Investigation of the Role of Neuropeptides in the Pathogenesis of Psychiatric Disorders

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K07514
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52030:Psychiatry-related
• Research Institution: Teikyo University
• Principal Investigator: Hidese Shinsuke 帝京大学, 医学部, 助教 (50832763)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 精神疾患 / 神経ペプチド / 脳脊髄液 / 血漿

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Since cerebrospinal fluid neuropeptide levels were too low to be reliably measured, we decided to perform the experiment using plasma samples. Using multiplex immunoassay method, plasma neuropeptide levels were measured in a total of 800 samples consisting of 149 patients with schizophrenia, 115 patients with bipolar disorder, 186 patients with major depressive disorder, and 350 healthy controls. The results showed that none of the neuropeptides were significantly different in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, none of the neuropeptides showed significant correlations with symptoms in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder patients, or with cognitive function in the patients or healthy controls.

Free Research Field

精神神経科学関連

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究のデータから、少なくとも今回測定した血漿中神経ペプチド（α-メラニン細胞刺激ホルモン、β-エンドルフィン、ニューロテンシン、オキシトシン、サブスタンスP）値は統合失調症、双極性障害、および大うつ病性障害の特性ないし状態マーカー分子として機能していないことが示唆された。又、脳脊髄液ではそれら５種類の神経ペプチドの測定が困難なことが明らかになった。今後は中枢神経系の状態を直接的に可視化することができる脳内分子イメージング等の手法で主要な精神疾患の病態における神経ペプチドの役割について検討が行われることが期待される。