The association of mitochondrial DNA copy number with incident mental disorders in women: A population-based follow-up study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Available evidence suggests that mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) may differ among patients with mental disorders compared to the general population. However, whether mtDNA-CN is independently associated with the subsequent incidence of mental disorders remains unclear.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

We used droplet digital PCR to measure the absolute mtDNA-CN in DNA samples obtained from a population-based follow-up study, which included a total of 2354 middle-aged women (52-63 years) who were free of mental disorders at baseline. After 17 years (median) of follow-up, 727 participants were diagnosed with mental disorders.

RESULTS:

In the univariate Cox regression, lower baseline mtDNA-CN (mtDNA-CN < 117) was associated with a higher risk of mental disorders (HR = 1.16, p = 0.047). In addition, smoking, marital status and sleeping quality were associated with both mtDNA-CN and mental disorders. After adjusting for these variables, the association between mtDNA-CN and mental disorders decreased and became non-significant (HR = 1.07, p = 0.36). Stratification of data according to the subtype of mental disorders, showed that low mtDNA-CN was associated with a higher risk of alcohol or drug use disorders (HR = 1.82, p = 0.045 after adjusting).

CONCLUSION:

In the present study, we could not find any independent association between mtDNA-CN blood and the most common mental disorders in a population-based follow-up study of Swedish women, except for alcohol and drug use disorders. The use of blood mtDNA-CN as a biomarker of mental disorders, in addition to other risk factors, needs to be further examined in future studies.

• Authors: Xiao Wang, Ashfaque A Memon, Karolina Palmér, Anna Hedelius, Jan Sundquist, Kristina Sundquist
• Journal: Journal of affective disorders (J Affect Disord) Vol. 308 Pg. 111-115 (07 01 2022) ISSN: 1573-2517 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 35427715 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• DNA, Mitochondrial

Topics

• DNA Copy Number Variations (genetics)
• DNA, Mitochondrial (genetics)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Mental Disorders (epidemiology, genetics)
• Middle Aged
• Mitochondria