Panel of inflammation-associated microRNAs as epilepsy biomarker

The identification of epilepsy biomarkers has represented one of the most significantly growing fields of study in recent years. A panel of 3 circulating microRNAs (miRs) with promising value as biomarker for genetic generalised epilepsy (GGE) was reported [1].

Several genome-wide studies in both animals and patients have demonstrated a dysregulation on the expression profile of miRs in epilepsy, with a focus on miRs associated with inflammation. In the reported study, researchers characterised circulating inflammation-associated miR-146a, miR-155, and miR-132 expression in 79 GGE patients and 67 healthy individuals. Serum levels of miR-146a and miR-155 were significantly upregulated compared with controls (3.13-fold and 6.05-fold, respectively). Combining miR-146a, miR-155, and miR-132 circulating levels increased biomarker performance to discriminate GGE patients from controls with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.85, with 80% specificity and 73% sensitivity. The authors stated that their results reinforce the relevance of inflammation-associated molecules in epilepsy, opening new avenues in drug development.

1. Ferreira R, et al. EAN 2019, O3221.

Posted on 27 August, 201917 March, 2021