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Yan H, Shan X, Li H, Liu F, Xie G, Li P, Guo W. Cerebellar functional connectivity and its associated genes: A longitudinal study in drug-naive patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 177:378-391. [PMID: 39083996 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.07.040] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
The role of cerebellar-cerebral functional connectivity (CC-FC) in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), its trajectory post-pharmacotherapy, and its potential as a prognostic biomarker and genetic mechanism remain uncertain. To address these gaps, this study included 37 drug-naive OCD patients and 37 healthy controls (HCs). Participants underwent baseline functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), followed by four weeks of paroxetine treatment for patients with OCD, and another fMRI scan post-treatment. We examined seed-based CC-FC differences between the patients and HCs, and pre- and post-treatment patients. Support vector regression (SVR) based on CC-FC was performed to predict treatment response. Correlation analysis explored associations between CC-FC and clinical features, as well as gene profiles. Compared to HCs, drug-naive OCD patients exhibited reduced CC-FC in executive, affective-limbic, and sensorimotor networks, with specific genetic profiles associated with altered CC-FC. Gene enrichment analyses highlighted the involvement of these genes in various biological processes, molecular functions, and pathways. Post-treatment, the patients showed partial clinical improvement and partial restoration of the previously decreased CC-FC. Abnormal CC-FC at baseline correlated negatively with compulsions severity and social functional impairment, while changes in CC-FC correlated with cognitive function changes post-treatment. CC-FC emerged as a potential predictor of symptom severity in patients following paroxetine treatment. This longitudinal resting-state fMRI study underscores the crucial role of CC-FC in the neuropsychological mechanisms of OCD and its pharmacological treatment. Transcriptome-neuroimaging spatial correlation analyses provide insight into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying OCD pathology. Furthermore, SVR analyses hold promise for advancing precision medicine approaches in treating patients with OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haohao Yan
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Shan
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Huabing Li
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Guojun Xie
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, 161006, China
| | - Wenbin Guo
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
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McEwan AR, Hing B, Erickson JC, Hutchings G, Urama C, Norton-Hughes E, D'Ippolito M, Berry S, Delibegovic M, Grassmann F, MacKenzie A. An ancient polymorphic regulatory region within the BDNF gene associated with obesity modulates anxiety-like behaviour in mice and humans. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:660-670. [PMID: 38228888 PMCID: PMC11153140 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02359-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Obesity and anxiety are morbidities notable for their increased impact on society during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the mechanisms governing susceptibility to these conditions will increase our quality of life and resilience to future pandemics. In the current study, we explored the function of a highly conserved regulatory region (BE5.1) within the BDNF gene that harbours a polymorphism strongly associated with obesity (rs10767664; p = 4.69 × 10-26). Analysis in primary cells suggested that the major T-allele of BE5.1 was an enhancer, whereas the obesity-associated A-allele was not. However, CRISPR/CAS9 deletion of BE5.1 from the mouse genome (BE5.1KO) produced no significant effect on the expression of BDNF transcripts in the hypothalamus, no change in weight gain after 28 days and only a marginally significant increase in food intake. Nevertheless, transcripts were significantly increased in the amygdala of female mice and elevated zero maze and marble-burying tests demonstrated a significant increase in anxiety-like behaviour that could be reversed by diazepam. Consistent with these observations, human GWAS cohort analysis demonstrated a significant association between rs10767664 and anxiousness in human populations. Intriguingly, interrogation of the human GTEx eQTL database demonstrated no effect on BDNF mRNA levels associated with rs10767664 but a highly significant effect on BDNF-antisense (BDNF-AS) gene expression and splicing. The subsequent observation that deletion of BE5.1 also significantly reduced BDNF-AS expression in mice suggests a novel mechanism in the regulation of BDNF expression common to mice and humans, which contributes to the modulation of mood and anxiety in both species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R McEwan
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB24 2ZD, UK
| | - Benjamin Hing
- Department of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Johanna C Erickson
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB24 2ZD, UK
| | - Greg Hutchings
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB24 2ZD, UK
| | - Charity Urama
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB24 2ZD, UK
| | - Emily Norton-Hughes
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB24 2ZD, UK
| | - Mariam D'Ippolito
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB24 2ZD, UK
| | - Susan Berry
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB24 2ZD, UK
| | - Mirela Delibegovic
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB24 2ZD, UK
| | - Felix Grassmann
- Institute for Clinical Research and Systems Medicine, Health and Medical University, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Alasdair MacKenzie
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB24 2ZD, UK.
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MacKenzie A, Hay EA, McEwan AR. Context-dependant enhancers as a reservoir of functional polymorphisms and epigenetic markers linked to alcohol use disorders and comorbidities. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 2:None. [PMID: 35712020 PMCID: PMC9101288 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2022.100014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Kyzar EJ, Bohnsack JP, Pandey SC. Current and Future Perspectives of Noncoding RNAs in Brain Function and Neuropsychiatric Disease. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:183-193. [PMID: 34742545 PMCID: PMC8959010 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) represent the majority of the transcriptome and play important roles in regulating neuronal functions. ncRNAs are exceptionally diverse in both structure and function and include enhancer RNAs, long ncRNAs, and microRNAs, all of which demonstrate specific temporal and regional expression in the brain. Here, we review recent studies demonstrating that ncRNAs modulate chromatin structure, act as chaperone molecules, and contribute to synaptic remodeling and behavior. In addition, we discuss ncRNA function within the context of neuropsychiatric diseases, particularly focusing on addiction and schizophrenia, and the recent methodological developments that allow for better understanding of ncRNA function in the brain. Overall, ncRNAs represent an underrecognized molecular contributor to complex neuronal processes underlying neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan J Kyzar
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
| | - John Peyton Bohnsack
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Subhash C Pandey
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
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Ortiz-Valladares M, Pedraza-Medina R, Pinto-González MF, Muñiz JG, Gonzalez-Perez O, Moy-López NA. Neurobiological approaches of high-fat diet intake in early development and their impact on mood disorders in adulthood: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 129:218-230. [PMID: 34324919 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The early stage of development is a vulnerable period for progeny neurodevelopment, altering cytogenetic and correct cerebral functionality. The exposure High-Fat Diet (HFD) is a factor that impacts the future mental health of individuals. This review analyzes possible mechanisms involved in the development of mood disorders in adulthood because of maternal HFD intake during gestation and lactation, considering previously reported findings in the last five years, both in humans and animal models. Maternal HFD could induce alterations in mood regulation, reported as increased stress response, anxiety-like behavior, and depressive-like behavior. These changes were mostly related to HPA axis dysregulations and neuroinflammatory responses. In conclusion, there could be a relationship between HFD consumption during the early stages of life and the development of psychopathologies during adulthood. These findings provide guidelines for the understanding of possible mechanisms involved in mood disorders, however, there is still a need for more human clinical studies that provide evidence to improve the understanding of maternal nutrition and future mental health outcomes in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ricardo Pedraza-Medina
- Medical Science Postgraduate Program, School of Medicine, University of Colima, Colima, Mexico
| | | | - Jorge Guzmán Muñiz
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima, Mexico
| | - Oscar Gonzalez-Perez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima, Mexico
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McEwan A, Erickson JC, Davidson C, Heijkoop J, Turnbull Y, Delibegovic M, Murgatroyd C, MacKenzie A. The anxiety and ethanol intake controlling GAL5.1 enhancer is epigenetically modulated by, and controls preference for, high-fat diet. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 78:3045-3055. [PMID: 33313982 PMCID: PMC8004485 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03705-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Excess maternal fat intake and obesity increase offspring susceptibility to conditions such as chronic anxiety and substance abuse. We hypothesised that environmentally modulated DNA methylation changes (5mC/5hmC) in regulatory regions of the genome that modulate mood and consumptive behaviours could contribute to susceptibility to these conditions. We explored the effects of environmental factors on 5mC/5hmC levels within the GAL5.1 enhancer that controls anxiety-related behaviours and alcohol intake. We first observed that 5mC/5hmC levels within the GAL5.1 enhancer differed significantly in different parts of the brain. Moreover, we noted that early life stress had no significant effect of 5mC/5hmC levels within GAL5.1. In contrast, we identified that allowing access of pregnant mothers to high-fat diet (> 60% calories from fat) had a significant effect on 5mC/5hmC levels within GAL5.1 in hypothalamus and amygdala of resulting male offspring. Cell transfection-based studies using GAL5.1 reporter plasmids showed that 5mC has a significant repressive effect on GAL5.1 activity and its response to known stimuli, such as EGR1 transcription factor expression and PKC agonism. Intriguingly, CRISPR-driven disruption of GAL5.1 from the mouse genome, although having negligible effects on metabolism or general appetite, significantly decreased intake of high-fat diet suggesting that GAL5.1, in addition to being epigenetically modulated by high-fat diet, also actively contributes to the consumption of high-fat diet suggesting its involvement in an environmentally influenced regulatory loop. Furthermore, considering that GAL5.1 also controls alcohol preference and anxiety these studies may provide a first glimpse into an epigenetically controlled mechanism that links maternal high-fat diet with transgenerational susceptibility to alcohol abuse and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew McEwan
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK
| | - Johanna Celene Erickson
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK
| | - Connor Davidson
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK
| | - Jenny Heijkoop
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK
| | - Yvonne Turnbull
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK
| | - Mirela Delibegovic
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK
| | | | - Alasdair MacKenzie
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK.
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McEwan AR, MacKenzie A. Perspective: Quality Versus Quantity; Is It Important to Assess the Role of Enhancers in Complex Disease from an In Vivo Perspective? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7856. [PMID: 33113946 PMCID: PMC7660172 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21217856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sequencing of the human genome has permitted the development of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to analyze the genetics of a number of complex disorders such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse. Thanks to their ability to analyze huge cohort sizes, these studies have successfully identified thousands of loci associated with a broad spectrum of complex diseases. Disconcertingly, the majority of these GWAS hits occur in non-coding regions of the genome, much of which controls the cell-type-specific expression of genes essential to health. In contrast to gene coding sequences, it is a challenge to understand the function of this non-coding regulatory genome using conventional biochemical techniques in cell lines. The current commentary scrutinizes the field of complex genetics from the standpoint of the large-scale whole-genome functional analysis of the promoters and cis-regulatory elements using chromatin markers. We contrast these large scale quantitative techniques against comparative genomics and in vivo analyses including CRISPR/CAS9 genome editing to determine the functional characteristics of these elements and to understand how polymorphic variation and epigenetic changes within these elements might contribute to complex disease and drug response. Most importantly, we suggest that, although the role of chromatin markers will continue to be important in identifying and characterizing enhancers, more emphasis must be placed on their analysis in relevant in-vivo models that take account of the appropriate cell-type-specific roles of these elements. It is hoped that offering these insights might refocus progress in analyzing the data tsunami of non-coding GWAS and whole-genome sequencing "hits" that threatens to overwhelm progress in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alasdair MacKenzie
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK;
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Kyzar EJ, Pandey SC. Epigenetic regulation of enhancer RNAs in neuropsychiatric disease and addiction. Epigenomics 2020; 12:889-892. [PMID: 32787712 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2020-0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Evan J Kyzar
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.,Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Subhash C Pandey
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.,Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.,Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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