Abstract
BackgroundMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders and is a great disease burden. However, its underlying pathophysiology and aetiology remain poorly understood. Available evidence suggests that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with MDD, but it is still unknown whether miRNAs can predict subsequent incident MDD.MethodsIn this nested case-control study, a total of 104 individuals, who were free of MDD at baseline, from the Women’s Health in Lund Area (WHILA) cohort were included. Among them, 52 individuals developed MDD (cases) during the 5 years follow-up and 52 individuals did not develop MDD (controls). Plasma expression levels of miR-17-5p, miR-134-5p, miR-144-5p, let-7b-5p and let-7c-5p at baseline were assessed using qRT-PCR. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of developing MDD among individuals with different levels of miRNA expression.ResultsPlasma expression levels of let-7b-5p were significantly lower (p = 0.02) at baseline in cases compared to controls. After adjustment for age and BMI, let-7b-5p was negatively associated with odds for developing MDD (OR = 0.33, p = 0.03, 95% CI = 0.12–0.91). Moreover, let-7b-5p expression levels showed a trend over time with larger differences between cases and controls for the earlier cases (MDD diagnosis <2 years from baseline) than MDD cases developed later (MDD diagnosis 2–5 years from baseline).ConclusionsThese findings show that lower plasma levels of let-7b-5p are associated with a higher future risk of MDD. Results need to be validated in a large cohort to examine its potential as a peripheral biomarker for MDD.
Highlights
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders and is a great disease burden
MiRNA expression levels were measured for the five selected miRNAs
For other miRNAs, significance was not reached but a trend of lower levels at baseline in cases compared to controls could be observed for miR-134-5p, miR-144-5p, and let7c-5p
Summary
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders and is a great disease burden. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a medical condition that includes abnormalities in mood, cognition, appetite, sleep, and psychomotor activity [1]. MDD is one of the most common psychiatric disorders worldwide and is currently projected to become the condition with. Few genes were found to affect the risk of development of depression [5]. Roumans et al BMC Psychiatry (2021) 21:616 depression is a condition caused by genetic factors, and by the influence of environmental factors on gene expression. Epigenetic mechanisms, including histone modifications, DNA methylation, and a newly recognised group of regulators, the non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), contribute to the regulation of gene expression [6]. The most common ncRNAs are the microRNAs (miRNAs). A number of studies have detected miRNAs in peripheral bodily fluids such as the whole blood, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
