| 1. |
- Bersani, Francesco S, et al.
(författare)
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A population of atypical CD56(-)CD16(+) natural killer cells is expanded in PTSD and is associated with symptom severity
- 2016
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Ingår i: Brain Behavior and Immunity. - : Elsevier BV. - 1090-2139 .- 0889-1591. ; 56:August 2016, s. 264-270
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with immune disturbances, including a higher incidence of infections and autoimmune diseases as well as a net pro-inflammatory state. Natural killer (NK) cells, a key component of the innate immune system, have been less well-studied in PTSD despite their importance in immunity.METHODS: We studied two independent samples of combat-exposed male war veterans with or without PTSD, the first ("Discovery Sample") to generate hypotheses, and the second ("Validation Sample") to replicate the findings. The Discovery Sample was comprised of 42 PTSD subjects and 42 controls. The Validation Sample was comprised of 25 PTSD subjects and 30 controls. Participants had fasting, morning blood samples collected for examination of the frequency of NK cell subsets, determined by flow cytometry. The current and lifetime Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) was used to assess symptom severity. Statistical analyses were adjusted for age and BMI.RESULTS: PTSD subjects compared to controls had (i) a significantly higher relative frequency of atypical CD56(-)CD16(+) NK cells in the Discovery Sample (p=0.027), which was replicated in the Validation Sample (p=0.004) and the combined sample (p<0.001), and (ii) a non-significantly lower relative frequency of CD56(bright)CD16(-) NK cells in the two samples (p=0.082; p=0.118), which became statistically significant in the combined sample (p=0.020). Further, within subjects with PTSD of both samples, the relative frequency of atypical CD56(-)CD16(+) NK cells was near significantly positively correlated with lifetime PTSD severity (p=0.074).DISCUSSION: This study is the first to characterize NK cell subsets in individuals with PTSD. The results suggest that combat-exposed men with PTSD exhibit an aberrant profile of NK cells with significantly higher frequencies of an atypical population of CD56(-)CD16(+) cells and possibly lower frequencies of the functional CD56(bright)CD16(-) NK cell subsets. Higher proportions of dysfunctional CD56(-)CD16(+) cells have been reported in certain chronic viral infections and in senescent individuals. It is possible that this could contribute to immune dysfunctions and prematurely senescent phenotypes seen in PTSD.
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| 2. |
- Blessing, Esther M., et al.
(författare)
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Biological predictors of insulin resistance associated with posttraumatic stress disorder in young military veterans
- 2017
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Ingår i: Psychoneuroendocrinology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0306-4530. ; 82, s. 91-97
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with increased risk for Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (cardiometabolic disease), warranting research into targeted prevention strategies. In the present case–control study of 160 young (mean age 32.7 years) male military veterans, we aimed to assess whether PTSD status predicted increased markers of cardiometabolic risk in otherwise healthy individuals, and further, to explore biological pathways between PTSD and these increased markers of cardiometabolic risk. Toward these aims, we compared measures of cardiometabolic risk, namely insulin resistance (IR) (HOMA-IR), metabolic syndrome (MetS) and prediabetes, between 80 PTSD cases and 80 controls without PTSD. We then determined whether PTSD-associated increases in HOMA-IR were correlated with select biological variables from pathways previously hypothesized to link PTSD with cardiometabolic risk, including systemic inflammation (increased C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor α), sympathetic over-activity (increased resting heart rate), and neuroendocrine dysregulation (increased plasma cortisol or serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)). We found PTSD diagnosis was associated with substantially higher HOMA-IR (cases 4.3 ± 4.3 vs controls 2.4 ± 2.0; p < 0.001), and a higher frequency of MetS (cases 21.3% vs controls 2.5%; p < 0.001), but not prediabetes (cases 20.0% vs controls 18.8%; p > 0.05). Cases also had increased pro-inflammatory cytokines (p < 0.01), heart rate (p < 0.001), and BDNF (p < 0.001), which together predicted increased HOMA-IR (adjusted R2 = 0.68, p < 0.001). Results show PTSD diagnosis in young male military veterans without cardiometabolic disease is associated with increased IR, predicted by biological alterations previously hypothesized to link PTSD to increased cardiometabolic risk. Findings support further research into early, targeted prevention of cardiometabolic disease in individuals with PTSD.
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| 3. |
- Grudet, Cécile, et al.
(författare)
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Vitamin D and inflammation in major depressive disorder
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Affective Disorders. - : Elsevier BV. - 0165-0327. ; 267, s. 33-41
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Increased inflammation is reported in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), which may be more pronounced in suicidal subjects. Vitamin D deficiency may drive this pro-inflammatory state due to vitamin D's anti-inflammatory effects. Methods: We quantified plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and inflammatory markers interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and other inflammatory indices, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and white blood cell count (WBC) in 48 un-medicated MDD subjects (n = 17 with mild-to-moderate suicidal ideation [SI]) and 54 controls. IL-6 and TNF-α were combined into a composite inflammation score. Results: There were no significant differences in 25(OH)D levels between MDD and controls (p = 0.24) or between MDD with and without SI (p = 0.61). However, 25(OH)D was negatively correlated with all measured inflammatory markers; these correlations were stronger in MDD subjects, and particularly in those with SI. MDD status significantly moderated the relationships between 25(OH)D and NLR (p = 0.03), and 25(OH)D and WBC (p < 0.05), and SI significantly moderated the relationship between 25(OH)D and NLR (p = 0.03). Limitations: The study was cross-sectional, thereby limiting causal inference, and had a small sample size. Only seventeen of the MDD subjects had SI. Conclusion: While 25(OH)D levels did not significantly differ in MDD vs. controls, or in MDD with or without SI, lower 25(OH)D was associated with indices of immune activation in MDD, especially in cases with SI. Although our findings do not address causality, they are consistent with findings that relatively low 25(OH)D levels in MDD are associated with a pro-inflammatory state.
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| 4. |
- Hough, Christina M., et al.
(författare)
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Higher serum DHEA concentrations before and after SSRI treatment are associated with remission of major depression
- 2017
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Ingår i: Psychoneuroendocrinology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0306-4530. ; 77, s. 122-130
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated ester DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S), (together DHEA[S]), are the most abundant adrenal steroids in humans and are found in blood and the brain, where they function as neurosteroids with direct receptor affinities. Preclinical studies suggest that DHEA(S) has antidepressant/neuroprotective properties, and exogenously administered DHEA has shown antidepressant efficacy in humans. Nonetheless, the role of endogenous DHEA(S) levels in major depressive disorder (MDD) and antidepressant outcomes remains unclear. Methods Morning fasting serum DHEA(S) concentrations were determined in 36 healthy, unmedicated MDD adults with Hamilton Depression (HDRS) ratings ≥17, and 75 healthy controls. MDD participants then completed eight weeks of open-label SSRI treatment before DHEA(S) levels were re-sampled; those with post-treatment HDRS ratings ≤7 were classified as “Remitters.” Pre- and post-treatment DHEA(S) levels of Remitters and Non-remitters were compared, controlling for age, sex, and BMI. Results Pre-treatment HDRS ratings did not differ between Remitters and Non-remitters (p = 0.179). Baseline DHEA levels of Remitters were significantly higher than both Non-remitters (p = 0.008) and controls (p = 0.004); baseline DHEA-S levels of Remitters were also higher than Non-remitters (p = 0.040) but did not significantly differ from controls (p = 0.096). Non-remitters did not significantly differ from controls. Post-treatment DHEA(S) levels remained higher in Remitters compared to Non-remitters (DHEA: p = 0.013; DHEA-S: p = 0.040). Conclusions These data suggest that higher circulating DHEA(S) levels (while unmedicated and after eight weeks of SSRI treatment) predict SSRI-associated remission in MDD. This raises the possibility that endogenous DHEA(S) abundance is a physiological adjunct to SSRI efficacy, as suggested by prior preclinical and clinical studies.
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| 5. |
- Khan, Maryam S., et al.
(författare)
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Low serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor is associated with suicidal ideation in major depressive disorder
- 2019
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Ingår i: Psychiatry Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0165-1781. ; 273, s. 108-113
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The “neurotrophic hypothesis of depression” posits that low levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are associated with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Low levels of BDNF have also been found in individuals with suicide attempts, in MDD or other disorders, suggesting that low BDNF may also be associated with suicidality. We assessed serum BDNF in 68 physically healthy and unmedicated (for at least 6 weeks) MDD subjects, who expressed no suicidal ideation (NSI; N = 40) or endorsed suicidal ideation (SI; N = 28), but were not actively suicidal, and in healthy controls (HC; N = 76). Serum BDNF levels were significantly lower in MDD with SI compared to NSI MDD but were not significantly correlated with total Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) severity or severity on any HDRS subscale. Covarying for age, sex, body mass index, platelets, perceived stress, smoking and physical activity did not alter the significant association between BDNF and SI. SI status was not significantly different between HC and MDD. Our findings show an association between low serum BDNF and SI in individuals with less than severe and non-active suicidal intent, suggesting that the individual symptom of suicidality may extend the neurotrophic hypothesis of depression to include suicidal ideation within MDD.
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| 6. |
- Lindqvist, Daniel, et al.
(författare)
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Proinflammatory milieu in combat-related PTSD is independent of depression and early life stress.
- 2014
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Ingår i: Brain Behavior and Immunity. - : Elsevier BV. - 1090-2139 .- 0889-1591. ; 42:Jun 12, s. 81-88
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Chronic inflammation may be involved in combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and may help explain comorbid physical diseases. However, the extent to which combat exposure per se, depression, or early life trauma, all of which are associated with combat PTSD, may confound the relationship between PTSD and inflammation is unclear.
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| 7. |
- Bersani, Francesco S, et al.
(författare)
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Association of dimensional psychological health measures with telomere length in male war veterans.
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Affective Disorders. - : Elsevier BV. - 1573-2517 .- 0165-0327. ; 190, s. 537-542
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Several psychiatric disorders may be characterized by peripheral telomere shortening. However, it is unclear whether telomere shortening is associated with these psychiatric disorders per se or, rather, with underlying dimensional parameters that are often, but not necessarily, associated with them. We explored the association between dimensional psychopathological measures and telomere length (TL) in granulocytes among veterans independent of psychiatric diagnosis.
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| 8. |
- Bersani, Francesco Saverio, et al.
(författare)
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Global arginine bioavailability, a marker of nitric oxide synthetic capacity, is decreased in PTSD and correlated with symptom severity and markers of inflammation.
- 2016
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Ingår i: Brain Behavior and Immunity. - : Elsevier BV. - 1090-2139 .- 0889-1591. ; 52:oct 26, s. 153-160
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Psychiatric, physical and biological aspects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be associated with dysfunctions in several cellular processes including nitric oxide (NO) production. NO is synthesized from arginine in a reaction carried out by NO synthase (NOS) enzymes. The recently introduced "global arginine bioavailability ratio" (GABR; ratio of arginine to [ornithine+ citrulline]) has been proposed as a reliable approximation of NO synthetic capacity in vivo. The objectives of the present study were to test the hypotheses that (i) subjects with combat-related PTSD have lower GABR scores than combat controls, (ii) GABR score is inversely associated with the severity of psychopathological measures, (iii) GABR score is inversely associated with markers of inflammation.
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| 9. |
- Bersani, Francesco Saverio, et al.
(författare)
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Mitochondrial DNA copy number is reduced in male combat veterans with PTSD.
- 2016
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Ingår i: Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry. - : Elsevier BV. - 0278-5846. ; 64:Jun 25, s. 10-17
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mitochondrial abnormalities may be involved in PTSD, although few studies have examined this. Mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) in blood cells is an emerging systemic index of mitochondrial biogenesis and function. The present study assessed mtDNAcn in male combat-exposed veterans with PTSD compared to those without PTSD as well as its correlation with clinical scales.
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| 10. |
- Blalock, Zachary N., et al.
(författare)
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Circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA levels and glucocorticoid sensitivity in a cohort of male veterans with and without combat-related PTSD
- 2024
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Ingår i: Translational Psychiatry. - 2158-3188. ; 14:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA (ccf-mtDNA) is a biomarker of cellular injury or cellular stress and is a potential novel biomarker of psychological stress and of various brain, somatic, and psychiatric disorders. No studies have yet analyzed ccf-mtDNA levels in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), despite evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction in this condition. In the current study, we compared plasma ccf-mtDNA levels in combat trauma-exposed male veterans with PTSD (n = 111) with those who did not develop PTSD (n = 121) and also investigated the relationship between ccf mt-DNA levels and glucocorticoid sensitivity. In unadjusted analyses, ccf-mtDNA levels did not differ significantly between the PTSD and non-PTSD groups (t = 1.312, p = 0.191, Cohen’s d = 0.172). In a sensitivity analysis excluding participants with diabetes and those using antidepressant medication and controlling for age, the PTSD group had lower ccf-mtDNA levels than did the non-PTSD group (F(1, 179) = 5.971, p = 0.016, partial η 2 = 0.033). Across the entire sample, ccf-mtDNA levels were negatively correlated with post-dexamethasone adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) decline (r = −0.171, p = 0.020) and cortisol decline (r = −0.149, p = 0.034) (viz., greater ACTH and cortisol suppression was associated with lower ccf-mtDNA levels) both with and without controlling for age, antidepressant status and diabetes status. Ccf-mtDNA levels were also significantly positively associated with IC50-DEX (the concentration of dexamethasone at which 50% of lysozyme activity is inhibited), a measure of lymphocyte glucocorticoid sensitivity, after controlling for age, antidepressant status, and diabetes status (β = 0.142, p = 0.038), suggesting that increased lymphocyte glucocorticoid sensitivity is associated with lower ccf-mtDNA levels. Although no overall group differences were found in unadjusted analyses, excluding subjects with diabetes and those taking antidepressants, which may affect ccf-mtDNA levels, as well as controlling for age, revealed decreased ccf-mtDNA levels in PTSD. In both adjusted and unadjusted analyses, low ccf-mtDNA levels were associated with relatively increased glucocorticoid sensitivity, often reported in PTSD, suggesting a link between mitochondrial and glucocorticoid-related abnormalities in PTSD.
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