Schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) are severe mental disorders with overlapping symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations, posing diagnostic challenges. A study used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) to identify metabolites unique to SCZ and BD, providing potential biomarkers for diagnosis. Metabolites like 2,3-diphospho-D-glyceric acid and N-acetyl aspartyl-glutamic acid were found only in BD, while isovaleryl carnitine and pantothenate were unique to SCZ.

The study that analyzed blood serum samples from 182 subjects demonstrated that 1H-NMR-based metabolomics could accurately categorize individuals into SCZ, BD, or healthy control groups. This approach not only highlighted metabolic disturbances in these disorders but also showed promise for supporting psychiatric diagnoses, which currently rely heavily on clinical interviews. By identifying specific biomarkers, the research offers new insights into the pathophysiological pathways of SCZ and BD, potentially leading to improved personalized treatments and therapeutic interventions.

Reference: Tasic L, Larcerda ALT, Pontes JGM, da Costa TBBC, Nani JV, et al. Peripheral biomarkers allow differential diagnosis between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. J Psychiatr Res. 2019;119:67-75. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.09.009.