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Is there a role for microRNAs in epilepsy diagnostics?
Sebastian Bauer1,2, Vanessa Schütz1,2, Adam Strzelczyk1,2
1Department. Of Neurology, Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University Frankfurt Am Main , Germany.
Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics
|March 20, 2020
Summary
Circulating microRNAs (CmiRNAs) show promise as epilepsy biomarkers, but current clinical trial data is inconsistent. Further research with standardized methods is needed to validate CmiRNAs for epilepsy diagnosis and management.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biomarker Discovery
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Epilepsy comprises diverse brain pathologies causing seizures, with unmet diagnostic needs.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as potential disease biomarkers.
- Circulating miRNAs (CmiRNAs) are being investigated for epilepsy diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review clinical trials on CmiRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers in epilepsy patients.
- To assess the current state of CmiRNA biomarker validation for epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of clinical trials investigating CmiRNAs in epilepsy.
- Analysis of study designs, results, and limitations.
Main Results:
- Clinical trial results for CmiRNAs in epilepsy are discordant, lacking definitive diagnostic biomarkers.
- Progress includes refining CmiRNA analysis (e.g., exosomal, Argonaute-bound) and developing point-of-care devices.
- Insufficient data exists for CmiRNAs in monitoring disease status, treatment response, prognosis, or safety.
Conclusions:
- Current CmiRNA data is insufficient to establish them as reliable epilepsy biomarkers.
- Standardized study designs and in-depth phenotyping are crucial for future validity.
- Identifying biomarkers for epileptogenesis in humans is a key future research direction.
