Can miRNA Expression Levels Predict Treatment Resistance to Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Patients with...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Genetics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex psychiatric condition influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
• microRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their role in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare miRNA expression levels between individuals with OCD and healthy controls.
• To investigate the association between specific miRNA expression levels and treatment resistance in OCD patients.

Main Methods:

• Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify the expression of twelve miRNAs in the blood of 100 OCD patients and 50 healthy controls.
• Patients underwent clinical assessments using standardized scales (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom Checklist).
• A 6-month follow-up was conducted after initiating serotonin receptor inhibitor treatments.

Main Results:

• Elevated expression of miR-26a-5p, miR-21-3p, miR-219a-1-3p, miR-106b-5p, miR-6740-5p, miR-320a, miR-22-3p, and miR-16b-5p was observed in OCD patients compared to controls.
• Lower expression of miR-135a-5p and miR-129-6b-5p was found in OCD patients.
• Increased miR-106b-5p levels correlated with treatment resistance (P = .020).
• A negative correlation was found between miR-374b-3p and OCD disease severity (P = .042).

Conclusions:

• Specific miRNA expression profiles may serve as potential biomarkers in obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• The relationship between miRNA expression, treatment resistance, and disease severity warrants further investigation in OCD.