Beatriz Camarena-Medellin

Dr. Beatriz Camarena-Medellin


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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27 February 2026 in Brain Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
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ARAlejandra Monserrat Rodríguez-Ramírez
Alejandra Monserrat Rodríguez-Ramírez
MBMariela Benitez-Valenzuela
Mariela Benitez-Valenzuela
MAMaría Teresa Alcántara-Garcés
María Teresa Alcántara-Garcés
MJMarco Antonio Sanabrais Jiménez
Marco Antonio Sanabrais Jiménez
JHJulio Uriel Zaragoza Hoyos
Julio Uriel Zaragoza Hoyos
BCBeatriz Camarena-Medellin
Beatriz Camarena-Medellin
Introduction: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common comorbidity of type 2 diabetes (T2D) with low rates of treatment response to antidepressants. The pathophysiology of these conditions overlaps in N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), which are present in neurons and pancreatic cells. GRIN1 encodes NMDARs and has been associated with depression and T2D; however, its role in the coexistence of MDD and T2D and the treatment response to antidepressants has yet to be explored. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the association between GRIN1 rs28489906 and MDD and treatment response to antidepressants in patients with T2D. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on T2D patients enrolled in a comprehensive care program with follow-up at 3 months. Subjects were assessed for MDD, and genotyping for GRIN1 rs28489906 was performed. Depression scores and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were analyzed using the Wilcoxon paired signed-rank test, and a stratified analysis was conducted to assess treatment response. Logistic regression analyses were performed to predict MDD and treatment response. Results: Our sample included 232 patients; among them, 49 (21%) had MDD. Patients with MDD showed a higher frequency of the AA genotype compared with non-MDD subjects (p = 0.026). A allele carriers reported lower treatment response rates (p = 0.049) and decreased odds of treatment response (OR = 0.03, 95% CI 0.002–0.63, p = 0.023). Patients with AG and AA genotypes with treatment response exhibited lower HbA1c (p = 0.029). Conclusions: The A allele of GRIN1 rs28489906 was associated with MDD and treatment response in patients with T2D. Our findings highlight the role of glutamate in these comorbidities and the need for different therapeutic approaches based on genetics.

22 August 2025 in BMC Psychiatry
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Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HCHéctor Cabello-Rangel
Héctor Cabello-Rangel
Carlo Esteban Sotelo RamirezCarlo Esteban Sotelo Ramirez
Carlo Esteban Sotelo Ramirez
JJJoanna Jiménez-Pavon
Joanna Jiménez-Pavon
MSMarco Antonio Sanabrais-Jiménez
Marco Antonio Sanabrais-Jiménez
PMPamela Morales-Cedillo
Pamela Morales-Cedillo
BCBeatriz Camarena-Medellin
Beatriz Camarena-Medellin
Clinical and genetic studies have suggested that immune dysregulation and neuroinflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Peripheral laboratory markers are accessible indicators linked to systemic inflammation and immune function. Genetic studies have demonstrated that blood parameters are highly heritable. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the association between blood parameters and IL10, TNF, TLR2, and TLR6 gene polymorphisms in Mexican patients with schizophrenia. We included 236 Mexican patients with schizophrenia. Peripheral blood samples were obtained in the early morning, prior the breakfast, from each participant. Complete blood count was analyzed. Genomic DNA was extracted, and genotyping was performed using TaqMan Discrimination assay of IL10 (rs1554286), TNF (rs1800629), TLR2 (rs7656411), and TLR6 (rs5743827). Association analyses between blood parameters and genotypes of the four genetic variants were performed using chi-square tests and ANOVA with Tukey’s post-hoc multiple comparisons. We observed higher monocyte levels (F = 5.57; p = 0.004) and monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (F = 5.49; p = 0.004) in patients carrying the GG genotype of rs7656411/TLR2 compared with TT or TG genotype carriers. Additionally, we observed a high frequency of the G allele of rs1800629/TNF, showing a low platelet count compared with carriers of the A allele (χ2 = 8.6, p = 0.003; OR = 3.82; CI, 1.46–9.96). Furthermore, we were unable to detect any gene-gene interaction in the analysis of MPV and platelet count after 1000-fold permutation testing. Our findings indicate that blood parameter levels may be affected by genetic variants of TNF and TLR2 genes, indicating a potential role for innate immune response activation in schizophrenia in the Mexican population. Further studies with larger cohorts and comprehensive genetic analyses are essential to validate these findings and clarify the role of innate immune genes in schizophrenia.