Neuron-derived exosome from plasma show altered miRNA cargo as a function of antidepressant drug response.

We investigated NDEs from depressed and psychiatrically healthy controls, before and after, eight weeks of antidepressant treatment (ADT). Neuronal-derived exosomes contained miRNA that showed enrichment for brain functions. Changes in NDE cargo, specifically miR-21-5p, miR-30d-5p, and miR-486-5p expression, were significantly associated with ADT response. Furthermore, we found these targets to be altered in brain tissue from depressed individuals. Together, our study indicates that changes in peripherally isolated NDE can act as a biomarker of ADT response specifically through size and cargo. MiRNA cargo of neuronal-derived exosomes from 40 MDD patients, half of which responded to antidepressant treatment, and half of which did not. In addition, 20 psychiatrically healthy controls were used. Data is included from exosomes extracted both before and after treatment.