Sex differences in brain metabolites in anxiety and mood disorders

Pigoni, Alessandro; Delvecchio, Giuseppe; Squarcina, Letizia; Bonivento, Carolina; Girardi, Paolo; Finos, Livio; Crisanti, Camilla; Balestrieri, Matteo; D’Agostini, Serena; Stanley, Jeffrey A.; Brambilla, Paolo

doi:10.1016/j.pscychresns.2020.111196

Cited by 17 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 33 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Given the considerable heterogeneity of metabolite concentration across all regions of the brain, which depend on tissue type (gray vs. white matter), subject age, and sex, it is imperative that comparisons between subjects or groups have comparative information for the same region, age, and sex, or at least covary for age and sex in the statistical analysis. Recent studies in neuropsychiatric disorders and diseases like Alzheimer's disease show substantial sex differences in prevalence and there are increasing reports of metabolic sex differences in these disorders that might also show in MRS studies ( 109 , 129 , 130 ).…”

Section: Biological Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Harmonization of multi-scanner in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy: ENIGMA consortium task group considerations

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a powerful, non-invasive, quantitative imaging technique that allows for the measurement of brain metabolites that has demonstrated utility in diagnosing and characterizing a broad range of neurological diseases. Its impact, however, has been limited due to small sample sizes and methodological variability in addition to intrinsic limitations of the method itself such as its sensitivity to motion. The lack of standardization from a data acquisition and data processing perspective makes it difficult to pool multiple studies and/or conduct multisite studies that are necessary for supporting clinically relevant findings. Based on the experience of the ENIGMA MRS work group and a review of the literature, this manuscript provides an overview of the current state of MRS data harmonization. Key factors that need to be taken into consideration when conducting both retrospective and prospective studies are described. These include (1) MRS acquisition issues such as pulse sequence, RF and B0 calibrations, echo time, and SNR; (2) data processing issues such as pre-processing steps, modeling, and quantitation; and (3) biological factors such as voxel location, age, sex, and pathology. Various approaches to MRS data harmonization are then described including meta-analysis, mega-analysis, linear modeling, ComBat and artificial intelligence approaches. The goal is to provide both novice and experienced readers with the necessary knowledge for conducting MRS data harmonization studies.

show abstract

Section: Biological Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Harmonization of multi-scanner in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy: ENIGMA consortium task group considerations

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Metabolites are pivotal in metabolic processes since they either produce or consume resources, hence ensuring the proper functioning of physiological processes. For example, disturbances in sugar metabolism might result in the onset of chronic illnesses [11]. The ndings of various studies have indicated that the processes of lipid metabolism, glucose metabolism, and sphingolipid metabolism may be intricately linked to the pathogenesis of RED [12][13][14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating the Metabolomic Pathways in Female Reproductive Endocrine Disorders: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Lu,

Wang,

Yang

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Reproductive endocrine disorders (RED) including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis (EMs), and female infertility (FI), significantly affect women's health globally, with varying prevalence across different regions. These conditions can be addressed through medication, surgical interventions, and lifestyle modifications. However, the limited understanding of RED's etiology and the substantial economic burden of its treatment highlight the importance of investigating its pathogenesis. Metabolites play a critical role in metabolic processes and are potentially linked to the development of RED. Despite existing studies suggesting correlations between metabolites and RED, conclusive evidence remains scarce, primarily due to the observational nature of these studies, which are prone to confounding factors. Methods This study utilized Mendelian Randomization (MR) to explore the causal relationship between metabolites and RED, leveraging genetic variants associated with metabolite levels as instrumental variables to minimize confounding and reverse causality. Data were obtained from the Metabolomics GWAS Server and the IEU OpenGWAS project. Instrumental variables were selected based on their association with the human gut microbiota composition, and the GWAS summary statistics for metabolites, PCOS, EMs, and FI were analyzed. The MR-Egger regression and random-effects inverse-variance weighted (IVW) methods were employed to validate the causal relationship. Cochran's Q test was employed to evaluate heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis was performed using leave-one-out analysis, and for pleiotropy analysis, the intercept term of MR-Egger's method was investigated. Results The MR analysis revealed significant associations between various metabolites and RED conditions. For instance, a positive association was found between 1-palmitoylglycerophosphocholine and PCOS, while a negative association was noted between phenylacetate and FI. The study identified several metabolites associated with an increased risk and others with protective effects against PCOS, EMs, and FI. These findings highlight the complex interplay between metabolites and RED, suggesting potential pathways through which these conditions could be influenced or treated. Conclusion This MR study provides valuable insights into the causal relationship between metabolites and female reproductive endocrine disorders, suggesting that metabolic alterations play a significant role in the pathogenesis of PCOS, EMs, and FI, and offering a foundation for future research and therapeutic development.

show abstract