AI algorithm combined with RNA editing-based blood biomarkers to discriminate bipolar from major depressive disorders in an external validation multicentric cohort.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, as it can lead to cognitive and functional impairment and premature mortality. The first episode of BD is usually a depressive episode and is often misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder (MDD). Growing evidence indicates that peripheral immune activation and inflammation are involved in the pathophysiology of BD and MDD. Recently, by developing a panel of RNA editing-based blood biomarkers able to discriminate MDD from depressive BD, we have provided clinicians a new tool to reduce the misdiagnosis delay observed in patients suffering from BD. The present study aimed at validating the diagnostic value of this panel in an external independent multicentric Switzerland-based cohort of 143 patients suffering from moderate to major depression. The RNA-editing based blood biomarker (BMK) algorithm developped allowed to accurately discriminate MDD from depressive BD in an external cohort, with high accuracy, sensitivity and specificity values (82.5 %, 86.4 % and 80.8 %, respectively). These findings further confirm the important role of RNA editing in the physiopathology of mental disorders and emphasize the possible clinical usefulness of the biomarker panel for optimization treatment delay in patients suffering from BD.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Research support: This research received no external financial or non-financial support. Relationship: There are no additional relationship to disclose. Patents and Intellectual Property: SALVETAT NICOLAS and WEISSMANN DINAH has patent #WO2021089866 pending to ALCEDIAG. Other Activities: There are no additional activities to disclose.
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