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Published on: August 15, 2017
Comparison of microRNA expression levels in patients with schizophrenia before and after electroconvulsive therapy
Nazife Gamze Usta Saglam1, Mehmet Bugrahan Duz2,3, Seda Salman Yilmaz4,5
1Department of Psychiatry, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa.
Objective:
Exploring the role of microRNAs in the antipsychotic efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) will contribute to understanding the underlying mechanism through which ECT exerts its therapeutic effects. The primary objective of this study was to identify microRNA alterations before and after ECT in patients with schizophrenia.
Methods:
We compared microarray-based microRNA profiles in peripheral blood from eight patients with schizophrenia before and after ECT and eight healthy controls. Then, we aimed to validate selected differentially expressed microRNAs in 30 patients with schizophrenia following a course of ECT, alongside 30 healthy controls by using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR.
Results:
Microarray-based expression profiling revealed alterations in 681 microRNAs when comparing pre- and post-ECT samples. Subsequent quantitative reverse-transcription PCR analysis of the selected microRNAs (miR-20a-5p and miR-598) did not reveal any statistical differences between pre- and post-ECT samples nor between pre-ECT samples and those of healthy controls.
Conclusion:
As neuroepigenetic studies on ECT are still in their infancy, the results reported in this study are best interpreted as exploratory outcomes. Additional studies are required to explore the potential epigenetic mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of ECT.
Insights
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) shows potential in treating schizophrenia, but this study found no significant microRNA changes before and after treatment. Further research is needed to understand ECT's epigenetic mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for schizophrenia.
- The underlying mechanisms of ECT's antipsychotic efficacy are not fully understood.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in various biological processes and diseases, including psychiatric disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate microRNA alterations in patients with schizophrenia before and after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
- To explore the role of specific microRNAs in the therapeutic effects of ECT.
Main Methods:
- Microarray analysis of microRNA profiles in peripheral blood from schizophrenia patients pre- and post-ECT, compared to healthy controls.
- Validation of selected differentially expressed microRNAs using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) in a larger cohort.
Main Results:
- Microarray analysis identified 681 microRNA alterations between pre- and post-ECT samples.
- However, qRT-PCR validation did not reveal significant differences for miR-20a-5p and miR-598 between pre- and post-ECT samples or compared to healthy controls.
Conclusions:
- The study's findings suggest that the investigated microRNAs may not play a significant role in the acute response to ECT in schizophrenia.
- Neuroepigenetic research on ECT is nascent, and results should be considered exploratory.
- Further investigation is required to elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms underlying ECT's therapeutic efficacy.
