Plasma microRNA Signatures in Romanian Adolescents with First-Episode Psychosis

179 plasma microRNA levels were measured via qRT-PCR in 14 Romanian adolescents aged 15–18, comprising 7 drug-naïve first-episode psychosis patients and 7 age- and sex-matched controls. The dataset, created by Ștefania-Alexandra Grosu and last updated in May 2026, includes clinical symptom scores from PANSS, HAM-D, and YMRS scales. Twenty-three miRNAs showed significant level differences between patients and controls, with five remaining significant after multiple comparison adjustment.

Use Cases

• Identify potential miRNA biomarkers for first-episode psychosis based on case-control analysis of 179 miRNAs.
• Correlate miRNA expression levels with symptom severity scores from PANSS, HAM-D, and YMRS scales.
• Compare miRNA profiles in adolescent, drug-naïve populations to findings from adult, medicated cohorts.
• Investigate the influence of age, treatment status, and environmental factors on miRNA modifications in psychotic illnesses.

Strengths

• Focuses on a specific, understudied population: drug-naïve adolescents with first-episode psychosis.
• Includes clinical symptom severity scores from three standardized psychiatric assessment scales.
• Reports specific findings: 21 miRNAs with lower levels and 2 with higher levels in patients, with 5 surviving multiple comparison correction.

Limitations

• Small sample size of 14 total participants limits statistical power and generalizability.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to the Romanian cohort.

Provenance

Source

figshare

Collection Method

Plasma samples collected from participants; miRNA levels assessed using qRT-PCR.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-28 06:32:25; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Romania