Metabolites (Sep 2024)

Peripheral Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Its Regulatory miRNAs as Biological Correlates of Impulsivity in Young Adults

  • Przemyslaw Zakowicz,
  • Beata Narozna,
  • Tomasz Kozlowski,
  • Weronika Bargiel,
  • Maksymilian Grabarczyk,
  • Maria Terczynska,
  • Julia Pilecka,
  • Karolina Wasicka-Przewozna,
  • Joanna Pawlak,
  • Maria Skibinska

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14100529
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 10
p. 529

Abstract

Read online

Background: Impulsivity assessment may serve as a valuable clinical tool in the stratification of suicide risk. Acting without forethought is a crucial feature in the psychopathology of many psychiatric disturbances and corresponds with suicidal ideations, behaviors, and attempts. Methods: We present data on biological and psychological correlates of impulsivity among young adults (n = 47). Psychological analysis included both the self-description questionnaire—Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11)—and neuropsychological behavioral tests, including the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), the Simple Response Time task (SRT), and the Continuous Performance Test (CPT). mRNA and micro-RNA were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Expression levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) mRNA and its regulatory micro RNAs, mir-1-3p, mir-15a-5p, mir-26a-5p, mir-26b-5p, and mir-195-5p, were analyzed using the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method. proBDNF and BDNF plasma protein levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Significant correlations between BDNF mRNA and mir-15a-5p as well as proBDNF levels and mir-1-3p were detected. proBDNF protein levels correlated with motor and perseverance, while mir-26b correlated with cognitive complexity subdimensions of the BIS-11 scale. Correlations between BDNF, miRNAs, and the results of neuropsychological tests were also detected. Conclusions: The BDNF pathway shows a clinical potential in searching for biomarkers of impulse-control impairment. BDNF-regulatory micro-RNAs are detectable and related to clinical parameters in the studied population, which needs further research.

Keywords