On this page we show you all research publications of the Eat2beNICE consortium. These publications report on the research output of the project. For each publication we provide a summary or the publication’s abstract. If you want to read the full article, you can click on the link below the summary or abstract. For PDFs of our own press releases about progress within the Eat2beNICE project please go to DOWNLOADS. To receive our project newsletter please subscribe here!
On: 24 April 2019
Serotonin Deficiency Increases Context-Dependent Fear Learning Through Modulation of Hippocampal Activity
Brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) system dysfunction is implicated in exaggerated fear responses triggering various anxiety-, stress-, and trauma-related disorders. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we investigated the impact of constitutively inactivated 5-HT synthesis on context-dependent fear learning and extinction using tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2) knockout mice.
On: 25 March 2019
Potential association between drug dependence and specific levels of DNA methylation in the brain
Drug addiction is a neuropsychiatric disorder where long-lasting changes in gene expression within particular regions of the brain play an important role. Work over the past decade has demonstrated a crucial role for epigenetic mechanisms in driving stable changes in gene expression in several tissues, including the brain. Allele-specific methylation (ASM) is a common epigenetic mechanism consisting on SNPs that correlate with differential levels of methylation at CpG sites. The aim of our study is to assess the possible contribution of ASM in different brain regions to drug dependence susceptibility.
On: 25 March 2019
The natural history of ADHD using Neanderthal and anciet Homo Sapiens samples
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an impairing neurodevelopmental condition highly prevalent in current populations. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this paradox, mainly in the context of the Paleolithic versus Neolithic cultural shift but especially within the framework of the mismatch theory. This theory elaborates on how a particular trait once favoured in an ancient environment might become maladaptive upon environmental changes.
On: 8 March 2019
Early-life stress impairs developmental programming in Cadherin 13 (CDH13)-deficient mice
Cadherin-13 (CDH13), a member of the calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule family, has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity (ADHD) disorders, but also to depression. In the adult brain, CDH13 expression is restricted e.g. to the presynaptic compartment of inhibitory GABAergic synapses in the hippocampus and Cdh13 knockout mice show an increased inhibitory drive onto hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, leading to a shift in excitatory/inhibitory balance. CDH13 is also moderating migration of serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus, establishing projections preferentially to the thalamus and cerebellum during brain development. Furthermore, CDH13 is upregulated by chronic stress as well as in depression, suggesting a role in early-life adaptation to stressful experience. Here, we therefore investigated the interaction between Cdh13 variation and neonatal maternal separation (MS) in mice
On: 2 March 2019
The effects of emotional stress on brain and behaviour in mice
Emotional stress is a form of stress evoked by processing negative mental experience rather than an organic or physical disturbance and is a frequent cause of neuropsychiatric pathologies, including depression. Susceptibility to emotional stress is commonly regarded as a human-specific trait that is challenging to model in other species. Recently, we showed that a 3-week-long exposure to ultrasound of unpredictable alternating frequencies within the ranges of 20-25 kHz and 25-45 kHz can induce depression-like characteristics in laboratory mice and rats.
On: 21 February 2019
Investigating the effects of micronutrients on impulsivity: the VANTASTIC study
Despite the popularity with consumers of using nutritional methods for the treatment of psychiatric illnesses, high quality evidence is missing. First studies assessing micronutrients for the treatment of impulsivity/ADHD have shown promising benefits. However, in the child/adolescent area, they have been mainly open- label, retrospective database analyses, case reports, or patient preference studies. Cross-disorder approaches and studies investigating long-term effects are missing. Thus, further research is required, in particular controlled studies with adolescents in larger samples.
On: 17 February 2019
The role of the TFAP2B gene in obesity and insulin resistance
The development of obesity has a large genetic component, and the gene encoding the transcription factor 2 beta (TFAP2B) has been identified as one of the responsible factors. We investigated the effect of TFAP2B intron 2 variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) genotype on obesity, insulin resistance and dietary intake from 15 to 33 years of age.
On: 4 February 2019
Brain serotonin deficiency affects female aggression in mice
The neurotransmitter serotonin plays a key role in the control of aggressive behaviour. While so far most studies have investigated variation in serotonin levels, a recently created tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2) knockout mouse model allows studying effects of complete brain serotonin deficiency. First studies revealed increased aggressiveness in homozygous Tph2 knockout mice in the context of a resident-intruder paradigm. Focussing on females, this study aimed to elucidate effects of serotonin deficiency on aggressive and non-aggressive social behaviours not in a test situation but a natural setting.
On: 4 January 2019
The genetic overlap between ADHD and cannabis use
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a severely impairing neurodevelopmental disorder with a prevalence of 5% in children and adolescents and of 2.5% in adults. Comorbid conditions in ADHD play a key role in symptom progression, disorder course and outcome. ADHD is associated with a significantly increased risk for substance use, abuse and dependence. ADHD and cannabis use are partly determined by genetic factors; the heritability of ADHD is estimated at 70–80% and of cannabis use initiation at 40–48%.
On: 19 December 2018
Epigenetics of ADHD – how behaviors and environment can cause changes in the way genes work
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and persists into adulthood in 40–65% of cases. Given the polygenic and heterogeneous architecture of the disorder and the limited overlap between genetic studies, there is a growing interest in epigenetic mechanisms, such as microRNAs, that modulate gene expression and may contribute to the phenotype. We attempted to clarify the role of microRNAs in ADHD at a molecular level through the first genome-wide integrative study of microRNA and mRNA profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of medication-naive individuals with ADHD and healthy controls.