The Potential Role of miRNAs as Predictive Biomarkers in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

• Published in: Journal of molecular neuroscience 2021-07, Vol.71 (7), p.1338-1355
• Main Authors: Juvale, Iman Imtiyaz Ahmed, Che Has, Ahmad Tarmizi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amniotic Fluid - chemistry; Animals; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - diagnosis; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - genetics; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorder - diagnosis; Autism Spectrum Disorder - genetics; Biomarkers; Biomarkers - analysis; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cell Biology; Central nervous system; Children; Cognitive ability; Developing countries; Diagnostic systems; Disease Models, Animal; Disorders; Down Syndrome - diagnosis; Down Syndrome - genetics; Early Diagnosis; Environmental factors; Female; Fragile X syndrome; Fragile X Syndrome - diagnosis; Fragile X Syndrome - genetics; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Gilles de la Tourette syndrome; Humans; Hyperactivity; Impulsive behavior; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Intellectual disabilities; LDCs; Male; Mice; MicroRNAs; MicroRNAs - analysis; MicroRNAs - genetics; miRNA; Molecular modelling; Neonatal Screening; Neurochemistry; Neurodevelopmental disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders - diagnosis; Neurodevelopmental Disorders - genetics; Neurology; Neurosciences; Pregnancy; Proteomics; Quality of life; Tourette Syndrome - diagnosis; Tourette Syndrome - genetics; Zebrafish
• ISSN: 0895-8696; 1559-1166
• DOI: 10.1007/s12031-021-01825-7

Neurodevelopmental disorders are defined as a set of abnormal brain developmental conditions marked by the early childhood onset of cognitive, behavioral, and functional deficits leading to memory and learning problems, emotional instability, and impulsivity. Autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Tourette syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and Down’s syndrome are a few known examples of neurodevelopmental disorders. Although they are relatively common in both developed and developing countries, very little is currently known about their underlying molecular mechanisms. Both genetic and environmental factors are known to increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. Current diagnostic and screening tests for neurodevelopmental disorders are not reliable; hence, individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders are often diagnosed in the later stages. This negatively affects their prognosis and quality of life, prompting the need for a better diagnostic biomarker. Recent studies on microRNAs and their altered regulation in diseases have shed some light on the possible role they could play in the development of the central nervous system. This review attempts to elucidate our current understanding of the role that microRNAs play in neurodevelopmental disorders with the hope of utilizing them as potential biomarkers in the future.