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Biomolecules
Special Issues
Biomarkers and Molecular Basis of Psychiatry
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Biomarkers and Molecular Basis of Psychiatry

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Biological Factors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 4919

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Massimo Tusconi

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
University Hospital of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
Interests: psychiatry; statistics; bipolar disorders; mood; biomarkers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biomarkers and molecular basis of psychiatry encompass various aspects of scientific advancement. A significant correlation exists between biological factors and the functional and cognitive impairments involved in the onset and progression of multiple mental disorders. These findings underscore the necessity for more sophisticated staging models, emphasizing the integration of molecular, genetic, and structural variables. Current models incorporate patients into classifications that reflect a space–time continuum, taking into account the anatomical and functional mapping of the brain as well as the pathology's progression. This approach describes premorbid stages, onset, and the clinical trajectory, including manic, depressive, and partial or complete remission phases.

This Special Issue aims to collect high-level articles that propose to ascertain the deeper mechanisms underlying the genesis and course of psychiatric disorders, their modifications on the basis of endogenous and exogenous, molecular, genetic, and epigenetic factors, and the therapeutic and molecular intervention strategies that may result.

Contributors are welcome to submit original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and other common article types to this Special Issue.

Dr. Massimo Tusconi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomolecules is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • mental health
  • bipolar disorders
  • mood
  • anxiety
  • psychosis
  • schizophrenia
  • biomarkers

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 1558 KB  
Article
Oral Microbiota Taxa and Pri-miRNA Expression in Bipolar Disorder: A Case–Control Study
by Diego Primavera, Mauro Giovanni Carta, Massimo Tusconi, Goce Kalcev, Laura Atzori, Caterina Ferreli, Rober Romero Ramirez, Letizia Peddio, Cinzia Casu, Sara Fais, Germano Orrù and Alessandra Scano
Biomolecules 2025, 15(10), 1355; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15101355 - 24 Sep 2025
Viewed by 437
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Emerging evidence suggests a role for oral microbiota in mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorder (BD), complementing established links between gut dysbiosis and psychiatric symptoms. This study investigates the composition of oral microbial taxa and the expression of inflammation-related pri-miRNAs (146a and 155) [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Emerging evidence suggests a role for oral microbiota in mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorder (BD), complementing established links between gut dysbiosis and psychiatric symptoms. This study investigates the composition of oral microbial taxa and the expression of inflammation-related pri-miRNAs (146a and 155) in individuals with BD, aiming to explore their potential as biomarkers in the oral–gut–brain axis. Methods: A matched case–control design was implemented, recruiting 25 BD patients and 46 controls matched by age and sex. Salivary samples were collected, and microbial profiling was conducted via real-time qPCR targeting major bacterial phyla and genera. Pri-miRNA 146a and 155 expression was evaluated through RT-qPCR using validated primers. Statistical comparisons between groups were performed using Fisher’s exact test and non-parametric tests for continuous variables. Results: Microbial analysis revealed significant reductions (p < 0.01) in α-Proteobacteria, γ-Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria in BD patients versus controls. A shift toward a higher Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was observed in the BD cohort, suggesting differences in the oral biotic status between the two groups. However, pri-miRNA 146a and 155 expression levels did not differ significantly between the groups and exhibited high inter-individual variability. Conclusions: The findings indicate that oral microbiota composition differs in BD patients, potentially influencing systemic homeostasis through interactions with gut microbial communities and SCFA pathways. These findings should be interpreted as preliminary and hypothesis-generating given the modest sample size. While pri-miRNAs 146a and 155 did not distinguish BD status, the observed microbial taxa alterations should be regarded as exploratory and hypothesis-generating. Larger, longitudinal studies are required to clarify their potential role in BD pathogenesis and risk assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomarkers and Molecular Basis of Psychiatry)
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Review

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35 pages, 2422 KB  
Review
Biogenic Amine Metabolism and Its Genetic Variations in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comprehensive Overview
by Claudio Tabolacci, Angela Caruso, Martina Micai, Giulia Galati, Carla Lintas, Maria Elena Pisanu and Maria Luisa Scattoni
Biomolecules 2025, 15(4), 539; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15040539 - 7 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1986
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a genetically heterogeneous syndrome characterized by repetitive, restricted, and stereotyped behaviors, along with persistent difficulties with social interaction and communication. Despite its increasing prevalence globally, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of this complex neurodevelopmental disorder remain poorly understood. Therefore, [...] Read more.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a genetically heterogeneous syndrome characterized by repetitive, restricted, and stereotyped behaviors, along with persistent difficulties with social interaction and communication. Despite its increasing prevalence globally, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of this complex neurodevelopmental disorder remain poorly understood. Therefore, the identification of reliable biomarkers could play a crucial role in enabling early screening and more precise classification of ASD subtypes, offering valuable insights into its physiopathology and aiding the customization of treatment or early interventions. Biogenic amines, including serotonin, histamine, dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and polyamines, are a class of organic compounds mainly produced by the decarboxylation of amino acids. A substantial portion of the genetic variation observed in ASD has been linked to genes that are either directly or indirectly involved in the metabolism of biogenic amines. Their potential involvement in ASD has become an area of growing interest due to their pleiotropic activities in the central nervous system, where they act as both neurotransmitters and neuromodulators or hormones. This review examines the role of biogenic amines in ASD, with a particular focus on genetic alterations in the enzymes responsible for their synthesis and degradation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomarkers and Molecular Basis of Psychiatry)
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Other

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33 pages, 1667 KB  
Systematic Review
Vitamin D as a Modifiable Risk Factor in Schizophrenia a Systematic Review
by Jadwiga Mosiołek, Bartosz Mosiołek and Agata Szulc
Biomolecules 2025, 15(8), 1094; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15081094 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 1859
Abstract
The etiology of schizophrenia remains poorly understood. Although certain risk factors have been identified, effective preventive measures are still lacking. This study investigates potential preventive methods while focusing on the role of vitamin D and its status. The role of malnutrition in schizophrenia [...] Read more.
The etiology of schizophrenia remains poorly understood. Although certain risk factors have been identified, effective preventive measures are still lacking. This study investigates potential preventive methods while focusing on the role of vitamin D and its status. The role of malnutrition in schizophrenia risk was first identified in studies on the Dutch Hunger Winter. Vitamin D deficiency was hypothesized as a contributing factor shortly thereafter. This review aims to explore the correlations between vitamin D deficiency at various life stages (maternal, neonatal, adult) and schizophrenia risk, as well as its effects on pharmacokinetics, neurobiology, bone health, and metabolic syndrome. The studies were retrieved from two indexed databases, PubMed and Web of Science, following PRISMA guidelines and included studies published between 2000 and 2024. No correlation was found between maternal vitamin D levels and schizophrenia in offspring while a positive correlation was observed between low neonatal vitamin D levels and schizophrenia in later life. Approximately half of the studies on adults reported mean vitamin D concentrations of below 20 ng/mL which were negatively correlated with gray matter volume and bone health while positively correlated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Additionally, vitamin D levels were also found to correlate with antipsychotic drug concentrations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomarkers and Molecular Basis of Psychiatry)
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