Relationship between symptom severity, glutamate levels, and expression of target microrna acting on NMDA receptors in panic disorder patients

AIM: Although it is known that glutamate, the excitatory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system, has an effect on neurodevelopment, learning and memory functions, it is thought that they interact with the GABAergic system in the formation of panic symptoms. However, in panic disorder, the findings between blood glutamate levels and disease and clinical severity are unclear. Although studies on miRNAs in the field of psychiatry have gained momentum in recent years, studies on panic disorder are limited. Our research aimed to determine blood glutamate levels and the changing expression of mir138-2-3p, which is known to affect the glutamate receptor, in panic disorder. METHODS AND TOOLS: In the study, sociodemographic and clinical information forms, PPSS (Panic Disorder Severity Scale), ASI-3 (Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3) and BDAS (Exaggeration of Body Sensations Scale) were applied to 46 panic disorder patients and 46 healthy controls. Two tubes of peripheral venous blood were taken from both groups for genetic and biochemical evaluation. MiRNA expression analysis was performed by RT-PCR method, and glutamate level measurement was performed by ELISA method. RESULTS: Lower glutamate levels were detected in panic disorder patients than in healthy volunteers, and a statistically significant difference was found between the two groups. When the relationship between glutamate levels and PPSS scores was evaluated, a statistically significant negative correlation was detected between them. Likewise, a significant negative correlation was found between BDAS and ASI-3 scores and glutamate levels. In our study, a statistically significant difference was found between panic disorder patients and healthy controls in terms of miRNA-138-2-3p expression rates. MiRNA expression ratios were detected below one in both groups, and miRNA expression was downregulated in both groups. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that changes in miRNA-138-2-3p and peripheral glutamate levels may be among the factors that may contribute to the etiology of panic disorder and affect the clinical severity of the disorder.