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Published on: July 23, 2012
Investigating microRNAs as biomarkers in disorders of consciousness: a longitudinal multicenter study
Nicolò Musso1, Dalida Bivona1, Carmelo Bonomo1
1Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy.
Abstract:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in gene regulation and may affect secondary brain injury and recovery in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC). This study investigated the role of five miRNAs (150-5p, 132-3p, 23b-3p, 451a, and 16-5p) in prolonged DoC. miRNA levels were assessed in serum samples from 30 patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome or minimally conscious state due to traumatic or hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (TBI, HIBI) at baseline (1-3 months) and 6 months post-injury. Patients' diagnoses were determined using the Coma Recovery Scale revised, and functional outcomes were evaluated 6 months after injury with the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Compared to healthy controls, patients with TBI had lower levels of miRNAs 150-5p, 132-3p, and 23b-3p at baseline, while patients with HIBI had lower levels of miRNA 150-5p at baseline and 6 months post-injury and a reduction of miRNA 451a at baseline. Higher levels of miRNAs 132-3p and 23b-3p were associated with better outcomes in TBI patients as indicated by GOSE and FIM scores. This study highlights distinct miRNA dysregulated patterns in patients with prolonged DoC, dependent on etiology and post-injury time, and suggests that miRNAs 132-3p and 23b-3p may serve as prognostic biomarkers.
Insights
Specific microRNAs (miRNAs) show altered levels in prolonged disorders of consciousness (DoC). MiRNAs 132-3p and 23b-3p may predict better outcomes in traumatic brain injury patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and influence secondary brain injury and recovery in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC).
- Understanding miRNA roles is crucial for improving prognostication and treatment strategies in DoC patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of five specific miRNAs (150-5p, 132-3p, 23b-3p, 451a, and 16-5p) in prolonged DoC.
- To explore the association between miRNA levels and etiological factors (traumatic brain injury [TBI] vs. hypoxic-ischemic brain injury [HIBI]) and patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 30 DoC patients (unresponsive wakefulness syndrome or minimally conscious state) were analyzed for miRNA levels at baseline (1-3 months) and 6 months post-injury.
- Patient diagnoses were confirmed using the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised.
- Functional outcomes were assessed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) at 6 months.
Main Results:
- Patients with TBI showed lower baseline levels of miRNAs 150-5p, 132-3p, and 23b-3p compared to controls.
- Patients with HIBI exhibited lower baseline levels of miRNA 150-5p and reduced miRNA 451a at baseline, with persistent low miRNA 150-5p at 6 months.
- Elevated levels of miRNAs 132-3p and 23b-3p correlated with better GOSE and FIM scores in TBI patients.
Conclusions:
- Distinct miRNA dysregulation patterns are observed in prolonged DoC, varying by etiology and time post-injury.
- MiRNAs 132-3p and 23b-3p show potential as prognostic biomarkers for recovery in TBI-related DoC.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms of these miRNAs in brain injury and recovery.
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