Study on the Role and Mechanism of Plasma Exosome microRNAs in Cognitive Impairment in First-episode Schizophrenia
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness characterised by positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive symptoms. In recent years, an increasing number of doctors and scholars have focused on cognitive symptoms; however, the mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment remain unclear. Recently, exosome research methods have provided new avenues for investigation. This study applies exosome research methods to first-episode, drug-naive schizophrenia patients to explore gene expression changes associated with cognitive impairment and gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment. By integrating basic research with clinical findings, we aim to further investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment in schizophrenia patients, identify potential intervention targets, and provide insights for future drug development.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy volunteers matched to the patient group on sex, age, and education level; * No family history of psychiatric disorders among first- or second-degree relatives (two generations); * Ethnic Han Chinese; * Able and willing to provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Any serious physical illness, including but not limited to uncontrolled hypertension, severe cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, pulmonary, thyroid, or metabolic disease, diabetes, epilepsy, or metabolic syndrome; * Current or past diagnosis of substance-induced psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, brief psychotic disorder, or mood disorder with psychotic features; * Pregnancy or breastfeeding; * Any condition that would interfere with the ability to give informed consent or complete study procedures.