All Roads Lead to the miRNome: miRNAs Have a Central Role in the Molecular Pathophysiology of Psychiatric Disorders

Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2016 Dec;37(12):1029-1044. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2016.10.004. Epub 2016 Nov 8.

Abstract

Current treatment strategies for psychiatric disorders remain inadequate. Impeding development of novel therapeutics is our incomplete knowledge of the molecular pathophysiology underlying these disorders. Changes to miRNA function and expression are increasingly being associated with pathological behavioral states. Furthermore, the prospect of using of miRNA expression profiles (the miRNome) as objective psychiatric diagnosis tools is gaining traction. In this review, we focus on recent findings surrounding the link between miRNA function and psychiatric disorders, and outline some of the key challenges that will need to be overcome if the therapeutic potential of these molecular effectors is to be fully realized.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / genetics
  • Mental Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Mental Disorders / therapy
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*

Substances

  • MicroRNAs