MicroRNA regulation of prefrontal cortex development and psychiatric risk in adolescence

Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2021 Oct:118:83-91. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.04.011. Epub 2021 Apr 28.

Abstract

In this review, we examine the role of microRNAs in the development of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in adolescence and in individual differences in vulnerability to mental illness. We describe results from clinical and preclinical research indicating that adolescence coincides with drastic changes in local microRNA expression, including microRNAs that control gene networks involved in PFC and cognitive refinement. We highlight that altered levels of microRNAs in the PFC are associated with psychopathologies of adolescent onset, notably depression and schizophrenia. We show that microRNAs can be measured non-invasively in peripheral samples and could serve as longitudinal physiological readouts of brain expression and psychiatric risk in youth.

Keywords: Biomarkers; DCC receptors; Depression; MiR-218; Resilience; Schizophrenia; Vulnerability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Prefrontal Cortex / abnormalities*
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiopathology*
  • Schizophrenia / genetics*
  • Stress, Psychological / genetics*

Substances

  • MicroRNAs