@article{DanyszDekundyScheschonkaetal.2021, author = {Danysz, Wojciech and Dekundy, Andrzej and Scheschonka, Astrid and Riederer, Peter}, title = {Amantadine: reappraisal of the timeless diamond—target updates and novel therapeutic potentials}, series = {Journal of Neural Transmission}, volume = {128}, journal = {Journal of Neural Transmission}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1007/s00702-021-02306-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-330133}, pages = {127-169}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The aim of the current review was to provide a new, in-depth insight into possible pharmacological targets of amantadine to pave the way to extending its therapeutic use to further indications beyond Parkinson's disease symptoms and viral infections. Considering amantadine's affinities in vitro and the expected concentration at targets at therapeutic doses in humans, the following primary targets seem to be most plausible: aromatic amino acids decarboxylase, glial-cell derived neurotrophic factor, sigma-1 receptors, phosphodiesterases, and nicotinic receptors. Further three targets could play a role to a lesser extent: NMDA receptors, 5-HT3 receptors, and potassium channels. Based on published clinical studies, traumatic brain injury, fatigue [e.g., in multiple sclerosis (MS)], and chorea in Huntington's disease should be regarded potential, encouraging indications. Preclinical investigations suggest amantadine's therapeutic potential in several further indications such as: depression, recovery after spinal cord injury, neuroprotection in MS, and cutaneous pain. Query in the database http://www.clinicaltrials.gov reveals research interest in several further indications: cancer, autism, cocaine abuse, MS, diabetes, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, obesity, and schizophrenia.}, language = {en} } @article{DiehlSchmidLicataGoldhardtetal.2019, author = {Diehl-Schmid, Janine and Licata, Abigail and Goldhardt, Oliver and F{\"o}rstl, Hans and Yakushew, Igor and Otto, Markus and Anderl-Straub, Sarah and Beer, Ambros and Ludolph, Albert Christian and Landwehrmeyer, Georg Bernhard and Levin, Johannes and Danek, Adrian and Fliessbach, Klaus and Spottke, Annika and Fassbender, Klaus and Lyros, Epameinondas and Prudlo, Johannes and Krause, Bernd Joachim and Volk, Alexander and Edbauer, Dieter and Schroeter, Matthias Leopold and Drzezga, Alexander and Kornhuber, Johannes and Lauer, Martin and Grimmer, Timo}, title = {FDG-PET underscores the key role of the thalamus in frontotemporal lobar degeneration caused by C9ORF72 mutations}, series = {Translational Psychiatry}, volume = {9}, journal = {Translational Psychiatry}, organization = {FTLDc Study Group}, doi = {10.1038/s41398-019-0381-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-225308}, year = {2019}, abstract = {C9ORF72 mutations are the most common cause of familial frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). MRI studies have investigated structural changes in C9ORF72-associated FTLD (C9FTLD) and provided first insights about a prominent involvement of the thalamus and the cerebellum. Our multicenter, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography study of 22 mutation carriers with FTLD, 22 matched non-carriers with FTLD, and 23 cognitively healthy controls provided valuable insights into functional changes in C9FTLD: compared to non-carriers, mutation carriers showed a significant reduction of glucose metabolism in both thalami, underscoring the key role of the thalamus in C9FTLD. Thalamic metabolism did not correlate with disease severity, duration of disease, or the presence of psychotic symptoms. Against our expectations we could not demonstrate a cerebellar hypometabolism in carriers or non-carriers. Future imaging and neuropathological studies in large patient cohorts are required to further elucidate the central role of the thalamus in C9FTLD.}, language = {en} } @article{deJongDinizSalomaetal.2018, author = {de Jong, Simone and Diniz, Mateus Jose Abdalla and Saloma, Andiara and Gadelha, Ary and Santoro, Marcos L. and Ota, Vanessa K. and Noto, Cristiano and Curtis, Charles and Newhouse, Stephen J. and Patel, Hamel and Hall, Lynsey S. and O'Reilly, Paul F. and Belangero, Sintia I. and Bressan, Rodrigo A. and Breen, Gerome}, title = {Applying polygenic risk scoring for psychiatric disorders to a large family with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder}, series = {Communications Biology}, volume = {1}, journal = {Communications Biology}, organization = {Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder Working Groups of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium}, doi = {10.1038/s42003-018-0155-y}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-223622}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Psychiatric disorders are thought to have a complex genetic pathology consisting of interplay of common and rare variation. Traditionally, pedigrees are used to shed light on the latter only, while here we discuss the application of polygenic risk scores to also highlight patterns of common genetic risk. We analyze polygenic risk scores for psychiatric disorders in a large pedigree (n ~ 260) in which 30\% of family members suffer from major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder. Studying patterns of assortative mating and anticipation, it appears increased polygenic risk is contributed by affected individuals who married into the family, resulting in an increasing genetic risk over generations. This may explain the observation of anticipation in mood disorders, whereby onset is earlier and the severity increases over the generations of a family. Joint analyses of rare and common variation may be a powerful way to understand the familial genetics of psychiatric disorders.}, language = {en} } @article{BuergerSchoenfeldScheineretal.2023, author = {B{\"u}rger, Arne and Schoenfeld, Cornelia von and Scheiner, Christin and Seidel, Alexandra and Wasserscheid, Antonia and Gad, Doreya and Kittel-Schneider, Sarah and Romanos, Marcel and Reiter, Andrea M. F.}, title = {Universal prevention for non-suicidal self-injury in adolescents is scarce - A systematic review}, series = {Frontiers in Psychiatry}, volume = {14}, journal = {Frontiers in Psychiatry}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1130610}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-357490}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) during adolescence is a high-risk marker for the development and persistence of mental health problems and has been recognized as a significant public health problem. Whereas targeted prevention has indeed shown to be effective in reducing NSSI and improve mental health problems, access to such programs is limited. By face validity, universal prevention of NSSI seems an ideal starting point for a stepped-care model to circumvent a lack of resources in the medical care system. However, it is yet unclear how effective such approaches are. Here, we provide a summary of existing work on universal prevention of NSSI in adolescents younger than 21 years based on a systematic literature search. We found that only seven studies are available. None of the programs evaluated was found to be effective in reducing the incidence or frequency of NSSI. After providing a comprehensive summary of the existing work, we evaluate the fact that existing work primarily focusses on selected/targeted prevention and on psychoeducational methods. We derive implications for future directions in the field of universal prevention of NSSI.}, language = {en} } @article{GoepfertTraubSelletal.2023, author = {G{\"o}pfert, Dennis and Traub, Jan and Sell, Roxane and Homola, Gy{\"o}rgy A. and Vogt, Marius and Pham, Mirko and Frantz, Stefan and St{\"o}rk, Stefan and Stoll, Guido and Frey, Anna}, title = {Profiles of cognitive impairment in chronic heart failure—A cluster analytic approach}, series = {Frontiers in Human Neuroscience}, volume = {17}, journal = {Frontiers in Human Neuroscience}, doi = {10.3389/fnhum.2023.1126553}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-313429}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Background Cognitive impairment is a major comorbidity in patients with chronic heart failure (HF) with a wide range of phenotypes. In this study, we aimed to identify and compare different clusters of cognitive deficits. Methods The prospective cohort study "Cognition.Matters-HF" recruited 147 chronic HF patients (aged 64.5 ± 10.8 years; 16.2\% female) of any etiology. All patients underwent extensive neuropsychological testing. We performed a hierarchical cluster analysis of the cognitive domains, such as intensity of attention, visual/verbal memory, and executive function. Generated clusters were compared exploratively with respect to the results of cardiological, neurological, and neuroradiological examinations without correction for multiple testing. Results Dendrogram and the scree plot suggested three distinct cognitive profiles: In the first cluster, 42 patients (28.6\%) performed without any deficits in all domains. Exclusively, the intensity of attention deficits was seen in the second cluster, including 55 patients (37.4\%). A third cluster with 50 patients (34.0\%) was characterized by deficits in all cognitive domains. Age (p = 0.163) and typical clinical markers of chronic HF, such as ejection fraction (p = 0.222), 6-min walking test distance (p = 0.138), NT-proBNP (p = 0.364), and New York Heart Association class (p = 0.868) did not differ between clusters. However, we observed that women (p = 0.012) and patients with previous cardiac valve surgery (p = 0.005) prevailed in the "global deficits" cluster and the "no deficits" group had a lower prevalence of underlying arterial hypertension (p = 0.029). Total brain volume (p = 0.017) was smaller in the global deficit cluster, and serum levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein were increased (p = 0.048). Conclusion Apart from cognitively healthy and globally impaired HF patients, we identified a group with deficits only in the intensity of attention. Women and patients with previous cardiac valve surgery are at risk for global cognitive impairment when suffering HF and could benefit from special multimodal treatment addressing the psychosocial condition.}, language = {en} } @article{AlbrechtMuellerBallarinietal.2019, author = {Albrecht, Franziska and Mueller, Karsten and Ballarini, Tommaso and Lampe, Leonie and Diehl-Schmid, Janine and Fassbender, Klaus and Fliessbach, Klaus and Jahn, Holger and Jech, Robert and Kassubek, Jan and Kornhuber, Johannes and Landwehrmeyer, Bernhard and Lauer, Martin and Ludolph, Albert C. and Lyros, Epameinondas and Prudlo, Johannes and Schneider, Anja and Synofzik, Matthis and Wiltfang, Jens and Danek, Adrian and Otto, Markus and Schroeter, Matthias L.}, title = {Unraveling corticobasal syndrome and alien limb syndrome with structural brain imaging}, series = {Cortex}, volume = {117}, journal = {Cortex}, doi = {10.1016/j.cortex.2019.02.015}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-221040}, pages = {33-40}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Alien limb phenomenon is a rare syndrome associated with a feeling of non-belonging and disowning toward one's limb. In contrast, anarchic limb phenomenon leads to involuntary but goal-directed movements. Alien/anarchic limb phenomena are frequent in corticobasal syndrome (CBS), an atypical parkinsonian syndrome characterized by rigidity, akinesia, dystonia, cortical sensory deficit, and apraxia. The structure function relationship of alien/anarchic limb was investigated in multi centric structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Whole-group and single subject comparisons were made in 25 CBS and eight CBS-alien/anarchic limb patients versus controls. Support vector machine was used to see if CBS with and without alien/anarchic limb could be distinguished by structural MRI patterns. Whole-group comparison of CBS versus controls revealed asymmetric frontotemporal atrophy. CBS with alien/anarchic limb syndrome versus controls showed frontoparietal atrophy including the supplementary motor area contralateral to the side of the affected limb. Exploratory analysis identified frontotemporal regions encompassing the pre-/and postcentral gyrus as compromised in CBS with alien limb syndrome. Classification of CBS patients yielded accuracies of 79\%. CBS-alien/anarchic limb syndrome was differentiated from CBS patients with an accuracy of 81\%. Predictive differences were found in the cingulate gyrus spreading to frontomedian cortex, postcentral gyrus, and temporoparietoocipital regions. We present the first MRI-based group analysis on CBS-alien/anarchic limb. Results pave the way for individual clinical syndrome prediction and allow understanding the underlying neurocognitive architecture. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).}, language = {en} } @article{BellingerWehrmannRohdeetal.2023, author = {Bellinger, Daniel and Wehrmann, Kristin and Rohde, Anna and Schuppert, Maria and St{\"o}rk, Stefan and Flohr-Jost, Michael and Gall, Dominik and Pauli, Paul and Deckert, J{\"u}rgen and Herrmann, Martin J. and Erhardt-Lehmann, Angelika}, title = {The application of virtual reality exposure versus relaxation training in music performance anxiety: a randomized controlled study}, series = {BMC Psychiatry}, volume = {23}, journal = {BMC Psychiatry}, doi = {10.1186/s12888-023-05040-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-357833}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Background Performance anxiety is the most frequently reported anxiety disorder among professional musicians. Typical symptoms are - on a physical level - the consequences of an increase in sympathetic tone with cardiac stress, such as acceleration of heartbeat, increase in blood pressure, increased respiratory rate and tremor up to nausea or flush reactions. These symptoms can cause emotional distress, a reduced musical and artistical performance up to an impaired functioning. While anxiety disorders are preferably treated using cognitive-behavioral therapy with exposure, this approach is rather difficult for treating music performance anxiety since the presence of a public or professional jury is required and not easily available. The use of virtual reality (VR) could therefore display an alternative. So far, no therapy studies on music performance anxiety applying virtual reality exposure therapy have investigated the therapy outcome including cardiovascular changes as outcome parameters. Methods This mono-center, prospective, randomized and controlled clinical trial has a pre-post design with a follow-up period of 6 months. 46 professional and semi-professional musicians will be recruited and allocated randomly to an VR exposure group or a control group receiving progressive muscle relaxation training. Both groups will be treated over 4 single sessions. Music performance anxiety will be diagnosed based on a clinical interview using ICD-10 and DSM-5 criteria for specific phobia or social anxiety. A behavioral assessment test is conducted three times (pre, post, follow-up) in VR through an audition in a concert hall. Primary outcomes are the changes in music performance anxiety measured by the German B{\"u}hnenangstfragebogen and the cardiovascular reactivity reflected by heart rate variability (HRV). Secondary outcomes are changes in blood pressure, stress parameters such as cortisol in the blood and saliva, neuropeptides, and DNA-methylation. Discussion The trial investigates the effect of VR exposure in musicians with performance anxiety compared to a relaxation technique on anxiety symptoms and corresponding cardiovascular parameters. We expect a reduction of anxiety but also a consecutive improvement of HRV with cardiovascular protective effects. Trial registration This study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov. (ClinicalTrials.gov Number: NCT05735860)}, language = {en} } @article{McNeillRadtkeNieberleretal.2023, author = {McNeill, Rhiannon V. and Radtke, Franziska and Nieberler, Matthias and Koreny, Carolin and Chiocchetti, Andreas G. and Kittel-Schneider, Sarah}, title = {Generation of four human induced pluripotent stem cells derived from ADHD patients carrying different genotypes for the risk SNP rs1397547 in the ADHD-associated gene ADGRL3}, series = {Stem Cell Research}, volume = {67}, journal = {Stem Cell Research}, doi = {10.1016/j.scr.2023.103016}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-350099}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ADGRL3 gene have been significantly associated with the development of ADHD, the aetiology of which remains poorly understood. The rs1397547 SNP has additionally been associated with significantly altered ADGRL3 transcription. We therefore generated iPSCs from two wild type ADHD patients, and two ADHD patients heterozygous for the risk SNP. With this resource we aim to facilitate further investigation into the complex and heterogenous pathology of ADHD. Furthermore, we demonstrate the feasibility of using magnetic activated cell sorting to allow the unbiased selection of fully reprogrammed iPSCs.}, language = {en} } @article{HampfScherfClavelWeissetal.2023, author = {Hampf, Chantal and Scherf-Clavel, Maike and Weiß, Carolin and Kl{\"u}pfel, Catherina and Stonawski, Saskia and Hommers, Leif and Lichter, Katharina and Erhardt-Lehmann, Angelika and Unterecker, Stefan and Domschke, Katharina and Kittel-Schneider, Sarah and Menke, Andreas and Deckert, J{\"u}rgen and Weber, Heike}, title = {Effects of anxious depression on antidepressant treatment response}, series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, volume = {24}, journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, number = {24}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms242417128}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-355801}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Anxious depression represents a subtype of major depressive disorder and is associated with increased suicidality, severity, chronicity and lower treatment response. Only a few studies have investigated the differences between anxious depressed (aMDD) and non-anxious depressed (naMDD) patients regarding treatment dosage, serum-concentration and drug-specific treatment response. In our naturalistic and prospective study, we investigated whether the effectiveness of therapy including antidepressants (SSRI, SNRI, NaSSA, tricyclics and combinations) in aMDD patients differs significantly from that in naMDD patients. In a sample of 346 patients, we calculated the anxiety somatization factor (ASF) and defined treatment response as a reduction (≥50\%) in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS)-21 score after 7 weeks of pharmacological treatment. We did not observe an association between therapy response and the baseline ASF-scores, or differences in therapy outcomes between aMDD and naMDD patients. However, non-responders had higher ASF-scores, and at week 7 aMDD patients displayed a worse therapy outcome than naMDD patients. In subgroup analyses for different antidepressant drugs, venlafaxine-treated aMDD patients showed a significantly worse outcome at week 7. Future prospective, randomized-controlled studies should address the question of a worse therapy outcome in aMDD patients for different psychopharmaceuticals individually.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Blickle2024, author = {Blickle, Marc Manuel}, title = {Das Zusammenspiel von Herz und Gehirn: Interozeptive Genauigkeit, Herzratenvariabilit{\"a}t und funktionelle Konnektivit{\"a}t kortikaler Netzwerke bei depressiven Patientinnen und Patienten}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-31676}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-316762}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Hintergrund: Depressionen z{\"a}hlen zu den h{\"a}ufigsten psychischen Erkrankungen. Depressive Symptome umfassen beeintr{\"a}chtigte kognitive Funktionen, vegetative Beschwerden und ein ver{\"a}ndertes emotionales Erleben. Die defizit{\"a}re Wahrnehmung interner k{\"o}rperlicher Signale wird sowohl mit der Pathogenese der Depression als auch mit Angstst{\"o}rungen in Verbindung gebracht. Interozeptive Genauigkeit (IAc) beschreibt dabei die F{\"a}higkeit, k{\"o}rperliche Empfindungen wie den eigenen Herzschlag akkurat wahrzunehmen und wird mit einer Herzwahrnehmungsaufgabe erfasst. In bildgebenden Verfahren wie der funktionellen Magnetresonanztomografie (fMRT) war eine niedrigere IAc mit einer verringerten Inselaktivit{\"a}t assoziiert. W{\"a}hrend der Ruhezustandsmessung des Gehirns (resting-state fMRT) kann in Abwesenheit einer Aufgabe die intrinsische Aktivit{\"a}t des Gehirns gemessen werden. Dies erm{\"o}glicht die Identifizierung von kortikalen Netzwerken. Depressive Patienten weisen eine ver{\"a}nderte funktionelle Konnektivit{\"a}t innerhalb und zwischen einzelnen Netzwerken wie dem Salience Network (SN), welchem die Insel zugerechnet wird, und dem Default Mode Network (DMN) auf. Bisherige Studien, in denen {\"u}berwiegend j{\"u}ngere depressive Patienten untersucht wurden, kamen jedoch hinsichtlich der IAc und den kortikalen Netzwerken zu inkonsistenten Ergebnissen. Insbesondere ist unklar, inwieweit sich die IAc nach einem Therapieansprechen ver{\"a}ndert, von der Herzratenvariabilit{\"a}t (HRV) moduliert wird und welche Auswirkungen dies auf die funktionelle Konnektivit{\"a}t kortikaler Netzwerke hat. Ziele: Eine ver{\"a}nderte IAc und HRV wie auch funktionelle Konnektivit{\"a}tsunterschiede im DMN und SN k{\"o}nnten Biomarker der Depression darstellen. Im Rahmen einer L{\"a}ngsschnittuntersuchung wurde getestet, ob {\"a}ltere depressive Patienten {\"u}ber eine verringerte IAc, eine geringere HRV und {\"u}ber eine ver{\"a}nderte funktionelle Konnektivit{\"a}t im SN sowie DMN verf{\"u}gen. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus sollte erforscht werden, in welchem Ausmaß sich Patienten, die auf die Behandlung ansprachen (Responder), von sogenannten Non-Respondern in Bezug auf die IAc, die HRV, das SN und das DMN unterschieden. Methoden: In Studie 1 (Baseline) wurden 30 gr{\"o}ßtenteils medizierte, schwer depressive Patienten (> 50 Jahre) und 30 gesunde Kontrollprobanden untersucht. Die IAc wurde in einer Herzwahrnehmungsaufgabe ermittelt und die HRV bestimmt. Zus{\"a}tzlich wurde eine resting-state fMRT durchgef{\"u}hrt. Eine funktionelle Konnektivit{\"a}tsanalyse f{\"u}r Saatregionen im SN und DMN wurde mit einem saatbasierten Ansatz (seed-to-voxel) durchgef{\"u}hrt. F{\"u}r eine Subgruppenanalyse wurde die Patientengruppe in {\"a}ngstlich-depressive und nicht-{\"a}ngstlich depressive Patienten unterteilt. In Studie 2 (sechs Monate Follow-up) wurde die Studienkohorte nochmals untersucht. Es nahmen 21 Personen der Patientengruppe und 28 Probanden der Kontrollgruppe teil. Wiederum wurden die IAc und die HRV bestimmt. Außerdem fand eine resting-state fMRT-Messung statt. Die Patientengruppe wurde unterteilt in depressive Responder und Non-Responder. Ergebnisse: In Studie 1 zeigten depressive Patienten eine funktionelle Hypokonnektivit{\"a}t zwischen einzelnen Saatregionen der Insel (SN) und Teilen des superioren frontalen Gyrus, des supplement{\"a}rmotorischen Cortex, des lateralen okzipitalen Cortex sowie des Okzipitalpols. Zudem wiesen depressive Patienten zwischen der Saatregion im anterioren Teil des DMN und der Insel sowie dem Operculum eine erh{\"o}hte funktionelle Konnektivit{\"a}t auf. Die Gruppen unterschieden sich nicht in der IAc und der HRV. {\"A}ngstlich-depressive Patienten zeigten eine h{\"o}here funktionelle Konnektivit{\"a}t innerhalb der Insel als nicht-{\"a}ngstlich depressive Patienten, jedoch zeigten sich keine Unterschiede in der IAc und der HRV. In Studie 2 wiesen depressive Non-Responder im Vergleich zu Respondern eine Hyperkonnektivit{\"a}t zwischen dem posterioren DMN und dem Frontalpol sowie zwischen dem posterioren DMN und temporalen Arealen im SN auf. Keine funktionellen Konnektivit{\"a}tsunterschiede zeigten sich f{\"u}r die Saatregionen im SN. Depressive Responder, Non-Responder und die Kontrollprobanden unterschieden sich in ihrer IAc und HRV nicht. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse der Studien unterstreichen, dass bei depressiven Patienten, Respondern und Non-Respondern Unterschiede in der intrinsischen Gehirnaktivit{\"a}t funktioneller Netzwerke bestehen, jedoch nicht in der akkuraten Wahrnehmung des eigenen Herzschlages und der HRV. Therapeutische Interventionen, die auf eine Verbesserung der IAc abzielen, k{\"o}nnten insbesondere f{\"u}r Non-Responder dennoch eine zus{\"a}tzliche Behandlungsm{\"o}glichkeit darstellen. F{\"u}r eine personalisierte Medizin k{\"o}nnte die weitere Erforschung von kortikalen Netzwerken einen wesentlichen Beitrag leisten, um ein individuelles Therapieansprechen zu pr{\"a}dizieren.}, subject = {Depression}, language = {de} } @article{WeissGruendahlDeckertetal.2023, author = {Weiß, Martin and Gr{\"u}ndahl, Marthe and Deckert, J{\"u}rgen and Eichner, Felizitas A. and Kohls, Mirjam and St{\"o}rk, Stefan and Heuschmann, Peter U. and Hein, Grit}, title = {Differential network interactions between psychosocial factors, mental health, and health-related quality of life in women and men}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {13}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, organization = {STAAB-COVID Study Group}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-023-38525-8}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-357858}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Psychosocial factors affect mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in a complex manner, yet gender differences in these interactions remain poorly understood. We investigated whether psychosocial factors such as social support and personal and work-related concerns impact mental health and HRQL differentially in women and men during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Between June and October 2020, the first part of a COVID-19-specific program was conducted within the "Characteristics and Course of Heart Failure Stages A-B and Determinants of Progression (STAAB)" cohort study, a representative age- and gender-stratified sample of the general population of W{\"u}rzburg, Germany. Using psychometric networks, we first established the complex relations between personal social support, personal and work-related concerns, and their interactions with anxiety, depression, and HRQL. Second, we tested for gender differences by comparing expected influence, edge weight differences, and stability of the networks. The network comparison revealed a significant difference in the overall network structure. The male (N = 1370) but not the female network (N = 1520) showed a positive link between work-related concern and anxiety. In both networks, anxiety was the most central variable. These findings provide further evidence that the complex interplay of psychosocial factors with mental health and HRQL decisively depends on gender. Our results are relevant for the development of gender-specific interventions to increase resilience in times of pandemic crisis.}, language = {en} } @article{GruendahlWeissStenzeletal.2023, author = {Gr{\"u}ndahl, Marthe and Weiß, Martin and Stenzel, Kilian and Deckert, J{\"u}rgen and Hein, Grit}, title = {The effects of everyday-life social interactions on anxiety-related autonomic responses differ between men and women}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {13}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-023-36118-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-357840}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Social buffering, a phenomenon where social presence can reduce anxiety and fear-related autonomic responses, has been studied in numerous laboratory settings. The results suggest that the familiarity of the interaction partner influences social buffering while also providing some evidence for gender effects. In the laboratory, however, it is difficult to mimic the complexity of real-life social interactions. Consequently, the social modulation of anxiety and related autonomic responses in everyday life remains poorly understood. We used smartphone-based Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) combined with wearable electrocardiogram sensors to investigate how everyday-life social interactions affect state anxiety and related cardiac changes in women and men. On five consecutive days, 96 healthy young participants (53\% women) answered up to six EMA surveys per day, indicating characteristics of their most recent social interaction and the respective interaction partner(s). In women, our results showed lower heart rate in the presence of a male interaction partner. Men showed the same effect with female interaction partners. Moreover, only women showed decreased heart rate and increased heart rate variability with increasing interaction partner familiarity. These findings specify the conditions under which social interactions reduce anxiety-related responses in women and men.}, language = {en} } @article{HerrmannMuellerNotzetal.2023, author = {Herrmann, Johannes and M{\"u}ller, Kerstin and Notz, Quirin and H{\"u}bsch, Martha and Haas, Kirsten and Horn, Anna and Schmidt, Julia and Heuschmann, Peter and Maschmann, Jens and Frosch, Matthias and Deckert, J{\"u}rgen and Einsele, Hermann and Ertl, Georg and Frantz, Stefan and Meybohm, Patrick and Lotz, Christopher}, title = {Prospective single-center study of health-related quality of life after COVID-19 in ICU and non-ICU patients}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {13}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-023-33783-y}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-357174}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Long-term sequelae in hospitalized Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients may result in limited quality of life. The current study aimed to determine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after COVID-19 hospitalization in non-intensive care unit (ICU) and ICU patients. This is a single-center study at the University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Germany. Patients eligible were hospitalized with COVID-19 between March 2020 and December 2020. Patients were interviewed 3 and 12 months after hospital discharge. Questionnaires included the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 5 Level (EQ-5D-5L), patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the generalized anxiety disorder 7 scale (GAD-7), FACIT fatigue scale, perceived stress scale (PSS-10) and posttraumatic symptom scale 10 (PTSS-10). 85 patients were included in the study. The EQ5D-5L-Index significantly differed between non-ICU (0.78 ± 0.33 and 0.84 ± 0.23) and ICU (0.71 ± 0.27; 0.74 ± 0.2) patients after 3- and 12-months. Of non-ICU 87\% and 80\% of ICU survivors lived at home without support after 12 months. One-third of ICU and half of the non-ICU patients returned to work. A higher percentage of ICU patients was limited in their activities of daily living compared to non-ICU patients. Depression and fatigue were present in one fifth of the ICU patients. Stress levels remained high with only 24\% of non-ICU and 3\% of ICU patients (p = 0.0186) having low perceived stress. Posttraumatic symptoms were present in 5\% of non-ICU and 10\% of ICU patients. HRQoL is limited in COVID-19 ICU patients 3- and 12-months post COVID-19 hospitalization, with significantly less improvement at 12-months compared to non-ICU patients. Mental disorders were common highlighting the complexity of post-COVID-19 symptoms as well as the necessity to educate patients and primary care providers about monitoring mental well-being post COVID-19.}, language = {en} } @article{RodriguezRozadaFrantzTovote2023, author = {Rodriguez-Rozada, Silvia and Frantz, Stefan and Tovote, Philip}, title = {Cardiac optogenetics: regulating brain states via the heart}, series = {Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy}, volume = {8}, journal = {Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy}, doi = {10.1038/s41392-023-01582-6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-357625}, year = {2023}, abstract = {No abstract available.}, language = {en} } @article{RiedererterMeulen2020, author = {Riederer, Peter and ter Meulen, Volker}, title = {Coronaviruses: a challenge of today and a call for extended human postmortem brain analyses}, series = {Journal of Neural Transmission}, volume = {127}, journal = {Journal of Neural Transmission}, number = {9}, issn = {0300-9564}, doi = {10.1007/s00702-020-02230-x}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-314637}, pages = {1217-1228}, year = {2020}, abstract = {While there is abounding literature on virus-induced pathology in general and coronavirus in particular, recent evidence accumulates showing distinct and deleterious brain affection. As the respiratory tract connects to the brain without protection of the blood-brain barrier, SARS-CoV-2 might in the early invasive phase attack the cardiorespiratory centres located in the medulla/pons areas, giving rise to disturbances of respiration and cardiac problems. Furthermore, brainstem regions are at risk to lose their functional integrity. Therefore, long-term neurological as well as psychiatric symptomatology and eventual respective disorders cannot be excluded as evidenced from influenza-A triggered post-encephalitic Parkinsonism and HIV-1 triggered AIDS-dementia complex. From the available evidences for coronavirus-induced brain pathology, this review concludes a number of unmet needs for further research strategies like human postmortem brain analyses. SARS-CoV-2 mirroring experimental animal brain studies, characterization of time-dependent and region-dependent spreading behaviours of coronaviruses, enlightening of pathological mechanisms after coronavirus infection using long-term animal models and clinical observations of patients having had COVID-19 infection are calling to develop both protective strategies and drug discoveries to avoid early and late coronavirus-induced functional brain disturbances, symptoms and eventually disorders. To fight SARS-CoV-2, it is an urgent need to enforce clinical, molecular biological, neurochemical and genetic research including brain-related studies on a worldwide harmonized basis.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{BalbierergebHoock2024, author = {Balbierer [geb. Hoock], Julia Maria}, title = {Auswirkungen der Genpolymorphismen ASIC1, BDNF und NPSR1 auf die Antizipationsphase aversiver Reize}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-35238}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-352385}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2024}, abstract = {In dieser Arbeit wurden einerseits die Antizipationsphasen von aversiven gegen{\"u}ber neutralen Reizen anhand von Messungen der Hautleitf{\"a}higkeit und der Startle-Reaktion untersucht. Andererseits wurde die Hautleitf{\"a}higkeit auch w{\"a}hrend der Pr{\"a}sentation aversiver und neutraler Reize mit dem Ziel gemessen, signifikante Unterschiede festzustellen. Insbesondere wurden die Auswirkungen der Allele der Gene ASIC1 und der Interaktion der Genallele BDNF und NPSR1 betrachtet. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war es, den Einfluss der Risikogene auf die physiologische Angstreaktion und die subjektive Angstwahrnehmung zu untersuchen. Hierzu wurden den genotypisierten Probanden aversive und neutrale Videos pr{\"a}sentiert. Vor jedem Video erfolgte die Ank{\"u}ndigung, ob es sich um ein neutrales oder aversives Video handelt, wodurch bei Letzterem im Allgemeinen antizipatorische Angst - Erwartungsangst - hervorgerufen wird. Im Vergleich der Antizipationsphase vor Darbietung aversiver Videos mit der Antizipationsphase vor neutralen Videos konnte eine erh{\"o}hte Startle-Amplitude gemessen werden. Jedoch konnte weder anhand der Ver{\"a}nderung der Hautleitf{\"a}higkeit noch anhand der Startle-Amplitude ein signifikanter Unterschied bei Tr{\"a}gern und Nicht- Tr{\"a}gern der Risikogenallelen in der Antizipationsphase festgestellt werden. W{\"a}hrend der Pr{\"a}sentation der Videos konnte f{\"u}r die aversiven Videos im Vergleich zu den neutralen eine erh{\"o}hte Hautleitf{\"a}higkeit gemessen werden. Ebenfalls konnte bei der Darbietung von aversiven Videos bei den Tr{\"a}gern der Genallel-Interaktion NPSR1 AT/TT * BDNF GG und den Tr{\"a}gern des Risikogenallels ASIC1TT eine erh{\"o}hte Hautleitf{\"a}higkeit gemessen werden. So konnte mit den Ergebnissen dieser Arbeit belegt werden, dass Antizipationsangst ausl{\"o}sbar und anhand der Startle-Amplitude messbar ist. Um Antizipationsangst festzustellen oder diese bei Risikogenallel-Tr{\"a}ger zu untersuchen, waren die Ergebnisse bez{\"u}glich der Hautleitf{\"a}higkeit jedoch weniger aussagekr{\"a}ftig als erwartet. Allgemein konnte die Interaktion NPSR1 AT/TT * BDNF GG und ASIC1 TT als Risikogenallele bez{\"u}glich einer verst{\"a}rken Reaktion auf aversive Reize best{\"a}tigt werden. Weitere Studien sind notwendig, um die genetische Komponente von Angst und damit auch von Angsterkrankungen n{\"a}her zu beleuchten, damit zuk{\"u}nftige Diagnostik- und Therapieans{\"a}tze pr{\"a}zise entwickelt werden k{\"o}nnen.}, subject = {Schreckreaktion}, language = {de} } @article{SemlerAnderlStraubUttneretal.2018, author = {Semler, Elisa and Anderl-Straub, Sarah and Uttner, Ingo and Diehl-Schmid, Janine and Danek, Adrian and Einsiedler, Beate and Fassbender, Klaus and Fliessbach, Klaus and Huppertz, Hans-J{\"u}rgen and Jahn, Holger and Kornhuber, Johannes and Landwehrmeyer, Bernhard and Lauer, Martin and Muche, Rainer and Prudlo, Johannes and Schneider, Anja and Schroeter, Matthias L. and Ludolph, Albert C. and Otto, Markus}, title = {A language-based sum score for the course and therapeutic intervention in primary progressive aphasia}, series = {Alzheimer's Research \& Therapy}, volume = {10}, journal = {Alzheimer's Research \& Therapy}, organization = {FLTD consortium}, doi = {10.1186/s13195-018-0345-3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-236277}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Background With upcoming therapeutic interventions for patients with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), instruments for the follow-up of patients are needed to describe disease progression and to evaluate potential therapeutic effects. So far, volumetric brain changes have been proposed as clinical endpoints in the literature, but cognitive scores are still lacking. This study followed disease progression predominantly in language-based performance within 1 year and defined a PPA sum score which can be used in therapeutic interventions. Methods We assessed 28 patients with nonfluent variant PPA, 17 with semantic variant PPA, 13 with logopenic variant PPA, and 28 healthy controls in detail for 1 year. The most informative neuropsychological assessments were combined to a sum score, and associations between brain atrophy were investigated followed by a sample size calculation for clinical trials. Results Significant absolute changes up to 20\% in cognitive tests were found after 1 year. Semantic and phonemic word fluency, Boston Naming Test, Digit Span, Token Test, AAT Written language, and Cookie Test were identified as the best markers for disease progression. These tasks provide the basis of a new PPA sum score. Assuming a therapeutic effect of 50\% reduction in cognitive decline for sample size calculations, a number of 56 cases is needed to find a significant treatment effect. Correlations between cognitive decline and atrophy showed a correlation up to r = 0.7 between the sum score and frontal structures, namely the superior and inferior frontal gyrus, as well as with left-sided subcortical structures. Conclusion Our findings support the high performance of the proposed sum score in the follow-up of PPA and recommend it as an outcome measure in intervention studies.}, language = {en} } @article{BreuerMattheisenFranketal.2018, author = {Breuer, Ren{\´e} and Mattheisen, Manuel and Frank, Josef and Krumm, Bertram and Treutlein, Jens and Kassem, Layla and Strohmaier, Jana and Herms, Stefan and M{\"u}hleisen, Thomas W. and Degenhardt, Franziska and Cichon, Sven and N{\"o}then, Markus M. and Karypis, George and Kelsoe, John and Greenwood, Tiffany and Nievergelt, Caroline and Shilling, Paul and Shekhtman, Tatyana and Edenberg, Howard and Craig, David and Szelinger, Szabolcs and Nurnberger, John and Gershon, Elliot and Alliey-Rodriguez, Ney and Zandi, Peter and Goes, Fernando and Schork, Nicholas and Smith, Erin and Koller, Daniel and Zhang, Peng and Badner, Judith and Berrettini, Wade and Bloss, Cinnamon and Byerley, William and Coryell, William and Foroud, Tatiana and Guo, Yirin and Hipolito, Maria and Keating, Brendan and Lawson, William and Liu, Chunyu and Mahon, Pamela and McInnis, Melvin and Murray, Sarah and Nwulia, Evaristus and Potash, James and Rice, John and Scheftner, William and Z{\"o}llner, Sebastian and McMahon, Francis J. and Rietschel, Marcella and Schulze, Thomas G.}, title = {Detecting significant genotype-phenotype association rules in bipolar disorder: market research meets complex genetics}, series = {International Journal of Bipolar Disorders}, volume = {6}, journal = {International Journal of Bipolar Disorders}, doi = {10.1186/s40345-018-0132-x}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-220509}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Background Disentangling the etiology of common, complex diseases is a major challenge in genetic research. For bipolar disorder (BD), several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been performed. Similar to other complex disorders, major breakthroughs in explaining the high heritability of BD through GWAS have remained elusive. To overcome this dilemma, genetic research into BD, has embraced a variety of strategies such as the formation of large consortia to increase sample size and sequencing approaches. Here we advocate a complementary approach making use of already existing GWAS data: a novel data mining procedure to identify yet undetected genotype-phenotype relationships. We adapted association rule mining, a data mining technique traditionally used in retail market research, to identify frequent and characteristic genotype patterns showing strong associations to phenotype clusters. We applied this strategy to three independent GWAS datasets from 2835 phenotypically characterized patients with BD. In a discovery step, 20,882 candidate association rules were extracted. Results Two of these rules—one associated with eating disorder and the other with anxiety—remained significant in an independent dataset after robust correction for multiple testing. Both showed considerable effect sizes (odds ratio ~ 3.4 and 3.0, respectively) and support previously reported molecular biological findings. Conclusion Our approach detected novel specific genotype-phenotype relationships in BD that were missed by standard analyses like GWAS. While we developed and applied our method within the context of BD gene discovery, it may facilitate identifying highly specific genotype-phenotype relationships in subsets of genome-wide data sets of other complex phenotype with similar epidemiological properties and challenges to gene discovery efforts.}, language = {en} } @article{deNijsChoeSteinbuschetal.2019, author = {de Nijs, Laurence and Choe, Kyonghwan and Steinbusch, Hellen and Schijns, Olaf E. M. G. and Dings, Jim and van den Hove, Daniel L. A. and Rutten, Bart P. F. and Hoogland, Govert}, title = {DNA methyltransferase isoforms expression in the temporal lobe of epilepsy patients with a history of febrile seizures}, series = {Clinical Epigenetics}, volume = {11}, journal = {Clinical Epigenetics}, doi = {10.1186/s13148-019-0721-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-223636}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Background Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is a common pharmaco-resistant epilepsy referred for adult epilepsy surgery. Though associated with prolonged febrile seizures (FS) in childhood, the neurobiological basis for this relationship is not fully understood and currently no preventive or curative therapies are available. DNA methylation, an epigenetic mechanism catalyzed by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), potentially plays a pivotal role in epileptogenesis associated with FS. In an attempt to start exploring this notion, the present cross-sectional pilot study investigated whether global DNA methylation levels (5-mC and 5-hmC markers) and DNMT isoforms (DNMT1, DNMT3a1, and DNMT3a2) expression would be different in hippocampal and neocortical tissues between controls and TLE patients with or without a history of FS. Results We found that global DNA methylation levels and DNMT3a2 isoform expression were lower in the hippocampus for all TLE groups when compared to control patients, with a more significant decrease amongst the TLE groups with a history of FS. Interestingly, we showed that DNMT3a1 expression was severely diminished in the hippocampus of TLE patients with a history of FS in comparison with control and other TLE groups. In the neocortex, we found a higher expression of DNMT1 and DNMT3a1 as well as increased levels of global DNA methylation for all TLE patients compared to controls. Conclusion Together, the findings of this descriptive cross-sectional pilot study demonstrated brain region-specific changes in DNMT1 and DNMT3a isoform expression as well as global DNA methylation levels in human TLE with or without a history of FS. They highlighted a specific implication of DNMT3a isoforms in TLE after FS. Therefore, longitudinal studies that aim at targeting DNMT3a isoforms to evaluate the potential causal relationship between FS and TLE or treatment of FS-induced epileptogenesis seem warranted.}, language = {en} } @article{IotzovWeissWindmannetal.2023, author = {Iotzov, Vassil and Weiß, Martin and Windmann, Sabine and Hein, Grit}, title = {Valence framing induces cognitive bias}, series = {Current Psychology}, volume = {42}, journal = {Current Psychology}, number = {34}, issn = {1046-1310}, doi = {10.1007/s12144-022-03797-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-324824}, pages = {30381-30392}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Valence framing effects refer to inconsistent choice preferences in response to positive versus negative formulation of mathematically equivalent outcomes. Here, we manipulate valence framing in a two-alternative forced choice dictator game using gains and losses as frames to investigate the cognitive mechanisms underlying valence framing. We applied a Drift-Diffusion Model (DDM) to examine whether gain (i.e., "take" money) and loss (i.e., "give" money) frames evoke a cognitive bias as previous research did not consistently reveal framing effects using reaction times and response frequency as dependent variables. DDMs allow decomposing the decision process into separate cognitive mechanisms, whereby a cognitive bias was repeatedly associated with a shift in the starting point of the model. Conducting both a laboratory (N = 62) and an online study (N = 109), female participants allocated money between themselves and another person in a prosocial or selfish way. In each study, one group was instructed to give money (give frame), the other to take money (take frame). Consistent with previous studies, no differences were found in response times and response frequencies. However, in both studies, substantial bias towards the selfish option was found in the take frame groups, captured by the starting point of the DDM. Thus, our results suggest that valence framing induces a cognitive bias in decision processing in women, even when no behavioral differences are present.}, language = {en} } @article{TaurinesFeketePreussWiedenhoffetal.2022, author = {Taurines, R. and Fekete, S. and Preuss-Wiedenhoff, A. and Warnke, A. and Wewetzer, C. and Plener, P. and Burger, R. and Gerlach, M. and Romanos, M. and Egberts, K. M.}, title = {Therapeutic drug monitoring in children and adolescents with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders using risperidone}, series = {Journal of Neural Transmission}, volume = {129}, journal = {Journal of Neural Transmission}, number = {5-6}, doi = {10.1007/s00702-022-02485-6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-324833}, pages = {689-701}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Risperidone is commonly used to treat different psychiatric disorders worldwide. Knowledge on dose-concentration relationships of risperidone treatment in children and adolescents with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders is, however, scarce and no age-specific therapeutic ranges have been established yet. Multicenter data of a therapeutic drug monitoring service were analyzed to evaluate the relationship between risperidone dose and serum concentration of the active moiety (risperidone (RIS) plus its main metabolite 9-hydroxyrisperidone (9-OH-RIS)) in children and adolescents with psychotic disorders. Patient characteristics, doses, serum concentrations and therapeutic outcomes were assessed by standardized measures. The study also aimed to evaluate whether the therapeutic reference range for adults (20-60 ng/ml) is applicable for minors. In the 64 patients (aged 11-18 years) included, a positive correlation between daily dose and the active moiety (RIS\(_{am}\)) concentration was found (r\(_s\) = 0.49, p = 0.001) with variation in dose explaining 24\% (r\(_s\)\(^2\) = 0.240) of the variability in serum concentrations. While the RIS\(_{am}\) concentration showed no difference, RIS as well 9-OH-RIS concentrations and the parent to metabolite ratio varied significantly in patients with co-medication of a CYP2D6 inhibitor. Patients with extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) had on average higher RIS\(_{am}\) concentrations than patients without (p = 0.05). Considering EPS, the upper threshold of the therapeutic range of RIS\(_{am}\) was determined to be 33 ng/ml. A rough estimation method also indicated a possibly decreased lower limit of the preliminary therapeutic range in minors compared to adults. These preliminary data may contribute to the definition of a therapeutic window in children and adolescents with schizophrenic disorders treated with risperidone. TDM is recommended in this vulnerable population to prevent concentration-related adverse drug reactions.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{vanBraam2024, author = {van Braam, Lara}, title = {Psychopharmakotherapie in Schwangerschaft und Stillzeit: Dynamik der Wirkstoffspiegel in Schwangerschaft und Stillzeit und Auswirkungen auf das Neugeborene}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-33066}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-330668}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Schwangerschaft und Stillzeit gehen mit erheblichen metabolischen Ver{\"a}nderungen des m{\"u}tterlichen Organismus einher. Bis dato ist {\"u}ber die Pharmakokinetik von Psychopharmaka in dieser Zeit wenig bekannt. In unserer naturalistischen Beobachtungsstudie untersuchten wir 61 Frauen hinsichtlich der Dynamik psychotroper Medikamente innerhalb der Schwangerschaft und Stillzeit im Serum und teils in der Muttermilch. Zudem erhoben wir Eckdaten der Entwicklung der exponierten Kinder innerhalb des ersten Lebensjahres. Bis auf Citalopram stellten wir bei allen analysierten Medikamenten Spiegelabf{\"a}lle in der Schwangerschaft fest: vom ersten zum zweiten Trimenon fielen die Spiegel bei Escitalopram, Sertralin, Duloxetin, Amitriptylin, Clomipramin und Quetiapin. W{\"a}hrend wir in der Sp{\"a}tschwangerschaft bei Escitalopram, Venlafaxin, Clomipramin, Mirtazapin, Aripiprazol und Quetiapin eine weitere Reduktion der Serumkonzentrationen protokollierten, blieben die Spiegel von Amitriptylin stabil, die Sertralin-Spiegel erholten sich sogar partiell. Citalopram zeigte keine {\"A}nderung der Serumspiegel. Direkt postpartal kam es bei allen Medikamenten zu einem Spiegelanstieg. Im postpartalen Verlauf zeigten die einzelnen Medikamente widerspr{\"u}chliche Dynamiken. Hohe Penetrationsraten in die Muttermilch wiesen Escitalopram und Venlafaxin auf; Duloxetin, Clomipramin und Quetiapin gingen kaum bzw. nicht in die Muttermilch {\"u}ber. Wir fanden keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen in utero nicht exponierten zu exponierten Kindern bez{\"u}glich Geburtsparametern wie Schwangerschaftswoche, K{\"o}rpermaße oder APGAR-Wert. W{\"a}hrend die nicht exponierten Kinder vermehrt unter leichten Auff{\"a}lligkeiten direkt postpartal litten, wiesen die exponierten Neugeborenen mehr mittelschwere Auff{\"a}lligkeiten auf. Hinsichtlich der Entwicklung innerhalb des ersten Lebensjahres (gemessen an groben Entwicklungsmeilensteinen) ergaben sich keine signifikanten Unterschiede. Im klinischen Alltag tr{\"a}gt das Therapeutische Drug Monitoring als indirekte Methode zur Kontrolle aller an der Metabolisierung beteiligten Faktoren enorm zur Steigerung der Sicherheit und Effektivit{\"a}t der individuellen Pharmakotherapie bei. Die pharmakokinetische Dynamik f{\"a}llt bei manchen Medikamenten jedoch interindividuell sehr unterschiedlich aus (insbesondere bei Sertralin); hier stellt eine initiale Genotypisierung der Cytochrom-P450-Enzyme ein großes Potential dar, um bereits zu Beginn einer Schwangerschaft {\"u}ber die voraussichtliche pharmakokinetische Dynamik im Bilde zu sein und m{\"o}glicher Unter- bzw. {\"U}berdosierung mit potentiell fruchtsch{\"a}digender Wirkung vorbeugen zu k{\"o}nnen.}, subject = {Pharmakokinetik}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Helmel2024, author = {Helmel, Jacqueline Larissa}, title = {Untersuchung der Expressionslevel des Gens NR3C1 bei {\"a}ngstlich-depressiven Personen in Zusammenhang mit der Funktion der Hypothalamus-Hypophysen-Nebennierenrinden-Achse und Ber{\"u}cksichtigung von Kindheitstraumatisierungen}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-34865}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-348652}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Die {\"a}ngstliche Depression stellt einen Subtypus der Depression dar, der noch nicht ausreichend erforscht ist und somit eine Herausforderung im klinischen Alltag darstellt. Laut der bisherigen Literatur sind genetische Unterschiede sowie Kindheitstraumatisierungen an der Pathophysiologie von Depressionen beteiligt und mitverantwortlich f{\"u}r die Auspr{\"a}gung des Subtypus {\"a}ngstliche Depression. In dieser Untersuchung wurde erforscht, ob es unterschiedliche Genexpressionslevel des Gens NR3C1 zwischen {\"a}ngstlich-depressiven und nicht-{\"a}ngstlich-depressiven Personen gibt. Zus{\"a}tzlich wurde gepr{\"u}ft, ob Kindheitstraumatisierungen einen weiteren Einfluss auf die Genexpression der beiden Subtypen der Depression haben. Es zeigte sich, dass {\"a}ngstlich-depressive Personen in Woche 1 bis 4 h{\"o}here HAM-D-Summenwerte erzielten, mit zus{\"a}tzlichen Kindheitstraumatisierungen wurden die h{\"o}chsten HAM-D-Werte festgestellt. Diese Gruppe hatte geh{\"a}uft Kindheitstraumata im Fragebogen angegeben, die Traumata Emotionale Misshandlung und K{\"o}rperliche Vernachl{\"a}ssigung kamen signifikant h{\"a}ufiger vor. Anhand dieser durchgef{\"u}hrten Studie konnten zusammengefasst werden, dass sich die Genexpressionslevel von NR3C1 zwischen den beiden Subtypen als unterschiedlich erwies. Zus{\"a}tzlich scheinen die beiden Kindheitstraumata Emotionale Misshandlung und K{\"o}rperliche Vernachl{\"a}ssigung einen weiteren Einfluss auf die Genexpression von NR3C1 zu haben. Die unterschiedliche Genexpression von NR3C1 deutet auf verschiedene Funktionsweisen des GR zwischen den Subtypen hin. Dies k{\"o}nnte f{\"u}r die Verlaufsbeurteilung und Therapieans{\"a}tze der Erkrankung von Bedeutung sein. Die h{\"a}ufiger vorkommenden Kindheitstraumatisierungen bei {\"a}ngstlich-depressiven Personen k{\"o}nnen als ein pathophysiologischer Baustein f{\"u}r die Entstehung der {\"a}ngstlichen Depression gesehen werden. Daher ist es umso wichtiger, das {\"U}berpr{\"u}fen von erlebten Kindheitstraumata bei initialer Befragung in den klinischen Alltag mitaufzunehmen. Da auch der Depressionsschweregrad durch Kindheitstraumatisierungen in dieser Studie zunahm, ergeben sich daraus m{\"o}gliche Konsequenzen f{\"u}r die therapeutische Planung.}, subject = {{\"A}ngstliche Depression}, language = {de} } @article{KopfGloecknerAlthenetal.2023, author = {Kopf, Juliane and Gl{\"o}ckner, Stefan and Althen, Heike and Cevada, Thais and Schecklmann, Martin and Dresler, Thomas and Kittel-Schneider, Sarah and Reif, Andreas}, title = {Neural responses to a working memory task in acute depressed and remitted phases in bipolar patients}, series = {Brain Sciences}, volume = {13}, journal = {Brain Sciences}, number = {5}, issn = {2076-3425}, doi = {10.3390/brainsci13050744}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-313509}, year = {2023}, abstract = {(1) Cognitive impairments such as working memory (WM) deficits are amongst the most common dysfunctions characterizing bipolar disorder (BD) patients, severely contributing to functional impairment. We aimed to investigate WM performance and associated brain activation during the acute phase of BD and to observe changes in the same patients during remission. (2) Frontal brain activation was recorded using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during n-back task conditions (one-back, two-back and three-back) in BD patients in their acute depressive (n = 32) and remitted (n = 15) phases as well as in healthy controls (n = 30). (3) Comparison of BD patients during their acute phase with controls showed a trend (p = 0.08) towards lower dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) activation. In the remitted phase, BD patients showed lower dlPFC and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC) activation (p = 0.02) compared to controls. No difference in dlPFC and vlPFC activation between BD patients' phases was found. (4) Our results showed decreased working memory performance in BD patients during the working memory task in the acute phase of disease. Working memory performance improved in the remitted phase of the disease but was still particularly attenuated for the more demanding conditions.}, language = {en} } @article{GorlovaSvirinPavlovetal.2023, author = {Gorlova, Anna and Svirin, Evgeniy and Pavlov, Dmitrii and Cespuglio, Raymond and Proshin, Andrey and Schroeter, Careen A. and Lesch, Klaus-Peter and Strekalova, Tatyana}, title = {Understanding the role of oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and abnormal myelination in excessive aggression associated with depression: recent input from mechanistic studies}, series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, volume = {24}, journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, number = {2}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms24020915}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-304917}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Aggression and deficient cognitive control problems are widespread in psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD). These abnormalities are known to contribute significantly to the accompanying functional impairment and the global burden of disease. Progress in the development of targeted treatments of excessive aggression and accompanying symptoms has been limited, and there exists a major unmet need to develop more efficacious treatments for depressed patients. Due to the complex nature and the clinical heterogeneity of MDD and the lack of precise knowledge regarding its pathophysiology, effective management is challenging. Nonetheless, the aetiology and pathophysiology of MDD has been the subject of extensive research and there is a vast body of the latest literature that points to new mechanisms for this disorder. Here, we overview the key mechanisms, which include neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, insulin receptor signalling and abnormal myelination. We discuss the hypotheses that have been proposed to unify these processes, as many of these pathways are integrated for the neurobiology of MDD. We also describe the current translational approaches in modelling depression, including the recent advances in stress models of MDD, and emerging novel therapies, including novel approaches to management of excessive aggression, such as anti-diabetic drugs, antioxidant treatment and herbal compositions.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{MuellerZentis2023, author = {M{\"u}ller-Zentis, Ariane}, title = {Auswirkungen von Distress auf den Transplantationsverlauf bei Patienten mit Multiplen Myelom w{\"a}hrend der autologen Stammzelltransplantation. Subanalyse von Zusammenh{\"a}ngen zwischen posttraumatischen Symptomen und klinischen Variablen}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-34503}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-345032}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, den Einfluss psychosozialer Belastungsfaktoren auf den Verlauf einer Stammzelltransplantation zu untersuchen. Die prim{\"a}re Fragestellung war, ob sich das Vorliegen einer posttraumatischen Belastungsst{\"o}rung (PTSD) auf die Dauer der Immunrekonstitution, gemessen an der Aplasiezeit, auswirkt. Der Untersuchung liegen Daten aus der Medizinischen Klinik und Poliklinik II des Universit{\"a}tsklinikums W{\"u}rzburg zugrunde, die im Rahmen einer monozentrischen Querschnittsstudie erhoben wurden. An der Studie nahmen 50 Patienten mit der Diagnose eines Multiplen Myeloms teil, die am Tag ihrer ersten autologen Stammzelltransplantation befragt wurden. Anhand von Frageb{\"o}gen konnten die Patienten Angaben zu ihrer individuellen psychischen Belastung machen. F{\"u}r die statistische Auswertung wurden die Angaben aus dem NCCN-Distress-Thermometer und dem PCL-C ausgewertet.}, subject = {Psychoneuroimmunologie}, language = {de} } @article{WulfBarkovitsSchorketal.2022, author = {Wulf, Maximilian and Barkovits, Katalin and Schork, Karin and Eisenacher, Martin and Riederer, Peter and Gerlach, Manfred and Eggers, Britta and Marcus, Katrin}, title = {The proteome of neuromelanin granules in dementia with Lewy bodies}, series = {Cells}, volume = {11}, journal = {Cells}, number = {22}, issn = {2073-4409}, doi = {10.3390/cells11223538}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-297465}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Neuromelanin granules (NMGs) are organelle-like structures present in the human substantia nigra pars compacta. In addition to neuromelanin, NMGs contain proteins, lipids and metals. As NMG-containing dopaminergic neurons are preferentially lost in Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), it is assumed that NMGs may play a role in neurodegenerative processes. Until now, this role is not completely understood and needs further investigation. We therefore set up an exploratory proteomic study to identify differences in the proteomic profile of NMGs from DLB patients (n = 5) compared to healthy controls (CTRL, n = 5). We applied a laser microdissection and mass-spectrometry-based approach, in which we used targeted mass spectrometric experiments for validation. In NMG-surrounding (SN\(_{Surr.}\)) tissue of DLB patients, we found evidence for ongoing oxidative damage and an impairment of protein degradation. As a potentially disease-related mechanism, we found α-synuclein and protein S100A9 to be enriched in NMGs of DLB cases, while the abundance of several ribosomal proteins was significantly decreased. As S100A9 is known to be able to enhance the formation of toxic α-synuclein fibrils, this finding points towards an involvement of NMGs in pathogenesis, however the exact role of NMGs as either neuroprotective or neurotoxic needs to be further investigated. Nevertheless, our study provides evidence for an impairment of protein degradation, ongoing oxidative damage and accumulation of potentially neurotoxic protein aggregates to be central mechanisms of neurodegeneration in DLB.}, language = {en} } @article{SchmittTatschVollhardtetal.2022, author = {Schmitt, Andrea and Tatsch, Laura and Vollhardt, Alisa and Schneider-Axmann, Thomas and Raabe, Florian J. and Roell, Lukas and Heinsen, Helmut and Hof, Patrick R. and Falkai, Peter and Schmitz, Christoph}, title = {Decreased oligodendrocyte number in hippocampal subfield CA4 in schizophrenia: a replication study}, series = {Cells}, volume = {11}, journal = {Cells}, number = {20}, issn = {2073-4409}, doi = {10.3390/cells11203242}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-290360}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Hippocampus-related cognitive deficits in working and verbal memory are frequent in schizophrenia, and hippocampal volume loss, particularly in the cornu ammonis (CA) subregions, was shown by magnetic resonance imaging studies. However, the underlying cellular alterations remain elusive. By using unbiased design-based stereology, we reported a reduction in oligodendrocyte number in CA4 in schizophrenia and of granular neurons in the dentate gyrus (DG). Here, we aimed to replicate these findings in an independent sample. We used a stereological approach to investigate the numbers and densities of neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes in CA4 and of granular neurons in the DG of left and right hemispheres in 11 brains from men with schizophrenia and 11 brains from age- and sex-matched healthy controls. In schizophrenia, a decreased number and density of oligodendrocytes was detected in the left and right CA4, whereas mean volumes of CA4 and the DG and the numbers and density of neurons, astrocytes, and granular neurons were not different in patients and controls, even after adjustment of variables because of positive correlations with postmortem interval and age. Our results replicate the previously described decrease in oligodendrocytes bilaterally in CA4 in schizophrenia and point to a deficit in oligodendrocyte maturation or a loss of mature oligodendrocytes. These changes result in impaired myelination and neuronal decoupling, both of which are linked to altered functional connectivity and subsequent cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Seeger2023, author = {Seeger, Fabian Reinhard}, title = {Moderators of exposure-based treatment outcome in anxiety disorders: an fMRI approach}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-21435}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-214356}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Even though exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) constitutes a first-line treatment for anxiety disorders, a substantial proportion of patients does not respond in a clinically significant manner. The identification of pre-treatment patient characteristics that are associated with treatment outcome might aid in improving response rates. Therefore, the present doctoral thesis aimed at investigating moderators of treatment outcome in anxiety disorders: first, we investigated the neural correlates of comorbidity among primary panic disorder/agoraphobia (PD/AG) and secondary social anxiety disorder (SAD) moderating treatment outcome towards exposure-based CBT. Second, pre-treatment functional resting-state connectivity signatures of treatment response in specific phobia were studied. Within the first study, we compared PD/AG patients with or without secondary SAD regarding their clinical and neurofunctional outcome towards a manualized CBT treatment focusing on PD/AG symptoms. Prior to treatment, PD/AG+SAD compared to PD/AG-SAD patients exhibited a specific neural signature within the temporal lobe, which was attenuated to the level of PD/AG-SAD patients afterwards. CBT was equally effective in both groups. Thus, comorbidity among those two anxiety disorders did not alter treatment outcome substantially. This might be due to the high overlap of shared pathophysiological features within both disorders. In the second study, we assessed pre-treatment functional resting-state connectivity within a sample of spider phobic patients that were treated with massed in virtuo exposure. We found responders already prior to treatment to be characterized by stronger inhibitory frontolimbic connectivity as well as heightened connectivity between the amygdala and regions related to the ventral visual stream. Furthermore, patients demonstrating high within-session extinction exhibited pronounced intrinsic prefrontal connectivity. Our results point to responders exhibiting a brain prepared for the mechanism of action of exposure. Taken together, results highlight the major impact of pre-treatment characteristics on treatment outcome. Both, PD/AG+SAD patients as well as responders within the SpiderVR study exhibited heightened activation or connectivity within the ventral visual pathway and the amygdala. Pronounced visual processing together with enhanced executive control and emotion regulation seem to constitute a fruitful soil for successful exposure. The results provide starting points for personalized treatment approaches in order to improve treatment success in the anxiety disorders. Future studies are needed to investigate the benefit of neuroscientifically informed CBT augmentation strategies such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.}, subject = {Angstst{\"o}rung}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Vitale2023, author = {Vitale, Maria Rosaria}, title = {Excitatory/inhibitory balance in iPSC-derived glutamatergic/GABAergic neuronal networks: differential Cadherin-13 genotype effects}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-28789}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-287895}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {While the healthy brain works through balanced synaptic communication between glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons to coordinate excitation (E) and inhibition (I), disruption of E/I balance interferes with synaptic communication, information processing, and ultimately cognition. Multiple line of evidence indicates that E/I imbalance represents the pathophysiological basis of a wide spectrum of mental disorders. Genetic screening approaches have identified Cadherin-13 (CDH13). as a risk gene across neurodevelopmental and mental disorders. CDH13 regulates several cellular and synaptic processes in brain development and neuronal plasticity in adulthood. In addition to other functions, it is specifically localized at inhibitory synapses of parvalbumin- and somatostatin-expressing GABAergic neurons. In support of CDH13's function in moderating E/I balance, electrophysiological recordings of hippocampal slices in a CDH13-deficient mouse model revealed an increase in basal inhibitory but not excitatory synaptic transmission. Moreover, the search for genetic variants impacting functional expression of the CDH13 gene identified SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism)) rs2199430 in intron 1 to be associated with differential mRNA concentrations in human post-mortem brain across the three genotypes CDH13G/G, CDH13A/G and CDH13A/A . This work therefore aimed to further validate these findings in a complementary human model by using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The application of human iPSCs in research has replaced the use of embryonic cells, resolving the ethical conflict of destructive usage of human embryos. Investigating CDH13's mode of action in inhibitory synapses was predicted to facilitate mechanistic insight into the effects of CDH13 gene variants on E/I network activity, which can then be targeted to reinstate balance. Genome-wide association studies have identified rare copy number variants (CNVs) resulting in a deletion (or duplication) of CDH13. To reduce genetic background variance, a set of isogenic iPSC lines with a gene dose-dependent deficiency of CDH13 (CDH13-/- and CDH13+/- ) was generated by using the Clustered Regulatory Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system. These CRISPRed iPSCs carrying a single or two allele(s) with CDH13 inactivation facilitate investigation of CDH13 function in cellular processes, at inhibitory synapses and in neuronal network activity. In addition, iPSCs carrying allelic SNP rs2199430 variants were used to study the effects of common genetic variation of CDH13. These cell lines were differentiated into pure glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons and co-cultured to generate neuronal networks allowing its activity to be measured and correlated with electrophysiological signatures of differential CDH13 genotypes. The work towards assessment of neuronal network activity of the iPSC lines was subdivided into three major steps: first, generating rtTA/Ngn2 and rtTA/Ascl1-positive iPSCs via a lentivirus-mediated approach; second, differentiating pure glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons from the genetically transduced iPSCs and co-culturing of pure glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons in a pre-established ratio (65:35) by direct differentiation upon supplementation with doxycycline and forskolin on a microelectrode array (MEA) chip; and, finally, recording of neuronal network activity of iPSC lines after 49 days in vitro, followed by extraction and analyses of multiple MEA parameters. x Based on the MEA parameters, it was confirmed that complete CDH13 knockout as well as heterozygous deficiency influence E/I balance by increasing inhibition. It was further revealed that common SNP variation alters the signature of neuronal network activity. Specifically, CDH13 deficiency resulted in a significant reduction in network burst duration (NBD), reduced number of detected spikes within a network burst and reduction in network burst rate (NBR) compared to the control (CDH13G/G). CDH13A/G and CDH13A/A showed similarities with the CRISPRed CDH13-deficient networks by showing a significant reduction in the NBD and a reduced number of detected spikes within a network compared to CDH13G/G. Strikingly. there was a significant increase in the NBR of the CDH13A/G and CDH13A/A compared to CDH13G/G networks. CDH13A/G networks exhibited significant differences in both parameters. At the cellular level, this indicates that signalling pathways which determine the length and frequency of network bursts differ among allelic variants of SNP rs2199430, thus confirming functional relevance of this intronic SNP. In summary, CDH13-deficient isogenic iPSC lines were generated using CRISPR/Cas9, iPSCs were genetically transduced via a lentivirus approach, direct differentiation of glutamatergic/GABAergic neurons derived from transduced iPSCs were used to establish a scalable co-culture system, and network activity was recorded by MEA using pre-established parameters to extract and analyze activity information. The results indicate that iPSC-derived neuronal networks following CRISPR/Cas9-facilitated CDH13 inactivation, as well as networks with allelic SNP variants of CDH13, moderate E/I balance, thus advancing understanding of CDH13 function at inhibitory synapses and elucidating the effects of rare and common CDH13 gene variation.}, subject = {Induzierte pluripotente Stammzelle}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Siminski2023, author = {Siminski, Niklas}, title = {Temporal predictability of threat: Evaluation of differential involvement of amygdala and BNST, and relevance for therapy response prediction in spider phobia}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-24664}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-246643}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Predictability of threat is one of the key modulators of neural activity in fear and anxiety-related threat processes and there is a considerable number of studies focusing on the exact contribution of centromedial amygdala and Bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) in animals as well as in humans. In this research field, some studies already investigated the differential involvement of both areas during temporally predictable and unpredictable threat processes in humans. However, these studies showed several limitations e.g. small sample size, no predictable threat conditions, no separation of anticipation and confrontation processes, which should be addressed in future studies. Furthermore, evidence for group-based inter-individual differences of amygdala and BNST activity during predictable and unpredictable threat processes have not been studied extensively. Several studies suggest a relevant role of the amygdala and BNST activity in phobic processes in patients with specific phobia, but no study so far has investigated the exact contribution of centromedial amygdala (CM) and BNST during temporally predictable and unpredictable threat processes in specific phobia. This thesis consisted of three studies and aimed to evaluate the exact contribution of CM and BNST during temporally predictable and unpredictable threat anticipation and confrontation with the use of an optimized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigm, which aimed to solve methodological limitations of recent studies. Study 1 used a large sample of healthy participants who were grouped based on NPSR1 genotype, and study 2 and study 3 used a sample of patients with spider phobia. In sum, the results of all three studies indicated, that BNST is more relevant for anticipation processes as compared to the CM. Contrary, during the confrontation phase the CM displays a greater relevance for threat confrontation processes. In recent years, various studies have investigated the extent to which treatment success can be predicted in patients with anxiety disorders based on pre-treatment fMRI activity. Therefore, this was investigated for the first time in study 3 in patients with spider phobia during temporally predictable and unpredictable threat processes. Results indicated that independent of temporal predictability lower anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) activity during threat anticipation and engaged BNST during threat confrontation might be benefitting factors for successful therapy response in spider phobia.}, subject = {Amygdala}, language = {en} } @article{HaberstumpfLeinweberLaueretal.2022, author = {Haberstumpf, Sophia and Leinweber, Jonas and Lauer, Martin and Polak, Thomas and Deckert, J{\"u}rgen and Herrmann, Martin J.}, title = {Factors associated with dropout in the longitudinal Vogel study of cognitive decline}, series = {The European Journal of Neuroscience}, volume = {56}, journal = {The European Journal of Neuroscience}, number = {9}, doi = {10.1111/ejn.15446}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-318945}, pages = {5587 -- 5600}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, is a growing problem worldwide. Prevention or early detection of the disease or a prodromal cognitive decline is necessary. By means of our long-term follow-up 'Vogel study', we aim to predict the pathological cognitive decline of a German cohort (mean age was 73.9 ± 1.55 years at first visit) with three measurement time points within 6 years per participant. Especially in samples of the elderly and subjects with chronic or co-morbid diseases, dropouts are one of the biggest problems of long-term studies. In contrast to the large number of research articles conducted on the course of dementia, little research has been done on the completion of treatment. To ensure unbiased and reliable predictors of cognitive decline from study completers, our objective was to determine predictors of dropout. We conducted multivariate analyses of covariance and multinomial logistic regression analyses to compare and predict the subject's dropout behaviour at the second visit 3 years after baseline (full participation, partial participation and no participation/dropout) with neuropsychiatric, cognitive, blood and lifestyle variables. Lower performance in declarative memory, attention and visual-spatial processing predicted dropout rather than full participation. Lower performance in visual-spatial processing predicted partial participation as opposed to full participation. Furthermore, lower performance in mini-mental status examination predicted whether subjects dropped out or participated partially instead of full participation. Baseline cognitive parameters are associated with dropouts at follow-up with a loss of impaired participants. We expect a bias into a healthier sample over time.}, language = {en} } @article{HaberstumpfForsterLeinweberetal.2022, author = {Haberstumpf, Sophia and Forster, Andr{\´e} and Leinweber, Jonas and Rauskolb, Stefanie and Hewig, Johannes and Sendtner, Michael and Lauer, Martin and Polak, Thomas and Deckert, J{\"u}rgen and Herrmann, Martin J.}, title = {Measurement invariance testing of longitudinal neuropsychiatric test scores distinguishes pathological from normative cognitive decline and highlights its potential in early detection research}, series = {Journal of Neuropsychology}, volume = {16}, journal = {Journal of Neuropsychology}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1111/jnp.12269}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-318932}, pages = {324 -- 352}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Objective Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a growing challenge worldwide, which is why the search for early-onset predictors must be focused as soon as possible. Longitudinal studies that investigate courses of neuropsychological and other variables screen for such predictors correlated to mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, one often neglected issue in analyses of such studies is measurement invariance (MI), which is often assumed but not tested for. This study uses the absence of MI (non-MI) and latent factor scores instead of composite variables to assess properties of cognitive domains, compensation mechanisms, and their predictability to establish a method for a more comprehensive understanding of pathological cognitive decline. Methods An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a set of increasingly restricted confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were conducted to find latent factors, compared them with the composite approach, and to test for longitudinal (partial-)MI in a neuropsychiatric test battery, consisting of 14 test variables. A total of 330 elderly (mean age: 73.78 ± 1.52 years at baseline) were analyzed two times (3 years apart). Results EFA revealed a four-factor model representing declarative memory, attention, working memory, and visual-spatial processing. Based on CFA, an accurate model was estimated across both measurement timepoints. Partial non-MI was found for parameters such as loadings, test- and latent factor intercepts as well as latent factor variances. The latent factor approach was preferable to the composite approach. Conclusion The overall assessment of non-MI latent factors may pose a possible target for this field of research. Hence, the non-MI of variances indicated variables that are especially suited for the prediction of pathological cognitive decline, while non-MI of intercepts indicated general aging-related decline. As a result, the sole assessment of MI may help distinguish pathological from normative aging processes and additionally may reveal compensatory neuropsychological mechanisms.}, language = {en} } @article{LeutritzvanBraamPreisetal.2023, author = {Leutritz, Anna Linda and van Braam, Lara and Preis, Katharina and Gehrmann, Andrea and Scherf-Clavel, Maike and Fiedler, Katrin and Unterecker, Stefan and Kittel-Schneider, Sarah}, title = {Psychotropic medication in pregnancy and lactation and early development of exposed children}, series = {British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology}, volume = {89}, journal = {British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1111/bcp.15533}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-318954}, pages = {737 -- 750}, year = {2023}, abstract = {There is still limited knowledge about alterations of blood concentrations of psychotropic drugs during pregnancy, the transfer of psychotropic drugs into breastmilk and the effects on exposed children. We investigated changes in concentrations of psychopharmacological medication during pregnancy and lactation in serum and breastmilk at different time points in a naturalistic sample of 60 mothers and observed the development of the exposed children in the first 12 months. We found a decrease in serum concentrations from the first to the second trimester of amitriptyline, duloxetine, escitalopram, quetiapine and sertraline. Citalopram stayed rather stable during pregnancy, sertraline levels interestingly increased again from the second to the third trimester. High concentration-by-dose ratios in breastmilk were found for venlafaxine as well as lamotrigine, low for quetiapine and clomipramine. Similarly, clomipramine and quetiapine showed low milk/serum-penetration ratios. Regarding the birth outcome measures in children, we found no significant differences between in utero exposed compared to nonexposed newborns. There were no significant differences in the development in the first 12 months. Psychotropic medication in the peripartum needs a balancing of risks and benefits and a continuous therapeutic drug monitoring can be a guidance for clinicians to monitor drug alteration patterns, which are likely to occur due to physiological pregnancy-associated changes in pharmacokinetics. Accordingly, therapeutic drug monitoring can optimize a medication in pregnancy and lactation with the lowest effective dose.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Reber2023, author = {Reber, Sibylle}, title = {Einfluss von Multimorbidit{\"a}t und Niereninsuffizienz auf die Serumkonzentration von Antidepressiva sowie Assoziation zum Therapieergebnis bei einem Patientenkollektiv der Neurogerontopsychiatrischen Tagesklinik W{\"u}rzburg}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-32176}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-321765}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Die vorliegende retrospektive Untersuchung arbeitete mit Daten von 153 Patienten der Neurogerontopsychiatrischen Tagesklinik W{\"u}rzburg. Dabei wurde zum einen gepr{\"u}ft, ob multimorbide Patienten und niereninsuffiziente Patienten h{\"o}here dosiskorrigierte Serumkonzentrationen der Antidepressiva Escitalopram, Sertralin, Venlafaxin und Mirtazapin aufwiesen. Zum anderen erfolgte die Untersuchung, ob hohe Serumkonzentrationen der vier genannten Antidepressiva zu einem besseren Therapieergebnis f{\"u}hrten. F{\"u}r die Berechnungen wurden die letzten vor Entlassung erhobenen Laborparameter verwendet. Es erfolgte die Berechnung der dosiskorrigierten Serumkonzentration. 76 Patienten (49,7 \%) wurden als multimorbide eingestuft. Es zeigten sich f{\"u}r die dosiskorrigierte Serumkonzentration des aktiven Metaboliten O-Desmethyl-Venlafaxin statistisch signifikant h{\"o}here Konzentrationen bei der multimorbiden Subgruppe. Ferner zeigte sich bei 140 Patienten eine Niereninsuffizienz (91,5 \%). F{\"u}r die dosiskorrigierte Konzentration von O-Desmethyl Venlafaxin, die dosiskorrigierte Summenserumkonzentration aus Venlafaxin und O-Desmethyl- Venlafaxin sowie die dosiskorrigierte Serumkonzentration von Sertralin ließen sich statistisch signifikant h{\"o}here Konzentrationen bei einer zunehmenden Einschr{\"a}nkung der Nierenfunktion nachweisen. Es zeigte sich kein Einfluss der H{\"o}he der dosiskorrigierten Serumkonzentration der Antidepressiva auf das Therapieergebnis in der vorliegenden Arbeit. Mit der vorliegenden Arbeit konnte gezeigt werden, dass sowohl Multimorbidit{\"a}t als auch Niereninsuffizienz einen Einfluss auf die Verstoffwechselung und auch die dosiskorrigierte Serumkonzentration der Antidepressiva Venlafaxin und Sertralin haben. Daher ergibt sich die Schlussfolgerung, dass bei {\"a}lteren Patienten, welche von Multimorbidit{\"a}t oder Niereninsuffizienz betroffen sind, eine Dosisanpassung und regelm{\"a}ßige Kontrollen der Serumkonzentration im Sinne eines Therapeutischen Drug Monitoring erfolgen sollten.}, subject = {Pharmakokinetik}, language = {de} } @article{GehrmannFiedlerLeutritzetal.2021, author = {Gehrmann, Andrea and Fiedler, Katrin and Leutritz, Anna Linda and Koreny, Carolin and Kittel-Schneider, Sarah}, title = {Lithium medication in pregnancy and breastfeeding — a case series}, series = {Medicina}, volume = {57}, journal = {Medicina}, number = {6}, issn = {1648-9144}, doi = {10.3390/medicina57060634}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-285640}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Lithium salts are the first-line prophylaxis treatment for bipolar disorder in most guidelines. The majority of bipolar women are treated with mood stabilizers at the time they wish to get pregnant. One reason for this is the rising average age at first childbirth, at least in the high-income countries, which increases in general the likelihood of a medication with psychotropic drugs. Previously, lithium exposition during pregnancy was thought to strongly increase the risk of severe cardiac malformation. However, recent studies only point to a low teratogenic risk, so nowadays an increasing number of women are getting pregnant with ongoing lithium treatment. Regarding lithium medication during breastfeeding, there is evidence that lithium transfers to the breastmilk and can also be detected in the infants' serum. The influence on the infant is still a largely understudied topic. Regular monitoring of the infants' renal clearance, thyroid function, and lithium levels is warranted when breastfeeding under lithium exposure. In this case series, we present three case reports of bipolar mothers who were treated with lithium during pregnancy and breastfeeding to add to the scarce literature on this important topic. In short, we strengthen the importance of therapeutic drug monitoring due to fluctuating plasma levels during pregnancy and after birth, and we can report the birth and development of three healthy infants despite lithium medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Mueller2023, author = {M{\"u}ller, Annika Wiebke}, title = {Funktionalit{\"a}t eines \(Stathmin\)-Promotor-Polymorphismus}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-31812}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-318120}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Bereits in vorausgegangenen Studien konnte nachgewiesen werden, dass das Stathmin-Gen eine entscheidende Rolle im Hinblick auf erlernte und angeborene Angstreaktionen spielt. So konnte Frau Dr. Julia Katharina Heupel in ihrer Arbeit aus dem Jahr 2013 eine Assoziation eines (TAA)n-Polymorphismus, welcher sich ca. 2 kb upstream des ersten Exons des Stathmin-Gens und ca. 4 kb upstream des Translationsstarts befindet, mit Cluster-C-Pers{\"o}nlichkeitsst{\"o}rungen belegen. Sie vermutete, dass eine Hochregulation der Expression des Stathmin-Gens ein Risikofaktor f{\"u}r die Entstehung von Cluster C Pers{\"o}nlichkeitsst{\"o}rungen darstellen k{\"o}nnte. Da sich der beschriebene Polymorphismus in der Promotor-Region des Stathmin-Gens befindet, ist eine allelspezifische Auswirkung auf die Genexpression vorstellbar. Um diese Vermutung zu st{\"u}tzen, wurde in dieser Arbeit die Auswirkung zweier Allele des STR-Polymorphismus im Bereich der Promotorregion des Stathmin-Gens im Hinblick auf die Promotoraktivit{\"a}t untersucht. Hierzu wurde die zu untersuchende Sequenz zun{\"a}chst mittels Polymerase-Ketten-Reaktion vervielf{\"a}ltigt und anschließend in einen pGL4.23.Vektor kloniert. Im Anschluss daran erfolgte die Untersuchung der Promotoraktivit{\"a}t mittels eines Luciferase-Assays in der humanen Neuroblastomzelllinie SH-SY5Y. Nach statischer Auswertung der Messreihen zeigte sich eine signifikant h{\"o}here Luciferase-Aktivit{\"a}t des STR-Polymorphismus (TAA)12 im Vergleich zu dem STR-Polymorphismus (TAA)13. Hierdurch kann von einer h{\"o}heren Promotoraktivit{\"a}t bei dem Genotyp (TAA)12 gegen{\"u}ber dem Genotyp (TAA)13 ausgegangen werden. Zusammenfassend unterst{\"u}tzen die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit die These, dass es sich bei dem Stathmin-Gen um ein Suszeptibilit{\"a}tsgen f{\"u}r die Entstehung von Cluster C Pers{\"o}nlichkeitsst{\"o}rungen handeln k{\"o}nnte.}, subject = {Pers{\"o}nlichkeitsst{\"o}rung}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Gruendahl2023, author = {Gr{\"u}ndahl, Marthe Erda}, title = {From Lab to Life: Investigating the Role of Social Contact for Anxiety and Related Autonomic Responses}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-31685}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-316859}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Social contact is an integral part of daily life. Its health-enhancing effects include reduced negative affective experiences of fear and anxiety, a phenomenon called social buffering. This dissertation studied different forms of social contact and their anxiety-buffering effects with diverse methodologies. The laboratory-based first study investigated minimal social contact in the context of pain relief learning. Results showed that the observed decreased autonomic and increased subjective fear responses following pain relief learning were independent of social influence. The minimalistic and controlled social setting may have prevented social buffering. Study 2 targeted social buffering in daily life using Ecological Momentary Assessment. We repeatedly assessed individuals' state anxiety, related cardiovascular responses, and aspects of social interactions with smartphones and portable sensors on five days. Analyses of over 1,500 social contacts revealed gender-specific effects, e.g., heart rate-reducing effects of familiarity in women, but not men. Study 3 examined anxiety, loneliness, and related social factors in the absence of social contact due to social distancing. We constructed and validated a scale measuring state and trait loneliness and isolation, and analysed its link to mental health. Results include a social buffering-like relation of lower anxiety with more trait sociability and sense of belonging. In sum, the studies showed no fear reduction by minimal social contact, but buffering effects relating to social and personal factors in more complex social situations. Anxiety responses during daily social contacts were lower with more familiar or opposite-gender interaction partners. During limited social contact, lower anxiety related to inter-individual differences in sociability, social belonging, and loneliness. By taking research from lab to life, this dissertation underlined the diverse nature of social contact and its relevance to mental health.}, subject = {Angst}, language = {en} } @article{HibarAdamsJahanshadetal.2017, author = {Hibar, Derrek P. and Adams, Hieab H.H. and Jahanshad, Neda and Chauhan, Ganesh and Stein, Jason L and Hofer, Edith and Renteria, Miguel E. and Bis, Joshua C. and Arias-Vasquez, Alejandro and Ikram, M. Kamran and Desrivi{\`e}res, Sylvane and Vernooij, Meike W. and Abramovic, Lucija and Alhusaini, Saud and Amin, Najaf and Andersson, Micael and Arfanakis, Konstantinos and Aribisala, Benjamin S. and Armstrong, Nicola J. and Athanasiu, Lavinia and Axelsson, Tomas and Beecham, Ashley H. and Beiser, Alexa and Bernard, Manon and Blanton, Susan H. and Bohlken, Marc M. and Boks, Marco P. and Bralten, Janita and Brickman, Adam M. and Carmichael, Owen}, title = {Novel genetic loci associated with hippocampal volume}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {8}, journal = {Nature Communications}, doi = {10.1038/ncomms13624}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-182115}, pages = {12}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The hippocampal formation is a brain structure integrally involved in episodic memory, spatial navigation, cognition and stress responsiveness. Structural abnormalities in hippocampal volume and shape are found in several common neuropsychiatric disorders. To identify the genetic underpinnings of hippocampal structure here we perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 33,536 individuals and discover six independent loci significantly associated with hippocampal volume, four of them novel. Of the novel loci, three lie within genes (ASTN2, DPP4 and MAST4) and one is found 200 kb upstream of SHH. A hippocampal subfield analysis shows that a locus within the MSRB3 gene shows evidence of a localized effect along the dentate gyrus, subiculum, CA1 and fissure. Further, we show that genetic variants associated with decreased hippocampal volume are also associated with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (r\(_g\)=-0.155). Our findings suggest novel biological pathways through which human genetic variation influences hippocampal volume and risk for neuropsychiatric illness.}, language = {en} } @article{VangeelPishvaHompesetal.2017, author = {Vangeel, Elise Beau and Pishva, Ehsan and Hompes, Titia and van den Hove, Daniel and Lambrechts, Diether and Allegaert, Karel and Freson, Kathleen and Izzi, Benedetta and Claes, Stephan}, title = {Newborn genome-wide DNA methylation in association with pregnancy anxiety reveals a potential role for \(GABBR1\)}, series = {Clinical Epigenetics}, volume = {9}, journal = {Clinical Epigenetics}, doi = {10.1186/s13148-017-0408-5}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-173825}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background: There is increasing evidence for the role of prenatal stress in shaping offspring DNA methylation and disease susceptibility. In the current study, we aimed to identify genes and pathways associated with pregnancy anxiety using a genome-wide DNA methylation approach. Methods: We selected 22 versus 23 newborns from our Prenatal Early Life Stress (PELS) cohort, exposed to the lowest or highest degree of maternal pregnancy anxiety, respectively. Cord blood genome-wide DNA methylation was assayed using the HumanMethylation450 BeadChip (HM450, n = 45) and candidate gene methylation using EpiTYPER (n = 80). Cortisol levels were measured at 2, 4, and 12 months of age to test infant stress system (re)activity. Results: Data showed ten differentially methylated regions (DMR) when comparing newborns exposed to low versus high pregnancy anxiety scores. We validated a top DMR in the GABA-B receptor subunit 1 gene (GABBR1) revealing the association with pregnancy anxiety particularly in male newborns (most significant CpG Pearson R = 0.517, p = 0.002; average methylation Pearson R = 0.332, p = 0.039). Cord blood GABBR1 methylation was associated with infant cortisol levels in response to a routine vaccination at 4 months old. Conclusions: In conclusion, our results show that pregnancy anxiety is associated with differential DNA methylation patterns in newborns and that our candidate gene GABBR1 is associated with infant hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response to a stressor. Our findings reveal a potential role for GABBR1 methylation in association with stress and provide grounds for further research.}, language = {en} } @article{BuffBrinkmannBruchmannetal.2017, author = {Buff, Christine and Brinkmann, Leonie and Bruchmann, Maximilian and Becker, Michael P.I. and Tupak, Sara and Herrmann, Martin J. and Straube, Thomas}, title = {Activity alterations in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and amygdala during threat anticipation in generalized anxiety disorder}, series = {Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience}, volume = {12}, journal = {Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1093/scan/nsx103}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-173298}, pages = {1766-1774}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Sustained anticipatory anxiety is central to Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). During anticipatory anxiety, phasic threat responding appears to be mediated by the amygdala, while sustained threat responding seems related to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Although sustained anticipatory anxiety in GAD patients was proposed to be associated with BNST activity alterations, firm evidence is lacking. We aimed to explore temporal characteristics of BNST and amygdala activity during threat anticipation in GAD patients. Nineteen GAD patients and nineteen healthy controls (HC) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a temporally unpredictable threat anticipation paradigm. We defined phasic and a systematic variation of sustained response models for blood oxygen level-dependent responses during threat anticipation, to disentangle temporally dissociable involvement of the BNST and the amygdala. GAD patients relative to HC responded with increased phasic amygdala activity to onset of threat anticipation and with elevated sustained BNST activity that was delayed relative to the onset of threat anticipation. Both the amygdala and the BNST displayed altered responses during threat anticipation in GAD patients, albeit with different time courses. The results for the BNST activation hint towards its role in sustained threat responding, and contribute to a deeper understanding of pathological sustained anticipatory anxiety in GAD.}, language = {en} } @article{JansonWillekeZaibertetal.2022, author = {Janson, Patrick and Willeke, Kristina and Zaibert, Lisa and Budnick, Andrea and Bergh{\"o}fer, Anne and Kittel-Schneider, Sarah and Heuschmann, Peter U. and Zapf, Andreas and Wildner, Manfred and Stupp, Carolin and Keil, Thomas}, title = {Mortality, morbidity and health-related outcomes in informal caregivers compared to non-caregivers: a systematic review}, series = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}, volume = {19}, journal = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}, number = {10}, issn = {1660-4601}, doi = {10.3390/ijerph19105864}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-275219}, year = {2022}, abstract = {A systematic overview of mental and physical disorders of informal caregivers based on population-based studies with good methodological quality is lacking. Therefore, our aim was to systematically summarize mortality, incidence, and prevalence estimates of chronic diseases in informal caregivers compared to non-caregivers. Following PRISMA recommendations, we searched major healthcare databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE and Web of Science) systematically for relevant studies published in the last 10 years (without language restrictions) (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020200314). We included only observational cross-sectional and cohort studies with low risk of bias (risk scores 0-2 out of max 8) that reported the prevalence, incidence, odds ratio (OR), hazard ratio (HR), mean- or sum-scores for health-related outcomes in informal caregivers and non-caregivers. For a thorough methodological quality assessment, we used a validated checklist. The synthesis of the results was conducted by grouping outcomes. We included 22 studies, which came predominately from the USA and Europe. Informal caregivers had a significantly lower mortality than non-caregivers. Regarding chronic morbidity outcomes, the results from a large longitudinal German health-insurance evaluation showed increased and statistically significant incidences of severe stress, adjustment disorders, depression, diseases of the spine and pain conditions among informal caregivers compared to non-caregivers. In cross-sectional evaluations, informal caregiving seemed to be associated with a higher occurrence of depression and of anxiety (ranging from 4 to 51\% and 2 to 38\%, respectively), pain, hypertension, diabetes and reduced quality of life. Results from our systematic review suggest that informal caregiving may be associated with several mental and physical disorders. However, these results need to be interpreted with caution, as the cross-sectional studies cannot determine temporal relationships. The lower mortality rates compared to non-caregivers may be due to a healthy-carer bias in longitudinal observational studies; however, these and other potential benefits of informal caregiving deserve further attention by researchers.}, language = {en} } @article{StrilciucVecseiBoeringetal.2021, author = {Strilciuc, Stefan and V{\´e}csei, L{\´a}szl{\´o} and Boering, Dana and Pražnikar, Aleš and Kaut, Oliver and Riederer, Peter and Battistin, Leontino}, title = {Safety of Cerebrolysin for neurorecovery after acute ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of twelve randomized-controlled trials}, series = {Pharmaceuticals}, volume = {14}, journal = {Pharmaceuticals}, number = {12}, issn = {1424-8247}, doi = {10.3390/ph14121297}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-252403}, year = {2021}, abstract = {We performed a systematic search and meta-analysis of available literature to determine the safety profile of Cerebrolysin in acute ischemic stroke, filling existing safety information gaps and inconsistent results. We searched EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane Databases of Systematic Reviews and Clinical Trials up to the end of February 2021. Data collection and analysis were conducted using methods described in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. All safety outcomes were analyzed based on risk ratios (RR) and their 95\% confidence intervals. The meta-analysis pooled 2202 patients from twelve randomized clinical trials, registering non-statistically significant (p > 0.05) differences between Cerebrolysin and placebo throughout main and subgroup analyses. The lowest rate of Serious Adverse Events (SAE), as compared to placebo, was observed for the highest dose of Cerebrolysin (50 mL), highlighting a moderate reduction (RR = 0.6). We observed a tendency of superiority of Cerebrolysin regarding SAE in high dose treatment courses for moderate-severe ischemic stroke, suggesting some effect of the agent against adverse events. This comprehensive safety meta-analysis confirms the safety profile for patients treated with Cerebrolysin after acute ischemic stroke, as compared to placebo.}, language = {en} } @article{DischingerHeckelBischleretal.2021, author = {Dischinger, Ulrich and Heckel, Tobias and Bischler, Thorsten and Hasinger, Julia and K{\"o}nigsrainer, Malina and Schmitt-B{\"o}hrer, Angelika and Otto, Christoph and Fassnacht, Martin and Seyfried, Florian and Hankir, Mohammed Khair}, title = {Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and caloric restriction but not gut hormone-based treatments profoundly impact the hypothalamic transcriptome in obese rats}, series = {Nutrients}, volume = {14}, journal = {Nutrients}, number = {1}, issn = {2072-6643}, doi = {10.3390/nu14010116}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-252392}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background: The hypothalamus is an important brain region for the regulation of energy balance. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery and gut hormone-based treatments are known to reduce body weight, but their effects on hypothalamic gene expression and signaling pathways are poorly studied. Methods: Diet-induced obese male Wistar rats were randomized into the following groups: RYGB, sham operation, sham + body weight-matched (BWM) to the RYGB group, osmotic minipump delivering PYY3-36 (0.1 mg/kg/day), liraglutide s.c. (0.4 mg/kg/day), PYY3-36 + liraglutide, and saline. All groups (except BWM) were kept on a free choice of high- and low-fat diets. Four weeks after interventions, hypothalami were collected for RNA sequencing. Results: While rats in the RYGB, BWM, and PYY3-36 + liraglutide groups had comparable reductions in body weight, only RYGB and BWM treatment had a major impact on hypothalamic gene expression. In these groups, hypothalamic leptin receptor expression as well as the JAK-STAT, PI3K-Akt, and AMPK signaling pathways were upregulated. No significant changes could be detected in PYY3-36 + liraglutide-, liraglutide-, and PYY-treated groups. Conclusions: Despite causing similar body weight changes compared to RYGB and BWM, PYY3-36 + liraglutide treatment does not impact hypothalamic gene expression. Whether this striking difference is favorable or unfavorable to metabolic health in the long term requires further investigation.}, language = {en} } @article{FernandezCastilloCabanaDominguezKappeletal.2021, author = {Fern{\`a}ndez-Castillo, No{\`e}lia and Cabana-Dom{\´i}nguez, Judit and Kappel, Djenifer B. and Torrico, B{\`a}rbara and Weber, Heike and Lesch, Klaus-Peter and Lao, Oscar and Reif, Andreas and Cormand, Bru}, title = {Exploring the contribution to ADHD of genes involved in Mendelian disorders presenting with hyperactivity and/or inattention}, series = {Genes}, volume = {13}, journal = {Genes}, number = {1}, issn = {2073-4425}, doi = {10.3390/genes13010093}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-252346}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattention, which are symptoms also observed in many rare genetic disorders. We searched for genes involved in Mendelian disorders presenting with ADHD symptoms in the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database, to curate a list of new candidate risk genes for ADHD. We explored the enrichment of functions and pathways in this gene list, and tested whether rare or common variants in these genes are associated with ADHD or with its comorbidities. We identified 139 genes, causal for 137 rare disorders, mainly related to neurodevelopmental and brain function. Most of these Mendelian disorders also present with other psychiatric traits that are often comorbid with ADHD. Using whole exome sequencing (WES) data from 668 ADHD cases, we found rare variants associated with the dimension of the severity of inattention symptoms in three genes: KIF11, WAC, and CRBN. Then, we focused on common variants and identified six genes associated with ADHD (in 19,099 cases and 34,194 controls): MANBA, UQCC2, HIVEP2, FOPX1, KANSL1, and AUH. Furthermore, HIVEP2, FOXP1, and KANSL1 were nominally associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (18,382 cases and 27,969 controls), as well as HIVEP2 with anxiety (7016 cases and 14,475 controls), and FOXP1 with aggression (18,988 individuals), which is in line with the symptomatology of the rare disorders they are responsible for. In conclusion, inspecting Mendelian disorders and the genes responsible for them constitutes a valuable approach for identifying new risk genes and the mechanisms of complex disorders.}, language = {en} } @article{SteinMarufMuelleretal.2021, author = {Stein, Kiera and Maruf, Abdullah Al and M{\"u}ller, Daniel J. and Bishop, Jeffrey R. and Bousman, Chad A.}, title = {Serotonin transporter genetic variation and antidepressant response and tolerability: a systematic review and meta-analysis}, series = {Journal of Personalized Medicine}, volume = {11}, journal = {Journal of Personalized Medicine}, number = {12}, issn = {2075-4426}, doi = {10.3390/jpm11121334}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-252294}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Antidepressants are used to treat several psychiatric disorders; however, a large proportion of patients do not respond to their first antidepressant therapy and often experience adverse drug reactions (ADR). A common insertion-deletion polymorphism in the promoter region (5-HTTLPR) of the serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) gene has been frequently investigated for its association with antidepressant outcomes. Here, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess 5-HTTLPR associations with antidepressants: (1) response in psychiatric disorders other than major depressive disorder (MDD) and (2) tolerability across all psychiatric disorders. Literature searches were performed up to January 2021, yielding 82 studies that met inclusion criteria, and 16 of these studies were included in the meta-analyses. Carriers of the 5-HTTLPR LL or LS genotypes were more likely to respond to antidepressant therapy, compared to the SS carriers in the total and European ancestry-only study populations. Long (L) allele carriers taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) reported fewer ADRs relative to short/short (SS) carriers. European L carriers taking SSRIs had lower ADR rates than S carriers. These results suggest the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism may serve as a marker for antidepressant outcomes in psychiatric disorders and may be particularly relevant to SSRI treatment among individuals of European descent.}, language = {en} } @article{BrunkhorstKanaanTrautmannSchreiberetal.2021, author = {Brunkhorst-Kanaan, Nathalie and Trautmann, Sandra and Schreiber, Yannick and Thomas, Dominique and Kittel-Schneider, Sarah and Gurke, Robert and Geisslinger, Gerd and Reif, Andreas and Tegeder, Irmgard}, title = {Sphingolipid and endocannabinoid profiles in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder}, series = {Biomedicines}, volume = {9}, journal = {Biomedicines}, number = {9}, issn = {2227-9059}, doi = {10.3390/biomedicines9091173}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-246080}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Genes encoding endocannabinoid and sphingolipid metabolism pathways were suggested to contribute to the genetic risk towards attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The present pilot study assessed plasma concentrations of candidate endocannabinoids, sphingolipids and ceramides in individuals with adult ADHD in comparison with healthy controls and patients with affective disorders. Targeted lipid analyses of 23 different lipid species were performed in 71 mental disorder patients and 98 healthy controls (HC). The patients were diagnosed with adult ADHD (n = 12), affective disorder (major depression, MD n = 16 or bipolar disorder, BD n = 6) or adult ADHD with comorbid affective disorders (n = 37). Canonical discriminant analysis and CHAID analyses were used to identify major components that predicted the diagnostic group. ADHD patients had increased plasma concentrations of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P d18:1) and sphinganine-1-phosphate (S1P d18:0). In addition, the endocannabinoids, anandamide (AEA) and arachidonoylglycerol were increased. MD/BD patients had increased long chain ceramides, most prominently Cer22:0, but low endocannabinoids in contrast to ADHD patients. Patients with ADHD and comorbid affective disorders displayed increased S1P d18:1 and increased Cer22:0, but the individual lipid levels were lower than in the non-comorbid disorders. Sphingolipid profiles differ between patients suffering from ADHD and affective disorders, with overlapping patterns in comorbid patients. The S1P d18:1 to Cer22:0 ratio may constitute a diagnostic or prognostic tool.}, language = {en} } @article{WillekeJansonZinketal.2021, author = {Willeke, Kristina and Janson, Patrick and Zink, Katharina and Stupp, Carolin and Kittel-Schneider, Sarah and Bergh{\"o}fer, Anne and Ewert, Thomas and King, Ryan and Heuschmann, Peter U. and Zapf, Andreas and Wildner, Manfred and Keil, Thomas}, title = {Occurrence of mental illness and mental health risks among the self-employed: a systematic review}, series = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}, volume = {18}, journal = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}, number = {16}, issn = {1660-4601}, doi = {10.3390/ijerph18168617}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-245085}, year = {2021}, abstract = {We aimed to systematically identify and evaluate all studies of good quality that compared the occurrence of mental disorders in the self-employed versus employees. Adhering to the Cochrane guidelines, we conducted a systematic review and searched three major medical databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase), complemented by hand search. We included 26 (three longitudinal and 23 cross-sectional) population-based studies of good quality (using a validated quality assessment tool), with data from 3,128,877 participants in total. The longest of these studies, a Swedish national register evaluation with 25 years follow-up, showed a higher incidence of mental illness among the self-employed compared to white-collar workers, but a lower incidence compared to blue-collar workers. In the second longitudinal study from Sweden the self-employed had a lower incidence of mental illness compared to both blue- and white-collar workers over 15 years, whereas the third longitudinal study (South Korea) did not find a difference regarding the incidence of depressive symptoms over 6 years. Results from the cross-sectional studies showed associations between self-employment and poor general mental health and stress, but were inconsistent regarding other mental outcomes. Most studies from South Korea found a higher prevalence of mental disorders among the self-employed compared to employees, whereas the results of cross-sectional studies from outside Asia were less consistent. In conclusion, we found evidence from population-based studies for a link between self-employment and increased risk of mental illness. Further longitudinal studies are needed examining the potential risk for the development of mental disorders in specific subtypes of the self-employed.}, language = {en} } @article{UeceylerSchliesserEvdokimovetal.2022, author = {{\"U}{\c{c}}eyler, Nurcan and Schließer, Mira and Evdokimov, Dimitar and Radziwon, Jakub and Feulner, Betty and Unterecker, Stefan and Rimmele, Florian and Walter, Uwe}, title = {Reduced midbrain raphe echogenicity in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome}, series = {PloS One}, volume = {17}, journal = {PloS One}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0277316}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300639}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Objectives The pathogenesis of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is unclear. Transcranial ultrasonography revealed anechoic alteration of midbrain raphe in depression and anxiety disorders, suggesting affection of the central serotonergic system. Here, we assessed midbrain raphe echogenicity in FMS. Methods Sixty-six patients underwent transcranial sonography, of whom 53 were patients with FMS (27 women, 26 men), 13 patients with major depression and physical pain (all women), and 14 healthy controls (11 women, 3 men). Raphe echogenicity was graded visually as normal or hypoechogenic, and quantified by digitized image analysis, each by investigators blinded to the clinical diagnosis. Results Quantitative midbrain raphe echogenicity was lower in patients with FMS compared to healthy controls (p<0.05), but not different from that of patients with depression and accompanying physical pain. Pain and FMS symptom burden did not correlate with midbrain raphe echogenicity as well as the presence and severity of depressive symptoms. Conclusion We found reduced echogenicity of the midbrain raphe area in patients with FMS and in patients with depression and physical pain, independent of the presence or severity of pain, FMS, and depressive symptoms. Further exploration of this sonographic finding is necessary before this objective technique may enter diagnostic algorithms in FMS and depression.}, language = {en} } @article{KittelSchneiderFeliceBuhagiaretal.2022, author = {Kittel-Schneider, Sarah and Felice, Ethel and Buhagiar, Rachel and Lambregtse-van den Berg, Mijke and Wilson, Claire A. and Banjac Baljak, Visnja and Vujovic, Katarina Savic and Medic, Branislava and Opankovic, Ana and Fonseca, Ana and Lupattelli, Angela}, title = {Treatment of peripartum depression with antidepressants and other psychotropic medications: a synthesis of clinical practice guidelines in Europe}, series = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}, volume = {19}, journal = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}, number = {4}, issn = {1660-4601}, doi = {10.3390/ijerph19041973}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-262130}, year = {2022}, abstract = {This study examined (1) the availability and content of national CPGs for treatment of peripartum depression, including comorbid anxiety, with antidepressants and other psychotropics across Europe and (2) antidepressant and other psychotropic utilization data as an indicator of prescribers' compliance to the guidelines. We conducted a search using Medline and the Guidelines International Network database, combined with direct e-mail contact with national Riseup-PPD COST ACTION members and researchers within psychiatry. Of the 48 European countries examined, we screened 41 records and included 14 of them for full-text evaluation. After exclusion of ineligible and duplicate records, we included 12 CPGs. Multiple CPGs recommend antidepressant initiation or continuation based on maternal disease severity, non-response to first-line non-pharmacological interventions, and after risk-benefit assessment. Advice on treatment of comorbid anxiety is largely missing or unspecific. Antidepressant dispensing data suggest general prescribers' compliance with the preferred substances of the CPG, although country-specific differences were noted. To conclude, there is an urgent need for harmonized, up-to-date CPGs for pharmacological management of peripartum depression and comorbid anxiety in Europe. The recommendations need to be informed by the latest available evidence so that healthcare providers and women can make informed, evidence-based decisions about treatment choices.}, language = {en} } @article{LichterPaulPaulietal.2022, author = {Lichter, Katharina and Paul, Mila Marie and Pauli, Martin and Schoch, Susanne and Kollmannsberger, Philip and Stigloher, Christian and Heckmann, Manfred and Sir{\´e}n, Anna-Leena}, title = {Ultrastructural analysis of wild-type and RIM1α knockout active zones in a large cortical synapse}, series = {Cell Reports}, volume = {40}, journal = {Cell Reports}, number = {12}, doi = {10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111382}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300913}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Rab3A-interacting molecule (RIM) is crucial for fast Ca\(^{2+}\)-triggered synaptic vesicle (SV) release in presynaptic active zones (AZs). We investigated hippocampal giant mossy fiber bouton (MFB) AZ architecture in 3D using electron tomography of rapid cryo-immobilized acute brain slices in RIM1α\(^{-/-}\) and wild-type mice. In RIM1α\(^{-/-}\), AZs are larger with increased synaptic cleft widths and a 3-fold reduced number of tightly docked SVs (0-2 nm). The distance of tightly docked SVs to the AZ center is increased from 110 to 195 nm, and the width of their electron-dense material between outer SV membrane and AZ membrane is reduced. Furthermore, the SV pool in RIM1α\(^{-/-}\) is more heterogeneous. Thus, RIM1α, besides its role in tight SV docking, is crucial for synaptic architecture and vesicle pool organization in MFBs.}, language = {en} } @article{TraubOttoSelletal.2022, author = {Traub, Jan and Otto, Markus and Sell, Roxane and G{\"o}pfert, Dennis and Homola, Gy{\"o}rgy and Steinacker, Petra and Oeckl, Patrick and Morbach, Caroline and Frantz, Stefan and Pham, Mirko and St{\"o}rk, Stefan and Stoll, Guido and Frey, Anna}, title = {Serum phosphorylated tau protein 181 and neurofilament light chain in cognitively impaired heart failure patients}, series = {Alzheimer's Research \& Therapy}, volume = {14}, journal = {Alzheimer's Research \& Therapy}, doi = {10.1186/s13195-022-01087-4}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300515}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Background Chronic heart failure (HF) is known to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's dementia significantly. Thus, detecting and preventing mild cognitive impairment, which is common in patients with HF, is of great importance. Serum biomarkers are increasingly used in neurological disorders for diagnostics, monitoring, and prognostication of disease course. It remains unclear if neuronal biomarkers may help detect cognitive impairment in this high-risk population. Also, the influence of chronic HF and concomitant renal dysfunction on these biomarkers is not well understood. Methods Within the monocentric Cognition.Matters-HF study, we quantified the serum levels of phosphorylated tau protein 181 (pTau) and neurofilament light chain (NfL) of 146 extensively phenotyped chronic heart failure patients (aged 32 to 85 years; 15.1\% women) using ultrasensitive bead-based single-molecule immunoassays. The clinical work-up included advanced cognitive testing and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results Serum concentrations of NfL ranged from 5.4 to 215.0 pg/ml (median 26.4 pg/ml) and of pTau from 0.51 to 9.22 pg/ml (median 1.57 pg/ml). We detected mild cognitive impairment (i.e., T-score < 40 in at least one cognitive domain) in 60\% of heart failure patients. pTau (p = 0.014), but not NfL, was elevated in this group. Both NfL (ρ = - 0.21; p = 0.013) and pTau (ρ = - 0.25; p = 0.002) related to the cognitive domain visual/verbal memory, as well as white matter hyperintensity volume and cerebral and hippocampal atrophy. In multivariable analysis, both biomarkers were independently influenced by age (T = 4.6 for pTau; T = 5.9 for NfL) and glomerular filtration rate (T = - 2.4 for pTau; T = - 3.4 for NfL). Markers of chronic heart failure, left atrial volume index (T = 4.6) and NT-proBNP (T = 2.8), were further cardiological determinants of pTau and NfL, respectively. In addition, pTau was also strongly affected by serum creatine kinase levels (T = 6.5) and ferritin (T = - 3.1). Conclusions pTau and NfL serum levels are strongly influenced by age-dependent renal and cardiac dysfunction. These findings point towards the need for longitudinal examinations and consideration of frequent comorbidities when using neuronal serum biomarkers.}, language = {en} } @article{WiechmannRoehSaueretal.2019, author = {Wiechmann, Tobias and R{\"o}h, Simone and Sauer, Susann and Czamara, Darina and Arloth, Janine and K{\"o}del, Maik and Beintner, Madita and Knop, Lisanne and Menke, Andreas and Binder, Elisabeth B. and Proven{\c{c}}al, Nadine}, title = {Identification of dynamic glucocorticoid-induced methylation changes at the FKBP5 locus}, series = {Clinical Epigenetics}, volume = {11}, journal = {Clinical Epigenetics}, doi = {10.1186/s13148-019-0682-5}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-233673}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Background Epigenetic mechanisms may play a major role in the biological embedding of early-life stress (ELS). One proposed mechanism is that glucocorticoid (GC) release following ELS exposure induces long-lasting alterations in DNA methylation (DNAm) of important regulatory genes of the stress response. Here, we investigate the dynamics of GC-dependent methylation changes in key regulatory regions of the FKBP5 locus in which ELS-associated DNAm changes have been reported. Results We repeatedly measured DNAm in human peripheral blood samples from 2 independent cohorts exposed to the GC agonist dexamethasone (DEX) using a targeted bisulfite sequencing approach, complemented by data from Illumina 450K arrays. We detected differentially methylated CpGs in enhancers co-localizing with GC receptor binding sites after acute DEX treatment (1 h, 3 h, 6 h), which returned to baseline levels within 23 h. These changes withstood correction for immune cell count differences. While we observed main effects of sex, age, body mass index, smoking, and depression symptoms on FKBP5 methylation levels, only the functional FKBP5 SNP (rs1360780) moderated the dynamic changes following DEX. This genotype effect was observed in both cohorts and included sites previously shown to be associated with ELS. Conclusion Our study highlights that DNAm levels within regulatory regions of the FKBP5 locus show dynamic changes following a GC challenge and suggest that factors influencing the dynamics of this regulation may contribute to the previously reported alterations in DNAm associated with current and past ELS exposure.}, language = {en} } @article{TraubOttoSelletal.2022, author = {Traub, Jan and Otto, Markus and Sell, Roxane and Homola, Gy{\"o}rgy A. and Steinacker, Petra and Oeckl, Patrick and Morbach, Caroline and Frantz, Stefan and Pham, Mirko and St{\"o}rk, Stefan and Stoll, Guido and Frey, Anna}, title = {Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein indicates memory impairment in patients with chronic heart failure}, series = {ESC Heart Failure}, volume = {9}, journal = {ESC Heart Failure}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1002/ehf2.13986}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-312736}, pages = {2626-2634}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Aims Cognitive dysfunction occurs frequently in patients with heart failure (HF), but early detection remains challenging. Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is an emerging biomarker of cognitive decline in disorders of primary neurodegeneration such as Alzheimer's disease. We evaluated the utility of serum GFAP as a biomarker for cognitive dysfunction and structural brain damage in patients with stable chronic HF. Methods and results Using bead-based single molecule immunoassays, we quantified serum levels of GFAP in patients with HF participating in the prospective Cognition.Matters-HF study. Participants were extensively phenotyped, including cognitive testing of five separate domains and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Univariable and multivariable models, also accounting for multiple testing, were run. One hundred and forty-six chronic HF patients with a mean age of 63.8 ± 10.8 years were included (15.1\% women). Serum GFAP levels (median 246 pg/mL, quartiles 165, 384 pg/mL; range 66 to 1512 pg/mL) did not differ between sexes. In the multivariable adjusted model, independent predictors of GFAP levels were age (T = 5.5; P < 0.001), smoking (T = 3.2; P = 0.002), estimated glomerular filtration rate (T = -4.7; P < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (T = -2.1; P = 0.036), and the left atrial end-systolic volume index (T = 3.4; P = 0.004). NT-proBNP but not serum GFAP explained global cerebral atrophy beyond ageing. However, serum GFAP levels were associated with the cognitive domain visual/verbal memory (T = -3.0; P = 0.003) along with focal hippocampal atrophy (T = 2.3; P = 0.025). Conclusions Serum GFAP levels are affected by age, smoking, and surrogates of the severity of HF. The association of GFAP with memory dysfunction suggests that astroglial pathologies, which evade detection by conventional MRI, may contribute to memory loss beyond ageing in patients with chronic HF.}, language = {en} } @article{DannhaeuserMrestaniGundelachetal.2022, author = {Dannh{\"a}user, Sven and Mrestani, Achmed and Gundelach, Florian and Pauli, Martin and Komma, Fabian and Kollmannsberger, Philip and Sauer, Markus and Heckmann, Manfred and Paul, Mila M.}, title = {Endogenous tagging of Unc-13 reveals nanoscale reorganization at active zones during presynaptic homeostatic potentiation}, series = {Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience}, volume = {16}, journal = {Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience}, issn = {1662-5102}, doi = {10.3389/fncel.2022.1074304}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-299440}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Introduction Neurotransmitter release at presynaptic active zones (AZs) requires concerted protein interactions within a dense 3D nano-hemisphere. Among the complex protein meshwork the (M)unc-13 family member Unc-13 of Drosophila melanogaster is essential for docking of synaptic vesicles and transmitter release. Methods We employ minos-mediated integration cassette (MiMIC)-based gene editing using GFSTF (EGFP-FlAsH-StrepII-TEV-3xFlag) to endogenously tag all annotated Drosophila Unc-13 isoforms enabling visualization of endogenous Unc-13 expression within the central and peripheral nervous system. Results and discussion Electrophysiological characterization using two-electrode voltage clamp (TEVC) reveals that evoked and spontaneous synaptic transmission remain unaffected in unc-13\(^{GFSTF}\) 3rd instar larvae and acute presynaptic homeostatic potentiation (PHP) can be induced at control levels. Furthermore, multi-color structured-illumination shows precise co-localization of Unc-13\(^{GFSTF}\), Bruchpilot, and GluRIIA-receptor subunits within the synaptic mesoscale. Localization microscopy in combination with HDBSCAN algorithms detect Unc-13\(^{GFSTF}\) subclusters that move toward the AZ center during PHP with unaltered Unc-13\(^{GFSTF}\) protein levels.}, language = {en} } @article{WeissIotzovZhouetal.2022, author = {Weiß, Martin and Iotzov, Vassil and Zhou, Yuqing and Hein, Grit}, title = {The bright and dark sides of egoism}, series = {Frontiers in Psychiatry}, volume = {13}, journal = {Frontiers in Psychiatry}, issn = {1664-0640}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1054065}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-297183}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Despite its negative reputation, egoism - the excessive concern for one's own welfare - can incite prosocial behavior. So far, however, egoism-based prosociality has received little attention. Here, we first provide an overview of the conditions under which egoism turns into a prosocial motive, review the benefits and limitations of egoism-based prosociality, and compare them with empathy-driven prosocial behavior. Second, we summarize studies investigating the neural processing of egoism-based prosocial decisions, studies investigating the neural processing of empathy-based prosocial decisions, and the small number of studies that compared the neural processing of prosocial decisions elicited by the different motives. We conclude that there is evidence for differential neural networks involved in egoism and empathy-based prosocial decisions. However, this evidence is not yet conclusive, because it is mainly based on the comparison of different experimental paradigms which may exaggerate or overshadow the effect of the different motivational states. Finally, we propose paradigms and research questions that should be tackled in future research that could help to specify how egoism can be used to enhance other prosocial behavior and motivation, and the how it could be tamed.}, language = {en} } @article{WeissRodriguesHewig2022, author = {Weiß, Martin and Rodrigues, Johannes and Hewig, Johannes}, title = {Big Five personality factors in relation to coping with contact restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic: a small sample study}, series = {Social Sciences}, volume = {11}, journal = {Social Sciences}, number = {10}, issn = {2076-0760}, doi = {10.3390/socsci11100466}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-290556}, year = {2022}, abstract = {To slow down the spread of the SARS-Cov-2 virus, countries worldwide severely restricted public and social life. In addition to the physical threat posed by the viral disease (COVID-19), the pandemic also has implications for psychological well-being. Using a small sample (N = 51), we examined how Big Five personality traits relate to coping with contact restrictions during three consecutive weeks in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. We showed that extraversion was associated with suffering from severe contact restrictions and with benefiting from their relaxation. Individuals with high neuroticism did not show a change in their relatively poor coping with the restrictions over time, whereas conscientious individuals seemed to experience no discomfort and even positive feelings during the period of contact restrictions. Our results support the assumption that neuroticism is a vulnerability factor in relation to psychological wellbeing but also show an influence of contact restrictions on extraverted individuals.}, language = {en} } @article{HamannBankmannMoraMazaetal.2022, author = {Hamann, Catharina S. and Bankmann, Julian and Mora Maza, Hanna and Kornhuber, Johannes and Zoicas, Iulia and Schmitt-B{\"o}hrer, Angelika}, title = {Social fear affects limbic system neuronal activity and gene expression}, series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, volume = {23}, journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, number = {15}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms23158228}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-284274}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a highly prevalent and comorbid anxiety disorder with rather unclear underlying mechanisms. Here, we aimed to characterize neurobiological changes occurring in mice expressing symptoms of social fear and to identify possible therapeutic targets for SAD. Social fear was induced via social fear conditioning (SFC), a validated animal model of SAD. We assessed the expression levels of the immediate early genes (IEGs) cFos, Fosl2 and Arc as markers of neuronal activity and the expression levels of several genes of the GABAergic, serotoninergic, oxytocinergic, vasopressinergic and neuropeptide Y (NPY)-ergic systems in brain regions involved in social behavior or fear-related behavior in SFC+ and SFC- mice 2 h after exposure to a conspecific. SFC+ mice showed a decreased number and density of cFos-positive cells and decreased expression levels of IEGs in the dorsal hippocampus. SFC+ mice also showed alterations in the expression of NPY and serotonin system-related genes in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, basolateral amygdala, septum and dorsal raphe nucleus, but not in the dorsal hippocampus. Our results describe neuronal alterations occurring during the expression of social fear and identify the NPY and serotonergic systems as possible targets in the treatment of SAD.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{EttlingergebHaberstumpf2023, author = {Ettlinger [geb. Haberstumpf], Sophia}, title = {Pathological cognitive decline in the elderly participants of the Vogel Study}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-26558}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-265582}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Due to the global aging society and the enormous global incidence and prevalence rates that will result in the coming years, Alzheimer's Dementia (AD) represents a growing challenge for the health care system. The pathogenesis, which is unclear in parts, the chronic progression of AD, which often lasts for years, as well as insufficient diagnostic and therapeutic options complicate an adequate psychotherapeutic and medical approach to the disease. To date, AD is also considered an incurable disease. Therefore, it is essential to gain deeper insights into the early detection or even prevention of AD. Consideration of prodromal syndromes such as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) can provide significant evidence about high-risk groups for AD progression and differentiate cognitively "normal" aging individuals from those with pathological cognitive decline. Thus, for example, functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) imaging helps identify early neurodegenerative processes. In contrast, potential risk factors and predictors of later-onset clinical symptoms of MCI and AD can most often be revealed and quantified via the use of neuropsychiatric test batteries. The present thesis consists of four studies and aimed to assess and describe the pathological cognitive decline in a sample of elderly study participants (age: ≥ 70 years; N = 604 at baseline) of the longitudinal, observational, and prospective "Vogel Study" from W{\"u}rzburg, Germany, who were primarily healthy at baseline, over two measurement time points approximately 3 years apart, to differentiate between healthy and diseased study participants and to define predictors of MCI/AD and longitudinal study dropout. Studies 1 and 2 differentiated healthy study participants from MCI patients based on the baseline hemodynamic response of the parietal cortex recorded by fNIRS during the processing of a paradigm (here: Angle Discrimination Task [ADT]) for visual-spatial processing performance. Neuronal hypoactivity was found in the MCI patients, with both healthy study participants and MCI patients showing higher superior and right hemispheric activation. MCI patients had more difficulty resolving the paradigm. Thus, no evidence of possible compensatory mechanisms was uncovered in the MCI patients. Study 3 first defined the four latent factors declarative memory, working memory, attention, and visual-spatial processing based on structural equation model (SEM) calculations of the sample using adequate measurement (in-)variant confirmatory factor models from the baseline assessment to the first of a total of two follow-up assessments after approximately 3 years. This allowed a dimensional assessment of pathological cognitive decline versus classificatory-categorical assignment (healthy/diseased) of the sample. In addition, the superiority of the latent factor approach over a composite approach was demonstrated. Next, using a mixed-model approach, predictive analyses were calculated for the prediction of latent factors at first follow-up by baseline risk factors. The sex of study participants proved to be the best predictor of cognitive change in all the cognitive domains, with females performing better than men in the memory domains. Specifically, for declarative memory, older age predicted lower performance regardless of sex. Additional predictive evidence emerged for low serum levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) on lower attention performance and higher depression symptoms on lower visual-spatial processing performance. Study 4 further reported baseline predictors of study dropout at first follow-up. Cognitive performance, as defined in Study 3 using the four latent cognitive factors, was a predictor of study dropout for cognitive decline in the domains of declarative memory, attention, and visual-spatial processing. Conspicuous dementia screening on the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) also predicted dropout. Overall, both the use of fNIRS imaging to detect visual-spatial processing performance in the parietal cortex during applying ADT and the dimensional perspective of the neuropsychiatric test battery in the context of prediction and dropout analyses were found to be suitable for early detection research of MCI and AD. Finally, the results will be interpreted in the overall context and implications, limitations, and perspectives will be discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{HautmannDoepfnerKatzmannetal.2018, author = {Hautmann, Christopher and D{\"o}pfner, Manfred and Katzmann, Josepha and Sch{\"u}rmann, Stephanie and Wolff Metternich-Kaizman, Tanja and Jaite, Charlotte and Kappel, Viola and Geissler, Julia and Warnke, Andreas and Jacob, Christian and Hennighausen, Klaus and Haack-Dees, Barbara and Schneider-Momm, Katja and Philipsen, Alexandra and Matthies, Swantje and R{\"o}sler, Michael and Retz, Wolfgang and Gontard, Alexander von and Sobanski, Esther and Alm, Barbara and Hohmann, Sarah and H{\"a}ge, Alexander and Poustka, Luise and Colla, Michael and Gentschow, Laura and Freitag, Christine M. and Becker, Katja and Jans, Thomas}, title = {Sequential treatment of ADHD in mother and child (AIMAC study): importance of the treatment phases for intervention success in a randomized trial}, series = {BMC Psychiatry}, volume = {18}, journal = {BMC Psychiatry}, doi = {10.1186/s12888-018-1963-9}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-227930}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Background The efficacy of parent-child training (PCT) regarding child symptoms may be reduced if the mother has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The AIMAC study (ADHD in Mothers and Children) aimed to compensate for the deteriorating effect of parental psychopathology by treating the mother (Step 1) before the beginning of PCT (Step 2). This secondary analysis was particularly concerned with the additional effect of the Step 2 PCT on child symptoms after the Step 1 treatment. Methods The analysis included 143 mothers and children (aged 6-12 years) both diagnosed with ADHD. The study design was a two-stage, two-arm parallel group trial (Step 1 treatment group [TG]: intensive treatment of the mother including psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy; Step 1 control group [CG]: supportive counseling only for mother; Step 2 TG and CG: PCT). Single- and multi-group analyses with piecewise linear latent growth curve models were applied to test for the effects of group and phase. Child symptoms (e.g., ADHD symptoms, disruptive behavior) were rated by three informants (blinded clinician, mother, teacher). Results Children in the TG showed a stronger improvement of their disruptive behavior as rated by mothers than those in the CG during Step 1 (Step 1: TG vs. CG). In the CG, according to reports of the blinded clinician and the mother, the reduction of children's disruptive behavior was stronger during Step 2 than during Step 1 (CG: Step 1 vs. Step 2). In the TG, improvement of child outcome did not differ across treatment steps (TG: Step 1 vs. Step 2). Conclusions Intensive treatment of the mother including pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy may have small positive effects on the child's disruptive behavior. PCT may be a valid treatment option for children with ADHD regarding disruptive behavior, even if mothers are not intensively treated beforehand. Trial registration ISRCTN registry ISRCTN73911400. Registered 29 March 2007.}, language = {en} } @article{HuebnerWolfgangTheisetal.2022, author = {H{\"u}bner, Theresa and Wolfgang, Tanja and Theis, Ann-Catrin and Steber, Magdalena and Wiedenmann, Lea and W{\"o}ckel, Achim and Diessner, Joachim and Hein, Grit and Gr{\"u}ndahl, Marthe and K{\"a}mmerer, Ulrike and Kittel-Schneider, Sarah and Bartmann, Catharina}, title = {The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress and other psychological factors in pregnant women giving birth during the first wave of the pandemic}, series = {Reproductive Health}, volume = {19}, journal = {Reproductive Health}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1186/s12978-022-01493-9}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300189}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Background The onset of mental illness such as depression and anxiety disorders in pregnancy and postpartum period is common. The coronavirus induced disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the resulting public policy responses represent an exceptional situation worldwide and there are hints for adverse psychosocial impact, hence, the study of psychological effects of the pandemic in women during hospitalization for delivery and in the postpartum period is highly relevant. Methods Patients who gave birth during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany (March to June 2020) at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of W{\"u}rzburg, Germany, were recruited at hospital admission for delivery. Biosamples were collected for analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and various stress hormones and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In addition to sociodemographic and medical obstetric data, survey questionnaires in relation to concerns about and fear of COVID-19, depression, stress, anxiety, loneliness, maternal self-efficacy and the mother-child bonding were administered at T1 (delivery stay) and T2 (3-6 months postpartum). Results In total, all 94 recruited patients had a moderate concern of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at T1 with a significant rise at T2. This concern correlated with low to low-medium general psychosocial stress levels and stress symptoms, and the women showed a significant increase of active coping from T1 to T2. Anxiety levels were low and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale showed a medium score of 5 with a significant (T1), but only week correlation with the concerns about SARS-CoV-2. In contrast to the overall good maternal bonding without correlation to SARS-CoV-2 concern, the maternal self-efficiency correlated negatively with the obstetric impairment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion Obstetric patients` concerns regarding SARS-CoV-2 and the accompanying pandemic increased during the course of the pandemic correlating positively with stress and depression. Of note is the increase in active coping over time and the overall good mother-child-bonding. Maternal self-efficacy was affected in part by the restrictions of the pandemic.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Saulin2023, author = {Saulin, Anne Christin}, title = {Sustainability of empathy as driver for prosocial behavior and social closeness: insights from computational modelling and functional magnetic resonance imaging}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-30555}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-305550}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Empathy, the act of sharing another person's affective state, is a ubiquitous driver for helping others and feeling close to them. These experiences are integral parts of human behavior and society. The studies presented in this dissertation aimed to investigate the sustainability and stability of social closeness and prosocial decision-making driven by empathy and other social motives. In this vein, four studies were conducted in which behavioral and neural indicators of empathy sustainability were identified using model-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Applying reinforcement learning, drift-diffusion modelling (DDM), and fMRI, the first two studies were designed to investigate the formation and sustainability of empathy-related social closeness (study 1) and examined how sustainably empathy led to prosocial behavior (study 2). Using DDM and fMRI, the last two studies investigated how empathy combined with reciprocity, the social norm to return a favor, on the one hand and empathy combined with the motive of outcome maximization on the other hand altered the behavioral and neural social decision process. The results showed that empathy-related social closeness and prosocial decision tendencies persisted even if empathy was rarely reinforced. The sustainability of these empathy effects was related to recalibration of the empathy-related social closeness learning signal (study 1) and the maintenance of a prosocial decision bias (study 2). The findings of study 3 showed that empathy boosted the processing of reciprocity-based social decisions, but not vice versa. Study 4 revealed that empathy-related decisions were modulated by the motive of outcome maximization, depending on individual differences in state empathy. Together, the studies strongly support the concept of empathy as a sustainable driver of social closeness and prosocial behavior.}, subject = {Einf{\"u}hlung }, language = {en} } @article{HebestreitZeidlerSchippersetal.2022, author = {Hebestreit, Helge and Zeidler, Cornelia and Schippers, Christopher and de Zwaan, Martina and Deckert, J{\"u}rgen and Heuschmann, Peter and Krauth, Christian and Bullinger, Monika and Berger, Alexandra and Berneburg, Mark and Brandstetter, Lilly and Deibele, Anna and Dieris-Hirche, Jan and Graessner, Holm and G{\"u}ndel, Harald and Herpertz, Stephan and Heuft, Gereon and Lapstich, Anne-Marie and L{\"u}cke, Thomas and Maisch, Tim and Mundlos, Christine and Petermann-Meyer, Andrea and M{\"u}ller, Susanne and Ott, Stephan and Pfister, Lisa and Quitmann, Julia and Romanos, Marcel and Rutsch, Frank and Schaubert, Kristina and Schubert, Katharina and Schulz, J{\"o}rg B. and Schweiger, Susann and T{\"u}scher, Oliver and Ungeth{\"u}m, Kathrin and Wagner, Thomas O. F. and Haas, Kirsten}, title = {Dual guidance structure for evaluation of patients with unclear diagnosis in centers for rare diseases (ZSE-DUO): study protocol for a controlled multi-center cohort study}, series = {Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases}, volume = {17}, journal = {Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1186/s13023-022-02176-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300440}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Background In individuals suffering from a rare disease the diagnostic process and the confirmation of a final diagnosis often extends over many years. Factors contributing to delayed diagnosis include health care professionals' limited knowledge of rare diseases and frequent (co-)occurrence of mental disorders that may complicate and delay the diagnostic process. The ZSE-DUO study aims to assess the benefits of a combination of a physician focusing on somatic aspects with a mental health expert working side by side as a tandem in the diagnostic process. Study design This multi-center, prospective controlled study has a two-phase cohort design. Methods Two cohorts of 682 patients each are sequentially recruited from 11 university-based German Centers for Rare Diseases (CRD): the standard care cohort (control, somatic expertise only) and the innovative care cohort (experimental, combined somatic and mental health expertise). Individuals aged 12 years and older presenting with symptoms and signs which are not explained by current diagnoses will be included. Data will be collected prior to the first visit to the CRD's outpatient clinic (T0), at the first visit (T1) and 12 months thereafter (T2). Outcomes Primary outcome is the percentage of patients with one or more confirmed diagnoses covering the symptomatic spectrum presented. Sample size is calculated to detect a 10 percent increase from 30\% in standard care to 40\% in the innovative dual expert cohort. Secondary outcomes are (a) time to diagnosis/diagnoses explaining the symptomatology; (b) proportion of patients successfully referred from CRD to standard care; (c) costs of diagnosis including incremental cost effectiveness ratios; (d) predictive value of screening instruments administered at T0 to identify patients with mental disorders; (e) patients' quality of life and evaluation of care; and f) physicians' satisfaction with the innovative care approach. Conclusions This is the first multi-center study to investigate the effects of a mental health specialist working in tandem with a somatic expert physician in CRDs. If this innovative approach proves successful, it will be made available on a larger scale nationally and promoted internationally. In the best case, ZSE-DUO can significantly shorten the time to diagnosis for a suspected rare disease.}, language = {en} } @article{GramAlbertovaSchirmeretal.2022, author = {Gram, Maximilian and Albertova, P. and Schirmer, V. and Blaimer, M. and Gamer, M. and Herrmann, M. J. and Nordbeck, P. and Jakob, P. M.}, title = {Towards robust in vivo quantification of oscillating biomagnetic fields using Rotary Excitation based MRI}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {12}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-022-19275-5}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300862}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Spin-lock based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has the potential for direct spatially-resolved detection of neuronal activity and thus may represent an important step for basic research in neuroscience. In this work, the corresponding fundamental effect of Rotary EXcitation (REX) is investigated both in simulations as well as in phantom and in vivo experiments. An empirical law for predicting optimal spin-lock pulse durations for maximum magnetic field sensitivity was found. Experimental conditions were established that allow robust detection of ultra-weak magnetic field oscillations with simultaneous compensation of static field inhomogeneities. Furthermore, this work presents a novel concept for the emulation of brain activity utilizing the built-in MRI gradient system, which allows REX sequences to be validated in vivo under controlled and reproducible conditions. Via transmission of Rotary EXcitation (tREX), we successfully detected magnetic field oscillations in the lower nano-Tesla range in brain tissue. Moreover, tREX paves the way for the quantification of biomagnetic fields.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Hamann2023, author = {Hamann, Catharina Sophia}, title = {Fear and anxiety disorders - interaction of AVP and OXT brain systems with the serotonergic system}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-30333}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-303338}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Anxiety disorders pose a great burden onto society and economy and can have devastating consequences for affected individuals. Treatment options are still limited to psychopharmacotherapy originally developed for the treatment of depression and behavioral therapy. A combination of genetic traits together with aversive events is most likely the cause of these diseases. Gene x environment studies are trying to find a link between genetic traits and specific negative circumstances. In a first study, we focused on social anxiety disorder (SAD), which is the second most-common anxiety disorder after specific phobias. We used a social fear conditioning (SFC) paradigm, which is able to mimic the disease in a mouse model. We wanted to investigate protein levels, as well as mRNA expression of immediate early genes (IEGs), to determine brain areas affected by the paradigm. We also included genes of the vasopressin (AVP)-, oxytocin (OXT)-, neuropeptide Y (NPY)-, and the serotonin system, to investigate the effects of SFC on neurotransmitter gene expression levels in brain regions related to social as well as fear-related behavior. AVP and OXT regulate a lot of different social and anxiety-related behaviors, both positive and negative. Finding a link between different neurotransmitter systems in the development of anxiety disorders could help to identify potential targets for new treatment approaches, which are desperately needed, because the rate of patients not responding to available treatment is very high. We were able to show altered gene expression of the IEGs cFos and Fosl2, as well as a change in number and density of cFOS-positive cells in the dorsal hippocampus, indicating an influence of SFC on neuronal activity. Our results reveal a possible involvement of anterior dentate gyrus (DG), as well as cornu ammonis area 1 (CA1) and CA3 in the dorsal hippocampus during the expression of social fear. Contrary to our hypothesis, we were not able to see changes in neuronal activity through expression changes of IEGs in the amygdala. Significant higher IEG immunoreactivity and gene expression in the dorsal hippocampus of animals without fear conditioning (SFC-), compared to animals with fear conditioning (SFC+), indicate an involvement of different hippocampal regions in two possible scenarios. Either as elevated gene expression in SFC- animals compared to SFC+ animals or as reduction in SFC+ animals compared to SFC- animals. However, this question cannot be answered without an additional control of basal IEG-activity without social interaction. The NPY system in general and the neuropeptide y receptor type 2 in particular seem to be involved in regulating the response to social fear, mostly through the septum region. In addition to that, a possible role for the induction of social fear response could be identified in the serotonergic system and especially the serotonin receptor 2a of the PVN. In a second study we focused on changes in the serotonergic system. A polymorphism in the human serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene is associated with higher risks for the development of anxiety disorders. This makes the 5-HTT a widely used target to study possible causes and the development of anxiety disorders. In mice, a genetically induced knockout of the 5-Htt gene is associated with increased anxiety-like behavior. High amounts of stress during pregnancy, also known as prenatal stress, significantly increase the risk to develop psychiatric disorders for the unborn child. We utilized a prenatal stress paradigm in mice heterozygous for the 5-Htt gene. Some of the animals which had been subjected to prenatal stress showed noticeably "unsocial" interaction behavior towards conspecifics. Again, we were searching for links between the serotonergic system and AVP- and OXT systems. Through quantitative gene expression analysis, we were able to show that both AVP and OXT neuromodulator systems are affected through prenatal stress in female mice, but not in male mice. The 5-Htt genotype seems to be only slightly influential to AVP, OXT or any other neurotransmitter system investigated. Gene expression of AVP and OXT brain systems is highly influenced through the estrous cycle stages of female mice. Additionally, we analyzed the AVP and OXT neuropeptide levels of mice with different 5-Htt genotypes and in both sexes, in order to see whether the production of AVP and OXT is influenced by 5-Htt genotype. On neuropeptide level, we were able to identify a sex difference for vasopressin-immunoreactive (ir) cells in the PVN, with male mice harboring significantly more positive cells than female mice.}, subject = {Serotonin}, language = {en} } @article{KlenkHommersLohse2022, author = {Klenk, Christoph and Hommers, Leif and Lohse, Martin J.}, title = {Proteolytic cleavage of the extracellular domain affects signaling of parathyroid hormone 1 receptor}, series = {Frontiers in Endocrinology}, volume = {13}, journal = {Frontiers in Endocrinology}, issn = {1664-2392}, doi = {10.3389/fendo.2022.839351}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-262055}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R) is a member of the class B family of G protein-coupled receptors, which are characterized by a large extracellular domain required for ligand binding. We have previously shown that the extracellular domain of PTH1R is subject to metalloproteinase cleavage in vivo that is regulated by ligand-induced receptor trafficking and leads to impaired stability of PTH1R. In this work, we localize the cleavage site in the first loop of the extracellular domain using amino-terminal protein sequencing of purified receptor and by mutagenesis studies. We further show, that a receptor mutant not susceptible to proteolytic cleavage exhibits reduced signaling to G\(_s\) and increased activation of G\(_q\) compared to wild-type PTH1R. These findings indicate that the extracellular domain modulates PTH1R signaling specificity, and that its cleavage affects receptor signaling.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Schwarzmeier2023, author = {Schwarzmeier, Hanna}, title = {From fear extinction to exposure therapy: neural mechanisms and moderators of extinction}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-22330}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-223304}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Emotional-associative learning processes such as fear conditioning and extinction are highly relevant to not only the development and maintenance of anxiety disorders (ADs), but also to their treatment. Extinction, as the laboratory analogue to behavioral exposure, is assumed a core process underlying the treatment of ADs. Although exposure-based treatments are highly effective for the average patient suffering from an AD, there remains a gap in treatment efficacy with over one third of patients failing to achieve clinically significant symptom relief. There is ergo a pressing need for intensified research regarding the underlying neural mechanisms of aberrant emotional-associative learning processes and the neurobiological moderators of treatment (non-)response in ADs. The current thesis focuses on different applications of the fundamental principles of fear conditioning and extinction by using two example cases of ADs from two different multicenter trials. First, we targeted alterations in fear acquisition, extinction, and its recall as a function of psychopathology in panic disorder (PD) patients compared to healthy subjects using fMRI. Second, exposure-based therapy and pre-treatment patient characteristics exerting a moderating influence on this essential learning process later on (i.e. treatment outcome) were examined using multimodal functional and structural neuroimaging in spider phobia. We observed aberrations in emotional-associative learning processes in PD patients compared to healthy subjects indicated by an accelerated fear acquisition and an attenuated extinction recall. Furthermore, pre-treatment differences related to defensive, regulatory, attentional, and perceptual processes may exert a moderating influence on treatment outcome to behavioral exposure in spider phobia. Although the current results need further replication, on an integrative meta level, results point to a hyperactive defensive network system and deficient emotion regulation processes (including extinction processes) and top-down control in ADs. This speaks in favor of transdiagnostic deficits in important functional domains in ADs. Deficits in transdiagnostic domains such as emotion regulation processes could be targeted by enhancing extinction learning or by means of promising tools like neurofeedback. The detection of pre-treatment clinical response moderators, for instance via machine learning frameworks, may help in supporting clinical decision making on individually tailored treatment approaches or, respectively, to avoid ineffective treatment and its related financial costs. In the long run, the identification of neurobiological markers which are capable of detecting non-responders a priori represents an ultimate goal.}, subject = {Extinktion}, language = {en} } @article{GruendahlWeissMaieretal.2022, author = {Gr{\"u}ndahl, Marthe and Weiß, Martin and Maier, Lisa and Hewig, Johannes and Deckert, J{\"u}rgen and Hein, Grit}, title = {Construction and validation of a scale to measure loneliness and isolation during social distancing and its effect on mental health}, series = {Frontiers in Psychiatry}, volume = {13}, journal = {Frontiers in Psychiatry}, issn = {1664-0640}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2022.798596}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-269446}, year = {2022}, abstract = {A variety of factors contribute to the degree to which a person feels lonely and socially isolated. These factors may be particularly relevant in contexts requiring social distancing, e.g., during the COVID-19 pandemic or in states of immunodeficiency. We present the Loneliness and Isolation during Social Distancing (LISD) Scale. Extending existing measures, the LISD scale measures both state and trait aspects of loneliness and isolation, including indicators of social connectedness and support. In addition, it reliably predicts individual differences in anxiety and depression. Data were collected online from two independent samples in a social distancing context (the COVID-19 pandemic). Factorial validation was based on exploratory factor analysis (EFA; Sample 1, N = 244) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; Sample 2, N = 304). Multiple regression analyses were used to assess how the LISD scale predicts state anxiety and depression. The LISD scale showed satisfactory fit in both samples. Its two state factors indicate being lonely and isolated as well as connected and supported, while its three trait factors reflect general loneliness and isolation, sociability and sense of belonging, and social closeness and support. Our results imply strong predictive power of the LISD scale for state anxiety and depression, explaining 33 and 51\% of variance, respectively. Anxiety and depression scores were particularly predicted by low dispositional sociability and sense of belonging and by currently being more lonely and isolated. In turn, being lonely and isolated was related to being less connected and supported (state) as well as having lower social closeness and support in general (trait). We provide a novel scale which distinguishes between acute and general dimensions of loneliness and social isolation while also predicting mental health. The LISD scale could be a valuable and economic addition to the assessment of mental health factors impacted by social distancing.}, language = {en} } @article{SchieleZieglerKollertetal.2018, author = {Schiele, Miriam A. and Ziegler, Christiane and Kollert, Leonie and Katzorke, Andrea and Schartner, Christoph and Busch, Yasmin and Gromer, Daniel and Reif, Andreas and Pauli, Paul and Deckert, J{\"u}rgen and Herrmann, Martin J. and Domschke, Katharina}, title = {Plasticity of Functional MAOA Gene Methylation in Acrophobia}, series = {International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology}, volume = {21}, journal = {International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology}, number = {9}, doi = {10.1093/ijnp/pyy050}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-228571}, pages = {822-827}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Epigenetic mechanisms have been proposed to mediate fear extinction in animal models. Here, MAOA methylation was analyzed via direct sequencing of sodium bisulfite-treated DNA extracted from blood cells before and after a 2-week exposure therapy in a sample of n = 28 female patients with acrophobia as well as in n = 28 matched healthy female controls. Clinical response was measured using the Acrophobia Questionnaire and the Attitude Towards Heights Questionnaire. The functional relevance of altered MAOA methylation was investigated by luciferase-based reporter gene assays. MAOA methylation was found to be significantly decreased in patients with acrophobia compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, MAOA methylation levels were shown to significantly increase after treatment and correlate with treatment response as reflected by decreasing Acrophobia Questionnaire/Attitude Towards Heights Questionnaire scores. Functional analyses revealed decreased reporter gene activity in presence of methylated compared with unmethylated pCpGfree_MAOA reporter gene vector constructs. The present proof-of-concept psychotherapy-epigenetic study for the first time suggests functional MAOA methylation changes as a potential epigenetic correlate of treatment response in acrophobia and fosters further investigation into the notion of epigenetic mechanisms underlying fear extinction.}, language = {en} } @article{SchmidtKnemeyerHeinsen2018, author = {Schmidt, Martin J. and Knemeyer, Carola and Heinsen, Helmut}, title = {Neuroanatomy of the equine brain as revealed by high-field (3Tesla) magnetic-resonance-imaging}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {14}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0213814}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-228945}, pages = {e0213814, 1-49}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In this study, the morphology of the horse brain (Equus caballus) is decribed in detail using high field MRI. The study includes sagittal, dorsal, and transverse T2-weighted images at 0.25 mm resolution at 3 Tesla and 3D models of the brain presenting the external morphology of the brain. Representative gallocyanin stained histological slides of the same brain are presented. The images represent a useful tool for MR image interpretation in horses and may serve as a starting point for further research aiming at in vivo analysis in this species.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Frey2022, author = {Frey, Stephanie}, title = {Furcht und Angst beim Menschen. Die Relevanz von Risiko Genotypen f{\"u}r Angsterkrankungen auf die Antizipationsangst}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-29854}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-298546}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Angstst{\"o}rungen geh{\"o}ren zu den h{\"a}ufigsten psychischen Erkrankungen. Da Arbeiten der letzten Jahre starke Evidenz daf{\"u}r liefern, dass die Allelvariationen von CRHR1 rs17689918 (Weber et al., 2016) und GLRB rs7688285 (Deckert et al., 2017) hierbei eine entscheidende Rolle einnehmen k{\"o}nnten, insgesamt die Datenlage dazu jedoch eher sp{\"a}rlich ist, hat sich diese Arbeit mit den Einzelnukleotid-Polymorphismen (SNPs) dieser beiden Gene besch{\"a}ftigt. In dieser Studie wurden gesunde Teilnehmende jeweils in Risikogruppen entsprechend ihrer Allelauspr{\"a}gung eingeteilt. Sie durchliefen ein neues Paradigma, angelehnt an den NPU-Threat-Test. In der Antizipationsphase der vorhersehbaren oder unvorhersehbaren Bedingung wurde schließlich ihre Angstreaktion durch Startle-Messungen und Erfassung der Hautleitf{\"a}higkeit (EDA) aufgezeichnet. Diese Studie konnte bzgl. der CRHR1-Variationen zeigen, dass die Risikogruppe (Tragende des Allels A) nicht so gut zwischen realer Gefahr und Sicherheit unterscheiden kann. Diese Erkenntnis gilt wie bei Weber und Kollegen nur f{\"u}r die Frauen der Stichprobe. {\"A}hnliches gilt f{\"u}r die GLRB-Varianten: Auch hier kommt es zu einer verst{\"a}rkten physiologischen Angstreaktion in ungef{\"a}hrlichen Situationen in dem Sinne, dass die Risikogruppe (ebenfalls Tragende des A-Allels) zwischen realer Gefahr und Sicherheit nicht wie die Kontrollgruppe unterscheiden kann. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse sind im Einklang mit vorausgehenden Studien und konnten diese weiter erg{\"a}nzen.}, subject = {Vorhersagbarkeit}, language = {de} } @article{HelassGreinacherGoetzetal.2022, author = {Helaß, Madeleine and Greinacher, Anja and G{\"o}tz, Sebastian and M{\"u}ller, Andreas and G{\"u}ndel, Harald and Junne, Florian and Nikendei, Christoph and Maatouk, Imad}, title = {Age stereotypes towards younger and older colleagues in registered nurses and supervisors in a university hospital: A generic qualitative study}, series = {Journal of Advanced Nursing}, volume = {78}, journal = {Journal of Advanced Nursing}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1111/jan.15021}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-262751}, pages = {471 -- 485}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Aim This study aimed to identify and compare age stereotypes of registered nurses and supervisors in clinical inpatient settings. Design Generic qualitative study using half-standardized interviews. Method Nineteen face-to-face interviews and five focus groups (N = 50) were conducted with nurses of varying levels at a hospital of maximum medical care in Germany between August and November 2018 and were subjected to structured qualitative content analysis. Results Reflecting the ageing process and cooperation in mixed-age teams, nursing staff and supervisors defined similar age stereotypes towards older and younger nurses reminiscent of common generational labels 'Baby Boomers' and Generations X. Their evaluation created an inconsistent and contradictory pattern differing to the respective work context and goals. Age stereotypes were described as both potentially beneficial and detrimental for the individual and the cooperation in the team. If a successfully implemented diversity management focuses age stereotypes, negative assumptions can be reduced and cooperation in mixed-age teams can be considered beneficial. Conclusion Diversity management as measures against age stereotypes and for mutual acceptance and understanding should include staff from various hierarchical levels of the inpatient setting.}, language = {en} } @article{LombardiMayerSemleretal.2021, author = {Lombardi, Jolina and Mayer, Benjamin and Semler, Elisa and Anderl-Straub, Sarah and Uttner, Ingo and Kassubek, Jan and Diehl-Schmid, Janine and Danek, Adrian and Levin, Johannes and Fassbender, Klaus and Fliessbach, Klaus and Schneider, Anja and Huppertz, Hans-J{\"u}rgen and Jahn, Holger and Volk, Alexander and Kornhuber, Johannes and Landwehrmeyer, Bernhard and Lauer, Martin and Prudlo, Johannes and Wiltfang, Jens and Schroeter, Matthias L. and Ludolph, Albert and Otto, Markus}, title = {Quantifying progression in primary progressive aphasia with structural neuroimaging}, series = {Alzheimer's \& Dementia}, volume = {17}, journal = {Alzheimer's \& Dementia}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1002/alz.12323}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-262605}, pages = {1595 -- 1609}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Introduction The term primary progressive aphasia (PPA) sums up the non-fluent (nfv), the semantic (sv), and the logopenic (lv) variant. Up to now, there is only limited data available concerning magnetic resonance imaging volumetry to monitor disease progression. Methods Structural brain imaging and an extensive assessment were applied at baseline and up to 4-year(s) follow-up in 269 participants. With automated atlas-based volumetry 56 brain regions were assessed. Atrophy progression served to calculate sample sizes for therapeutic trials. Results At baseline highest atrophy appeared in parts of the left frontal lobe for nfvPPA (-17\%) and of the left temporal lobe for svPPA (-34\%) and lvPPA (-24\%). Severest progression within 1-year follow-up occurred in the basal ganglia in nfvPPA (-7\%), in the hippocampus/amygdala in svPPA (-9\%), and in (medial) temporal regions in lvPPA (-6\%). Conclusion PPA presents as a left-dominant, mostly gray matter sensitive disease with considerable atrophy at baseline that proceeds variant-specific.}, language = {en} } @article{CadarJellingerRiedereretal.2021, author = {Cadar, D{\´a}niel and Jellinger, Kurt A. and Riederer, Peter and Strobel, Sabrina and Monoranu, Camelia-Maria and Tappe, Dennis}, title = {No metagenomic evidence of causative viral pathogens in postencephalitic parkinsonism following encephalitis lethargica}, series = {Microorganisms}, volume = {9}, journal = {Microorganisms}, number = {8}, issn = {2076-2607}, doi = {10.3390/microorganisms9081716}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-245074}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Postencephalitic parkinsonism (PEP) is a disease of unknown etiology and pathophysiology following encephalitis lethargica (EL), an acute-onset polioencephalitis of cryptic cause in the 1920s. PEP is a tauopathy with multisystem neuronal loss and gliosis, clinically characterized by bradykinesia, rigidity, rest tremor, and oculogyric crises. Though a viral cause of EL is likely, past polymerase chain reaction-based investigations in the etiology of both PEP and EL were negative. PEP might be caused directly by an unknown viral pathogen or the consequence of a post-infectious immunopathology. The development of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in conjunction with bioinformatic techniques has generated a broad-range tool for the detection of unknown pathogens in the recent past. Retrospective identification and characterization of pathogens responsible for past infectious diseases can be successfully performed with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples. In this study, we analyzed 24 FFPE brain samples from six patients with PEP by unbiased metagenomic next-generation sequencing. Our results show that no evidence for the presence of a specific or putative (novel) viral pathogen was found, suggesting a likely post-infectious immune-mediated etiology of PEP.}, language = {en} } @article{EgbertsFeketeHaegeetal.2022, author = {Egberts, Karin and Fekete, Stefanie and H{\"a}ge, Alexander and Hiemke, Christoph and Scherf-Clavel, Maike and Taurines, Regina and Unterecker, Stefan and Gerlach, Manfred and Romanos, Marcel}, title = {Therapeutisches Drug Monitoring zur Optimierung der Psychopharmakotherapie von Kindern und Jugendlichen: Update und Leitfaden f{\"u}r die Praxis}, series = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie}, volume = {50}, journal = {Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie}, number = {2}, issn = {1422-4917}, doi = {10.1024/1422-4917/a000845}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-262038}, pages = {133-152}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Trotz verbesserter Evidenzbasis bestehen in der kinder- und jugendpsychiatrischen Pharmakotherapie viele Unsicherheiten {\"u}ber die Wirkung und Vertr{\"a}glichkeit der h{\"a}ufig off-label oder in Kombinationstherapie verordneten Medikamente. Gerade auch vor dem Hintergrund der in vielen F{\"a}llen notwendigen mittel- bis langfristigen Einnahme sollen unerw{\"u}nschte Arzneimittelwirkungen in dieser Altersstufe m{\"o}glichst minimiert und eine auf die individuellen Charakteristika der Patientin oder des Patienten zugeschnittene, effektive Dosierung gefunden werden. Kinder und Jugendliche scheinen nicht nur besonders anf{\"a}llig f{\"u}r bestimmte unerw{\"u}nschte Arzneimittelwirkungen, sondern sind auch iatrogenen Risiken durch Dosierungs- oder Applikationsfehler ausgesetzt, die zu Unter- oder {\"U}berdosierungen f{\"u}hren k{\"o}nnen mit entsprechend negativen Auswirkungen auf den Therapieerfolg. Neben einer strengen Indikationsstellung sind daher eine pr{\"a}zise Dosisfindung sowie systematische {\"U}berwachung der Sicherheit der Psychopharmakotherapie unverzichtbar. In diesem Artikel wird Therapeutisches Drug Monitoring als hilfreiches klinisches Instrument vorgestellt und beschrieben, wie dessen richtige Anwendung sowohl die Wirksamkeit als auch die Sicherheit und Vertr{\"a}glichkeit einer Psychopharmakotherapie im Kindes- und Jugendalter zum unmittelbaren Nutzen f{\"u}r die Patientinnen und Patienten verbessern kann.}, language = {de} } @article{WeberMaihoferJaksicetal.2022, author = {Weber, Heike and Maihofer, Adam X. and Jaksic, Nenad and Bojic, Elma Feric and Kucukalic, Sabina and Dzananovic, Emina Sabic and Uka, Aferdita Goci and Hoxha, Blerina and Haxhibeqiri, Valdete and Haxhibeqiri, Shpend and Kravic, Nermina and Umihanic, Mirnesa Muminovic and Franc, Ana Cima and Babic, Romana and Pavlovic, Marko and Mehmedbasic, Alma Bravo and Aukst-Margetic, Branka and Kucukalic, Abdulah and Marjanovic, Damir and Babic, Dragan and Jakovljevic, Miro and Sinanovic, Osman and Avidbegović, Esmina and Agani, Ferid and Warrings, Bodo and Domschke, Katharina and Nievergelt, Caroline M. and Dzubur-Kulenovic, Alma and Erhardt, Angelika}, title = {Association of polygenic risk scores, traumatic life events and coping strategies with war-related PTSD diagnosis and symptom severity in the South Eastern Europe (SEE)-PTSD cohort}, series = {Journal of Neural Transmission}, volume = {129}, journal = {Journal of Neural Transmission}, number = {5-6}, issn = {1435-1463}, doi = {10.1007/s00702-021-02446-5}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-268541}, pages = {661-674}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Objectives Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is triggered by extremely stressful environmental events and characterized by high emotional distress, re-experiencing of trauma, avoidance and hypervigilance. The present study uses polygenic risk scores (PRS) derived from the UK Biobank (UKBB) mega-cohort analysis as part of the PGC PTSD GWAS effort to determine the heritable basis of PTSD in the South Eastern Europe (SEE)-PTSD cohort. We further analyzed the relation between PRS and additional disease-related variables, such as number and intensity of life events, coping, sex and age at war on PTSD and CAPS as outcome variables. Methods Association of PRS, number and intensity of life events, coping, sex and age on PTSD were calculated using logistic regression in a total of 321 subjects with current and remitted PTSD and 337 controls previously subjected to traumatic events but not having PTSD. In addition, PRS and other disease-related variables were tested for association with PTSD symptom severity, measured by the Clinician Administrated PTSD Scale (CAPS) by liner regression. To assess the relationship between the main outcomes PTSD diagnosis and symptom severity, each of the examined variables was adjusted for all other PTSD related variables. Results The categorical analysis showed significant polygenic risk in patients with remitted PTSD and the total sample, whereas no effects were found on symptom severity. Intensity of life events as well as the individual coping style were significantly associated with PTSD diagnosis in both current and remitted cases. The dimensional analyses showed as association of war-related frequency of trauma with symptom severity, whereas the intensity of trauma yielded significant results independently of trauma timing in current PTSD. Conclusions The present PRS application in the SEE-PTSD cohort confirms modest but significant polygenic risk for PTSD diagnosis. Environmental factors, mainly the intensity of traumatic life events and negative coping strategies, yielded associations with PTSD both categorically and dimensionally with more significant p-values. This suggests that, at least in the present cohort of war-related trauma, the association of environmental factors and current individual coping strategies with PTSD psychopathology was stronger than the polygenic risk.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Weber2022, author = {Weber, Tanja}, title = {Untersuchung des Einflusses verschiedener Lebenserfahrungen und unterschiedlicher Serotoninhom{\"o}ostase auf die Neuromorphologie von Pyramidenzellen der CA3-Region des Hippocampus in M{\"a}usen}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-28354}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-283542}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Chronischer Stress hat negative Folgen, die sich im Verhalten und auf neuronaler Ebene {\"a}ußern k{\"o}nnen. Als besonders stressempfindlich gelten die Neurone der dritten Region des hippocampalen Ammonshorns CA3. Sie reagieren auch im bereits ausgereiften Zustand noch sehr sensibel auf {\"a}ußere Einfl{\"u}sse, was als neuronale Plastizit{\"a}t bezeichnet wird. Sie erfahren unter anderem durch Stress und Serotonin morphologische und funktionelle Ver{\"a}nderungen. Serotonin-Transporter wahren das Serotonin-Gleichgewicht, indem sie dessen Wirkung schließlich durch Wiederaufnahme in die Zellen beenden. Polymorphismen, also verschiedene Gen-Varianten, bedingen Unterschiede in der Zahl der verf{\"u}gbaren Transporter. Dieses Wechselspiel zwischen Gen-Varianten des Serotonin-Transporters und Stress wurde an Serotonin-Transporter-Knockout-M{\"a}usen untersucht. Einige M{\"a}use erfuhren bereits fr{\"u}h im Leben Stress, der entweder anhielt oder im sp{\"a}teren Leben positiven Erfahrungen wich; weitere M{\"a}use hingegen machten in fr{\"u}hen Lebensabschnitten positive Erfahrungen, die sich sp{\"a}ter entweder fortsetzten oder durch Stresserfahrungen ersetzt wurden. Nach Durchf{\"u}hrung von Verhaltenstests wurde zudem in deren Golgi-impr{\"a}gnierten Gehirnen die Morphologie der Apikaldendriten von CA3-Kurzschaft-Pyramidenzellen lichtmikroskopisch untersucht und in 3D-Computermodellen abgebildet. Aufgrund regionaler Eigenheiten innerhalb von CA3 wurden diese Neurone verschiedenen Subpopulationen zugeordnet. Tats{\"a}chlich konnten mithilfe der Kombination aus vier verschiedenen Lebensgeschichten und drei unterschiedlichen Serotonin-Transporter-Genotypen Unterschiede in der Morphologie der CA3-Pyramidenzellen zwischen den einzelnen Gruppen festgestellt werden. Ohne Stresserleben zeigten sich die Neurone meist signifikant verzweigter; nach Stresserleben zeigten sich, zumindest in einer bestimmten Subpopulation, signifikante Verminderungen der Spines. M{\"a}use mit zwei oder einem wildtypischen Serotonin-Transporter-Allel und ausschließlich sp{\"a}ten aversiven Erfahrungen hatten signifikant l{\"a}ngere Apikaldendriten als die Referenz mit zwei wildtypischen Allelen und ohne Stresserfahrung; homozygot Serotonin-Transporter-defiziente M{\"a}use der gleichen Lebensgeschichte hatten zur Referenz signifikant verk{\"u}rzte Apikaldendriten. Diese Ergebnisse lassen vermuten, dass Stress in Verbindung mit genetisch bedingt geringen Mengen des Serotonin-Transporters durchaus eine erh{\"o}hte Vulnerabilit{\"a}t f{\"u}r psychische Erkrankungen bedingen k{\"o}nnte, aber dass ausschließlich sp{\"a}te Stresserfahrungen bei h{\"o}heren Mengen des Serotonin-Transporters auch protektiv wirken k{\"o}nnten.}, subject = {Ammonshorn}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Bruch2022, author = {Bruch, Doroth{\´e}e Eva-Maria}, title = {‚\(Social\) \(Buffering\)'. Die Rolle der Anwesenheit einer zweiten Person auf physiologische Angstreaktionen bei M{\"a}nnern}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-28244}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-282443}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2022}, abstract = {‚Social Buffering' beschreibt den positiven Einfluss eines Artgenossen auf die Verarbeitung aversiver Reize. In Tierexperimenten zeigte sich, dass Tiere mit geringeren Anspannungsreaktionen reagieren, wenn ein weiteres Tier w{\"a}hrend der Pr{\"a}sentation von Angstreizen anwesend ist. Eine Untersuchung an einer weiblichen Stichprobe replizierte den Effekt am Menschen. Allerdings gibt es Hinweise auf m{\"o}gliche Geschlechtsunterschiede. Da vergleichbare Experimente bei M{\"a}nnern fehlen, will sich diese Studie der Frage n{\"a}hern, ob die reine Anwesenheit einer fremden m{\"a}nnlichen Person im Stande ist, autonome Angstreaktionen bei M{\"a}nnern abzumildern. Daf{\"u}r wurden 72 m{\"a}nnliche, psychisch gesunde Probanden auf zwei Gruppen aufgeteilt, welche eine identische Stimulation mit angstinduzierenden und neutralen T{\"o}nen erhielten. Die M{\"a}nner der Alleinbedingung wurden allein getestet (n allein = 36), die der Sozialbedingung zusammen mit einer fremden m{\"a}nnlichen Person (n sozial = 36). Bei allen Probanden wurden die Hautleitf{\"a}higkeitsreaktionen (skin conductance response; SCR) w{\"a}hrend der Antizipation und der Darbietung der T{\"o}ne erfasst. Außerdem wurden die Probanden nach ihrem Gef{\"u}hlszustand befragt (Rating). Als relevante Pers{\"o}nlichkeitsdimensionen wurden anhand von Frageb{\"o}gen die Angstsensitivit{\"a}t (ASI-3), die {\"A}ngstlichkeit als Trait (STAI trait), die {\"A}ngstlichkeit als State (STAI state) und der Eindruck des Probanden von der anwesenden m{\"a}nnlichen Person erhoben. Die Ergebnisse zeigten keine signifikanten Unterschiede in den SCRs und Ratings bez{\"u}glich des angstinduzierenden Tones. Dieses Ergebnis legt nahe, dass bei der m{\"a}nnlichen Stichprobe kein ‚Social Buffering'-Effekt vorlag. Weiterhin waren die autonomen Reaktionen auf die Angstreize h{\"o}her, je {\"a}hnlicher der Mann die fremde Person zu sich bewertete. Die m{\"o}glichen Ursachen des fehlenden ‚Social-Buffering'-Effekts werden unter Ber{\"u}cksichtigung von Geschlechtsunterschieden im Umgang mit Angst und sozialer Unterst{\"u}tzung diskutiert.}, subject = {Geschlechtsunterschiede}, language = {de} } @article{PalladinoChiocchettiFranketal.2020, author = {Palladino, Viola Stella and Chiocchetti, Andreas G. and Frank, Lukas and Haslinger, Denise and McNeill, Rhiannon and Radtke, Franziska and Till, Andreas and Haupt, Simone and Br{\"u}stle, Oliver and G{\"u}nther, Katharina and Edenhofer, Frank and Hoffmann, Per and Reif, Andreas and Kittel-Schneider, Sarah}, title = {Energy metabolism disturbances in cell models of PARK2 CNV carriers with ADHD}, series = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, volume = {9}, journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, number = {12}, issn = {2077-0383}, doi = {10.3390/jcm9124092}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-220074}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The main goal of the present study was the identification of cellular phenotypes in attention-deficit-/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patient-derived cellular models from carriers of rare copy number variants (CNVs) in the PARK2 locus that have been previously associated with ADHD. Human-derived fibroblasts (HDF) were cultured and human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) were reprogrammed and differentiated into dopaminergic neuronal cells (mDANs). A series of assays in baseline condition and in different stress paradigms (nutrient deprivation, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazine (CCCP)) focusing on mitochondrial function and energy metabolism (ATP production, basal oxygen consumption rates, reactive oxygen species (ROS) abundance) were performed and changes in mitochondrial network morphology evaluated. We found changes in PARK2 CNV deletion and duplication carriers with ADHD in PARK2 gene and protein expression, ATP production and basal oxygen consumption rates compared to healthy and ADHD wildtype control cell lines, partly differing between HDF and mDANs and to some extent enhanced in stress paradigms. The generation of ROS was not influenced by the genotype. Our preliminary work suggests an energy impairment in HDF and mDAN cells of PARK2 CNV deletion and duplication carriers with ADHD. The energy impairment could be associated with the role of PARK2 dysregulation in mitochondrial dynamics.}, language = {en} } @article{PlumEggersHellingetal.2020, author = {Plum, Sarah and Eggers, Britta and Helling, Stefan and Stepath, Markus and Theiss, Carsten and Leite, Renata E. P. and Molina, Mariana and Grinberg, Lea T. and Riederer, Peter and Gerlach, Manfred and May, Caroline and Marcus, Katrin}, title = {Proteomic characterization of synaptosomes from human substantia nigra indicates altered mitochondrial translation in Parkinson's disease}, series = {Cells}, volume = {9}, journal = {Cells}, number = {12}, issn = {2073-4409}, doi = {10.3390/cells9122580}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-219978}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD) is the loss of neuromelanin-containing dopaminergic neurons within the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Additionally, numerous studies indicate an altered synaptic function during disease progression. To gain new insights into the molecular processes underlying the alteration of synaptic function in PD, a proteomic study was performed. Therefore, synaptosomes were isolated by density gradient centrifugation from SNpc tissue of individuals at advanced PD stages (N = 5) as well as control subjects free of pathology (N = 5) followed by mass spectrometry-based analysis. In total, 362 proteins were identified and assigned to the synaptosomal core proteome. This core proteome comprised all proteins expressed within the synapses without regard to data analysis software, gender, age, or disease. The differential analysis between control subjects and PD cases revealed that CD9 antigen was overrepresented and fourteen proteins, among them Thymidine kinase 2 (TK2), mitochondrial, 39S ribosomal protein L37, neurolysin, and Methionine-tRNA ligase (MARS2) were underrepresented in PD suggesting an alteration in mitochondrial translation within synaptosomes.}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerMuellerRiederer2021, author = {M{\"u}ller, Thomas and Mueller, Bernhard Klaus and Riederer, Peter}, title = {Perspective: Treatment for disease modification in chronic neurodegeneration}, series = {Cells}, volume = {10}, journal = {Cells}, number = {4}, issn = {2073-4409}, doi = {10.3390/cells10040873}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-236644}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Symptomatic treatments are available for Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. An unmet need is cure or disease modification. This review discusses possible reasons for negative clinical study outcomes on disease modification following promising positive findings from experimental research. It scrutinizes current research paradigms for disease modification with antibodies against pathological protein enrichment, such as α-synuclein, amyloid or tau, based on post mortem findings. Instead a more uniform regenerative and reparative therapeutic approach for chronic neurodegenerative disease entities is proposed with stimulation of an endogenously existing repair system, which acts independent of specific disease mechanisms. The repulsive guidance molecule A pathway is involved in the regulation of peripheral and central neuronal restoration. Therapeutic antagonism of repulsive guidance molecule A reverses neurodegeneration according to experimental outcomes in numerous disease models in rodents and monkeys. Antibodies against repulsive guidance molecule A exist. First clinical studies in neurological conditions with an acute onset are under way. Future clinical trials with these antibodies should initially focus on well characterized uniform cohorts of patients. The efficiency of repulsive guidance molecule A antagonism and associated stimulation of neurogenesis should be demonstrated with objective assessment tools to counteract dilution of therapeutic effects by subjectivity and heterogeneity of chronic disease entities. Such a research concept will hopefully enhance clinical test strategies and improve the future therapeutic armamentarium for chronic neurodegeneration.}, language = {en} } @article{SianHulsmannRiederer2021, author = {Sian-Hulsmann, Jeswinder and Riederer, Peter}, title = {The nigral coup in Parkinson's Disease by α-synuclein and its associated rebels}, series = {Cells}, volume = {10}, journal = {Cells}, number = {3}, issn = {2073-4409}, doi = {10.3390/cells10030598}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-234073}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The risk of Parkinson's disease increases with age. However, the etiology of the illness remains obscure. It appears highly likely that the neurodegenerative processes involve an array of elements that influence each other. In addition, genetic, endogenous, or exogenous toxins need to be considered as viable partners to the cellular degeneration. There is compelling evidence that indicate the key involvement of modified α-synuclein (Lewy bodies) at the very core of the pathogenesis of the disease. The accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein may be a consequence of some genetic defect or/and a failure of the protein clearance system. Importantly, α-synuclein pathology appears to be a common denominator for many cellular deleterious events such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, dopamine synaptic dysregulation, iron dyshomeostasis, and neuroinflammation. These factors probably employ a common apoptotic/or autophagic route in the final stages to execute cell death. The misfolded α-synuclein inclusions skillfully trigger or navigate these processes and thus amplify the dopamine neuron fatalities. Although the process of neuroinflammation may represent a secondary event, nevertheless, it executes a fundamental role in neurodegeneration. Some viral infections produce parkinsonism and exhibit similar characteristic neuropathological changes such as a modest brain dopamine deficit and α-synuclein pathology. Thus, viral infections may heighten the risk of developing PD. Alternatively, α-synuclein pathology may induce a dysfunctional immune system. Thus, sporadic Parkinson's disease is caused by multifactorial trigger factors and metabolic disturbances, which need to be considered for the development of potential drugs in the disorder.}, language = {en} } @article{RuttenVermettenVinkersetal.2018, author = {Rutten, BPF and Vermetten, E and Vinkers, CH and Ursini, G and Daskalakis, NP and Pishva, E and de Nijs, L and Houtepen, LC and Eijssen, L and Jaffe, AE and Kenis, G and Viechtbauer, W and van den Hove, D and Schraut, KG and Lesch, K-P and Kleinman, JE and Hyde, TM and Weinberger, DR and Schalkwyk, L and Lunnon, K and Mill, J and Cohen, H and Yehuda, R and Baker, DG and Maihofer, AX and Nievergelt, CM and Geuze, E and Boks, MPM}, title = {Longitudinal analyses of the DNA methylome in deployed military servicemen identify susceptibility loci for post-traumatic stress disorder}, series = {Molecular Psychiatry}, volume = {23}, journal = {Molecular Psychiatry}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1038/mp.2017.120}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-227171}, pages = {1145-11562}, year = {2018}, abstract = {In order to determine the impact of the epigenetic response to traumatic stress on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this study examined longitudinal changes of genome-wide blood DNA methylation profiles in relation to the development of PTSD symptoms in two prospective military cohorts (one discovery and one replication data set). In the first cohort consisting of male Dutch military servicemen (n = 93), the emergence of PTSD symptoms over a deployment period to a combat zone was significantly associated with alterations in DNA methylation levels at 17 genomic positions and 12 genomic regions. Evidence for mediation of the relation between combat trauma and PTSD symptoms by longitudinal changes in DNA methylation was observed at several positions and regions. Bioinformatic analyses of the reported associations identified significant enrichment in several pathways relevant for symptoms of PTSD. Targeted analyses of the significant findings from the discovery sample in an independent prospective cohort of male US marines (n = 98) replicated the observed relation between decreases in DNA methylation levels and PTSD symptoms at genomic regions in ZFP57, RNF39 and HIST1H2APS2. Together, our study pinpoints three novel genomic regions where longitudinal decreases in DNA methylation across the period of exposure to combat trauma marks susceptibility for PTSD.}, language = {en} } @article{BaaderKianiBrunkhorstKanaanetal.2020, author = {Baader, Anna and Kiani, Behnaz and Brunkhorst-Kanaan, Nathalie and Kittel-Schneider, Sarah and Reif, Andreas and Grimm, Oliver}, title = {A within-sample comparison of two innovative neuropsychological tests for assessing ADHD}, series = {Brain Sciences}, volume = {11}, journal = {Brain Sciences}, number = {1}, issn = {2076-3425}, doi = {10.3390/brainsci11010036}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-220089}, year = {2020}, abstract = {New innovative neuropsychological tests in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD have been proposed as objective measures for diagnosis and therapy. The current study aims to investigate two different commercial continuous performance tests (CPT) in a head-to-head comparison regarding their comparability and their link with clinical parameters. The CPTs were evaluated in a clinical sample of 29 adult patients presenting in an ADHD outpatient clinic. Correlational analyses were performed between neuropsychological data, clinical rating scales, and a personality-based measure. Though inattention was found to positively correlate between the two tests (r = 0.49, p = 0.01), no association with clinical measures and inattention was found for both tests. While hyperactivity did not correlate between both tests, current ADHD symptoms were positively associated with Nesplora Aquarium's motor activity (r = 0.52 to 0.61, p < 0.05) and the Qb-Test's hyperactivity (r = 0.52 to 0.71, p < 0.05). Conclusively, the overall comparability of the tests was limited and correlation with clinical parameters was low. While our study shows some interesting correlation between clinical symptoms and sub-scales of these tests, usage in clinical practice is not recommended.}, language = {en} } @article{BraunEvdokimovFranketal.2022, author = {Braun, Alexandra and Evdokimov, Dimitar and Frank, Johanna and Pauli, Paul and Wabel, Thomas and {\"U}{\c{c}}eyler, Nurcan and Sommer, Claudia}, title = {Relevance of Religiosity for Coping Strategies and Disability in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome}, series = {Journal of Religion and Health}, volume = {61}, journal = {Journal of Religion and Health}, number = {1}, issn = {1573-6571}, doi = {10.1007/s10943-020-01177-3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-269135}, pages = {524-539}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Coping strategies are essential for the outcome of chronic pain. This study evaluated religiosity in a cohort of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), its effect on pain and other symptoms, on coping and FMS-related disability. A total of 102 FMS patients were recruited who filled in questionnaires, a subgroup of 42 patients participated in a face-to-face interview, and data were evaluated by correlation and regression analyses. Few patients were traditionally religious, but the majority believed in a higher existence and described their spirituality as "transcendence conviction". The coping strategy "praying-hoping" and the ASP dimension "religious orientation" (r = 0.5, P < 0.05) showed a significant relationship independent of the grade of religiosity (P < 0.05). A high grade of belief in a higher existence was negatively associated with the choice of ignoring as coping strategy (r = - 0.4, P < 0.05). Mood and affect-related variables had the highest impact on disability (b = 0.5, P < 0.05). In this cohort, the grade of religiosity played a role in the choice of coping strategies, but had no effects on health and mood outcome.}, language = {en} } @article{KittelSchneiderDavidovaKaloketal.2022, author = {Kittel-Schneider, Sarah and Davidova, Petra and Kalok, Miriam and Essel, Corina and Ahmed, Fadia Ben and Kingeter, Yasmina and Matentzoglu, Maria and Leutritz, Anna and Kersken, Katharina and Koreny, Carolin and Weber, Heike and Kollert, Leoniee and McNeill, Rihannon V. and Reif, Andreas and Bahlmann, Franz and Trautmann-Villalba, Patricia}, title = {A pilot study of multilevel analysis of BDNF in paternal and maternal perinatal depression}, series = {Archives of Women's Mental Health}, volume = {25}, journal = {Archives of Women's Mental Health}, number = {1}, issn = {1435-1102}, doi = {10.1007/s00737-021-01197-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-268849}, pages = {237-249}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Depression in the perinatal period is common in mothers worldwide. Emerging research indicates that fathers are also at risk of developing perinatal depression. However, knowledge regarding biological risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms of perinatal depression is still scarce, particularly in fathers. It has been suggested that the neurotrophin BDNF may play a role in maternal perinatal depression; however, there is currently no data regarding paternal perinatal depression. For this pilot study, 81 expecting parents were recruited and assessed at several time points. We screened for depression using EPDS and MADRS, investigated several psychosocial variables, and took blood samples for BDNF val66met genotyping, epigenetic, and protein analysis. Between pregnancy and 12 months postpartum (pp), we found that 3.7 to 15.7\% of fathers screened positive for depression, and 9.6 to 24\% of mothers, with at least a twofold increased prevalence in both parents using MADRS compared with EPDS. We also identified several psychosocial factors associated with perinatal depression in both parents. The data revealed a trend that lower BDNF levels correlated with maternal depressive symptoms at 3 months pp. In the fathers, no significant correlations between BDNF and perinatal depression were found. Pregnant women demonstrated lower BDNF methylation and BDNF protein expression compared with men; however, these were found to increase postpartum. Lastly, we identified correlations between depressive symptoms and psychosocial/neurobiological factors. The data suggest that BDNF may play a role in maternal perinatal depression, but not paternal.}, language = {en} } @article{RiedererMonoranuStrobeletal.2021, author = {Riederer, P. and Monoranu, C. and Strobel, S. and Iordache, T. and Sian-H{\"u}lsmann, J.}, title = {Iron as the concert master in the pathogenic orchestra playing in sporadic Parkinson's disease}, series = {Journal of Neural Transmission}, volume = {128}, journal = {Journal of Neural Transmission}, number = {10}, issn = {1435-1463}, doi = {10.1007/s00702-021-02414-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-268539}, pages = {1577-1598}, year = {2021}, abstract = {About 60 years ago, the discovery of a deficiency of dopamine in the nigro-striatal system led to a variety of symptomatic therapeutic strategies to supplement dopamine and to substantially improve the quality of life of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Since these seminal developments, neuropathological, neurochemical, molecular biological and genetic discoveries contributed to elucidate the pathology of PD. Oxidative stress, the consequences of reactive oxidative species, reduced antioxidative capacity including loss of glutathione, excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, proteasomal dysfunction, apoptosis, lysosomal dysfunction, autophagy, suggested to be causal for ɑ-synuclein fibril formation and aggregation and contributing to neuroinflammation and neural cell death underlying this devastating disorder. However, there are no final conclusions about the triggered pathological mechanism(s) and the follow-up of pathological dysfunctions. Nevertheless, it is a fact, that iron, a major component of oxidative reactions, as well as neuromelanin, the major intraneuronal chelator of iron, undergo an age-dependent increase. And ageing is a major risk factor for PD. Iron is significantly increased in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of PD. Reasons for this finding include disturbances in iron-related import and export mechanisms across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), localized opening of the BBB at the nigro-striatal tract including brain vessel pathology. Whether this pathology is of primary or secondary importance is not known. We assume that there is a better fit to the top-down hypotheses and pathogens entering the brain via the olfactory system, then to the bottom-up (gut-brain) hypothesis of PD pathology. Triggers for the bottom-up, the dual-hit and the top-down pathologies include chemicals, viruses and bacteria. If so, hepcidin, a regulator of iron absorption and its distribution into tissues, is suggested to play a major role in the pathogenesis of iron dyshomeostasis and risk for initiating and progressing ɑ-synuclein pathology. The role of glial components to the pathology of PD is still unknown. However, the dramatic loss of glutathione (GSH), which is mainly synthesized in glia, suggests dysfunction of this process, or GSH uptake into neurons. Loss of GSH and increase in SNpc iron concentration have been suggested to be early, may be even pre-symptomatic processes in the pathology of PD, despite the fact that they are progression factors. The role of glial ferritin isoforms has not been studied so far in detail in human post-mortem brain tissue and a close insight into their role in PD is called upon. In conclusion, "iron" is a major player in the pathology of PD. Selective chelation of excess iron at the site of the substantia nigra, where a dysfunction of the BBB is suggested, with peripherally acting iron chelators is suggested to contribute to the portfolio and therapeutic armamentarium of anti-Parkinson medications.}, language = {en} } @article{ZechScherfClavelDanielsetal.2021, author = {Zech, Linda D. and Scherf-Clavel, Maike and Daniels, Christine and Schwab, Michael and Deckert, J{\"u}rgen and Unterecker, Stefan and Herr, Alexandra S.}, title = {Patients with higher vitamin D levels show stronger improvement of self-reported depressive symptoms in psychogeriatric day-care setting}, series = {Journal of Neural Transmission}, volume = {128}, journal = {Journal of Neural Transmission}, number = {8}, issn = {1435-1463}, doi = {10.1007/s00702-021-02385-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-268525}, pages = {1233-1238}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Depression is a common psychiatric disorder among geriatric patients that decreases the quality of life and increases morbidity and mortality. Vitamin D as a neuro-steroid hormone might play a role in the onset and treatment of depression. In the present study, the association between depressive symptoms and vitamin D concentration in serum was evaluated. 140 patients of a psychogeriatric day-care unit were included. The geriatric depression scale (GDS) and the Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS) were assessed at the beginning and end of treatment, GDS scores additionally 6 weeks after discharge from the day-care unit. Vitamin D levels were measured at the beginning of the treatment, routinely. Patients with levels below 30 µg/L were treated with 1000 IU vitamin D per day. There was no association between the severity of depressive symptoms and the concentration of vitamin D at the beginning of the treatment. Patients with higher vitamin D levels showed a stronger decline of depressive symptoms measured by the GDS during their stay in the day-care unit. We provide evidence that vitamin D serum levels might influence antidepressant therapy response in a geriatric population. Prospective studies are necessary to determine which patients may profit from add-on vitamin D therapy.}, language = {en} } @article{JanschZieglerForeroetal.2021, author = {Jansch, Charline and Ziegler, Georg C. and Forero, Andrea and Gredy, Sina and W{\"a}ldchen, Sina and Vitale, Maria Rosaria and Svirin, Evgeniy and Z{\"o}ller, Johanna E. M. and Waider, Jonas and G{\"u}nther, Katharina and Edenhofer, Frank and Sauer, Markus and Wischmeyer, Erhard and Lesch, Klaus-Peter}, title = {Serotonin-specific neurons differentiated from human iPSCs form distinct subtypes with synaptic protein assembly}, series = {Journal of Neural Transmission}, volume = {128}, journal = {Journal of Neural Transmission}, number = {2}, issn = {1435-1463}, doi = {10.1007/s00702-021-02303-5}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-268519}, pages = {225-241}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have revolutionized the generation of experimental disease models, but the development of protocols for the differentiation of functionally active neuronal subtypes with defined specification is still in its infancy. While dysfunction of the brain serotonin (5-HT) system has been implicated in the etiology of various neuropsychiatric disorders, investigation of functional human 5-HT specific neurons in vitro has been restricted by technical limitations. We describe an efficient generation of functionally active neurons from hiPSCs displaying 5-HT specification by modification of a previously reported protocol. Furthermore, 5-HT specific neurons were characterized using high-end fluorescence imaging including super-resolution microscopy in combination with electrophysiological techniques. Differentiated hiPSCs synthesize 5-HT, express specific markers, such as tryptophan hydroxylase 2 and 5-HT transporter, and exhibit an electrophysiological signature characteristic of serotonergic neurons, with spontaneous rhythmic activities, broad action potentials and large afterhyperpolarization potentials. 5-HT specific neurons form synapses reflected by the expression of pre- and postsynaptic proteins, such as Bassoon and Homer. The distribution pattern of Bassoon, a marker of the active zone along the soma and extensions of neurons, indicates functionality via volume transmission. Among the high percentage of 5-HT specific neurons (~ 42\%), a subpopulation of CDH13 + cells presumably designates dorsal raphe neurons. hiPSC-derived 5-HT specific neuronal cell cultures reflect the heterogeneous nature of dorsal and median raphe nuclei and may facilitate examining the association of serotonergic neuron subpopulations with neuropsychiatric disorders.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Keleş2022, author = {Kele{\c{s}}, Can-Florian}, title = {Funktionelle Untersuchung zur Duplikation des SLC2A3-Gens in Patienten mit Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivit{\"a}tsst{\"o}rung}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-27161}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-271611}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Zusammenfassung 1) Fragestellung und zentrale Untersuchung Unter der Hypothese, dass die Transportrate des Glukosetransporters Typ 3 (GLUT3) abh{\"a}ngig von der Kopienanzahl (CNV) des f{\"u}r ihn kodierenden Gens SLC2A3 ist, wurden Zelllinien mit drei Kopien (Duplikation) mit Kontroll-Zelllinien mit nur zwei Kopien bez{\"u}glich ihrer Glukoseaufnahme miteinander verglichen (n=2; N=9). Hierzu wurde die zellul{\"a}re Glukoseaufnahme mittels radioaktiv markierter 2-Desoxyglukose in via Eppstein-Barr-Virus immortalisierten lymphoblastoiden Zelllinien (EBV-LCLs) gemessen. In den initialen Untersuchungen zeigt sich, dass das Protokoll an manchen Stellen zu viel Spielraum l{\"a}sst. Die Methode wird daraufhin standardisiert und bez{\"u}glich einiger Parameter angepasst: g-Zentrifugeneinstellung, Mischen/Aliquotieren, Zellanzahl, Replikatanzahl, Inkubationszeit/-intervalle und Durchf{\"u}hrungsdauer. 2) Wichtigste Ergebnisse Die funktionelle Untersuchung zur Duplikation des SLC2A3-Gens in Patienten mit Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivit{\"a}tsst{\"o}rung (ADHS) zeigt schließlich im dynamischen Aushungerungsversuch der EBV-LCLs {\"u}ber vier Tage (Vergleich t2 zu t1) statistisch f{\"u}r die Gruppen eine deutliche Differenz mit mittlerer Effektst{\"a}rke (Lineares Gemischtes Modell; p = 0,06; Cohens d = 0,37). Zum zweiten Messzeitpunkt (t2) zeigt sich statistisch zwischen den Gruppen eine sehr signifikante Differenz mit hoher Effektst{\"a}rke (Lineares Gemischtes Modell; p < 0,006; Cohens d = 0,55). Damit konnte in dieser Arbeit nachgewiesen werden, dass die SLC2A3-Duplikation neben dem Gendosiseffekt auf mRNA-Ebene auch hypermorph funktionelle Ver{\"a}nderungen auf zellul{\"a}rer Ebene nach sich zieht. Nachfolgende Untersuchungen sollten vor diesem Hintergrund m{\"o}gliche Kofaktoren investigieren und auf Alterationen in nachgeschalteten Signalwegen abzielen.}, subject = {Genemutation}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Haberstroh2022, author = {Haberstroh, Henrike}, title = {Untersuchung zu Reproduzierbarkeit und Stimulationsbedingungen der somatosensibel-evozierten Potentiale des N. vagus (VSEP)}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-27054}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-270545}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Die alternde Bev{\"o}lkerung und die konsekutiv steigende Anzahl der Demenzerkrankungen stellen die Gesellschaft vor große Herausforderungen. Ein Problem hierbei sind die fehlenden Fr{\"u}herkennungsmethoden f{\"u}r Alzheimer Demenz. Eine vielversprechende Untersuchung k{\"o}nnten die somatosensibel-evozierten Potentiale des N. vagus (VSEP) darstellen, die bereits durch Fallgatter et al. in der Vergangenheit beschrieben wurden. Die vorliegende Studie soll nun {\"u}berpr{\"u}fen, ob es sich hierbei um eine reproduzierbare Untersuchung handelt, denn die Reliabilit{\"a}t ist eins der obligaten Testg{\"u}tekriterien f{\"u}r die Eignung als Fr{\"u}herkennungsmethode. Hierf{\"u}r wurden 30 gesunde Probanden zweimalig untersucht, wobei die Reproduzierbarkeit der nicht invasiven VSEP sowie die gute Vertr{\"a}glichkeit nachgewiesen werden konnten. Weiterhin gab es mehrere explorative Forschungsfragen zu den Stimulationsbedingungen der Messung sowie zum tats{\"a}chlichen Entstehungsort der Potentiale. Inwieweit es sich tats{\"a}chlich um evozierte Potentiale handelt, wird derzeit kontrovers diskutiert und kann auf Basis der Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Arbeit nicht beantwortet werden. Ob und welche Fr{\"u}herkennungsmethoden sich f{\"u}r die Alzheimer Demenz etablieren, wird man ohnehin erst absch{\"a}tzen k{\"o}nnen, wenn Medikamente verf{\"u}gbar sind, die den Krankheitsprogress nachweislich beeinflussen.}, subject = {Vagus}, language = {de} } @article{WieseDennstaedtHollmannetal.2021, author = {Wiese, Teresa and Dennst{\"a}dt, Fabio and Hollmann, Claudia and Stonawski, Saskia and Wurst, Catherina and Fink, Julian and Gorte, Erika and Mandasari, Putri and Domschke, Katharina and Hommers, Leif and Vanhove, Bernard and Schumacher, Fabian and Kleuser, Burkard and Seibel, J{\"u}rgen and Rohr, Jan and Buttmann, Mathias and Menke, Andreas and Schneider-Schaulies, J{\"u}rgen and Beyersdorf, Niklas}, title = {Inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase increases regulatory T cells in humans}, series = {Brain Communications}, volume = {3}, journal = {Brain Communications}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1093/braincomms/fcab020}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-259868}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Genetic deficiency for acid sphingomyelinase or its pharmacological inhibition has been shown to increase Foxp3\(^+\) regulatory T-cell frequencies among CD4\(^+\) T cells in mice. We now investigated whether pharmacological targeting of the acid sphingomyelinase, which catalyzes the cleavage of sphingomyelin to ceramide and phosphorylcholine, also allows to manipulate relative CD4\(^+\) Foxp3\(^+\) regulatory T-cell frequencies in humans. Pharmacological acid sphingomyelinase inhibition with antidepressants like sertraline, but not those without an inhibitory effect on acid sphingomyelinase activity like citalopram, increased the frequency of Foxp3\(^+\) regulatory T cell among human CD4\(^+\) T cells in vitro. In an observational prospective clinical study with patients suffering from major depression, we observed that acid sphingomyelinase-inhibiting antidepressants induced a stronger relative increase in the frequency of CD4\(^+\) Foxp3\(^+\) regulatory T cells in peripheral blood than acid sphingomyelinase-non- or weakly inhibiting antidepressants. This was particularly true for CD45RA\(^-\) CD25\(^{high}\) effector CD4\(^+\) Foxp3\(^+\) regulatory T cells. Mechanistically, our data indicate that the positive effect of acid sphingomyelinase inhibition on CD4\(^+\) Foxp3\(^+\) regulatory T cells required CD28 co-stimulation, suggesting that enhanced CD28 co-stimulation was the driver of the observed increase in the frequency of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells among human CD4\(^+\) T cells. In summary, the widely induced pharmacological inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase activity in patients leads to an increase in Foxp3+ regulatory T-cell frequencies among CD4\(^+\) T cells in humans both in vivo and in vitro.}, language = {en} } @article{HeinGamerGalletal.2021, author = {Hein, Grit and Gamer, Matthias and Gall, Dominik and Gr{\"u}ndahl, Marthe and Domschke, Katharina and Andreatta, Marta and Wieser, Matthias J. and Pauli, Paul}, title = {Social cognitive factors outweigh negative emotionality in predicting COVID-19 related safety behaviors}, series = {Preventive Medicine Reports}, volume = {24}, journal = {Preventive Medicine Reports}, doi = {10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101559}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-265008}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Emotion-motivation models propose that behaviors, including health behaviors, should be predicted by the same variables that also predict negative affect since emotional reactions should induce a motivation to avoid threatening situations. In contrast, social cognitive models propose that safety behaviors are predicted by a different set of variables that mainly reflect cognitive and socio-structural aspects. Here, we directly tested these opposing hypotheses in young adults (N = 4134) in the context of COVID-19-related safety behaviors to prevent infections. In each participant, we collected measures of negative affect as well as cognitive and socio-structural variables during the lockdown in the first infection wave in Germany. We found a negative effect of the pandemic on emotional responses. However, this was not the main predictor for young adults' willingness to comply with COVID-19-related safety measures. Instead, individual differences in compliance were mainly predicted by cognitive and socio-structural variables. These results were confirmed in an independent data set. This study shows that individuals scoring high on negative affect during the pandemic are not necessarily more likely to comply with safety regulations. Instead, political measures should focus on cognitive interventions and the societal relevance of the health issue. These findings provide important insights into the basis of health-related concerns and feelings as well as behavioral adaptations.}, language = {en} } @article{BartmannFischerHuebneretal.2021, author = {Bartmann, Catharina and Fischer, Leah-Maria and H{\"u}bner, Theresa and M{\"u}ller-Reiter, Max and W{\"o}ckel, Achim and McNeill, Rhiannon V. and Schlaiss, Tanja and Kittel-Schneider, Sarah and K{\"a}mmerer, Ulrike and Diessner, Joachim}, title = {The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological stress in breast cancer patients}, series = {BMC Cancer}, volume = {21}, journal = {BMC Cancer}, doi = {10.1186/s12885-021-09012-y}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-265802}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Background: The majority of breast cancer patients are severely psychologically affected by breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent therapeutic procedures. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions on public life have additionally caused significant psychological distress for much of the population. It is therefore plausible that breast cancer patients might be particularly susceptible to the additional psychological stress caused by the pandemic, increasing suffering. In this study we therefore aimed to assess the level of psychological distress currently experienced by a defined group of breast cancer patients in our breast cancer centre, compared to distress levels preCOVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Female breast cancer patients of all ages receiving either adjuvant, neoadjuvant, or palliative therapies were recruited for the study. All patients were screened for current or previous COVID-19 infection. The participants completed a self-designed COVID-19 pandemic questionnaire, the Stress and Coping Inventory (SCI), the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (R) (NCCN (R)) Distress Thermometer (DT), the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ C30, and the BR23. Results: Eighty-two breast cancer patients were included. Therapy status and social demographic factors did not have a significant effect on the distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the DT pre and during COVID-19 pandemic did not differ significantly. Using the self-designed COVID-19 pandemic questionnaire, we detected three distinct subgroups demonstrating different levels of concerns in relation to SARS-CoV-2. The subgroup with the highest levels of concern reported significantly decreased life quality, related parameters and symptoms. Conclusions: This monocentric study demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected psychological health in a subpopulation of breast cancer patients. The application of a self-created "COVID-19 pandemic questionnaire"could potentially be used to help identify breast cancer patients who are susceptible to increased psychological distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and therefore may need additional intensive psychological support.}, language = {en} } @article{SaulinHornLotzeetal.2022, author = {Saulin, Anne and Horn, Ulrike and Lotze, Martin and Kaiser, Jochen and Hein, Grit}, title = {The neural computation of human prosocial choices in complex motivational states}, series = {NeuroImage}, volume = {247}, journal = {NeuroImage}, doi = {10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118827}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-265852}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Motives motivate human behavior. Most behaviors are driven by more than one motive, yet it is unclear how different motives interact and how such motive combinations affect the neural computation of the behaviors they drive. To answer this question, we induced two prosocial motives simultaneously (multi-motive condition) and separately (single motive conditions). After the different motive inductions, participants performed the same choice task in which they allocated points in favor of the other person (prosocial choice) or in favor of themselves (egoistic choice). We used fMRI to assess prosocial choice-related brain responses and drift diffusion modeling to specify how motive combinations affect individual components of the choice process. Our results showed that the combination of the two motives in the multi-motive condition increased participants' choice biases prior to the behavior itself. On the neural level, these changes in initial prosocial bias were associated with neural responses in the bilateral dorsal striatum. In contrast, the efficiency of the prosocial decision process was comparable between the multi-motive and the single-motive conditions. These findings provide insights into the computation of prosocial choices in complex motivational states, the motivational setting that drives most human behaviors .}, language = {en} } @article{QiBruchKropetal.2021, author = {Qi, Yanyan and Bruch, Dorothee and Krop, Philipp and Herrmann, Martin J. and Latoschik, Marc E. and Deckert, J{\"u}rgen and Hein, Grit}, title = {Social buffering of human fear is shaped by gender, social concern, and the presence of real vs virtual agents}, series = {Translational Psychiatry}, volume = {11}, journal = {Translational Psychiatry}, doi = {10.1038/s41398-021-01761-5}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-265782}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The presence of a partner can attenuate physiological fear responses, a phenomenon known as social buffering. However, not all individuals are equally sociable. Here we investigated whether social buffering of fear is shaped by sensitivity to social anxiety (social concern) and whether these effects are different in females and males. We collected skin conductance responses (SCRs) and affect ratings of female and male participants when they experienced aversive and neutral sounds alone (alone treatment) or in the presence of an unknown person of the same gender (social treatment). Individual differences in social concern were assessed based on a well-established questionnaire. Our results showed that social concern had a stronger effect on social buffering in females than in males. The lower females scored on social concern, the stronger the SCRs reduction in the social compared to the alone treatment. The effect of social concern on social buffering of fear in females disappeared if participants were paired with a virtual agent instead of a real person. Together, these results showed that social buffering of human fear is shaped by gender and social concern. In females, the presence of virtual agents can buffer fear, irrespective of individual differences in social concern. These findings specify factors that shape the social modulation of human fear, and thus might be relevant for the treatment of anxiety disorders.}, language = {en} } @article{TianeSchepersRombautetal.2019, author = {Tiane, Assia and Schepers, Melissa and Rombaut, Ben and Hupperts, Raymond and Prickaerts, Jos and Hellings, Niels and van den Hove, Daniel and Vanmierlo, Tim}, title = {From OPC to oligodendrocyte: an epigenetic journey}, series = {Cells}, volume = {8}, journal = {Cells}, number = {10}, issn = {2073-4409}, doi = {10.3390/cells8101236}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-193267}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Oligodendrocytes provide metabolic and functional support to neuronal cells, rendering them key players in the functioning of the central nervous system. Oligodendrocytes need to be newly formed from a pool of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). The differentiation of OPCs into mature and myelinating cells is a multistep process, tightly controlled by spatiotemporal activation and repression of specific growth and transcription factors. While oligodendrocyte turnover is rather slow under physiological conditions, a disruption in this balanced differentiation process, for example in case of a differentiation block, could have devastating consequences during ageing and in pathological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis. Over the recent years, increasing evidence has shown that epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs, are major contributors to OPC differentiation. In this review, we discuss how these epigenetic mechanisms orchestrate and influence oligodendrocyte maturation. These insights are a crucial starting point for studies that aim to identify the contribution of epigenetics in demyelinating diseases and may thus provide new therapeutic targets to induce myelin repair in the long run.}, language = {en} } @article{ZieglerRadtkeVitaleetal.2021, author = {Ziegler, Georg C. and Radtke, Franziska and Vitale, Maria Rosaria and Preuße, Andr{\´e} and Klopocki, Eva and Herms, Stefan and Lesch, Klaus-Peter}, title = {Generation of multiple human iPSC lines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of two SLC2A3 deletion and two SLC2A3 duplication carriers}, series = {Stem Cell Research}, volume = {56}, journal = {Stem Cell Research}, doi = {10.1016/j.scr.2021.102526}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-264696}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Copy number variants of SLC2A3, which encodes the glucose transporter GLUT3, are associated with several neuropsychiatric and cardiac diseases. Here, we report the successful reprogramming of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from two SLC2A3 duplication and two SLC2A3 deletion carriers and subsequent generation of two transgene-free iPSC clones per donor by Sendai viral transduction. All eight clones represent bona fide hiPSCs with high expression of pluripotency genes, ability to differentiate into cells of all three germ layers and normal karyotype. The generated cell lines will be helpful to enlighten the role of glucometabolic alterations in pathophysiological processes shared across organ boundaries.}, language = {en} } @article{VitaleZoellerJanschetal.2021, author = {Vitale, Maria Rosaria and Z{\"o}ller, Johanna Eva Maria and Jansch, Charline and Janz, Anna and Edenhofer, Frank and Klopocki, Eva and van den Hove, Daniel and Vanmierlo, Tim and Rivero, Olga and Kasri, Nael Nadif and Ziegler, Georg Christoph and Lesch, Klaus-Peter}, title = {Generation of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines carrying a heterozygous (UKWMPi002-A-1) and null mutant knockout (UKWMPi002-A-2) of Cadherin 13 associated with neurodevelopmental disorders using CRISPR/Cas9}, series = {Stem Cell Research}, volume = {51}, journal = {Stem Cell Research}, doi = {10.1016/j.scr.2021.102169}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-260331}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Fibroblasts isolated from a skin biopsy of a healthy 46-year-old female were infected with Sendai virus containing the Yamanaka factors to produce transgene-free human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). CRISPR/Cas9 was used to generate isogenic cell lines with a gene dose-dependent deficiency of CDH13, a risk gene associated with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. Thereby, a heterozygous CDH13 knockout (CDH13\(^{+/-}\)) and a CDH13 null mutant (CDH13\(^{-/-}\)) iPSC line was obtained. All three lines showed expression of pluripotency-associated markers, the ability to differentiate into cells of the three germ layers in vitro, and a normal female karyotype.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Ankenbrand2022, author = {Ankenbrand, Sebastian}, title = {Effekte der nicht-invasiven, aurikul{\"a}ren Vagusnervstimulation auf Befindlichkeit, Kognition und Herzratenvariabilit{\"a}t}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-25926}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-259266}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In der vorliegenden prospektiven Pilotstudie wurden die Hypothesen {\"u}berpr{\"u}ft, dass es durch die nicht-invasive aurikul{\"a}re Vagusnervstimulation, jedoch nicht durch eine Kontrollstimulation am Ohrl{\"a}ppchen, zu einer Steigerung der Befindlichkeit, einer Verbesserung der Kognition und einem positiven Effekt auf die Herzratenvariabilit{\"a}t kommt. Zusammenfassend konnten dabei in dieser Studie geringe Effekte der t-VNS auf einen kognitiven Parameter (F\%-Wert des d2-Tests) sowie einen einzelnen HRV-Parameter (pNN50) gezeigt werden, wobei es Hinweise auf eine Intensit{\"a}tsabh{\"a}ngigkeit der einzelnen Effekte gab. Auf die {\"u}brigen erfassten kognitiven Parameter und die weiteren gemessenen HRV-Parameter sowie die Befindlichkeit konnte kein Einfluss der t-VNS nachgewiesen werden. Best{\"a}tigt werden konnte das gute Sicherheitsprofil und die gute Tolerabilit{\"a}t der t-VNS.}, subject = {Vagus}, language = {de} }