NCT07346833

Role of Circulating MicroRNAs in Differentiating Psychological Disorders Among Women With Chronic Toxoplasmosis

Deciphering The Role of Circulating MicroRNAs To Differentiate Psychological Disorders Among Women With Chronic Toxoplasmosis

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 55 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Benha University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 50 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Chronic Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection is a widespread condition that can negatively affect brain function and is considered a risk factor for various psychiatric conditions, including depression and schizophrenia. This prospective observational study aims to investigate the expression levels of specific circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in women diagnosed with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, or bipolar disorder who also have chronic toxoplasmosis. By comparing these levels to patients without the infection, the study seeks to determine if these miRNAs can serve as biological markers to help differentiate between specific psychological disorders and identify the impact of chronic toxoplasmosis on mental health.

Conditions

• Toxoplasmosis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST	Circulating miRNA Expression and T. gondii Serology	Serology: ELISA testing to detect anti-Toxoplasma IgG (confirming chronic infection) and IgM (excluding acute infection). Genetic Analysis: Quantitative Reverse-transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) to measure the expression levels of a predetermined panel of plasma miRNAs. Psychiatric Evaluation: Clinical diagnosis according to DSM-5 criteria.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-11-20
• Primary completion: 2026-02-01
• Completion: 2026-04-01
• First posted: 2026-01-16
• Last updated: 2026-01-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Egypt