scholarly journals Phenotypically independent profiles relevant to mental health are genetically correlated

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Roelfs ◽  
Dag Alnæs ◽  
Oleksandr Frei ◽  
Dennis van der Meer ◽  
Olav B. Smeland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Health Profile ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cognitive Traits ◽  
Health Profiles

AbstractGenome-wide association studies (GWAS) and family-based studies have revealed partly overlapping genetic architectures between various psychiatric disorders. Given clinical overlap between disorders, our knowledge of the genetic architectures underlying specific symptom profiles and risk factors is limited. Here, we aimed to derive distinct profiles relevant to mental health in healthy individuals and to study how these genetically relate to each other and to common psychiatric disorders. Using independent component analysis, we decomposed self-report mental health questionnaires from 136,678 healthy individuals of the UK Biobank, excluding data from individuals with a diagnosed neurological or psychiatric disorder, into 13 distinct profiles relevant to mental health, capturing different symptoms as well as social and risk factors underlying reduced mental health. Utilizing genotypes from 117,611 of those individuals with White British ancestry, we performed GWAS for each mental health profile and assessed genetic correlations between these profiles, and between the profiles and common psychiatric disorders and cognitive traits. We found that mental health profiles were genetically correlated with a wide range of psychiatric disorders and cognitive traits, with strongest effects typically observed between a given mental health profile and a disorder for which the profile is common (e.g. depression symptoms and major depressive disorder, or psychosis and schizophrenia). Strikingly, although the profiles were phenotypically uncorrelated, many of them were genetically correlated with each other. This study provides evidence that statistically independent mental health profiles partly share genetic underpinnings and show genetic overlap with psychiatric disorders, suggesting that shared genetics across psychiatric disorders cannot be exclusively attributed to the known overlapping symptomatology between the disorders.

scholarly journals Phenotypically independent mental health symptom profiles are genetically related

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Roelfs ◽  
Dag Alnæs ◽  
Oleksandr Frei ◽  
Dennis van der Meer ◽  
Olav B. Smeland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Classical Case ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Symptom Profiles ◽  
Symptom Profile ◽  
Cognitive Traits

AbstractImportanceGenome-wide association studies (GWAS) and family-based studies have revealed partly overlapping genetic architectures between various psychiatric disorders. Given clinical overlap between disorders our knowledge of the genetic architectures underlying specific symptom profiles is limited, and the predominant use of classical case-control designs have not allowed the study of variations in mental health independent of diagnosis.ObjectiveTo derive distinct profiles of mental symptoms in healthy individuals and to study how these genetically relate to each other and to common psychiatric disorders.DesignThis is a cross-sectional study using self-report mental health questionnaires and molecular genetic data.SettingWe used population-based data from the UK Biobank.ParticipantsData from individuals with a diagnosed neurological or psychiatric disorder were excluded, allowing us to study variations in mental health in 139,006 healthy individuals, and genotypes in 117,088 healthy individuals with Caucasian ancestry.Main Outcomes and MeasuresWe decomposed self-report mental health questionnaires into twelve distinct symptom profiles using independent component analysis, and performed a GWAS for each of them. Using GWAS summary statistics, we assessed genetic correlations between the symptom profiles, and between symptom profiles and common psychiatric disorders and cognitive traits.ResultsWe found that symptom profiles were genetically correlated with a wide range of psychiatric disorders and cognitive traits (67 out of 108 correlations significant at p < FDR), with strongest effects typically observed between a given symptom profile and a disorder for which the symptom is common (e.g. depression symptoms and major depressive disorder, trauma experience and post-traumatic stress disorder). Strikingly, although the symptom profiles were phenotypically uncorrelated, many of them were genetically correlated with each other (31 out of 66 comparisons significant; p < FDR).Conclusions and RelevanceThis study provides evidence that statistically independent mental health profiles in healthy individuals partly share genetic underpinnings and show genetic overlaps with psychiatric disorders. These findings suggest that shared genetics across psychiatric disorders cannot be exclusively attributed to the overlapping symptomatology between and the heterogeneity within psychiatric disorders, and supports that moving from a classical case-control setting to a continuous mental health spectrum may complement the study of psychiatric genetics.Key pointsQuestionHow to statistically independent mental health profiles genetically correlate with each other, and with psychiatric disorders and cognitive traits?FindingsSymptom profiles capturing different facets of mental health that were phenotypically uncorrelated were nonetheless genetically correlated. The symptom profiles also genetically correlated with psychiatric disorders and cognitive traits and although strongest correlations were typically observed between a given symptom profile and a disorder for which the symptom is common, specificity was overall limited.MeaningThe genetic correlations of phenotypically independent symptom profiles may suggest that the known pleiotropy among common psychiatric disorders cannot be exclusively attributed to the overlapping symptomatology between the disorders.

Exclusive Breastfeeding Moderates the Association Between Prenatal and Postpartum Depression

2021 ◽  
pp. 089033442199105
Author(s):  
Bárbara Figueiredo ◽  
Tiago Miguel Pinto ◽  
Raquel Costa
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Postpartum Depression ◽  
Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Prenatal Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

Background Exclusive breastfeeding has a wide range of benefits for maternal health. However, the benefit of exclusive breastfeeding for maternal mental health needs to be further explored. Research Aim To determine the moderating role of exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months on the association between prenatal and postpartum depression. Methods This study had a prospective, longitudinal, and comparative design with two groups and three assessment waves. The sample comprised 334 participants (70 depressed and 264 non-depressed) recruited at public health services in northern Portugal. Participants completed a measure of depression symptoms between the second and the third trimester of pregnancy and between 3 and 6 months, and a measure of breastfeeding status at 3 months. Results Exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months moderated the association between prenatal and postpartum depression. Participants with prenatal depression who were exclusively breastfeeding at 3 months showed fewer symptoms of depression and lower rates of depression between 3 and 6 months postpartum, compared to participants with prenatal depression who were not exclusively breastfeeding. Participants without prenatal depression who were exclusively breastfeeding at 3 months showed similar depression symptoms and similar rates of depression between 3 and 6 months postpartum, compared to participants without prenatal depression who were not exclusively breastfeeding. Conclusion Exclusive breastfeeding has a potential protective influence on postpartum depression among women with prenatal depression. Public health policies targeting women with prenatal depression should be implemented and include practices to promote and support exclusive breastfeeding in order to enhance women’s exclusive breastfeeding and mental health.

Cannabis use among early adolescents and transdiagnostic mental health risk factors

2021 ◽  
pp. 135910452199463
Author(s):  
Sara Moreno-Mansilla ◽  
Jorge J Ricarte ◽  
David J Hallford
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Intolerance Of Uncertainty ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Health Risk Factors ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Modifiable Factors ◽  
Wide Range

Introduction: Cannabis is the most widely used psychoactive substance among adolescents worldwide, and the age at which consumption begins to decrease. Cannabis use in adolescents is associated with a wide range of adverse consequences in adulthood including increased vulnerability to psychosis and other mental disorders, as well as suicidal ideation and attempt. The aim of this study is to extend understanding of the link between cannabis use and mental illness by examining whether cannabis use at early ages predicts transdiagnostic variables that are precursors to severe clinical diagnoses. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample was made up of 605 adolescents from 7th to 9th grades, with a mean age of 13.2 years ( SD = 1.0, 47% girls). The variables evaluated were: anomalous perception of reality, intolerance of uncertainty, rumination, suicide attempt, hopelessness, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. The administration of the questionnaires was carried out in groups of 20 participants under the supervision of a researcher in a unique session of 1 hour. Results: Adolescent cannabis users scored higher on all variables assessed: anomalous perception of reality (Cohen’s d = .60), rumination ( d = .48), intolerance of uncertainty ( d = .11), suicidal attempt (affirmative answer: 25.9% of users vs 7.7% of non-users), hopelessness ( d = .85), symptoms of depression ( d = .80), and anxiety ( d = .39). A binary logistic regression showed that the only variable uniquely related to cannabis use was hopelessness (Wald = 4.560, OR: 1.159, p = .033). Conclusions: Among some mental health risk factors, hopelessness appears uniquely related to cannabis use. Adolescents may use cannabis as a coping strategy for negative thoughts and emotions, or it may be a consequence of cannabis use. Future prevention programs should focus on preventing/treating modifiable factors such as hopelessness, and delaying cannabis use in specific subgroups of adolescents who experience pathologies such as depression or suicide attempts.

scholarly journals Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110593
Author(s):  
Sadia Usmani ◽  
Elona Greca ◽  
Sana Javed ◽  
Medha Sharath ◽  
Zouina Sarfraz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Postpartum Depression ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Postpartum Women ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating worldwide effect on mental health. Recent studies correlate the spreading of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with symptoms of depression, most prominent in postpartum women. Our systematic literature review scope is to identify the risk factors and predictors for postpartum depression (PPD) and describe the steps that should be taken to help postpartum women. This study will help clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to elucidate the predictors of PPD during this pandemic and prevent these adverse outcomes in future crises. Methods: We conducted a systematic search by employing databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Embase to identify articles published before March 2021. About 463 publications were generated during our search process and from those, 36 were reviewed, summarized, and synthesized. Studies qualified the criteria if they (1) utilized qualitative or quantitative design, (2) explored the risk factors for PPD, and (3) were written in English. Quality evaluation of each study was achieved by using criteria set by Lincoln and Guba. Results: Prevalence of depression symptoms ranged from 7% to 80.8% in postpartum women during the SARS-COV 2 pandemic. The risk factors for PPD were classified into 6 major categories: socio-demographic, psychological, pre-existing pathology, metabolic factors, previous events of miscarriage, and media misinformation. Conclusion: It is extremely vital to care for women’s mental health during pregnancy and after childbirth during these unprecedented times. This review urges the need to design adequate interventions for this vulnerable population to prevent negative consequences of PPD.

A systematic analysis of genetically regulated differences in gene expression and the role of co-expression networks across 16 psychiatric disorders and substance use phenotypes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary F Gerring ◽  
Jackson G Thorp ◽  
Eric R Gamazon ◽  
Eske M Derks
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Developmental Disorders ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies

ABSTRACTGenome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified thousands of risk loci for many psychiatric and substance use phenotypes, however the biological consequences of these loci remain largely unknown. We performed a transcriptome-wide association study of 10 psychiatric disorders and 6 substance use phenotypes (collectively termed “mental health phenotypes”) using expression quantitative trait loci data from 532 prefrontal cortex samples. We estimated the correlation due to predicted genetically regulated expression between pairs of mental health phenotypes, and compared the results with the genetic correlations. We identified 1,645 genes with at least one significant trait association, comprising 2,176 significant associations across the 16 mental health phenotypes of which 572 (26%) are novel. Overall, the transcriptomic correlations for phenotype pairs were significantly higher than the respective genetic correlations. For example, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder, both childhood developmental disorders, showed a much higher transcriptomic correlation (r=0.84) than genetic correlation (r=0.35). Finally, we tested the enrichment of phenotype-associated genes in gene co-expression networks built from prefrontal cortex. Phenotype-associated genes were enriched in multiple gene co-expression modules and the implicated modules contained genes involved in mRNA splicing and glutamatergic receptors, among others. Together, our results highlight the utility of gene expression data in the understanding of functional gene mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders and substance use phenotypes.

What are the similarities and differences between healthy people with and without pain?

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-47
Author(s):  
Jennifer N. Baldwin ◽  
Marnee J. McKay ◽  
Joshua Burns ◽  
Claire E. Hiller ◽  
Elizabeth J. Nightingale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Sit To Stand ◽  
Clinically Significant

Abstract Background and aims: Knowledge of pain characteristics among the healthy population or among people with minimal pain-related disability could hold important insights to inform clinical practice and research. This study investigated pain prevalence among healthy individuals and compared psychosocial and physical characteristics between adults with and without pain. Methods: Data were from 1,000 self-reported healthy participants aged 3–101 years (1,000 Norms Project). Single-item questions assessed recent bodily pain (“none” to “very severe”) and chronic pain (pain every day for 3 months in the previous 6 months). Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) instrument, New Generalised Self-Efficacy Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, 6-min walk test, 30-s chair stand and timed up-and-down stairs tests were compared between adults with and without pain. Results: Seventy-two percent of adults and 49% of children had experienced recent pain, although most rated their pain as mild (80% and 87%, respectively). Adults with recent pain were more likely to be overweight/obese and report sleep difficulties, and had lower self-efficacy, AQoL mental super dimension scores and sit-to-stand performance, compared to adults with no pain (p<0.05). Effect sizes were modest (Cohen’s d=0.16–0.39), therefore unlikely clinically significant. Chronic pain was reported by 15% of adults and 3% of children. Adults with chronic pain were older, more likely to be overweight/obese, and had lower AQoL mental super dimension scores, 6-min walk, sit-to-stand and stair-climbing performance (p<0.05). Again, effect sizes were modest (Cohen’s d=0.25–0.40). Conclusions: Mild pain is common among healthy individuals. Adults who consider themselves healthy but experience pain (recent/chronic) display slightly lower mental health and physical performance, although these differences are unlikely clinically significant. Implications: These findings emphasise the importance of assessing pain-related disability in addition to prevalence when considering the disease burden of pain. Early assessment of broader health and lifestyle risk factors in clinical practice is emphasised. Avenues for future research include examination of whether lower mental health and physical performance represent risk factors for future pain and whether physical activity levels, sleep and self-efficacy are protective against chronic pain-related disability.

scholarly journals Depression Symptoms and Risk Factors in Adult Emergency Department Patients: A Multisite Cross-Sectional Prevalence Survey

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Nancy Khav ◽  
Tracey J. Weiland ◽  
George A. Jelinek ◽  
Jonathan C. Knott ◽  
Michael Salzberg
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Depression Screening ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Health Service Provider ◽  
Prevalence Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Local Doctor

Objectives. To identify the proportion of adult emergency department (ED) patients who screen positive for depression. Secondary aims were to identify factors associated with a positive depression screen and determine predictors of a positive depression screen. Methods. This cross-sectional, prevalence survey of ED patients was conducted at two inner-city hospitals. 350 ED patients were screened for depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Clinical and demographic risk factors were examined through medical records and additional questionnaires. Results. Of 350 participants screened, 50 (14.3%; 95% CI = 11.0–18.4%) screened positive. Independent predictors of depression risk included self-reported depression and/or a previous diagnosis of depression (OR = 8.345; 95% CI = 3.524–19.762), seeing a mental health service provider in the past 6 months (OR = 4.518; 95% CI = 2.107–9.690), and previous discussion about mental health with a local doctor (OR = 2.369; 95% CI = 1.025–5.475). Conclusion. ED patients were found to be at a higher risk of depression than the general population. ED-based depression screening, particularly of high-risk populations, has the potential to increase case detection rates and allow earlier management of these patients. Further research and validation of an ED-based depression screening tool are required.

Suicide ideation, plans and attempts in Ukraine: findings from the Ukraine World Mental Health Survey

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 807-819 ◽  
Author(s):  
EVELYN J. BROMET ◽  
JOHAN M. HAVENAAR ◽  
NATHAN TINTLE ◽  
STANISLAV KOSTYUCHENKO ◽  
ROMAN KOTOV ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Service Utilization ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Functional Impairments ◽  
World Mental Health ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
The World

Background. Because the suicide rates in Eastern Europe have increased, the epidemiology of suicide behaviors in this part of the world is in urgent need of study. Using data from the Ukraine site of the World Mental Health (WMH) Survey Initiative, we present the first population-based findings from a former Soviet country on the descriptive epidemiology of suicide ideation, plans and attempts, and their links to current functioning and service utilization.Method. In 2002, a nationally representative sample of 4725 adults in Ukraine was interviewed with the World Health Organization (WHO) Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Risk factors included demographic characteristics, trauma, smoking, and parental and personal psychiatric disorders. Current functional impairments and recent service utilization were assessed.Results. The lifetime prevalence of suicide ideation was 8·2%. The average age of onset was 31. The key risk factors were female sex, younger age, trauma, parental depression, and prior alcohol, depressive and intermittent explosive disorders, especially the presence of co-morbidity. Ideators had poorer functioning and greater use of health services. One-third of ideators had a plan, and one-fifth made an attempt. Among ideators, young age, smoking and prior psychiatric disorders were risk factors for these behaviors.Conclusions. Together with the increasing suicide rate, these results suggest that suicide intervention programs in Ukraine should focus on the generation of young adults under 30. The associations with co-morbidity, impairments in current functioning and greater service use indicate that a physician education program on suicidality should be comprehensive in scope and a public health priority in Ukraine.

scholarly journals Using three-dimensional regulatory chromatin interactions from adult and fetal cortex to interpret genetic results for psychiatric disorders and cognitive traits

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola MD Giusti-Rodriguez ◽  
Patrick F Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Fetal Brain ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Open Chromatin ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Genetic Associations ◽  
3D Genome ◽  
Cognitive Traits

Genome-wide association studies have identified hundreds of genetic associations for complex psychiatric disorders and cognitive traits. However, interpretation of most of these findings is complicated by the presence of many significant and highly correlated genetic variants located in non-coding regions. Here, we address this issue by creating a high-resolution map of the three-dimensional (3D) genome organization by applying Hi-C to adult and fetal brain cortex with concomitant RNA-seq, open chromatin (ATAC-seq), and ChIP-seq data (H3K27ac, H3K4me3, and CTCF). Extensive analyses established the quality, information content, and salience of these new Hi-C data. We used these data to connect 938 significant genetic loci for schizophrenia, intelligence, ADHD, alcohol dependence, Alzheimer's disease, anorexia nervosa, autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression, and educational attainment to 8,595 genes (with 42.1% of these genes implicated more than once). We show that assigning genes to traits based on proximity provides a limited view of the complexity of GWAS findings and that gene set analyses based on functional genomic data provide an expanded view of the biological processes involved in the etiology of schizophrenia and other complex brain traits.

scholarly journals Can we use mice to study schizophrenia?

2018 ◽  
Vol 373 (1742) ◽  
pp. 20170032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Canetta ◽  
Christoph Kellendonk
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Therapeutic Intervention ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
Rodent Models ◽  
Neuronal Circuit ◽  
Testing Hypotheses ◽  
Neuronal Mechanisms ◽  
Entry Points

The validity of rodent models for the study of psychiatric disorders is controversial. Despite great efforts from academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies, as of today, no major therapeutic intervention has been developed for the treatment of psychiatric disorders based on mechanistic insights from rodent models. Here, we argue that despite these historical shortcomings, rodent studies are nevertheless instrumental for identifying neuronal circuit mechanisms underlying behaviours that are affected in psychiatric disorders. Focusing on schizophrenia, we will give four examples of rodent models that were generated based on genetic and environmental risk factors or pathophysiological evidence as entry points. We will then discuss how circuit analysis in these specific examples can be used for testing hypotheses about neuronal mechanisms underlying symptoms of schizophrenia, which will then guide the development of new therapies. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Of mice and mental health: facilitating dialogue between basic and clinical neuroscientists’.

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