Comprehensive Summary
This study, conducted by Gaowei Mao and Weidong Cong, examined mitochondrial-related and programmed cell death-related genes to identify biomarkers for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Two datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database were analyzed to identify key genes related to OCD, and machine learning algorithms were applied to recognize potential biomarkers. Expression levels of selected biomarkers were then tested using ten blood samples. The two genes NDUFA1 and COX7C were identified as potential biomarkers and had lower expression levels in people with OCD compared to the control group. These genes were also positively correlated with activated CD8 T cells and neutrophils. Impairment of identified genes causes reduced ATP production, suggesting that insufficient energy supply in neurons may play a role in OCD pathology. Dysfunction of these genes also alters the function of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, and the presence of altered immune activity suggests that neuroinflammation may be involved.
Outcomes and Implications
Current treatments for OCD are unsatisfactory for many patients. Targeting the genes identified in this study may lead to novel treatments that alleviate mitochondrial dysfunction. The identified biomarkers may also be used for faster and more accurate diagnosis of OCD. However, this study is limited due to the quality of the datasets used, potentially compromising accuracy and reliability. Additionally, the small amount of blood samples used to confirm analysis may limit the generalizability of the study. Further research needs to be done to explain the mechanisms of the identified genes in OCD and to validate the biomarkers in a larger and more diverse group of people and increase clinical applicability.