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The hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis is the main physiological stress response system and regulating the release of cortisol. The two corticoid receptors encoded by the genes NR3C1 and NR3C2 are the main players in regulating the physiological response to cortisol. This biological system has been linked to neurocognitive processes and memory, yet the mechanisms remain largely unclear. In two independent general population studies (SHIP, total sample size > 5500), we aim to diseantangle the effects of genetic variation, gene expression and cortisol on verbal memory and memory associated brain volume. Especially for NR3C1 results exhibited a consistent pattern of direct an interactive effects. All three biological layers, genetic variation (rs56149945), gene expression for NR3C1 and cortisol levels, were directly associated with verbal memory. Interactions between these components showed significant effects on verbal memory as well as hippocampal volume. For NR3C2 such a complex association pattern could not be observed. Our analyses revealed that different components of the stress response system are acting together on different aspects of cognition. Complex phenotypes, such as cognition and memory function are regulated by a complex interplay between different genetic and epigenetic features. We promote the glucocorticoid receptor NR3C1 as a main target to focus in the context of verbal memory and provided a mechanistic concept of the interaction between various biological layers spanning NR3C1 function and its effects on memory. Especially the NR3C1 transcript seemed to be a key element in this complex system.
The Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP), a population-based study from a rural state in northeastern Germany with a relatively poor life expectancy, supplemented its comprehensive examination program in 2008 with whole-body MR imaging at 1.5 T (SHIP-MR). We reviewed more than 100 publications that used the SHIP-MR data and analyzed which sequences already produced fruitful scientific outputs and which manuscripts have been referenced frequently. Upon reviewing the publications about imaging sequences, those that used T1-weighted structured imaging of the brain and a gradient-echo sequence for R2* mapping obtained the highest scientific output; regarding specific body parts examined, most scientific publications focused on MR sequences involving the brain and the (upper) abdomen. We conclude that population-based MR imaging in cohort studies should define more precise goals when allocating imaging time. In addition, quality control measures might include recording the number and impact of published work, preferably on a bi-annual basis and starting 2 years after initiation of the study. Structured teaching courses may enhance the desired output in areas that appear underrepresented.
Background: Depression and obesity are widespread and closely linked. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vitamin D are both assumed to be associated with depression and obesity. Little is known about the interplay between vitamin D and BDNF. We explored the putative associations and interactions between serum BDNF and vitamin D levels with depressive symptoms and abdominal obesity in a large population-based cohort. Methods: Data were obtained from the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP)-Trend (n = 3,926). The associations of serum BDNF and vitamin D levels with depressive symptoms (measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire) were assessed with binary and multinomial logistic regression models. The associations of serum BDNF and vitamin D levels with obesity (measured by the waist-to-hip ratio [WHR]) were assessed with binary logistic and linear regression models with restricted cubic splines. Results: Logistic regression models revealed inverse associations of vitamin D with depression (OR = 0.966; 95% CI 0.951–0.981) and obesity (OR = 0.976; 95% CI 0.967–0.985). No linear association of serum BDNF with depression or obesity was found. However, linear regression models revealed a U-shaped association of BDNF with WHR (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Vitamin D was inversely associated with depression and obesity. BDNF was associated with abdominal obesity, but not with depression. At the population level, our results support the relevant roles of vitamin D and BDNF in mental and physical health-related outcomes.
Background: Depression and obesity are widespread and closely linked. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vitamin D are both assumed to be associated with depression and obesity. Little is known about the interplay between vitamin D and BDNF. We explored the putative associations and interactions between serum BDNF and vitamin D levels with depressive symptoms and abdominal obesity in a large population-based cohort. Methods: Data were obtained from the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP)-Trend (n = 3,926). The associations of serum BDNF and vitamin D levels with depressive symptoms (measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire) were assessed with binary and multinomial logistic regression models. The associations of serum BDNF and vitamin D levels with obesity (measured by the waist-to-hip ratio [WHR]) were assessed with binary logistic and linear regression models with restricted cubic splines. Results: Logistic regression models revealed inverse associations of vitamin D with depression (OR = 0.966; 95% CI 0.951–0.981) and obesity (OR = 0.976; 95% CI 0.967–0.985). No linear association of serum BDNF with depression or obesity was found. However, linear regression models revealed a U-shaped association of BDNF with WHR (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Vitamin D was inversely associated with depression and obesity. BDNF was associated with abdominal obesity, but not with depression. At the population level, our results support the relevant roles of vitamin D and BDNF in mental and physical health-related outcomes.
Background
Lower cortisol concentrations in adulthood were repeatedly associated with more severe childhood maltreatment. Additionally, childhood maltreatment was reported to promote health risk behavior, such as smoking or alcohol consumption, and to increase the risk of mental and somatic diseases during adulthood, such as major depressive disorders or obesity. The present study investigated if health risk behavior and disease symptoms in adults mediate the associations between past childhood maltreatment and present basal serum cortisol concentrations.
Methods
Data from two independent adult cohorts of the general population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-TREND-0: N = 3,517; SHIP-START-2: N = 1,640) was used. Childhood maltreatment was assessed via the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Cortisol concentrations were measured in single-point serum samples. Health risk behavior and mental and physical symptoms were used as mediators. Mediation analyses were calculated separately for both cohorts; results were integrated via meta-analyses.
Results
In mediator-separated analyses, associations between childhood maltreatment and basal serum cortisol concentrations were partly mediated by depressive symptoms (BDI-II: βindirect effect = -.011, pFDR = .017, 21.0% mediated) and subjective somatic health complaints (somatic complaints: βindirect effect = -.010, pFDR = .005, 19.4% mediated). In the second step, both mediators were simultaneously integrated into one mediation model. The model replicated the mediation effects of the subjective somatic health complaints (whole model: βindirect effect = -.014, p = .001, 27.6% mediated; BDI-II: βindirect effect = -.006, p = .163, 11.4% mediated, somatic complaints: βindirect effect = -.020, p = .020, 15.5% mediated).
Conclusion
The results support the hypothesis that the long-lasting effects of childhood maltreatment on the stress response system are partly mediated through self-perceived disease symptoms. However, no mediation was found for health risk behavior or physically measured mediators. Mediation models with multiple simultaneous mediators pointed to a relevant overlap between the potential mediators. This overlap should be focused on in future studies.