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MicroRNAs as potential biomarkers in schizophrenia: Current methodological limitations and challenges
Mar Hernaez1, Eduard Parellada2, Mercè Brunet3
1Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Biomedical Diagnostic Center, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Schizophrenia Research Group, The August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Doctoral program in Biomedicine, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain.
MicroRNAs show promise as biomarkers for schizophrenia, offering objective insights beyond subjective assessments. Further research is needed to establish reliable microRNA panels for diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Schizophrenia diagnosis relies on subjective assessments, necessitating objective biomarkers.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs, regulate gene expression and are implicated in neurodevelopment and synaptic function.
- miRNAs are detectable in biofluids, making them potential minimally invasive biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review miRNA biogenesis, function, and their dysregulation in schizophrenia.
- To critically evaluate analytical methods for miRNA detection.
- To identify miRNAs consistently implicated in schizophrenia and assess their translational potential.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing current knowledge on miRNA biology and schizophrenia.
- Critical evaluation of miRNA detection techniques (PCR, microarrays, next-generation sequencing).
- Analysis of specific miRNAs, their mRNA targets, and associated pathways in schizophrenia.
Main Results:
- miRNAs are consistently dysregulated in schizophrenia, affecting pathways like glutamatergic transmission and synaptic plasticity.
- Specific miRNAs are associated with schizophrenia, but no robust diagnostic panel exists.
- Variability in study methodologies hinders biomarker development.
Conclusions:
- Dysregulated miRNAs offer potential as objective biomarkers for schizophrenia diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
- Standardizing detection and normalization methods is crucial for developing reliable miRNA biomarkers.
- Further research into specific miRNAs and pathways may advance precision medicine in psychiatry.
