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Updated: Jun 14, 2025
Dynamic Digital Biomarkers of Motor and Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease
Published on: July 24, 2019
Circulating miR-425 can be a biomarker for depression in patients with Parkinson's disease
Hong Liu1, Haonan Zhao2, Dongya Huang2
1Department of Neurology, Shanghai Xuhui District Central Hospital, 366 Longchuan North Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China.
Introduction:
Depression, a common comorbidity in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been proved to be promising biomarker candidates for PD. However, no miRNAs are currently available as biochemical markers of depression in PD.
Method:
Serum samples from 52 healthy controls, 69 non-depressed PD patients (PD-ND), and 62 depressed PD patients (PD-D) were analyzed using qPCR to measure miR-425 levels. All the participants were assessed using detailed clinical scales.
Results:
miRNA-425 (miR-425) expression in PD-D patients was downregulated compared with that in PD-ND patients, with an area under the curve of 0.867 in receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. miR-425 levels were negatively correlated with the severity of depression (HAMD, r = -0.423, p < 0.001) and anxiety (HAMA, r = -0.469, p < 0.001). Additionally, PD-D patients scored higher in H-Y, MDS-UPDRS (I, II, and III), NMSS (1, 3, 5, and 9), HAMD, HAMA, RBDSQ, ESS, and ADL and lower in NMSS7, MMSE, SS-16, and PDQ-39 than PD-ND patients. Binary logistic regression analysis identified that cognitive impairment (MMSE, p = 0.001) and anxiety (HAMA, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with depression in PD.
Conclusion:
Circulating miR-425 shows significant potential as a biomarker for depression in PD, with distinct downregulation in PD-D patients and a strong correlation with depression severity. Our findings suggest a unique potential for improving PD-D diagnosis and understanding its pathophysiology.
Insights
Depression in Parkinson's disease (PD) may be diagnosed using microRNA-425 (miR-425) levels. Lower miR-425 expression in PD patients indicates depression and correlates with symptom severity, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic biomarker.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
Background:
- Depression is a frequent comorbidity in Parkinson's disease (PD), often overlooked and inadequately treated.
- Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) show promise as biomarkers for PD, but specific markers for depression in PD are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of circulating microRNA-425 (miR-425) as a biomarker for depression in Parkinson's disease (PD).
- To assess the correlation between miR-425 levels and the severity of depression and anxiety symptoms in PD patients.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from healthy controls, non-depressed PD patients (PD-ND), and depressed PD patients (PD-D).
- Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to measure miR-425 levels.
- Participants underwent comprehensive clinical assessments using established scales.
Main Results:
- miR-425 expression was significantly downregulated in PD patients with depression (PD-D) compared to non-depressed PD patients (PD-ND).
- Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.867 for miR-425 in distinguishing PD-D from PD-ND.
- miR-425 levels exhibited a negative correlation with depression (HAMD) and anxiety (HAMA) severity.
- Depressed PD patients showed distinct clinical profiles, including higher scores in motor, cognitive, and mood assessments, and lower scores in specific cognitive and quality-of-life measures compared to non-depressed PD patients.
- Cognitive impairment (MMSE) and anxiety (HAMA) were identified as significant predictors of depression in PD.
Conclusions:
- Circulating miR-425 demonstrates significant potential as a biomarker for diagnosing depression in Parkinson's disease.
- The distinct downregulation of miR-425 in depressed PD patients and its correlation with symptom severity support its utility.
- These findings may contribute to improved diagnostic strategies and a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of depression in PD.
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