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de Lima RMS, da Mata MJ, Santos JCPD, Costa L, Marques VHM, Bento LVDS, Lugon MDMV, Arcego DM, Barauna VG, Bittencourt AS, Bittencourt APSDV. Exploring the role of environmental enrichment and early life adversity on emotional development. Behav Brain Res 2024; 472:115147. [PMID: 39029628 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115147] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Early life adversity has been linked with a higher probability of developing behavioral impairments and environmental manipulation is a strategy that may reduce the negative effects of exposure to adversity in early life. Here, we focused on exploring the influence of environmental enrichment (EE) as a protective factor in the context of early life adversity. We hypothesized that 24 hours of maternal deprivation (MD), in the second week of life, could induce anxiety-like behavior alterations and that exposure to EE could induce resilience to these behaviors due to alterations in the serotonergic system. Male Wistar rats were exposed to MD, on postnatal days 11 and 13, and to EE, after weaning. In adulthood, we performed a series of behavioral tests for fear, anxiety, and locomotor activity. We also measured the levels of serotonin in the amygdala and dorsal raphe nucleus. Our results revealed that MD does not impact fear behavior or the levels of serotonin, while EE decreases locomotor activity in a novel environment and enhances exploration in the predator odor test. EE also decreases serotonin in the amygdala and increases its turnover rate levels. Our findings provide insights into the critical timeframe during which stress exposure impacts the development and confirm that exposure to EE has an independent and protective effect for anxiety-like behaviors later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randriely Merscher Sobreira de Lima
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Espírito Santo, Brazil.
| | - Martielo Januario da Mata
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Josefa Cristina Pereira Dos Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Ludhielle Costa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Victor Hugo Moreira Marques
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Victor Dos Santos Bento
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo di Marcello Valladão Lugon
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Danusa Mar Arcego
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Valério Garrone Barauna
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Athelson Stefanon Bittencourt
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Espírito Santo, Brazil; Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Santana de Vasconcellos Bittencourt
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Espírito Santo, Brazil
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2
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Alves J, Dos Santos APB, Vieira ADS, Martini APR, de Lima RMS, Smaniotto TÂ, de Moraes RO, Gomes RF, Acerbi GCDA, de Assis EZB, Lampert C, Dalmaz C, Couto Pereira NDS. Coping with the experience of frustration throughout life: Sex- and age-specific effects of early life stress on the susceptibility to reward devaluation. Neuroscience 2024; 553:160-171. [PMID: 38960089 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.06.020] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Early life stress may lead to lifelong impairments in psychophysiological functions, including emotional and reward systems. Unpredicted decrease in reward magnitude generates a negative emotional state (frustration) that may be involved with susceptibility to psychiatric disorders. We evaluated, in adolescents and adult rats of both sexes, whether maternal separation (MS) alters the ability to cope with an unexpected reduction of reward later in life. Litters of Wistar rats were divided into controls (non handled - NH) or subjected to MS. Animals were trained to find sugary cereal pellets; later the amount was reduced. Increased latency to reach the reward-associated area indicates higher inability to regulate frustration. The dorsal hippocampus (dHC) and basolateral amygdala (BLA) were evaluated for protein levels of NMDA receptor subunits (GluN2A/GluN2B), synaptophysin, PSD95, SNAP-25 and CRF1. We found that adult MS males had greater vulnerability to reward reduction, together with decreased GluN2A and increased GluN2B immunocontent in the dHC. MS females and adolescents did not differ from controls. We concluded that MS enhances the response to frustration in adult males. The change in the ratio of GluN2A and GluN2B subunits in dHC could be related to a stronger, more difficult to update memory of the aversive experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joelma Alves
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Bosquetti Dos Santos
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Aline Dos Santos Vieira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Rodrigues Martini
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Randriely Merscher Sobreira de Lima
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Thiago Ângelo Smaniotto
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Rafael Oliveira de Moraes
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Roger Ferreira Gomes
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Giulia Conde de Albite Acerbi
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Z B de Assis
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Carine Lampert
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Carla Dalmaz
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Natividade de Sá Couto Pereira
- Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, Psychology Research Centre (CIPsi), School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
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Arcego DM, Buschdorf JP, O'Toole N, Wang Z, Barth B, Pokhvisneva I, Rayan NA, Patel S, de Mendonça Filho EJ, Lee P, Tan J, Koh MX, Sim CM, Parent C, de Lima RMS, Clappison A, O'Donnell KJ, Dalmaz C, Arloth J, Provençal N, Binder EB, Diorio J, Silveira PP, Meaney MJ. A Glucocorticoid-Sensitive Hippocampal Gene Network Moderates the Impact of Early-Life Adversity on Mental Health Outcomes. Biol Psychiatry 2024; 95:48-61. [PMID: 37406925 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early stress increases the risk for psychiatric disorders. Glucocorticoids are stress mediators that regulate transcriptional activity and morphology in the hippocampus, which is implicated in the pathophysiology of multiple psychiatric conditions. We aimed to establish the relevance of hippocampal glucocorticoid-induced transcriptional activity as a mediator of the effects of early life on later psychopathology in humans. METHODS RNA sequencing was performed with anterior and posterior hippocampal dentate gyrus from adult female macaques (n = 12/group) that were chronically treated with betamethasone (glucocorticoid receptor agonist) or vehicle. Coexpression network analysis identified a preserved gene network in the posterior hippocampal dentate gyrus that was strongly associated with glucocorticoid exposure. The single nucleotide polymorphisms in the genes in this network were used to create an expression-based polygenic score in humans. RESULTS The expression-based polygenic score significantly moderated the association between early adversity and psychotic disorders in adulthood (UK Biobank, women, n = 44,519) and on child peer relations (ALSPAC [Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children], girls, n = 1666 for 9-year-olds and n = 1594 for 11-year-olds), an endophenotype for later psychosis. Analyses revealed that this network was enriched for glucocorticoid-induced epigenetic remodeling in human hippocampal cells. We also found a significant association between single nucleotide polymorphisms from the expression-based polygenic score and adult brain gray matter density. CONCLUSIONS We provide an approach for the use of transcriptomic data from animal models together with human data to study the impact of environmental influences on mental health. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that hippocampal glucocorticoid-related transcriptional activity mediates the effects of early adversity on neural mechanisms implicated in psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danusa Mar Arcego
- Douglas Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Jan-Paul Buschdorf
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Nicholas O'Toole
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Zihan Wang
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Barbara Barth
- Douglas Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Irina Pokhvisneva
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Sachin Patel
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Patrick Lee
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jennifer Tan
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Ming Xuan Koh
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Chu Ming Sim
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Carine Parent
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Andrew Clappison
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kieran J O'Donnell
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Carla Dalmaz
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Janine Arloth
- Department Genes and Environment, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany; Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Nadine Provençal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada; BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Elisabeth B Binder
- Department Genes and Environment, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Josie Diorio
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Patrícia Pelufo Silveira
- Douglas Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Michael J Meaney
- Douglas Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Translational Neuroscience Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore, Republic of Singapore; Brain Body Initiative, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore; Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Republic of Singapore
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Sunderji A, Gallant HD, Hall A, Davis AD, Pokhvisneva I, Meaney MJ, Silveira PP, Sassi RB, Hall GB. Serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene network moderates the impact of prenatal maternal adversity on orbitofrontal cortical thickness in middle childhood. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287289. [PMID: 37319261 PMCID: PMC10270637 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In utero, the developing brain is highly susceptible to the environment. For example, adverse maternal experiences during the prenatal period are associated with outcomes such as altered neurodevelopment and emotion dysregulation. Yet, the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigate whether the function of a network of genes co-expressed with the serotonin transporter in the amygdala moderates the impact of prenatal maternal adversity on the structure of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in middle childhood and/or the degree of temperamental inhibition exhibited in toddlerhood. T1-weighted structural MRI scans were acquired from children aged 6-12 years. A cumulative maternal adversity score was used to conceptualize prenatal adversity and a co-expression based polygenic risk score (ePRS) was generated. Behavioural inhibition at 18 months was assessed using the Early Childhood Behaviour Questionnaire (ECBQ). Our results indicate that in the presence of a low functioning serotonin transporter gene network in the amygdala, higher levels of prenatal adversity are associated with greater right OFC thickness at 6-12 years old. The interaction also predicts temperamental inhibition at 18 months. Ultimately, we identified important biological processes and structural modifications that may underlie the link between early adversity and future deviations in cognitive, behavioural, and emotional development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleeza Sunderji
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Heather D. Gallant
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Alexander Hall
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew D. Davis
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Irina Pokhvisneva
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Michael J. Meaney
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences and Brain–Body Initiative, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Patricia P. Silveira
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Roberto B. Sassi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Geoffrey B. Hall
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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5
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de Lima RMS, Couto Pereira NDS, Dalmaz C, Mar Arcego D. Editorial: Early life events: shedding light on neurobiological mechanisms. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1209494. [PMID: 37266160 PMCID: PMC10231680 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1209494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Randriely Merscher Sobreira de Lima
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Natividade de Sá Couto Pereira
- Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, Psychology Research Centre, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Carla Dalmaz
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Danusa Mar Arcego
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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6
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Silveira PP, Meaney MJ. Examining the biological mechanisms of human mental disorders resulting from gene-environment interdependence using novel functional genomic approaches. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 178:106008. [PMID: 36690304 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
We explore how functional genomics approaches that integrate datasets from human and non-human model systems can improve our understanding of the effect of gene-environment interplay on the risk for mental disorders. We start by briefly defining the G-E paradigm and its challenges and then discuss the different levels of regulation of gene expression and the corresponding data existing in humans (genome wide genotyping, transcriptomics, DNA methylation, chromatin modifications, chromosome conformational changes, non-coding RNAs, proteomics and metabolomics), discussing novel approaches to the application of these data in the study of the origins of mental health. Finally, we discuss the multilevel integration of diverse types of data. Advance in the use of functional genomics in the context of a G-E perspective improves the detection of vulnerabilities, informing the development of preventive and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Pelufo Silveira
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Michael J Meaney
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Translational Neuroscience Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore; Brain - Body Initiative, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore.
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7
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de Lima RMS, Barth B, Mar Arcego D, de Mendonça Filho EJ, Patel S, Wang Z, Pokhvisneva I, Parent C, Levitan RD, Kobor MS, de Vasconcellos Bittencourt APS, Meaney MJ, Dalmaz C, Silveira PP. Leptin receptor co-expression gene network moderates the effect of early life adversity on eating behavior in children. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1092. [PMID: 36241774 PMCID: PMC9568584 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03992-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptin influences eating behavior. Exposure to early adversity is associated with eating behaviour disorders and metabolic syndrome, but the role of the leptin receptor on this relationship is poorly explored. We investigated whether individual differences in brain region specific leptin receptor (LepR) gene networks could moderate the effects of early adversity on eating behavior and metabolism. We created an expression-based polygenic risk score (ePRS) reflecting variations in the function of LepR gene network in prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus to investigate the interactions between a cumulative index of postnatal adversity on eating behavior in two independent birth cohorts (MAVAN and GUSTO). To explore whether variations in the prefrontal cortex or hypothalamic genetic scores could be associated with metabolic measurements, we also assessed the relationship between LepR-ePRS and fasting blood glucose and leptin levels in a third independent cohort (ALSPAC). We identified significant interaction effects between postnatal adversity and prefrontal-based LepR-ePRS on the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire scores. In MAVAN, we observed a significant interaction effect on food enjoyment at 48 months (β = 61.58, p = 0.015) and 72 months (β = 97.78, p = 0.001); food responsiveness at 48 months (β = 83.79, p = 0.009) satiety at 48 months (β = −43.63, p = 0.047). Similar results were observed in the GUSTO cohort, with a significant interaction effect on food enjoyment (β = 30.48, p = 0.006) food fussiness score (β = −24.07, p = 0.02) and satiety score at 60 months (β = −17.00, p = 0.037). No effects were found when focusing on the hypothalamus-based LepR-ePRS on eating behavior in MAVAN and GUSTO cohorts, and there was no effect of hypothalamus and prefrontal cortex based ePRSs on metabolic measures in ALSPAC. Our study indicated that exposure to postnatal adversity interacts with prefrontal cortex LepR-ePRS to moderate eating behavior, suggesting a neurobiological mechanism associated with the development of eating behavior problems in response to early adversity. The knowledge of these mechanisms may guide the understanding of eating patterns associated with risk for obesity in response to fluctuations in stress exposure early in life. An expression-based polygenic risk score analysis of leptin receptor (LepR) genes suggests that LepR-specific genes co-expressed in the prefrontal cortex interact with exposure to postnatal adversity, potentially modulating eating behavior in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randriely Merscher Sobreira de Lima
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Barbara Barth
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience (IPN), McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Danusa Mar Arcego
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Euclides José de Mendonça Filho
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia, Instituto de Psicologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Sachin Patel
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Zihan Wang
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Irina Pokhvisneva
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Carine Parent
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Robert D Levitan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael S Kobor
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, 938 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Michael J Meaney
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Carla Dalmaz
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Pelufo Silveira
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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8
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Batra A, Latsko M, Portella AK, Silveira PP. Early adversity and insulin: neuroendocrine programming beyond glucocorticoids. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2021; 32:1031-1043. [PMID: 34635400 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to direct or contextual adversities during early life programs the functioning of the brain and other biological systems, contributing to the development of physical as well as mental health issues in the long term. While the role of glucocorticoids in mediating the outcomes of early adversity has been explored for many years, less attention has been given to insulin. Beyond its metabolic effects in the periphery, central insulin action affects synaptic plasticity, brain neurotransmission, and executive functions. Knowledge about the interactions between the peripheral metabolism and brain function from a developmental perspective can contribute to prevention and diagnosis programs, as well as early interventions for vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aashita Batra
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Maeson Latsko
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Healthy Brains for Healthy Lives, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Andre Krumel Portella
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Patricia P Silveira
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Batra A, Chen LM, Wang Z, Parent C, Pokhvisneva I, Patel S, Levitan RD, Meaney MJ, Silveira PP. Early Life Adversity and Polygenic Risk for High Fasting Insulin Are Associated With Childhood Impulsivity. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:704785. [PMID: 34539334 PMCID: PMC8441000 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.704785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
While the co-morbidity between metabolic and psychiatric behaviors is well-established, the mechanisms are poorly understood, and exposure to early life adversity (ELA) is a common developmental risk factor. ELA is associated with altered insulin sensitivity and poor behavioral inhibition throughout life, which seems to contribute to the development of metabolic and psychiatric disturbances in the long term. We hypothesize that a genetic background associated with higher fasting insulin interacts with ELA to influence the development of executive functions (e.g., impulsivity in young children). We calculated the polygenic risk scores (PRSs) from the genome-wide association study (GWAS) of fasting insulin at different thresholds and identified the subset of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that best predicted peripheral insulin levels in children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort [N = 467; pt– initial = 0.24 (10,296 SNPs), pt– refined = 0.05 (57 SNPs)]. We then calculated the refined PRS (rPRS) for fasting insulin at this specific threshold in the children from the Maternal Adversity, Vulnerability and Neurodevelopment (MAVAN) cohort and investigated its interaction effect with adversity on an impulsivity task applied at 36 months. We found a significant effect of interaction between fasting insulin rPRS and adversity exposure predicting impulsivity measured by the Snack Delay Task at 36 months [β = −0.329, p = 0.024], such that higher PRS [β = −0.551, p = 0.009] was linked to more impulsivity in individuals exposed to more adversity. Enrichment analysis (MetaCoreTM) of the SNPs that compose the fasting insulin rPRS at this threshold was significant for certain nervous system development processes including dopamine D2 receptor signaling. Additional enrichment analysis (FUMA) of the genes mapped from the SNPs in the fasting insulin rPRS showed enrichment with the accelerated cognitive decline GWAS. Therefore, the genetic background associated with risk for adult higher fasting insulin moderates the impact of early adversity on childhood impulsivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aashita Batra
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lawrence M Chen
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Zihan Wang
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Carine Parent
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Irina Pokhvisneva
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sachin Patel
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Robert D Levitan
- Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael J Meaney
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Translational Neuroscience Programme, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Patricia Pelufo Silveira
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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The Alteration of Chloride Homeostasis/GABAergic Signaling in Brain Disorders: Could Oxidative Stress Play a Role? Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10081316. [PMID: 34439564 PMCID: PMC8389245 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10081316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In neuronal precursors and immature neurons, the depolarizing (excitatory) effect of γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling is associated with elevated [Cl−]i; as brain cells mature, a developmental switch occurs, leading to the decrease of [Cl−]i and to the hyperpolarizing (inhibitory) effect of GABAergic signaling. [Cl−]i is controlled by two chloride co-transporters: NKCC1, which causes Cl− to accumulate into the cells, and KCC2, which extrudes it. The ontogenetic upregulation of the latter determines the above-outlined switch; however, many other factors contribute to the correct [Cl−]i in mature neurons. The dysregulation of chloride homeostasis is involved in seizure generation and has been associated with schizophrenia, Down’s Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Recently, much effort has been put into developing new drugs intended to inhibit NKCC1 activity, while no attention has been paid to the origin of [Cl−]i dysregulation. Our study examines the pathophysiology of Cl− homeostasis and focuses on the impact of oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation on the activity of Cl− co-transporters, highlighting the relevance of OS in numerous brain abnormalities and diseases. This hypothesis supports the importance of primary prevention during pregnancy. It also integrates the therapeutic framework addressed to restore normal GABAergic signaling by counteracting the alteration in chloride homeostasis in central nervous system (CNS) cells, aiming at limiting the use of drugs that potentially pose a health risk.
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Potter-Dickey A, Letourneau N, Silveira PP, Ntanda H, Giesbrecht GF, Hart M, Dewell S, de Koning APJ. Associations Among Parental Caregiving Quality, Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Expression-Based Polygenic Scores, and Infant-Parent Attachment: Evidence for Differential Genetic Susceptibility? Front Neurosci 2021; 15:704392. [PMID: 34385904 PMCID: PMC8353245 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.704392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Attachment is a biological evolutionary system contributing to infant survival. When primary caregivers/parents are sensitive and responsive to their infants’ needs, infants develop a sense of security. Secure infant attachment has been linked to healthy brain and organ-system development. Belsky and colleagues proposed the term differential susceptibility to describe context-dependent associations between genetic variations and behavioral outcomes as a function of parenting environments. Variations in the Cannabinoid Receptor Gene 1 (CNR1) are associated with memory, mood, and reward and connote differential susceptibility to more and less optimal parental caregiving quality in predicting children’s behavioral problems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole Letourneau
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Owerko Centre, Child Development Centre, Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Patricia P Silveira
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Henry Ntanda
- Owerko Centre, Child Development Centre, Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Gerald F Giesbrecht
- Owerko Centre, Child Development Centre, Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Martha Hart
- Owerko Centre, Child Development Centre, Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sarah Dewell
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,School of Nursing, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC, Canada
| | - A P Jason de Koning
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Life-course effects of early life adversity exposure on eating behavior and metabolism. ADVANCES IN FOOD AND NUTRITION RESEARCH 2021; 97:237-273. [PMID: 34311901 DOI: 10.1016/bs.afnr.2021.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Environmental variations in early life influence brain development, making individuals more vulnerable to psychiatric and metabolic disorders. Early life stress (ELS) has a strong impact on the development of eating behavior. However, eating is a complex behavior, determined by an interaction between signals of energy homeostasis, neuronal circuits involved in its regulation, and circuits related to rewarding properties of the food. Although mechanisms underlying ELS-induced altered feeding behavior are not completely understood, evidence suggest that the effects of ELS on metabolic, mood, and emotional disorders, as well as reward system dysfunctions can contribute directly or indirectly to altered feeding behavior. The focus of this chapter is to discuss the effects of ELS on eating behavior and metabolism, considering different factors that control appetite such as energy homeostasis, hedonic properties of the food, emotional and cognitive status. After highlighting classic studies on the association between ELS and eating behavior alterations, we discuss how exposure to adversity can interact with genetics characteristics to predict variable outcomes.
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