hsa_circRNA_104597: a novel potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker for schizophrenia

: Aim: To assess whether expression of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells can serve as a biomarker for diagnosis and/or therapeutic response in people living with schizophrenia (SZ). Materials & methods: Differentially expressed circRNAs were screened via microarray in nine individuals living with SZ and nine healthy controls, then quantified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR in SZ (n = 102) and healthy control (n = 103) groups. CircRNAs were re-assessed twice in 30 randomly selected individuals living with SZ after 4- and 8-week antipsychotic treatments. Results: Five circRNAs were differentially expressed between groups. Only hsa_circRNA_104597, which was downregulated in the SZ group, was significantly upregulated after 8-week treatment. Conclusion: Dysregulation of hsa_circRNA_104597 may serve as a novel potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker for SZ.