Circulating Cell-Free Mitochondrial DNA in Plasma of Individuals with Schizophrenia and Cognitive Deficit in Mexican
Dulce Dajheanne Garcia-de la Cruz1,2, Isela Esther Juarez-Rojop2, Carlos Alfonso Tovilla-Zarate3
1Unidad de Enseñanza e Investigación, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Salud Mental Villahermosa, Tabasco, México.
Purpose:
Cognitive domains are affected in patients with schizophrenia. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been proposed as a possible origin of these symptoms. Cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) is an indicator of cellular stress, and it can be identified in individuals with age-associated disorders, this study aimed to explore the presence of cf-mtDNA in plasma of schizophrenia patients and its association with cognitive deficit.
Patients And Methods:
Ninety-nine subjects were clinically evaluated; the case group included 60 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 39 randomly-individuals without psychiatric disorders were included in the comparison group. Cognitive status (MoCA scale) and cell-free mtDNA in blood plasma were assessed and quantified in both groups.
Results:
From the original sample, cf-mtDNA was identified in 43 subjects, 40 patients with schizophrenia and 3 controls (Χ2 = 31.10, p-value < 0.0001). Thirty-nine out of forty patients with schizophrenia had a cognitive deficit.
Conclusion:
According to our findings, cognitive impairment and presence of cf-mtDNA were related in subjects with schizophrenia. Thus, while the cognitive deficit might reflect an accelerated aging process, the cf-mtDNA plays a role as a potential biomarker in this mechanism.
Insights
Cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) is present in schizophrenia patients and linked to cognitive deficits. This finding suggests cf-mtDNA may serve as a biomarker for accelerated aging in schizophrenia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Schizophrenia is associated with cognitive impairments.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction is a potential cause of these cognitive symptoms.
- Cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) indicates cellular stress and is found in age-associated disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of cf-mtDNA in the plasma of schizophrenia patients.
- To explore the association between cf-mtDNA and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Ninety-nine individuals were evaluated: 60 with schizophrenia and 39 controls.
- Cognitive status was assessed using the MoCA scale.
- cf-mtDNA levels in blood plasma were quantified.
Main Results:
- cf-mtDNA was detected in 40 out of 60 schizophrenia patients and 3 out of 39 controls (p < 0.0001).
- Cognitive deficits were observed in 39 of the 40 schizophrenia patients with cf-mtDNA.
- A significant association was found between cf-mtDNA presence and schizophrenia.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia is related to the presence of cf-mtDNA.
- cf-mtDNA may act as a biomarker for an accelerated aging process in schizophrenia.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction could be a key mechanism underlying cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
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