Exploring miRNA Biomarkers in Major Depressive Disorder: A Molecular Medicine Perspective

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex mental health condition with a multifaceted and incompletely elucidated pathophysiology. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as potential biomarkers due to their role in gene regulation and the observed dysregulation in MDD. The aim of this study is to detect the presence of specific molecular diagnostic biomarkers in major depressive disorder. This cross-sectional study analyzed plasma miRNA expression in ten MDD patients and eight healthy controls using real-time PCR. Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified using independent t-tests, and their diagnostic potential was assessed with ROC curve analysis. Fifteen miRNAs exhibited significant dysregulation in MDD patients. Notably, hsa-miR-29c-3p, hsa-miR-376a-3p, hsa-miR-532-5p, and hsa-miR-339-5p showed excellent discriminatory power (AUC > 0.8). This study identifies differentially expressed plasma miRNAs in MDD, suggesting their potential for improved diagnosis and personalized treatment. However, further validation in larger cohorts and investigation into their functional roles are warranted.