“This is very exciting because right now, there isn’t a blood marker for disorders affecting the brain.”
BALTIMORE — A pioneering new blood test is being developed to detect mental health disorders. Johns Hopkins Children’s Center researchers are hoping this blood test can identify psychiatric and neurological issues, including postpartum depression, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. This research illuminates a novel method of detecting disease-associated changes in the brain by analyzing genetic material found in human blood.
The study, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, centers on the analysis of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the blood. EVs are tiny, fatty sacs filled with genetic materials like messenger RNA (mRNA), which play a crucial role in cell communication. These vesicles are released by all tissues in the body, including the brain, carrying specific pieces of mRNA that reflect the gene activity within their tissue of origin.
This research builds upon a previous Johns Hopkins Medicine study from September 2022, which observed altered EV communication in pregnant women who later developed postpartum depression.
“We only detected placenta-specific EVs during the pregnancy, and not after birth. This was a proof of concept, that we can detect EVs that are coming from a specific tissue or organ,” says study senior author Dr. Sarven Sabunciyan, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in a university release.
By examining EVs containing mRNA from lab-grown human brain tissue and comparing these findings to known brain functions and disorders, the team has identified specific mRNAs in the blood that are linked to various brain disorders. These mRNAs serve as potential biological markers for conditions that are currently diagnosed primarily through clinical interviews, thus representing a significant advancement in the field.
“This is very exciting, because right now, there isn’t a blood marker for disorders affecting the brain,” explains study co-author Dr. Lena Smirnova, an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “Essentially, these conditions are diagnosed by clinical interviews between patients and providers.”
The development of a blood test to detect these disorders would be a monumental step forward, allowing for early intervention and potentially preventing severe outcomes such as suicidal behavior.
The study’s methodology involved identifying brain-specific mRNAs in blood EVs and verifying their association with brain functions and disorders through extensive genetic pathway analysis. This led to the discovery of 13 mRNAs linked to postpartum depression, showcasing the potential of EV mRNAs as indicators of brain activity and pathology.
The ultimate goal of this research is to create a straightforward blood test that can detect changes in blood EV mRNA levels indicative of mental disorders, thereby providing a non-invasive, accessible diagnostic tool. Future directions for the team include applying this technique to develop tests for other conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder.
However, researchers have noted that their findings, particularly those related to depression, might be specific to postpartum depression, as the study was conducted with samples from female participants only. This highlights the need for further research to validate these biomarkers across a broader spectrum of brain disorders.
Bipolar Disorder Blood Test Under Development
Scientists have long been working to use blood tests as an easier way to diagnose various conditions. Researchers at Cambridge University have developed a novel approach to diagnosing bipolar disorder by combining an online psychiatric assessment with a blood test. The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry in October, aims to address the frequent misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder as major depressive disorder, which can lead to inappropriate treatment and potential harm to patients.
Bipolar disorder affects approximately 80 million people worldwide and is characterized by extreme mood swings, including periods of low mood and mania. However, patients often seek medical attention during depressive episodes, leading to misdiagnosis in nearly 40 percent of cases. Distinguishing between bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder is crucial, as the two conditions require different pharmacological treatments.
The research team utilized samples and data from the UK’s Delta study, which involved over 3,000 participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder within the past five years and currently experiencing depressive symptoms. Participants completed an extensive online mental health assessment and provided dried blood samples for analysis of over 600 metabolites.
Source: https://studyfinds.org/blood-test-psychiatric-disorders/