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Yeung J, DeYoung T, Spring S, de Guzman AE, Elder MW, Beauchamp A, Wong CS, Palmert MR, Lerch JP, Nieman BJ. Sex chromosomes and hormones independently influence healthy brain development but act similarly after cranial radiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2404042121. [PMID: 39207735 PMCID: PMC11388377 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2404042121] [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: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The course of normal development and response to pathology are strongly influenced by biological sex. For instance, female childhood cancer survivors who have undergone cranial radiation therapy (CRT) tend to display more pronounced cognitive deficits than their male counterparts. Sex effects can be the result of sex chromosome complement (XX vs. XY) and/or gonadal hormone influence. The contributions of each can be separated using the four-core genotype mouse model (FCG), where sex chromosome complement and gonadal sex are decoupled. While studies of FCG mice have evaluated brain differences in adulthood, it is still unclear how sex chromosome and sex hormone effects emerge through development in both healthy and pathological contexts. Our study utilizes longitudinal MRI with the FCG model to investigate sex effects in healthy development and after CRT in wildtype and immune-modified Ccl2-knockout mice. Our findings in normally developing mice reveal a relatively prominent chromosome effect prepubertally, compared to sex hormone effects which largely emerge later. Spatially, sex chromosome and hormone influences were independent of one another. After CRT in Ccl2-knockout mice, both male chromosomes and male hormones similarly improved brain outcomes but did so more separately than in combination. Our findings highlight the crucial role of sex chromosomes in early development and identify roles for sex chromosomes and hormones after CRT-induced inflammation, highlighting the influences of biological sex in both normal brain development and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Yeung
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON M5T 3H7, Canada
- Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Taylor DeYoung
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON M5T 3H7, Canada
- Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Shoshana Spring
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON M5T 3H7, Canada
| | - A Elizabeth de Guzman
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON M5T 3H7, Canada
- Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5G 1L7, Canada
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto TN 38068, Italy
| | - Madeline W Elder
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON M5T 3H7, Canada
| | - Antoine Beauchamp
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON M5T 3H7, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - C Shun Wong
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Odette Cancer Centre, Toronto ON M4N 3M5, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5T 1P5, Canada
| | - Mark R Palmert
- Division of Endocrinology, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Genetics and Genome Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Jason P Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON M5T 3H7, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5G 1L7, Canada
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, OXF OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, OXF OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Brian J Nieman
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON M5T 3H7, Canada
- Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5G 1L7, Canada
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada
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Sultana OF, Bandaru M, Islam MA, Reddy PH. Unraveling the complexity of human brain: Structure, function in healthy and disease states. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 100:102414. [PMID: 39002647 PMCID: PMC11384519 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102414] [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: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
The human brain stands as an intricate organ, embodying a nexus of structure, function, development, and diversity. This review delves into the multifaceted landscape of the brain, spanning its anatomical intricacies, diverse functional capacities, dynamic developmental trajectories, and inherent variability across individuals. The dynamic process of brain development, from early embryonic stages to adulthood, highlights the nuanced changes that occur throughout the lifespan. The brain, a remarkably complex organ, is composed of various anatomical regions, each contributing uniquely to its overall functionality. Through an exploration of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and electrophysiology, this review elucidates how different brain structures interact to support a wide array of cognitive processes, sensory perception, motor control, and emotional regulation. Moreover, it addresses the impact of age, sex, and ethnic background on brain structure and function, and gender differences profoundly influence the onset, progression, and manifestation of brain disorders shaped by genetic, hormonal, environmental, and social factors. Delving into the complexities of the human brain, it investigates how variations in anatomical configuration correspond to diverse functional capacities across individuals. Furthermore, it examines the impact of neurodegenerative diseases on the structural and functional integrity of the brain. Specifically, our article explores the pathological processes underlying neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases, shedding light on the structural alterations and functional impairments that accompany these conditions. We will also explore the current research trends in neurodegenerative diseases and identify the existing gaps in the literature. Overall, this article deepens our understanding of the fundamental principles governing brain structure and function and paves the way for a deeper understanding of individual differences and tailored approaches in neuroscience and clinical practice-additionally, a comprehensive understanding of structural and functional changes that manifest in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omme Fatema Sultana
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Madhuri Bandaru
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Md Ariful Islam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - P Hemachandra Reddy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; Nutritional Sciences Department, College of Human Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; Department of Neurology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA 5. Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA.
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3
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Aydoğan Avşar P, Kara T, Kocaman O, Akkuş M. The relationship between digit ratio (2D:4D) and intelligence levels in specific learning disorders. Early Hum Dev 2024; 196:106085. [PMID: 39084185 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2024.106085] [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: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Higher prenatal testosterone exposure regulates brain development and affects learning and intelligence directly. The digit ratio (2D:4D) is regarded as an indicator of prenatal testosterone exposure. This study aims to investigate the 2D:4D ratios and intelligence levels in individuals with specific learning disorders (SLD) and compare the ratios with healthy subjects. METHODS The study included a total of 117 patients diagnosed with SLD and 67 healthy controls. We measured the 2D:4D ratios and administered the Wechsler-Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised to assess intelligence quotient (IQ) scores in the SLD group. Sociodemographic data was obtained for both patients and healthy subjects and compared in both groups, as well as 2D:4D ratios. RESULTS Compared to healthy controls, both-hand 2D:4D ratios were found to be lower in the SLD group. In addition, male and female participants with SLD showed lower 2D:4D ratios in both hands than controls. The total scores on the WISC-R were found to decrease as the right-hand 2D:4D ratios and the age increased in the SLD group. CONCLUSION Our findings add to the literature examining the influence of prenatal testosterone exposure on learning and intelligence in the SLD sample. Further research in this domain may yield valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms and potential clinical implications for the management of SLDs examining additional variables that could potentially impact alongside the impact of sex hormones on brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pınar Aydoğan Avşar
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Alanya Education and Research Hospital, Antalya 07425, Turkey.
| | - Tayfun Kara
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University Faculty of Medicine, Antalya 07425, Turkey
| | - Orhan Kocaman
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University Faculty of Medicine, Antalya 07425, Turkey
| | - Merve Akkuş
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Kütahya Health Sciences University, Kütahya 43100, Turkey
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McLamb F, Feng Z, Vu JP, Griffin L, Vasquez MF, Bozinovic G. Lagging Brain Gene Expression Patterns of Drosophila melanogaster Young Adult Males Confound Comparisons Between Sexes. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04427-7. [PMID: 39196495 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04427-7] [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: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Many species, including fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), are sexually dimorphic. Phenotypic variation in morphology, physiology, and behavior can affect development, reproduction, health, and aging. Therefore, designating sex as a variable and sex-blocking should be considered when designing experiments. The brain regulates phenotypes throughout the lifespan by balancing survival and reproduction, and sex-specific development at each life stage is likely. Changes in morphology and physiology are governed by differential gene expression, a quantifiable molecular marker for age- and sex-specific variations. We assessed the fruit fly brain transcriptome at three adult ages for gene expression signatures of sex, age, and sex-by-age: 6698 genes were differentially expressed between sexes, with the most divergence at 3 days. Between ages, 31.1% of 6084 differentially expressed genes (1890 genes) share similar expression patterns from 3 to 7 days in females, and from 7 to 14 days in males. Most of these genes (90.5%, 1712) were upregulated and enriched for chemical stimulus detection and/or cilium regulation. Our data highlight an important delay in male brain gene regulation compared to females. Because significant delays in expression could confound comparisons between sexes, studies of sexual dimorphism at phenotypically comparable life stages rather than chronological age should be more biologically relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flannery McLamb
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Extended Studies, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Zuying Feng
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jeanne P Vu
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Lindsey Griffin
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Extended Studies, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Miguel F Vasquez
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
- National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Goran Bozinovic
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
- Center for Life in Extreme Environments, Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA.
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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5
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Zhou Y, Long Y. Sex differences in human brain networks in normal and psychiatric populations from the perspective of small-world properties. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1456714. [PMID: 39238939 PMCID: PMC11376280 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1456714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Females and males are known to be different in the prevalences of multiple psychiatric disorders, while the underlying neural mechanisms are unclear. Based on non-invasive neuroimaging techniques and graph theory, many researchers have tried to use a small-world network model to elucidate sex differences in the brain. This manuscript aims to compile the related research findings from the past few years and summarize the sex differences in human brain networks in both normal and psychiatric populations from the perspective of small-world properties. We reviewed published reports examining altered small-world properties in both the functional and structural brain networks between males and females. Based on four patterns of altered small-world properties proposed: randomization, regularization, stronger small-worldization, and weaker small-worldization, we found that current results point to a significant trend toward more regularization in normal females and more randomization in normal males in functional brain networks. On the other hand, there seems to be no consensus to date on the sex differences in small-world properties of the structural brain networks in normal populations. Nevertheless, we noticed that the sample sizes in many published studies are small, and future studies with larger samples are warranted to obtain more reliable results. Moreover, the number of related studies conducted in psychiatric populations is still limited and more investigations might be needed. We anticipate that these conclusions will contribute to a deeper understanding of the sex differences in the brain, which may be also valuable for developing new methods in the treatment of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Zhou
- School of Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yicheng Long
- Department of Psychiatry, and National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Solomon J, Gutierrez-Reyes CD, Chávez-Reyes J, Onigbinde S, Marichal-Cancino BA, López-Lariz CH, Beck M, Mechref Y. Neuroglycome alterations of hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of juvenile rats chronically exposed to glyphosate-based herbicide. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1442772. [PMID: 39234181 PMCID: PMC11371619 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1442772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) have been shown to have significant neurotoxic effects, affecting both the structure and function of the brain, and potentially contributing to the development of neurodegenerative disorders. Despite the known importance of glycosylation in disease progression, the glycome profile of systems exposed to GBH has not been thoroughly investigated. Methods In this study, we conducted a comprehensive glycomic profiling using LC-MS/MS, on the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) of juvenile rats exposed to GBH orally, aiming to identify glyco-signature aberrations after herbicide exposure. Results We observed changes in the glycome profile, particularly in fucosylated, high mannose, and sialofucosylated N-glycans, which may be triggered by GBH exposure. Moreover, we found major significant differences in the N-glycan profiles between the GBH-exposed group and the control group when analyzing each gender independently, in contrast to the analysis that included both genders. Notably, gender differences in the behavioral test of object recognition showed a decreased performance in female animals exposed to GBH compared to controls (p < 0.05), while normal behavior was recorded in GBH-exposed male rats (p > 0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest that glycans may play a role in the neurotoxic effect caused by GBH. The result suggests that gender variation may influence the response to GBH exposure, with potential implications for disease progression and specifically the neurotoxic effects of GBHs. Understanding these gender-specific responses could enhance knowledge of the mechanisms underlying GBH-induced toxicity and its impact on brain health. Overall, our study represents the first detailed analysis of N-glycome profiles in the hippocampus and PFC of rats chronically exposed to GBH. The observed alterations in the expression of N-glycan structures suggest a potential neurotoxic effect associated with chronic GBH exposure, highlighting the importance of further research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy Solomon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | | | - Jesús Chávez-Reyes
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Center of Basic Sciences, Universidad Autonoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico
| | - Sherifdeen Onigbinde
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Bruno A Marichal-Cancino
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Center of Basic Sciences, Universidad Autonoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico
| | - Carlos H López-Lariz
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Center of Basic Sciences, Universidad Autonoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico
| | - Mia Beck
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Yehia Mechref
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
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Aydin H, Aytac A, Bulbul E, Yanik B, Korkut O, Gulcen B. A Comparison of Pre- and Post-Treatment Cranial MRI Characteristics in Patients with Pediatric Epilepsy Receiving Levetiracetam. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:1355. [PMID: 39202636 PMCID: PMC11356224 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60081355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: This study was performed for the purpose of assessing whether antiepileptic levetiracetam treatment produces a change in brain volumes in children with epilepsy. To that end, we compared the volumes of the basal ganglia (caudate nucleus, putamen, globus, hip-pocampus, and thalamus) at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after treatment (months 18-24) in pediatric epilepsy patients using levetiracetam. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study involved a volumetric comparison of patients presenting to the Balikesir University Medical Faculty pediatric neurology clinic between 01.08.2019 and 01.11.2023 and diagnosed with epilepsy, and who underwent cranial MRI before and 18-24 months after treatment at the radiology department. The demographic and clinical characteristics (age, sex, family history of epilepsy, type of epilepsy, and EEG features (normal, abnormal, epileptiform)) of the patients included in the study were recorded. Results: The comparison of basal ganglia volumes at cranial MRI before and at months 18-24 of treatment revealed significant differences in the left caudate nucleus, right putamen, left putamen, left globus pallidus, right thalamus, left thalamus, and right hippocampal regions. Conclusions: In conclusion, differing findings are encountered at cranial imaging in patients with epilepsy, depending on the seizure frequency, activity, and the type of antiepileptic drugs used. This study compared basal ganglia volumes on cranial MRIs taken before and 18-24 months after treatment in pediatric epilepsy patients using levetiracetam. A significant increase was observed in the volumes of basal ganglia (caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, hippocampus, and thalamus) on the MRIs of pediatric epilepsy patients using levetiracetam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilal Aydin
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Balikesir University, Balikesir 10145, Türkiye
| | - Adil Aytac
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Balikesir University, Balikesir 10145, Türkiye; (A.A.); (E.B.); (B.Y.)
| | - Erdogan Bulbul
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Balikesir University, Balikesir 10145, Türkiye; (A.A.); (E.B.); (B.Y.)
| | - Bahar Yanik
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Balikesir University, Balikesir 10145, Türkiye; (A.A.); (E.B.); (B.Y.)
| | - Oguzhan Korkut
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Balikesir University, Balikesir 10145, Türkiye;
| | - Burak Gulcen
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Balikesir University, Balikesir 10145, Türkiye;
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Taghvaei M, Jones CK, Luna LP, Gujar SK, Sair HI. Asymmetry of the Frontal Aslant Tract Depends on Handedness. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2024; 45:1090-1097. [PMID: 38964863 PMCID: PMC11383403 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a8270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The human brain displays structural and functional disparities between its hemispheres, with such asymmetry extending to the frontal aslant tract. This plays a role in a variety of cognitive functions, including speech production, language processing, and executive functions. However, the factors influencing the laterality of the frontal aslant tract remain incompletely understood. Handedness is hypothesized to impact frontal aslant tract laterality, given its involvement in both language and motor control. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between handedness and frontal aslant tract lateralization, providing insight into this aspect of brain organization. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Automated Tractography Pipeline was used to generate the frontal aslant tract for both right and left hemispheres in a cohort of 720 subjects sourced from the publicly available Human Connectome Project in Aging database. Subsequently, macrostructural and microstructural parameters of the right and left frontal aslant tract were extracted for each individual in the study population. The Edinburgh Handedness Inventory scores were used for the classification of handedness, and a comparative analysis across various handedness groups was performed. RESULTS An age-related decline in both macrostructural parameters and microstructural integrity was noted within the studied population. The frontal aslant tract demonstrated a greater volume and larger diameter in male subjects compared with female participants. Additionally, a left-side laterality of the frontal aslant tract was observed within the general population. In the right-handed group, the volume (P < .001), length (P < .001), and diameter (P = .004) of the left frontal aslant tract were found to be higher than those of the right frontal aslant tract. Conversely, in the left-handed group, the volume (P = .040) and diameter (P = .032) of the left frontal aslant tract were lower than those of the right frontal aslant tract. Furthermore, in the right-handed group, the volume and diameter of the frontal aslant tract showed left-sided lateralization, while in the left-handed group, a right-sided lateralization was evident. CONCLUSIONS The laterality of the frontal aslant tract appears to differ with handedness. This finding highlights the complex interaction between brain lateralization and handedness, emphasizing the importance of considering handedness as a factor in evaluating brain structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Taghvaei
- From the Department of Neurology (M.T.), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Craig K Jones
- Department of Computer Science (C.K.J.), The Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
- The Malone Center for Engineering in Healthcare (C.K.J., H.I.S.), The Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
- The Russell. H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science (C.K.J., L.P.L., S.K.G., H.I.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Licia P Luna
- The Russell. H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science (C.K.J., L.P.L., S.K.G., H.I.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sachin K Gujar
- The Russell. H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science (C.K.J., L.P.L., S.K.G., H.I.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Haris I Sair
- The Malone Center for Engineering in Healthcare (C.K.J., H.I.S.), The Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
- The Russell. H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science (C.K.J., L.P.L., S.K.G., H.I.S.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Wang Y, Zhu D, Zhao L, Wang X, Zhang Z, Hu B, Wu D, Zheng W. Profiling cortical morphometric similarity in perinatal brains: Insights from development, sex difference, and inter-individual variation. Neuroimage 2024; 295:120660. [PMID: 38815676 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120660] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The topological organization of the macroscopic cortical networks important for the development of complex brain functions. However, how the cortical morphometric organization develops during the third trimester and whether it demonstrates sexual and individual differences at this particular stage remain unclear. Here, we constructed the morphometric similarity network (MSN) based on morphological and microstructural features derived from multimodal MRI of two independent cohorts (cross-sectional and longitudinal) scanned at 30-44 postmenstrual weeks (PMW). Sex difference and inter-individual variations of the MSN were also examined on these cohorts. The cross-sectional analysis revealed that both network integration and segregation changed in a nonlinear biphasic trajectory, which was supported by the results obtained from longitudinal analysis. The community structure showed remarkable consistency between bilateral hemispheres and maintained stability across PMWs. Connectivity within the primary cortex strengthened faster than that within high-order communities. Compared to females, male neonates showed a significant reduction in the participation coefficient within prefrontal and parietal cortices, while their overall network organization and community architecture remained comparable. Furthermore, by using the morphometric similarity as features, we achieved over 65 % accuracy in identifying an individual at term-equivalent age from images acquired after birth, and vice versa. These findings provide comprehensive insights into the development of morphometric similarity throughout the perinatal cortex, enhancing our understanding of the establishment of neuroanatomical organization during early life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Dalin Zhu
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-Care Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Leilei Zhao
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaomin Wang
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Institute of Brain Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China; School of Physics, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bin Hu
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China; School of Medical Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Dan Wu
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Weihao Zheng
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
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Duda JM, Moser AD, Ironside M, Null KE, Holsen LM, Zuo CS, Du F, Esfand SM, Chen X, Perlo S, Richards CE, Lobien R, Alexander M, Misra M, Goldstein JM, Pizzagalli DA. Effects of GABA, Sex, and Stress on Reward Learning in Current and Remitted Major Depression. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2024; 9:606-615. [PMID: 38417785 PMCID: PMC11156537 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurocognitive factors including aberrant reward learning, blunted GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), and potentiated stress sensitivity have been linked to anhedonia, a hallmark depressive symptom, possibly in a sex-dependent manner. However, previous research has not investigated the putative associations among these factors or the extent to which they represent trait- or state-based vulnerabilities for depression. METHODS Young adults with current major depressive disorder (MDD) (n = 44), remitted MDD (n = 42), and healthy control participants (HCs) (n = 44), stratified by sex assigned at birth, underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy to assess macromolecular contaminated GABA (GABA+) and then a reward learning task before and after acute stress. We assessed changes in reward learning after stress and associations with GABA+. RESULTS Results revealed blunted baseline reward learning in participants with remitted MDD versus participants with current MDD and HCs but, surprisingly, no differences between participants with current MDD and HCs. Reward learning was reduced following acute stress regardless of depressive history. GABA+ in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex, but not the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, was associated with reduced baseline reward learning only in female participants. GABA+ did not predict stress-related changes in reward learning. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate associations among GABA, reward learning, and stress reactivity in current versus past depression. Hypothesized depression-related differences in reward learning did not emerge, precluding claims about state versus trait vulnerabilities. However, our finding that blunted GABA was associated with greater reward learning in female participants provides novel insights into sex-selective associations between the frontal GABAergic inhibitory system and reward processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Duda
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts; Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Amelia D Moser
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Maria Ironside
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts; Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, Oklahoma
| | - Kaylee E Null
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts; Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Laura M Holsen
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Women's Health, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Chun S Zuo
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; McLean Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Fei Du
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; McLean Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Shiba M Esfand
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Xi Chen
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; McLean Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Sarah Perlo
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Christine E Richards
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Rachel Lobien
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Madeline Alexander
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Madhusmita Misra
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jill M Goldstein
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Women's Health, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Innovation Center on Sex Differences in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Diego A Pizzagalli
- Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; McLean Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts.
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11
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Fabian CB, Jordan ND, Cole RH, Carley LG, Thompson SM, Seney ML, Joffe ME. Parvalbumin interneuron mGlu 5 receptors govern sex differences in prefrontal cortex physiology and binge drinking. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024:10.1038/s41386-024-01889-0. [PMID: 38773314 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01889-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Despite established sex differences in the prevalence and presentation of psychiatric disorders, little is known about the cellular and synaptic mechanisms that guide these differences under basal conditions. The proper function of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is essential for the top-down regulation of motivated behaviors. The activity of the PFC is tightly controlled by parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PV-INs), a key subpopulation of fast-spiking GABAergic cells that regulate cortical excitability through direct innervations onto the perisomatic regions of nearby pyramidal cells. Recent rodent studies have identified notable sex differences in PV-IN activity and adaptations to experiences such as binge drinking. Here, we investigated the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie sex-specific regulation of PFC PV-IN function. Using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology and selective pharmacology, we report that PV-INs from female mice are more excitable than those from males. Moreover, we find that mGlu1 and mGlu5 metabotropic glutamate receptors regulate cell excitability, excitatory drive, and endocannabinoid signaling at PFC PV-INs in a sex-dependent manner. Genetic deletion of mGlu5 receptors from PV-expressing cells abrogates all sex differences observed in PV-IN membrane and synaptic physiology. Lastly, we report that female, but not male, PV-mGlu5-/- mice exhibit decreased voluntary drinking on an intermittent access schedule, which could be related to changes in ethanol's stimulant properties. Importantly, these studies identify mGlu1 and mGlu5 receptors as candidate signaling molecules involved in sex differences in PV-IN activity and behaviors relevant to alcohol use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly B Fabian
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nilah D Jordan
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Rebecca H Cole
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Lily G Carley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Shannon M Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Marianne L Seney
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Max E Joffe
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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12
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Dart DA, Bevan CL, Uysal-Onganer P, Jiang WG. Analysis of androgen receptor expression and activity in the mouse brain. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11115. [PMID: 38750183 PMCID: PMC11096401 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61733-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the core treatment for advanced prostate cancer (PCa), with a proven survival benefit. ADT lowers circulating testosterone levels throughout the body, but with it comes a variety of reported side effects including fatigue, muscle wastage, weight gain, hot flushes and importantly cognitive impairment, depression, and mood swings. Testosterone has a key role in brain masculinization, but its direct effects are relatively poorly understood, due both to the brain's extreme complexity and the fact that some of testosterone activities are driven via local conversion to oestrogen, especially during embryonic development. The exact roles, function, and location of the androgen receptor (AR) in the adult male brain are still being discovered, and therefore the cognitive side effects of ADT may be unrecognized or under-reported. The age of onset of several neurological diseases overlap with PCa, therefore, there is a need to separate ADT side effects from such co-morbidities. Here we analysed the activity and expression level of the AR in the adult mouse brain, using an ARE-Luc reporter mouse and immunohistochemical staining for AR in all the key brain regions via coronal slices. We further analysed our data by comparing to the Allen Mouse Brain Atlas. AR-driven luciferase activity and distinct nuclear staining for AR were seen in several key brain areas including the thalamus, hypothalamus, olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, Purkinje cells of the cerebellum and the hindbrain. We describe and discuss the potential role of AR in these areas, to inform and enable extrapolation to potential side effects of ADT in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Alwyn Dart
- UCL (University College London) Cancer Institute, University College London, Paul O'Gorman Building, 72 Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6DD, UK.
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Cardiff China Medical Research Collaborative, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4YS, UK.
| | - Charlotte L Bevan
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Pinar Uysal-Onganer
- Cancer Mechanisms and Biomarkers Research Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London, W1W 6UW, UK
| | - Wen Guo Jiang
- Cardiff China Medical Research Collaborative, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4YS, UK
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13
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Li J, Wang X, Liu M, Yin Y, Wu Y, Xu G, Ma X. Sex-specific grey matter abnormalities in individuals with chronic insomnia. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:2301-2310. [PMID: 38063921 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-07224-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies have reported sex differences in altered brain function in patients with chronic insomnia (CI). However, sex-related alterations in brain morphology have rarely been investigated. This study aimed to investigate sex-specific grey matter (GM) alterations in patients with CI and to examine the relationship between GM alterations and neuropsychological assessments. Ninety-three (65 females and 28 males) patients and 78 healthy (50 females and 28 males) controls were recruited. Structural magnetic resonance imaging data were analysed using voxel-based morphometry to test for interactions between sex and diagnosis. Spearman's correlation was used to assess the associations among structure, disease duration, and sleep-, mood-, and cognition-related assessments. Males with CI showed reduced GM volume in the left inferior parietal lobe, left middle cingulate cortex, and right supramarginal gyrus. Females with CI showed increased GM volume in the right Rolandic operculum. Moreover, mood-related assessments were negatively correlated with GM volumes in the right supramarginal gyrus and left inferior parietal lobe in the male patients, and cognitive-related assessments were positively correlated with GM volumes in the Rolandic operculum in the female patients. Our findings indicate sex-specific alterations in brain morphology in CI, thereby broadening our understanding of sex differences in CI and potentially providing complementary evidence for the development of more effective therapies and individual treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Li
- Department of Nuclear medicine, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, No.466 Road XinGang, Guangzhou, 510317, P. R. China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medial University, No. 253 Industrial Avenue Central, Guangzhou, 510260, P. R. China
| | - Xinzhi Wang
- Department of Nuclear medicine, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, No.466 Road XinGang, Guangzhou, 510317, P. R. China
| | - Mengchen Liu
- Department of Nuclear medicine, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, No.466 Road XinGang, Guangzhou, 510317, P. R. China
| | - Yi Yin
- Department of Nuclear medicine, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, No.466 Road XinGang, Guangzhou, 510317, P. R. China
| | - Yunfan Wu
- Department of Nuclear medicine, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, No.466 Road XinGang, Guangzhou, 510317, P. R. China
| | - Guang Xu
- Department of Neurology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, No.466 Road XinGang, Guangzhou, 510317, P. R. China
| | - Xiaofen Ma
- Department of Nuclear medicine, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, No.466 Road XinGang, Guangzhou, 510317, P. R. China.
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medial University, No. 253 Industrial Avenue Central, Guangzhou, 510260, P. R. China.
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14
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Bohnsack JP, Zhang H, Pandey SC. EZH2-dependent epigenetic reprogramming in the central nucleus of amygdala regulates adult anxiety in both sexes after adolescent alcohol exposure. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:197. [PMID: 38670959 PMCID: PMC11053082 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02906-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use and anxiety disorders occur in both males and females, but despite sharing similar presentation and classical symptoms, the prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) is lower in females. While anxiety is a symptom and comorbidity shared by both sexes, the common underlying mechanism that leads to AUD and the subsequent development of anxiety is still understudied. Using a rodent model of adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) exposure in both sexes, we investigated the epigenetic mechanism mediated by enhancer of zeste 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase, in regulating both the expression of activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) and an anxiety-like phenotype in adulthood. Here, we report that EZH2 protein levels were significantly higher in PKC-δ positive GABAergic neurons in the central nucleus of amygdala (CeA) of adult male and female rats after AIE. Reducing protein and mRNA levels of EZH2 using siRNA infusion in the CeA prevented AIE-induced anxiety-like behavior, increased H3K27me3, decreased H3K27ac at the Arc synaptic activity response element (SARE) site, and restored deficits in Arc mRNA and protein expression in both male and female adult rats. Our data indicate that an EZH2-mediated epigenetic mechanism in the CeA plays an important role in regulating anxiety-like behavior and Arc expression after AIE in both male and female rats in adulthood. This study suggests that EZH2 may serve as a tractable drug target for the treatment of adult psychopathology after adolescent alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Peyton Bohnsack
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Huaibo Zhang
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois 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 Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
- Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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15
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Castellazzi M, Candeloro R, Trevisan C, Permunian S, Buscemi G, Ghisellini S, Negri G, Gilli G, Ferri C, Bellini T, Pizzicotti S, Pugliatti M. Sex Differences in Albumin Quotient and Cerebrospinal Fluid Total Protein Content Do Not Depend on Anthropometric Factors. J Pers Med 2024; 14:362. [PMID: 38672989 PMCID: PMC11051272 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14040362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/serum albumin quotient (QAlb) and CSF total protein (TP) are more elevated in males than females, and this has been hypothesised to be due to anthropometric differences between the sexes. This study aimed to investigate QAlb and CSF TP as a function of body height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). (2) Methods: A total of 207 patients were included in the study and analysed blinded to clinical diagnosis. (3) Results: Multivariable linear regressions were run to predict log-transformed Qalb and log-transformed CSF TP value from age, sex, weight, and height (first model) or from age, sex, and BMI (second model). In both models, age (β = 0.004, 95% CI = 0.002 to 0.006) and sex (β = -0.095, 95% CI = -0.169 to -0.021, and β = -0.135, 95% CI = -0.191 to -0.079) were significant predictors for QAlb, but weight, height, and BMI were not. Similarly, age (β = 0.004, 95% CI = 0.003 to 0.006) and sex (β = -0.077, 95% CI = -0.142 to -0.013, and β = -0.109, 95% CI = -0.157 to -0.060) were significant predictors for CSF TP, while anthropometric characteristics were not. No differences in QAlb and CSF TP were found when grouping males and females by BMI status. (4) Conclusions: Our data suggest that anthropometric characteristics could not explain the sex-related differences in QAlb and CSF TP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Castellazzi
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (R.C.); (S.P.); (G.B.); (G.G.); (T.B.); (M.P.)
- University Strategic Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Raffaella Candeloro
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (R.C.); (S.P.); (G.B.); (G.G.); (T.B.); (M.P.)
| | - Caterina Trevisan
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Samantha Permunian
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (R.C.); (S.P.); (G.B.); (G.G.); (T.B.); (M.P.)
| | - Gaia Buscemi
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (R.C.); (S.P.); (G.B.); (G.G.); (T.B.); (M.P.)
| | - Sara Ghisellini
- Chemical-Clinical Analysis Laboratory, “S. Anna” University Hospital, 44124 Ferrara, Italy; (S.G.); (G.N.); (S.P.)
| | - Giovanna Negri
- Chemical-Clinical Analysis Laboratory, “S. Anna” University Hospital, 44124 Ferrara, Italy; (S.G.); (G.N.); (S.P.)
| | - Giada Gilli
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (R.C.); (S.P.); (G.B.); (G.G.); (T.B.); (M.P.)
| | - Caterina Ferri
- Department of Neuroscience, “S. Anna” University Hospital, 44124 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Tiziana Bellini
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (R.C.); (S.P.); (G.B.); (G.G.); (T.B.); (M.P.)
- University Strategic Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Stefano Pizzicotti
- Chemical-Clinical Analysis Laboratory, “S. Anna” University Hospital, 44124 Ferrara, Italy; (S.G.); (G.N.); (S.P.)
| | - Maura Pugliatti
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (R.C.); (S.P.); (G.B.); (G.G.); (T.B.); (M.P.)
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16
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Anger JT, Case LK, Baranowski AP, Berger A, Craft RM, Damitz LA, Gabriel R, Harrison T, Kaptein K, Lee S, Murphy AZ, Said E, Smith SA, Thomas DA, Valdés Hernández MDC, Trasvina V, Wesselmann U, Yaksh TL. Pain mechanisms in the transgender individual: a review. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2024; 5:1241015. [PMID: 38601924 PMCID: PMC11004280 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2024.1241015] [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: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Specific Aim Provide an overview of the literature addressing major areas pertinent to pain in transgender persons and to identify areas of primary relevance for future research. Methods A team of scholars that have previously published on different areas of related research met periodically though zoom conferencing between April 2021 and February 2023 to discuss relevant literature with the goal of providing an overview on the incidence, phenotype, and mechanisms of pain in transgender patients. Review sections were written after gathering information from systematic literature searches of published or publicly available electronic literature to be compiled for publication as part of a topical series on gender and pain in the Frontiers in Pain Research. Results While transgender individuals represent a significant and increasingly visible component of the population, many researchers and clinicians are not well informed about the diversity in gender identity, physiology, hormonal status, and gender-affirming medical procedures utilized by transgender and other gender diverse patients. Transgender and cisgender people present with many of the same medical concerns, but research and treatment of these medical needs must reflect an appreciation of how differences in sex, gender, gender-affirming medical procedures, and minoritized status impact pain. Conclusions While significant advances have occurred in our appreciation of pain, the review indicates the need to support more targeted research on treatment and prevention of pain in transgender individuals. This is particularly relevant both for gender-affirming medical interventions and related medical care. Of particular importance is the need for large long-term follow-up studies to ascertain best practices for such procedures. A multi-disciplinary approach with personalized interventions is of particular importance to move forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer T. Anger
- Department of Urology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Laura K. Case
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Andrew P. Baranowski
- Pelvic Pain Medicine and Neuromodulation, University College Hospital Foundation Trust, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ardin Berger
- Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Rebecca M. Craft
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Lyn Ann Damitz
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Rodney Gabriel
- Division of Regional Anesthesia, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Tracy Harrison
- Department of OB/GYN & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Kirsten Kaptein
- Division of Plastic Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Sanghee Lee
- Department of Urology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Anne Z. Murphy
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Engy Said
- Division of Regional Anesthesia, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Stacey Abigail Smith
- Division of Infection Disease, The Hope Clinic of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - David A. Thomas
- Office of Research on Women's Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Maria del C. Valdés Hernández
- Department of Neuroimaging Sciences, Center for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Victor Trasvina
- Department of Urology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Ursula Wesselmann
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine/Division of Pain Medicine, Neurology and Psychology, and Consortium for Neuroengineering and Brain-Computer Interfaces, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Tony L. Yaksh
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
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17
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Fabian CB, Jordan ND, Cole RH, Carley LG, Thompson SM, Seney ML, Joffe ME. Parvalbumin interneuron mGlu 5 receptors govern sex differences in prefrontal cortex physiology and binge drinking. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.11.20.567903. [PMID: 38045379 PMCID: PMC10690210 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.20.567903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite established sex differences in the prevalence and presentation of psychiatric disorders, little is known about the cellular and synaptic mechanisms that guide these differences under basal conditions. Proper function of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is essential for the top-down regulation of motivated behaviors. Activity of the PFC is tightly controlled by parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PV-INs), a key subpopulation of fast-spiking GABAergic cells that regulate cortical excitability through direct innervations onto the perisomatic regions of nearby pyramidal cells. Recent rodent studies have identified notable sex differences in PV-IN activity and adaptations to experiences such as binge drinking. Here, we investigated the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie sex-specific regulation of PFC PV-IN function. Using whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology and selective pharmacology, we report that PV-INs from female mice are more excitable than those from males. Moreover, we find that mGlu1 and mGlu5 metabotropic glutamate receptors regulate cell excitability, excitatory drive, and endocannabinoid signaling at PFC PV-INs in a sex-dependent manner. Genetic deletion of mGlu5 receptors from PV-expressing cells abrogates all sex differences observed in PV-IN membrane and synaptic physiology. Lastly, we report that female, but not male, PV-mGlu5-/- mice exhibit decreased voluntary drinking on an intermittent access schedule, which could be related to changes in ethanol's stimulant properties. Importantly, these studies identify mGlu1 and mGlu5 receptors as candidate signaling molecules involved in sex differences in PV-IN activity and behaviors relevant for alcohol use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly B Fabian
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Center for Neuroscience University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Nilah D Jordan
- Center for Neuroscience University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Rebecca H Cole
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Center for Neuroscience University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Lily G Carley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Center for Neuroscience University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Shannon M Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Center for Neuroscience University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Marianne L Seney
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Center for Neuroscience University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Max E Joffe
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
- Translational Neuroscience Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Center for Neuroscience University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
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Spets DS, Cohen JE, Konishi K, Aroner S, Misra M, Lee H, Goldstein JM. Impact of sex and reproductive status on the default mode network in early midlife: implications for aging of memory circuitry and function. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae088. [PMID: 38494419 PMCID: PMC10944696 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae088] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Alterations to the resting-state default mode network (rsDMN) are early indicators of memory decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Brain regions shared by the rsDMN and memory circuitry are highly sexually dimorphic. However, data are limited regarding the impact of sex and reproductive status on rsDMN connectivity and memory circuitry and function. In the current investigation, rsDMN connectivity was assessed in 180 early midlife adults aged 45 to 55 by sex and reproductive status (87 women; 93 men). Associations between left and right hippocampal connectivity of rsDMN and verbal memory encoding circuitry were examined using linear mixed models, controlled for age and parental socioeconomic status, testing interactions by sex and reproductive status. Relative to men, women exhibited greater rsDMN connectivity between the left and right hippocampus. In relation to rsDMN-memory encoding connectivity, sex differences were revealed across the menopausal transition, such that only postmenopausal women exhibited loss of the ability to decrease rsDMN left-right hippocampal connectivity during memory encoding associated with poorer memory performance. Results demonstrate that sex and reproductive status play an important role in aging of the rsDMN and interactions with memory circuitry/function. This suggests the critical importance of sex and reproductive status when studying early midlife indicators of memory decline and AD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan S Spets
- Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory for Sex Differences in the Brain, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, 149 13th Street, Boston, MA 02129, USA
- Innovation Center on Sex Differences in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Justine E Cohen
- Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory for Sex Differences in the Brain, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, 149 13th Street, Boston, MA 02129, USA
- Innovation Center on Sex Differences in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Kyoko Konishi
- Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory for Sex Differences in the Brain, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, 149 13th Street, Boston, MA 02129, USA
- Innovation Center on Sex Differences in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Sarah Aroner
- Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory for Sex Differences in the Brain, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, 149 13th Street, Boston, MA 02129, USA
- Innovation Center on Sex Differences in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Madhusmita Misra
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Hang Lee
- Innovation Center on Sex Differences in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Biostatistics Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, 500 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jill M Goldstein
- Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory for Sex Differences in the Brain, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, 149 13th Street, Boston, MA 02129, USA
- Innovation Center on Sex Differences in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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19
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Lafta MS, Mwinyi J, Affatato O, Rukh G, Dang J, Andersson G, Schiöth HB. Exploring sex differences: insights into gene expression, neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, cognition, and pathology. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1340108. [PMID: 38449735 PMCID: PMC10915038 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1340108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Increased knowledge about sex differences is important for development of individualized treatments against many diseases as well as understanding behavioral and pathological differences. This review summarizes sex chromosome effects on gene expression, epigenetics, and hormones in relation to the brain. We explore neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, cognition, and brain pathology aiming to explain the current state of the art. While some domains exhibit strong differences, others reveal subtle differences whose overall significance warrants clarification. We hope that the current review increases awareness and serves as a basis for the planning of future studies that consider both sexes equally regarding similarities and differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muataz S. Lafta
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jessica Mwinyi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Centre for Women’s Mental Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Oreste Affatato
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Centre for Women’s Mental Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gull Rukh
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Junhua Dang
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gerhard Andersson
- Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helgi B. Schiöth
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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20
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Eliot L. Remembering the null hypothesis when searching for brain sex differences. Biol Sex Differ 2024; 15:14. [PMID: 38336816 PMCID: PMC10854110 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-024-00585-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Human brain sex differences have fascinated scholars for centuries and become a key focus of neuroscientists since the dawn of MRI. We recently published a major review in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews showing that most male-female brain differences in humans are small and few have been reliably replicated. Although widely cited, this work was the target of a critical Commentary by DeCasien et al. (Biol Sex Differ 13:43, 2022). In this response, I update our findings and confirm the small effect sizes and pronounced scatter across recent large neuroimaging studies of human sex/gender difference. Based on the sum of data, neuroscientists would be well-advised to take the null hypothesis seriously: that men and women's brains are fundamentally similar, or "monomorphic". This perspective has important implications for how we study the genesis of behavioral and neuropsychiatric gender disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Eliot
- Stanson Toshok Center for Brain Function and Repair, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science, North Chicago, IL, USA.
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21
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Beldarrain G, Chillida M, Hilario E, Herrero de la Parte B, Álvarez A, Alonso-Alconada D. URB447 Is Neuroprotective in Both Male and Female Rats after Neonatal Hypoxia-Ischemia and Enhances Neurogenesis in Females. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1607. [PMID: 38338884 PMCID: PMC10855747 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031607] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The need for new and effective treatments for neonates suffering from hypoxia-ischemia is urgent, as the only implemented therapy in clinics is therapeutic hypothermia, only effective in 50% of cases. Cannabinoids may modulate neuronal development and brain plasticity, but further investigation is needed to better describe their implication as a neurorestorative therapy after neonatal HI. The cannabinoid URB447, a CB1 antagonist/CB2 agonist, has previously been shown to reduce brain injury after HI, but it is not clear whether sex may affect its neuroprotective and/or neurorestorative effect. Here, URB447 strongly reduced brain infarct, improved neuropathological score, and augmented proliferative capacity and neurogenic response in the damaged hemisphere. When analyzing these effects by sex, URB447 ameliorated brain damage in both males and females, and enhanced cell proliferation and the number of neuroblasts only in females, thus suggesting a neuroprotective effect in males and a double neuroprotective/neurorestorative effect in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gorane Beldarrain
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Marc Chillida
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Enrique Hilario
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Borja Herrero de la Parte
- Department of Surgery and Radiology and Physical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Antonia Álvarez
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Daniel Alonso-Alconada
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
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22
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Collignon A, Dion-Albert L, Ménard C, Coelho-Santos V. Sex, hormones and cerebrovascular function: from development to disorder. Fluids Barriers CNS 2024; 21:2. [PMID: 38178239 PMCID: PMC10768274 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00496-3] [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: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Proper cerebrovascular development and neurogliovascular unit assembly are essential for brain growth and function throughout life, ensuring the continuous supply of nutrients and oxygen. This involves crucial events during pre- and postnatal stages through key pathways, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Wnt signaling. These pathways are pivotal for brain vascular growth, expansion, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) maturation. Interestingly, during fetal and neonatal life, cerebrovascular formation coincides with the early peak activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, supporting the idea of sex hormonal influence on cerebrovascular development and barriergenesis.Sex hormonal dysregulation in early development has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders with highly sexually dimorphic features, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Both disorders show higher prevalence in men, with varying symptoms between sexes, with boys exhibiting more externalizing behaviors, such as aggressivity or hyperactivity, and girls displaying higher internalizing behaviors, including anxiety, depression, or attention disorders. Indeed, ASD and ADHD are linked to high prenatal testosterone exposure and reduced aromatase expression, potentially explaining sex differences in prevalence and symptomatology. In line with this, high estrogen levels seem to attenuate ADHD symptoms. At the cerebrovascular level, sex- and region-specific variations of cerebral blood flow perfusion have been reported in both conditions, indicating an impact of gonadal hormones on the brain vascular system, disrupting its ability to respond to neuronal demands.This review aims to provide an overview of the existing knowledge concerning the impact of sex hormones on cerebrovascular formation and maturation, as well as the onset of neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we explore the concept of gonadal hormone interactions with brain vascular and BBB development to function, with a particular focus on the modulation of VEGF and Wnt signaling. We outline how these pathways may be involved in the underpinnings of ASD and ADHD. Outstanding questions and potential avenues for future research are highlighted, as uncovering sex-specific physiological and pathological aspects of brain vascular development might lead to innovative therapeutic approaches in the context of ASD, ADHD and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeline Collignon
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuroscience and CERVO Brain Research Center, Universite Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Laurence Dion-Albert
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuroscience and CERVO Brain Research Center, Universite Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Caroline Ménard
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuroscience and CERVO Brain Research Center, Universite Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Vanessa Coelho-Santos
- Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
- University of Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), Coimbra, Portugal.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Institute of Physiology, Coimbra, Portugal.
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23
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Wang C, Wang J, Wu X, Liu T, Wang F, Zhou H, Chen C, Shi L, Ma L, Liu T, Li C. Comprehensive review on sexual dimorphism to improve scalp acupuncture in nervous system disease. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14447. [PMID: 37665197 PMCID: PMC10805401 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the development of modern medicine, the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) combined with western medicine began to be produced and applied. Scalp acupuncture (SA) as a Chinese medicine based on neurological theory, has a great advantage compared with TCM in the treatment of nervous system diseases. METHOD In this paper, we analyze the physiological and pathological manifestations of sexual dimorphism (SD) to illustrate the necessity of SD treatment. In addition, we review the factors that can affect SD and analyze in physiological structure, function, and pathological neurons. Diseases (pathological basis, pathological manifestations, and incidence) and factors leading to gender differences, which to analyze the possibility of gender differences in SA. RESULT Furthermore, we creatively a new insight of SD-SA and provide the complete SD treatment cases on the basis of the existing SA in different kinds of diseases including stroke, migraine, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depression. CONCLUSION In summary, we believe that it is feasible to improve the clinical effectiveness of SA, which is able to promote the development of SA, and then provides an actionable evidence for the promotion of precision medicine in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojie Wang
- Department of First Clinical Medical CollegeHeilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineHeilongjiangChina
| | - Jiening Wang
- Department of RehabilitationShanghai Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Xubo Wu
- Department of RehabilitationShanghai Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
- School of Rehabilitation ScienceShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of BioengineeringImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Feng Wang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineHarbinChina
| | - Huanxia Zhou
- Department of RehabilitationShanghai Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Chen Chen
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineHarbinChina
| | - Lijuan Shi
- School of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringBeihang UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Lin Ma
- First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineHarbinChina
| | - Tiantian Liu
- Department of RehabilitationShanghai Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Cancheng Li
- School of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringBeihang UniversityBeijingChina
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24
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Huo H, Lesage E, Dong W, Verguts T, Seger CA, Diao S, Feng T, Chen Q. The neural substrates of how model-based learning affects risk taking: Functional coupling between right cerebellum and left caudate. Brain Cogn 2023; 172:106088. [PMID: 37783018 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2023.106088] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Higher executive control capacity allows people to appropriately evaluate risk and avoid both excessive risk aversion and excessive risk-taking. The neural mechanisms underlying this relationship between executive function and risk taking are still unknown. We used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis combined with resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) to evaluate how one component of executive function, model-based learning, relates to risk taking. We measured individuals' use of the model-based learning system with the two-step task, and risk taking with the Balloon Analogue Risk Task. Behavioral results indicated that risk taking was positively correlated with the model-based weighting parameter ω. The VBM results showed a positive association between model-based learning and gray matter volume in the right cerebellum (RCere) and left inferior parietal lobule (LIPL). Functional connectivity results suggested that the coupling between RCere and the left caudate (LCAU) was correlated with both model-based learning and risk taking. Mediation analysis indicated that RCere-LCAU functional connectivity completely mediated the effect of model-based learning on risk taking. These results indicate that learners who favor model-based strategies also engage in more appropriate risky behaviors through interactions between reward-based learning, error-based learning and executive control subserved by a caudate, cerebellar and parietal network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hangfeng Huo
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China; School of Psychology, South China Normal University, 510631 Guangzhou, China; Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, 510631 Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, 510631 Guangzhou, China
| | - Elise Lesage
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wenshan Dong
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, 510631 Guangzhou, China; Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, 510631 Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, 510631 Guangzhou, China
| | - Tom Verguts
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Carol A Seger
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, 510631 Guangzhou, China; Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, 510631 Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, 510631 Guangzhou, China; Department of Psychology and Program in Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Neurosciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Sitong Diao
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, 518060 Shenzhen, China
| | - Tingyong Feng
- Research Center of Psychology and Social Development, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China.
| | - Qi Chen
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, 518060 Shenzhen, China.
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25
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Aloni E, Tibi M, Hochgerner H, Zeisel A. Sexual dimorphism in synaptic inputs to the mouse amygdala and orbital cortex. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1258284. [PMID: 37901417 PMCID: PMC10601666 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1258284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The medial amygdala (MeA) is a sexually dimorphic brain region that regulates fear responses, emotional memories, and social behaviors. It is known to be larger and contains more cells in males. The MeA integrates information through input connections from olfactory regions, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, ventral hippocampus, and thalamic and hypothalamic structures. We hypothesize that in addition to the size differences, there are differences in regional connectivity between the sexes. In this study, we utilized G-deleted rabies monosynaptic retrograde tracing to compare amygdala presynaptic cells in male and female whole mouse brains. We report differences in connection patterns to the amygdala, with higher overall connectivity (presynaptic per starter) in males and a larger fraction of inputs originating from the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, lateral septum, and medial preoptic area. Furthermore, we examined input connections to the orbital cortex (ORB), a brain region shown to be larger in volume in females, and found the opposite trend, where females had more total inputs. Together, our findings extend the evidence for sexual dimorphism in the brain to the neuronal wiring pattern, with likely impacts on behavior and disease susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Amit Zeisel
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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26
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Kim SR, Eom Y, Lee SH. Comprehensive analysis of sex differences in the function and ultrastructure of hippocampal presynaptic terminals. Neurochem Int 2023; 169:105570. [PMID: 37451344 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2023.105570] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Sex differences in the brain, encompassing variations in specific brain structures, size, cognitive function, and synaptic connections, have been identified across numerous species. While previous research has explored sex differences in postsynaptic structures, synaptic plasticity, and hippocampus-dependent functions, the hippocampal presynaptic terminals remain largely uninvestigated. The hippocampus is a critical structure responsible for multiple brain functions. This study examined presynaptic differences in cultured hippocampal neurons derived from male and female mice using a combination of biochemical assays, functional analyses measuring exocytosis and endocytosis of synaptic vesicle proteins, ultrastructural analyses via electron microscopy, and presynaptic Ca2+-specific optical probes. Our findings revealed that female neurons exhibited a higher number of synaptic vesicles at presynaptic terminals compared to male neurons. However, no significant differences were observed in presynaptic protein expression, presynaptic terminal ultrastructure, synaptic vesicle exocytosis and endocytosis, or presynaptic Ca2+ alterations between male and female neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Rae Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea; Brain Research Core Facilities of Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), Daegu 41068, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yunkyung Eom
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sung Hoon Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea.
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27
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Storch M, Kanthack M, Amelung T, Beier KM, Krueger THC, Sinke C, Walter H, Walter M, Schiffer B, Schindler S, Schoenknecht P. Hypothalamic volume in pedophilia with or without child sexual offense. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023; 273:1295-1306. [PMID: 36370175 PMCID: PMC10449687 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-022-01501-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamus regulates sexual behavior and is simultaneously associated with aggression and violence. Consequently, this brain region is relevant in research of pedophilia and child sexual offenses (CSO). The distinction between these two phenomena is of great importance and was the object of consideration of this study. We analyzed exclusively men, including 73 pedophilic offenders who committed CSO, an equal number of people with pedophilia but without such offenses, and 133 non-pedophilic, non-offending subjects who formed the control group. All data were collected in a multicenter in vivo study and analyzed using a semi-automated segmentation algorithm for 3-Tesla magnetic resonance images. Men with pedophilia who committed CSO on average had a 47 mm3 smaller hypothalamus per side than people without committed CSO. This effect was driven by both the group of non-offending people with pedophilia and the control group. By contrast, the exploratory comparison of pedophilic persons without CSO with the control group showed no significant difference. The present study demonstrates a deviant hypothalamic structure as a neurobiological correlate of CSO in pedophiles, but not in people with pedophilia who have not committed CSO. Thus, it strengthens the argument to distinguish between sexual offending and paraphilic sexual preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Storch
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 10, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
- Department of Biology, University of Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Maria Kanthack
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 10, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Till Amelung
- Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus M Beier
- Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tillmann H C Krueger
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hanover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Christopher Sinke
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hanover, Germany
| | - Henrik Walter
- Division of Mind and Brain Research, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, CCM, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- Department of Psychiatry, Otto-Von Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Jena, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Boris Schiffer
- Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, LWL University Hospital, 44791, Bochum, Germany
| | - Stephanie Schindler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 10, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Peter Schoenknecht
- Medical Faculty, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Out-Patient Department for Sexual-Therapeutic Prevention and Forensic Psychiatry, University Hospital Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Academic Saxon State Hospital Arnsdorf, 01477, Arnsdorf, Germany
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28
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Kheloui S, Jacmin-Park S, Larocque O, Kerr P, Rossi M, Cartier L, Juster RP. Sex/gender differences in cognitive abilities. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105333. [PMID: 37517542 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Sex/gender differences in cognitive sciences are riddled by conflicting perspectives. At the center of debates are clinical, social, and political perspectives. Front and center, evolutionary and biological perspectives have often focused on 'nature' arguments, while feminist and constructivist views have often focused on 'nurture arguments regarding cognitive sex differences. In the current narrative review, we provide a comprehensive overview regarding the origins and historical advancement of these debates while providing a summary of the results in the field of sexually polymorphic cognition. In so doing, we attempt to highlight the importance of using transdisciplinary perspectives which help bridge disciplines together to provide a refined understanding the specific factors that drive sex differences a gender diversity in cognitive abilities. To summarize, biological sex (e.g., birth-assigned sex, sex hormones), socio-cultural gender (gender identity, gender roles), and sexual orientation each uniquely shape the cognitive abilities reviewed. To date, however, few studies integrate these sex and gender factors together to better understand individual differences in cognitive functioning. This has potential benefits if a broader understanding of sex and gender factors are systematically measured when researching and treating numerous conditions where cognition is altered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kheloui
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada
| | - Silke Jacmin-Park
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada
| | - Ophélie Larocque
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada
| | - Philippe Kerr
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada
| | - Mathias Rossi
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada
| | - Louis Cartier
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada
| | - Robert-Paul Juster
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Canada; Center on Sex⁎Gender, Allostasis and Resilience, Canada.
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Begdache L, Marhaba R. Bioactive Compounds for Customized Brain Health: What Are We and Where Should We Be Heading? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6518. [PMID: 37569058 PMCID: PMC10418716 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20156518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Many strides have been made in the field of nutrition that are making it an attractive field not only to nutrition professionals but also to healthcare practitioners. Thanks to the emergence of molecular nutrition, there is a better appreciation of how the diet modulates health at the cellular and molecular levels. More importantly, the advancements in brain imaging have produced a greater appreciation of the impact of diet on brain health. To date, our understanding of the effect of nutrients on brain health goes beyond the action of vitamins and minerals and dives into the intracellular, molecular, and epigenetic effects of nutrients. Bioactive compounds (BCs) in food are gaining a lot of attention due to their ability to modulate gene expression. In addition, bioactive compounds activate some nuclear receptors that are the target of many pharmaceuticals. With the emergence of personalized medicine, gaining an understanding of the biologically active compounds may help with the customization of therapies. This review explores the prominent BCs that can impact cognitive functions and mental health to deliver a potentially prophylactic framework for practitioners. Another purpose is to identify potential gaps in the literature to suggest new research agendas for scientists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Begdache
- Health and Wellness Studies Department, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
| | - Rani Marhaba
- Norton College of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
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30
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Castro-Fonseca E, Morais V, da Silva CG, Wollner J, Freitas J, Mello-Neto AF, Oliveira LE, de Oliveira VC, Leite REP, Alho AT, Rodriguez RD, Ferretti-Rebustini REL, Suemoto CK, Jacob-Filho W, Nitrini R, Pasqualucci CA, Grinberg LT, Tovar-Moll F, Lent R. The influence of age and sex on the absolute cell numbers of the human brain cerebral cortex. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:8654-8666. [PMID: 37106573 PMCID: PMC10321098 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The human cerebral cortex is one of the most evolved regions of the brain, responsible for most higher-order neural functions. Since nerve cells (together with synapses) are the processing units underlying cortical physiology and morphology, we studied how the human neocortex is composed regarding the number of cells as a function of sex and age. We used the isotropic fractionator for cell quantification of immunocytochemically labeled nuclei from the cerebral cortex donated by 43 cognitively healthy subjects aged 25-87 years old. In addition to previously reported sexual dimorphism in the medial temporal lobe, we found more neurons in the occipital lobe of men, higher neuronal density in women's frontal lobe, but no sex differences in the number and density of cells in the other lobes and the whole neocortex. On average, the neocortex has ~10.2 billion neurons, 34% in the frontal lobe and the remaining 66% uniformly distributed among the other 3 lobes. Along typical aging, there is a loss of non-neuronal cells in the frontal lobe and the preservation of the number of neurons in the cortex. Our study made possible to determine the different degrees of modulation that sex and age evoke on cortical cellularity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Castro-Fonseca
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- D’Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Viviane Morais
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Camila G da Silva
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Juliana Wollner
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Freitas
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Arthur F Mello-Neto
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luiz E Oliveira
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vilson C de Oliveira
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Renata E P Leite
- Biobank for Aging Studies, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Medical Research in Aging (LIM-66), University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana T Alho
- Biobank for Aging Studies, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roberta D Rodriguez
- Biobank for Aging Studies, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata E L Ferretti-Rebustini
- Biobank for Aging Studies, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, University of São Paulo School of Nursing, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claudia K Suemoto
- Biobank for Aging Studies, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Medical Research in Aging (LIM-66), University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wilson Jacob-Filho
- Biobank for Aging Studies, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Medical Research in Aging (LIM-66), University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Nitrini
- Biobank for Aging Studies, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos A Pasqualucci
- Biobank for Aging Studies, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lea T Grinberg
- Biobank for Aging Studies, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Fernanda Tovar-Moll
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- D’Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Roberto Lent
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- D’Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Ministry of Science and Technology, São Paulo, Brazil
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31
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Dash S, Park B, Kroenke CD, Rooney WD, Urbanski HF, Kohama SG. Brain volumetrics across the lifespan of the rhesus macaque. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 126:34-43. [PMID: 36917864 PMCID: PMC10106431 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
The rhesus macaque is a long-lived nonhuman primate (NHP) with a brain structure similar to humans, which may represent a valuable translational animal model in which to study human brain aging. Previous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of age in rhesus macaque brains have been prone to low statistical power, unbalanced sex ratio and lack of a complete age range. To overcome these problems, the current study surveyed structural T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans of 66 animals, 34 females (aged 6-31 years) and 32 males (aged 5-27 years). Differences observed in older animals, included enlargement of the lateral ventricles and a smaller volume in the frontal cortex, caudate, putamen, hypothalamus, and thalamus. Unexpected, greater volume, were measured in older animals in the hippocampus, amygdala, and globus pallidus. There were also numerous differences between males and females with respect to age in both white and gray matter regions. As an apparent model of normative human aging, the macaque is ideal for studying induction and mitigation of neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Dash
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Byung Park
- Biostatistics Shared Resource, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Christopher D Kroenke
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, USA; Advanced Imaging Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - William D Rooney
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Henryk F Urbanski
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, USA; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Steven G Kohama
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, USA; Advanced Imaging Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
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32
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Elton A, Allen JH, Yorke M, Khan F, Xu P, Boettiger CA. Sex moderates family history of alcohol use disorder and childhood maltreatment effects on an fMRI stop-signal task. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:2436-2450. [PMID: 36722505 PMCID: PMC10028663 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment (CM) and a family history (FH) of alcohol use disorder (AUD) are each associated with increased impulsivity. However, their unique or shared brain targets remain unknown. Furthermore, both CM and FH demonstrate sex-dependent effects on brain and behavior. We hypothesized that CM and FH interact in brain regions involved in impulsivity with sex-dependent effects. 144 first-year college students (18-19 years old) with varying experiences of CM and/or FH but without current AUD performed an fMRI stop-signal task. We tested interactions between FH, CM, and sex on task performance and blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal during successful inhibitions. We examined correlations between BOLD response and psychiatric symptoms. Significant three-way interactions of FH, CM, and sex were detected for brain and behavioral data, largely driven by male subjects. In males, CM was associated with poorer response inhibition but only for those with less FH; males with higher levels of both CM and FH demonstrated better response inhibition. Three-way interaction effects on voxel-wise BOLD response during response inhibition were found in bilateral middle frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, and posterior cingulate cortex. Network-level analyses implicated the left frontoparietal network, executive control network, and default-mode network. Greater BOLD response in these networks correlated with lower depressive, impulsive, and attentional symptoms, reduced alcohol misuse, greater resilience scores, and heightened trait anxiety. The results highlight sex-divergent effects of heritable and environmental risk factors that may account for sex-dependent expression of psychopathology in response to risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Elton
- Department of Psychology and NeuroscienceUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
- Bowles Center for Alcohol StudiesUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
- Biomedical Research Imaging CenterUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - John Hunter Allen
- Department of Psychology and NeuroscienceUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Mya Yorke
- Department of Psychology and NeuroscienceUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Farhan Khan
- Department of Psychology and NeuroscienceUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Peng Xu
- Department of Psychology and NeuroscienceUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Charlotte A. Boettiger
- Department of Psychology and NeuroscienceUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
- Bowles Center for Alcohol StudiesUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
- Biomedical Research Imaging CenterUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
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Matuszewska A, Kowalski K, Jawień P, Tomkalski T, Gaweł-Dąbrowska D, Merwid-Ląd A, Szeląg E, Błaszczak K, Wiatrak B, Danielewski M, Piasny J, Szeląg A. The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis in Men with Schizophrenia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:6492. [PMID: 37047464 PMCID: PMC10094807 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder with a chronic, progressive course. The etiology of this condition is linked to the interactions of multiple genes and environmental factors. The earlier age of onset of schizophrenia, the higher frequency of negative symptoms in the clinical presentation, and the poorer response to antipsychotic treatment in men compared to women suggests the involvement of sex hormones in these processes. This article aims to draw attention to the possible relationship between testosterone and some clinical features in male schizophrenic patients and discuss the complex nature of these phenomena based on data from the literature. PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched to select the papers without limiting the time of the publications. Hormone levels in the body are regulated by many organs and systems, and take place through the neuroendocrine, hormonal, neural, and metabolic pathways. Sex hormones play an important role in the development and function of the organism. Besides their impact on secondary sex characteristics, they influence brain development and function, mood, and cognition. In men with schizophrenia, altered testosterone levels were noted. In many cases, evidence from available single studies gave contradictory results. However, it seems that the testosterone level in men affected by schizophrenia may differ depending on the phase of the disease, types of clinical symptoms, and administered therapy. The etiology of testosterone level disturbances may be very complex. Besides the impact of the illness (schizophrenia), stress, and antipsychotic drug-induced hyperprolactinemia, testosterone levels may be influenced by, i.a., obesity, substances of abuse (e.g., ethanol), or liver damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Matuszewska
- Department of Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 2, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Kowalski
- Department of Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 2, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Paulina Jawień
- Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C.K. Norwida 25/27, 50-375 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Tomkalski
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Internal Medicine, Tadeusz Marciniak Lower Silesia Specialist Hospital–Centre for Medical Emergency, A.E. Fieldorfa 2, 54-049 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dagmara Gaweł-Dąbrowska
- Department of Population Health, Division of Public Health, Wroclaw Medical University, Bujwida 44, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Anna Merwid-Ląd
- Department of Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 2, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Szeląg
- Department of Maxillofacial Orthopaedics and Orthodontics, Wroclaw Medical University, Krakowska 26, 50-425 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Karolina Błaszczak
- Department of Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 2, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Benita Wiatrak
- Department of Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 2, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Danielewski
- Department of Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 2, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Janusz Piasny
- Department of Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 2, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Adam Szeląg
- Department of Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 2, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland
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Kim Y, Joshi AA, Choi S, Joshi SH, Bhushan C, Varadarajan D, Haldar JP, Leahy RM, Shattuck DW. BrainSuite BIDS App: Containerized Workflows for MRI Analysis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.14.532686. [PMID: 36993283 PMCID: PMC10055125 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.14.532686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
There has been a concerted effort by the neuroimaging community to establish standards for computational methods for data analysis that promote reproducibility and portability. In particular, the Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS) specifies a standard for storing imaging data, and the related BIDS App methodology provides a standard for implementing containerized processing environments that include all necessary dependencies to process BIDS datasets using image processing workflows. We present the BrainSuite BIDS App, which encapsulates the core MRI processing functionality of BrainSuite within the BIDS App framework. Specifically, the BrainSuite BIDS App implements a participant-level workflow comprising three pipelines and a corresponding set of group-level analysis workflows for processing the participant-level outputs. The BrainSuite Anatomical Pipeline (BAP) extracts cortical surface models from a T1-weighted (T1w) MRI. It then performs surface-constrained volumetric registration to align the T1w MRI to a labeled anatomical atlas, which is used to delineate anatomical regions of interest in the MRI brain volume and on the cortical surface models. The BrainSuite Diffusion Pipeline (BDP) processes diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) data, with steps that include coregistering the DWI data to the T1w scan, correcting for geometric image distortion, and fitting diffusion models to the DWI data. The BrainSuite Functional Pipeline (BFP) performs fMRI processing using a combination of FSL, AFNI, and BrainSuite tools. BFP coregisters the fMRI data to the T1w image, then transforms the data to the anatomical atlas space and to the Human Connectome Project's grayordinate space. Each of these outputs can then be processed during group-level analysis. The outputs of BAP and BDP are analyzed using the BrainSuite Statistics in R (bssr) toolbox, which provides functionality for hypothesis testing and statistical modeling. The outputs of BFP can be analyzed using atlas-based or atlas-free statistical methods during group-level processing. These analyses include the application of BrainSync, which synchronizes the time-series data temporally and enables comparison of resting-state or task-based fMRI data across scans. We also present the BrainSuite Dashboard quality control system, which provides a browser-based interface for reviewing the outputs of individual modules of the participant-level pipelines across a study in real-time as they are generated. BrainSuite Dashboard facilitates rapid review of intermediate results, enabling users to identify processing errors and make adjustments to processing parameters if necessary. The comprehensive functionality included in the BrainSuite BIDS App provides a mechanism for rapidly deploying the BrainSuite workflows into new environments to perform large-scale studies. We demonstrate the capabilities of the BrainSuite BIDS App using structural, diffusion, and functional MRI data from the Amsterdam Open MRI Collection's Population Imaging of Psychology dataset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeun Kim
- Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anand A. Joshi
- Signal and Image Processing Institute, Department of Electrical Engineering – Systems, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Soyoung Choi
- Signal and Image Processing Institute, Department of Electrical Engineering – Systems, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Shantanu H. Joshi
- Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chitresh Bhushan
- Signal and Image Processing Institute, Department of Electrical Engineering – Systems, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- GE Research, Schenectady, NY, USA
| | - Divya Varadarajan
- Signal and Image Processing Institute, Department of Electrical Engineering – Systems, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Justin P. Haldar
- Signal and Image Processing Institute, Department of Electrical Engineering – Systems, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Richard M. Leahy
- Signal and Image Processing Institute, Department of Electrical Engineering – Systems, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - David W. Shattuck
- Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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35
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Alfano V, Cavaliere C, Di Cecca A, Ciccarelli G, Salvatore M, Aiello M, Federico G. Sex differences in functional brain networks involved in interoception: An fMRI study. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1130025. [PMID: 36998736 PMCID: PMC10043182 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1130025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Interoception can be described as the ability to perceive inner body sensations and it is different between biological sex. However, no previous research correlated this ability with brain functional connectivity (FC) between males and females. In this study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate FC of networks involved in interoception among males and females in a sample of healthy volunteers matched for age. In total, 67 participants (34 females, mean age 44.2; 33 males, mean age 37.2) underwent a functional MRI session and completed the Self-Awareness Questionnaire (SAQ) that tests the interoceptive awareness. To assess the effect of sex on scores obtained on the SAQ we performed a multivariate analysis of variance. A whole-brain seed-to-seed FC analysis was conducted to investigate the correlation between SAQ score and FC, and then to test differences in FC between males and females with SAQ score as a covariate. MANOVA revealed a significant difference in SAQ scores between males and females with higher values for the second ones. Also, significant correlations among interoception scores and FC in Salience network and fronto-temporo-parietal brain areas have been detected, with a sharp prevalence for the female. These results support the idea of a female advantage in the attention toward interoceptive sensations, suggesting common inter-network areas that concur to create the sense of self.
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36
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Cook KM, De Asis-Cruz J, Lopez C, Quistorff J, Kapse K, Andersen N, Vezina G, Limperopoulos C. Robust sex differences in functional brain connectivity are present in utero. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:2441-2454. [PMID: 35641152 PMCID: PMC10016060 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex-based differences in brain structure and function are observable throughout development and are thought to contribute to differences in behavior, cognition, and the presentation of neurodevelopmental disorders. Using multiple support vector machine (SVM) models as a data-driven approach to assess sex differences, we sought to identify regions exhibiting sex-dependent differences in functional connectivity and determine whether they were robust and sufficiently reliable to classify sex even prior to birth. To accomplish this, we used a sample of 110 human fetal resting state fMRI scans from 95 fetuses, performed between 19 and 40 gestational weeks. Functional brain connectivity patterns classified fetal sex with 73% accuracy. Across SVM models, we identified features (functional connections) that reliably differentiated fetal sex. Highly consistent predictors included connections in the somatomotor and frontal areas alongside the hippocampus, cerebellum, and basal ganglia. Moreover, high consistency features also implicated a greater magnitude of cross-region connections in females, while male weighted features were predominately within anatomically bounded regions. Our findings indicate that these differences, which have been observed later in childhood, are present and reliably detectable even before birth. These results show that sex differences arise before birth in a manner that is consistent and reliable enough to be highly identifiable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Cook
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington DC 20010, USA
| | - Josepheen De Asis-Cruz
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington DC 20010, USA
| | - Catherine Lopez
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington DC 20010, USA
| | - Jessica Quistorff
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington DC 20010, USA
| | - Kushal Kapse
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington DC 20010, USA
| | - Nicole Andersen
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington DC 20010, USA
| | - Gilbert Vezina
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children’s National, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington DC 20010, USA
| | - Catherine Limperopoulos
- Developing Brain Institute, Children’s National, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington DC 20010, USA
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37
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Fijałkiewicz A, Batko K, Gruszka A. Learned Irrelevance, Perseveration, and Cognitive Aging: A Cross-Sectional Study of Cognitively Unimpaired Older Adults. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13030473. [PMID: 36979283 PMCID: PMC10046615 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13030473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The effect of natural aging on physiologic mechanisms that regulate attentional set-shifting represents an area of high interest in the study of cognitive function. In visual discrimination learning, reward contingency changes in categorization tasks impact individual performance, which is constrained by attention-shifting costs. Perseveration (PE) and learned irrelevance (LI) are viewed as two different mechanisms that shape responses to stimuli, which are predicated on the shift in stimulus form. To date, only studies examining patients with Parkinson’s disease have provided some insight into the relationship between individual age and performance in PE and LI tasks. We enrolled 60 healthy individuals (mean [SD] age, 63.0 [12.6]) without a history of dementia, a cerebrovascular incident, or a neurodegenerative disease. No association was observed between crystallized intelligence or verbal fluency scores and reaction time in both PE (r = 0.074, p = 0.603; r = −0.124, p = 0.346) and LI (r = −0.076, p = 0.562; r = −0.081, p = 0.536) task conditions, respectively. In contrast, a statistically significant linear relationship was observed between age and reaction time (RT) for PE (r = 0.259, p = 0.046) but not for LI (r = 0.226, p = 0.083). No significant linear relationship was observed for changing RTs in PE and LI (r = 0.209, p = 0.110). The present study is the first report that provides a descriptive overview of age-related differences in PE and LI in a sample of cognitively unimpaired middle- to older-aged adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Fijałkiewicz
- Doctoral School in the Social Sciences, Jagiellonian University, 30-010 Cracow, Poland
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, 30-060 Cracow, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-12-663-39-95
| | - Krzysztof Batko
- Department of Research and Design, Medicine Economy Law Society (MELS) Foundation, 30-040 Cracow, Poland
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A Gender-Based Point of View in Pediatric Neurology. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13030483. [PMID: 36983665 PMCID: PMC10059661 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13030483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
While the significance of gender has only recently been recognized, gender assigned at birth has long been understood to have a significant influence on a number of illnesses. Due to the paucity of data in this regard in pediatrics, the purpose of this narrative review is to frame the most recent knowledge about the role of gender assigned at birth in the neurological development and neuropsychiatric disorders among young people. Literature analysis showed that gender disparities exist in neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders among the pediatric population and supported the fact that new guidelines should take this into account. However, there is an urgent need for specific studies focused on gender role among children and adolescents in order to better understand how this can relate to diagnosis, development and treatment of different neurologic and neuropsychiatric diseases. Moreover, further efforts should be directed to identify unique risks linked to gender disorders and gender dysphoria as well as taking into account a gender point of view when approaching a pediatric patient.
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Spets DS, Slotnick SD. Entorhinal Cortex Functional Connectivity during Item Long-Term Memory and the Role of Sex. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13030446. [PMID: 36979256 PMCID: PMC10046190 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13030446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A growing body of literature shows there are sex differences in the patterns of brain activity during long-term memory. However, there is a paucity of evidence on sex differences in functional brain connectivity. We previously identified sex differences in the patterns of connections with the hippocampus, a medial temporal lobe (MTL) subregion, during spatial long-term memory. The perirhinal/entorhinal cortex, another MTL subregion, plays a critical role in item memory. In the current functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, we investigated perirhinal/entorhinal functional connectivity and the role of sex during item memory. During the study phase, abstract shapes were presented to the left or right of fixation. During the test phase, abstract shapes were presented at fixation, and the participants classified each item as previously “old” or “new”. An entorhinal region of interest (ROI) was identified by contrasting item memory hits and misses. This ROI was connected to regions generally associated with visual memory, including the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and visual-processing regions (the bilateral V1, bilateral cuneus, and left lingual gyrus). Males produced greater connectivity than females with the right IFG/insula and the right V1/bilateral cuneus. Broadly, these results contribute to a growing body of literature supporting sex differences in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan S. Spets
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Scott D. Slotnick
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
- Correspondence:
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Li M, Usui N, Shimada S. Prenatal Sex Hormone Exposure Is Associated with the Development of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032203. [PMID: 36768521 PMCID: PMC9916422 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual differentiation is a major developmental process. Sex differences resulting from sexual differentiation have attracted the attention of researchers. Unraveling what contributes to and underlies sex differences will provide valuable insights into the development of neurodevelopmental disorders that exhibit sex biases. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects an individual's social interaction and communication abilities, and its male preponderance has been consistently reported in clinical studies. The etiology of male preponderance remains unclear, but progress has been made in studying prenatal sex hormone exposure. The present review examined studies that focused on the association between prenatal testosterone exposure and ASD development, as well as sex-specific behaviors in individuals with ASD. This review also included studies on maternal immune activation-induced developmental abnormalities that also showed striking sex differences in offspring and discussed its possible interacting roles in ASD so as to present a potential approach for future studies on sex biases in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengwei Li
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
| | - Noriyoshi Usui
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
- Global Center for Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
- Addiction Research Unit, Osaka Psychiatric Research Center, Osaka Psychiatric Medical Center, Osaka 541-8567, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-6-6879-3124
| | - Shoichi Shimada
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
- Global Center for Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
- Addiction Research Unit, Osaka Psychiatric Research Center, Osaka Psychiatric Medical Center, Osaka 541-8567, Japan
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Abstract
There is now a significant body of literature concerning sex/gender differences in the human brain. This chapter will critically review and synthesise key findings from several studies that have investigated sex/gender differences in structural and functional lateralisation and connectivity. We argue that while small, relative sex/gender differences reliably exist in lateralisation and connectivity, there is considerable overlap between the sexes. Some inconsistencies exist, however, and this is likely due to considerable variability in the methodologies, tasks, measures, and sample compositions between studies. Moreover, research to date is limited in its consideration of sex/gender-related factors, such as sex hormones and gender roles, that can explain inter-and inter-individual differences in brain and behaviour better than sex/gender alone. We conclude that conceptualising the brain as 'sexually dimorphic' is incorrect, and the terms 'male brain' and 'female brain' should be avoided in the neuroscientific literature. However, this does not necessarily mean that sex/gender differences in the brain are trivial. Future research involving sex/gender should adopt a biopsychosocial approach whenever possible, to ensure that non-binary psychological, biological, and environmental/social factors related to sex/gender, and their interactions, are routinely accounted for.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Hodgetts
- School of Psychology, University of Sunderland, Sunderland, UK
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Bogolepova IN, Krotenkova MV, Konovalov RN, Agapov PA, Malofeeva IG, Bikmeev AT. [Gender morphology of Broca's motor speech area]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2023; 123:96-100. [PMID: 37796074 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro202312309196] [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] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the general patterns and differences in the macroscopic structure of Broca's motor speech area in the left and right hemispheres of male and female brains. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was conducted on MRI images of the brains of 9 men and 9 women (36 hemispheres in total). All the people were between the ages of 20 and 30, without any mental or neurological disorders. The localization and structure of the main sulci and gyri of Broca's area, namely the pars triangularis and pars opercularis, were studied. In addition, the topography of the main sulci in Broca's motor speech area, namely their shape, length, and relative position to the other sulci, was analyzed. RESULTS The features of the localization of the sulci in Broca's area, the differences in the number of additional sulci in the pars triangularis and pars opercularis of male and female brains, as well as the degree of asymmetry of Broca's area in the left and right hemispheres of the brains of men and women were established.In modern neuroscience a new scientific direction of genderology, which studies the behavior and cognitive functions of males and females, is rapidly developing. CONCLUSION Broca's motor speech area of the brain of men and women differs in macroscopic structure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - P A Agapov
- Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - A T Bikmeev
- Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Russia
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Tillet Y. Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a New Tool for Neuroendocrine Research in Sheep. Neuroendocrinology 2023; 113:208-215. [PMID: 35051936 DOI: 10.1159/000522087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain analysis is used in rodents and for clinical investigation in humans, and it becomes also possible now for large animal models studies. Specific facilities are available with clinical scanners and benefit to neuroendocrine investigations in sheep. Sheep has a large gyrencephalic brain and its organization is very similar to primates and human, and among physiological regulations, oestrous cycle of the ewes is similar to women. Therefore, this animal is a good model for preclinical researches using MRI, as illustrated with steroids impact on the brain. New data were obtained concerning the effect of sexual steroids on neuronal networks involved in the control of reproduction and in the influence of sexual steroids on cognition. In addition to the importance of such data for understanding the role of these hormones on brain functions, they give new insights to consider the sheep as a powerful model for preclinical studies in the field of neuroendocrinology. These points are discussed in this short review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves Tillet
- CNRS UMR 7247, IFCE, INRAE, University of Tours, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France
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Hampson E. Oral contraceptives in the central nervous system: Basic pharmacology, methodological considerations, and current state of the field. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 68:101040. [PMID: 36243109 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Millions of women around the world use combined oral contraceptives (OCs), yet surprisingly little is known about their central nervous system (CNS) effects. This article provides a short overview of the basic pharmacology of OCs, emphasizing features that may be relevant to understanding their effects in the CNS. Historical and recent findings from studies of cognitive function, mood, and negative affect (depressive changes under OC use) are then reviewed. We also present data from an archival dataset from our own laboratory in which we explore dysphoric changes in women using four generations of contraceptive progestins. Current data in the field are consistent with a modest effect of OC use on CNS variables, but conclusions based on current findings must be made very cautiously because of multiple methodological issues in many published studies to date, and inconsistencies in the findings. Directions for future research over the next 10 years are suggested. (150 words).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Hampson
- Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
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Hu H, Li J, He S, Zhao Y, Liu P, Liu H. Aging-related decline in the neuromotor control of speech production: current and future. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1172277. [PMID: 37151845 PMCID: PMC10156980 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1172277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Huijing Hu
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jingting Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sixuan He
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hanjun Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Hanjun Liu
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46
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Renner J, Rasia-Filho AA. Morphological Features of Human Dendritic Spines. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 34:367-496. [PMID: 37962801 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-36159-3_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic spine features in human neurons follow the up-to-date knowledge presented in the previous chapters of this book. Human dendrites are notable for their heterogeneity in branching patterns and spatial distribution. These data relate to circuits and specialized functions. Spines enhance neuronal connectivity, modulate and integrate synaptic inputs, and provide additional plastic functions to microcircuits and large-scale networks. Spines present a continuum of shapes and sizes, whose number and distribution along the dendritic length are diverse in neurons and different areas. Indeed, human neurons vary from aspiny or "relatively aspiny" cells to neurons covered with a high density of intermingled pleomorphic spines on very long dendrites. In this chapter, we discuss the phylogenetic and ontogenetic development of human spines and describe the heterogeneous features of human spiny neurons along the spinal cord, brainstem, cerebellum, thalamus, basal ganglia, amygdala, hippocampal regions, and neocortical areas. Three-dimensional reconstructions of Golgi-impregnated dendritic spines and data from fluorescence microscopy are reviewed with ultrastructural findings to address the complex possibilities for synaptic processing and integration in humans. Pathological changes are also presented, for example, in Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. Basic morphological data can be linked to current techniques, and perspectives in this research field include the characterization of spines in human neurons with specific transcriptome features, molecular classification of cellular diversity, and electrophysiological identification of coexisting subpopulations of cells. These data would enlighten how cellular attributes determine neuron type-specific connectivity and brain wiring for our diverse aptitudes and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josué Renner
- Department of Basic Sciences/Physiology and Graduate Program in Biosciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Alberto A Rasia-Filho
- Department of Basic Sciences/Physiology and Graduate Program in Biosciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Helman TJ, Headrick JP, Stapelberg NJC, Braidy N. The sex-dependent response to psychosocial stress and ischaemic heart disease. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1072042. [PMID: 37153459 PMCID: PMC10160413 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1072042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress is an important risk factor for modern chronic diseases, with distinct influences in males and females. The sex specificity of the mammalian stress response contributes to the sex-dependent development and impacts of coronary artery disease (CAD). Compared to men, women appear to have greater susceptibility to chronic forms of psychosocial stress, extending beyond an increased incidence of mood disorders to include a 2- to 4-fold higher risk of stress-dependent myocardial infarction in women, and up to 10-fold higher risk of Takotsubo syndrome-a stress-dependent coronary-myocardial disorder most prevalent in post-menopausal women. Sex differences arise at all levels of the stress response: from initial perception of stress to behavioural, cognitive, and affective responses and longer-term disease outcomes. These fundamental differences involve interactions between chromosomal and gonadal determinants, (mal)adaptive epigenetic modulation across the lifespan (particularly in early life), and the extrinsic influences of socio-cultural, economic, and environmental factors. Pre-clinical investigations of biological mechanisms support distinct early life programming and a heightened corticolimbic-noradrenaline-neuroinflammatory reactivity in females vs. males, among implicated determinants of the chronic stress response. Unravelling the intrinsic molecular, cellular and systems biological basis of these differences, and their interactions with external lifestyle/socio-cultural determinants, can guide preventative and therapeutic strategies to better target coronary heart disease in a tailored sex-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa J. Helman
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, NSW, Sydney, Australia
- Correspondence: Tessa J. Helman
| | - John P. Headrick
- Schoolof Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Nady Braidy
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, NSW, Sydney, Australia
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Garcia RG, Staley R, Aroner S, Stowell J, Sclocco R, Napadow V, Barbieri R, Goldstein JM. Optimization of respiratory-gated auricular vagus afferent nerve stimulation for the modulation of blood pressure in hypertension. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1038339. [PMID: 36570845 PMCID: PMC9783922 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1038339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The objective of this pilot study was to identify frequency-dependent effects of respiratory-gated auricular vagus afferent nerve stimulation (RAVANS) on the regulation of blood pressure and heart rate variability in hypertensive subjects and examine potential differential effects by sex/gender or race. Methods Twenty hypertensive subjects (54.55 ± 6.23 years of age; 12 females and 8 males) were included in a within-person experimental design and underwent five stimulation sessions where they received RAVANS at different frequencies (i.e., 2 Hz, 10 Hz, 25 Hz, 100 Hz, or sham stimulation) in a randomized order. EKG and continuous blood pressure signals were collected during a 10-min baseline, 30-min stimulation, and 10-min post-stimulation periods. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) adjusted for baseline measures were used to evaluate frequency-dependent effects of RAVANS on heart rate, high frequency power, and blood pressure measures, including analyses stratified by sex and race. Results Administration of RAVANS at 100 Hz had significant overall effects on the reduction of heart rate (β = -2.03, p = 0.002). It was also associated with a significant reduction of diastolic (β = -1.90, p = 0.01) and mean arterial blood pressure (β = -2.23, p = 0.002) in Black hypertensive participants and heart rate in female subjects (β = -2.83, p = 0.01) during the post-stimulation period when compared to sham. Conclusion Respiratory-gated auricular vagus afferent nerve stimulation exhibits frequency-dependent rapid effects on the modulation of heart rate and blood pressure in hypertensive patients that may further differ by race and sex. Our findings highlight the need for the development of optimized stimulation protocols that achieve the greatest effects on the modulation of physiological and clinical outcomes in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald G. Garcia
- Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory of Sex Differences in the Brain, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Innovation Center on Sex Differences in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- School of Medicine, Universidad de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | - Rachel Staley
- Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory of Sex Differences in the Brain, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Innovation Center on Sex Differences in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sarah Aroner
- Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory of Sex Differences in the Brain, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Innovation Center on Sex Differences in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jessica Stowell
- Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory of Sex Differences in the Brain, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Innovation Center on Sex Differences in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Roberta Sclocco
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Scott Schoen and Nancy Adams Discovery Center for Recovery from Chronic Pain, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Gastroenterology and Center for Neurointestinal Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Vitaly Napadow
- Innovation Center on Sex Differences in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Scott Schoen and Nancy Adams Discovery Center for Recovery from Chronic Pain, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Riccardo Barbieri
- Innovation Center on Sex Differences in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jill M. Goldstein
- Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory of Sex Differences in the Brain, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Innovation Center on Sex Differences in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Park-Braswell K, Grooms D, Shultz S, Raisbeck L, Rhea C, Schmitz R. Sex-Specific Brain Activations during Single-Leg Exercise. Int J Sports Phys Ther 2022; 17:1249-1258. [PMID: 36518825 PMCID: PMC9718712 DOI: 10.26603/001c.40367] [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] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Females have an increased incidence of musculoskeletal injuries compared to males. Sex differences in neuromuscular control has been widely studied regarding the dynamics and muscle activity during preplanned movements. While muscle activation patterns and movement biomechanics are understood to differ between sexes, it is not well understood how sex influences brain activity for lower extremity movement. Since the brain plays a vital role for voluntary movement and joint stability, it is important to understand the sex differences in brain function in order to better understand neuromuscular control associated with increased musculoskeletal injury risk in female. Hypothesis/Purpose The purpose of this study is to understand the differences in brain activation patterns between sexes during a simple active knee extension-flexion movement. It was hypothesized that females would demonstrate higher cortical activation in the somatosensory areas compared to males as a compensatory strategy. Study Design Cross-Sectional Study. Methods Thirteen males and seventeen females who were healthy and physically active participated in this study (Male: 23.7±3.8 years, 74.5±13.5 kg, 172.3±6.4 cm; Female: 20.6±1.6 years, 65.4±12.8 kg, 163±6.1 cm). Functional magnetic resonance imaging data were obtained during a simple left knee extension-flexion exercise with their own leg weight while lying on the MRI table. The blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signals were compared between sexes. Results There was significantly greater activation in the visual cortices and premotor cortex in females compared to males during the studied movement. Males demonstrated significantly greater activation in the right cerebellum. Conclusion The results revealed sex differences in BOLD signal during simple knee extension-flexion movement. The results suggest that sex may be a biological factor in understanding brain activity associated with knee motor control. Level of Evidence Level 3.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dustin Grooms
- Ohio Musculoskeletal & Neurological Institute Ohio University
- Division of Physical Therapy & Division of Athletic Training, College of Health Sciences and Professions Ohio University
| | - Sandra Shultz
- Department of Kinesiology University of North Carolina at Greensboro
| | - Louisa Raisbeck
- Department of Kinesiology University of North Carolina at Greensboro
| | - Christopher Rhea
- Department of Kinesiology University of North Carolina at Greensboro
| | - Randy Schmitz
- Department of Kinesiology University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- Gateway MRI Center University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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50
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PILLEROVÁ M, PASTOREK M, BORBÉLYOVÁ V, RILJAK V, FRICK KM, HODOSY J, TÓTHOVÁ Ľ. Sex steroid hormones in depressive disorders as a basis for new potential treatment strategies. Physiol Res 2022; 71:S187-S202. [PMID: 36647907 PMCID: PMC9906660 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.935001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The sex steroid hormones (SSHs) such as testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and their metabolites have important organizational and activational impacts on the brain during critical periods of brain development and in adulthood. A variety of slow and rapid mechanisms mediate both organizational and activational processes via intracellular or membrane receptors for SSHs. Physiological concentrations and distribution of SSHs in the brain result in normal brain development. Nevertheless, dysregulation of hormonal equilibrium may result in several mood disorders, including depressive disorders, later in adolescence or adulthood. Gender differences in cognitive abilities, emotions as well as the 2-3 times higher prevalence of depressive disorders in females, were already described. This implies that SSHs may play a role in the development of depressive disorders. In this review, we discuss preclinical and clinical studies linked to SSHs and development of depressive disorders. Our secondary aim includes a review of up-to-date knowledge about molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of depressive disorders. Understanding these molecular mechanisms might lead to significant treatment adjustments for patients with depressive disorders and to an amelioration of clinical outcomes for these patients. Nevertheless, the impact of SSHs on the brain in the context of the development of depressive disorders, progression, and treatment responsiveness is complex in nature, and depends upon several factors in concert such as gender, age, comorbidities, and general health conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam PILLEROVÁ
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Michal PASTOREK
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Veronika BORBÉLYOVÁ
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Vladimír RILJAK
- Institute of Physiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karyn M. FRICK
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Július HODOSY
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Ľubomíra TÓTHOVÁ
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
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