Abstract:

Schizophrenia is a complex and severe mental disorder, the precise cause of which remains unknown. Circular RNA (circRNA), a type of non-coding RNA with a loop-like structure, is abundant in eukaryotic cell transcriptomes. Recent advancements in molecular genetics have allowed researchers to gain a better understanding of circRNA′s expression profile and biological functions. These molecules play critical roles in various biological processes, including regulation of gene expression, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive flexibility. Due to its high concentration in the mammalian brain, circRNA is involved in neurodevelopment and the maintenance of neural function. Changes in circRNA levels, both within and outside of cells, have been linked to numerous neuro-psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. As such, circRNA has a crucial and distinctive function in neuro-psychiatric disorders. Given its characteristics, biological functions, and regulatory roles in diseases, researchers are exploring the abnormal expression of circRNA in schizophrenia and its connection to the onset and progression of the disease. Among them, exosomal circRNA, due to its high stability, disease specificity, and abundant content, is poised to become a potential biological marker for diagnosing schizophrenia. This article provides an extensive overview of the recent circRNA and schizophrenia research, discussing the possibility of using exosomal circRNA as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for schizophrenia.

Key words: circular RNA (circRNA), schizophrenia, exosome