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Shared Biologic Pathways Between Alzheimer Disease and Major Depression: A Systematic Review of MicroRNA Expression

Ana Paula Mendes-Silva1, Kelly Silva Pereira1, Gesiane Thamire Tolentino-Araujo1

  • 1Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais School of Medicine, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.

The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry : Official Journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
|September 5, 2016
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Major depressive disorder (MDD) and Alzheimer disease (AD) share common neurobiologic abnormalities. Key links include genomic integrity, proteostasis, immune regulation, and neurotrophic support.

Area of Science:

  • Neurobiology
  • Genetics
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Clinical and epidemiological data suggest shared neurobiological underpinnings between major depressive disorder (MDD) and Alzheimer disease (AD).
  • Understanding these commonalities may elucidate disease mechanisms and identify therapeutic targets for both conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and identify microRNAs (miRNAs) abnormally expressed in both AD and MDD.
  • To analyze the regulatory patterns, target genes, and biological pathways associated with these shared miRNAs.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review to identify miRNAs dysregulated in AD and MDD.
  • Bioinformatic analysis to determine common miRNAs, their target genes, and associated biological processes.

Main Results:

  • Seven miRNAs (e.g., hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-191-5p) were found to be commonly dysregulated in both AD and MDD.
  • These miRNAs target 45 genes involved in crucial biological pathways including proteostasis, genomic integrity, immune-inflammatory control, and neurotrophic support.

Conclusions:

  • Maintenance of genomic integrity, proteostasis control, immune-inflammatory regulation, and neurotrophic support represent key neurobiological links between MDD and AD.
  • A hypothetical model is proposed to explain the interaction between MDD, aging, and AD development.
Keywords:
Alzheimer diseasebiologic pathwaysbiomarkersgeriatric depressionmajor depressive disordermicroRNAs

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