1
|
Wang F, Liu Z, Yang J, Sun F, Cheng P, Pan Y, Cheng Y, Tan W, Huang D, Zhang J, Li J, Zhang W, Yang J. The neural compensation phenomenon in schizophrenia with mild attention deficits during working memory task. Asian J Psychiatr 2024; 97:104077. [PMID: 38781692 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2024.104077] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Working memory (WM) and attention are essential cognitive processes, and their interplay is critical for efficient information processing. Schizophrenia often exhibits deficits in both WM and attention, contributing to function impairments. This study aims to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying the relationship between WM impairments and attention deficits in schizophrenia. METHODS We assessed the functional-MRI scans of the 184 schizophrenias with different attention deficits (mild=133; severe=51) and 146 controls during an N-back WM task. We explored their whole-brain functional connectome profile by adopting the voxel-wise degree centrality (DC). Linear analysis was conducted to explore the associations among attention deficit severity, altered DC, and WM performance in patients. RESULTS We observed that all patients showed decreased DC in the pre-supplementary area (pre-SMA), and posterior cerebellum compared to the controls, and schizophrenia patients with mild attention deficits showed decreased DC in the supramarginal gyrus, insula, and precuneus compared with the other 2 groups. DC values of the detected brain regions displayed U-shaped or inverted U-shaped curves, rather than a linear pattern, in response to increasing attention deficits. The linear analysis indicated that altered DC of the pre-SMA can modulate the relationship between attention deficits and WM performance. CONCLUSION The U-shaped or inverted U-shaped pattern in response to increasing attention deficits may reflect a compensation mechanism in schizophrenia with mild attention deficits. This notion is also supported by the linear analysis that schizophrenia patients with mild attention deficits can improve their WM performance by increasing the DC value of the pre-SMA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feiwen Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Zhening Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Fuping Sun
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Peng Cheng
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Yunzhi Pan
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Yixin Cheng
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Wenjian Tan
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Danqing Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Jiamei Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Jinyue Li
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Spalek K, Coynel D, de Quervain D, Milnik A. Sex-dependent differences in connectivity patterns are related to episodic memory recall. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:5612-5623. [PMID: 37647201 PMCID: PMC10619411 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26465] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that females typically outperform males on episodic memory tasks. In this study, we investigated if (1) there are differences between males and females in their connectome characteristics, (2) if these connectivity patterns are associated with memory performance, and (3) if these brain connectome characteristics contribute to the differences in episodic memory performance between sexes. In a sample of 655 healthy young subjects (n = 391 females; n = 264 males), we derived brain network characteristics from diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) data using models of crossing fibers within each voxel of the brain and probabilistic tractography (graph strength, shortest path length, global efficiency, and weighted transitivity). Group differences were analysed with linear models and mediation analyses were used to explore how connectivity patterns might relate to sex-dependent differences in memory performance. Our results show significant sex-dependent differences in weighted transitivity (d = 0.42), with males showing higher values. Further, we observed a negative association between weighted transitivity and memory performance (r = -0.12). Finally, these distinct connectome characteristics partially mediated the observed differences in memory performance (effect size of the indirect effect r = 0.02). Our findings indicate a higher interconnectedness in females compared to males. Additionally, we demonstrate that the sex-dependent differences in episodic memory performance can be partially explained by the differences in this connectome measure. These results further underscore the importance of sex-dependent differences in brain connectivity and their impact on cognitive function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Klara Spalek
- Division of Cognitive NeuroscienceDepartment of BiomedicineUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Division of Molecular NeuroscienceDepartment of BiomedicineUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Hoekzema Lab, Adult PsychiatryUniversity Medical Centre AmsterdamAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - David Coynel
- Division of Cognitive NeuroscienceDepartment of BiomedicineUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Research Cluster Molecular and Cognitive NeurosciencesUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Dominique de Quervain
- Division of Cognitive NeuroscienceDepartment of BiomedicineUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Research Cluster Molecular and Cognitive NeurosciencesUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Psychiatric University Clinics, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Annette Milnik
- Division of Cognitive NeuroscienceDepartment of BiomedicineUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Division of Molecular NeuroscienceDepartment of BiomedicineUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- Psychiatric University Clinics, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Morey R, Zheng Y, Sun D, Garrett M, Gasperi M, Maihofer A, Baird CL, Grasby K, Huggins A, Haswell C, Thompson P, Medland S, Gustavson D, Panizzon M, Kremen W, Nievergelt C, Ashley-Koch A, Logue L. Genomic Structural Equation Modeling Reveals Latent Phenotypes in the Human Cortex with Distinct Genetic Architecture. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3253035. [PMID: 37886496 PMCID: PMC10602057 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3253035/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Genetic contributions to human cortical structure manifest pervasive pleiotropy. This pleiotropy may be harnessed to identify unique genetically-informed parcellations of the cortex that are neurobiologically distinct from functional, cytoarchitectural, or other cortical parcellation schemes. We investigated genetic pleiotropy by applying genomic structural equation modeling (SEM) to map the genetic architecture of cortical surface area (SA) and cortical thickness (CT) for the 34 brain regions recently reported in the ENIGMA cortical GWAS. Genomic SEM uses the empirical genetic covariance estimated from GWAS summary statistics with LD score regression (LDSC) to discover factors underlying genetic covariance, which we are denoting genetically informed brain networks (GIBNs). Genomic SEM can fit a multivariate GWAS from summary statistics for each of the GIBNs, which can subsequently be used for LD score regression (LDSC). We found the best-fitting model of cortical SA identified 6 GIBNs and CT identified 4 GIBNs. The multivariate GWASs of these GIBNs identified 74 genome-wide significant (GWS) loci (p<5×10-8), including many previously implicated in neuroimaging phenotypes, behavioral traits, and psychiatric conditions. LDSC of GIBN GWASs found that SA-derived GIBNs had a positive genetic correlation with bipolar disorder (BPD), and cannabis use disorder, indicating genetic predisposition to a larger SA in the specific GIBN is associated with greater genetic risk of these disorders. A negative genetic correlation was observed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and insomnia, indicating genetic predisposition to a larger SA in the specific GIBN is associated with lower genetic risk of these disorders. CT GIBNs displayed a negative genetic correlation with alcohol dependence. Jointly modeling the genetic architecture of complex traits and investigating multivariate genetic links across phenotypes offers a new vantage point for mapping the cortex into genetically informed networks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Paul Thompson
- Imaging Genetics Center, Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging & Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Marina del Rey, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhong Y, Zhang N, Zhao F, Chang S, Chen W, Cao Q, Sun L, Wang Y, Gong Z, Lu L, Liu D, Yang L. RBFOX1 and Working Memory: From Genome to Transcriptome Revealed Posttranscriptional Mechanism Separate From Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 3:1042-1052. [PMID: 37881587 PMCID: PMC10593897 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2022.08.006] [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: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many psychiatric disorders share a working memory (WM) impairment phenotype, yet the genetic causes remain unclear. Here, we generated genetic profiles of WM deficits using attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder samples and validated the results in zebrafish models. Methods We used 2 relatively large attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder cohorts, 799 and 776 cases, respectively. WM impairment was assessed using the Rey Complex Figure Test. First, association analyses were conducted at single-variant, gene-based, and gene-set levels. Deeper insights into the biological mechanism were gained from further functional exploration by bioinformatic analyses and zebrafish models. Results Genomic analyses identified and replicated a locus with rs75885813 as the index single nucleotide polymorphism showing significant association with WM defects but not with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Functional feature exploration found that these single nucleotide polymorphisms may regulate the expression level of RBFOX1 through chromatin interaction. Further pathway enrichment analysis of potential associated single nucleotide polymorphisms revealed the involvement of posttranscription regulation that affects messenger RNA stability and/or alternative splicing. Zebrafish with functionally knocked down or genome-edited rbfox1 exhibited WM impairment but no hyperactivity. Transcriptome profiling of rbfox1-defective zebrafish indicated that alternative exon usages of snap25a might partially lead to reduced WM learning of larval zebrafish. Conclusions The locus with rs75885813 in RBFOX1 was identified as associated with WM. Rbfox1 regulates synaptic and long-term potentiation-related gene snap25a to adjust WM at the posttranscriptional level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanxin Zhong
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Na Zhang
- School of Life Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Biological Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Feng Zhao
- School of Life Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Suhua Chang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Qingjiu Cao
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Li Sun
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Yufeng Wang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lin Lu
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, International Data Group, McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Peking University, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Liu
- School of Life Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li Yang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Geissmann L, Coynel D, Papassotiropoulos A, de Quervain DJF. Neurofunctional underpinnings of individual differences in visual episodic memory performance. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5694. [PMID: 37709747 PMCID: PMC10502056 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41380-w] [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: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Episodic memory, the ability to consciously recollect information and its context, varies substantially among individuals. While prior fMRI studies have identified certain brain regions linked to successful memory encoding at a group level, their role in explaining individual memory differences remains largely unexplored. Here, we analyze fMRI data of 1,498 adults participating in a picture encoding task in a single MRI scanner. We find that individual differences in responsivity of the hippocampus, orbitofrontal cortex, and posterior cingulate cortex account for individual variability in episodic memory performance. While these regions also emerge in our group-level analysis, other regions, predominantly within the lateral occipital cortex, are related to successful memory encoding but not to individual memory variation. Furthermore, our network-based approach reveals a link between the responsivity of nine functional connectivity networks and individual memory variability. Our work provides insights into the neurofunctional correlates of individual differences in visual episodic memory performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Léonie Geissmann
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Research Cluster Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - David Coynel
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Research Cluster Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Papassotiropoulos
- Research Cluster Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- University Psychiatric Clinics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dominique J F de Quervain
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Research Cluster Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- University Psychiatric Clinics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kolomeets NS, Uranova NA. [Reduced numerical density of oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte clusters in the head of the caudate nucleus in schizophrenia]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2023; 123:103-110. [PMID: 36719125 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro2023123011103] [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: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Morphometric estimation of the numerical density of oligodendrocytes (NcOl) and numerical density of oligodendrocyte clusters (NvOlC) in the rostral part of the caudate head nucleus associated with the cortical regions of the default network in the norm and in schizophrenia. MATERIAL AND METHODS NcOl and NvOlC were determined in the gray matter of the rostral part of the head of the caudate nucleus in Nissl-stained sections using optical dissector in postmortem brains in 18 schizophrenia and 18 healthy control cases. RESULTS The NvOl (-20%, p<0.001) and NvOlC (-28%, p<0.001) were decreased in the schizophrenia group as compared to the control groups. The NvOl correlated with the NvOlC (R≥0.88, p<0.001) in both groups while a lack of correlations was previously found in the central part of the caudate head. CONCLUSION The detected deficits of the NcOl and NvOlC is an agreement with prominent suppressing of cortico-striatal connections and reduced density of gray matter in this part of the caudate in schizophrenia. The differences in the pattern of correlations as compared to the central part of this structure might be associated with the specific features of functional activity of default-mode and fronto-parietal networks associated with these parts of caudate nucleus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N S Kolomeets
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Mental Health Research Center, Moscow, Russia
| | - N A Uranova
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Mental Health Research Center, Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Human cerebellum and corticocerebellar connections involved in emotional memory enhancement. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2204900119. [PMID: 36191198 PMCID: PMC9564100 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2204900119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhanced memory for emotional stimuli is crucial for survival, but it may also contribute to the development and maintenance of fear-related disorders in case of highly aversive experiences. This large-scale functional brain imaging study identifies the cerebellum and cerebellar–cerebral connections involved in the phenomenon of superior memory for emotionally arousing visual information. These findings expand knowledge on the role of the cerebellum in complex cognitive and emotional processes and may be relevant for the understanding of psychiatric disorders with aberrant emotional circuitry, such as posttraumatic stress disorder or autism spectrum disorder. Emotional information is better remembered than neutral information. Extensive evidence indicates that the amygdala and its interactions with other cerebral regions play an important role in the memory-enhancing effect of emotional arousal. While the cerebellum has been found to be involved in fear conditioning, its role in emotional enhancement of episodic memory is less clear. To address this issue, we used a whole-brain functional MRI approach in 1,418 healthy participants. First, we identified clusters significantly activated during enhanced memory encoding of negative and positive emotional pictures. In addition to the well-known emotional memory–related cerebral regions, we identified a cluster in the cerebellum. We then used dynamic causal modeling and identified several cerebellar connections with increased connection strength corresponding to enhanced emotional memory, including one to a cluster covering the amygdala and hippocampus, and bidirectional connections with a cluster covering the anterior cingulate cortex. The present findings indicate that the cerebellum is an integral part of a network involved in emotional enhancement of episodic memory.
Collapse
|
8
|
Rahaman MA, Rodrigue A, Glahn D, Turner J, Calhoun V. Shared sets of correlated polygenic risk scores and voxel-wise grey matter across multiple traits identified via bi-clustering. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2021; 2021:2201-2206. [PMID: 34891724 DOI: 10.1109/embc46164.2021.9630825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric disorders involve complex polygenic determinants as well as brain alterations. The combination of genetic inheritance and neuroimaging approaches could advance our understanding of psychiatric disorders. However, cross-disorder overlap is a current issue since psychiatric conditions share some neurogenetic correlates, symptoms, and brain effects. Exploring the impact of genetic risk on the brain across disorders could help understand commonalities across multiple psychopathologies. To do this, we first compute the linear relationship between PRS and voxel-wise grey matter volume to generate brain maps for five psychiatric and three control traits. Next, we use the biclustering approach to identify regions of the brain associated with polygenic risk scores in one or more traits. Our results demonstrate a significant overlap in brain regions connected to polygenic risk across psychiatric traits. Moreover, such brain domains are highly allied with the polygenic risk for non-psychiatric control traits. This multi-trait overlap characterizes the nonspecific relationship between neural anatomy and inherited risk factors in psychiatric conditions, and in some cases, the overlap in neural features linked to genetic risk for non-psychiatric attributes.Clinical Relevance-This study presents biclusters of multiple psychiatric and control traits. The analysis reported various brain regions, including cerebellum, cuneus, precuneus, fusiform, supplementary motor area, that show significant correlation with polygenic risk scores across diverse groups of psychiatric conditions and non-psychiatric control traits.
Collapse
|
9
|
Wu G, Palaniyappan L, Zhang M, Yang J, Xi C, Liu Z, Xue Z, Ouyang X, Tao H, Zhang J, Luo Q, Pu W. Imbalance Between Prefronto-Thalamic and Sensorimotor-Thalamic Circuitries Associated with Working Memory Deficit in Schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull 2021; 48:251-261. [PMID: 34337670 PMCID: PMC8781324 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbab086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thalamocortical circuit imbalance characterized by prefronto-thalamic hypoconnectivity and sensorimotor-thalamic hyperconnectivity has been consistently documented at rest in schizophrenia (SCZ). However, this thalamocortical imbalance has not been studied during task engagement to date, limiting our understanding of its role in cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. METHODS Both n-back working memory (WM) task-fMRI and resting-state fMRI data were collected from 172 patients with SCZ and 103 healthy control subjects (HC). A replication sample with 49 SCZ and 48 HC was independently obtained. Sixteen thalamic subdivisions were employed as seeds for the analysis. RESULTS During both task-performance and rest, SCZ showed thalamic hyperconnectivity with sensorimotor cortices, but hypoconnectivity with prefrontal-cerebellar regions relative to controls. Higher sensorimotor-thalamic connectivity and lower prefronto-thalamic connectivity both relate to poorer WM performance (lower task accuracy and longer response time) and difficulties in discriminating target from nontarget (lower d' score) in n-back task. The prefronto-thalamic hypoconnectivity and sensorimotor-thalamic hyperconnectivity were anti-correlated both in SCZ and HCs; this anti-correlation was more pronounced with less cognitive demand (rest>0-back>2-back). These findings replicated well in the second sample. Finally, the hypo- and hyper-connectivity patterns during resting-state positively correlated with the hypo- and hyper-connectivity during 2-back task-state in SCZ respectively. CONCLUSIONS The thalamocortical imbalance reflected by prefronto-thalamic hypoconnectivity and sensorimotor-thalamic hyperconnectivity is present both at rest and during task engagement in SCZ and relates to working memory performance. The frontal reduction, sensorimotor enhancement pattern of thalamocortical imbalance is a state-invariant feature of SCZ that affects a core cognitive function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guowei Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China,Mental Health Institute of Central South University, Changsha, China,China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Lena Palaniyappan
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada,Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Manqi Zhang
- Medical Psychological Center, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China,Mental Health Institute of Central South University, Changsha, China,China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Chang Xi
- Department of Psychiatry, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China,Mental Health Institute of Central South University, Changsha, China,China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Zhening Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China,Mental Health Institute of Central South University, Changsha, China,China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Zhimin Xue
- Department of Psychiatry, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China,Mental Health Institute of Central South University, Changsha, China,China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Xuan Ouyang
- Department of Psychiatry, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China,Mental Health Institute of Central South University, Changsha, China,China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Haojuan Tao
- Department of Psychiatry, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China,Mental Health Institute of Central South University, Changsha, China,China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Jinqiang Zhang
- Department of Clinical Psychology, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qiang Luo
- MOE-Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weidan Pu
- Medical Psychological Center, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,College of Mechatronics and Automation, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China,China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, Changsha, China,To whom correspondence should be addressed; Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Renmin Road, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China; tel: +0731-85296219, fax: +0731-85292158, e-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
He X, Li X, Fu J, Xu J, Liu H, Zhang P, Li W, Yu C, Ye Z, Qin W. The morphometry of left cuneus mediating the genetic regulation on working memory. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:3470-3480. [PMID: 33939221 PMCID: PMC8249898 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Working memory is a basic human cognitive function. However, the genetic signatures and their biological pathway remain poorly understood. In the present study, we tried to clarify this issue by exploring the potential associations and pathways among genetic variants, brain morphometry and working memory performance. We first carried out association analyses between 2‐back accuracy and 212 image‐derived phenotypes from 1141 Human Connectome Project (HCP) subjects using a linear mixed model (LMM). We found a significantly positive correlation between the left cuneus volume and 2‐back accuracy (T = 3.615, p = 3.150e−4, Cohen's d = 0.226, corrected using family‐wise error [FWE] method). Based on the LMM‐based genome‐wide association study (GWAS) on the HCP dataset and UK Biobank 33 k GWAS summary statistics, we identified eight independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were reliably associated with left cuneus volume in both UKB and HCP dataset. Within the eight SNPs, we found a negative correlation between the rs76119478 polymorphism and 2‐back accuracy accuracy (T = −2.045, p = .041, Cohen's d = −0.129). Finally, an LMM‐based mediation analysis elucidated a significant effect of left cuneus volume in mediating rs76119478 polymorphism on the 2‐back accuracy (indirect effect = −0.007, 95% BCa CI = [−0.045, −0.003]). These results were also replicated in a subgroup of Caucasians in the HCP population. Further fine mapping demonstrated that rs76119478 maps on intergene CTD‐2315A10.2 adjacent to protein‐encoding gene DAAM1, and is significantly associated with L3HYPDH mRNA expression. Our study suggested this new variant rs76119478 may regulate the working memory through exerting influence on the left cuneus volume.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxi He
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xi Li
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jilian Fu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiayuan Xu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Huaigui Liu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Chunshui Yu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaoxiang Ye
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Wen Qin
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Fehlmann B, Coynel D, Schicktanz N, Milnik A, Gschwind L, Hofmann P, Papassotiropoulos A, de Quervain DJF. Visual Exploration at Higher Fixation Frequency Increases Subsequent Memory Recall. Cereb Cortex Commun 2020; 1:tgaa032. [PMID: 34296105 PMCID: PMC8153053 DOI: 10.1093/texcom/tgaa032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Only a small proportion of what we see can later be recalled. Up to date it is unknown how far differences in visual exploration during encoding affect the strength of episodic memories. Here, we identified individual gaze characteristics by analyzing eye tracking data in a picture encoding task performed by 967 healthy subjects during fMRI. We found a positive correlation between fixation frequency during visual exploration and subsequent free recall performance. Brain imaging results showed a positive correlation of fixation frequency with activations in regions related to vision and memory, including the medial temporal lobe. To investigate if higher fixation frequency is causally linked to better memory, we experimentally manipulated visual exploration patterns in an independent population of 64 subjects. Doubling the number of fixations within a given exploration time increased subsequent free recall performance by 19%. Our findings provide evidence for a causal relationship between fixation frequency and episodic memory for visual information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Fehlmann
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel 4055, Switzerland
- Transfaculty Research Platform, University of Basel, Basel 4055, Switzerland
| | - David Coynel
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel 4055, Switzerland
- Transfaculty Research Platform, University of Basel, Basel 4055, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Schicktanz
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel 4055, Switzerland
- Transfaculty Research Platform, University of Basel, Basel 4055, Switzerland
| | - Annette Milnik
- Transfaculty Research Platform, University of Basel, Basel 4055, Switzerland
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel 4055, Switzerland
| | - Leo Gschwind
- Transfaculty Research Platform, University of Basel, Basel 4055, Switzerland
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel 4055, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Hofmann
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel 4055, Switzerland
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel 4055, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Papassotiropoulos
- Transfaculty Research Platform, University of Basel, Basel 4055, Switzerland
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel 4055, Switzerland
- Department Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, University of Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland
- University Psychiatric Clinics, University of Basel, Basel 4002, Switzerland
| | - Dominique J-F de Quervain
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel 4055, Switzerland
- Transfaculty Research Platform, University of Basel, Basel 4055, Switzerland
- University Psychiatric Clinics, University of Basel, Basel 4002, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Xu Q, Guo L, Cheng J, Wang M, Geng Z, Zhu W, Zhang B, Liao W, Qiu S, Zhang H, Xu X, Yu Y, Gao B, Han T, Yao Z, Cui G, Liu F, Qin W, Zhang Q, Li MJ, Liang M, Chen F, Xian J, Li J, Zhang J, Zuo XN, Wang D, Shen W, Miao Y, Yuan F, Lui S, Zhang X, Xu K, Zhang LJ, Ye Z, Yu C. CHIMGEN: a Chinese imaging genetics cohort to enhance cross-ethnic and cross-geographic brain research. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:517-529. [PMID: 31827248 PMCID: PMC7042768 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0627-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The Chinese Imaging Genetics (CHIMGEN) study establishes the largest Chinese neuroimaging genetics cohort and aims to identify genetic and environmental factors and their interactions that are associated with neuroimaging and behavioral phenotypes. This study prospectively collected genomic, neuroimaging, environmental, and behavioral data from more than 7000 healthy Chinese Han participants aged 18-30 years. As a pioneer of large-sample neuroimaging genetics cohorts of non-Caucasian populations, this cohort can provide new insights into ethnic differences in genetic-neuroimaging associations by being compared with Caucasian cohorts. In addition to micro-environmental measurements, this study also collects hundreds of quantitative macro-environmental measurements from remote sensing and national survey databases based on the locations of each participant from birth to present, which will facilitate discoveries of new environmental factors associated with neuroimaging phenotypes. With lifespan environmental measurements, this study can also provide insights on the macro-environmental exposures that affect the human brain as well as their timing and mechanisms of action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Xu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, China
| | - Lining Guo
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingliang Cheng
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Meiyun Wang
- Department of Radiology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital and Henan Provincial People's Hospital, 450003, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Key Laboratory for Medical Imaging of Neurological Diseases, 450003, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zuojun Geng
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 050000, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Wenzhen Zhu
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Bing Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 210008, Nanjing, China
| | - Weihua Liao
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410008, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorder, 410008, Changsha, China
| | - Shijun Qiu
- Department of Medical Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 510405, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, 030001, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiaojun Xu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, 310009, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongqiang Yu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 230022, Hefei, China
| | - Bo Gao
- Department of Radiology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, 264000, Yantai, China
| | - Tong Han
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, 300350, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebral Vascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, 300350, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhenwei Yao
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hosptial, Fudan University, 200040, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangbin Cui
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province & Department of Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, The Military Medical University of PLA Airforce (Fourth Military Medical University), 710038, Xi'an, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, China
| | - Wen Qin
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, China
| | - Quan Zhang
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, China
| | - Mulin Jun Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, 300070, Tianjin, China
| | - Meng Liang
- School of Medical Imaging, Tianjin Medical University, 300203, Tianjin, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Radiology, Hainan General Hospital, 570311, Haikou, China
| | - Junfang Xian
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100730, Beijing, China
| | - Jiance Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 325000, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Magnetic Resonance, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, 730050, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xi-Nian Zuo
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 100049, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Dawei Wang
- Department of Radiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, China
| | - Wen Shen
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin First Center Hospital, 300192, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanwei Miao
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, 116011, Dalian, China
| | - Fei Yuan
- Department of Radiology, Pingjin Hospital, Logistics University of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces, 300162, Tianjin, China
| | - Su Lui
- Department of Radiology, The Center for Medical Imaging, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 325000, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiaochu Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science & Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
| | - Kai Xu
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 221006, Xuzhou, China
- School of Medical Imaging, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, China
| | - Long Jiang Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 210002, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhaoxiang Ye
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, 300060, Tianjin, China
| | - Chunshui Yu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Harrison PJ, Geddes JR, Tunbridge EM. The Emerging Neurobiology of Bipolar Disorder. FOCUS: JOURNAL OF LIFE LONG LEARNING IN PSYCHIATRY 2020; 17:284-293. [PMID: 32015720 DOI: 10.1176/appi.focus.17309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
(Reprinted with permission from Trends in Neurosciences, January 2018, Vol. 41, No. 1 ).
Collapse
|
14
|
Zimmerman AJ, Hafez AK, Amoah SK, Rodriguez BA, Dell’Orco M, Lozano E, Hartley BJ, Alural B, Lalonde J, Chander P, Webster MJ, Perlis RH, Brennand KJ, Haggarty SJ, Weick J, Perrone-Bizzozero N, Brigman JL, Mellios N. A psychiatric disease-related circular RNA controls synaptic gene expression and cognition. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:2712-2727. [PMID: 31988434 PMCID: PMC7577899 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0653-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Although circular RNAs (circRNAs) are enriched in the mammalian brain, very little is known about their potential involvement in brain function and psychiatric disease. Here, we show that circHomer1a, a neuronal-enriched circRNA abundantly expressed in the frontal cortex, derived from Homer protein homolog 1 (HOMER1), is significantly reduced in both the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neuronal cultures from patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD). Moreover, alterations in circHomer1a were positively associated with the age of onset of SCZ in both the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). No correlations between the age of onset of SCZ and linear HOMER1 mRNA were observed, whose expression was mostly unaltered in BD and SCZ postmortem brain. Using in vivo circRNA-specific knockdown of circHomer1a in mouse PFC, we show that it modulates the expression of numerous alternative mRNA transcripts from genes involved in synaptic plasticity and psychiatric disease. Intriguingly, in vivo circHomer1a knockdown in mouse OFC resulted in specific deficits in OFC-mediated cognitive flexibility. Lastly, we demonstrate that the neuronal RNA-binding protein HuD binds to circHomer1a and can influence its synaptic expression in the frontal cortex. Collectively, our data uncover a novel psychiatric disease-associated circRNA that regulates synaptic gene expression and cognitive flexibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amber J. Zimmerman
- grid.266832.b0000 0001 2188 8502Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM USA
| | - Alexander K. Hafez
- grid.266832.b0000 0001 2188 8502Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM USA
| | - Stephen K. Amoah
- grid.266832.b0000 0001 2188 8502Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM USA ,Autophagy inflammation and metabolism (AIM) center, Albuquerque, NM USA
| | - Brian A. Rodriguez
- grid.266832.b0000 0001 2188 8502Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM USA
| | - Michela Dell’Orco
- grid.266832.b0000 0001 2188 8502Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM USA
| | - Evelyn Lozano
- grid.266832.b0000 0001 2188 8502Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM USA
| | - Brigham J. Hartley
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA
| | - Begüm Alural
- grid.32224.350000 0004 0386 9924Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Center for Genomic Medicine, Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Jasmin Lalonde
- grid.32224.350000 0004 0386 9924Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Center for Genomic Medicine, Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,grid.34429.380000 0004 1936 8198Present Address: Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON Canada
| | - Praveen Chander
- grid.266832.b0000 0001 2188 8502Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM USA
| | - Maree J. Webster
- grid.453353.70000 0004 0473 2858Laboratory of Brain Research, Stanley Medical Research Institute, Chevy Chase, MD USA
| | - Roy H. Perlis
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,grid.32224.350000 0004 0386 9924Center for Experimental Drugs and Diagnostics, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA USA
| | - Kristen J. Brennand
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA
| | - Stephen J. Haggarty
- grid.32224.350000 0004 0386 9924Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Center for Genomic Medicine, Chemical Neurobiology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Jason Weick
- grid.266832.b0000 0001 2188 8502Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM USA
| | - Nora Perrone-Bizzozero
- grid.266832.b0000 0001 2188 8502Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM USA
| | - Jonathan L. Brigman
- grid.266832.b0000 0001 2188 8502Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM USA
| | - Nikolaos Mellios
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA. .,Autophagy inflammation and metabolism (AIM) center, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Distinct Genetic Signatures of Cortical and Subcortical Regions Associated with Human Memory. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0283-19.2019. [PMID: 31818829 PMCID: PMC6917897 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0283-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the discovery of gene variants linked to memory performance, understanding the genetic basis of adult human memory remains a challenge. Here, we devised an unsupervised framework that relies on spatial correlations between human transcriptome data and functional neuroimaging maps to uncover the genetic signatures of memory in functionally-defined cortical and subcortical memory regions. Despite the discovery of gene variants linked to memory performance, understanding the genetic basis of adult human memory remains a challenge. Here, we devised an unsupervised framework that relies on spatial correlations between human transcriptome data and functional neuroimaging maps to uncover the genetic signatures of memory in functionally-defined cortical and subcortical memory regions. Results were validated with animal literature and showed that our framework is highly effective in identifying memory-related processes and genes compared to a control cognitive function. Genes preferentially expressed in cortical memory regions are linked to memory-related processes such as immune and epigenetic regulation. Genes expressed in subcortical memory regions are associated with neurogenesis and glial cell differentiation. Genes expressed in both cortical and subcortical memory areas are involved in the regulation of transcription, synaptic plasticity, and glutamate receptor signaling. Furthermore, distinct memory-associated genes such as PRKCD and CDK5 are linked to cortical and subcortical regions, respectively. Thus, cortical and subcortical memory regions exhibit distinct genetic signatures that potentially reflect functional differences in health and disease, and nominates gene candidates for future experimental investigations.
Collapse
|
16
|
Discovering the shared biology of cognitive traits determined by genetic overlap. Neuroimage 2019; 208:116409. [PMID: 31785419 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigating the contribution of biology to human cognition has assumed a bottom-up causal cascade where genes influence brain systems that activate, communicate, and ultimately drive behavior. Yet few studies have directly tested whether cognitive traits with overlapping genetic underpinnings also rely on overlapping brain systems. Here, we report a step-wise exploratory analysis of genetic and functional imaging overlaps among cognitive traits. We used twin-based genetic analyses in the human connectome project (HCP) dataset (N = 486), in which we quantified the heritability of measures of cognitive functions, and tested whether they were driven by common genetic factors using pairwise genetic correlations. Subsequently, we derived activation maps associated with cognitive tasks via functional imaging meta-analysis in BrainMap (N = 4484), and tested whether cognitive traits that shared genetic variation also exhibited overlapping brain activation. Our genetic analysis determined that six cognitive measures (cognitive flexibility, no-go continuous performance, fluid intelligence, processing speed, reading decoding and vocabulary comprehension) were heritable (0.3 < h2 < 0.5), and genetically correlated with at least one other heritable cognitive measure (0.2 < ρg < 0.35). The meta-analysis showed that two genetically-correlated traits, cognitive flexibility and fluid intelligence (ρg = 0.24), also had a significant brain activation overlap (ρperm = 0.29). These findings indicate that fluid intelligence and cognitive flexibility rely on overlapping biological features, both at the neural systems level and at the molecular level. The cross-disciplinary approach we introduce provides a concrete framework for data-driven quantification of biological convergence between genetics, brain function, and behavior in health and disease.
Collapse
|
17
|
Williams-Simon PA, Posey C, Mitchell S, Ng'oma E, Mrkvicka JA, Zars T, King EG. Multiple genetic loci affect place learning and memory performance in Drosophila melanogaster. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 18:e12581. [PMID: 31095869 PMCID: PMC6718298 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Learning and memory are critical functions for all animals, giving individuals the ability to respond to changes in their environment. Within populations, individuals vary, however the mechanisms underlying this variation in performance are largely unknown. Thus, it remains to be determined what genetic factors cause an individual to have high learning ability and what factors determine how well an individual will remember what they have learned. To genetically dissect learning and memory performance, we used the Drosophila synthetic population resource (DSPR), a multiparent mapping resource in the model system Drosophila melanogaster, consisting of a large set of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) that naturally vary in these and other traits. Fruit flies can be trained in a "heat box" to learn to remain on one side of a chamber (place learning) and can remember this (place memory) over short timescales. Using this paradigm, we measured place learning and memory for ~49 000 individual flies from over 700 DSPR RILs. We identified 16 different loci across the genome that significantly affect place learning and/or memory performance, with 5 of these loci affecting both traits. To identify transcriptomic differences associated with performance, we performed RNA-Seq on pooled samples of seven high performing and seven low performing RILs for both learning and memory and identified hundreds of genes with differences in expression in the two sets. Integrating our transcriptomic results with the mapping results allowed us to identify nine promising candidate genes, advancing our understanding of the genetic basis underlying natural variation in learning and memory performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher Posey
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Samuel Mitchell
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Enoch Ng'oma
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - James A Mrkvicka
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Troy Zars
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Elizabeth G King
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Sykes L, Haddon J, Lancaster TM, Sykes A, Azzouni K, Ihssen N, Moon AL, Lin TCE, Linden DE, Owen MJ, O’Donovan MC, Humby T, Wilkinson LS, Thomas KL, Hall J. Genetic Variation in the Psychiatric Risk Gene CACNA1C Modulates Reversal Learning Across Species. Schizophr Bull 2019; 45:1024-1032. [PMID: 30304534 PMCID: PMC6737471 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sby146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Genetic variation in CACNA1C, which encodes the alpha-1 subunit of Cav1.2 L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs), has been strongly linked to risk for psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. How genetic variation in CACNA1C contributes to risk for these disorders is however not fully known. Both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are associated with impairments in reversal learning (RL), which may contribute to symptoms seen in these conditions. We used a translational RL paradigm to investigate whether genetic variation in CACNA1C affects RL in both humans and transgenic rats. Associated changes in gene expression were explored using in situ hybridization and quantitative PCR in rats and the BRAINEAC online human database. Risk-associated genetic variation in CACNA1C in healthy human participants was associated with impairments in RL. Consistent with this finding, rats bearing a heterozygous deletion of Cacna1c were impaired in an analogous touchscreen RL task. We investigated the possible molecular mechanism underlying this impairment and found that Cacna1c +/- rats show decreased expression of Bdnf in prefrontal cortex. Examination of BRAINEAC data showed that human risk-associated genetic variation in CACNA1C is also associated with altered expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the prefrontal cortex in humans. These results indicate that genetic variation in CACNA1C may contribute to risk for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder by impacting behavioral flexibility, potentially through altered regulation of BDNF expression in the prefrontal cortex. Tests of RL may be useful for translational studies and in the development of therapies targeting VGCCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Sykes
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Thomas M Lancaster
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK,School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Arabella Sykes
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Karima Azzouni
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Niklas Ihssen
- Department of Psychology, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Anna L Moon
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK,School of Medicine, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Tzu-Ching E Lin
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - David E Linden
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK,School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK,School of Medicine, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Michael J Owen
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK,School of Medicine, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Michael C O’Donovan
- School of Medicine, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Trevor Humby
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Lawrence S Wilkinson
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK,School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK,School of Medicine, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Kerrie L Thomas
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK,School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Jeremy Hall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK,School of Medicine, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK,To whom correspondence should be addressed; Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK; tel: 02920-688-342, fax: +44 2920 687 068, e-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Jiang J, Thalamuthu A, Koch FC, Liu T, Xu Q, Trollor JN, Ames D, Wright MJ, Catts V, Sachdev PS, Wen W. Cerebral Blood Flow in Community-Based Older Twins Is Moderately Heritable: An Arterial Spin Labeling Perfusion Imaging Study. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:169. [PMID: 31333444 PMCID: PMC6615405 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00169] [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: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Adequate cerebral blood flow (CBF) is necessary to maintain brain metabolism and function. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is an emerging MRI technique offering a non-invasive and reliable quantification of CBF. The genetic basis of CBF has not been well documented, and one approach to investigate this is to examine its heritability. The current study aimed to examine the heritability of CBF using ASL data from a cohort of community-dwelling older twins (41 monozygotic (MZ) and 25 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs; age range, 65–93 years; 56.4% female). The results showed that the cortex had higher CBF than subcortical gray matter (GM) regions, and CBF in the GM regions of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) territory was lower than that of the middle (MCA) and posterior (PCA) cerebral arteries. After accounting for the effects of age, sex and scanner, moderate heritability was identified for global CBF (h2 = 0.611; 95% CI = 0.380–0.761), as well as for cortical and subcortical GM and the GM in the major arterial territories (h2 = 0.500–0.612). Strong genetic correlations (GCs) were found between CBF in subcortical and cortical GM regions, as well as among the three arterial territories (ACA, MCA, PCA), suggesting a largely convergent genetic control for the CBF in brain GM. The moderate heritability of CBF warrants future investigations to uncover the genetic variants and genes that regulate CBF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiyang Jiang
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Anbupalam Thalamuthu
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Forrest C Koch
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Tao Liu
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Qun Xu
- Department of Health Manage Centre, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Renji-UNSW CHeBA Neurocognitive Centre, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Julian N Trollor
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (3DN), University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - David Ames
- National Ageing Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Margaret J Wright
- NeuroImaging Genetics Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia.,Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Vibeke Catts
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Perminder S Sachdev
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Wei Wen
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Andrade A, Brennecke A, Mallat S, Brown J, Gomez-Rivadeneira J, Czepiel N, Londrigan L. Genetic Associations between Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels and Psychiatric Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E3537. [PMID: 31331039 PMCID: PMC6679227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20143537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are mental, behavioral or emotional disorders. These conditions are prevalent, one in four adults suffer from any type of psychiatric disorders world-wide. It has always been observed that psychiatric disorders have a genetic component, however, new methods to sequence full genomes of large cohorts have identified with high precision genetic risk loci for these conditions. Psychiatric disorders include, but are not limited to, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, and attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder. Several risk loci for psychiatric disorders fall within genes that encode for voltage-gated calcium channels (CaVs). Calcium entering through CaVs is crucial for multiple neuronal processes. In this review, we will summarize recent findings that link CaVs and their auxiliary subunits to psychiatric disorders. First, we will provide a general overview of CaVs structure, classification, function, expression and pharmacology. Next, we will summarize tools to study risk loci associated with psychiatric disorders. We will examine functional studies of risk variations in CaV genes when available. Finally, we will review pharmacological evidence of the use of CaV modulators to treat psychiatric disorders. Our review will be of interest for those studying pathophysiological aspects of CaVs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Andrade
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA.
| | - Ashton Brennecke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Shayna Mallat
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Julian Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | | | - Natalie Czepiel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Laura Londrigan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Women using hormonal contraceptives show increased valence ratings and memory performance for emotional information. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019; 44:1258-1264. [PMID: 30836380 PMCID: PMC6784990 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-019-0362-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Perception of emotional valence and emotional memory performance vary across the menstrual cycle. However, the consequences of altered ovarian hormone levels due to the intake of hormonal contraceptives on these emotional and cognitive processes remain to be established. In the present study, which included 2169 healthy young females, we show that hormonal contraceptives (HC) users rated emotional pictures as more emotional than HC-non-users and outperformed non-users in terms of better memory recall of emotional pictures. The observed association between HC-status and memory performance was partially mediated by the perception of emotional picture valence, indicating that increased valence ratings of emotional pictures in HC-users led to their better emotional memory performance. These findings extend the knowledge about the relation of HC-intake with emotional valence perception and emotional memory performance. Further, the findings might stimulate further research investigating the interrelation of enhanced memory for emotional events and the increased risk for anxiety-related psychiatric disorders in women.
Collapse
|
22
|
Ong ML, Tuan TA, Poh J, Teh AL, Chen L, Pan H, MacIsaac JL, Kobor MS, Chong YS, Kwek K, Saw SM, Godfrey KM, Gluckman PD, Fortier MV, Karnani N, Meaney MJ, Qiu A, Holbrook JD. Neonatal amygdalae and hippocampi are influenced by genotype and prenatal environment, and reflected in the neonatal DNA methylome. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 18:e12576. [PMID: 31020763 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The amygdala and hippocampus undergo rapid development in early life. The relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors to the establishment of their developmental trajectories has yet to be examined. We performed imaging on neonates and examined how the observed variation in volume and microstructure of the amygdala and hippocampus varied by genotype, and compared with prenatal maternal mental health and socioeconomic status. Gene × Environment models outcompeted models containing genotype or environment only to best explain the majority of measures but some, especially of the amygdaloid microstructure, were best explained by genotype only. Models including DNA methylation measured in the neonate umbilical cords outcompeted the Gene and Gene × Environment models for the majority of amygdaloid measures and minority of hippocampal measures. This study identified brain region-specific gene networks associated with individual differences in fetal brain development. In particular, genetic and epigenetic variation within CUX1 was highlighted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Lyn Ong
- Singapore Institute of Clinical sciences (SICS), A*STAR, Brenner Centre for Molecular Medicine, Singapore
| | - Ta A Tuan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Imaging research Centre, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joann Poh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Imaging research Centre, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ai L Teh
- Singapore Institute of Clinical sciences (SICS), A*STAR, Brenner Centre for Molecular Medicine, Singapore
| | - Li Chen
- Singapore Institute of Clinical sciences (SICS), A*STAR, Brenner Centre for Molecular Medicine, Singapore
| | - Hong Pan
- Singapore Institute of Clinical sciences (SICS), A*STAR, Brenner Centre for Molecular Medicine, Singapore.,School of Computer Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore
| | - Julia L MacIsaac
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael S Kobor
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Yap S Chong
- Singapore Institute of Clinical sciences (SICS), A*STAR, Brenner Centre for Molecular Medicine, Singapore.,Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Kenneth Kwek
- KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Duke National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Seang M Saw
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Keith M Godfrey
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit and NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Peter D Gluckman
- Singapore Institute of Clinical sciences (SICS), A*STAR, Brenner Centre for Molecular Medicine, Singapore.,Centre for Human Evolution, Adaptation and disease, Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Marielle V Fortier
- KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Duke National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Neerja Karnani
- Singapore Institute of Clinical sciences (SICS), A*STAR, Brenner Centre for Molecular Medicine, Singapore
| | - Michael J Meaney
- Singapore Institute of Clinical sciences (SICS), A*STAR, Brenner Centre for Molecular Medicine, Singapore.,Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Sackler Program for Epigenetics & Psychobiology at McGill University, Douglas University Mental Health Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Anqi Qiu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Imaging research Centre, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Institute of Clinical sciences (SICS), A*STAR, Brenner Centre for Molecular Medicine, Singapore
| | - Joanna D Holbrook
- Singapore Institute of Clinical sciences (SICS), A*STAR, Brenner Centre for Molecular Medicine, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Loos E, Egli T, Coynel D, Fastenrath M, Freytag V, Papassotiropoulos A, de Quervain DJF, Milnik A. Predicting emotional arousal and emotional memory performance from an identical brain network. Neuroimage 2019; 189:459-467. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
|
24
|
Klaus K, Pennington K. Dopamine and Working Memory: Genetic Variation, Stress and Implications for Mental Health. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2019; 41:369-391. [PMID: 31502081 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2019_113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
At the molecular level, the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) is a key regulatory component of executive function in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and dysfunction in dopaminergic (DAergic) circuitry has been shown to result in impaired working memory (WM). Research has identified multiple common genetic variants suggested to impact on the DA system functionally and also behaviourally to alter WM task performance. In addition, environmental stressors impact on DAergic tone, and this may be one mechanism by which stressors confer vulnerability to the development of neuropsychiatric conditions. This chapter aims to evaluate the impact of key DAergic gene variants suggested to impact on both synaptic DA levels (COMT, DAT1, DBH, MAOA) and DA receptor function (ANKK1, DRD2, DRD4) in terms of their influence on visuospatial WM. The role of stressors and interaction with the genetic background is discussed in addition to discussion around some of the implications for precision psychiatry. This and future work in this area aim to disentangle the neural mechanisms underlying susceptibility to stress and their impact and relationship with cognitive processes known to influence mental health vulnerability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristel Klaus
- MRC Brain and Cognition Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Wilker S, Schneider A, Conrad D, Pfeiffer A, Boeck C, Lingenfelder B, Freytag V, Vukojevic V, Vogler C, Milnik A, Papassotiropoulos A, J.-F. de Quervain D, Elbert T, Kolassa S, Kolassa IT. Genetic variation is associated with PTSD risk and aversive memory: Evidence from two trauma-Exposed African samples and one healthy European sample. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:251. [PMID: 30467376 PMCID: PMC6250662 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0297-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The probability to develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), characterized by vivid, intrusive emotional memories of the encountered traumatic events, depends - among other factors - on the number of previous traumatic experiences (traumatic load) and individual genetic vulnerability. So far, our knowledge regarding the biological underpinnings of PTSD is relatively sparse. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) followed by independent replication might help to discover novel, so far unknown biological mechanisms associated with the development of traumatic memories. Here, a GWAS was conducted in N = 924 Northern Ugandan rebel war survivors and identified seven suggestively significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; p ≤ 1 × 10-5) for lifetime PTSD risk. Of these seven SNPs, the association of rs3852144 on chromosome 5 was replicated in an independent sample of Rwandan genocide survivors (N = 370, p < .01). While PTSD risk increased with accumulating traumatic experiences, the vulnerability was reduced in carriers of the minor G-allele in an additive manner. Correspondingly, memory for aversive pictures decreased with higher number of the minor G-allele in a sample of N = 2698 healthy Swiss individuals. Finally, investigations on N = 90 PTSD patients treated with Narrative Exposure Therapy indicated an additive effect of genotype on PTSD symptom change from pre-treatment to four months after treatment, but not between pre-treatment and the 10-months follow-up. In conclusion, emotional memory formation seems to decline with increasing number of rs3852144 G-alleles, rendering individuals more resilient to PTSD development. However, the impact on therapy outcome remains preliminary and further research is needed to determine how this intronic marker may affect memory processes in detail.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Wilker
- Clinical & Biological Psychology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Anna Schneider
- Clinical & Biological Psychology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Daniela Conrad
- Clinical & Biological Psychology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany. .,Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Anett Pfeiffer
- 0000 0001 0658 7699grid.9811.1Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Christina Boeck
- 0000 0004 1936 9748grid.6582.9Clinical & Biological Psychology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Birke Lingenfelder
- 0000 0001 0658 7699grid.9811.1Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Virginie Freytag
- 0000 0004 1937 0642grid.6612.3Division of Molecular Neuroscience, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland ,0000 0004 1937 0642grid.6612.3Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Vanja Vukojevic
- 0000 0004 1937 0642grid.6612.3Division of Molecular Neuroscience, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland ,0000 0004 1937 0642grid.6612.3Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland ,0000 0004 1937 0642grid.6612.3Department Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland ,0000 0004 1937 0642grid.6612.3Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Vogler
- 0000 0004 1937 0642grid.6612.3Division of Molecular Neuroscience, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland ,0000 0004 1937 0642grid.6612.3Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland ,0000 0004 1937 0642grid.6612.3Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Annette Milnik
- 0000 0004 1937 0642grid.6612.3Division of Molecular Neuroscience, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland ,0000 0004 1937 0642grid.6612.3Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland ,0000 0004 1937 0642grid.6612.3Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Papassotiropoulos
- 0000 0004 1937 0642grid.6612.3Division of Molecular Neuroscience, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland ,0000 0004 1937 0642grid.6612.3Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland ,0000 0004 1937 0642grid.6612.3Department Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland ,0000 0004 1937 0642grid.6612.3Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dominique J.-F. de Quervain
- 0000 0004 1937 0642grid.6612.3Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland ,0000 0004 1937 0642grid.6612.3Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland ,0000 0004 1937 0642grid.6612.3Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Elbert
- 0000 0001 0658 7699grid.9811.1Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Epigenetic outlier profiles in depression: A genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of monozygotic twins. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207754. [PMID: 30458022 PMCID: PMC6245788 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent discoveries highlight the importance of stochastic epigenetic changes, as indexed by epigenetic outlier DNA methylation signatures, as a valuable tool to understand aberrant cell function and subsequent human pathology. There is evidence of such changes in different complex disorders as diverse as cancer, obesity and, to a lesser extent, depression. The current study was aimed at identifying outlying DNA methylation signatures of depressive psychopathology. Here, genome-wide DNA methylation levels were measured (by means of Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 Beadchip) in peripheral blood of thirty-four monozygotic twins informative for depressive psychopathology (lifetime DSM-IV diagnoses). This dataset was explored to identify outlying epigenetic signatures of depression, operationalized as extreme hyper- or hypo-methylation in affected co-twins from discordant pairs that is not observed across the rest of the study sample. After adjusting for blood cell count, there were thirteen CpG sites across which depressed co-twins from the discordant pairs exhibited outlying DNA methylation signatures. None of them exhibited a methylation outlier profile in the concordant and healthy pairs, and some of these loci spanned genes previously associated with neuropsychiatric phenotypes, such as GHSR and KCNQ1. This exploratory study provides preliminary proof-of-concept validation that epigenetic outlier profiles derived from genome-wide DNA methylation data may be related to depression risk.
Collapse
|
27
|
Takeuchi H, Tomita H, Taki Y, Kikuchi Y, Ono C, Yu Z, Nouchi R, Yokoyama R, Kotozaki Y, Nakagawa S, Sekiguchi A, Iizuka K, Hanawa S, Araki T, Miyauchi CM, Sakaki K, Nozawa T, Ikeda S, Yokota S, Magistro D, Sassa Y, Kawashima R. A Common CACNA1C Gene Risk Variant has Sex-Dependent Effects on Behavioral Traits and Brain Functional Activity. Cereb Cortex 2018; 29:3211-3219. [DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies have suggested that allelic variations in the CACNA1C gene confer susceptibility to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder only in women. Here we investigated the sex-specific effects of the CACNA1C variant rs1024582 on psychiatry-related traits, brain activity during tasks and rest, and brain volume in 1207 normal male and female subjects. After correcting for multiple comparisons, there were significant interaction effects between sex and the minor allele of this polymorphism on the hostile behavior subscale scores of the Coronary-Prone Type Scale mediated by higher scores in female carriers of the minor allele. Imaging analyses revealed significant interaction effects between sex and the minor allele on fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and on brain activity during the 2-back task in areas of the right posterior cingulate cortex, right thalamus, and right hippocampus, which were all mediated by reduced activity in female carriers of the minor allele. Our results demonstrated that the rs1024582 risk variant of CACNA1C is associated with reduced activity in the frontolimbic regions at rest and during a working memory task as well as with greater hostility in females in the healthy population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hikaru Takeuchi
- Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Tomita
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Taki
- Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Division of Medical Neuroimaging Analysis, Department of Community Medical Supports, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yoshie Kikuchi
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Chiaki Ono
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Zhiqian Yu
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Rui Nouchi
- Creative Interdisciplinary Research Division, Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Human and Social Response Research Division, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Advanced Brain Science, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | | | - Yuka Kotozaki
- Division of Clinical Research, Medical-Industry Translational Research Center, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Seishu Nakagawa
- Department of Human Brain Science, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Division of Psychiatry, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Atsushi Sekiguchi
- Division of Medical Neuroimaging Analysis, Department of Community Medical Supports, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kunio Iizuka
- Department of Psychiatry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Sugiko Hanawa
- Department of Human Brain Science, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | | | - Carlos Makoto Miyauchi
- Department of Language Sciences, Graduate School of Humanities, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kohei Sakaki
- Department of Advanced Brain Science, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Takayuki Nozawa
- Collaborative Research Center for Happiness Co-Creation Society through Intelligent Communications, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeyuki Ikeda
- Department of Ubiquitous Sensing, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Susumu Yokota
- Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Daniele Magistro
- Department of Sport Science, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Yuko Sassa
- Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Ryuta Kawashima
- Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Advanced Brain Science, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Human Brain Science, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Multi-level genomic analyses suggest new genetic variants involved in human memory. Eur J Hum Genet 2018; 26:1668-1678. [PMID: 29970928 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-018-0201-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of high-throughput genotyping platforms provides an opportunity to identify new genetic elements related to complex cognitive functions. Taking advantage of multi-level genomic analysis, here we studied the genetic basis of human short-term (STM, n = 1623) and long-term (LTM, n = 1522) memory functions. Heritability estimation based on single nucleotide polymorphism showed moderate (61%, standard error 35%) heritability of short-term memory but almost zero heritability of long-term memory. We further performed a two-step genome-wide association study, but failed to find any SNPs that could pass genome-wide significance and survive replication at the same time. However, suggestive significance for rs7011450 was found in the shared component of the two STM tasks. Further inspections on its nearby gene zinc finger and at-hook domain containing and SNPs around this gene showed suggestive association with STM. In LTM, a polymorphism within branched chain amino acid transaminase 2 showed suggestive significance in the discovery cohort and has been replicated in another independent population of 1862. Furthermore, we performed a pathway analysis based on the current genomic data and found pathways including mTOR signaling and axon guidance significantly associated with STM capacity. These findings warrant further replication in other larger populations.
Collapse
|
29
|
McFarland DJ. How neuroscience can inform the study of individual differences in cognitive abilities. Rev Neurosci 2018; 28:343-362. [PMID: 28195556 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2016-0073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Theories of human mental abilities should be consistent with what is known in neuroscience. Currently, tests of human mental abilities are modeled by cognitive constructs such as attention, working memory, and speed of information processing. These constructs are in turn related to a single general ability. However, brains are very complex systems and whether most of the variability between the operations of different brains can be ascribed to a single factor is questionable. Research in neuroscience suggests that psychological processes such as perception, attention, decision, and executive control are emergent properties of interacting distributed networks. The modules that make up these networks use similar computational processes that involve multiple forms of neural plasticity, each having different time constants. Accordingly, these networks might best be characterized in terms of the information they process rather than in terms of abstract psychological processes such as working memory and executive control.
Collapse
|
30
|
Identification of Two Distinct Working Memory-Related Brain Networks in Healthy Young Adults. eNeuro 2018; 5:eN-CFN-0222-17. [PMID: 29464194 PMCID: PMC5815845 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0222-17.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Working memory (WM) is an important cognitive domain for everyday life functioning and is often disturbed in neuropsychiatric disorders. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies in humans show that distributed brain areas typically described as fronto-parietal regions are implicated in WM tasks. Based on data from a large sample of healthy young adults (N = 1369), we applied independent component analysis (ICA) to the WM-fMRI signal and identified two distinct networks that were relevant for differences in individual WM task performance. A parietally-centered network was particularly relevant for individual differences in task measures related to WM performance (“WM dependent”) and a frontally-centered network was relevant for differences in attention-dependent task performance. Importantly, frontal areas that are typically considered as key regions for WM were either involved in both WM-dependent and attention-dependent performance, or in attention-dependent performance only. The networks identified here are provided as publicly available datasets. These networks can be applied in future studies to derive a low-dimensional representation of the overall WM brain activation.
Collapse
|
31
|
Abstract
Neuroscience research has demonstrated that cognition, emotion, and their dynamic interactions emerge from complex and flexible patterns of activity across distributed neural circuits. A parallel branch of research in genetics has begun to identify common variation in the human DNA sequence (i.e., genome) that may shape individual differences in cognition-emotion interactions by altering molecular and cellular pathways that modulate the activity of these neural circuits. Here we provide a brief introduction to such neurogenetics research and how it may usefully inform our understanding of the biological mechanisms through which dynamic cognition-emotion interactions emerge and, subsequently, help shape normal and abnormal behavior.
Collapse
|
32
|
Harrison PJ, Geddes JR, Tunbridge EM. The Emerging Neurobiology of Bipolar Disorder. Trends Neurosci 2018; 41:18-30. [PMID: 29169634 PMCID: PMC5755726 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a leading cause of global disability. Its biological basis is unknown, and its treatment unsatisfactory. Here, we review two recent areas of progress. First, the discovery of risk genes and their implications, with a focus on voltage-gated calcium channels as part of the disease process and as a drug target. Second, facilitated by new technologies, it is increasingly apparent that the bipolar phenotype is more complex and nuanced than simply one of recurring manic and depressive episodes. One such feature is persistent mood instability, and efforts are underway to understand its mechanisms and its therapeutic potential. BD illustrates how psychiatry is being transformed by contemporary neuroscience, genomics, and digital approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Harrison
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK.
| | - John R Geddes
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Elizabeth M Tunbridge
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Akil H, Gordon J, Hen R, Javitch J, Mayberg H, McEwen B, Meaney MJ, Nestler EJ. Treatment resistant depression: A multi-scale, systems biology approach. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 84:272-288. [PMID: 28859997 PMCID: PMC5729118 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 251] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
An estimated 50% of depressed patients are inadequately treated by available interventions. Even with an eventual recovery, many patients require a trial and error approach, as there are no reliable guidelines to match patients to optimal treatments and many patients develop treatment resistance over time. This situation derives from the heterogeneity of depression and the lack of biomarkers for stratification by distinct depression subtypes. There is thus a dire need for novel therapies. To address these known challenges, we propose a multi-scale framework for fundamental research on depression, aimed at identifying the brain circuits that are dysfunctional in several animal models of depression as well the changes in gene expression that are associated with these models. When combined with human genetic and imaging studies, our preclinical studies are starting to identify candidate circuits and molecules that are altered both in models of disease and in patient populations. Targeting these circuits and mechanisms can lead to novel generations of antidepressants tailored to specific patient populations with distinctive types of molecular and circuit dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huda Akil
- Depression Task Force, Hope for Depression Research Foundation, New York, NY 10019, United States; University of Michigan, United States
| | - Joshua Gordon
- Depression Task Force, Hope for Depression Research Foundation, New York, NY 10019, United States; Columbia University, United States; New York State Psychiatric Institute, United States
| | - Rene Hen
- Depression Task Force, Hope for Depression Research Foundation, New York, NY 10019, United States; Columbia University, United States; New York State Psychiatric Institute, United States
| | - Jonathan Javitch
- Depression Task Force, Hope for Depression Research Foundation, New York, NY 10019, United States; Columbia University, United States; New York State Psychiatric Institute, United States
| | - Helen Mayberg
- Depression Task Force, Hope for Depression Research Foundation, New York, NY 10019, United States; Emory University, United States
| | - Bruce McEwen
- Depression Task Force, Hope for Depression Research Foundation, New York, NY 10019, United States; Rockefeller University, United States
| | - Michael J Meaney
- Depression Task Force, Hope for Depression Research Foundation, New York, NY 10019, United States; McGill University, United States; Singapore Institute for Clinical Science, Singapore
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Depression Task Force, Hope for Depression Research Foundation, New York, NY 10019, United States; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Geissmann L, Gschwind L, Schicktanz N, Deuring G, Rosburg T, Schwegler K, Gerhards C, Milnik A, Pflueger MO, Mager R, de Quervain DJF, Coynel D. Resting-state functional connectivity remains unaffected by preceding exposure to aversive visual stimuli. Neuroimage 2017; 167:354-365. [PMID: 29175611 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.11.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
While much is known about immediate brain activity changes induced by the confrontation with emotional stimuli, the subsequent temporal unfolding of emotions has yet to be explored. To investigate whether exposure to emotionally aversive pictures affects subsequent resting-state networks differently from exposure to neutral pictures, a resting-state fMRI study implementing a two-group repeated-measures design in healthy young adults (N = 34) was conducted. We focused on investigating (i) patterns of amygdala whole-brain and hippocampus connectivity in both a seed-to-voxel and seed-to-seed approach, (ii) whole-brain resting-state networks with an independent component analysis coupled with dual regression, and (iii) the amygdala's fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations, all while EEG recording potential fluctuations in vigilance. In spite of the successful emotion induction, as demonstrated by stimuli rating and a memory-facilitating effect of negative emotionality, none of the resting-state measures was differentially affected by picture valence. In conclusion, resting-state networks connectivity as well as the amygdala's low frequency oscillations appear to be unaffected by preceding exposure to widely used emotionally aversive visual stimuli in healthy young adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Léonie Geissmann
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences (MCN), University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Leo Gschwind
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences (MCN), University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Schicktanz
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences (MCN), University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gunnar Deuring
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Timm Rosburg
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kyrill Schwegler
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences (MCN), University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christiane Gerhards
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences (MCN), University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Annette Milnik
- Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences (MCN), University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marlon O Pflueger
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ralph Mager
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dominique J F de Quervain
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences (MCN), University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Coynel
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences (MCN), University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Egli T, Vukojevic V, Sengstag T, Jacquot M, Cabezón R, Coynel D, Freytag V, Heck A, Vogler C, de Quervain DJF, Papassotiropoulos A, Milnik A. Exhaustive search for epistatic effects on the human methylome. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13669. [PMID: 29057891 PMCID: PMC5651902 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13256-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies assessing the existence and magnitude of epistatic effects on complex human traits provide inconclusive results. The study of such effects is complicated by considerable increase in computational burden, model complexity, and model uncertainty, which in concert decrease model stability. An additional source introducing significant uncertainty with regard to the detection of robust epistasis is the biological distance between the genetic variation and the trait under study. Here we studied CpG methylation, a genetically complex molecular trait that is particularly close to genomic variation, and performed an exhaustive search for two-locus epistatic effects on the CpG-methylation signal in two cohorts of healthy young subjects. We detected robust epistatic effects for a small number of CpGs (N = 404). Our results indicate that epistatic effects explain only a minor part of variation in DNA-CpG methylation. Interestingly, these CpGs were more likely to be associated with gene-expression of nearby genes, as also shown by their overrepresentation in DNase I hypersensitivity sites and underrepresentation in CpG islands. Finally, gene ontology analysis showed a significant enrichment of these CpGs in pathways related to HPV-infection and cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Egli
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.,Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Vanja Vukojevic
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.,Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.,Department Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, University of Basel, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thierry Sengstag
- sciCORE, Scientific Computing Center, University of Basel, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland.,SIB - Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Martin Jacquot
- sciCORE, Scientific Computing Center, University of Basel, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rubén Cabezón
- sciCORE, Scientific Computing Center, University of Basel, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Coynel
- Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.,Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Virginie Freytag
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.,Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Angela Heck
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.,Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.,Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Vogler
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.,Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.,Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dominique J-F de Quervain
- Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.,Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.,Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Papassotiropoulos
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.,Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.,Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.,Department Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, University of Basel, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Annette Milnik
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland. .,Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland. .,Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Lin K, Xu G, Shi L, Lu W, Guan L, Ouyang H, Chen K, Dang Y, Zhou L, So KF. CACNA1C polymorphisms Impact Cognitive Recovery in Patients with Bipolar Disorder in a Six-week Open-label Trial. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7022. [PMID: 28765577 PMCID: PMC5539285 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07368-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairments in bipolar patients deteriorate as the disorder progresses. Little is known about whether genetic risks impact cognitive recovery during the course from depression to remission. In this six-week open-label trial, we shed light on the impacts of six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 C (CACNA1C) gene on cognitive recovery in 192 bipolar patients suffering a major depressive episode (MDE). The primary outcome measures were changes in a battery of neuropsychological tests following 6-week treatment. Carriers with rs10466907 GT genotype did not significantly improve their executive function total scores on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test after six weeks of treatment compared to the TT genotypes (β = −0.944, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = −1.482–−0.405). Moreover, during a MDE carriers with rs58619945 GG and GA genotypes performed significantly worse than those with AA genotype on the categories completed (p = 0.013 and p = 0.001), total errors (p = 0.039 and p = 0.009), and random errors (p = 0.055 and p = 0.014, respectively). Our data suggest that the tested CACNA1C SNPs may have impacts on cognitive recovery from depression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kangguang Lin
- Department of Affective Disorders, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.,Laboratory of Emotion and Cognition, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,GMH Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guiyun Xu
- Department of Affective Disorders, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China. .,Laboratory of Emotion and Cognition, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Lingling Shi
- GMH Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Ministry of Education Joint International Research Laboratory of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Co-Innovation Center for Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Weicong Lu
- Department of Affective Disorders, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.,Laboratory of Emotion and Cognition, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lijie Guan
- Department of Affective Disorders, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiyi Ouyang
- Department of Affective Disorders, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China
| | - Kun Chen
- Department of Affective Disorders, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.,Laboratory of Emotion and Cognition, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yamei Dang
- Department of Affective Disorders, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China
| | - Libing Zhou
- GMH Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Ministry of Education Joint International Research Laboratory of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Co-Innovation Center for Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- GMH Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China. .,Ministry of Education Joint International Research Laboratory of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China. .,Co-Innovation Center for Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China. .,The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
The NCAM1 gene set is linked to depressive symptoms and their brain structural correlates in healthy individuals. J Psychiatr Res 2017; 91:116-123. [PMID: 28334615 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Depressive symptoms exist on a continuum, the far end of which is found in depressive disorders. Utilizing the continuous spectrum of depressive symptoms may therefore contribute to the understanding of the biological underpinnings of depression. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) is an important tool for the identification of gene groups linked to complex traits, and was applied in the present study on genome-wide association study (GWAS) data of depression scores and their brain-level structural correlates in healthy young individuals. On symptom level (i.e. depression scores), robust enrichment was identified for two gene sets: NCAM1 Interactions and Collagen Formation. Depression scores were also associated with decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) - a brain white matter property - within the forceps minor and the left superior temporal longitudinal fasciculus. Within each of these tracts, mean FA value of depression score-associated voxels was used as a phenotype in a subsequent GSEA. The NCAM1 Interactions gene set was significantly enriched in these tracts. By linking the NCAM1 Interactions gene set to depression scores and their structural brain correlates in healthy participants, the current study contributes to the understanding of the molecular underpinnings of depressive symptomatology.
Collapse
|
38
|
Harrison PJ, Cipriani A, Harmer CJ, Nobre AC, Saunders K, Goodwin GM, Geddes JR. Innovative approaches to bipolar disorder and its treatment. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2017; 1366:76-89. [PMID: 27111134 PMCID: PMC4850752 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Revised: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
All psychiatric disorders have suffered from a dearth of truly novel pharmacological interventions. In bipolar disorder, lithium remains a mainstay of treatment, six decades since its effects were serendipitously discovered. The lack of progress reflects several factors, including ignorance of the disorder's pathophysiology and the complexities of the clinical phenotype. After reviewing the current status, we discuss some ways forward. First, we highlight the need for a richer characterization of the clinical profile, facilitated by novel devices and new forms of data capture and analysis; such data are already promoting a reevaluation of the phenotype, with an emphasis on mood instability rather than on discrete clinical episodes. Second, experimental medicine can provide early indications of target engagement and therapeutic response, reducing the time, cost, and risk involved in evaluating potential mood stabilizers. Third, genomic data can inform target identification and validation, such as the increasing evidence for involvement of calcium channel genes in bipolar disorder. Finally, new methods and models relevant to bipolar disorder, including stem cells and genetically modified mice, are being used to study key pathways and drug effects. A combination of these approaches has real potential to break the impasse and deliver genuinely new treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Harrison
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Cipriani
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine J Harmer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anna C Nobre
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kate Saunders
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Guy M Goodwin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - John R Geddes
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Coynel D, Gschwind L, Fastenrath M, Freytag V, Milnik A, Spalek K, Papassotiropoulos A, de Quervain DJF. Picture free recall performance linked to the brain's structural connectome. Brain Behav 2017; 7:e00721. [PMID: 28729929 PMCID: PMC5516597 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Memory functions are highly variable between healthy humans. The neural correlates of this variability remain largely unknown. METHODS Here, we investigated how differences in free recall performance are associated with DTI-based properties of the brain's structural connectome and with grey matter volumes in 664 healthy young individuals tested in the same MR scanner. RESULTS Global structural connectivity, but not overall or regional grey matter volumes, positively correlated with recall performance. Moreover, a set of 22 inter-regional connections, including some with no previously reported relation to human memory, such as the connection between the temporal pole and the nucleus accumbens, explained 7.8% of phenotypic variance. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, this large-scale study indicates that individual memory performance is associated with the level of structural brain connectivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Coynel
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience Department of Psychology University of Basel Basel Switzerland.,Transfaculty Research Platform University of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | - Leo Gschwind
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience Department of Psychology University of Basel Basel Switzerland.,Transfaculty Research Platform University of Basel Basel Switzerland.,Division of Molecular Neuroscience Department of Psychology University of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | - Matthias Fastenrath
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience Department of Psychology University of Basel Basel Switzerland.,Transfaculty Research Platform University of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | - Virginie Freytag
- Transfaculty Research Platform University of Basel Basel Switzerland.,Division of Molecular Neuroscience Department of Psychology University of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | - Annette Milnik
- Transfaculty Research Platform University of Basel Basel Switzerland.,Division of Molecular Neuroscience Department of Psychology University of Basel Basel Switzerland.,Psychiatric University Clinics University of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | - Klara Spalek
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience Department of Psychology University of Basel Basel Switzerland.,Transfaculty Research Platform University of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | - Andreas Papassotiropoulos
- Transfaculty Research Platform University of Basel Basel Switzerland.,Division of Molecular Neuroscience Department of Psychology University of Basel Basel Switzerland.,Psychiatric University Clinics University of Basel Basel Switzerland.,Department Biozentrum Life Sciences Training Facility University of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | - Dominique J-F de Quervain
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience Department of Psychology University of Basel Basel Switzerland.,Transfaculty Research Platform University of Basel Basel Switzerland.,Psychiatric University Clinics University of Basel Basel Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
CACNA1C gene regulates behavioral strategies in operant rule learning. PLoS Biol 2017; 15:e2000936. [PMID: 28604818 PMCID: PMC5467799 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2000936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioral experiments are usually designed to tap into a specific cognitive function, but animals may solve a given task through a variety of different and individual behavioral strategies, some of them not foreseen by the experimenter. Animal learning may therefore be seen more as the process of selecting among, and adapting, potential behavioral policies, rather than mere strengthening of associative links. Calcium influx through high-voltage-gated Ca2+ channels is central to synaptic plasticity, and altered expression of Cav1.2 channels and the CACNA1C gene have been associated with severe learning deficits and psychiatric disorders. Given this, we were interested in how specifically a selective functional ablation of the Cacna1c gene would modulate the learning process. Using a detailed, individual-level analysis of learning on an operant cue discrimination task in terms of behavioral strategies, combined with Bayesian selection among computational models estimated from the empirical data, we show that a Cacna1c knockout does not impair learning in general but has a much more specific effect: the majority of Cacna1c knockout mice still managed to increase reward feedback across trials but did so by adapting an outcome-based strategy, while the majority of matched controls adopted the experimentally intended cue-association rule. Our results thus point to a quite specific role of a single gene in learning and highlight that much more mechanistic insight could be gained by examining response patterns in terms of a larger repertoire of potential behavioral strategies. The results may also have clinical implications for treating psychiatric disorders. To deal with an uncertain and complex world, animals have developed a large repertoire of behavioral heuristics and default strategies that spring into action in unknown situations. Building on this a priori repertoire, animals may find various ways to succeed on a given behavioral task. Therefore, determining the exact behavioral strategy followed during a task may be essential for understanding the cognitive processes involved. Using computational models to analyze behavior, we examined how a genetic variation in a gene that encodes a calcium channel and has been associated with learning deficits influences the way in which animals acted on a task in which a reward was associated with a specific behavior. We found that a knockout of the relevant gene does not lead to a general learning impairment but rather led animals to adopt a behavioral strategy different from the one employed by the control animals. Specifically, knockout animals managed to increase their reward returns by basing their responses more on the previous reward location rather than on reward-indicating stimuli, like the controls did. These findings may prove useful for behavioral therapy in the context of psychiatric disorders associated with this specific gene variation.
Collapse
|
41
|
Freytag V, Carrillo-Roa T, Milnik A, Sämann PG, Vukojevic V, Coynel D, Demougin P, Egli T, Gschwind L, Jessen F, Loos E, Maier W, Riedel-Heller SG, Scherer M, Vogler C, Wagner M, Binder EB, de Quervain DJF, Papassotiropoulos A. A peripheral epigenetic signature of immune system genes is linked to neocortical thickness and memory. Nat Commun 2017; 8:15193. [PMID: 28443631 PMCID: PMC5414038 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing age is tightly linked to decreased thickness of the human neocortex. The biological mechanisms that mediate this effect are hitherto unknown. The DNA methylome, as part of the epigenome, contributes significantly to age-related phenotypic changes. Here, we identify an epigenetic signature that is associated with cortical thickness (P=3.86 × 10−8) and memory performance in 533 healthy young adults. The epigenetic effect on cortical thickness was replicated in a sample comprising 596 participants with major depressive disorder and healthy controls. The epigenetic signature mediates partially the effect of age on cortical thickness (P<0.001). A multilocus genetic score reflecting genetic variability of this signature is associated with memory performance (P=0.0003) in 3,346 young and elderly healthy adults. The genomic location of the contributing methylation sites points to the involvement of specific immune system genes. The decomposition of blood methylome-wide patterns bears considerable potential for the study of brain-related traits. Cortical thickness has high heritability estimates and is known to be influenced by genetic factors. Here, Freytag and colleagues show that DNA methylation patterns of peripheral blood monocytes are also correlated with cortical thickness and memory performance in human.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Freytag
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.,Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tania Carrillo-Roa
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, D-80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Annette Milnik
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.,Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.,Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Philipp G Sämann
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, D-80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Vanja Vukojevic
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.,Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.,Department Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, University of Basel, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Coynel
- Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.,Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Demougin
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.,Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.,Department Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, University of Basel, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Egli
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.,Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Leo Gschwind
- Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.,Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frank Jessen
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), D-53175 Bonn, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Cologne, Medical Faculty, D-50924 Cologne, Germany
| | - Eva Loos
- Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.,Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Maier
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), D-53175 Bonn, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, D-53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Steffi G Riedel-Heller
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Scherer
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Vogler
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.,Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.,Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Wagner
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), D-53175 Bonn, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, D-53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Elisabeth B Binder
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, D-80804 Munich, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Dominique J-F de Quervain
- Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.,Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.,Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Papassotiropoulos
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.,Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.,Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland.,Department Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, University of Basel, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Heck A, Milnik A, Vukojevic V, Petrovska J, Egli T, Singer J, Escobar P, Sengstag T, Coynel D, Freytag V, Fastenrath M, Demougin P, Loos E, Hartmann F, Schicktanz N, Delarue Bizzini B, Vogler C, Kolassa IT, Wilker S, Elbert T, Schwede T, Beisel C, Beerenwinkel N, de Quervain DJF, Papassotiropoulos A. Exome sequencing of healthy phenotypic extremes links TROVE2 to emotional memory and PTSD. Nat Hum Behav 2017. [DOI: 10.1038/s41562-017-0081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
|
43
|
Bähner F, Meyer-Lindenberg A. Hippocampal-prefrontal connectivity as a translational phenotype for schizophrenia. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2017; 27:93-106. [PMID: 28089652 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2016.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Finding novel biological targets in psychiatry has been difficult, partly because current diagnostic categories are not defined by pathophysiology and difficult to model in animals. The study of species-conserved systems-level mechanisms implicated in psychiatric disease could be a promising strategy to address some of these difficulties. Altered hippocampal-prefrontal (HC-PFC) connectivity during working memory (WM) processing is a candidate for such a translational phenotype as it has been repeatedly associated with impaired cognition in schizophrenia patients and animal models for psychiatric risk factors. Specifically, persistent hippocampus-dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (HC-DLPFC) coupling during WM is an intermediate phenotype for schizophrenia that has been observed in patients, healthy relatives and carriers of two different risk polymorphisms identified in genome-wide association studies. Rodent studies report reduced coherence between HC and PFC during anesthesia, sleep and task performance in both genetic, environmental and neurodevelopmental models for schizophrenia. We discuss several challenges for translation including differences in anatomy, recording modalities and WM paradigms and suggest that a better understanding of HC-PFC coupling across species can be achieved if translational neuroimaging is used to control for task differences. The evidence for potential neurobiological substrates underlying HC-PFC dysconnectivity is evaluated and research strategies are proposed that aim to bridge the gap between findings from large-scale association studies and disease mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florian Bähner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Heidelberg-Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Heidelberg-Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Hu ML, Zong XF, Mann JJ, Zheng JJ, Liao YH, Li ZC, He Y, Chen XG, Tang JS. A Review of the Functional and Anatomical Default Mode Network in Schizophrenia. Neurosci Bull 2016; 33:73-84. [PMID: 27995564 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-016-0090-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder characterized by impaired perception, delusions, thought disorder, abnormal emotion regulation, altered motor function, and impaired drive. The default mode network (DMN), since it was first proposed in 2001, has become a central research theme in neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. In this review, first we define the DMN and describe its functional activity, functional and anatomical connectivity, heritability, and inverse correlation with the task positive network. Second, we review empirical studies of the anatomical and functional DMN, and anti-correlation between DMN and the task positive network in schizophrenia. Finally, we review preliminary evidence about the relationship between antipsychotic medications and regulation of the DMN, review the role of DMN as a treatment biomarker for this disease, and consider the DMN effects of individualized therapies for schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mao-Lin Hu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Departments of Psychiatry and Radiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders (Xiangya), China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Xiao-Fen Zong
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Departments of Psychiatry and Radiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders (Xiangya), China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - J John Mann
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Departments of Psychiatry and Radiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Jun-Jie Zheng
- Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology and Center for Information in BioMedicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Yan-Hui Liao
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - Zong-Chang Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Ying He
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Xiao-Gang Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.
- Mental Health Institute of Central South University, China National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders (Xiangya), China National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Hunan Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.
| | - Jin-Song Tang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Milnik A, Vogler C, Demougin P, Egli T, Freytag V, Hartmann F, Heck A, Peter F, Spalek K, Stetak A, de Quervain DJF, Papassotiropoulos A, Vukojevic V. Common epigenetic variation in a European population of mentally healthy young adults. J Psychiatr Res 2016; 83:260-268. [PMID: 27710795 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation represents an important link between structural genetic variation and complex phenotypes. The study of genome-wide CpG methylation and its relation to traits relevant to psychiatry has become increasingly important. Here, we analyzed quality metrics of 394,043 CpG sites in two samples of 568 and 319 mentally healthy young adults. For 25% of all CpGs we observed medium to large common epigenetic variation. These CpGs were overrepresented in open sea and shore regions, as well as in intergenic regions. They also showed a strong enrichment of significant hits in association analyses. Furthermore, a significant proportion of common DNA methylation is at least partially genetically driven and thus may be observed similarly across tissues. These findings could be of particular relevance for studies of complex neuropsychiatric traits, which often rely on proxy tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annette Milnik
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Christian Vogler
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Demougin
- Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Department Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, University of Basel, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Egli
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Virginie Freytag
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Francina Hartmann
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Angela Heck
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fabian Peter
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Department Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, University of Basel, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Klara Spalek
- Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Attila Stetak
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Department Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, University of Basel, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dominique J-F de Quervain
- Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Papassotiropoulos
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Department Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, University of Basel, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Vanja Vukojevic
- Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland; Department Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, University of Basel, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Cerebellum Transcriptome of Mice Bred for High Voluntary Activity Offers Insights into Locomotor Control and Reward-Dependent Behaviors. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167095. [PMID: 27893846 PMCID: PMC5125674 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of the cerebellum in motivation and addictive behaviors is less understood than that in control and coordination of movements. High running can be a self-rewarding behavior exhibiting addictive properties. Changes in the cerebellum transcriptional networks of mice from a line selectively bred for High voluntary running (H) were profiled relative to an unselected Control (C) line. The environmental modulation of these changes was assessed both in activity environments corresponding to 7 days of Free (F) access to running wheel and to Blocked (B) access on day 7. Overall, 457 genes exhibited a significant (FDR-adjusted P-value < 0.05) genotype-by-environment interaction effect, indicating that activity genotype differences in gene expression depend on environmental access to running. Among these genes, network analysis highlighted 6 genes (Nrgn, Drd2, Rxrg, Gda, Adora2a, and Rab40b) connected by their products that displayed opposite expression patterns in the activity genotype contrast within the B and F environments. The comparison of network expression topologies suggests that selection for high voluntary running is linked to a predominant dysregulation of hub genes in the F environment that enables running whereas a dysregulation of ancillary genes is favored in the B environment that blocks running. Genes associated with locomotor regulation, signaling pathways, reward-processing, goal-focused, and reward-dependent behaviors exhibited significant genotype-by-environment interaction (e.g. Pak6, Adora2a, Drd2, and Arhgap8). Neuropeptide genes including Adcyap1, Cck, Sst, Vgf, Npy, Nts, Penk, and Tac2 and related receptor genes also exhibited significant genotype-by-environment interaction. The majority of the 183 differentially expressed genes between activity genotypes (e.g. Drd1) were under-expressed in C relative to H genotypes and were also under-expressed in B relative to F environments. Our findings indicate that the high voluntary running mouse line studied is a helpful model for understanding the molecular mechanisms in the cerebellum that influence locomotor control and reward-dependent behaviors.
Collapse
|
47
|
Walter EE, Fernandez F, Snelling M, Barkus E. Genetic Consideration of Schizotypal Traits: A Review. Front Psychol 2016; 7:1769. [PMID: 27895608 PMCID: PMC5108787 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizotypal traits are of interest and importance in their own right and also have theoretical and clinical associations with schizophrenia. These traits comprise attenuated psychotic symptoms, social withdrawal, reduced cognitive capacity, and affective dysregulation. The link between schizotypal traits and psychotic disorders has long since been debated. The status of knowledge at this point is such schizotypal traits are a risk for psychotic disorders, but in and of themselves only confer liability, with other risk factors needing to be present before a transition to psychosis occurs. Investigation of schizotypal traits also has the possibility to inform clinical and research pursuits concerning those who do not make a transition to psychotic disorders. A growing body of literature has investigated the genetic underpinnings of schizotypal traits. Here, we review association, family studies and describe genetic disorders where the expression of schizotypal traits has been investigated. We conducted a thorough review of the existing literature, with multiple search engines, references, and linked articles being searched for relevance to the current review. All articles and book chapters in English were sourced and reviewed for inclusion. Family studies demonstrate that schizotypal traits are elevated with increasing genetic proximity to schizophrenia and some chromosomal regions have been associated with schizotypy. Genes associated with schizophrenia have provided the initial start point for the investigation of candidate genes for schizotypal traits; neurobiological pathways of significance have guided selection of genes of interest. Given the chromosomal regions associated with schizophrenia, some genetic disorders have also considered the expression of schizotypal traits. Genetic disorders considered all comprise a profile of cognitive deficits and over representation of psychotic disorders compared to the general population. We conclude that genetic variations associated with schizotypal traits require further investigation, perhaps with targeted phenotypes narrowed to assist in refining the clinical end point of significance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma E. Walter
- School of Psychology, University of WollongongWollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Francesca Fernandez
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of WollongongWollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Mollie Snelling
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of WollongongWollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Emma Barkus
- School of Psychology, University of WollongongWollongong, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Cipriani A, Saunders K, Attenburrow MJ, Stefaniak J, Panchal P, Stockton S, Lane TA, Tunbridge EM, Geddes JR, Harrison PJ. A systematic review of calcium channel antagonists in bipolar disorder and some considerations for their future development. Mol Psychiatry 2016; 21:1324-32. [PMID: 27240535 PMCID: PMC5030455 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
l-type calcium channel (LTCC) antagonists have been used in bipolar disorder for over 30 years, without becoming an established therapeutic approach. Interest in this class of drugs has been rekindled by the discovery that LTCC genes are part of the genetic aetiology of bipolar disorder and related phenotypes. We have therefore conducted a systematic review of LTCC antagonists in the treatment and prophylaxis of bipolar disorder. We identified 23 eligible studies, with six randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trials, all of which investigated verapamil in acute mania, and finding no evidence that it is effective. Data for other LTCC antagonists (diltiazem, nimodipine, nifedipine, methyoxyverapamil and isradipine) and for other phases of the illness are limited to observational studies, and therefore no robust conclusions can be drawn. Given the increasingly strong evidence for calcium signalling dysfunction in bipolar disorder, the therapeutic candidacy of this class of drugs has become stronger, and hence we also discuss issues relevant to their future development and evaluation. In particular, we consider how genetic, molecular and pharmacological data can be used to improve the selectivity, efficacy and tolerability of LTCC antagonists. We suggest that a renewed focus on LTCCs as targets, and the development of 'brain-selective' LTCC ligands, could be one fruitful approach to innovative pharmacotherapy for bipolar disorder and related phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Cipriani
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - K Saunders
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - M-J Attenburrow
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - J Stefaniak
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - P Panchal
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - S Stockton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - T A Lane
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - E M Tunbridge
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - J R Geddes
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - P J Harrison
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Abstract
Substantial evidence suggests that individual differences in estimates of working memory capacity reflect differences in how effectively people use their intrinsic storage capacity. This suggests that estimated capacity could be increased by instructions that encourage more effective encoding strategies. The present study tested this by giving different participants explicit strategy instructions in a change detection task. Compared to a condition in which participants were simply told to do their best, we found that estimated capacity was increased for participants who were instructed to remember the entire visual display, even at set sizes beyond their capacity. However, no increase in estimated capacity was found for a group that was told to focus on a subset of the items in supracapacity arrays. This finding confirms the hypothesis that encoding strategies may influence visual working memory performance, and it is contrary to the hypothesis that the optimal strategy is to filter out any items beyond the storage capacity.
Collapse
|
50
|
Zheutlin AB, Viehman RW, Fortgang R, Borg J, Smith DJ, Suvisaari J, Therman S, Hultman CM, Cannon TD. Cognitive endophenotypes inform genome-wide expression profiling in schizophrenia. Neuropsychology 2016; 30:40-52. [PMID: 26710095 DOI: 10.1037/neu0000244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We performed a whole-genome expression study to clarify the nature of the biological processes mediating between inherited genetic variations and cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. METHOD Gene expression was assayed from peripheral blood mononuclear cells using Illumina Human WG6 v3.0 chips in twins discordant for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and control twins. After quality control, expression levels of 18,559 genes were screened for association with the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) performance, and any memory-related probes were then evaluated for variation by diagnostic status in the discovery sample (N = 190), and in an independent replication sample (N = 73). Heritability of gene expression using the twin design was also assessed. RESULTS After Bonferroni correction (p < 2.69 × 10-6), CVLT performance was significantly related to expression levels for 76 genes, 43 of which were differentially expressed in schizophrenia patients, with comparable effect sizes in the same direction in the replication sample. For 41 of these 43 transcripts, expression levels were heritable. Nearly all identified genes contain common or de novo mutations associated with schizophrenia in prior studies. CONCLUSION Genes increasing risk for schizophrenia appear to do so in part via effects on signaling cascades influencing memory. The genes implicated in these processes are enriched for those related to RNA processing and DNA replication and include genes influencing G-protein coupled signal transduction, cytokine signaling, and oligodendrocyte function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachael W Viehman
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles
| | | | | | - Desmond J Smith
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|