Peripheral blood micro RNA RNA and VEGFA VEGFA VEGFA mRNA mRNA changes following electroconvulsive therapy: implications for psychotic depression

摘要

Objective Micro RNA s are short, non‐coding molecules that regulate gene expression. Here, we investigate the role of micro RNA s in depression and electroconvulsive therapy ( ECT ). Methods We performed three studies: a deep sequencing discovery‐phase study of mi RNA changes in whole blood following ECT ( n = 16), followed by a validation study in a separate cohort of patients pre‐/post‐ ECT ( n = 37) and matched healthy controls ( n = 34). Changes in an experimentally validated gene target ( VEGFA ) were then analysed in patients pre‐/post‐ ECT ( n = 97) and in matched healthy controls ( n = 53). Results In the discovery‐phase study, we found no statistically significant differences in mi RNA expression from baseline to end of treatment in the group as a whole, but post hoc analysis indicated a difference in patients with psychotic depression ( n = 3). In a follow‐up validation study, patients with psychotic depression ( n = 7) had elevated baseline levels of miR‐126‐3p ( t = 3.015, P = 0.006) and miR‐106a‐5p ( t = 2.598, P = 0.025) compared to healthy controls. Following ECT , these differences disappeared. Baseline VEGFA levels were significantly higher in depressed patients compared to healthy controls ( F (1,144) = 27.688, P = 0.001). Following ECT , there was a significant change in VEGFA levels in the psychotic group only ( t = 2.915, P = 0.010). Conclusion Molecular differences (mi RNA and VEGFA ) may exist between psychotic and non‐psychotic depression treated with ECT .