Development of a new preventive strategy for mental disorders focusing on the accumulation of advanced glycation end products during prenatal and adolescent periods

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H03951
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 58030:Hygiene and public health-related: excluding laboratory approach
• Research Institution: Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science
• Principal Investigator: NISHIDA ATSUSHI 公益財団法人東京都医学総合研究所, 社会健康医学研究センター, 社会健康医学研究センター長 (20510598)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 終末糖化産物 / 精神疾患 / 思春期 / 胎生期 / コホート

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we focused on advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-related metabolic disfunction observed in a subgroup of patients with mental disorders. We found that the accumulation of AGEs during prenatal and adolescent periods may predict the emergence of psychotic symptoms. We also found that social stress during adolescence (experience of being bullied) and low muscle strength increase advanced glycation end products during adolescence.

Free Research Field

ライフコース疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、発達期における終末糖化産物の蓄積が精神疾患の発症を予測する可能性が示唆され、さらに終末糖化産物の蓄積リスクを高める発達期要因が複数見いだされた。こうした知見に基づき、今後、終末糖化産物の蓄積を予防することで、メンタルヘルスを増進させる効果的な介入戦略が見いだされる可能性があり、本研究の成果の社会的意義は大きいと考えらえる。