MicroRNA schizophrenia: Etiology, biomarkers and therapeutic targets

The three sets of symptoms associated with schizophrenia-positive, negative, and cognitive-are burdensome and have serious effects on public health, which affects up to 1% of the population. It is now commonly believed that in addition to the traditional dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway, the etiology of schizophrenia also includes neuronal networks, such as glutamate, GABA, serotonin, BDNF, oxidative stress, inflammation and the immune system. Small noncoding RNA molecules called microRNAs (miRNAs) have come to light as possible participants in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia in recent years by having an impact on these systems. These small RNAs regulate the stability and translation of hundreds of target transcripts, which has an impact on the entire gene network. There may be improved approaches to treat and diagnose schizophrenia if it is understood how these changes in miRNAs alter the critical related signaling pathways that drive the development and progression of the illness.

Automated summary

Schizophrenia-related symptoms, including positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms, have serious effects on public health, affecting approximately 1% of the population. Recent studies have shown that besides the traditional dopaminergic pathway, the etiology of schizophrenia involves neuronal networks such as glutamate, GABA, serotonin, BDNF, oxidative stress, inflammation, and the immune system. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNA molecules, have been identified as potential factors in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, influencing these systems. Understanding how changes in miRNAs affect critical signaling pathways could lead to improved approaches in treating and diagnosing schizophrenia.