Introduction
Neuropsychiatric disorders affect millions worldwide and are challenging to diagnose and treat. Emerging evidence implicates exosomes as mediators of neuroinflammation, neurotransmission, and neural plasticity alterations underlying these disorders.
Exosomal Alterations in Neuropsychiatric Conditions
- Changes in exosomal microRNA profiles have been reported in patients with major depressive disorder, influencing synaptic function and neurogenesis [1].
- Schizophrenia-associated exosomes carry altered proteins involved in dopamine signaling and oxidative stress [2].
- Bipolar disorder exosomes show dysregulated inflammatory mediators, contributing to mood instability [3].
Diagnostic Potential
- Circulating exosomal biomarkers could facilitate early diagnosis and differentiation among psychiatric disorders.
- Longitudinal exosome profiling may monitor treatment response and disease progression.
Therapeutic Opportunities
- Exosome-based delivery of neuroprotective agents or gene therapies holds promise.
- Modulation of exosome release or uptake might correct pathological signaling.
Challenges and Future Perspectives
- Complexity of brain-derived exosome isolation from peripheral blood.
- Need for large-scale clinical validation.
- Ethical considerations in neuropsychiatric biomarker use.
Conclusion
Exosomes represent a novel frontier in neuropsychiatric research, with potential to revolutionize diagnosis and treatment strategies.
📚 References
- Pan Q, et al. Circulating exosomal microRNAs as potential biomarkers of major depressive disorder. J Affect Disord. 2019;243:506-513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.09.018
- Du P, et al. Exosomal proteins in schizophrenia: biomarkers and pathophysiological insights. Schizophr Res. 2020;216:37-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2019.11.015
- O’Connor RM, et al. Ex