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Exploring Metabolomic Patterns in Adolescent Psychotic-Like Experiences
Recent research from the University of Eastern Finland has shed light on the metabolomic changes linked to psychotic-like experiences in adolescents, particularly considering the role of cannabis use. The study indicates that distinct metabolite patterns associated with such experiences differ between those who consume cannabis and those who do not, potentially revealing unique molecular mechanisms at play.
To delve into this phenomenon, blood samples from 76 adolescent outpatients suffering from depression were analyzed utilizing mass spectrometry to quantify various metabolite concentrations. The findings highlighted notable differences in lipid metabolism and oxidative stress levels concerning hallucinations among participants. Particularly striking was the observation that, for adolescents who abstained from cannabis, psychotic-like experiences were tied to metabolic changes in inflammation. Conversely, alterations in cannabis users were largely connected to metabolites that participate in alternative energy metabolism within the brain, with a specific emphasis on pathways related to ketogenesis. Although these initial results are preliminary, they propose significant molecular variances in psychotic-like experiences based on cannabis usage history. The outcomes are documented in the journal Translational Psychiatry.
Karoliina Kurkinen, a Doctoral Researcher and the lead author of the study, explained the implications of the findings: “It seems that the metabolomic shifts associated with psychotic-like experiences differ based on cannabis use.” She further stated that “these changes do not necessarily predict the onset of future psychosis or any psychotic disorders. It opens up an intriguing area for further investigation to see whether these initial metabolomic indicators could be connected to various psychiatric conditions as individuals mature.”
The investigation also revealed distinct metabolomic signatures tied to specific dimensions of psychotic-like experiences, encompassing phenomena such as delusions, paranoia, hallucinations, negative symptoms, thought disorders, and dissociation. These results prompt a reconsideration of how psychiatric symptoms are categorized, suggesting that each symptom dimension may correlate with its unique metabolic profile.
Looking ahead, the research team plans to expand their study with a larger cohort and incorporate follow-up and registry-based evaluations to observe the progression of psychiatric diagnoses over time.
“We are merely beginning to unlock the potential within this research domain,” Kurkinen remarked. “Future studies that concentrate on symptom dimensions and associated biological pathways hold the promise to enhance precision psychiatry and deepen our comprehension of psychiatric disorders.”
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