Migraine patients often report (inter)ictal hypersensitivity to light, but the underlying mechanisms remain an enigma. Both hypo- and hyperresponsivity of the visual network have been reported,... Show moreMigraine patients often report (inter)ictal hypersensitivity to light, but the underlying mechanisms remain an enigma. Both hypo- and hyperresponsivity of the visual network have been reported, which may reflect either intra-individual dynamics of the network or large inter-individual variation in the measurement of human visual evoked potential data. Therefore, we studied visual system responsivity in freely behaving mice using combined epidural electroencephalography and intracortical multi-unit activity to reduce variation in recordings and gain insight into visual cortex dynamics. For better clinical translation, we investigated transgenic mice that carry the human pathogenic R192Q missense mutation in the alpha(1A) subunit of voltage-gated Ca(V)2.1 Ca2+ channels leading to enhanced neurotransmission and familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 in patients. Visual evoked potentials were studied in response to visual stimulation paradigms with flashes of light. Following intensity-dependent visual stimulation, FHM1 mutant mice displayed faster visual evoked potential responses, with lower initial amplitude, followed by less pronounced neuronal suppression compared to wild-type mice. Similar to what was reported for migraine patients, frequency-dependent stimulation in mutant mice revealed enhanced photic drive in the EEG beta-gamma band. The frequency-dependent increases in visual network responses in mutant mice may reflect the context-dependent enhancement of visual cortex excitability, which could contribute to our understanding of sensory hypersensitivity in migraine. Show less
BACKGROUND: The blood metabolome incorporates cues from the environment and the host's genetic background, potentially offering a holistic view of an individual's health status.METHODS: We have... Show moreBACKGROUND: The blood metabolome incorporates cues from the environment and the host's genetic background, potentially offering a holistic view of an individual's health status.METHODS: We have compiled a vast resource of proton nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics and phenotypic data encompassing over 25 000 samples derived from 26 community and hospital-based cohorts.RESULTS: Using this resource, we constructed a metabolomics-based age predictor (metaboAge) to calculate an individual's biological age. Exploration in independent cohorts demonstrates that being judged older by one's metabolome, as compared with one's chronological age, confers an increased risk on future cardiovascular disease, mortality, and functionality in older individuals. A web-based tool for calculating metaboAge (metaboage.researchlumc.nl) allows easy incorporation in other epidemiological studies. Access to data can be requested at bmri.nl/samples-images-data.CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we present a vast resource of metabolomics data and illustrate its merit by constructing a metabolomics-based score for biological age that captures aspects of current and future cardiometabolic health. Show less
Held, R.G.; Liu, C.L.; Ma, K.P.; Ramsey, A.M.; Tarr, T.B.; Nola, G. de; ... ; Kaeser, P.S. 2020
Presynaptic Ca(v)2 channels are essential for Ca2+-triggered exocytosis. In addition, there are two competing models for their roles in synapse structure. First, Ca2+ channels or Ca2+ entry may... Show morePresynaptic Ca(v)2 channels are essential for Ca2+-triggered exocytosis. In addition, there are two competing models for their roles in synapse structure. First, Ca2+ channels or Ca2+ entry may control synapse assembly. Second, active zone proteins may scaffold Ca(v)2s to presynaptic release sites, and synapse structure is Ca(v)2 independent. Here, we ablated all three Ca(v)2s using conditional knockout in cultured hippocampal neurons or at the calyx of Held, which abolished evoked exocytosis. Compellingly, synapse and active zone structure, vesicle docking, and transsynaptic nano-organization were unimpaired. Similarly, long-term blockade of action potentials and Ca2+ entry did not disrupt active zone assembly. Although Ca(v)2 knockout impaired the localization of beta subunits, alpha 2 delta-1 localized normally. Rescue with Ca(v)2 restored exocytosis, and Ca(v)2 active zone targeting depended on the intracellular C-terminus. We conclude that synapse assembly is independent of Ca(v)2s or Ca2+ entry through them. Instead, active zone proteins recruit and anchor Ca(v)2s via Ca(v)2 C-termini. Show less
Mulder, I.A.; Li, M.; Vries, T. de; Qin, T.; Yanagisawa, T.; Sugimoto, K.; ... ; Ayata, C. 2020
Objective Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway inhibitors are emerging treatments for migraine. CGRP-mediated vasodilation is, however, a critical rescue mechanism in ischemia. We,... Show moreObjective Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway inhibitors are emerging treatments for migraine. CGRP-mediated vasodilation is, however, a critical rescue mechanism in ischemia. We, therefore, investigated whether gepants, small molecule CGRP receptor antagonists, worsen cerebral ischemia. Methods Middle cerebral artery was occluded for 12 to 60 minutes in mice. We compared infarct risk and volumes, collateral flow, and neurological deficits after pretreatment with olcegepant (single or 10 daily doses of 0.1-1mg/kg) or rimegepant (single doses of 10-100mg/kg) versus vehicle. We also determined their potency on CGRP-induced relaxations in mouse and human vessels, in vitro. Results Olcegepant (1mg/kg, single dose) increased infarct risk after 12- to 20-minute occlusions mimicking transient ischemic attacks (14/19 vs 6/18 with vehicle, relative risk = 2.21,p < 0.022), and doubled infarct volumes (p < 0.001) and worsened neurological deficits (median score = 9 vs 5 with vehicle,p = 0.008) after 60-minute occlusion. Ten daily doses of 0.1 to 1mg/kg olcegepant yielded similar results. Rimegepant 10mg/kg increased infarct volumes by 60% after 20-minute ischemia (p = 0.03); 100mg/kg caused 75% mortality after 60-minute occlusion. In familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 mice, olcegepant 1mg/kg increased infarct size after 30-minute occlusion (1.6-fold,p = 0.017). Both gepants consistently diminished collateral flow and reduced reperfusion success. Olcegepant was 10-fold more potent than rimegepant on CGRP-induced relaxations in mouse aorta. Interpretation Gepants worsened ischemic stroke in mice via collateral dysfunction. CGRP pathway blockers might thus aggravate coincidental cerebral ischemic events. The cerebrovascular safety of these agents must therefore be better delineated, especially in patients at increased risk of ischemic events or on prophylactic CGRP inhibition. ANN NEUROL 2020 Show less
Boer, I. de; Terwindt, G.M.; Maagdenberg, A.M.J.M. van den 2020
Migraine is a common brain disorder with a large genetic component. Of the two main migraine types, migraine with aura and migraine without aura, the genetic underpinning in the former is least... Show moreMigraine is a common brain disorder with a large genetic component. Of the two main migraine types, migraine with aura and migraine without aura, the genetic underpinning in the former is least understood. Given the evidence from epidemiological studies in cohorts and families that the genetic contribution is highest in migraine with aura, this seems paradoxical. Various genetic approaches have been applied to identify genetic factors that confer risk for migraine. Initially, so-called candidate gene associations studies (CGAS) have been performed that test DNA variants in genes prioritized based on presumed a priori knowledge of migraine pathophysiology. More recently, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) tested variants in any gene in an hypothesis-free manner. Whereas GWAS in migraine without aura, or the more general diagnosis migraine have already identified dozens of gene variants, the specific hunt for gene variants in migraine with aura has been disappointing. The only GWAS specifically investigating migraine with aura yielded only one single associated single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), near MTDH and PGCP, with genome-wide significance. However, interrogation of all genotyped SNPs, so beyond this one significant hit, was more successful and led to the notion that migraine with aura and migraine without aura are genetically more alike than different. Until now, most relevant genetic discoveries related to migraine with aura came from investigating monogenetic syndromes with migraine aura as a prominent phenotype (i.e. FHM, CADASIL and FASPS). This review will highlight the genetic findings relevant to migraine with aura. Show less
Pool, R.; Hagenbeek, F.A.; Hendriks, A.M.; Dongen, J. van; Willemsen, G.; Geus, E. de; ... ; BBMRI Metabol Consortium 2020
Metabolites are small molecules involved in cellular metabolism where they act as reaction substrates or products. The term 'metabolomics' refers to the comprehensive study of these molecules. The... Show moreMetabolites are small molecules involved in cellular metabolism where they act as reaction substrates or products. The term 'metabolomics' refers to the comprehensive study of these molecules. The concentrations of metabolites in biological tissues are under genetic control, but this is limited by environmental factors such as diet. In adult mono- and dizygotic twin pairs, we estimated the contribution of genetic and shared environmental influences on metabolite levels by structural equation modeling and tested whether the familial resemblance for metabolite levels is mainly explained by genetic or by environmental factors that are shared by family members. Metabolites were measured across three platforms: two based on proton nuclear magnetic resonance techniques and one employing mass spectrometry. These three platforms comprised 237 single metabolic traits of several chemical classes. For the three platforms, metabolites were assessed in 1407, 1037 and 1116 twin pairs, respectively. We carried out power calculations to establish what percentage of shared environmental variance could be detected given these sample sizes. Our study did not find evidence for a systematic contribution of shared environment, defined as the influence of growing up together in the same household, on metabolites assessed in adulthood. Significant heritability was observed for nearly all 237 metabolites; significant contribution of the shared environment was limited to 6 metabolites. The top quartile of the heritability distribution was populated by 5 of the 11 investigated chemical classes. In this quartile, metabolites of the class lipoprotein were significantly overrepresented, whereas metabolites of classes glycerophospholipids and glycerolipids were significantly underrepresented. Show less
Hagenbeek, F.A.; Pool, R.; Dongen, J. van; Draisma, H.M.; Hottenga, J.J.; Willemsen, G.; ... ; Abdel Abdellaoui 2020
Correction to: Nature Communicationshttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-13770-6, published online 7 January 2020.The original version of the Supplementary Information associated with this Article... Show moreCorrection to: Nature Communicationshttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-13770-6, published online 7 January 2020.The original version of the Supplementary Information associated with this Article included an incorrect Supplementary Data 1 file, in which additional delimiters were included in the first column for a number of rows, resulting in column shifts for some of these rows. The HTML has been updated to include a corrected version of Supplementary Data 1; the original incorrect version of Supplementary Data 1 can be found as Supplementary Information associated with this Correction. Show less
Jansen, N.A.; Dehghani, A.; Breukel, C.; Tolner, E.A.; Maagdenberg, A.M.J.M. van den 2020
Early onset seizures are a hallmark of Dravet syndrome. Previous studies in rodent models have shown that the epileptic phenotype is caused by loss-of-function of voltage-gated Na(V)1.1 sodium... Show moreEarly onset seizures are a hallmark of Dravet syndrome. Previous studies in rodent models have shown that the epileptic phenotype is caused by loss-of-function of voltage-gated Na(V)1.1 sodium channels, which are chiefly expressed in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons. Recently, a possibly critical role has been attributed to the hippocampus in the seizure phenotype, as local hippocampal ablation of Na(V)1.1 channels decreased the threshold for hyperthermia-induced seizures. However, the effect of ablation of Na(V)1.1 channels restricted to cortical sites has not been tested. Here we studied local field potential (LFP) and behavior in mice following local hippocampal and cortical ablation of Scn1a, a gene encoding the alpha 1 subunit of Na(V)1.1 channels, and we compared seizure characteristics with those of heterozygous global knockout Scn1(-/+) mice. We found a high incidence of spontaneous seizures following either local hippocampal or cortical ablation, notably during a transient time window, similar to Scn1a(-/+) mice. Nonconvulsive seizure activity in the injected area was common and preceded generalized seizures. Moreover, mice were susceptible to hyperthermia-induced seizures. In conclusion, local ablation of Na(V)1.1 channels in the hippocampus and cortex results in focal seizure activity that can generalize. These data indicate that spontaneous epileptic activity may initiate in multiple brain regions in Dravet syndrome. Show less
Perenboom, M.J.L.; Ruit, M. van de; Zielman, R.; Maagdenberg, A.M.J.M. van den; Ferrari, M.D.; Carpay, J.A.; Tolner, E.A. 2020
BackgroundMigraine is associated with altered sensory processing and cortical responsivity that may contribute to susceptibility to attacks by changing brain network excitability dynamics. To gain... Show moreBackgroundMigraine is associated with altered sensory processing and cortical responsivity that may contribute to susceptibility to attacks by changing brain network excitability dynamics. To gain better insight into cortical responsivity changes in migraine we subjected patients to a short series of light inputs over a broad frequency range ("chirp" stimulation), designed to uncover dynamic features of visual cortex responsivity.MethodsEEG responses to visual chirp stimulation (10-40 Hz) were measured in controls (n = 24) and patients with migraine with aura (n = 19) or migraine without aura (n = 20). Average EEG responses were assessed at (i) all EEG frequencies between 5 and 125 Hz, (ii) stimulation frequencies, and (iii) harmonic frequencies. We compared average responses in a low (10-18 Hz), medium (19-26 Hz) and high (27-40 Hz) frequency band.ResultsResponses to chirp stimulation were similar in controls and migraine subtypes. Eight measurements (n = 3 migraine with aura; n = 5 without aura) were assigned as "pre-ictal", based on reported headache within 48 hours after investigation. Pre-ictally, an increased harmonic response to 22-32 Hz stimulation (beta band) was observed (p = 0.001), compared to interictal state measurements.ConclusionsWe found chirp responses to be enhanced in the 48 hours prior to migraine headache onset. Visual chirp stimulation proved a simple and reliable technique with potential to detect changes in cortical responsivity associated with the onset of migraine attacks. Show less
Mulder, I.A.; Rubio-Beltran, E.; Ibrahimi, K.; Dzyubachyk, O.; Khmelinskii, A.; Hoehn, M.; ... ; Maagdenberg, A.M.J.M. van den 2020
Metabolomics examines the small molecules involved in cellular metabolism. Approximately 50% of total phenotypic differences in metabolite levels is due to genetic variance, but heritability... Show moreMetabolomics examines the small molecules involved in cellular metabolism. Approximately 50% of total phenotypic differences in metabolite levels is due to genetic variance, but heritability estimates differ across metabolite classes. We perform a review of all genome-wide association and (exome-) sequencing studies published between November 2008 and October 2018, and identify > 800 class-specific metabolite loci associated with metabolite levels. In a twin-family cohort (N = 5117), these metabolite loci are leveraged to simultaneously estimate total heritability (h(total)(2)), and the proportion of heritability captured by known metabolite loci (h(Metabolite-hits)(2)) for 309 lipids and 52 organic acids. Our study reveals significant differences in h(Metabolite-hits)(2) among different classes of lipids and organic acids. Furthermore, phosphatidylcholines with a high degree of unsaturation have higher h(Metabolite-hits)(2) estimates than phosphatidylcholines with low degrees of unsaturation. This study highlights the importance of common genetic variants for metabolite levels, and elucidates the genetic architecture of metabolite classes. Show less
Liu, J.; Lahousse, L.; Nivard, M.G.; Bot, M.; Chen, L.M.; Klinken, J.B. van; ... ; Duijn, C.M. van 2020
Progress in high-throughput metabolic profiling provides unprecedented opportunities to obtain insights into the effects of drugs on human metabolism. The Biobanking BioMolecular Research... Show moreProgress in high-throughput metabolic profiling provides unprecedented opportunities to obtain insights into the effects of drugs on human metabolism. The Biobanking BioMolecular Research Infrastructure of the Netherlands has constructed an atlas of drug-metabolite associations for 87 commonly prescribed drugs and 150 clinically relevant plasma-based metabolites assessed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance. The atlas includes a meta-analysis of ten cohorts (18,873 persons) and uncovers 1,071 drug-metabolite associations after evaluation of confounders including co-treatment. We show that the effect estimates of statins on metabolites from the cross-sectional study are comparable to those from intervention and genetic observational studies. Further data integration links proton pump inhibitors to circulating metabolites, liver function, hepatic steatosis and the gut microbiome. Our atlas provides a tool for targeted experimental pharmaceutical research and clinical trials to improve drug efficacy, safety and repurposing. We provide a web-based resource for visualization of the atlas (http://bbmri.researchlumc.nl/atlas/). Show less
Liu, J.; Lahousse, L.; Nivard, M.G.; Bot, M.; Chen, L.M.; Klinken, J.B. van; ... ; Duijn, C.M. van 2020
Progress in high-throughput metabolic profiling provides unprecedented opportunities to obtain insights into the effects of drugs on human metabolism. The Biobanking BioMolecular Research... Show moreProgress in high-throughput metabolic profiling provides unprecedented opportunities to obtain insights into the effects of drugs on human metabolism. The Biobanking BioMolecular Research Infrastructure of the Netherlands has constructed an atlas of drug-metabolite associations for 87 commonly prescribed drugs and 150 clinically relevant plasma-based metabolites assessed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance. The atlas includes a meta-analysis of ten cohorts (18,873 persons) and uncovers 1,071 drug-metabolite associations after evaluation of confounders including co-treatment. We show that the effect estimates of statins on metabolites from the cross-sectional study are comparable to those from intervention and genetic observational studies. Further data integration links proton pump inhibitors to circulating metabolites, liver function, hepatic steatosis and the gut microbiome. Our atlas provides a tool for targeted experimental pharmaceutical research and clinical trials to improve drug efficacy, safety and repurposing. We provide a web-based resource for visualization of the atlas (http://bbmri.researchlumc.nl/atlas/). Show less
