MicroRNA Dysregulation in Psychiatric Disorders
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that fine-tune gene expression by directing messenger RNA degradation or inhibiting its translation. In the healthy brain, miRNAs regulate synaptic plasticity, neuronal differentiation and stress responses. Dysregulation of specific miRNAs has been implicated in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression. Altered miRNA expression may disrupt the balance of excitatory and inhibitory signalling, neuroinflammatory pathways and metabolic processes in neural and peripheral tissues. Evidence from post-mortem brain studies reveals that several miRNAs are aberrantly expressed in cortical and limbic regions of affected individuals, while peripheral analyses show promise for non-invasive biomarker discovery. Emerging data also suggest that miRNA-mediated networks link genetic risk loci to downstream pathways, offering insight into disease heterogeneity and opportunities for precision diagnostics and novel therapeutic targets.
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MicroRNA Dysregulation in Psychiatric Disorders publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in microrna dysregulation in psychiatric disorders across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
MicroRNA (miRNA): A short non-coding RNA molecule that regulates gene expression by binding to complementary sequences on target messenger RNAs, leading to their degradation or translational repression.
Extracellular vesicle (EV): A membrane-bound particle released by cells that transports proteins, lipids and RNAs, including miRNAs, to mediate intercellular communication.
Post-transcriptional regulation: Control of gene expression at the RNA level, after the transcription of DNA into messenger RNA, often involving miRNAs and RNA-binding proteins.
Biomarker: A biological molecule whose presence or altered level can indicate normal or pathological processes, or responses to a therapeutic intervention.
Synaptic plasticity: The ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time in response to increases or decreases in their activity, fundamental to learning and memory.
References
- miRNA cargo in circulating vesicles from neurons is altered in individuals with schizophrenia and associated with severe disease. Science Advances (2023).
- Circulating microRNA Profiles Identify a Patient Subgroup with High Inflammation and Severe Symptoms in Schizophrenia Experiencing Acute Psychosis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
- ‘Whole-Body’ Perspectives of Schizophrenia and Related Psychotic Illness: miRNA-143 as an Exemplary Molecule Implicated across Multi-System Dysfunctions. Biomolecules (2024).
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