Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland have discovered a plasma protein biomarker that can pinpoint adolescents at risk for mental health problems, paving the way for advances in early detection and prevention. The study, conducted by Professor Kacha Kanninen’s group, used a new algorithm to create predictive models and found 58 proteins highly associated with mental health risk.
Scientists at the University of Eastern Finland discovered biomarkers such as: plasma A protein that can identify teens who are prone to developing mental health disorders. These findings are natural mental health.
With an estimated 10-20% of adolescents facing mental health problems, and the vast majority of them undiagnosed and untreated, new early detection methods are urgently needed. These innovative indicators could change the way young people identify and prevent mental health problems in the future.
In a study conducted in Professor Katja Kanninen’s research group, researchers used self-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) scores to assess mental health risks in participants ages 11 to 16. . Analysis of blood samples showed that 58 proteins were significantly associated with her SDQ score.
Bioinformatic analysis was used to identify the biological processes and pathways associated with the identified plasma protein biomarker candidates. Major enrichment pathways associated with these proteins include immune response, blood clotting, neurogenesis, and neurodegeneration. In this study, we employed a novel symbolic regression algorithm to create a predictive model that best separates groups with low and high SDQ scores.
According to Kanninen, plasma biomarker research in psychiatric disorders is an emerging field.
“Plasma protein changes have been previously associated with a variety of mental health disorders, including depression, schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, and bipolar disorder. We supported and further revealed that changes in certain plasma proteins may indicate an increased risk of mental dysfunction in adolescents,” said Professor Kanninen.
According to the researchers, this pilot study will be followed by a more specific examination of potential biomarkers to identify individuals at risk for mental health problems, and advances in adolescent mental health management. It is said that a new path will be opened to
Reference: “Plasma Proteomics Discovery of Mental Health Risk Biomarkers in Adolescents” Izaque de Sousa Maciel, Aino-Kaisa Piironen, Alexey M. Afonin, Maria Ivanova, Arto Alatalo, Kaustubh Kishor Jadhav, Jordi Julvez, Maria Foraster, Irene van Kamp, and Katja M. Kanninen, 31 July 2023, natural mental health.
DOI: 10.1038/s44220-023-00103-2
