Stress and the Brain: An Emerging Role for Selenium

Torres, Daniel J.; Alfulaij, Naghum; Berry, Marla J.

doi:10.3389/fnins.2021.666601

Cited by 29 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 80 publications

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“…Recent evidence suggests that the role of selenium and selenoproteins in brain functioning extends beyond protection against oxidative stress, and may involve protective effects or functional interactions with dopaminergic, cholinergic, and GABAergic pathways, as well as the effect of selenoprotein P on specific post-synaptic receptors [73]. There is also evidence that selenium can alter the functioning of the gut-brain axis [74] and may be involved in the regulation of the stress response through interaction between glucocorticoids and selenoproteins [41]. This evidence has led to an interest in the use of selenium or its compounds in the management of common mental disorders, namely, depression and anxiety disorders.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Given the high degree of comorbidity and mechanistic overlap between depression and anxiety [38,39], an association between selenium intake or levels and symptoms of anxiety is plausible [40]. There is also recent evidence that selenium may play a key role in preserving normal neural functioning following exposure to stress, which is relevant to the onset and persistence of anxiety disorders [41].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Selenium and Its Compounds in the Treatment of Anxiety and Related Disorders: A Scoping Review of Translational and Clinical Research

Rajkumar

2022

Future Pharmacology

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Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental disorders worldwide and often respond incompletely to existing treatments. Selenium, a micronutrient that is a component of several biologically active selenoproteins, is also involved in several aspects of brain functioning and may exert antidepressant and anxiolytic effects through multiple pathways. The current paper is a scoping review of translational, observational, and interventional evidence on the potential role of selenium and its compounds in the management of anxiety and related disorders. Evidence from animal models suggests that this approach may be promising. Though evidence from observational studies in humans is inconsistent and affected by several confounding factors, the available evidence from randomized controlled trials suggests that selenium supplementation may be beneficial in the management of certain anxiety-related conditions, such as anxiety in medically ill patients, prevention of anxiety following exposure to traumatic stress, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. This paper provides a critical evaluation of the existing evidence base, including unanswered questions that could serve as the focus of further research, and outlines the potential benefits and risks associated with the use of selenium in anxiety disorders.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selenium and Its Compounds in the Treatment of Anxiety and Related Disorders: A Scoping Review of Translational and Clinical Research

Rajkumar

2022

Future Pharmacology

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“…Recent evidence suggests that the role of selenium and selenoproteins in brain functioning extends beyond protection against oxidative stress, and may involve protective effects or functional interactions with dopaminergic, cholinergic, and GABAergic pathways, as well as the effect of selenoprotein P on specific post-synaptic receptors [72]. There is also evidence that selenium can alter the functioning of the gut-brain axis [73] and may be involved in the regulation of the stress response through interaction between glucocorticoids and selenoproteins [41]. This evidence has led to an interest in the use of selenium or its compounds in the management of common mental disorders, namely, depression and anxiety disorders.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selenium and Its Compounds in the Treatment of Anxiety and Related Disorders: A Scoping Review of Translational and Clinical Research

Rajkumar¹

2022

Preprint

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Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental disorders worldwide, and often respond incompletely to existing treatments. Selenium, a micronutrient that is a component of several biologically active selenoproteins, is also involved in several aspects of brain functioning, and may exert antidepressant and anxiolytic effects through multiple pathways. The current paper is a scoping review of translational, observational and interventional evidence on the potential role of selenium and its compounds in the management of anxiety and related disorders. Evidence from animal models suggests that this approach may be promising. Though evidence from observational studies in humans is inconsistent and affected by several confounding factors, the available evidence from randomized controlled trials suggests that selenium supplementation may be beneficial in the management of certain anxiety-related conditions, such as anxiety in medically ill patients, prevention of anxiety following exposure to traumatic stress, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. This paper provides a critical evaluation of the existing evidence base, including unanswered questions that could serve as the focus of further research, and outlines the potential benefits and risks associated with the use of selenium in anxiety disorders.

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“…Selenium seems to play a strong role in protecting against the damage and dysfunction caused by overactivation of the HPA axis. This relationship has been studied in the brain more intensively in recent years, using rodent models, and progress in the field was recently reviewed by our group [ 226 ]. In sum, treatment with selenium, mostly in the form of selenium-containing compounds, was shown to have a therapeutic effect against stress-induced neurological impairments and oxidative damage in rodent models.…”

Section: Signals From Brain To Bodymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This effect was typically accompanied by a normalization of ACTH levels as well, suggesting that selenium regulated the HPA axis at the level of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. One common theme noted in various papers that reported an HPA axis normalization effect was that selenium-based therapy reversed the GCR downregulation typically caused in the brain by chronic stress [ 226 ]. Brain-residing GCR provided the negative feedback loop that prevented hyperactivity of the HPA axis.…”

Section: Signals From Brain To Bodymentioning

confidence: 99%

Selenium in Bodily Homeostasis: Hypothalamus, Hormones, and Highways of Communication

Toh

Nicholson

Vetter

et al. 2022

IJMS

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The ability of the body to maintain homeostasis requires constant communication between the brain and peripheral tissues. Different organs produce signals, often in the form of hormones, which are detected by the hypothalamus. In response, the hypothalamus alters its regulation of bodily processes, which is achieved through its own pathways of hormonal communication. The generation and transmission of the molecules involved in these bi-directional axes can be affected by redox balance. The essential trace element selenium is known to influence numerous physiological processes, including energy homeostasis, through its various redox functions. Selenium must be obtained through the diet and is used to synthesize selenoproteins, a family of proteins with mainly antioxidant functions. Alterations in selenium status have been correlated with homeostatic disturbances in humans and studies with animal models of selenoprotein dysfunction indicate a strong influence on energy balance. The relationship between selenium and energy metabolism is complicated, however, as selenium has been shown to participate in multiple levels of homeostatic communication. This review discusses the role of selenium in the various pathways of communication between the body and the brain that are essential for maintaining homeostasis.

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Stress and the Brain: An Emerging Role for Selenium

Cited by 29 publications

References 80 publications

Selenium and Its Compounds in the Treatment of Anxiety and Related Disorders: A Scoping Review of Translational and Clinical Research

Selenium and Its Compounds in the Treatment of Anxiety and Related Disorders: A Scoping Review of Translational and Clinical Research

Selenium and Its Compounds in the Treatment of Anxiety and Related Disorders: A Scoping Review of Translational and Clinical Research

Selenium in Bodily Homeostasis: Hypothalamus, Hormones, and Highways of Communication

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