scholarly journals Interplay between Metabolism, Nutrition and Epigenetics in Shaping Brain DNA Methylation, Neural Function and Behavior

Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tommaso Pizzorusso ◽  
Paola Tognini
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Cytosine Methylation ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Neural Function ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Dna Hydroxymethylation ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain

Gene expression in the brain is dramatically regulated by a variety of stimuli. While the role of neural activity has been extensively studied, less is known about the effects of metabolism and nutrition on transcriptional control mechanisms in the brain. Extracellular signals are integrated at the chromatin level through dynamic modifications of epigenetic marks, which in turn fine-tune gene transcription. In the last twenty years, it has become clear that epigenetics plays a crucial role in modulating central nervous system functions and finally behavior. Here, we will focus on the effect of metabolic signals in shaping brain DNA methylation, both during development and adulthood. We will provide an overview of maternal nutrition effects on brain methylation and behavior in offspring. In addition, the impact of different diet challenges on cytosine methylation dynamics in the adult brain will be discussed. Finally, the possible role played by the metabolic status in modulating DNA hydroxymethylation, which is particularly abundant in neural tissue, will be considered.

scholarly journals Targeting DNA Methylation in the Adult Brain through Diet

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 3979
Author(s):  
Joseph Allison ◽  
Aleksandra Kaliszewska ◽  
Sara Uceda ◽  
Manuel Reiriz ◽  
Natalia Arias
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Cytosine Methylation ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Epigenetic Alterations ◽  
Gastrointestinal Microbiome ◽  
Dna Hydroxymethylation ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Potential Interactions ◽  
The Impact

Metabolism and nutrition have a significant role in epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, which can influence gene expression. Recently, it has been suggested that bioactive nutrients and gut microbiota can alter DNA methylation in the central nervous system (CNS) through the gut–brain axis, playing a crucial role in modulating CNS functions and, finally, behavior. Here, we will focus on the effect of metabolic signals in shaping brain DNA methylation during adulthood. We will provide an overview of potential interactions among diet, gastrointestinal microbiome and epigenetic alterations on brain methylation and behavior. In addition, the impact of different diet challenges on cytosine methylation dynamics in the adult brain will be discussed. Finally, we will explore new ways to modulate DNA hydroxymethylation, which is particularly abundant in neural tissue, through diet.

scholarly journals Crosstalk between Existential Phenomenological Psychotherapy and Neurological Sciences in Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 340
Author(s):  
Lehel Balogh ◽  
Masaru Tanaka ◽  
Nóra Török ◽  
László Vécsei ◽  
Shigeru Taguchi
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Biological Treatment ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Neurological Damage ◽  
Mood And Anxiety Disorders ◽  
New Interpretation ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain

Psychotherapy is a comprehensive biological treatment modifying complex underlying cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and regulatory responses in the brain, leading patients with mental illness to a new interpretation of the sense of self and others. Psychotherapy is an art of science integrated with psychology and/or philosophy. Neurological sciences study the neurological basis of cognition, memory, and behavior as well as the impact of neurological damage and disease on these functions, and their treatment. Both psychotherapy and neurological sciences deal with the brain; nevertheless, they continue to stay polarized. Existential phenomenological psychotherapy (EPP) has been in the forefront of meaning-centered counseling for almost a century. The phenomenological approach in psychotherapy originated in the works of Martin Heidegger, Ludwig Binswanger, Medard Boss, and Viktor Frankl, and it has been committed to accounting for the existential possibilities and limitations of one’s life. EPP provides philosophically rich interpretations and empowers counseling techniques to assist mentally suffering individuals by finding meaning and purpose to life. The approach has proven to be effective in treating mood and anxiety disorders. This narrative review article demonstrates the development of EPP, the therapeutic methodology, evidence-based accounts of its curative techniques, current understanding of mood and anxiety disorders in neurological sciences, and a possible converging path to translate and integrate meaning-centered psychotherapy and neuroscience, concluding that the EPP may potentially play a synergistic role with the currently prevailing medication-based approaches for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders.

scholarly journals Developmental cannabidiol exposure increases anxiety and modifies genome-wide brain DNA methylation in adult female mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole M. Wanner ◽  
Mathia Colwell ◽  
Chelsea Drown ◽  
Christopher Faulk
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Coat Color ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Functional Enrichment ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Nulliparous Female ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Background Use of cannabidiol (CBD), the primary non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis, has recently risen dramatically, while relatively little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms of its effects. Previous work indicates that direct CBD exposure strongly impacts the brain, with anxiolytic, antidepressant, antipsychotic, and other effects being observed in animal and human studies. The epigenome, particularly DNA methylation, is responsive to environmental input and can direct persistent patterns of gene regulation impacting phenotype. Epigenetic perturbation is particularly impactful during embryogenesis, when exogenous exposures can disrupt critical resetting of epigenetic marks and impart phenotypic effects lasting into adulthood. The impact of prenatal CBD exposure has not been evaluated; however, studies using the psychomimetic cannabinoid Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have identified detrimental effects on psychological outcomes in developmentally exposed adult offspring. We hypothesized that developmental CBD exposure would have similar negative effects on behavior mediated in part by the epigenome. Nulliparous female wild-type Agouti viable yellow (Avy) mice were exposed to 20 mg/kg CBD or vehicle daily from two weeks prior to mating through gestation and lactation. Coat color shifts, a readout of DNA methylation at the Agouti locus in this strain, were measured in F1 Avy/a offspring. Young adult F1 a/a offspring were then subjected to tests of working spatial memory and anxiety/compulsive behavior. Reduced-representation bisulfite sequencing was performed on both F0 and F1 cerebral cortex and F1 hippocampus to identify genome-wide changes in DNA methylation for direct and developmental exposure, respectively. Results F1 offspring exposed to CBD during development exhibited increased anxiety and improved memory behavior in a sex-specific manner. Further, while no significant coat color shift was observed in Avy/a offspring, thousands of differentially methylated loci (DMLs) were identified in both brain regions with functional enrichment for neurogenesis, substance use phenotypes, and other psychologically relevant terms. Conclusions These findings demonstrate for the first time that despite positive effects of direct exposure, developmental CBD is associated with mixed behavioral outcomes and perturbation of the brain epigenome.

scholarly journals The Dynamic Modulation of GABAA Receptor Trafficking and Its Role in Regulating the Plasticity of Inhibitory Synapses

2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 1009-1022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mansi Vithlani ◽  
Miho Terunuma ◽  
Stephen J. Moss
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Tonic Inhibition ◽  
Inhibitory Synapses ◽  
General Anesthetics ◽  
Selective Stabilization ◽  
Neuronal Plasma Membrane ◽  
Sites Of Action ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain

Inhibition in the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) is mediated by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The fast inhibitory actions of GABA are mediated by GABA type A receptors (GABAARs); they mediate both phasic and tonic inhibition in the brain and are the principle sites of action for anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, and sedative-hypnotic agents that include benzodiazepines, barbiturates, neurosteroids, and some general anesthetics. GABAARs are heteropentameric ligand-gated ion channels that are found concentrated at inhibitory postsynaptic sites where they mediate phasic inhibition and at extrasynaptic sites where they mediate tonic inhibition. The efficacy of inhibition and thus neuronal excitability is critically dependent on the accumulation of specific GABAAR subtypes at inhibitory synapses. Here we evaluate how neurons control the number of GABAARs on the neuronal plasma membrane together with their selective stabilization at synaptic sites. We then go on to examine the impact that these processes have on the strength of synaptic inhibition and behavior.

scholarly journals Methylmercury Epigenetics

Toxics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Culbreth ◽  
Michael Aschner
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Mirna Expression ◽  
Epigenetic Modifications ◽  
Nervous System Development ◽  
Gene Promoters ◽  
Toxic Response ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain

Methylmercury (MeHg) has conventionally been investigated for effects on nervous system development. As such, epigenetic modifications have become an attractive mechanistic target, and research on MeHg and epigenetics has rapidly expanded in the past decade. Although, these inquiries are a recent advance in the field, much has been learned in regards to MeHg-induced epigenetic modifications, particularly in the brain. In vitro and in vivo controlled exposure studies illustrate that MeHg effects microRNA (miRNA) expression, histone modifications, and DNA methylation both globally and at individual genes. Moreover, some effects are transgenerationally inherited, as organisms not directly exposed to MeHg exhibited biological and behavioral alterations. miRNA expression generally appears to be downregulated consequent to exposure. Further, global histone acetylation also seems to be reduced, persist at distinct gene promoters, and is contemporaneous with enhanced histone methylation. Moreover, global DNA methylation appears to decrease in brain-derived tissues, but not in the liver; however, selected individual genes in the brain are hypermethylated. Human epidemiological studies have also identified hypo- or hypermethylated individual genes, which correlated with MeHg exposure in distinct populations. Intriguingly, several observed epigenetic modifications can be correlated with known mechanisms of MeHg toxicity. Despite this knowledge, however, the functional consequences of these modifications are not entirely evident. Additional research will be necessary to fully comprehend MeHg-induced epigenetic modifications and the impact on the toxic response.

scholarly journals Dynamics of the Methylome and Transcriptome during the Regeneration of Rice

Epigenomes ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei-Man Hsu ◽  
Moloya Gohain ◽  
Archana Allishe ◽  
Yan-Jiun Huang ◽  
Jo-Ling Liao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Oryza Sativa ◽  
Somaclonal Variation ◽  
Cytosine Methylation ◽  
Callus Formation ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Global Methylation ◽  
Regeneration Efficiency ◽  
The Impact

Oryza sativa indica (cv. IR64) and Oryza sativa japonica (cv. TNG67) vary in their regeneration efficiency. Such variation may occur in response to cultural environments that induce somaclonal variation. Somaclonal variations may arise from epigenetic factors, such as DNA methylation. We hypothesized that somaclonal variation may be associated with the differential regeneration efficiency between IR64 and TNG67 through changes in DNA methylation. We generated the stage-associated methylome and transcriptome profiles of the embryo, induced calli, sub-cultured calli, and regenerated calli (including both successful and failed regeneration) of IR64 and TNG67. We found that stage-associated changes are evident by the increase in the cytosine methylation of all contexts upon induction and decline upon regeneration. These changes in the methylome are largely random, but a few regions are consistently targeted at the later stages of culture. The expression profiles showed a dominant tissue-specific difference between the embryo and the calli. A prominent cultivar-associated divide in the global methylation pattern was observed, and a subset of cultivar-associated differentially methylated regions also showed stage-associated changes, implying a close association between differential methylation and the regeneration programs of these two rice cultivars. Based on these findings, we speculate that the differential epigenetic regulation of stress response and developmental pathways may be coupled with genetic differences, ultimately leading to differential regeneration efficiency. The present study elucidates the impact of tissue culture on callus formation and delineates the impact of stage and cultivar to determine the dynamics of the methylome and transcriptome in culture.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF ADVERTISEMENT ON CONSUMER’S PERCEPTION

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 187-191
Author(s):  
Martin Hudák ◽  
Radovan MadleĹˆĂˇk ◽  
Veronika Brezániová
Keyword(s):  
Brain Activity ◽  
Brain Computer Interface ◽  
Consumer Perception ◽  
Computer Interface ◽  
Market Situation ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Tracking Technology ◽  
Wireless Eeg

Marketing can be described as a tool for companies to influence the consumer’s perception to the desired direction. The current market situation is characterized by dynamism, growing consumer power, and intense competition. The consumer perception and behavior are changing and therefore need to be constantly monitored and measured. The aim of this article is to scan and measure consumer’s perception while watching a video advertisement. During this experiment, an eye-tracking technology was used, which allows capturing a consumer’s gaze. The central part of the research is to measure the brain activity of a consumer based on the EEG (Electroencephalography). EMOTIV Epoc+ is a 14-channel wireless EEG, designed for contextualized research and advanced brain computer interface applications. An advertising campaign from four different mobile operators was used for this purpose. In the conclusion of this article, consumer’s perception of different advertising campaigns are compared and evaluated.

scholarly journals Kynurenines increase MRS metabolites in basal ganglia and decrease resting-state connectivity in frontostriatal reward circuitry in depression

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangchuan Chen ◽  
Diana J. Beltran ◽  
Valeriya D. Tsygankova ◽  
Bobbi J. Woolwine ◽  
Trusharth Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Basal Ganglia ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Kynurenine Pathway ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Neural Function ◽  
Brain Chemistry ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain

AbstractInflammation is associated with the development of anhedonia in major depression (MD), but the pathway by which inflammatory molecules gain access to the brain and lead to anhedonia is not clear. Molecules of the kynurenine pathway (KP), which is activated by inflammation, readily influx into the brain and generate end products that alter brain chemistry, disrupt circuit functioning, and result in the expression of inflammatory behaviors such as anhedonia. We examined the impact of plasma and CSF KP metabolites on brain chemistry and neural function using multimodal neuroimaging in 49 depressed subjects. We measured markers of glial dysfunction and distress including glutamate (Glu) and myo-inositol in the left basal ganglia using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS); metrics of local activity coherence (regional homogeneity, ReHo) and functional connectivity from resting-state functional MRI measures; and anhedonia from the Inventory for Depressive Symptoms-Self Report Version (IDS-SR). Plasma kynurenine/tryptophan (KYN/TRP) ratio and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 3-hydroxykynurenine (3HK) were associated with increases in left basal ganglia myo-inositol. Plasma kynurenic acid (KYNA) and KYNA/QA were associated with decreases and quinolinic acid (QA) with increases in left basal ganglia Glu. Plasma and CSF KP were associated with decreases in ReHo in the basal ganglia and dorsomedial prefrontal regions (DMPFC) and impaired functional connectivity between these two regions. DMPFC-basal ganglia mediated the effect of plasma and CSF KP on anhedonia. These findings highlight the pathological impact of KP system dysregulation in mediating inflammatory behaviors such as anhedonia.

scholarly journals Neuronal Nsun2 deficiency produces tRNA epitranscriptomic alterations and proteomic shifts impacting synaptic signaling and behavior

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Blaze ◽  
A. Navickas ◽  
H. L. Phillips ◽  
S. Heissel ◽  
A. Plaza-Jennings ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cytosine Methylation ◽  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Fear Memory ◽  
Glutamatergic Neurotransmission ◽  
Contextual Fear ◽  
Synaptic Signaling ◽  
Contextual Fear Memory ◽  
Brain Proteome ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Brain

AbstractEpitranscriptomic mechanisms linking tRNA function and the brain proteome to cognition and complex behaviors are not well described. Here, we report bi-directional changes in depression-related behaviors after genetic disruption of neuronal tRNA cytosine methylation, including conditional ablation and transgene-derived overexpression of Nsun2 in the mouse prefrontal cortex (PFC). Neuronal Nsun2-deficiency was associated with a decrease in tRNA m5C levels, resulting in deficits in expression of 70% of tRNAGly isodecoders. Altogether, 1488/5820 proteins changed upon neuronal Nsun2-deficiency, in conjunction with glycine codon-specific defects in translational efficiencies. Loss of Gly-rich proteins critical for glutamatergic neurotransmission was associated with impaired synaptic signaling at PFC pyramidal neurons and defective contextual fear memory. Changes in the neuronal translatome were also associated with a 146% increase in glycine biosynthesis. These findings highlight the methylation sensitivity of glycinergic tRNAs in the adult PFC. Furthermore, they link synaptic plasticity and complex behaviors to epitranscriptomic modifications of cognate tRNAs and the proteomic homeostasis associated with specific amino acids.

scholarly journals Insight from animal models of environmentally driven epigenetic changes in the developing and adult brain

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (4pt2) ◽  
pp. 1229-1243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiffany S. Doherty ◽  
Tania L. Roth
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Behavioral Outcomes ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Behavioral Deficits ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Brain And Behavior ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Brain

AbstractThe efforts of many neuroscientists are directed toward understanding the appreciable plasticity of the brain and behavior. In recent years, epigenetics has become a core of this focus as a prime mechanistic candidate for behavioral modifications. Animal models have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of environmentally driven changes to the epigenome in the developing and adult brain. This review focuses mainly on such discoveries driven by adverse environments along with their associated behavioral outcomes. While much of the evidence discussed focuses on epigenetics within the central nervous system, several peripheral studies in humans who have experienced significant adversity are also highlighted. As we continue to unravel the link between epigenetics and phenotype, discerning the complexity and specificity of epigenetic changes induced by environments is an important step toward understanding optimal development and how to prevent or ameliorate behavioral deficits bred by disruptive environments.

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