Circulating microRNAs as Promising Biomarkers in Parkinson's Disease

Area of Science:

• Biomarkers and Diagnostics
• Neuroscience
• Genetics and Genomics

Background:

• Parkinson Disease (PD) diagnosis and progression monitoring require reliable biomarkers.
• Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) show potential as non-invasive biomarkers for neurological disorders.
• The Turkish population's specific genetic and environmental factors may influence miRNA expression in PD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Parkinson Disease (PD)-associated circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in the Turkish population.
• To evaluate the potential of selected miRNAs for PD screening, diagnosis, and disease progression assessment.
• To explore the utility of miR-24-3p and miR-331 as potential biomarkers for PD.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples from 51 PD patients and 20 healthy controls were analyzed.
• Expression levels of seven candidate miRNAs (miR-16-1, miR-24-3p, miR-30a, miR-30e, miR-34a, miR-34b, miR-331) were quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).
• Multi-omics analysis integrated proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics data with miRNA expression.

Main Results:

• Serum miR-24-3p levels were significantly elevated (1.7-fold) in PD patients compared to controls (p=0.0001).
• miR-24-3p demonstrated promising diagnostic potential with 80.4% sensitivity and 85% specificity.
• Serum miR-331 levels correlated significantly with Parkinson's Disease UPDRS scores (p=0.027), suggesting a role in disease severity.

Conclusions:

• Serum miR-24-3p is a potential diagnostic biomarker for Parkinson Disease in the Turkish population.
• Serum miR-331 may serve as a predictive biomarker for Parkinson Disease severity.
• Further research is warranted to validate these findings and explore therapeutic implications.