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Translating Molecular Psychiatry: From Biomarkers to Personalized Therapies

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 4251

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Danube Neuroscience Research Laboratory, HUN-REN-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, Hungarian Research Network, University of Szeged (HUN-REN-SZTE), Tisza Lajos krt. 113, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
Interests: depression; anxiety; dementia pain; their comorbidities nature; translational research in neurological diseases and psychiatric disorders
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We invite submissions for a Special Issue dedicated to the transformative potential of translational research in molecular psychiatry. This issue seeks to bridge the gap between cutting-edge molecular insights and their practical application in clinical settings, focusing on key areas that promise to revolutionize psychiatric care. We welcome contributions that investigate the identification and validation of molecular biomarkers, such as genetic markers and metabolites, which are critical for improving diagnostic precision and tailoring personalized treatment plans in psychiatric disorders. These advancements are fundamental to the development of precision medicine in mental health.

The Special Issue also welcomes papers on pharmacogenomics, emphasizing how genetic variations influence individual responses to psychiatric medications. Research in this area can significantly reduce adverse effects and optimize therapeutic outcomes by guiding personalized drug regimens. Furthermore, we are looking for studies on gene-environment interactions in psychiatric disorders that will help us understand the complex interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental triggers, with the goal of informing the design of targeted prevention and intervention strategies.

Further, we highlight the importance of neuroinflammation and immune modulation in understanding and treating psychiatric conditions, alongside the role of neuroimaging and molecular imaging in correlating molecular changes with clinical symptoms. This issue aims to advance the field by accelerating the translation of molecular research into effective clinical innovations, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes in psychiatry.

Dr. Masaru Tanaka
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • molecular psychiatry
  • biomarkers
  • pharmacogenomics
  • precision medicine
  • gene-environment Interaction
  • neuroinflammation
  • immune modulation
  • neuroimaging
  • molecular imaging
  • psychiatric disorders

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Review

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23 pages, 3711 KiB  
Review
AdipoRon’s Impact on Alzheimer’s Disease—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Sandra Maria Barbalho, Lucas Fornari Laurindo, Bárbara de Oliveira Zanuso, Rebeca Maria Siqueira da Silva, Lívia Gallerani Caglioni, Victor Bruno Fonseca Nunes Junqueira de Moraes, Lívia Fornari Laurindo, Victória Dogani Rodrigues, Jéssica da Silva Camarinha Oliveira, Maria Eduarda Beluce, Cláudia Rucco Penteado Detregiachi, Caroline Barbalho Lamas, Jesselina Francisco dos Santos Haber, Virgínia Maria Cavallari Strozze Catharin, Karina Quesada, Masaru Tanaka and Vitor Engrácia Valenti
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(2), 484; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26020484 - 8 Jan 2025
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Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains a leading cause of cognitive decline and mortality worldwide, characterized by neurodegeneration, synaptic deficiencies, and neuroinflammation. Despite advancements in early detection, diagnosis, and treatment, AD presents substantial challenges due to its complex pathology, heterogeneity, and the limited efficacy of [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains a leading cause of cognitive decline and mortality worldwide, characterized by neurodegeneration, synaptic deficiencies, and neuroinflammation. Despite advancements in early detection, diagnosis, and treatment, AD presents substantial challenges due to its complex pathology, heterogeneity, and the limited efficacy of current therapies. Consequently, there is a pressing need for novel therapeutic agents to target the multifaceted aspects of AD pathology, enhance current treatments, and minimize adverse effects. AdipoRon, an adiponectin receptor agonist, has garnered interest for its potential neuroprotective effects, including reducing neuroinflammation, improving mitochondrial function, and mitigating tau hyperphosphorylation. This review aimed to evaluate the effects of AdipoRon-based adiponectin replacement therapy against AD, using a comprehensive approach grounded in the PICO framework—Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes. A total of six studies were reviewed, including in vitro and in vivo investigations examining AdipoRon’s impact on various AD models. These studies involved different cell lines and transgenic mouse models, assessing various outcomes such as cognitive function, neuroinflammation, tau phosphorylation, synaptic deficiencies, and relevant molecular pathways. By synthesizing data from these studies, our review thoroughly explains AdipoRon’s neuroprotective effects, mechanisms of action, and potential as a therapeutic agent for AD. This analysis aims to highlight the current state of knowledge, identify gaps in the research, and suggest directions for future studies and clinical applications. Full article
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Other

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14 pages, 1544 KiB  
Brief Report
RNA Editing Signatures Powered by Artificial Intelligence: A New Frontier in Differentiating Schizophrenia, Bipolar, and Schizoaffective Disorders
by Francisco J. Checa-Robles, Nicolas Salvetat, Christopher Cayzac, Mary Menhem, Mathieu Favier, Diana Vetter, Ilhème Ouna, João V. Nani, Mirian A. F. Hayashi, Elisa Brietzke and Dinah Weissmann
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 12981; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252312981 - 3 Dec 2024
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Abstract
Mental health disorders are devastating illnesses, often misdiagnosed due to overlapping clinical symptoms. Among these conditions, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder are particularly difficult to distinguish, as they share alternating positive and negative mood symptoms. Accurate and timely diagnosis of these diseases [...] Read more.
Mental health disorders are devastating illnesses, often misdiagnosed due to overlapping clinical symptoms. Among these conditions, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder are particularly difficult to distinguish, as they share alternating positive and negative mood symptoms. Accurate and timely diagnosis of these diseases is crucial to ensure effective treatment and to tailor therapeutic management to each individual patient. In this context, it is essential to move beyond standard clinical assessment and employ innovative approaches to identify new biomarkers that can be reliably quantified. We previously identified a panel of RNA editing biomarkers capable of differentiating healthy controls from depressed patients and, among depressed patients, those with major depressive disorder and those with bipolar disorder. In this study, we integrated Adenosine-to-Inosine RNA editing blood biomarkers with clinical data through machine learning algorithms to establish specific signatures for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. This groundbreaking study paves the way for the application of RNA editing in other psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. It represents a first proof-of-concept and provides compelling evidence for the establishment of an RNA editing signature for the diagnosis of these psychiatric conditions. Full article
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9 pages, 1222 KiB  
Brief Report
IL-1 Blockade Mitigates Autism and Cerebral Palsy Traits in Offspring In-Utero Exposed to Group B Streptococcus Chorioamnionitis
by Taghreed A. Ayash, Marie-Julie Allard, Mathilde Chevin and Guillaume Sébire
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(21), 11393; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111393 - 23 Oct 2024
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Abstract
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most common bacteria responsible for placental and neonatal infection and inflammation resulting in lifelong neurobehavioral impairments. In particular, GBS-induced chorioamnionitis is known in preclinical models to upregulate inflammatory pathways, primarily through the activation of the [...] Read more.
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most common bacteria responsible for placental and neonatal infection and inflammation resulting in lifelong neurobehavioral impairments. In particular, GBS-induced chorioamnionitis is known in preclinical models to upregulate inflammatory pathways, primarily through the activation of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) pathway, leading to brain injury and subsequent neurodevelopmental issues. Previous studies from our laboratory using Lewis rat pups have shown that male offspring exposed in utero to GBS chorioamnionitis develop brain injuries leading to neurobehavioral impairments such as autistic traits. In the present study, we aimed to explore whether blocking the IL-1 pathway could prevent or mitigate these neurodevelopmental impairments in adulthood. Using our established preclinical model, we administered IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) to dams with GBS-induced chorioamnionitis. Here, we show that IL-1Ra administration to dams reversed autistic and cerebral palsy traits in male adult offspring exposed in utero to GBS. Hence, IL-1 blockade could serve as a therapeutic intervention against pathogen-induced neurodevelopmental disorders. This research supports the need for future human randomized controlled trials to assess IL-1 blockade administered during pregnancy or in newborns as a strategy to reduce the long-term neurobehavioral consequences of prenatal infections, such as autism, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Full article
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