MicroRNAs, Stem Cells in Bipolar Disorder, and Lithium Therapeutic Approach

Overview

Journal Int J Mol Sci

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Chemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2022 Sep 23

PMID 36142403

Authors

Donatella Coradduzza

Giuseppe Garroni

Antonella Congiargiu

Francesca Balzano

Sara Cruciani

Stefania Sedda

Alessandra Nivoli

Margherita Maioli

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe, chronic, and disabling neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by recurrent mood disturbances (mania/hypomania and depression, with or without mixed features) and a constellation of cognitive, psychomotor, autonomic, and endocrine abnormalities. The etiology of BD is multifactorial, including both biological and epigenetic factors. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of epigenetic regulators of gene expression playing a central role in brain development and plasticity, have been related to several neuropsychiatric disorders, including BD. Moreover, an alteration in the number/distribution and differentiation potential of neural stem cells has also been described, significantly affecting brain homeostasis and neuroplasticity. This review aimed to evaluate the most reliable scientific evidence on miRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis of BD and assess their implications in response to mood stabilizers, such as lithium. Neural stem cell distribution, regulation, and dysfunction in the etiology of BD are also dissected.

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