Molecular classification of the placebo effect in nausea by mass spectrometry

ABSTRACT: In this proof-of-concept study, we tested whether placebo effects can be monitored and predicted by plasma proteins. In a randomized controlled design, 90 participants were exposed to a nauseating stimulus on two separate days and were randomly allocated to placebo treatment or no treatment on the second day. Significant placebo effects on nausea, motion sickness, and gastric activity could be verified. Using state-of-the-art proteomics, 74 differentially regulated proteins were identified as correlates of the placebo effect. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analyses identified acute-phase proteins and microinflammatory proteins to be involved, and the identified GO signatures predicted day-adjusted scores of nausea indices in the placebo group. We also performed GO enrichment analyses of specific plasma proteins predictable by the experimental factors or their interactions and identified ‘grooming behavior’ as a prominent hit. Finally, Receiver Operator Characteristics allowed to identify plasma proteins differentiating placebo responders from non-responders, comprising immunoglobulins and proteins involved in oxidation reduction processes and complement activation. Plasma proteomics are a promising tool to identify molecular correlates and predictors of the placebo effect in humans.

INSTRUMENT(S): Q Exactive

ORGANISM(S): Homo Sapiens (human)

TISSUE(S): Blood Cell, Blood Plasma

DISEASE(S): Nausea

SUBMITTER: Christine von Toerne  

LAB HEAD: Stefanie M. Hauck

PROVIDER: PXD020563 | Pride | 2020-11-13

REPOSITORIES: Pride