Investigation of miR-1202, miR-135a, and miR-16 in Major Depressive Disorder and Antidepressant Response

Abstract Background Major depressive disorder is a debilitating illness, which is most commonly treated with antidepressant drugs. As the majority of patients do not respond on their first trial, there is great interest in identifying biological factors that indicate the most appropriate treatment for each patient. Studies suggest that microRNA represent excellent biomarkers to predict antidepressant response. Methods We investigated the expression of miR-1202, miR-135a, and miR-16 in peripheral blood from 2 cohorts of depressed patients who received 8 weeks of antidepressant therapy. Expression was quantified at baseline and after treatment, and its relationship to treatment response and depressive symptoms was assessed. Results In both cohorts, responders displayed lower baseline miR-1202 levels compared with nonresponders, which increased following treatment. Conclusions Ultimately, our results support the involvement of microRNA in antidepressant response and suggest that quantification of their levels in peripheral samples represents a valid approach to informing treatment decisions.