In Search of Possible Peripheral Biomarkers for Suicide: Similarities Between Platelet and Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteome (Preliminary Results)

Abstract

Despite the fact that proteomic analysis is becoming widely used in various medical branches its use in psychiatry is still very limited. Majority of psychiatric proteomic research is still oriented mostly on Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and depression but very few studies focus on suicidality. We decided, based on the current knowledge, to study suicidal behaviour with the use of proteomics to compare cerebrospinal fluid and platelets. We hypothesized that the same protein group can be detected in pathways that are part of platelet degranulation process in the platelet proteome and cerebrospinal fluid proteome. Based on these findings we suppose, that with use of proteomic analysis a specific protein (group of proteins) can be identified in both, cerebrospinal fluid and platelet proteome in patients with suicidal behavior.

Group of proteins identified in our sample in the reactome pathway database (release of platelet secretary granule components and exocytosis of platelet granule contents) supports the idea of link between central nervous system and platelets (“the periphery”). Further research is needed to clarify whether the identified group of proteins taking part in platelet pathways can be used as peripheral biomarkers for suicidal behavior.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.