Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland discovered plasma protein-based biomarkers that can identify teenagers at risk of developing mental health difficulties. The findings were published in the journal Nature Mental Health.
An estimated 10-20% of teenagers suffer from mental health problems, with the vast majority going misdiagnosed and untreated. New early markers of mental health problems are desperately needed, since they have the potential to revolutionize early identification and, in the future, prevention of mental health problems in young people.
The researchers employed self-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) scores to measure mental health risk in individuals aged 11 to 16 years in the study conducted by Professor Katja Kanninen’s research group. Analyses of blood samples revealed that 58 proteins were substantially related to the SDQ score. The biological processes and pathways associated with the selected plasma protein biomarker candidates were discovered using bioinformatic studies. Immune responses, blood coagulation, neurogenesis, and neuronal degeneration were among the key enriched pathways associated with these proteins. To develop prediction models that optimally differentiate low and high SDQ score groups, the researchers used a unique symbolic regression approach.
Plasma biomarker investigations in mental diseases, according to Professor Kanninen, are a developing topic.
Plasma protein changes have previously been linked to a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, and bipolar disorder. Our findings back with previous research and show that particular plasma protein abnormalities may signal a significant risk of mental dysfunction in teenagers.”
Katja Kanninen is a professor at the University of Eastern Finland.
This pilot study, according to the researchers, will be followed by more detailed examinations of possible biomarkers for identifying persons at risk of mental health disorders, creating a new channel for breakthroughs in teenage mental health care.
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