1
|
Funk D, Araujo J, Slassi M, Lanthier J, Atkinson J, Feng D, Lau W, Lê A, Higgins GA. Effect of a single psilocybin treatment on Fos protein expression in male rat brain. Neuroscience 2024; 539:1-11. [PMID: 38184069 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.01.001] [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: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Psilocybin has received attention as a treatment for depression, stress disorders and drug and alcohol addiction. To help determine the mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects, here we examined acute effects of a range of behaviourally relevant psilocybin doses (0.1-3 mg/kg SC) on regional expression of Fos, the protein product of the immediate early gene, c-fos in brain areas involved in stress, reward and motivation in male rats. We also determined the cellular phenotypes activated by psilocybin, in a co-labeling analysis with NeuN, a marker of mature neurons, or Olig1, a marker of oligodendrocytes. In adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, psilocybin increased Fos expression dose dependently in several brain regions, including the frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, central and basolateral amygdala and locus coeruleus. These effects were most marked in the central amygdala. Double labeling experiments showed that Fos was expressed in both neurons and oligodendrocytes. These results extend previous research by determining Fos expression in multiple brain areas at a wider psilocybin dose range, and the cellular phenotypes expressing Fos. The data also highlight the amygdala, especially the central nucleus, a key brain region involved in emotional processing and learning and interconnected with other brain areas involved in stress, reward and addiction, as a potentially important locus for the therapeutic effects of psilocybin. Overall, the present findings suggest that the central amygdala may be an important site through which the initial brain activation induced by psilocybin is translated into neuroplastic changes, locally and in other regions that underlie its extended therapeutic effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Funk
- Campbell Family Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto M5S 2S1, Canada.
| | - Joseph Araujo
- Transpharmation Ltd., Fergus N1M 2W8, Canada; Mindset Pharma, Toronto M5V 0R2, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Daniel Feng
- Transpharmation Ltd., Fergus N1M 2W8, Canada
| | - Winnie Lau
- Transpharmation Ltd., Fergus N1M 2W8, Canada
| | - Anh Lê
- Campbell Family Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto M5S 2S1, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Guy A Higgins
- Transpharmation Ltd., Fergus N1M 2W8, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A8, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen Y, Liu S, Zhang B, Zhao G, Zhang Z, Li S, Li H, Yu X, Deng H, Cao H. Baseline symptom-related white matter tracts predict individualized treatment response to 12-week antipsychotic monotherapies in first-episode schizophrenia. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:23. [PMID: 38218952 PMCID: PMC10787827 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02714-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024] Open
Abstract
There is significant heterogeneity in individual responses to antipsychotic drugs, but there is no reliable predictor of antipsychotics response in first-episode psychosis. This study aimed to investigate whether psychotic symptom-related alterations in fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) of white matter (WM) at the early stage of the disorder may aid in the individualized prediction of drug response. Sixty-eight first-episode patients underwent baseline structural MRI scans and were subsequently randomized to receive a single atypical antipsychotic throughout the first 12 weeks. Clinical symptoms were evaluated using the eight "core symptoms" selected from the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS-8). Follow-up assessments were conducted at the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks by trained psychiatrists. LASSO regression model and cross-validation were conducted to examine the performance of baseline symptom-related alterations FA and MD of WM in the prediction of individualized treatment outcome. Fifty patients completed both clinical follow-up assessments by the 8th and 12th weeks. 30 patients were classified as responders, and 20 patients were classified as nonresponders. At baseline, the altered diffusion properties of fiber tracts in the anterior thalamic radiation, corticospinal tract, callosum forceps minor, longitudinal fasciculi (ILF), inferior frontal-occipital fasciculi (IFOF) and superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) were related to the severity of symptoms. These abnormal fiber tracts, especially the ILF, IFOF, and SLF, significantly predicted the response to antipsychotic treatment at the individual level (AUC = 0.828, P < 0.001). These findings demonstrate that early microstructural WM changes contribute to the pathophysiology of psychosis and may serve as meaningful individualized predictors of response to antipsychotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Chen
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Hope Recovery and Rehabilitation Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shanming Liu
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Gaofeng Zhao
- Shandong Daizhuang Hospital, Jining, Shangdong, China
| | - Zhuoqiu Zhang
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuiying Li
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Haiming Li
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xin Yu
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Hong Deng
- Hope Recovery and Rehabilitation Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Hengyi Cao
- Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
- Division of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cannabinoid and endocannabinoid system: a promising therapeutic intervention for multiple sclerosis. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:5117-5131. [PMID: 35182322 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07223-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and complex neurodegenerative disease, distinguished by the presence of lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) due to exacerbated immunological responses that inflict oligodendrocytes and the myelin sheath of axons. In recent years, studies have focused on targeted therapeutics for MS that emphasize the role of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), specifically cannabinoids receptors. Clinical studies have suggested the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids derived from Cannabis sativa in relieving pain, tremors and spasticity. Cannabinoids also appear to prevent exaggerated immune responses in CNS due to compromised blood-brain barrier. Both, endocannabinoid system (ECS) modulators and cannabinoid ligands actively promote oligodendrocyte survival by regulating signaling, migration and myelination of nerve cells. The cannabinoid receptors 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2) of ECS are the main ones in focus for therapeutic intervention of MS. Various CB1/CB2 receptors agonists have been experimentally studied which showed anti-inflammatory properties and are considered to be effective as potential therapeutics for MS. In this review, we focused on the exacerbated immune attack on nerve cells and the role of the cannabinoids and its interaction with the ECS in CNS during MS pathology.
Collapse
|
4
|
Wang H, Tian Q, Zhang J, Liu H, Zhang J, Cao W, Zhang X, Li X, Wu L, Song M, Kong Y, Wang W, Wang Y. Blood transcriptome profiling as potential biomarkers of suboptimal health status: potential utility of novel biomarkers for predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine strategy. EPMA J 2021; 12:103-115. [PMID: 34194583 DOI: 10.1007/s13167-021-00238-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The early identification of Suboptimal Health Status (SHS) creates a window opportunity for the predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM) in chronic diseases. Previous studies have observed the alterations in several mRNA levels in SHS individuals. As a promising "omics" technology offering comprehension of genome structure and function at RNA level, transcriptome profiling can provide innovative molecular biomarkers for the predictive identification and targeted prevention of SHS. To explore the potential biomarkers, biological functions, and signalling pathways involved in SHS, an RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq)-based transcriptome analysis was firstly conducted on buffy coat samples collected from 30 participants with SHS and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Transcriptome analysis identified a total of 46 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), in which 22 transcripts were significantly increased and 24 transcripts were decreased in the SHS group. A total of 23 transcripts were selected as candidate predictive biomarkers for SHS. Gene Ontology (GO) annotations and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis revealed that several biological processes were related to SHS, such as ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter and neurodegeneration. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis identified 10 hub genes related to SHS, including GJA1, TWIST2, KRT1, TUBB3, AMHR2, BMP10, MT3, BMPER, NTM, and TMEM98. A transcriptome predictive model can distinguish SHS individuals from the healthy controls with a sensitivity of 83.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 73.9-92.7%), a specificity of 90.0% (95% CI: 82.4-97.6%), and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.938 (95% CI: 0.882-0.994). In the present study, we demonstrated that blood (buffy coat) samples appear to be a very promising and easily accessible biological material for the transcriptomic analyses focused on the objective identification of SHS by using our transcriptome predictive model. The pattern of particularly determined DEGs can be used as predictive transcriptomic biomarkers for the identification of SHS in an individual who may, subjectively, feel healthy, but at the level of subcellular mechanisms, the changes can provide early information about potential health problems in this person. Our findings also indicate the potential therapeutic targets in dealing with chronic diseases related to SHS, such as T2DM and CVD, and an early onset of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, as well as the findings suggest the targets for personalized interventions as promoted in PPPM. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13167-021-00238-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Center for Precision Health, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
| | - Qiuyue Tian
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongqi Liu
- Student Healthcare Center, Weifang University, Weifang, China
| | - Jinxia Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Weijie Cao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Center for Precision Health, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xingang Li
- Center for Precision Health, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
| | - Lijuan Wu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Manshu Song
- Center for Precision Health, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
| | - Yuanyuan Kong
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Center for Precision Health, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
| | - Youxin Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Schoretsanitis G, Baumann P, Conca A, Dietmaier O, Giupponi G, Gründer G, Hahn M, Hart X, Havemann-Reinecke U, Hefner G, Kuzin M, Mössner R, Piacentino D, Steimer W, Zernig G, Hiemke C. Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotic Drugs. Ther Drug Monit 2021; 43:79-102. [PMID: 33196621 DOI: 10.1097/ftd.0000000000000830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) to guide treatment with long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics, which are increasingly prescribed, remains a matter of debate. The aim of this review was to provide a practical framework for the integration of TDM when switching from an oral formulation to the LAI counterpart, and in maintenance treatment. METHODS The authors critically reviewed 3 types of data: (1) positron emission tomography data evaluating dopamine (D2/D3) receptor occupancy related to antipsychotic concentrations in serum or plasma; D2/D3 receptors are embraced as target sites in the brain for antipsychotic efficacy and tolerability, (2) pharmacokinetic studies evaluating the switch from oral to LAI antipsychotics, and (3) pharmacokinetic data for LAI formulations. Based on these data, indications for TDM and therapeutic reference ranges were considered for LAI antipsychotics. RESULTS Antipsychotic concentrations in blood exhibited interindividual variability not only under oral but also under LAI formulations because these concentrations are affected by demographic characteristics such as age and sex, genetic peculiarities, and clinical variables, including comedications and comorbidities. Reported data combined with positron emission tomography evidence indicated a trend toward lower concentrations under LAI administration than under oral medications. However, the available evidence is insufficient to recommend LAI-specific therapeutic reference ranges. CONCLUSIONS Although TDM evidence for newer LAI formulations is limited, this review suggests the use of TDM when switching an antipsychotic from oral to its LAI formulation. The application of TDM practice is more accurate for dose selection than the use of dose equivalents as it accounts more precisely for individual characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Pierre Baumann
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Lausanne, Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Conca
- Department of Psychiatry, Central Hospital, Sanitary Agency of South Tyrol, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Otto Dietmaier
- Psychiatric Hospital, Klinikum am Weissenhof, Weinsberg, Germany
| | - Giancarlo Giupponi
- Department of Psychiatry, Central Hospital, Sanitary Agency of South Tyrol, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Gerhard Gründer
- Department of Molecular Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Martina Hahn
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Xenia Hart
- Department of Molecular Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | - Gudrun Hefner
- Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, Vitos Klinik, Eichberg, Eltville, Germany
| | - Maxim Kuzin
- Psychiatric and Psychotherapeutic Private Clinic Clienia Schlössli, Academic Teaching Hospital of the University of Zurich, Oetwil am See, Switzerland
| | - Rainald Mössner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daria Piacentino
- Department of Psychiatry, Central Hospital, Sanitary Agency of South Tyrol, Bolzano, Italy
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Werner Steimer
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gerald Zernig
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Private Practice for Psychotherapy and Court-Certified Witness, Hall in Tirol, Austria ; and
| | - Christoph Hiemke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Social isolation in rats: Effects on animal welfare and molecular markers for neuroplasticity. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240439. [PMID: 33108362 PMCID: PMC7591026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Early life stress compromises brain development and can contribute to the development of mental illnesses. A common animal model used to study different facets of psychiatric disorders is social isolation from early life on. In rats, this isolation can induce long-lasting alterations in molecular expression and in behavior. Since social isolation models severe psychiatric symptoms, it is to be expected that it affects the overall wellbeing of the animals. As also promoted by the 3Rs principle, though, it is pivotal to decrease the burden of laboratory animals by limiting the number of subjects (reduce, replace) and by improving the animals’ wellbeing (refine). The aim of this study was therefore to test possible refinement strategies such as resocialization and mere adult social isolation. We examined whether the alternatives still triggered the necessary phenotype while minimizing the stress load on the animals. Interestingly, we did not find reduced wellbeing-associated burrowing performance in isolated rats. The hyperactive phenotype seen in socially isolated animals was observed for rats undergoing the adult-only isolation, but resocializing ameliorated the locomotor abnormality. Isolation strongly affected markers of neuroplasticity in the prefrontal cortex independent of timing: mRNA levels of Arc, Bdnf and the pool of Bdnf transcripts with the 3’ long UTR were reduced in all groups. Bdnf splice variant IV expression was reduced in lifelong-isolated animals. Some of these deficits normalized after resocialization; likewise, exon VI Bdnf mRNA levels were reduced only in animals persistently isolated. Conversely, social deprivation did not affect the expression of Gad67 and Pvb, two GABAergic markers, whereas changes occurred in the expression of dopamine d1 and d2 receptors. As adult isolation was sufficient to trigger the hyperactive phenotype and impaired neuroplasticity in the prefrontal cortex, it could be a candidate for a refinement strategy for certain research questions. To fully grade the severity of post-weaning social isolation and the alternatives, adult isolation and resocialization, a more profound and multimodal assessment approach is necessary.
Collapse
|
7
|
Moreno-Rius J. The cerebellum under stress. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 54:100774. [PMID: 31348932 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Stress-related psychiatric conditions are one of the main causes of disability in developed countries. They account for a large portion of resource investment in stress-related disorders, become chronic, and remain difficult to treat. Research on the neurobehavioral effects of stress reveals how changes in certain brain areas, mediated by a number of neurochemical messengers, markedly alter behavior. The cerebellum is connected with stress-related brain areas and expresses the machinery required to process stress-related neurochemical mediators. Surprisingly, it is not regarded as a substrate of stress-related behavioral alterations, despite numerous studies that show cerebellar responsivity to stress. Therefore, this review compiles those studies and proposes a hypothesis for cerebellar function in stressful conditions, relating it to stress-induced psychopathologies. It aims to provide a clearer picture of stress-related neural circuitry and stimulate cerebellum-stress research. Consequently, it might contribute to the development of improved treatment strategies for stress-related disorders.
Collapse
|