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Bonumwezi JL, Grapin SL, Uddin M, Coyle S, Habintwali D, Lowe SR. Intergenerational trauma transmission through family psychosocial factors in adult children of Rwandan survivors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Soc Sci Med 2024; 348:116837. [PMID: 38579628 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Thirty years after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, children of survivors are being increasingly documented to be at higher risk compared to their peers for adverse mental health outcomes. However, no studies in Rwanda have empirically explored family psychosocial factors underlying this intergenerational transmission of trauma. We investigated family psychosocial factors that could underlie this transmission in 251 adult Rwandan children of survivors (mean age = 23.31, SD = 2.40; 50.2% female) who completed a cross-sectional online survey. For participants with survivor mothers (n = 187), we found that both offspring-reported maternal trauma exposure and maternal PTSD were indirectly associated with children's PTSD via maternal trauma communication (specifically, nonverbal and guilt-inducing communication), and that maternal PTSD was indirectly associated with children's PTSD, anxiety, and depression symptoms through family communication styles. For participants with survivor fathers (n = 170), we found that paternal PTSD symptoms were indirectly associated with children's anxiety and depression symptoms via paternal parenting styles (specifically, abusive and indifferent parenting). Although replication is needed in longitudinal research with parent-child dyads, these results reaffirm the importance of looking at mass trauma in a family context and suggest that intergenerational trauma interventions should focus on addressing family communication, trauma communication, and parenting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sally L Grapin
- Department of Psychology, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, USA
| | - Monica Uddin
- Genomics Program, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Samantha Coyle
- Department of Psychology, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, USA
| | | | - Sarah R Lowe
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Yale University, CT, USA
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2
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Dias BG. Legacies of salient environmental experiences-insights from chemosensation. Chem Senses 2024; 49:bjae002. [PMID: 38219073 PMCID: PMC10825851 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjae002] [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: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Evidence for parental environments profoundly influencing the physiology, biology, and neurobiology of future generations has been accumulating in the literature. Recent efforts to understand this phenomenon and its underlying mechanisms have sought to use species like rodents and insects to model multi-generational legacies of parental experiences like stress and nutritional exposures. From these studies, we have come to appreciate that parental exposure to salient environmental experiences impacts the cadence of brain development, hormonal responses to stress, and the expression of genes that govern cellular responses to stress in offspring. Recent studies using chemosensory exposure have emerged as a powerful tool to shed new light on how future generations come to be influenced by environments to which parents are exposed. With a specific focus on studies that have leveraged such use of salient chemosensory experiences, this review synthesizes our current understanding of the concept, causes, and consequences of the inheritance of chemosensory legacies by future generations and how this field of inquiry informs the larger picture of how parental experiences can influence offspring biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian G Dias
- Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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3
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Rzeszutek M, Dragan M, Lis-Turlejska M, Schier K, Holas P, Pięta M, Van Hoy A, Drabarek K, Poncyliusz C, Michałowska M, Wdowczyk G, Borowska N, Szumiał S. Long-lasting effects of World War II trauma on PTSD symptoms and embodiment levels in a national sample of Poles. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17222. [PMID: 37821535 PMCID: PMC10567698 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44300-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The main aim of this study was to investigate the long-lasting influences of World War II (WWII) trauma in a national sample of Poles, based on Danieli's (1998) survivors' post-trauma adaptational styles (fighter, numb, victim) and their link with current post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and embodiment level among participants. We also sought to investigate whether the level of knowledge about WWII trauma among ancestors could moderate that association. The study was conducted among a representative sample of 1598 adult Poles obtained from an external company. Participants filled out the Danieli Inventory of Multigenerational Legacies of Trauma, the knowledge about traumatic World War II experiences in the family questionnaire, the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale-5, and the Experience of Embodiment Scale. We observed a positive relationship between all survivors' post-trauma adaptational styles and current levels of PTSD symptoms among participants. In addition, PTSD level mediated the relationships between those adaptational styles and embodiment intensity; that mediation was additionally moderated by a lack of knowledge about WWII trauma among ancestors in our participants. Our study adds to the literature on intergenerational trauma by highlighting the importance of evaluating embodiment in understanding the mechanisms of trauma transmission. Furthermore, it highlights the moderating effect of knowledge of family history in this mechanism and the need to share family histories with subsequent generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Rzeszutek
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Stawki 5/7, 00-183, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Dragan
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Stawki 5/7, 00-183, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maja Lis-Turlejska
- Faculty of Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Chodakowska Street 19/31, 03-815, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Schier
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Stawki 5/7, 00-183, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paweł Holas
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Stawki 5/7, 00-183, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Pięta
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Stawki 5/7, 00-183, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Angelika Van Hoy
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Stawki 5/7, 00-183, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Drabarek
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Stawki 5/7, 00-183, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Cecylia Poncyliusz
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Stawki 5/7, 00-183, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Gabriela Wdowczyk
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Stawki 5/7, 00-183, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Natalia Borowska
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Stawki 5/7, 00-183, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Szymon Szumiał
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Stawki 5/7, 00-183, Warsaw, Poland
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4
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Orton SM, Millis K, Choate P. Epigenetics of Trauma Transmission and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: What Does the Evidence Support? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6706. [PMID: 37681846 PMCID: PMC10487479 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20176706] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) results from teratogenic impacts of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Trauma and prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can both cause neurodevelopmental impairment, and it has been proposed that FASD can amplify effects of trauma. Certain PAE and trauma effects are mediated via epigenetic mechanisms. The objective of this review is to present the current evidence for epigenetics in trauma transmission as it relates to FASD, to help bridge a potential knowledge gap for social workers and related health professionals. We include a primer on epigenetic mechanisms and inheritance, followed by a summary of the current biomedical evidence supporting intergenerational and transgenerational epigenetic transmission of trauma, its relevance to FASD, the intersection with social transmission, and finally the application to social work. We propose potential models of transmission, considering where social and epigenetic pathways may intersect and/or compound across generations. Overall, we aim to provide a better understanding of epigenetic-trauma transmission for its application to health professions, in particular which beliefs are (and are not) evidence-based. We discuss the lack of research and challenges of studying epigenetic transmission in humans and identify the need for public health interventions and best practices that are based on the current evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M. Orton
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Biology, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB T3E 6K6, Canada;
| | - Kimberly Millis
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Biology, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB T3E 6K6, Canada;
| | - Peter Choate
- Faculty of Health, Community & Education, Department of Child Studies and Social Work, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB T3E 6K6, Canada;
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Raise-Abdullahi P, Meamar M, Vafaei AA, Alizadeh M, Dadkhah M, Shafia S, Ghalandari-Shamami M, Naderian R, Afshin Samaei S, Rashidy-Pour A. Hypothalamus and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Review. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1010. [PMID: 37508942 PMCID: PMC10377115 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13071010] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans have lived in a dynamic environment fraught with potential dangers for thousands of years. While fear and stress were crucial for the survival of our ancestors, today, they are mostly considered harmful factors, threatening both our physical and mental health. Trauma is a highly stressful, often life-threatening event or a series of events, such as sexual assault, war, natural disasters, burns, and car accidents. Trauma can cause pathological metaplasticity, leading to long-lasting behavioral changes and impairing an individual's ability to cope with future challenges. If an individual is vulnerable, a tremendously traumatic event may result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The hypothalamus is critical in initiating hormonal responses to stressful stimuli via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Linked to the prefrontal cortex and limbic structures, especially the amygdala and hippocampus, the hypothalamus acts as a central hub, integrating physiological aspects of the stress response. Consequently, the hypothalamic functions have been attributed to the pathophysiology of PTSD. However, apart from the well-known role of the HPA axis, the hypothalamus may also play different roles in the development of PTSD through other pathways, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes, as well as by secreting growth hormone, prolactin, dopamine, and oxytocin. This review aims to summarize the current evidence regarding the neuroendocrine functions of the hypothalamus, which are correlated with the development of PTSD. A better understanding of the role of the hypothalamus in PTSD could help develop better treatments for this debilitating condition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Morvarid Meamar
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Maryam Alizadeh
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Qom Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran
| | - Masoomeh Dadkhah
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Sakineh Shafia
- Immunogenetics Research Center, Department of Physiology, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | | | - Ramtin Naderian
- Student Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Seyed Afshin Samaei
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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Panahi S, Spearman B, Sundrud J, Lunceford M, Kamimura A. Perceived Stress, Cortisol Responses, and the Effect of Social Networks among Uninsured Free Clinic Patients. South Med J 2023; 116:464-470. [PMID: 37263608 DOI: 10.14423/smj.0000000000001565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Stress among free clinic patients is an important issue to address in health care. Evaluating the differences between perceived stress and physiological stress will help healthcare professionals to better understand the stress and coping management skills that will improve health outcomes for underserved populations. The aim of this study was to accelerate research to better understand the biological and psychological aspect of stress in health disparities. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study using a convenience sample of free clinic patients aged 18 years and older who spoke English and/or Spanish. Multiple modals of data were collected from 178 participants during summer 2019, including a self-administered paper survey and a biomedical saliva sample. Descriptive statistics were used to present the characteristics of the participants, and a correlation heatmap was used to show a graphical representation of the main variables. Two models of multivariable regression were performed to understand factors associated with cortisol and perceived stress. RESULTS Higher levels of perceived stress were not significantly more prevalent than higher levels of salivary cortisol among free clinic patients; however, higher levels of social networking were significantly associated with lower levels of perceived stress. Our analysis revealed that having more friends in a social network was slightly more associated with lower levels of perceived stress than having more family members. CONCLUSIONS The result of this study provides awareness to healthcare promoters and educators concerning the health of uninsured patients. More specifically, this study provides a foundation to understand the salivary cortisol levels and the relation to perceived stress among this population. Further studies are needed to measure salivary cortisol repeatedly during a period of time among a larger population to better understand the reasons behind normal cortisol level manifesting along with chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samin Panahi
- From the Department of Sociology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
| | | | | | | | - Akiko Kamimura
- From the Department of Sociology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
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7
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Raza Z, Hussain SF, Foster VS, Wall J, Coffey PJ, Martin JF, Gomes RSM. Exposure to war and conflict: The individual and inherited epigenetic effects on health, with a focus on post-traumatic stress disorder. FRONTIERS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 3:1066158. [PMID: 38455905 PMCID: PMC10910933 DOI: 10.3389/fepid.2023.1066158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
War and conflict are global phenomena, identified as stress-inducing triggers for epigenetic modifications. In this state-of-the-science narrative review based on systematic principles, we summarise existing data to explore the outcomes of these exposures especially in veterans and show that they may result in an increased likelihood of developing gastrointestinal, auditory, metabolic and circadian issues, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We also note that, despite a potential "healthy soldier effect", both veterans and civilians with PTSD exhibit the altered DNA methylation status in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulatory genes such as NR3C1. Genes associated with sleep (PAX8; LHX1) are seen to be differentially methylated in veterans. A limited number of studies also revealed hereditary effects of war exposure across groups: decreased cortisol levels and a heightened (sex-linked) mortality risk in offspring. Future large-scale studies further identifying the heritable risks of war, as well as any potential differences between military and civilian populations, would be valuable to inform future healthcare directives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zara Raza
- Research & Innovation, Blind Veterans UK, London, United Kingdom
- BRAVO VICTOR, Research & Innovation, London, United Kingdom
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Syeda F Hussain
- Research & Innovation, Blind Veterans UK, London, United Kingdom
- BRAVO VICTOR, Research & Innovation, London, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria S Foster
- Research & Innovation, Blind Veterans UK, London, United Kingdom
- BRAVO VICTOR, Research & Innovation, London, United Kingdom
- St George's Hospital Medical School, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Wall
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- Haxby Group Hull, General Practice Surgery, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Peter J Coffey
- Development, Ageing and Disease, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John F Martin
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Renata S M Gomes
- Research & Innovation, Blind Veterans UK, London, United Kingdom
- BRAVO VICTOR, Research & Innovation, London, United Kingdom
- Northern Hub for Veterans and Military Families Research, Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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8
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Guardino CM, Rahal D, Rinne GR, Mahrer NE, Davis EP, Adam EK, Shalowitz MU, Ramey SL, Schetter CD. Maternal stress and mental health before pregnancy and offspring diurnal cortisol in early childhood. Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22314. [PMID: 36282760 PMCID: PMC10111814 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22314] [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: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The current study investigates whether prepregnancy maternal posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, depressive symptoms, and stress predict children's cortisol diurnal slopes and cortisol awakening responses (CARs) adjusting for relevant variables. Mothers were enrolled after delivering a baby and followed through their subsequent pregnancy with 5 years of longitudinal data on their subsequent child. This prospective design allowed assessment of PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress prior to pregnancy. Children provided three saliva samples per day on three consecutive days at two timepoints in early childhood (M age = 3.7 years, SD = 0.38; M age = 5.04 years, SD = 0.43). Mothers' PTSD symptoms prior to pregnancy were significantly associated with flatter child diurnal cortisol slopes at 4 and 5 years, but not with child CAR. Findings at the age of 4 years, but not 5 years, remained statistically significant after adjustment for maternal socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, child age, and other covariates. In contrast, maternal prepregnancy depressive symptoms and perceived stress did not significantly predict cortisol slopes or CAR. Results suggest that maternal prepregnancy PTSD symptoms may contribute to variation in early childhood physiology. This study extends earlier work demonstrating risk of adverse outcomes among children whose mothers experienced trauma but associations cannot be disentangled from effects of prenatal mental health of mothers on children's early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Danny Rahal
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Gabrielle R Rinne
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Nicole E Mahrer
- Psychology Department, University of La Verne, La Verne, California, USA
| | - Elysia Poggi Davis
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Emma K Adam
- School of Education and Social Policy and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Madeleine U Shalowitz
- Department of Pediatrics, NorthShore University HealthSystem Research Institute, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Sharon L Ramey
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
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Carmi L, Zohar J, Weissman T, Juven-Wetzler A, Bierer L, Yehuda R, Cohen H. Hydrocortisone in the emergency department: a prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled posttraumatic stress disorder study. Hydrocortisone during golden hours. CNS Spectr 2022; 28:1-7. [PMID: 35678177 DOI: 10.1017/s1092852922000852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A blunted response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis immediately after exposure to traumatic events has been proposed as a risk factor for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Accordingly, administration of hydrocortisone in the aftermath of a traumatic event is indicated. This study consisted of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial investigating whether a single intravenous dose of hydrocortisone administered within 6 hours after exposure to trauma would reduce the incidence of PTSD at the 13-month follow-up. METHODS A total of 118 consented patients with acute stress symptoms were administered a single intravenous bolus of hydrocortisone/placebo within 6 hours of the traumatic event. Blood samples were taken before hydrocortisone administration. RESULTS At 13 months, the hydrocortisone group did not differ from the placebo group regarding PTSD prevalence or symptom severity. However, a significant interaction between time of the trauma (ie, night, when cortisol's level is low) and treatment was found. Specifically, a lower prevalence of PTSD was found at the 13-month follow-up in the hydrocortisone night group. CONCLUSIONS Administration of hydrocortisone within 6 hours of the traumatic event was not effective in preventing PTSD compared to placebo. However, nocturnal administration (when cortisol levels are low) may suggest a new venue for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lior Carmi
- Post Trauma Center, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Data Science Institution, The Inter Disciplinary Center, Herzliya, Israel
| | - Joseph Zohar
- Post Trauma Center, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Tal Weissman
- Post Trauma Center, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | | | - Linda Bierer
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel Yehuda
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- PTSD Clinical Research Program & Laboratory of Clinical Neuroendocrinology and Neurochemistry, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hagit Cohen
- Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
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Du J, Diao H, Zhou X, Zhang C, Chen Y, Gao Y, Wang Y. Post-traumatic stress disorder: a psychiatric disorder requiring urgent attention. MEDICAL REVIEW (BERLIN, GERMANY) 2022; 2:219-243. [PMID: 37724188 PMCID: PMC10388753 DOI: 10.1515/mr-2022-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe and heterogenous psychiatric disorder that was first defined as a mental disorder in 1980. Currently, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and the International Classification of Diseases 11th Edition (ICD-11) offer the most widely accepted diagnostic guidelines for PTSD. In both diagnostic categories, experiencing a traumatic event (TE) is the necessary criterion for diagnosing PTSD. The TEs described in the DSM-5 include actual or threatened death, serious injury, sexual violence, and other extreme stressors, either directly or indirectly. More than 70% of adults worldwide are exposed to a TE at least once in their lifetime, and approximately 10% of individuals develop PTSD after experiencing a TE. The important features of PTSD are intrusion or re-experiencing fear memories, pervasive sense of threat, active avoidance, hyperarousal symptoms, and negative alterations of cognition and mood. Individuals with PTSD have high comorbidities with other psychiatric diseases, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and substance use disorder. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that the pathophysiology of PTSD is complex, involving abnormal neural circuits, molecular mechanisms, and genetic mechanisms. A combination of both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is used to treat PTSD, but has limited efficacy in patients with refractory PTSD. Because of the high prevalence, heavy burden, and limited treatments, PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that requires urgent attention. In this review, we summarize and discuss the diagnosis, prevalence, TEs, pathophysiology, and treatments of PTSD and draw attention to its prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Du
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huapeng Diao
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojuan Zhou
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunkui Zhang
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yifei Chen
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Gao
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yizheng Wang
- The Brain Science Center, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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11
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Chouliara Z, Barlow PG. Trust, inflammatory biomarkers and adversity: a novel investigation and clinical implications. BRITISH JOURNAL OF GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/03069885.2022.2039899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zoë Chouliara
- Independent Practice, Edinburgh, UK
- SE NHS Trust Ulster Hospital Psychology Post COVID Service, Locum Consultant, Belfast, UK
| | - Peter G. Barlow
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK
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12
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Que nous apprenent les enfants des survivants de la shoah sur la transmission transgenerationnelle du traumatisme? EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TRAUMA & DISSOCIATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejtd.2021.100249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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13
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Vuong E, Hemmings SM, Mhlongo S, Chirwa E, Lombard C, Peer N, Abrahams N, Seedat S. Adiponectin gene polymorphisms and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among female rape survivors: an exploratory study. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2022; 13:2107820. [PMID: 35992226 PMCID: PMC9389930 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2022.2107820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Rape is a common traumatic event which may result in the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet few studies have investigated risk biomarkers in sexually traumatised individuals. Adiponectin is a novel cytokine within inflammatory and cardiometabolic pathways with evidence of involvement in PTSD. Objective: This prospective exploratory study in a sample of female rape survivors investigated the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) and posttraumatic stress symptom (PTSS) severity, and the interaction of these SNPs of interest with childhood trauma in modifying the association with PTSS severity. Method: The study involved 455 rape-exposed black South African women (mean age (SD), 25.3 years (±5.5)) recruited within 20 days of being raped. PTSS was assessed using the Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS) and childhood trauma was assessed using a modified version of the Childhood Trauma Scale-Short Form Questionnaire. Eight ADIPOQ SNPs (rs17300539, rs16861194, rs16861205, rs2241766, rs6444174, rs822395, rs1501299, rs1403697) were genotyped using KASP. Mixed linear regression models were used to test additive associations of ADIPOQ SNPs and PTSS severity at baseline, 3 and 6 months following rape. Results: The mean DTS score post-sexual assault was high (71.3 ± 31.5), with a decrease in PTSS severity shown over time for all genotypes. rs6444174TT genotype was inversely associated with baseline PTSS in the unadjusted model (β = -13.6, 95% CI [-25.1; -2.1], p = .021). However, no genotype was shown to be significantly associated with change in PTSS severity over time and therefore ADIPOQ SNP x childhood trauma interaction was not further investigated. Conclusion: None of the ADIPOQ SNPs selected for investigation in this population were shown to be associated with change in PTSS severity over a 6-month period and therefore their clinical utility as risk biomarkers for rape-related PTSD appears limited. These SNPs should be further investigated in possible gene-gene and gene-environment interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Vuong
- South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI), PTSD Program, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Sian Megan Hemmings
- South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI), PTSD Program, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,South African Medical Research Council / Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shibe Mhlongo
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Esnat Chirwa
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.,School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Carl Lombard
- Biostatitistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nasheeta Peer
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa.,Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Naeemah Abrahams
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.,School of Public Health and Family Medicine: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Soraya Seedat
- South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI), PTSD Program, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.,South African Medical Research Council / Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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14
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The Gasotransmitter Hydrogen Sulfide and the Neuropeptide Oxytocin as Potential Mediators of Beneficial Cardiovascular Effects through Meditation after Traumatic Events. TRAUMA CARE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/traumacare1030016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Trauma and its related psychological and somatic consequences are associated with higher cardiovascular morbidity. The regulation of both the gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) have been reported to be affected during physical and psychological trauma. Both mediators are likely molecular correlates of trauma-induced cardiovascular complications, because they share parallel roles and signaling pathways in the cardiovascular system, both locally as well as on the level of central regulation and the vagus nerve. Meditation can alter the structure of specific brain regions and can have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. This perspective article summarizes the evidence pointing toward the significance of H2S and OT signaling in meditation-mediated cardio-protection.
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15
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Cravedi KD, May MD, Abettan JA, Huckleberry KA, Trettel SG, Vuong CV, Altman DE, Gauchan S, Shansky RM, Matson LM, Sousa JC, Lowery-Gionta EG, Moore NLT. Response and recovery of endocrine, behavioral, and neuronal morphology outcomes after different traumatic stressor exposures in male rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 133:105394. [PMID: 34474197 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Preclinical models of organismal response to traumatic stress (threat of death or serious injury) can be monitored using neuroendocrine, behavioral, and structural metrics. While many rodent models of traumatic stress have provided a glimpse into select components of the physiological response to acute and chronic stressors, few studies have directly examined the potential differences between stressors and their potential outcomes. To address this gap, we conducted a multi-level comparison of the immediate and longer-term effects of two types of acute traumatic stressors. Adult male rats were exposed to either underwater trauma (UWT), predator exposure (PE), or control procedural handling conditions. Over the next 7 days, yoked cohorts underwent either serial blood sampling for neuroendocrine evaluation across the circadian cycle, or repeated behavioral testing in the elevated plus maze. In addition, a subset of brains from the latter cohort were assessed for dendritic spine changes in the prefrontal cortex and basolateral amygdala. We observed stressor-dependent patterns of response and recovery across all measures, with divergence between endocrine responses despite similar behavioral outcomes. These results demonstrate that different stressors elicit unique behavioral, neuroendocrine, and neuro-structural response profiles and suggest that specific stress models can be used to model desired responses for specific preclinical applications, such as evaluations of underlying mechanisms or therapeutic candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D Cravedi
- Performance Assessment and Chemical Evaluation (PACE) Laboratory, Behavioral Biology Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Matthew D May
- Performance Assessment and Chemical Evaluation (PACE) Laboratory, Behavioral Biology Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Jordan A Abettan
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Behavior, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kylie A Huckleberry
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Behavior, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sean G Trettel
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Behavior, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chau V Vuong
- Drug Metabolism and Distribution Laboratory, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Daniel E Altman
- Performance Assessment and Chemical Evaluation (PACE) Laboratory, Behavioral Biology Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Sangeeta Gauchan
- Performance Assessment and Chemical Evaluation (PACE) Laboratory, Behavioral Biology Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Rebecca M Shansky
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Behavior, Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Liana M Matson
- Performance Assessment and Chemical Evaluation (PACE) Laboratory, Behavioral Biology Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Jason C Sousa
- Drug Metabolism and Distribution Laboratory, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Emily G Lowery-Gionta
- Performance Assessment and Chemical Evaluation (PACE) Laboratory, Behavioral Biology Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
| | - Nicole L T Moore
- Performance Assessment and Chemical Evaluation (PACE) Laboratory, Behavioral Biology Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA
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16
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Gordon JS, Znayenko-Miller T. Transforming Trauma With Lifestyle Medicine. Am J Lifestyle Med 2021; 15:538-540. [PMID: 34646103 PMCID: PMC8504341 DOI: 10.1177/15598276211008123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A common misconception is that trauma-"injury" to the mind, body, and spirit-comes only to those individuals who have experienced threats of death, sexual violence, or serious injury. The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and the widespread disruption, anxiety, and stress it has left in its wake have shown us that this is not the case; trauma is universal. Left unaddressed, trauma can have long-term physical and psychological consequences. It appears that the consequences of trauma can also be transmitted from generation to generation through modifications in the DNA of the exposed individual that alter the function of one or more genes. Meditation and other practical, evidence-based mind-body skills can reverse what has been damaged by traumatic events and long-term stress. The Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM), established in 1991, has developed a comprehensive, innovative, and evidence-based model that has been used by diverse populations to heal psychological trauma and promote resilience. Comprehensive, easily available programs of self-care and group support, such as The CMBM's Mind-Body Skills Group Model, can ensure that children and adults everywhere have the psychological skills they need to address the trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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17
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Day N, Shloim N. Therapists' experiences of working with the intergenerational impact of troubles‐related trauma. PSYCHOTHERAPY AND POLITICS INTERNATIONAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ppi.1585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Day
- School of Healthcare Baines Wing University of Leeds Leeds UK
| | - Netalie Shloim
- School of Healthcare Baines Wing University of Leeds Leeds UK
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18
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Post-traumatic stress disorder and its association with stroke and stroke risk factors: A literature review. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 14:100332. [PMID: 34026954 PMCID: PMC8122169 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Stroke is a major cause of mortality and disability globally that has multiple risk factors. A risk factor that has recently gained more attention is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Literature searches were carried out for updated PTSD information and for the relationship between PTSD and stroke. The review was divided into two sections, one exploring PTSD as an independent risk factor for stroke, with a second concentrating on PTSD's influence on stroke risk factors. The study presents accumulating evidence that shows traumatic stress predicts stroke and is also linked to many major stroke risk factors. The review contributes knowledge to stroke aetiology and acts as a reference for understanding the relationship between PTSD and stroke. The information presented indicates that screening and identification of traumatic experience would be beneficial for directing stroke patients to appropriate psychological and lifestyle interventions. In doing so, the burden of stroke may be reduced worldwide.
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19
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Daskalakis NP, Xu C, Bader HN, Chatzinakos C, Weber P, Makotkine I, Lehrner A, Bierer LM, Binder EB, Yehuda R. Intergenerational trauma is associated with expression alterations in glucocorticoid- and immune-related genes. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:763-773. [PMID: 33173192 PMCID: PMC8027026 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-00900-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Offspring of trauma survivors are more likely to develop PTSD, mood, and anxiety disorders and demonstrate endocrine and molecular alterations compared to controls. This study reports the association between parental Holocaust exposure and genome-wide gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 77 Holocaust survivor offspring and 15 comparison subjects. Forty-two differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in association with parental Holocaust exposure (FDR-adjusted p < 0.05); most of these genes were downregulated and co-expressed in a gene network related to immune cell functions. When both parental Holocaust exposure and maternal age at Holocaust exposure shared DEGs, fold changes were in the opposite direction. Similarly, fold changes of shared DEGs associated with maternal PTSD and paternal PTSD were in opposite directions, while fold changes of shared DEGs associated with both maternal and paternal Holocaust exposure or associated with both maternal and paternal age at Holocaust exposure were in the same direction. Moreover, the DEGs associated with parental Holocaust exposure were enriched for glucocorticoid-regulated genes and immune pathways with some of these genes mediating the effects of parental Holocaust exposure on C-reactive protein. The top gene across all analyses was MMP8, encoding the matrix metalloproteinase 8, which is a regulator of innate immunity. To conclude, this study identified a set of glucocorticoid and immune-related genes in association with parental Holocaust exposure with differential effects based on parental exposure-related factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos P. Daskalakis
- grid.240206.20000 0000 8795 072XDepartment of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA USA ,grid.66859.34Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA ,grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA
| | - Changxin Xu
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA ,grid.274295.f0000 0004 0420 1184Mental Health Care Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY USA
| | - Heather N. Bader
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA ,grid.274295.f0000 0004 0420 1184Mental Health Care Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY USA
| | - Chris Chatzinakos
- grid.240206.20000 0000 8795 072XDepartment of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA USA ,grid.66859.34Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, USA
| | - Peter Weber
- grid.419548.50000 0000 9497 5095Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Iouri Makotkine
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA ,grid.274295.f0000 0004 0420 1184Mental Health Care Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY USA
| | - Amy Lehrner
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA ,grid.274295.f0000 0004 0420 1184Mental Health Care Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY USA
| | - Linda M. Bierer
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA ,grid.274295.f0000 0004 0420 1184Mental Health Care Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY USA
| | - Elisabeth B. Binder
- grid.419548.50000 0000 9497 5095Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany ,grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Rachel Yehuda
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. .,Mental Health Care Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
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20
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Pang TY, Yaeger JDW, Summers CH, Mitra R. Cardinal role of the environment in stress induced changes across life stages and generations. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 124:137-150. [PMID: 33549740 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The stress response in rodents and humans is exquisitely dependent on the environmental context. The interactive element of the environment is typically studied by creating laboratory models of stress-induced plasticity manifested in behavior or the underlying neuroendocrine mediators of the behavior. Here, we discuss three representative sets of studies where the role of the environment in mediating stress sensitivity or stress resilience is considered across varying windows of time. Collectively, these studies testify that environmental variation at an earlier time point modifies the relationship between stressor and stress response at a later stage. The metaplastic effects of the environment on the stress response remain possible across various endpoints, including behavior, neuroendocrine regulation, region-specific neural plasticity, and regulation of receptors. The timescale of such variation spans adulthood, across stages of life history and generational boundaries. Thus, environmental variables are powerful determinants of the observed diversity in stress response. The predominant role of the environment suggests that it is possible to promote stress resilience through purposeful modification of the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terence Y Pang
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, 3052, VIC, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, 3010, VIC, Australia
| | - Jazmine D W Yaeger
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, 57069, USA; Neuroscience Group, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, 57069, USA; Veterans Affairs Research Service, Sioux Falls VA Health Care System, Sioux Falls, SD, 57105, USA
| | - Cliff H Summers
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, 57069, USA; Neuroscience Group, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, 57069, USA; Veterans Affairs Research Service, Sioux Falls VA Health Care System, Sioux Falls, SD, 57105, USA
| | - Rupshi Mitra
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637551, Singapore.
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21
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Cheng X, D'Orsogna MR, Chou T. Mathematical modeling of depressive disorders: Circadian driving, bistability and dynamical transitions. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 19:664-690. [PMID: 33510869 PMCID: PMC7815682 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a key neuroendocrine system implicated in stress response, major depression disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. We present a new, compact dynamical systems model for the response of the HPA axis to external stimuli, representing stressors or therapeutic intervention, in the presence of a circadian input. Our work builds upon previous HPA axis models where hormonal dynamics are separated into slow and fast components. Several simplifications allow us to derive an effective model of two equations, similar to a multiplicative-input FitzHugh-Nagumo system, where two stable states, a healthy and a diseased one, arise. We analyze the effective model in the context of state transitions driven by external shocks to the hypothalamus, but also modulated by circadian rhythms. Our analyses provide mechanistic insight into the effects of the circadian cycle on input driven transitions of the HPA axis and suggest a circadian influence on exposure or cognitive behavioral therapy in depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoou Cheng
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Peking University, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Maria R D'Orsogna
- Dept. of Mathematics, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330, United States
- Dept. of Computational Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Tom Chou
- Dept. of Computational Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- Dept. of Mathematics, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
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22
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Jawaid A, Jehle KL, Mansuy IM. Impact of Parental Exposure on Offspring Health in Humans. Trends Genet 2020; 37:373-388. [PMID: 33189388 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2020.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The possibility that parental life experiences and environmental exposures influence mental and physical health across generations is an important concept in biology and medicine. Evidence from animal models has established the existence of a non-genetic mode of inheritance. This form of heredity involves transmission of the effects of parental exposure to the offspring through epigenetic changes in the germline. Studying the mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance in humans is challenging because it is difficult to obtain multigeneration cohorts, to collect reproductive cells in exposed parents, and to exclude psychosocial and cultural confounders. Nonetheless, epidemiological studies in humans exposed to famine, stress/trauma, or toxicants have provided evidence that parental exposure can impact the health of descendants, in some cases, across several generations. A few studies have also started to reveal epigenetic changes in the periphery and sperm after certain exposures. This article reviews these studies and evaluates the current evidence for the potential contribution of epigenetic factors to heredity in humans. The challenges and limitations of this fundamental biological process, its implications, and its societal relevance are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Jawaid
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Research Institute, Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland; Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zürich, Switzerland; BRAINCITY EMBL-Nencki Center of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Isabelle M Mansuy
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Brain Research Institute, Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland; Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zürich, Switzerland.
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23
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Abstract
Unpeeling what is usually concealed by professional language, this essay explores the interactive relationship between my research, on the one hand, and my personal and family history, on the other. These connections are not simply uni-directional, but dynamic and interactive, evolving over time. Although some of my research questions may have paralleled my personal challenges, the Holocaust survivors I have researched also deeply affected my emotional life and personal trajectory at different times. I briefly discuss my genealogical inheritance coupled with an in-depth focus on my scholarship.
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24
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Notaras M, van den Buuse M. Neurobiology of BDNF in fear memory, sensitivity to stress, and stress-related disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:2251-2274. [PMID: 31900428 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0639-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is widely accepted for its involvement in resilience and antidepressant drug action, is a common genetic locus of risk for mental illnesses, and remains one of the most prominently studied molecules within psychiatry. Stress, which arguably remains the "lowest common denominator" risk factor for several mental illnesses, targets BDNF in disease-implicated brain regions and circuits. Altered stress-related responses have also been observed in animal models of BDNF deficiency in vivo, and BDNF is a common downstream intermediary for environmental factors that potentiate anxiety- and depressive-like behavior. However, BDNF's broad functionality has manifested a heterogeneous literature; likely reflecting that BDNF plays a hitherto under-recognized multifactorial role as both a regulator and target of stress hormone signaling within the brain. The role of BDNF in vulnerability to stress and stress-related disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is a prominent example where inconsistent effects have emerged across numerous models, labs, and disciplines. In the current review we provide a contemporary update on the neurobiology of BDNF including new data from the behavioral neuroscience and neuropsychiatry literature on fear memory consolidation and extinction, stress, and PTSD. First we present an overview of recent advances in knowledge on the role of BDNF within the fear circuitry, as well as address mounting evidence whereby stress hormones interact with endogenous BDNF-TrkB signaling to alter brain homeostasis. Glucocorticoid signaling also acutely recruits BDNF to enhance the expression of fear memory. We then include observations that the functional common BDNF Val66Met polymorphism modulates stress susceptibility as well as stress-related and stress-inducible neuropsychiatric endophenotypes in both man and mouse. We conclude by proposing a BDNF stress-sensitivity hypothesis, which posits that disruption of endogenous BDNF activity by common factors (such as the BDNF Val66Met variant) potentiates sensitivity to stress and, by extension, vulnerability to stress-inducible illnesses. Thus, BDNF may induce plasticity to deleteriously promote the encoding of fear and trauma but, conversely, also enable adaptive plasticity during extinction learning to suppress PTSD-like fear responses. Ergo regulators of BDNF availability, such as the Val66Met polymorphism, may orchestrate sensitivity to stress, trauma, and risk of stress-induced disorders such as PTSD. Given an increasing interest in personalized psychiatry and clinically complex cases, this model provides a framework from which to experimentally disentangle the causal actions of BDNF in stress responses, which likely interact to potentiate, produce, and impair treatment of, stress-related psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Notaras
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Maarten van den Buuse
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia. .,Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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25
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Fennell KA, Busby RGG, Li S, Bodden C, Stanger SJ, Nixon B, Short AK, Hannan AJ, Pang TY. Limitations to intergenerational inheritance: subchronic paternal stress preconception does not influence offspring anxiety. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16050. [PMID: 32994491 PMCID: PMC7525454 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72560-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Independent studies have observed that a paternal history of stress or trauma is associated with his children having a greater likelihood of developing psychopathologies such as anxiety disorders. This father-to-child effect is reproduced in several mouse models of stress, which have been crucial in developing a greater understanding of intergenerational epigenetic inheritance. We previously reported that treatment of C57Bl/6J male breeders with low-dose corticosterone (CORT) for 28 days prior to mating yielded increased anxiety-related behaviours in their male F1 offspring. The present study aimed to determine whether subchronic 7-day CORT treatment of male mice just prior to mating would be sufficient to induce intergenerational modifications of anxiety-related behaviours in offspring. We report that subchronic CORT treatment of male breeders reduced their week-on-week body weight gain and altered NR3C1 and CRH gene expression in the hypothalamus. There were no effects on sperm count and glucocorticoid receptor protein levels within the epididymal tissue of male breeders. Regarding the F1 offspring, screening for anxiety-related behaviours using the elevated-plus maze, light–dark box, and novelty-suppressed feeding test revealed no differences between the offspring of CORT-treated breeders compared to controls. Thus, it is crucial that future studies take into consideration the duration of exposure when assessing the intergenerational impacts of paternal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Fennell
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - R G G Busby
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Institute of Applied BioSciences and Chemistry, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - S Li
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - C Bodden
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - S J Stanger
- Discipline of Biological Sciences, Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - B Nixon
- Discipline of Biological Sciences, Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.,Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - A K Short
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Pediatrics, University of CA - Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - A J Hannan
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - T Y Pang
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia. .,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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26
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Petrowski K, Wichmann S, Pyrc J, Steudte-Schmiedgen S, Kirschbaum C. Hair cortisol predicts avoidance behavior and depressiveness after first-time and single-event trauma exposure in motor vehicle crash victims. Stress 2020; 23:567-576. [PMID: 31939338 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2020.1714585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of cortisol as a premorbid vulnerability factor for trauma sequelae remains unclear. Furthermore, the onset of long-term endocrine changes in response to first-time trauma as a function of later psychopathology is not clarified yet. Thus the predictive value of pre- and post-traumatic hair cortisol concentrations (HCCs) for psychological trauma sequelae was investigated in response to motor vehicle crash (MVC). A total of N= 62 MVC survivors participated in this study (46 females, mean age (SD): 43.94(12.95)). Subsequent trauma sequelae were measured with a structured clinical interview and self-report questionnaires to evaluate psychological symptoms (pre-MVC and three months post-MVC). Hair strands were taken immediately after MVC and three months post-MVC, reflecting cumulative cortisol secretion over the three-month period before and after the MVC. A total of 22.6% of the participants developed a trauma sequela with an affective disorder (14.5%) and/or anxiety disorder (16.1%). We observed a significant main effect of group and diagnosis × time interaction with an increase of HCC in those individuals who presented a subsequent psychiatric disorder. Regression analyses revealed that post-MVC increased HCC were significantly predictive of higher levels of subsequent depressiveness, and that pre-MVC increased HCC were predictive of higher levels of subsequent avoidance behavior. Our findings demonstrate that individual differences in long-term cortisol secretion in response to a first-time traumatic event (MVC) contribute to subsequent psychopathology. Specifically, higher long-term cortisol secretion before and after first-time MVC was a risk factor for subsequent development of avoidance behavior and depressiveness, respectively.Lay summaryHigher cortisol secretion and stress experience before a motor vehicle crash was a risk factor for subsequent development of psychological symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Petrowski
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
- Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Susann Wichmann
- Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jaroslav Pyrc
- Department of Trauma & Reconstructive Surgery, Technische Universität Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Clemens Kirschbaum
- Department of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Lloyd S, Larivée A. Time, trauma, and the brain: How suicide came to have no significant precipitating event. SCIENCE IN CONTEXT 2020; 33:299-327. [PMID: 34096495 DOI: 10.1017/s0269889721000065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this article, we trace shifting narratives of trauma within psychiatric, neuroscience, and environmental epigenetics research. We argue that two contemporary narratives of trauma - each of which concerns questions of time and psychopathology, of the past invading the present - had to be stabilized in order for environmental epigenetics models of suicide risk to be posited. Through an examination of these narratives, we consider how early trauma came to be understood as playing an etiologically significant role in the development of suicide risk. Suicide, in these models, has come to be seen as a behavior that has no significant precipitating event, but rather an exceptional precipitating neurochemical state, whose origins are identified in experiences of early traumatic events. We suggest that this is a part of a broader move within contemporary neurosciences and biopsychiatry to see life as post: seeing life as specific form of post-traumatic subjectivity.
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Pilkay SR, Combs-Orme T, Tylavsky F, Bush N, Smith AK. Maternal trauma and fear history predict BDNF methylation and gene expression in newborns. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8858. [PMID: 32509442 PMCID: PMC7247527 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Trauma and related fear exert significant influence on mental and physical health throughout the lifespan and are associated with intergenerational patterns of development, health, and behavior. DNA methylation and gene expression are involved in our developmental adaptations to our experiences and can be influenced by social interventions. Patterns of DNA methylation and expression of a gene involved in neurodevelopment and psychiatric risk (BDNF) have been linked with childhood trauma. Given the intergenerational patterns of health and behavior, and previous links between childhood trauma and BDNF methylation and expression, this study investigated the potential for maternal history of traumatic experiences to influence development in her newborn, via changes in her newborn’s BDNF methylation and expression. We found that mothers’ trauma history was associated with epigenetic regulation of BDNF in their newborns. Moreover, the association between maternal trauma and BDNF methylation and expression patterns were moderated by newborn sex. Male newborns showed increased BDNF expression with maternal exposure to child abuse (p = .001), and increased BDNF methylation with greater maternal fear (p = .001). Female newborns showed reduced BDNF expression with greater maternal fear (p = .004). Practitioners strive to identify prevention and intervention avenues that will reduce the harmful effects of trauma. Future research should consider the potential for maternal historical trauma experiences to influence offspring DNA methylation and gene expression in a manner that could alter development and inform novel prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie R Pilkay
- School of Social Work, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, United States of America
| | - Terri Combs-Orme
- College of Social Work, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States of America
| | - Frances Tylavsky
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee-Memphis, Memphis, TN, United States of America
| | - Nicole Bush
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States of America.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
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Davison B, Singh GR, Oguoma VM, McFarlane J. Fingernail cortisol as a marker of chronic stress exposure in Indigenous and non-Indigenous young adults. Stress 2020; 23:298-307. [PMID: 31651211 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2019.1683159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cumulative exposure to stress over a long period can negatively impact an individual's health. Significant advancements in biomarkers of chronic stress have been made, with the use of fingernails recently explored. Cross sectional data from the Australian Aboriginal Birth Cohort (Indigenous) and Top End Cohort (non-Indigenous) were used to investigate the associations (sociodemographic and emotional) of fingernail cortisol in Indigenous and non-Indigenous young adults. Details on sociodemographic (age, gender, and Indigenous identification), smoking and alcohol use, emotional wellbeing, and emotional stress (perceived stress and stressful events), and fingernail samples were obtained face-to-face. Fingernail samples were analyzed for 179 Indigenous and 66 non-Indigenous participants (21-28 years). Indigenous participants were subjected to higher rates of stressful events compared to non-Indigenous (Median 6.0; interquartile range (IQR) 4, 9 vs. 1.0; IQR 0, 2; p < .001). Median cortisol levels were similar between Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants (4.36 pg/mg; IQR 2.2, 10.0 vs. 3.87 pg/mg: IQR 2.0, 9.7; p = .68). However, Indigenous participants had a higher cortisol level on adjustment for emotional distress and exposure to stressful events (Geometric Mean 1.82; 95CI: 1.07-3.09), with a negative association with increasing number of stressful events (Geometric Mean 0.94; 95CI 0.90, 0.99). Collection of fingernails was an easily conducted, well-tolerated method to measure stress markers in this multicultural cohort. Indigenous young adults experienced a high number of stressful events which was associated with a lowering of fingernail cortisol levels.Lay abstractChronic stress can impact negatively on health and emotional wellbeing. A fingernail sample provided a culturally acceptable, noninvasive method of measuring chronic stress in Indigenous and non-Indigenous young adults. Cortisol levels, a marker of chronic stress, were different between Indigenous and non-Indigenous young adults and were influenced by emotional status and occurrence of multiple stressful events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Davison
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
| | - Gurmeet R Singh
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
- Northern Territory Medical Program, Flinders University, Darwin, Australia
| | - Victor M Oguoma
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
| | - James McFarlane
- Centre for Bioactive Discovery in Health & Ageing, University of New England, Armidale, Australia
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Gomez-Verjan JC, Barrera-Vázquez OS, García-Velázquez L, Samper-Ternent R, Arroyo P. Epigenetic variations due to nutritional status in early-life and its later impact on aging and disease. Clin Genet 2020; 98:313-321. [PMID: 32246454 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetics refers to changes in gene function, not resulting from the primary DNA sequence, influenced by the environment. It provides a link between the molecular regulation of the genome and the environmental signals exposed during the life of individuals (including lifestyle, social behavior, development, and nutrition). Notably, early development (intrauterine or postnatal) is highly influenced by the adverse socioeconomic status that leads to malnutrition or obesity; these conditions induce changes over the fetal epigenetic programming and can be transferred by transgenerational inheritance, inducing alterations of the transcription of genes related to several metabolic and neurological processes. Moreover, obesity during pregnancy, and excessive gestational weight gain are associated with an increased risk of fatal pregnancy complications, and adverse cardio-metabolic, respiratory and cognitive-related outcomes of the future child. However, most of our knowledge in this field comes from experimental animal models, that partially resemble the nutritional effects of humans. In this context, nutritional effects implicated in historical famines represent valuable information about the transgenerational effects of undernutrition and stress. In the present review, we attempt to describe the most outstanding results from the most studied famines about the impact of malnutrition on the epigenome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C Gomez-Verjan
- División de Ciencias Básicas, Instituto Nacional de Geriatría (INGER), Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Lizbeth García-Velázquez
- Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rafael Samper-Ternent
- Geriatric/Sealy Center on Aging, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Pedro Arroyo
- División de Epidemiología, Instituto Nacional de Geriatría (INGER), Mexico City, Mexico
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31
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Pan X, Kaminga AC, Wen SW, Wang Z, Wu X, Liu A. The 24-hour urinary cortisol in post-traumatic stress disorder: A meta-analysis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227560. [PMID: 31918435 PMCID: PMC6952249 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Previous studies found inconsistent results on the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and concentrations of 24-hour (24-h) urinary cortisol. This study performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize previous findings on this relationship. Methods We searched in the databases of Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Psyc-ARTICLES for articles published before September 2018. We used the random-effects model with restricted maximum-likelihood estimator to synthesize the effect sizes by calculating the standardized mean difference (SMD) and assessing its significance. Results Six hundred and nineteen articles were identified from the preceding databases and 20 of them were included in the meta-analysis. Lower concentrations of 24-h urinary cortisol were observed in patients with PTSD when compared with the controls (SMD = -0.49, 95%CI [-0.91; -0.07], p = 0.02). Subgroup analysis revealed that the concentrations of 24-h urinary cortisol were lower in PTSD patients than in the controls for studies that included female participants or studies that included participants from the United States of America. Conclusions Overall, decreased levels of 24-h urinary cortisol were linked with the pathophysiology of PTSD. Nonetheless, more studies should be conducted to validate the molecular underpinnings of urine cortisol degeneration in PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiongfeng Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Atipatsa C Kaminga
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Mzuzu University, Mzuzu, Malawi
| | - Shi Wu Wen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zhipeng Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoli Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Aizhong Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
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32
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Nakayama M, Hori H, Itoh M, Lin M, Niwa M, Ino K, Imai R, Ogawa S, Sekiguchi A, Matsui M, Kunugi H, Kim Y. Possible Long-Term Effects of Childhood Maltreatment on Cognitive Function in Adult Women With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:344. [PMID: 32425832 PMCID: PMC7212372 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulated evidence shows that individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have compromised cognitive function. PTSD is associated with childhood maltreatment, which also can negatively affect cognitive function. It is therefore possible that cognitive dysfunction in adult patients with PTSD can be due at least partly to childhood maltreatment, although little is documented on this issue. Here we aimed to examine the possible effect of childhood maltreatment on cognitive function in adult patients with PTSD. A total of 50 women with DSM-IV PTSD and 94 healthy control women were enrolled. Most of the patients developed PTSD after experiencing interpersonal violence during adulthood. History of childhood maltreatment was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Cognitive functions were assessed by the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Compared to controls, patients reported significantly more experiences of all types of childhood maltreatment as assessed by the CTQ and showed significantly poorer performance on immediate memory, language, attention, and the total score of RBANS. In patients, sexual abuse scores were significantly negatively correlated with RBANS language (p < 0.001) and total score (p = 0.005). Further analyses revealed that PTSD patients with childhood sexual abuse had even poorer cognitive function than those without the abuse. In controls, no significant correlation was found between CTQ and RBANS scores. These results suggest that childhood maltreatment, specifically sexual abuse, may lead to persistent cognitive impairment in individuals with PTSD. Our findings might underscore the importance of early detection and intervention of childhood maltreatment, which will be achieved by careful observation of, and listening to, maltreated children in education and welfare scenes as well as clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michi Nakayama
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Hori
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mariko Itoh
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mingming Lin
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Madoka Niwa
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiko Ino
- Department of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Risa Imai
- Department of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Sei Ogawa
- Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Atsushi Sekiguchi
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mie Matsui
- Department of Clinical Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Liberal Arts and Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kunugi
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiharu Kim
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
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Uniyal A, Singh R, Akhtar A, Dhaliwal J, Kuhad A, Sah SP. Pharmacological rewriting of fear memories: A beacon for post-traumatic stress disorder. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 870:172824. [PMID: 31778672 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.172824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychopathological response that develops after exposure to an extreme life-threatening traumatic event. Its prevalence ranges from 0.5% to 14.5% worldwide. Due to the complex pathophysiology of PTSD, currently available treatment approaches are associated with high chances of failure, thus further research to identify better pharmacotherapeutic approaches is needed. The traumatic event associated with fear memories plays an important role in the development of PTSD and could be considered as the main culprit. PTSD patient feels frightened in a safe environment as the memories of the traumatic event are revisited. Neurocircuit involving normal processing of fear memories get disturbed in PTSD hence making a fear memory to remain to dominate even after years of trauma. Persistence of fear memories could be explained by acquisition, re-(consolidation) and extinction triad as all of these processes have been widely explored in preclinical as well as clinical studies and set a therapeutic platform for fear memory associated disorders. This review focuses on neurocircuit and pathophysiology of PTSD in context to fear memories and pharmacological targeting of fear memory for the management of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Uniyal
- Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC-CAS, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India; Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (B.H.U.) Varanasi, 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Raghunath Singh
- Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC-CAS, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Ansab Akhtar
- Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC-CAS, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Jatinder Dhaliwal
- Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC-CAS, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Anurag Kuhad
- Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC-CAS, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Sangeeta Pilkhwal Sah
- Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC-CAS, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India.
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Uniyal A, Singh R, Akhtar A, Bansal Y, Kuhad A, Sah SP. Co-treatment of piracetam with risperidone rescued extinction deficits in experimental paradigms of post-traumatic stress disorder by restoring the physiological alterations in cortex and hippocampus. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2019; 185:172763. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.172763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Greenblatt Kimron L, Marai I, Lorber A, Cohen M. The long-term effects of early-life trauma on psychological, physical and physiological health among the elderly: the study of Holocaust survivors. Aging Ment Health 2019; 23:1340-1349. [PMID: 30621428 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2018.1523880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: To study post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth and heart rate variability among elderly Holocaust survivors and a matched comparison group and the mediational effect of post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth on the association between Holocaust experience and heart rate variability. Method: 159 Holocaust survivors and 87 matched participants without Holocaust experience answered post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth questionnaires. Heart rate variability time and frequency parameters were measured for a subsample of N = 133. Results: Holocaust survivors reported higher levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth. Most heart rate variability measures were similar in the two groups, except for better heart rate variability measured by the ratio of low frequency/high frequency among Holocaust survivors. Structural equation modeling showed that belonging to the Holocaust survivor group was associated with higher post-traumatic stress symptoms and higher post-traumatic growth, as well as better heart rate variability scores (standard deviation of normal to normal R-R intervals, high frequency and the ratio of low frequency/high frequency) through the mediation of post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth. Conclusions: The study emphasized the duality of the association between post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth and their integrated effect on heart rate variability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ibrahim Marai
- b Cardiovascular Department, Baruch Padeh Medical Center , Poriya , Israel
| | - Abraham Lorber
- c Pediatric Cardiology, Rambam Health Care Campus , Haifa , Israel
| | - Miri Cohen
- d School of Social Work, University of Haifa , Haifa , Israel
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36
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Locci A, Pinna G. Social isolation as a promising animal model of PTSD comorbid suicide: neurosteroids and cannabinoids as possible treatment options. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 92:243-259. [PMID: 30586627 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by drastic alterations in mood, emotions, social abilities and cognition. Notably, one aspect of PTSD, particularly in veterans, is its comorbidity with suicide. Elevated aggressiveness predicts high-risk to suicide in humans and despite the difficulty in reproducing a complex human suicidal behavior in rodents, aggressive behavior is a well reproducible behavioral trait of suicide. PTSD animal models are based on a peculiar phenotype, including exaggerated fear memory and impaired fear extinction associated with neurochemical dysregulations in the brain circuitry regulating emotion. The endocannabinoid and the neurosteroid systems regulate emotions and stress responses, and recent evidence shows these two systems are interrelated and critically compromised in neuropsychiatric disorders. For instance, levels of the neurosteroid, allopregnanolone, as well as those of the endocannabinoids, anandamide and its congener, palmitoylethanolamide are decreased in PTSD. Similarly, the endocannabinoid system and neurosteroid biosynthesis are altered in suicidal individuals. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the only FDA-approved treatments for PTSD, fail to help half of the treatment-seeking patients. This highlights the need for developing biomarker-based efficient therapies. One promising alternative to SSRIs points to stimulation of allopregnanolone biosynthesis as a treatment and a valid end-point to predict treatment response in PTSD patients. This review highlights running findings on the role of the endocannabinoid and neurosteroid systems in PTSD and suicidal behavior both in a preclinical and clinical perspective. A specific focus is given to predictive PTSD/suicide animal models. Ultimately, we discuss the idea that disruption of neurosteroid and endocannabinoid biosynthesis may offer a novel promising biomarker axis to develop new treatments for PTSD and, perhaps, suicidal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Locci
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Graziano Pinna
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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Bhattacharya S, Fontaine A, MacCallum PE, Drover J, Blundell J. Stress Across Generations: DNA Methylation as a Potential Mechanism Underlying Intergenerational Effects of Stress in Both Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Pre-clinical Predator Stress Rodent Models. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:113. [PMID: 31191267 PMCID: PMC6547031 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although most humans will experience some type of traumatic event in their lifetime only a small set of individuals will go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Differences in sex, age, trauma type, and comorbidity, along with many other elements, contribute to the heterogenous manifestation of this disorder. Nonetheless, aberrant hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, especially in terms of cortisol and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) alterations, has been postulated as a tenable factor in the etiology and pathophysiology of PTSD. Moreover, emerging data suggests that the harmful effects of traumatic stress to the HPA axis in PTSD can also propagate into future generations, making offspring more prone to psychopathologies. Predator stress models provide an ethical and ethologically relevant way to investigate tentative mechanisms that are thought to underlie this phenomenon. In this review article, we discuss findings from human and laboratory predator stress studies that suggest changes to DNA methylation germane to GRs may underlie the generational effects of trauma transmission. Understanding mechanisms that promote stress-induced psychopathology will represent a major advance in the field and may lead to novel treatments for such devastating, and often treatment-resistant trauma and stress-disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriya Bhattacharya
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Audrey Fontaine
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada.,Institut des Systèmes Intelligents et de Robotique (ISIR), Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, France
| | - Phillip E MacCallum
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - James Drover
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Jacqueline Blundell
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
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38
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Snijders C, de Nijs L, Baker DG, Hauger RL, van den Hove D, Kenis G, Nievergelt CM, Boks MP, Vermetten E, Gage FH, Rutten BPF. MicroRNAs in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2019; 38:23-46. [PMID: 29063484 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2017_32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can develop following exposure to or witnessing of a (potentially) threatening event. A critical issue is to pinpoint the (neuro)biological mechanisms underlying the susceptibility to stress-related disorder such as PTSD, which develops in the minority of ~15% of individuals exposed to trauma. Over the last few years, a first wave of epigenetic studies has been performed in an attempt to identify the molecular underpinnings of the long-lasting behavioral and mental effects of trauma exposure. The potential roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as microRNAs (miRNAs) in moderating or mediating the impact of severe stress and trauma are increasingly gaining attention. To date, most studies focusing on the roles of miRNAs in PTSD have, however, been completed in animals, using cross-sectional study designs and focusing almost exclusively on subjects with susceptible phenotypes. Therefore, there is a strong need for new research comprising translational and cross-species approaches that use longitudinal designs for studying trajectories of change contrasting susceptible and resilient subjects. The present review offers a comprehensive overview of available studies of miRNAs in PTSD and discusses the current challenges, pitfalls, and future perspectives of this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Snijders
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, (EURON), Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Laurence de Nijs
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, (EURON), Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Dewleen G Baker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Richard L Hauger
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Daniel van den Hove
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, (EURON), Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, 97080, Germany
| | - Gunter Kenis
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, (EURON), Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline M Nievergelt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Marco P Boks
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Vermetten
- Military Mental Health Research Center, Ministry of Defense, P.O. Box 90000, Utrecht, 3509 AA, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
- Arq Psychotrauma Research Group, Diemen, 1112 XE, The Netherlands
| | - Fred H Gage
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Bart P F Rutten
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, (EURON), Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands.
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Hori H, Kim Y. Inflammation and post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2019; 73:143-153. [PMID: 30653780 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
While post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is currently diagnosed based solely on classic psychological and behavioral symptoms, a growing body of evidence has highlighted a link between this disorder and alterations in the immune and inflammatory systems. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that PTSD is associated with significantly increased rates of physical comorbidities in which immune dysregulation is involved, such as metabolic syndrome, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune diseases. In line with this, a number of blood biomarker studies have reported that compared to healthy controls, individuals with PTSD exhibit significantly elevated levels of proinflammatory markers, such as interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and C-reactive protein. Moreover, various lines of animal and human research have suggested that inflammation is not only associated with PTSD but also can play an important role in its pathogenesis and pathophysiology. In this review, we first summarize evidence suggestive of increased inflammation in PTSD. We then examine findings that suggest possible mechanisms of inflammation in this disorder in terms of two different but interrelated perspectives: putative causes of increased proinflammatory activities and potential consequences that inflammation generates. Given that there is currently a dearth of treatment options for PTSD, possibilities of new therapeutic approaches using pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments/interventions that have anti-inflammatory effects are also discussed. Despite the increasing attention given to the inflammatory pathology of PTSD, there remains much to be elucidated, including more detailed mechanisms of inflammation, potential usefulness of inflammatory biomarkers as diagnostic and prognostic markers, and efficacy of novel treatment strategies targeting inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Hori
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiharu Kim
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
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Davison B, Singh GR, McFarlane J. Hair cortisol and cortisone as markers of stress in Indigenous and non-Indigenous young adults. Stress 2019; 22:210-220. [PMID: 30663480 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2018.1543395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic, ongoing stress can impact negatively on health and wellbeing. Indigenous Australians are at an increased risk of experiencing multiple stressors. Hair glucocorticoids have been used as a marker for chronic stress. This study aimed to assess the associations of hair cortisol and cortisone with sociodemographic (age, gender, Indigenous Identification), substance use, emotional wellbeing, and emotional stress, in a cohort at increased risk of stressful events and psychological distress. Cross-sectional data (age 21-28 years) are presented from two Australian longitudinal studies; the Aboriginal Birth Cohort (n = 253) and non-Indigenous Top End Cohort (n = 72). A third of the cohort reported psychological distress, with Indigenous participants reporting higher rates of stressful events compared to non-Indigenous (6 vs. 1; p < .001). Significantly higher levels of cortisone were seen in Indigenous women compared to non-Indigenous women (β 0.21; p = .003). A positive association with age was present in hair cortisol and cortisone in Indigenous young adults (β 0.29 and β 0.41; p < .001, respectively). No association with substance use, emotional wellbeing or emotional stress was seen. Sub-analysis in women suggested a possible curvilinear relationship between hair cortisone and the number of stressful events. In this culturally diverse cohort, hair sampling provides a noninvasive, easily conducted and generally well tolerated mechanism to measure stress markers. The association with age, even in this narrow age range, likely represents the manifold changes in circumstances (financial independence, becoming parents, increased risk of substance use and mental illness) that occur during this transitional period of life, particularly for young Indigenous women. LAY ABSTRACT Chronic stress can impact negatively on health and emotional wellbeing. A hair sample is an easy way to measure chronic stress in Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people. The markers of chronic stress, cortisol and cortisone, were different between Indigenous and non-Indigenous, men and women and increased with age in Indigenous young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Davison
- a Menzies School of Health Research , Charles Darwin University , Darwin , NT , Australia
| | - Gurmeet R Singh
- a Menzies School of Health Research , Charles Darwin University , Darwin , NT , Australia
- b Northern Territory Medical Program , Flinders University , Darwin , NT , Australia
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Dasgupta P, Sarkar S, Das AA, Verma T, Nandy B. Intergenerational paternal effect of adult density in Drosophila melanogaster. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:3553-3563. [PMID: 30962910 PMCID: PMC6434557 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Notwithstanding recent evidences, paternal environment is thought to be a potential but unlikely source of fitness variation that can affect trait evolution. Here we studied intergenerational effects of males' exposure to varying adult density in Drosophila melanogasterlaboratory populations.We held sires at normal (N), medium (M) and high (H) adult densities for 2 days before allowing them to mate with virgin females. This treatment did not introduce selection through differential mortality. Further, we randomly paired males and females and allowed a single round of mating between the sires and the dams. We then collected eggs from the dams and measured the egg size. Finally, we investigated the effect of the paternal treatment on juvenile and adult (male) fitness components.We found a significant treatment effect on juvenile competitive ability where the progeny sired by the H-males had higher competitive ability. Since we did not find the treatment to affect egg size, this effect is unlikely to be mediated through variation in female provisioning.Male fitness components were also found to have a significant treatment effect: M-sons had lower dry weight at eclosion, higher mating latency, and lower competitive mating success.While being the first study to show both adaptive and non-adaptive effect of the paternal density in Drosophila, our results highlight the importance of considering paternal environment as important source of fitness variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Purbasha Dasgupta
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research BerhampurBerhampurIndia
| | | | | | - Tanya Verma
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research BerhampurBerhampurIndia
| | - Bodhisatta Nandy
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research BerhampurBerhampurIndia
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McCormick GL, Robbins TR, Cavigelli SA, Langkilde T. Population history with invasive predators predicts innate immune function response to early life glucocorticoid exposure. J Exp Biol 2019; 222:jeb.188359. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.188359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Early life stress can suppress immune function, but it is unclear if transgenerational stress exposure modulates the immune consequences of early stress. In populations where, historically, the immune system is frequently activated, e.g. persistent stressors that cause injury, it may be maladaptive to suppress immune function after early life stress. Thus, the relationship between early life stress and immune function may vary with population-level historical stressor exposure. We collected gravid fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus) from populations that naturally differ in long-term exposure to invasive fire ants (Solenopsis invicta). We manipulated early life stress in resulting offspring via weekly exposure to fire ants, application of the stress-relevant hormone corticosterone, or control treatment from 2 to 43 weeks of age. We quantified adult immune function in these offspring with baseline and antigen-induced hemagglutination and plasma bacterial killing ability. Early life corticosterone exposure suppressed baseline hemagglutination in offspring of lizards from populations without fire ants but enhanced hemagglutination in those from populations with fire ants. This enhancement may prepare lizards for high rates of wounding, toxin exposure, and infection associated with fire ant attack. Adult bacterial killing ability and hemagglutination were not affected by early life exposure to fire ants, but the latter was higher in offspring of lizards from invaded sites. A population's history of persistent wounding may thus alter individual long-term immunological responses to early life stressors. Further consideration of historical stressor exposure (type and duration) may be important to better understand how early life stressors affect adult physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gail L. McCormick
- Department of Biology, Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- The Center for Brain, Behavior and Cognition, The Huck Institute of the Life Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Travis R. Robbins
- Department of Biology, Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Sonia A. Cavigelli
- The Center for Brain, Behavior and Cognition, The Huck Institute of the Life Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Tracy Langkilde
- Department of Biology, Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- The Center for Brain, Behavior and Cognition, The Huck Institute of the Life Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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Dashorst P, Mooren TM, Kleber RJ, de Jong PJ, Huntjens RJC. Intergenerational consequences of the Holocaust on offspring mental health: a systematic review of associated factors and mechanisms. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2019; 10:1654065. [PMID: 31497262 PMCID: PMC6720013 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2019.1654065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Revised: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to war and violence has major consequences for society at large, detrimental impact on people's individual lives, and may also have intergenerational consequences. To gain more insight into these intergenerational consequences, research addressing the impact of the Holocaust on offspring is an important source of information. The aim of the current study was to systematically review the mechanisms of intergenerational consequences by summarizing characteristics in Holocaust survivors and their offspring suggested to impact the offspring's mental health. We focused on: 1) parental mental health problems, 2) (perceived) parenting and attachment quality, 3) family structure, especially parental Holocaust history, 4) additional stress and life events, and 5) psychophysiological processes of transmission. We identified 23 eligible studies published between 2000 and 2018. Only Holocaust survivor studies met the inclusion criteria. Various parent and child characteristics and their interaction were found to contribute to the development of psychological symptoms and biological and epigenetic variations. Parental mental health problems, perceived parenting, attachment quality, and parental gender appeared to be influential for the mental well-being of their offspring. In addition, having two survivor parents resulted in higher mental health problems compared to having one survivor parent. Also, there was evidence suggesting that Holocaust survivor offspring show a heightened vulnerability for stress, although this was only evident in the face of actual danger. Finally, the results also indicate intergenerational effects on offspring cortisol levels. Clinical and treatment implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Trudy M Mooren
- Stichting Centrum'45/partner in Arq, Diemen, The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical & Health Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rolf J Kleber
- Stichting Centrum'45/partner in Arq, Diemen, The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical & Health Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter J de Jong
- Department of Clinical Psychology & Experimental Psychopathology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rafaele J C Huntjens
- Department of Clinical Psychology & Experimental Psychopathology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Ullmann E, Licinio J, Perry SW, White LO, Klein AM, Barthel A, Petrowski K, Stalder T, Oratovski B, von Klitzing K, Bornstein SR, Kirschbaum C. Inherited anxiety-related parent-infant dyads alter LHPA activity. Stress 2019; 22:27-35. [PMID: 30424700 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2018.1494151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is incompletely understood. We hypothesize that disruptions in mother-child relations may be a key contributor to development of PTSD. A normal and healthy separation-individuation process requires adaptations of self- and interactive contingency in both the mother and her child, especially in early childhood development. Anxious mothers are prone to overprotection, which may hinder the individuation process in their children. We examined long-term stress hormones and other stress markers in subjects three generations removed from the Holocaust, to assess the long-term consequences of inherited behavioral and physiological responses to prior stress and trauma. Jewish subjects who recalled overprotective parental behavior had higher hairsteroid-concentrations and dampened limbic-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (LHPA) axis reactivity compared to German and Russian-German subjects with overprotective parents. We suggest that altered LHPA axis activity in maternally overprotected Jewish subjects may indicate a transmitted pathomechanism of "frustrated individuation" resulting from cross-generational anti-Semitic experiences. Thus measurements of hairsteroid-concentrations and parenting practices may have clinical value for diagnosis of PTSD. We propose that this apparent inherited adaptivity of LHPA axis activity could promote higher individual stress resistance, albeit with risk of an allostatic overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Ullmann
- a Department of Medicine , Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University of Dresden , Dresden , Germany
- b Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University of Leipzig , Leipzig , Germany
| | - J Licinio
- c College of Medicine , SUNY Upstate Medical University , New York , NY, USA
| | - S W Perry
- c College of Medicine , SUNY Upstate Medical University , New York , NY, USA
| | - L O White
- b Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University of Leipzig , Leipzig , Germany
| | - A M Klein
- b Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University of Leipzig , Leipzig , Germany
- d International Psychoanalytic University Berlin , Berlin, Germany
| | - A Barthel
- a Department of Medicine , Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University of Dresden , Dresden , Germany
- e Medicover , Bochum , Germany
| | - K Petrowski
- f Department of Psychology , University of Witten/Herdecke , Witten/Herdecke , Germany
| | - T Stalder
- g Department of Psychology , Biopsychology, Technical University of Dresden , Dresden , Germany
- h Department of Developmental Psychology , University of Siegen , Siegen , Germany
| | - B Oratovski
- a Department of Medicine , Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University of Dresden , Dresden , Germany
| | - K von Klitzing
- b Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University of Leipzig , Leipzig , Germany
| | - S R Bornstein
- a Department of Medicine , Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University of Dresden , Dresden , Germany
- i Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetes , Kings College London , London , UK
| | - C Kirschbaum
- g Department of Psychology , Biopsychology, Technical University of Dresden , Dresden , Germany
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Yehuda R, Lehrner A. Intergenerational transmission of trauma effects: putative role of epigenetic mechanisms. World Psychiatry 2018; 17:243-257. [PMID: 30192087 PMCID: PMC6127768 DOI: 10.1002/wps.20568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper reviews the research evidence concerning the intergenerational transmission of trauma effects and the possible role of epigenetic mechanisms in this transmission. Two broad categories of epigenetically mediated effects are highlighted. The first involves developmentally programmed effects. These can result from the influence of the offspring's early environmental exposures, including postnatal maternal care as well as in utero exposure reflecting maternal stress during pregnancy. The second includes epigenetic changes associated with a preconception trauma in parents that may affect the germline, and impact fetoplacental interactions. Several factors, such as sex-specific epigenetic effects following trauma exposure and parental developmental stage at the time of exposure, explain different effects of maternal and paternal trauma. The most compelling work to date has been done in animal models, where the opportunity for controlled designs enables clear interpretations of transmissible effects. Given the paucity of human studies and the methodological challenges in conducting such studies, it is not possible to attribute intergenerational effects in humans to a single set of biological or other determinants at this time. Elucidating the role of epigenetic mechanisms in intergenerational effects through prospective, multi-generational studies may ultimately yield a cogent understanding of how individual, cultural and societal experiences permeate our biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Yehuda
- James J. Peters Bronx Veterans Affairs Hospital, Bronx, NY, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amy Lehrner
- James J. Peters Bronx Veterans Affairs Hospital, Bronx, NY, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Abstract
AbstractThe question of whether and how the effects of cultural trauma can be transmitted intergenerationally from parents to offspring, or even to later generations, has evoked interest and controversy in academic and popular forums. Recent methodological advances have spurred investigations of potential epigenetic mechanisms for this inheritance, representing an exciting area of emergent research. Epigenetics has been described as the means through which environmental influences “get under the skin,” directing transcriptional activity and influencing the expression or suppression of genes. Over the past decade, this complex environment–biology interface has shown increasing promise as a potential pathway for the intergenerational transmission of the effects of trauma. This article reviews challenges facing research on cultural trauma, biological findings in trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder, and putative epigenetic mechanisms for transmission of trauma effects, including through social, intrauterine, and gametic pathways. Implications for transmission of cultural trauma effects are discussed, focused on the relevance of cultural narratives and the possibilities of resilience and adaptivity.
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Van Camp G, Cigalotti J, Bouwalerh H, Mairesse J, Gatta E, Palanza P, Maccari S, Morley-Fletcher S. Consequences of a double hit of stress during the perinatal period and midlife in female rats: Mismatch or cumulative effect? Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 93:45-55. [PMID: 29689422 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The interplay between experiences during critical developmental periods and later adult life is crucial in shaping individual variability in stress coping strategies. Exposure to stressful events in early life has strongly programs an individual's phenotype and adaptive capabilities. Until now, studies on programming and reversal strategies in early life stress animal models have been essentially limited to males. By using the perinatal stress (PRS) rat model (a model more sensitive to aging changes) in middle-aged females, we investigated the behavioral and endocrine responses following exposure in later life to an unpredictable chronic mild stress (uCMS) condition for six weeks. PRS by itself accelerated the ageing-related-disruption in the estrous cycle and led to reductions in the levels of estradiol. It also reduced motivational and risk-taking behavior in later life, with PRS females being characterized by a reduction in self-grooming in the splash test, in the exploration of the light compartment in the light/dark box test and in the time spent eating a palatable food in the novelty-induced suppression feeding test. PRS females showed impaired regulation of plasma glucose and insulin levels following a glucose challenge, with a hyperglycemic phenotype, and disrupted feedback of the HPA axis after acute stress with respect to controls. Remarkably, all PRS-induced alterations were modified by exposure to the uCMS procedure, thus resulting in a disease-dependent intervention; controls were not affected by uCMS, except for a slight and transient reduction in body weight, while PRS females displayed a reduced body weight gain for the entire duration of the uCMS procedure. Interestingly, the effects of uCMS on PRS females were still observed up to two months after its termination and the females displayed heightened rhythms of locomotor activity and enhanced sensitivity to reward with respect to controls exposed to uCMS. Our findings indicate that many parameters of the PRS female adult phenotype are shaped by both early and later life experiences in a non-additive way. As a consequence, early stressed individuals may be programmed with a more dynamic phenotype than non-stressed individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Van Camp
- University of Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576, UGSF, Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, 59655, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France; International Associated Laboratory (LIA) France/Italy: "Prenatal Stress and Neurodegenerative Diseases", University Lille1-CNRS UMR8576 and Sapienza University of Rome-IRCCS Neuromed
| | - Jenny Cigalotti
- Erasmus Program, Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università di Parma, 43100-Parma Italy and University of Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576, UGSF, 59655, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - Hammou Bouwalerh
- University of Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576, UGSF, Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, 59655, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France; International Associated Laboratory (LIA) France/Italy: "Prenatal Stress and Neurodegenerative Diseases", University Lille1-CNRS UMR8576 and Sapienza University of Rome-IRCCS Neuromed
| | - Jérôme Mairesse
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eleonora Gatta
- Center of Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
| | - Paola Palanza
- Unit of Neuroscience, Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Parma, 43100, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefania Maccari
- University of Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576, UGSF, Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, 59655, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France; IRCCS Neuromed, Italy
| | - Sara Morley-Fletcher
- University of Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576, UGSF, Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, 59655, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France; International Associated Laboratory (LIA) France/Italy: "Prenatal Stress and Neurodegenerative Diseases", University Lille1-CNRS UMR8576 and Sapienza University of Rome-IRCCS Neuromed.
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Jawaid A, Roszkowski M, Mansuy IM. Transgenerational Epigenetics of Traumatic Stress. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2018; 158:273-298. [PMID: 30072057 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic stress is a type of environmental experience that can modify behavior, cognition and physiological functions such as metabolism, in mammals. Many of the effects of traumatic stress can be transmitted to subsequent generations even when individuals from these generations are not exposed to any traumatic stressor. This book chapter discusses the concept of epigenetic/non-genomic inheritance of such traits involving the germline in mammals. It includes a comprehensive review of animal and human studies on inter- and transgenerational inheritance of the effects of traumatic stress, some of the epigenetic changes in the germline currently known to be associated with traumatic stress, and possible mechanisms for their induction and maintenance during development and adulthood. We also describe some experimental interventions that attempted to prevent the transmission of these effects, and consider the evolutionary importance of transgenerational inheritance and future outlook of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Jawaid
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich and Department of Health Science and Technology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Neuroscience Center Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Roszkowski
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich and Department of Health Science and Technology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Neuroscience Center Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle M Mansuy
- Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich and Department of Health Science and Technology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Neuroscience Center Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW Eating in response to negative emotions (EE) may be an explanatory factor of the weight regain of many dieters. This narrative review presents evidence on possible causes of EE and the association of EE with depression and obesity and discusses implications of these findings for the treatment of obesity. RECENT FINDINGS Possible causes of EE are high dietary restraint, poor interoceptive awareness, alexithymia, emotion dysregulation and a reversed hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) stress axis. EE may be the outcome of inadequate parenting or depressive feelings in interaction with genetic susceptibility. There is also robust evidence that EE is a mediator between depression and obesity. The association of EE with depression and poor emotion regulation skills suggests that the treatment of obese people with high EE should not focus on calorie-restricted diets but on emotion regulation skills. The DEBQ (Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire) enables such a matched treatment of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana van Strien
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Public Health research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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