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Related Concept Videos

Biological Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Biological Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a severe psychiatric disorder, arises from a complex interplay of biological factors, including genetic predisposition, structural brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and developmental irregularities. These factors collectively contribute to the onset and progression of the disorder, which typically manifests in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
Bipolar Disorder01:30

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by significant mood fluctuations, including episodes of mania and depression. Elevated energy levels, heightened mood or irritability, impulsive behavior, reduced sleep needs, rapid speech, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, and distractibility characterize mania. Individuals with bipolar disorder often alternate between depressive and manic states, with periods of emotional stability lasting an average of six months to a year.
Human Genetics01:28

Human Genetics

Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease01:25

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder01:29

Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder

The development of psychological disorders, which are characterized by deviant, maladaptive, and personally distressing behaviors, has been explored through several theoretical approaches.
Biological approach
The biological approach posits that internal, organic factors are the primary causes of such disorders. This perspective emphasizes brain structure and function, genetic predispositions, and neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, schizophrenia has been associated with both genetic...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting
11:31

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Published on: November 30, 2015

Circulating Cell-Free DNA in Psychiatric Disorders: Current Evidence, Inflammation-Based Stratification, and Future

Chiara Galbiati1, Erika Vitali1, Cristian Bonvicini2

  • 1Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|June 26, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and its mitochondrial component (cf-mtDNA) show alterations in psychiatric disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. These biomarkers may aid in inflammation-based patient stratification and personalized treatment strategies.

Keywords:
cell-free DNAsinflammationmitochondrial cell-free DNAspsychiatric disordersstress

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Derivation, Expansion, Cryopreservation and Characterization of Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
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Derivation, Expansion, Cryopreservation and Characterization of Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
08:04

Derivation, Expansion, Cryopreservation and Characterization of Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: November 19, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Psychiatric disorders are a major global health burden with significant biological and treatment variability.
  • Peripheral biomarkers for diagnosis, stratification, and personalized treatment in psychiatry are currently lacking.
  • Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a potential biomarker reflecting cellular damage, apoptosis, and immune activation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current evidence on cfDNA and cf-mtDNA in major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD), and schizophrenia (SCZ).
  • To examine the association of cfDNA with stress, trauma, and inflammation-related mechanisms (mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, HPA axis).

Main Methods:

  • Literature review synthesizing recent findings on cfDNA and cf-mtDNA in psychiatric disorders.
  • Analysis of cfDNA's role as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) and its immunostimulatory properties.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests cfDNA alterations in subgroups of patients with MDD, BD, and SCZ.
  • Findings are heterogeneous, partly due to methodological limitations and confounders.
  • cf-mtDNA is a sensitive indicator of mitochondrial stress.

Conclusions:

  • cfDNA alterations are observed in some psychiatric disorder patients, linked to stress and inflammation.
  • cfDNA shows promise for inflammation-based patient stratification and personalized therapies.
  • Future research should integrate cfDNA with multi-omics, analyze methylation, and explore cfDNA-targeted therapies.