated individuals, we suggest using conventional diagnostic categories, such as major depression, but with an essential modifier indicating a history of childhood maltreatment, or early life stress, to delineate the ecophenotypic variant. Implementing this strategy should improve our ability to effectively diagnose and treat individuals with psychiatric disorders and to accelerate discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin H Teicher
- Developmental Biopsychiatry Research Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jeoffry B Gordon
- Citizens Review Panel-Critical Incidents, Office of Child Abuse Prevention, California Department of Social Services, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Charles B Nemeroff
- Institute of Early Life Adversity Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712-1873, USA.
- Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712-1873, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712-1873, USA.
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49
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Cay M, Gonzalez-Heydrich J, Teicher MH, van der Heijden H, Ongur D, Shinn AK, Upadhyay J. Childhood maltreatment and its role in the development of pain and psychopathology. THE LANCET. CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH 2022; 6:195-206. [PMID: 35093193 PMCID: PMC10364973 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(21)00339-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment represents a form of trauma capable of altering fundamental neurobiological properties and negatively impacting neurodevelopmental processes. An outcome of childhood maltreatment is the emergence of psychopathology, which might become evident during childhood or adolescence, but might also project into adulthood. In this Review, we propose a biobehavioural framework in which childhood maltreatment and the associated aberrant neurobiological mechanisms and behavioural processes additionally lead to the onset of altered pain processing and, ultimately, the existence of pain syndromes. Considering that subpopulations of maltreated children show preserved function and minimal psychiatric or pain symptoms, compensatory mechanisms-perhaps instilled by robust psychosocial support systems-are also discussed. We present validated tools and experimental methods that could facilitate better comprehension of the interactions between childhood maltreatment, psychopathology, and pain. Such tools and approaches can in parallel be implemented to monitor abnormal pain-related processes and potentially guide early intervention strategies in cases of childhood maltreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariesa Cay
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | | | - Martin H Teicher
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA; Developmental Biopsychiatry Research Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Hanne van der Heijden
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Faculty of Science, Biomedical Sciences Neurobiology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Dost Ongur
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA; Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Program, Psychotic Disorders Division, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Ann K Shinn
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA; Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Program, Psychotic Disorders Division, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Jaymin Upadhyay
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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50
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Chan SY, Ong ZY, Ngoh ZM, Chong YS, Zhou JH, Fortier MV, Daniel LM, Qiu A, Meaney MJ, Tan AP. Structure-function coupling within the reward network in preschool children predicts executive functioning in later childhood. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2022; 55:101107. [PMID: 35413663 PMCID: PMC9010704 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2022.101107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Early differences in reward behavior have been linked to executive functioning development. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) are activated by reward-related tasks and identified as key nodes of the brain circuit that underlie reward processing. We aimed to investigate the relation between NAc-OFC structural and functional connectivity in preschool children, as well as associations with future reward sensitivity and executive function. We showed that NAc-OFC structural and functional connectivity were not significantly associated in preschool children, but both independently predicted sensitivity to reward in males in a left-lateralized manner. Moreover, significant NAc-OFC structure-function coupling was only found in individuals who performed poorly on executive function tasks in later childhood, but not in the middle- and high-performing groups. As structure-function coupling is proposed to measure functional specialization, this finding suggests premature functional specialization within the reward network, which may impede dynamic communication with other regions, affects executive function development. Our study also highlights the utility of multimodal imaging data integration when studying the effects of reward network functional flexibility in the preschool age, a critical period in brain and executive function development. Functional connectivity is not tethered to structural connectivity in preschool age. Higher degree of SC-FC coupling reflects lower plasticity in early childhood. Gender differences in reward sensitivity were present as early as in preschool age. Early reward network SC-FC coupling affects later executive function.
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