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A study involving more than 1,500 patients is analysing genetic variants linked to psychiatric disorders and exploring tools to help psychiatrists identify patients with a possible genetic origin of their condition. This work is part of the CESPED project, coordinated by Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata (HUIPM) and the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Catalunya Sud (IRB CatSud, formerly IISPV). The project has a budget of €1.7 million funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) through the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. In addition, 17 Spanish research groups have participated, including 12 from CIBERSAM. Preliminary results show a frequency close to 3% of microdeletions and microduplications -losses or gains of genetic material- in the Spanish population, which is similar to international studies. The test used combines clinical information, such as psychiatric diagnosis, and also analyses facial features. At present, researchers are still analysing the data and final results are not yet available. However, the study coordinator, Elisabet Vilella -also deputy director of IRB CatSud and head of the Neuroscience and Mental Health area- is optimistic. She explains that “the first results suggest that the frequency of these genetic variants in Spain is around 3%, similar to what has been reported in other countries”. The CESPED project started in 2023 and recently held its final meeting in Barcelona. It was developed in response to growing knowledge about the role of genetics in psychiatric disorders, especially neurodevelopmental conditions. Because these cases are difficult to identify in daily clinical practice, the project aims to develop tools to help professionals detect patients who may have a genetic basis and guide further testing. The research shows that a large part of psychiatric disorders has a genetic component, which can be up to 80% in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, ADHD or psychosis. It also shows that between 2% and 5% of patients carry genetic variants caused by gains or losses of genetic material, which may explain the disorder. These changes often affect several genes and organs and can lead to multi-system conditions known as syndromes. For psychiatrists, it is difficult to recognise these cases during a consultation. For this reason, within the CESPED project, a test has been developed to collect key information, such as diagnosis, age of onset, developmental issues, intellectual disability or resistance to treatment. The test also includes a facial photograph to identify specific physical features. The sample The 14 research groups involved in recruitment worked for two years to obtain a sample of 1,555 patients: 471 children and 1,084 adults. Diagnoses include autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, schizophrenia and other psychoses, and bipolar disorder type 1. Different techniques are used to detect genetic variants. Each participant will receive a report, and those with identified genetic changes will be advised to visit a clinical genetics unit for further evaluation. Este proyecto está financiado por el Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), la Unión Europea-NextGenerationEU y el Plan de Recuperación Transformación y Resiliencia (PRTR), con el código PMP22/00088.

Metabolic fatty liver disease is a common condition where fat builds up in the liver and affects the body’s metabolism. It is known that men and women experience this disease differently, but the reasons are still not fully understood.

A study from the Biomedical Research Institute CatSud (IRB CatSud, formerly IISPV), published in the journal Biology of Sex Differences, shows that the disease develops in different ways depending on sex.

To study this, researchers from the DIAMET group at IRB CatSud used an experimental model with mice that reproduces the early stages of the disease. This model helps to understand what happens before serious liver damage appears.

The results show that females have more severe liver changes than males at early stages, even though they are usually thought to be better protected in the long term. Females also showed signs of a weaker intestinal barrier, which suggests higher stress in the body.

In contrast, males lost weight, had better blood sugar control, and showed fewer liver problems, meaning they adapted better to the diet. These differences were also linked to changes in brain areas that control appetite, energy use, and inflammation.

Researchers also found that, over time, these results may change, with males becoming more affected in later stages of the disease.

Overall, the study shows that sex differences appear very early and follow different paths. Understanding these patterns can help develop better and more personalised treatments for both men and women.

The results also highlight the importance of including both sexes in biomedical research to improve prevention and treatment of this increasingly common disease.

Reference 

Repollés-de-Dalmau, M., Marsal-Beltran, A., Núñez-Roa, C., Vendrell, J., Ceperuelo-Mallafré, V., & Fernández-Veledo, S. (2026). Sex-specific dynamics of MASLD reveal early hepatic and extrahepatic metabolic deterioration in females despite long-term protection. Biology of sex differences, 17(1), 92. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13293-026-00876-y

New evidence highlights the importance of diet in adolescent brain health, a key life stage in which cognition is influenced not only by nutritional factors but also by lifestyle habits and psychological wellbeing. Two studies conducted by the Southern Catalonia Biomedical Research Institute – IRBCatSud (formerly IISPV), in collaboration with the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) —a centre supported by the “la Caixa” Foundation— and published in the journal Nutrients, explore how the Mediterranean diet and blood fatty acids are associated with different cognitive functions in adolescents from Catalonia. Nearly 630 young people took part in both studies.

The study The Association Between the Mediterranean Diet and Fatty Acids in Red Blood Cells of Spanish Adolescents examines the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet -based on fruit, vegetables, legumes, olive oil, nuts and fish- and the types of fats found in adolescents’ blood, which are an objective indicator of dietary habits. The results show that following this diet helps the body absorb essential nutrients needed for balance and proper brain function. From a biological perspective, because the diet is rich in omega‑3 fatty acids, it contributes to neuronal balance and helps prevent oxidative damage. According to the NeuroÈpia research group at IRB CatSud, this type of diet may support a healthier fat composition from early stages of life.

Omega‑3 linked to better cognitive function

A second study, entitled Red Blood Cell Fatty Acid Patterns and Cognitive Functions in Adolescents, focuses on the relationship between blood fats and different cognitive abilities, such as reasoning, memory and decision‑making. The results show that adolescents with higher omega‑3 levels achieve better results in reasoning tasks and in some aspects of decision‑making. These abilities, which develop rapidly during adolescence, are essential for cognitive functioning and can be influenced by both biological factors and lifestyle. The findings support the idea that omega‑3 fatty acids -mainly found in oily fish, nuts and some vegetable oils- may play an important role in cognitive development during this stage of life.

Emotional wellbeing, lifestyle and cognitive function

Beyond nutrition, brain development during adolescence is also influenced by psychological wellbeing and lifestyle habits. A third IRB CatSud‑ISGlobal study published in Frontiers in Psychology –Exploring the interplay of neuropsychological functions, psychological wellbeing, and lifestyle through principal component analysis: a comprehensive study– reports that lower emotional wellbeing and alcohol or tobacco use are associated with more ADHD symptoms, while physical activity is positively linked to executive functions related to decision‑making and emotional regulation. This study included a sample of 523 adolescents from Catalonia.

According to the study author, Nicolas Ayala‑Aldana, and the principal investigator of the NeuroÈpia group, Jordi Julvez, these findings highlight the importance of promoting healthy dietary habits and lifestyles during adolescence in order to support cognitive development. Although these are observational studies, the results provide useful evidence for designing health promotion strategies that combine nutrition with other key lifestyle factors.

References

Ayala-Aldana N, Pinar-Martí A, Ruiz-Rivera M, Lázaro I, Sala-Vila A, Healy DR, Contreras-Rodriguez O, Casanova J, Sola-Valls N, Vrijheid M, Julvez J. Red Blood Cell Fatty Acid Patterns and Cognitive Functions in Adolescents: A Pooled Analyses with Two Cohort Study Data Sets. Nutrients. 2025 Nov 5;17(21):3483. doi: 10.3390/nu17213483. PMID: 41228554; PMCID: PMC12609364.

Ayala-Aldana N, Lafuente D, Lázaro I, Pinar-Martí A, Manidis A, Bernardo-Castro S, Fernandez-Barres S, Healy DR, Vrijheid M, Contreras-Rodríguez O, Sala-Vila A, Julvez J. The Association Between the Mediterranean Diet and Fatty Acids in Red Blood Cells of Spanish Adolescents. Nutrients. 2025 Sep 6;17(17):2888. doi: 10.3390/nu17172888. PMID: 40944276; PMCID: PMC12430225.

Ayala-Aldana, N., Ruiz-Rivera, M., Pinar-Martí, A., López-Vicente, M., Contreras-Rodríguez, O., & Julvez, J. (2025). Exploring the interplay of neuropsychological functions, psychological wellbeing, and lifestyle through principal component analysis: a comprehensive study. Frontiers in psychology, 16, 1692251. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1692251. PMID: 41488935; PMCID: PMC12756113.

A research study based on the analysis of genetic data from hundreds of thousands of people has identified previously hidden genetic links between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and several cardiometabolic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. These findings, published in the prestigious scientific journal Molecular Psychiatry, help explain why people with autism have a higher risk of developing physical health problems throughout their lives.

D’esquerra a dreta, Elisabet Vilella, Maria Guardiola-Ripoll i Gerard Muntané

The study was carried out by researchers from the Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata (HUIPM) and the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Catalunya Sud (IRB CatSud, formerly IISPV), in collaboration with the University of Oslo, and with the participation of the Rovira i Virgili University (URV).

The results show that some of the same genetic factors that influence autism are also involved in metabolic disorders, such as weight gain and diabetes, and in the same direction. This suggests that there are shared biological mechanisms linking mental health and physical health. However, when cardiovascular health factors such as blood pressure are analysed, the relationship is more complex. In these cases, the same genetic factors may have opposite effects, suggesting that different and still poorly understood mechanisms are involved.

Researchers have also identified more than one hundred regions of the genome involved in these connections, opening up new ways to better understand how the brain and the body interact.
“More and more evidence shows that mental health and physical health cannot be understood separately, and this type of study brings us closer to more personalised medicine that takes into account all the factors influencing people’s health,” says Gerard Muntané, first author of the article.

Experts highlight that these results could help, in the future, to detect physical health risks in people with autism earlier and to design more effective prevention strategies.

Article reference
Muntané, G., Shadrin, A., Guardiola-Ripoll, M., O’Connell, K. S., Frei, O., Naerland, T., Vilella, E., & Andreassen, O. A. (2026). Genetic overlap and shared risk loci between autism spectrum disorder and cardiometabolic traits. Molecular Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-026-03563-x

A total of fifty people took part in the outreach visits organised by the Fundació La Marató de 3Cat in collaboration with the Southern Catalonia Biomedical Research Institute (IRBCatSud, by its Catalan acronym) with the aim of explaining some of the projects funded through this solidarity programme.

The Visits to Research, held on Tuesday 14 April at the IRB CatSud facilities at Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus (HUSJR), helped bring current research projects closer to the public and showed how laboratory work is transformed into advances that improve people’s health.

The visits were led by research staff from IRB CatSud and Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata (HUIPM). They allowed participants to understand, in a visual and accessible way, how biomedical research progresses and what future challenges lie ahead.

During the tour, visitors explored several areas of the Institute, such as the construction site of the future Clinical Research Unit (CRU)—where advanced clinical trials will be carried out and innovative therapies will be made available to the population—as well as the cell culture room, research laboratories and the biobank, where human biological samples are processed for the research community. In these spaces, the work being carried out was explained, and participants were able to observe cells using a microscope.

The project presented during the visit was Inscription, led by Gerard Muntané from the Research Group in Genetics and Environment in Psychiatry (GAP). This project, which received funding from the 2021 edition of La Marató focused on mental health, proposes a new approach to improving the prediction of schizophrenia by integrating biological and clinical data from different levels. Through a multicentre study involving people at different stages of risk or disease development, the project aims to identify combinations of factors that allow for better prediction of its onset. The final goal is to move towards more personalised medicine, supporting early prevention and improving the treatment and management of schizophrenia.

These visits bring research closer to society, strengthen scientific culture and highlight the importance of solidarity in making these projects possible. Through initiatives like this, the Fundació La Marató de 3Cat and IRB CatSud reaffirm their commitment to transparent, open research that is aligned with the needs of the local community.

A new study reveals relevant muscular and metabolic alterations in patients with long COVID

A research team from the Research Group on Autoimmunity, Infection and Thrombosis (GRAIÏT) at the Southern Catalonia Biomedical Research Institute (formerly IISPV), from at the same time of the Internal Medicine and Clinical Physiology and Functional Evaluation services at the Sant Joan University Hospital in Reus, part of the has presented new evidence confirming the deep and lasting impact of SARS‑CoV‑2 infection on the muscular and metabolic systems of individuals affected by Post‑COVID‑19 Condition (long COVID). The results of the study “Assessment of Physical Status and Analysis of Lipidomic and Metabolomic Alterations in Patients with Post‑COVID‑19 Condition” highlight the need to promote specific rehabilitation and physical reconditioning programs to improve patient recovery, and have been published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE this March.

The study reveals significant peripheral muscle involvement related to the infection. This alteration leads to a marked loss of physical performance, one of the most frequent and disabling symptoms of the condition. The researchers emphasize that patients may benefit from personalized rehabilitation protocols to regain strength, endurance, and functionality.

Additionally, through the analysis of body metabolism using metabolomic and lipidomic techniques, they detected changes that may explain some of the patients’ symptoms:

According to the study’s authors, these findings reinforce the idea that Post‑COVID‑19 Condition is a multisystemic disorder requiring an integrated approach combining physical rehabilitation, metabolic monitoring, and personalized interventions.

The researchers note that the results open the door to developing more specific therapeutic strategies and to better guiding care pathways for patients with long COVID.

A study led by URV, with the participation of IRB CatSud and CIBERobn, reveals that the gut microbiota could explain the beneficial effect of diet on depression

The link between diet and mental health is becoming increasingly evident, although the biological mechanisms that explain this relationship are not yet fully defined. A new study now points to the gut microbiota as a key piece in this puzzle. The research, led by Rovira i Virgili University (URV), examined whether different dietary patterns are associated with specific profiles of gut microorganisms, and whether these profiles are, in turn, related to depressive symptoms. The journal MedComm has published the results of the study, which also involved the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica CatSud (IRB CatSud) and the Obesity Physiopathology Area of the CIBER network (CIBEROBN).

The study analyzed 644 older adults participating in the PREDIMED-Plus trial, all of whom had overweight or obesity and metabolic syndrome. The research team assessed their dietary habits, the composition of their gut microbiota using fecal samples, and the evolution of their depressive symptoms after one year of follow‑up. The aim was to explore whether the gut could act as a biological bridge between diet and mental health.

“We already knew that a higher‑quality diet is associated with better mental health, but the mechanisms were still unclear. Our results suggest that gut microbiota could be part of this explanation,” says Jordi Salas‑Salvadó, Professor of Human Nutrition at URV and coordinator of the study.

The researchers compared several dietary patterns that reflect common ways of eating. Four were considered higher‑quality patterns: the Mediterranean diet (standard version), the Mediterranean diet with an energy‑reduced approach, the DASH pattern—based on fresh, minimally processed foods and aimed at improving blood pressure—and a healthy plant‑based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. Two lower‑quality patterns were also examined: an unhealthy plant‑based diet high in refined flours, sugary drinks and snacks, and a Western‑style diet characterized by more ultra‑processed foods, processed meats, sweets and low‑quality fats, along with a lower intake of fresh, fiber‑rich foods.

The results showed that individuals who more closely adhered to high‑quality dietary patterns tended to develop fewer depressive symptoms throughout the year. In contrast, greater adherence to lower‑quality patterns was associated with a less favorable evolution, with more depressive symptoms emerging.

The study also observed that diet leaves a measurable imprint on the gut. Healthier dietary patterns—especially the Mediterranean ones—were associated with a richer and more diverse microbiota, whereas lower‑quality patterns were linked to reduced microbial diversity. This is relevant because microbial diversity is often considered a marker of resilience and good functioning of the gut ecosystem.

Gut microbiota as a key mediator between diet and depression

The most innovative finding emerged when assessing whether gut microbiota could be involved in the link between diet and depression. The researchers found evidence that the gut microbiota may explain part of the observed effect of the Mediterranean diet on depressive symptoms—about 17% in the energy‑reduced version and around 31% in the standard version. In other words, part of the benefit associated with a Mediterranean dietary pattern may be related to the way this diet supports a healthier microbial profile.

“This study provides evidence that the profile of gut microorganisms may act as a mediator in the relationship between the Mediterranean diet and depressive symptoms. It is an important step toward understanding why some dietary patterns appear to be more protective than others, although further research is needed to confirm causality,” explains Adrián Hernández‑Cacho, the study’s lead author.

Taken together, the findings reinforce the relevance of the gut–brain axis and offer a plausible explanation for why improving diet quality may also benefit mental health. The authors highlight that this is one of the first international studies to provide evidence of a potential mediating role of gut microbiota in the relationship between dietary patterns and depressive symptoms, adding an essential piece to a rapidly evolving field. Still, the results do not yet establish a cause‑and‑effect relationship, and further studies in other populations and with more robust designs will be required to confirm these findings.

This multicenter study was led by Adrián Hernández‑Cacho and supervised by researchers Jordi Salas‑Salvadó and Jesús García‑Gavilán, all members of the Human Nutrition Unit within the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology at Rovira i Virgili University, in collaboration with other researchers from the PREDIMED‑Plus consortium. The team also belongs to the Biomedical Research Networking Center for the Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN) and the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica CatSud (IRB CatSud).

Reference: A. Hernández‑Cacho, J. Ni, J.F. García‑Gavilán, et al. “The Gut Microbiota as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Dietary Patterns and Depression.” MedComm 7, no. 2 (2026): e70562. https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.70562

A study by IRB Catalunya Sud (formerly IISPV) and Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII de Tarragona has discovered that these vesicles act differently depending on tumour aggressiveness, opening new possibilities for future therapeutic strategies.

Prostate cancer is the most common tumour in men in many Western countries. In the Tarragona region, nearly 670 new cases are diagnosed each year, and the number exceeds 30,000 at the national level. Although many tumours grow slowly, others can progress and spread, so understanding the factors that drive this aggressiveness is essential to improve patient outcomes.

In this context, researchers from the Grup de Recerca en Biomarcadors de Malalties i Mecanismes Moleculars (DIBIOMEC) at the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Catalunya Sud (IRB Catalunya Sud, formerly IISPV), in collaboration with the Urology and Pathology Departments of Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII de Tarragona, have made an important step forward. Their recently published study shows for the first time that extracellular vesicles (small particles released by cells) from the adipose tissue surrounding the prostate (periprostatic adipose tissue, PPAT) modulate the behaviour of tumour cells differently depending on cancer risk level.

The research, led by Dra. Matilde R. Chacón and Dr. Xavier Ruiz-Plazas, and carried out by a multidisciplinary team, provides a new perspective on how the tumour microenvironment — particularly periprostatic fat — “communicates” with cancer and influences its evolution.

Main findings

First, the study reveals risk‑dependent effects. Vesicles from periprostatic adipose tissue of patients with low‑risk prostate cancer mainly stimulate tumour cell proliferation. In contrast, vesicles from patients with high‑risk tumours do not promote proliferation, but they do increase the migration capacity of cancer cells and stimulate angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels), both of which are key processes in tumour progression and spread.

The vesicles also affect the tumour microenvironment. Besides acting on cancer cells, they influence other surrounding cells. Low‑risk vesicles promote a pro‑inflammatory and immunosuppressive profile in macrophages (immune cells), which may help create a supportive environment for early‑stage tumours.

Another important finding is the activation of signalling pathways, as the observed effects are linked to the activation of key molecular routes in cancer.

This discovery shows that periprostatic adipose tissue is not just a passive structure but an active and dynamic player that modulates prostate cancer behaviour depending on disease aggressiveness. Extracellular vesicles from this tissue emerge as promising therapeutic targets for future strategies aimed at interfering with communication between the tumour and its microenvironment, especially in cases with a higher risk of progression.

Although these results come from in vitro models and further studies will be needed in more complex systems, this research represents a significant step forward in understanding prostate cancer biology and opens a promising avenue for translational research.

Link to the scientific publication:
Arreaza-Gil V. et al. Periprostatic adipose tissue-derived extracellular vesicles modulate prostate cancer cell behaviour in vitro according to tumour grade. Mol Med (2026).

PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41566212/
DOI: 10.1186/s10020-026-01422-7

A team of researchers from the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP) and the Biomedical Research Institute of Southern Catalonia (IRB CatSud, formerly IISPV) has published a study in the scientific journal Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. The study describes an experimental rat model that reproduces key features of creeping fat, the accumulation of fatty tissue around inflamed intestinal segments, which is one of the characteristic pathological signs of Crohn’s disease.

The study shows that the colitis model induced with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) develops hyperplasia of the mesocolic adipose tissue, presenting macroscopic, histological, immunological and molecular similarities to the creeping fat observed in patients with Crohn’s disease. According to the authors, this model can help study the role of this tissue in the progression of the disease and its complications.

The first author, Dr. Laura Clua, explains that “creeping fat is not only a growth of fatty tissue around the inflamed intestine, but it is also a metabolically and immunologically active tissue. In the model we observe a strong infiltration of immune cells and high expression of pro‑inflammatory cytokines, features that have also been described in patients.”

The results show a relationship between the severity of transmural intestinal inflammation and the development of mesocolic hyperplasia, as well as the presence of bacteria that have moved into the subserosa. According to the authors, these findings support the hypothesis that the gut microbiota may contribute to the remodeling of mesenteric adipose tissue.

Co-author Roger Suau, corresponding author of the article, highlights that “we have characterized the model at several levels —macroscopic, histopathological, immunohistochemical and transcriptomic— which allowed us to compare it with the features described in humans. About half of the animals develop mesocolic hyperplasia with characteristics similar to the creeping fat described in Crohn’s disease.”

For Dr. Carolina Serena (IRB CatSud), leader of the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBODI) research group, this model may be useful to explore the mechanisms involved in the disease: “having an experimental model that reproduces this phenomenon makes it easier to study the relationship between intestinal inflammation, bacterial translocation and the remodeling of mesenteric adipose tissue.”

According to Dr. Josep Manyé, researcher in the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Research Group (GReMII) at IGTP, “this type of experimental model can help us better understand the role of creeping fat in Crohn’s disease and explore new therapeutic approaches.”

Researchers from the Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, the Viladecans Hospital and CIBEREHD also took part in the study, together with other IGTP teams such as the High‑Throughput Genomics and Bioinformatics platform led by Lauro Sumoy, and the Translational Research in Liver Diseases group, led by Ramon Bartolí.

The authors state that the model offers a reproducible experimental platform to study the role of mesenteric adipose tissue in inflammatory bowel disease and to support the evaluation of new therapeutic strategies in preclinical research stages.

The Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), with the participation of the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Catalunya Sud (IRB CatSud, formerly IISPV), has taken part in a pioneering study showing that consuming extra virgin olive oil may help preserve cognitive function by modulating the gut microbiota. The research, published in Microbiome, is the first study in humans to analyse this specific relationship.

The study was carried out using data from 656 people aged 55 to 75 with overweight or obesity and metabolic syndrome, all participating in the PREDIMED-Plus project. Participants who consumed extra virgin olive oil —and not refined oil— showed a better evolution of cognitive function and a more diverse gut microbiota, which is a key indicator of metabolic health. In addition, the bacterial genus Adlercreutzia was identified as a possible mediator of this protective effect.

The difference between the two types of olive oil lies in the production process: while extra virgin olive oil preserves antioxidants, polyphenols and bioactive compounds, refined oil loses most of these elements during industrial processing. “Not all olive oils have the same benefits for cognitive function,” explains Jiaqi Ni, first author of the study.

The results highlight the importance of fat quality within the Mediterranean diet. “Extra virgin olive oil not only protects the heart, but may also help preserve the brain during ageing,” says Jordi Salas-Salvadó, principal investigator. Codirectors Nancy Babio and Stephanie Nishi emphasise that, in a context of increasing cognitive decline, improving diet quality is an accessible and effective strategy.

This research was made possible thanks to the leadership of the URV and IISPV-CERCA, with the collaboration of CIBERobn and international institutions such as Wageningen University and Harvard University.