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Bradford DE, DeFalco A, Perkins ER, Carbajal I, Kwasa J, Goodman FR, Jackson F, Richardson LNS, Woodley N, Neuberger L, Sandoval JA, Huang HJ, Joyner KJ. Whose Signals Are Being Amplified? Toward a More Equitable Clinical Psychophysiology. Clin Psychol Sci 2024; 12:237-252. [PMID: 38645420 PMCID: PMC11028731 DOI: 10.1177/21677026221112117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Research using psychophysiological methods holds great promise for refining clinical assessment, identifying risk factors, and informing treatment. Unfortunately, unique methodological features of existing approaches limit inclusive research participation and, consequently, generalizability. This brief overview and commentary provides a snapshot of the current state of representation in clinical psychophysiology, with a focus on the forms and consequences of ongoing exclusion of Black participants. We illustrate issues of inequity and exclusion that are unique to clinical psychophysiology, considering intersections among social constructions of Blackness and biased design of current technology used to measure electroencephalography, skin conductance, and other signals. We then highlight work by groups dedicated to quantifying and addressing these limitations. We discuss the need for reflection and input from a wider variety of stakeholders to develop and refine new technologies, given the risk of further widening disparities. Finally, we provide broad recommendations for clinical psychophysiology research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Iván Carbajal
- Oregon State University, School of Psychological Science
| | - Jasmine Kwasa
- Carnegie Mellon University, Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition
| | - Fallon R. Goodman
- George Washington University, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Helen J. Huang
- University of Central Florida, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
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2
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Schacter HL, Marusak HA, Borg BA, Jovanovic T. Facing ambiguity: Social threat sensitivity mediates the association between peer victimization and adolescent anxiety. Dev Psychopathol 2024; 36:112-120. [PMID: 36200351 PMCID: PMC10151014 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579422001018] [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: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Peer victimization is a developmentally salient stressor that elevates adolescents' risk for anxiety disorders. However, modifiable mechanisms that explain this link and can be targeted via therapeutic interventions remain poorly understood. Drawing from psychobiological models implicating aberrant threat sensitivity in the development and maintenance of psychopathology, the current study investigated sensitivity to peer-related social threats as a mechanism underlying the association between peer victimization and anxiety. A sample of 197 dyads of early adolescents (M age = 12.02; 46% female) and parents/guardians (M age = 41.46; 90% female) completed online surveys assessing peer victimization, sensitivity to potential (i.e., ambiguous) social threats, and anxiety. Controlling for potentially confounding demographic and psychosocial factors, both self- and parent-reported peer victimization were positively associated with adolescent anxiety symptoms. Additionally, there were significant indirect effects from self- and parent-reported peer victimization to anxiety via social threat sensitivity. Supplemental analyses indicated unique effects of covert, but not overt, peer victimization on social threat sensitivity and anxiety. The findings provide initial evidence that peer victimization experiences lower adolescents' threshold for interpreting threats in ambiguous social situations, which contributes to heightened anxiety. These results implicate social threat sensitivity as a potential therapeutic target for interrupting links from peer victimization to psychological distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L. Schacter
- Wayne State University, Department of Psychology, 5057 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202
- Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child and Family Development, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202
| | - Hilary A. Marusak
- Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child and Family Development, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202
- Wayne State University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, 3901 Chrysler Service Drive, Detroit, MI 48201
| | - Breanna A. Borg
- Wayne State University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, 3901 Chrysler Service Drive, Detroit, MI 48201
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child and Family Development, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202
- Wayne State University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, 3901 Chrysler Service Drive, Detroit, MI 48201
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3
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Ernst M, Cogo-Moreira H, Desai J, Merke DP. Sexual dimorphism in anxiety is programmed in-utero by sex-steroids: Proof of concept using a disease-model and stress responses to COVID pandemic. Psychiatry Res 2024; 331:115623. [PMID: 38064910 PMCID: PMC10872369 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115623] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/02/2024]
Abstract
Sex differences in the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have been consistently reported, showing disproportionally high rates of anxiety/distress in women relative to men. The mechanisms underlying this sexual dimorphism remain unclear. The present study queries the potential protective role of early hyperandrogenism on brain development. A natural model of sex-steroids abnormality, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), was used to test this question. CAH is characterized by adrenal androgen overproduction in utero (prenatal) through the neonatal critical developmental period. An online survey collected information on subjective responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Matched on demographic variables, 60 adults carrying a diagnosis of classic CAH and 240 adults from the general population (non-CAH) were compared on levels of anxiety/distress in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2020-April 2021). Structural Equation Modeling was used to test the modulation by CAH status of Sex effects on anxiety/distress. Results revealed lower levels of anxiety/distress in the female CAH group compared to the other 3 groups (male CAH, female non-CAH, and male non-CAH). This finding suggests that pre-neonatal hyperandrogenism might impact the development of neural circuits underlying anxiety processes, in a way that enhances resilience to chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Ernst
- National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Hugo Cogo-Moreira
- Department of Education, ICT and Learning, Østfold University College, Norway
| | - Jay Desai
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center US, USA
| | - Deborah P Merke
- National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; National Institutes of Health Clinical Center US, USA; Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development US, USA.
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Hoge EA, Armstrong CH, Mete M, Oliva I, Lazar SW, Lago TR, Grillon C. Attenuation of Anxiety-Potentiated Startle After Treatment With Escitalopram or Mindfulness Meditation in Anxiety Disorders. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 95:85-92. [PMID: 37331547 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.06.003] [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: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biological markers for anxiety disorders may further understanding of disorder pathophysiology and suggest potential targeted treatments. The fear-potentiated startle (FPS) (a measure of startle to predictable threat) and anxiety-potentiated startle (APS) (startle to unpredictable threat) laboratory paradigm has been used to detect physiological differences in individuals with anxiety disorders compared with nonanxious control individuals, and in pharmacological challenge studies in healthy adults. However, little is known about how startle may change with treatment for anxiety disorders, and no data are available regarding alterations due to mindfulness meditation training. METHODS Ninety-three individuals with anxiety disorders and 66 healthy individuals completed 2 sessions of the neutral, predictable, and unpredictable threat task, which employs a startle probe and the threat of shock to assess moment-by-moment fear and anxiety. Between the two testing sessions, patients received randomized 8-week treatment with either escitalopram or mindfulness-based stress reduction. RESULTS APS, but not FPS, was higher in participants with anxiety disorders compared with healthy control individuals at baseline. Further, there was a significantly greater decrease in APS for both treatment groups compared with the control group, with the patient groups showing reductions bringing them into the range of control individuals at the end of the treatment. CONCLUSIONS Both anxiety treatments (escitalopram and mindfulness-based stress reduction) reduced startle potentiation during unpredictable (APS) but not predictable (FPS) threat. These findings further validate APS as a biological correlate of pathological anxiety and provide physiological evidence for the impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction on anxiety disorders, suggesting that there may be comparable effects of the two treatments on anxiety neurocircuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Hoge
- Department of Psychiatry, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC.
| | | | - Mihriye Mete
- Center of Biostatistics, Informatics and Data Science, Medstar Health Research Institute, Hyattsville, Maryland
| | - Isabelle Oliva
- Department of Psychiatry, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Sara W Lazar
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tiffany R Lago
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Christian Grillon
- Section on the Neurobiology of Fear and Anxiety, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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5
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Groenink L, Verdouw PM, Zhao Y, Ter Heegde F, Wever KE, Bijlsma EY. Pharmacological modulation of conditioned fear in the fear-potentiated startle test: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:2361-2401. [PMID: 36651922 PMCID: PMC10593622 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06307-1] [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: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Fear conditioning is an important aspect in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders. The fear-potentiated startle test is based on classical fear conditioning and over the years, a broad range of drugs have been tested in this test. Synthesis of the available data may further our understanding of the neurotransmitter systems that are involved in the expression of conditioned fear. METHODS Following a comprehensive search in Medline and Embase, we included 68 research articles that reported on 103 drugs, covering 56 different drug classes. The systematic review was limited to studies using acute, systemic drug administration in naive animals. RESULTS Qualitative data synthesis showed that most clinically active anxiolytics, but not serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, reduced cued fear. Anxiogenic drugs increased fear potentiation in 35% of the experiments, reduced fear potentiation in 29% of the experiments, and were without effect in 29% of the experiments. Meta-analyses could be performed for five drug classes and showed that benzodiazepines, buspirone, 5-HT1A agonists, 5-HT1A antagonists, and mGluR2,3 agonists reduced cued conditioned fear. The non-cued baseline startle response, which may reflect contextual anxiety, was only significantly reduced by benzodiazepines and 5-HT1A antagonists. No associations were found between drug effects and methodological characteristics, except for strain. CONCLUSIONS The fear-potentiated startle test appears to have moderate to high predictive validity and may serve as a valuable tool for the development of novel anxiolytics. Given the limited available data, the generally low study quality and high heterogeneity additional studies are warranted to corroborate the findings of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucianne Groenink
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - P Monika Verdouw
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Yulong Zhao
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Freija Ter Heegde
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kimberley E Wever
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth Y Bijlsma
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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6
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Heesbeen EJ, Bijlsma EY, Verdouw PM, van Lissa C, Hooijmans C, Groenink L. The effect of SSRIs on fear learning: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2023; 240:2335-2359. [PMID: 36847831 PMCID: PMC10593621 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06333-7] [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: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are considered first-line medication for anxiety-like disorders such as panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Fear learning plays an important role in the development and treatment of these disorders. Yet, the effect of SSRIs on fear learning are not well known. OBJECTIVE We aimed to systematically review the effect of six clinically effective SSRIs on acquisition, expression, and extinction of cued and contextual conditioned fear. METHODS We searched the Medline and Embase databases, which yielded 128 articles that met the inclusion criteria and reported on 9 human and 275 animal experiments. RESULTS Meta-analysis showed that SSRIs significantly reduced contextual fear expression and facilitated extinction learning to cue. Bayesian-regularized meta-regression further suggested that chronic treatment exerts a stronger anxiolytic effect on cued fear expression than acute treatment. Type of SSRI, species, disease-induction model, and type of anxiety test used did not seem to moderate the effect of SSRIs. The number of studies was relatively small, the level of heterogeneity was high, and publication bias has likely occurred which may have resulted in an overestimation of the overall effect sizes. CONCLUSIONS This review suggests that the efficacy of SSRIs may be related to their effects on contextual fear expression and extinction to cue, rather than fear acquisition. However, these effects of SSRIs may be due to a more general inhibition of fear-related emotions. Therefore, additional meta-analyses on the effects of SSRIs on unconditioned fear responses may provide further insight into the actions of SSRIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise J Heesbeen
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth Y Bijlsma
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - P Monika Verdouw
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Caspar van Lissa
- Department of Methodology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands
| | - Carlijn Hooijmans
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Lucianne Groenink
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
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Olivera-Pasilio V, Dabrowska J. Fear-Conditioning to Unpredictable Threats Reveals Sex and Strain Differences in Rat Fear-Potentiated Startle (FPS). Neuroscience 2023; 530:108-132. [PMID: 37640137 PMCID: PMC10726736 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.08.030] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Fear-potentiated startle (FPS) has been widely used to study fear processing in humans and rodents. Human studies showed higher startle amplitudes and exaggerated fear reactivity to unpredictable vs. predictable threats in individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although human FPS studies use both sexes, a surprisingly limited number of rodent FPS studies use females. Here we investigate the effects of signal-threat contingency, signal-threat order and threat predictability on FPS in both sexes. We use a classic fear-conditioning protocol (100% contingency of cue and shock pairings, with forward conditioning such that the cue co-terminates with the shock) and compare it to modified fear-conditioning protocols (70% contingency; backward conditioning; or cue and shock un-paired). Although there are no sex differences in the startle amplitudes when corrected for body weight, females consistently demonstrate higher shock reactivity during fear-conditioning. Both sexes and strains demonstrate comparable levels of cued, non-cued, and contextual fear in the classic FPS and FPS following fear-conditioning with 70% contingency or backward order (cue co-starts with shock). However, in the classic FPS, Sprague-Dawley females show reduced proportion between cued fear and cue-elicited vigilant state than males. Lastly, a prominent sex difference is uncovered following unpredictable fear-conditioning (cue and shock un-paired), with Wistar, but not Sprague-Dawley, females showing significantly higher startle overall during the FPS recall, regardless of trial type, and higher contextual fear than males. This striking sex difference in processing unpredictable threats in rodent FPS might help to understand the mechanisms underlying higher incidence of PTSD in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Olivera-Pasilio
- Center for the Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Discipline of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, The Chicago Medical School, School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Joanna Dabrowska
- Center for the Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Discipline of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, The Chicago Medical School, School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL, USA.
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8
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Olivera-Pasilio V, Dabrowska J. Fear-conditioning to unpredictable threats reveals sex differences in rat fear-potentiated startle (FPS). BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.06.531430. [PMID: 36945466 PMCID: PMC10028867 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.06.531430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Fear-potentiated startle (FPS) has been widely used to study fear processing in humans and rodents. Human studies have shown higher startle amplitudes and exaggerated fear reactivity to unpredictable vs. predictable threats in individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although human FPS studies often use both sexes, a surprisingly limited number of rodent FPS studies use females. Here we investigate the effects of signal-threat contingency, signal-threat order and threat predictability on FPS in both sexes. We use a classic fear-conditioning protocol (100% contingency of cue and shock pairings, with forward conditioning such that the cue co-terminates with the shock) and compare it to modified fear-conditioning protocols (70% contingency; backward conditioning; or cue and shock unpaired). Although there are no sex differences in the startle amplitudes when corrected for body weight, females demonstrate higher shock reactivity during fear-conditioning. Both sexes demonstrate comparable levels of cued, non-cued, and contextual fear in the classic FPS but females show reduced fear discrimination vs. males. Fear-conditioning with 70% contingency or backward order (cue co-starts with shock) induces similar levels of cued, non-cued, and contextual fear in both sexes but they differ in contextual fear extinction. Lastly, a prominent sex difference is uncovered following unpredictable fear-conditioning protocol (cue and shock un-paired), with females showing significantly higher startle overall during the FPS recall, regardless of trial type, and higher contextual fear than males. This striking sex difference in processing unpredictable threats in rodent FPS might help to understand the mechanisms underlying higher incidence of PTSD in women. Highlights Male and female rats have comparable startle amplitudes when corrected for body weightFemale rats show higher foot-shock reactivity than males during fear-conditioningFemale rats show reduced fear discrimination vs. males in the classic FPSReversed signal-threat order increases contextual fear in both sexesExposure to unpredictable threats increases startle in general and contextual fear only in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Olivera-Pasilio
- Center for the Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Discipline of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, The Chicago Medical School, School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Joanna Dabrowska
- Center for the Neurobiology of Stress Resilience and Psychiatric Disorders, Discipline of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, The Chicago Medical School, School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, Illinois, USA
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9
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Wang C, Yang S, Deng J, Shi L, Chang J, Meng J, Liu W, Zeng J, Xing K, Wen J, Liang B, Xing D. The research progress on the anxiolytic effect of plant-derived flavonoids by regulating neurotransmitters. Drug Dev Res 2023; 84:458-469. [PMID: 36744648 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22038] [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: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Phytopharmaceuticals have attracted a lot of attention due to their multicomponent and multiple targets. The natural phenolic chemicals known as flavonoids are found in a wide variety of plants, fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Recently, they have been found to have modulatory effects on anxiety disorders, with current research focusing on the modulation of neurotransmitters. There has not yet been a review of the various natural flavonoid monomer compounds and total plant flavonoids that have been found to have anxiolytic effects. The study on the anti-anxiety effects of plant-derived flavonoids on neurotransmitters was reviewed in this paper. We, therefore, anticipate that further study on the conformational interaction underlying flavonoids' anti-anxiety effects will offer a theoretical framework for the creation of pertinent treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Shanbo Yang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.,School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Junwen Deng
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.,School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Lingyu Shi
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.,School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jing Chang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.,School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jingsen Meng
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.,School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Wenjing Liu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.,School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jun Zeng
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.,School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Kunyue Xing
- Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jialian Wen
- School of Social Science, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Bing Liang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Dongming Xing
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.,School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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Cain CK. Beyond Fear, Extinction, and Freezing: Strategies for Improving the Translational Value of Animal Conditioning Research. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023; 64:19-57. [PMID: 37532965 PMCID: PMC10840073 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2023_434] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Translational neuroscience for anxiety has had limited success despite great progress in understanding the neurobiology of Pavlovian fear conditioning and extinction. This chapter explores the idea that conditioning paradigms have had a modest impact on translation because studies in animals and humans are misaligned in important ways. For instance, animal conditioning studies typically use imminent threats to assess short-duration fear states with single behavioral measures (e.g., freezing), whereas human studies typically assess weaker or more prolonged anxiety states with physiological (e.g., skin conductance) and self-report measures. A path forward may be more animal research on conditioned anxiety phenomena measuring dynamic behavioral and physiological responses in more complex environments. Exploring transitions between defensive brain states during extinction, looming threats, and post-threat recovery may be particularly informative. If care is taken to align paradigms, threat levels, and measures, this strategy may reveal stable patterns of non-conscious defense in animals and humans that correlate better with conscious anxiety. This shift in focus is also warranted because anxiety is a bigger problem than fear, even in disorders defined by dysfunctional fear or panic reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher K Cain
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA.
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11
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Gorka SM, Khorrami KJ, Manzler CA, Phan KL. Acute orexin antagonism selectively modulates anticipatory anxiety in humans: implications for addiction and anxiety. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:308. [PMID: 35918313 PMCID: PMC9345881 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02090-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Research indicates that heightened anticipatory anxiety underlies several forms of psychopathology. Anticipatory anxiety can be reliably and objectively measured in the laboratory using the No-Predictable-Unpredictable (NPU) threat paradigm. The NPU paradigm is an ideal research tool for the NIH 'Fast-Fail' approach of screening promising compounds and testing human target engagement. Evidence from preclinical studies suggests that the hypocretin/orexin (ORX) hypothalamic neuropeptide system is a potential means for modulating anticipatory anxiety and disrupting stress-related alcohol use. The current study tested this question using a psychophysiological probe of the ORX system in humans. We examined whether a single dose of suvorexant (SUV; 10 mg; dual ORX receptor antagonist) can effectively and selectively target a well-validated human laboratory index of exaggerated anticipatory anxiety using a within-subjects placebo-controlled design. A total of twenty-one volunteers completed two laboratory sessions during acute administration of 10 mg SUV or placebo. Across sessions, we administered the NPU paradigm probing sustained anticipatory anxiety and fear while startle eyeblink was recorded as an index of aversive reactivity. Questionnaires assessing mood states and subjective drug effects were also collected. Results indicated SUV was well-tolerated. Compared with placebo, SUV was associated with decreased startle reactivity during anticipatory anxiety but not fear or no-threat conditions. Therefore, SUV selectively and effectively reduced objective indicators of anticipatory anxiety in humans and engaged our laboratory target of psychopathology. ORX antagonism may be a promising strategy for modulating human anxiety and potentially, stress-related alcohol use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M. Gorka
- grid.412332.50000 0001 1545 0811Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 370 W. 9th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210 USA ,grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University, 460 Medical Center Drive, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Kia J. Khorrami
- grid.412332.50000 0001 1545 0811Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 370 W. 9th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210 USA ,grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University, 460 Medical Center Drive, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Charles A. Manzler
- grid.412332.50000 0001 1545 0811Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 370 W. 9th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210 USA ,grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University, 460 Medical Center Drive, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - K. Luan Phan
- grid.412332.50000 0001 1545 0811Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 370 W. 9th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
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Zänkert S, Lindl A, Schmitz A, Kudielka BM, Mühlberger A, Wüst S. Sustained threat and phasic fear in the laboratory and cognitive-emotional processes of anxiety in everyday life - An ambulatory assessment study. Int J Psychophysiol 2022; 175:8-17. [PMID: 35217111 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2022.02.009] [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: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Fear is a phasic state of apprehension to an imminent threat, whereas anxiety is a more sustained state of expecting a potential threat leading to tension and worry. The NPU-threat test is a laboratory startle paradigm allowing a reliable and valid assessment of both, fear- and anxiety-potentiated reactions. It is suggested to differentiate between anxiety disorders, but little is known on associations with everyday life experiences of cognitive-emotional processes regarding anxiety in non-clinical samples. In the present project, the NPU-threat test was applied in three studies with (1) unselected healthy individuals, (2) participants with extreme manifestations of trait anxiety (low vs. high) and (3) individuals preparing for a high-stakes exam. Self-reported states of emotionality and worry were assessed during a four-day ambulatory assessment (AA). Overall, NPU-threat test measures did not significantly differ between studies, while the AA dependent measures were sufficiently sensitive to capture differences between groups. However, there was no significant association between psychophysiological measures of the NPU-threat test and AA state measures across participants. In participants recruited for low vs. high trait anxiety we found an association with AA worry and emotionality, but no interaction with potentiated startle. The present findings do not support the idea of a link between our laboratory biomarker and adaptive regulation of cognitive-emotional states in everyday life in healthy individuals. We speculate that an association between laboratory physiological measures and everyday experience of anxious states may be detectable in clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Zänkert
- Department of Medical Psychology, Psychological Diagnostics and Research Methodology, University of Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Alfred Lindl
- Department of Educational Sciences, University of Regensburg, Germany
| | - Anja Schmitz
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Germany
| | - Brigitte M Kudielka
- Department of Medical Psychology, Psychological Diagnostics and Research Methodology, University of Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Mühlberger
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Wüst
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, University of Regensburg, Germany
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13
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Cross-species anxiety tests in psychiatry: pitfalls and promises. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:154-163. [PMID: 34561614 PMCID: PMC8960405 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01299-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Behavioural anxiety tests in non-human animals are used for anxiolytic drug discovery, and to investigate the neurobiology of threat avoidance. Over the past decade, several of them were translated to humans with three clinically relevant goals: to assess potential efficacy of candidate treatments in healthy humans; to develop diagnostic tests or biomarkers; and to elucidate the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders. In this review, we scrutinise these promises and compare seven anxiety tests that are validated across species: five approach-avoidance conflict tests, unpredictable shock anticipation, and the social intrusion test in children. Regarding the first goal, three tests appear suitable for anxiolytic drug screening in humans. However, they have not become part of the drug development pipeline and achieving this may require independent confirmation of predictive validity and cost-effectiveness. Secondly, two tests have shown potential to measure clinically relevant individual differences, but their psychometric properties, predictive value, and clinical applicability need to be clarified. Finally, cross-species research has not yet revealed new evidence that the physiology of healthy human behaviour in anxiety tests relates to the physiology of anxiety symptoms in patients. To summarise, cross-species anxiety tests could be rendered useful for drug screening and for development of diagnostic instruments. Using these tests for aetiology research in healthy humans or animals needs to be queried and may turn out to be unrealistic.
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14
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Millan MJ. Agomelatine for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: focus on its distinctive mechanism of action. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol 2022; 12:20451253221105128. [PMID: 35795687 PMCID: PMC9251978 DOI: 10.1177/20451253221105128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), the most frequently diagnosed form of anxiety, is usually treated by cognitive-behavioural approaches or medication; in particular, benzodiazepines (acutely) and serotonin or serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (long term). Efficacy, compliance, and acceptability are, however, far from ideal, reinforcing interest in alternative options. Agomelatine, clinically employed in the treatment of major depression, expresses anxiolytic properties in rodents and was effective in the treatment of GAD (including severely ill patients) in several double-blind, short-term (12 weeks) and relapse-prevention (6 months) studies. At active doses, the incidence of adverse effects was no higher than for placebo. Agomelatine possesses a unique binding profile, behaving as a melatonin (MT1/MT2) receptor agonist and 5-HT2C receptor antagonist, yet recognizing neither monoamine transporters nor GABAA receptors. Extensive evidence supports a role for 5-HT2C receptors in the induction of anxious states, and their blockade likely plays a primary role in mediating the anxiolytic actions of agomelatine, including populations in the amygdala and bed nucleus of stria terminalis, as well as the hippocampus. Recruitment of MT receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, thalamic reticular nucleus, and hippocampus appears to fulfil a complimentary role. Downstream of 5-HT2C and MT receptors, modulation of stress-sensitive glutamatergic circuits and altered release of the anxiogenic neuropeptides, corticotrophin-releasing factor, and vasopressin, may be implicated in the actions of agomelatine. To summarize, agomelatine exerts its anxiolytic actions by mechanisms clearly distinct from those of other agents currently employed for the management of GAD. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY How agomelatine helps in the treatment of anxiety disorders. INTRODUCTION • Anxiety disorders have a significant negative impact on quality of life.• The most common type of anxiety disorder, called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), is associated with nervousness and excessive worry.• These symptoms can lead to additional symptoms like tiredness, sleeplessness, irritability, and poor attention.• GAD is generally treated through either cognitive-behavioural therapy or medication. However, widely used drugs like benzodiazepines and serotonin reuptake inhibitors have adverse effects.• Agomelatine, a well-established antidepressant drug, has shown anxiety-lowering ('anxiolytic') properties in rats and has been shown to effectively treat GAD with minimal side effects.• However, exactly how it acts on the brain to manage GAD is not yet clear.• Thus, this review aims to shed light on agomelatine's mechanism of action in treating GAD. METHODS • The authors reviewed studies on how agomelatine treats anxiety in animals.• They also looked at clinical studies on the effects of agomelatine in people with GAD. RESULTS • The study showed that agomelatine 'blocks' a receptor in nerve cells, which plays a role in causing anxiety, called the 5-HT2C receptor.• Blocking this receptor, especially in specific brain regions such as nerve cells of the amygdala, bed nucleus of stria terminalis, and hippocampus, produced the anxiety reduction seen during agomelatine treatment.• Agomelatine also activates the melatonin (MT) receptor, which is known to keep anxiety in check, promote sleep, and maintain the sleep cycle.• Agomelatine should thus tackle sleep disturbances commonly seen in patients with GAD.• Beyond 5-HT2C and MT receptors, signalling molecules in nerve cells that are known to be involved in anxiety disorders (called 'neurotransmitters' and 'neuropeptides') are also affected by agomelatine. CONCLUSION • Agomelatine's anxiolytic effects are caused by mechanisms that are distinct from those of other medications currently used to treat GAD.• This explains its therapeutic success and minimal adverse side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Millan
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medicine, Vet and Life Sciences, Glasgow University, 28 Hillhead Street, Glasgow G12 8QB, UK
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15
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Daniel-Watanabe L, Fletcher PC. Are Fear and Anxiety Truly Distinct? BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 2:341-349. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2021.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Berg H, Hunt C, Cooper SE, Olatunji BO, Lissek S. Generalization of conditioned disgust and the attendant maladaptive avoidance: Validation of a novel paradigm and effects of trait disgust-proneness. Behav Res Ther 2021; 146:103966. [PMID: 34560412 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2021.103966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Overgeneralization of conditioned fear to safe stimuli that resemble a previously-learned threat-cue is a well-studied correlate of clinical anxiety, yet whether conditioned disgust generalizes remains unknown, as does the extent to which such generalization is associated with disgust-related traits and maladaptive outcomes. The present study addresses this gap by adapting a validated fear-generalization paradigm to assess conditioned disgust and behavioral avoidance to a disgust-cue (CS+) paired with a disgusting video clip, and safe generalization stimuli parametrically varying in perceptual similarity to CS+. For comparison, levels of fear generalization were also assessed using the original fear-generalization paradigm. In both paradigms, costly and unnecessary avoidance to safe threat-cue approximations analogues maladaptive outcomes of generalization. In the disgust paradigm only, disgust-proneness was associated with elevated perceived risk to safe stimuli and increases in the extent to which such elevations were accompanied by maladaptive avoidance. Comparable levels of generalization, and positive associations between generalization and maladaptive avoidance, were found across disgust and fear paradigms. Results confirm that conditioned disgust is subject to generalization, implicate generalized disgust as a source of maladaptive avoidance particularly among those prone to disgust, and suggest a potential role for these processes in the etiology and maintenance of disgust-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Berg
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 75 E River Rd, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | - Christopher Hunt
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 75 E River Rd, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | - Samuel E Cooper
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 75 E River Rd, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | - Bunmi O Olatunji
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, PMB 407817, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA.
| | - Shmuel Lissek
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 75 E River Rd, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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Voronin MV, Vakhitova YV, Tsypysheva IP, Tsypyshev DO, Rybina IV, Kurbanov RD, Abramova EV, Seredenin SB. Involvement of Chaperone Sigma1R in the Anxiolytic Effect of Fabomotizole. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5455. [PMID: 34064275 PMCID: PMC8196847 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sigma-1 receptor (chaperone Sigma1R) is an intracellular protein with chaperone functions, which is expressed in various organs, including the brain. Sigma1R participates in the regulation of physiological mechanisms of anxiety (Su, T. P. et al., 2016) and reactions to emotional stress (Hayashi, T., 2015). In 2006, fabomotizole (ethoxy-2-[2-(morpholino)-ethylthio]benzimidazole dihydrochloride) was registered in Russia as an anxiolytic (Seredenin S. and Voronin M., 2009). The molecular targets of fabomotizole are Sigma1R, NRH: quinone reductase 2 (NQO2), and monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) (Seredenin S. and Voronin M., 2009). The current study aimed to clarify the dependence of fabomotizole anxiolytic action on its interaction with Sigma1R and perform a docking analysis of fabomotizole interaction with Sigma1R. An elevated plus maze (EPM) test revealed that the anxiolytic-like effect of fabomotizole (2.5 mg/kg i.p.) administered to male BALB/c mice 30 min prior EPM exposition was blocked by Sigma1R antagonists BD-1047 (1.0 mg/kg i.p.) and NE-100 (1.0 mg/kg i.p.) pretreatment. Results of initial in silico study showed that fabomotizole locates in the active center of Sigma1R, reproducing the interactions with the site's amino acids common for established Sigma1R ligands, with the ΔGbind value closer to that of agonist (+)-pentazocine in the 6DK1 binding site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail V. Voronin
- Department of Pharmacogenetics, Federal State Budgetary Institution “Research Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology”, Baltiyskaya Street 8, 125315 Moscow, Russia; (I.P.T.); (D.O.T.); (I.V.R.); (R.D.K.); (E.V.A.)
| | - Yulia V. Vakhitova
- Department of Pharmacogenetics, Federal State Budgetary Institution “Research Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology”, Baltiyskaya Street 8, 125315 Moscow, Russia; (I.P.T.); (D.O.T.); (I.V.R.); (R.D.K.); (E.V.A.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sergei B. Seredenin
- Department of Pharmacogenetics, Federal State Budgetary Institution “Research Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology”, Baltiyskaya Street 8, 125315 Moscow, Russia; (I.P.T.); (D.O.T.); (I.V.R.); (R.D.K.); (E.V.A.)
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Castegnetti G, Bush D, Bach DR. Model of theta frequency perturbations and contextual fear memory. Hippocampus 2021; 31:448-457. [PMID: 33534196 PMCID: PMC8049035 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Theta oscillations in the hippocampal local field potential (LFP) appear during translational movement and arousal, modulate the activity of principal cells, and are associated with spatial cognition and episodic memory function. All known anxiolytics slightly but consistently reduce hippocampal theta frequency. However, whether this electrophysiological effect is mechanistically related to the decreased behavioral expression of anxiety is currently unclear. Here, we propose that a reduction in theta frequency affects synaptic plasticity and mnemonic function and that this can explain the reduction in anxiety behavior. We test this hypothesis in a biophysical model of contextual fear conditioning. First, we confirm that our model reproduces previous empirical results regarding the dependence of synaptic plasticity on presynaptic firing rate. Next, we investigate how theta frequency during contextual conditioning impacts learning. These simulations demonstrate that learned associations between threat and context are attenuated when learning takes place under reduced theta frequency. Additionally, our simulations demonstrate that learned associations result in increased theta activity in the amygdala, consistent with empirical data. In summary, we propose a mechanism that can account for the behavioral effect of anxiolytics by impairing the integration of threat attributes of an environment into the cognitive map due to reduced synaptic potentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Castegnetti
- Computational Psychiatry Research, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and PsychosomaticsUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Institute of Cognitive NeuroscienceUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Daniel Bush
- Institute of Cognitive NeuroscienceUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Dominik R. Bach
- Computational Psychiatry Research, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and PsychosomaticsUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging and Max Planck/UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing ResearchUniversity College LondonLondonUK
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Young CE, Tong Q. Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Signaling in the Bed Nuclei of the Stria Terminalis as a Link to Maladaptive Behaviors. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:642379. [PMID: 33867924 PMCID: PMC8044981 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.642379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The bed nuclei of the stria terminalis (BST) is a limbic region in the extended amygdala that is heavily implicated in anxiety processing and hypothalamic-adrenal-pituitary (HPA) axis activation. The BST is complex, with many nuclei expressing different neurotransmitters and receptors involved in a variety of signaling pathways. One neurotransmitter that helps link its functions is corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH). BST CRH neuron activation may cause both anxiogenic and anxiolytic effects in rodents, and CRH neurons interact with other neuron types to influence anxiety-like responses as well as alcohol and drug–seeking behavior. This review covers the link between BST CRH neurons and thirteen other neurotransmitters and receptors and analyzes their effect on rodent behavior. Additionally, it covers the translational potential of targeting CRH signaling pathways for the treatment of human mental health disorders. Given the massive impact of anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders on our society, further research into BST CRH signaling is critical to alleviate the social and economic burdens of those disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Emily Young
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Qingchun Tong
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy of McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States.,MD Anderson Cancer Center & UTHealth Graduate School of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
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20
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Kayser RR, Haney M, Simpson HB. Human Laboratory Models of Cannabis Use: Applications for Clinical and Translational Psychiatry Research. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:626150. [PMID: 33716825 PMCID: PMC7947318 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.626150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis is increasingly used by individuals with mental health diagnoses and often purported to treat anxiety and various other psychiatric symptoms. Yet support for using cannabis as a psychiatric treatment is currently limited by a lack of evidence from rigorous placebo-controlled studies. While regulatory hurdles and other barriers make clinical trials of cannabis challenging to conduct, addiction researchers have decades of experience studying cannabis use in human laboratory models. These include methods to control cannabis administration, to delineate clinical and mechanistic aspects of cannabis use, and to evaluate potential treatment applications for cannabis and its constituents. In this paper, we review these human laboratory procedures and describe how each can be applied to study cannabis use in patients with psychiatric disorders. Because anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric illnesses affecting American adults, and anxiety relief is also the most commonly-reported reason for medicinal cannabis use, we focus particularly on applying human laboratory models to study cannabis effects in individuals with anxiety and related disorders. Finally, we discuss how these methods can be integrated to study cannabis effects in other psychiatric conditions and guide future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reilly R. Kayser
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
- Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Margaret Haney
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
- Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Helen Blair Simpson
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
- Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
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