title: MicroRNAs: Small molecules with big roles in neurodevelopment and diseases.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded, non-coding RNA molecules that play important roles in the development and functions of the brain. Extensive studies have revealed critical roles for miRNAs in brain development and function. Dysregulation or altered expression of miRNAs is associated with abnormal brain development and pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental diseases. This review serves to highlight the versatile roles of these small RNA molecules in normal brain development and their association with neurodevelopmental disorders, in particular, two closely related neuropsychiatric disorders of neurodevelopmental origin, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Cancer Center, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Cancer Center, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA. Electronic address: yshi@coh.org.
authors.forename: Yanhong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shi
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: Bipolar disorder; Neural stem cells; Neurodevelopment; Neuronal differentiation and maturation; Schizophrenia; miRNA