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Updated: Mar 21, 2026
Perturbations of Circulating miRNAs in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Detected Using a Multiplexed High-throughput Gene Expression Platform
Published on: November 30, 2016
Preliminary examination of microRNA expression profiling in bipolar disorder I patients during antipsychotic
Chor Hong Lim1, Nor Zuraida Zainal2, Sharmilla Kanagasundram2
1The Pharmacogenomics Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Abstract:
Although major progress has been achieved in research and development of antipsychotic medications for bipolar disorder (BPD), knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying this disorder and the action of atypical antipsychotics remains incomplete. The levels of microRNAs (miRNAs)-small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression, including genes involved in neuronal function and plasticity-are frequently altered in psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to examine changes in miRNA expression in bipolar mania patients after treatment with asenapine and risperidone. Using a miRNA microarray, we analyzed miRNA expression in the blood of 10 bipolar mania patients following 12 weeks of treatment with asenapine or risperidone. Selected miRNAs were validated by using real-time PCR. A total of 16 miRNAs were differentially expressed after treatment in the asenapine group, 14 of which were significantly upregulated and the other two significantly downregulated. However, all three differentially expressed miRNAs in the risperidone group were downregulated. MiRNA target gene prediction and gene ontology analysis revealed significant enrichment for pathways associated with immune system response and regulation of programmed cell death and transcription. Our results suggest that candidate miRNAs may be involved in the mechanism of action of both antipsychotics in bipolar mania. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Insights
This study investigated microRNA (miRNA) changes in bipolar mania patients treated with atypical antipsychotics. Asenapine and risperidone altered specific miRNA levels, suggesting their involvement in antipsychotic action for bipolar disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Bipolar disorder (BPD) treatment has advanced, yet its molecular mechanisms and atypical antipsychotic actions are not fully understood.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression, are implicated in psychiatric disorders due to their role in neuronal function and plasticity.
- Altered miRNA expression is a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in neuropsychiatric conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in miRNA expression profiles in patients with bipolar mania after treatment with asenapine and risperidone.
- To identify specific miRNAs affected by these atypical antipsychotics.
- To explore the functional pathways associated with differentially expressed miRNAs.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples from 10 bipolar mania patients were analyzed using miRNA microarrays after 12 weeks of treatment with either asenapine or risperidone.
- Differential miRNA expression was identified and validated using real-time PCR.
- Bioinformatic analyses, including miRNA target gene prediction and gene ontology analysis, were performed.
Main Results:
- Treatment with asenapine resulted in 16 differentially expressed miRNAs (14 upregulated, 2 downregulated).
- Risperidone treatment led to 3 downregulated miRNAs.
- Enriched pathways for targeted genes included immune system response, programmed cell death, and transcription regulation.
Conclusions:
- Candidate miRNAs are differentially expressed following treatment with asenapine and risperidone in bipolar mania patients.
- These findings suggest that specific miRNAs may play a role in the mechanism of action of these antipsychotics.
- Further research into miRNA-based therapeutics for bipolar disorder is warranted.
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