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New research suggests that in the early stages of depression, the mitochondria in the brain and body have a reduced capacity to cope with higher energy demand, contributing to chronic fatigue. Credit: Neuroscience News<\/p>\nSummary: Fatigue is one of the most debilitating and hardest-to-treat symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD). New research has identified a biological root for this exhaustion: a breakdown in ATP bioenergetics.<\/p>\n
By analyzing the \u201cenergy currency\u201d molecules in the brain and blood of young adults, scientists discovered that cells in depressed individuals actually overwork while at rest but lack the capacity to increase energy production under stress. The study suggests that the mitochondria\u2014the cell\u2019s power plants\u2014are pushing themselves to the limit early in the illness, eventually leading to the profound low mood and cognitive slowness associated with depression.<\/p>\n
Key Facts<\/p>\n
The Resting Overdrive: In young adults with depression, brain and blood cells produce more ATP than healthy peers during rest, suggesting the system is already \u201credlining\u201d before any actual demand is placed on it.The Stress Failure: Despite higher resting energy, these cells have a significantly reduced capacity to \u201cramp up\u201d energy production when faced with stress or higher cognitive demand.Universal Biomarker: This is the first time patterns in these \u201cfatigue molecules\u201d have been found simultaneously in both the brain and the bloodstream, offering a potential new way to diagnose MDD via a simple blood test.<\/p>\n
Source: University of Queensland<\/p>\n
Researchers may have discovered a new way to diagnose and treat major depression at the earliest stage of the condition, giving patients the best opportunity for recovery.<\/p>\n
University of Queensland researchers, in collaboration with the University of Minnesota, analysed levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) \u2013 known as the \u201cenergy currency\u201d molecule \u2013 in the brain and blood cells of young people with depression.<\/p>\n
New research suggests that in the early stages of depression, the mitochondria in the brain and body have a reduced capacity to cope with higher energy demand, contributing to chronic fatigue. Credit: Neuroscience News<\/p>\n
Associate Professor Susannah Tye\u00a0from UQ\u2019s\u00a0Queensland Brain Institute\u00a0(QBI) said this was the first time patterns in these fatigue molecules had been discovered in both the brain and blood stream of young people with major depressive disorder (MDD).<\/p>\n
\u201cThis suggests that depression symptoms may be rooted in fundamental changes in the way brain and blood cells use energy,\u201d Dr Tye said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFatigue is a common and hard-to-treat symptom of MDD, and it can take years for people to find the right treatment for the illness.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has been limited progress in developing new treatments because of a lack of research and we hope this important breakthrough could potentially lead to early intervention and more targeted treatments.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the study, a team at the University of Minnesota collected blood samples and scans from 18 people aged 18-25 years, who had been diagnosed with MDD.<\/p>\n
These were then analysed by the QBI team and compared with samples from participants who did not have depression.<\/p>\n
QBI researcher,\u00a0Dr Roger Varela\u00a0\u00a0said they found cells in people with depression produced more energy molecules when resting, but had a reduced ability to increase energy production under stress.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis suggests cells may be overworking early in the illness, which could lead to longer-term problems,\u201d Dr Varela said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was surprising, because you might expect energy production in cells would be lower for people with depression.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt suggests that in the early stages of depression, the mitochondria in the brain and body have a reduced capacity to cope with higher energy demand, which may contribute to low mood, reduced motivation and slower cognitive function.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Varela hopes this research will help de-stigmatise depression.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis shows multiple changes occur in the body, including in the brain and the blood, and that depression impacts energy at a cellular level,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt also proves not all depression is the same; every patient has different biology, and each patient is impacted differently.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope this research will help lead to more specific and effective treatment options.\u201d<\/p>\n
The study was led by the University of Minnesota\u2019s Katie Cullen MD, and the imaging technique used to measure ATP production in the brain was developed by Professors Xiao Hong Zhu and Wei Chen.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Key Questions Answered:Q: Why do I feel so tired if my cells are \u201coverworking\u201d?<\/p>\n
A: Think of your cells like a car engine that is idling at a very high RPM. Even when you\u2019re sitting still, your \u201cengine\u201d is burning through fuel and wearing itself out. When you actually try to \u201cdrive\u201d (perform a task or handle stress), there\u2019s no extra power left to give. This constant state of overwork leads to the deep, physical fatigue often felt in depression.<\/p>\n
Q: Does this mean depression is a \u201cmitochondrial disease\u201d?<\/p>\n
A: Researchers are beginning to view it that way. The study shows that the mitochondria have a reduced capacity to cope with energy demands. This biological \u201cenergy crisis\u201d contributes directly to low mood, lack of motivation, and that feeling of \u201cbrain fog\u201d where your thoughts move slowly.<\/p>\n
Q: Can a blood test diagnose depression now?<\/p>\n
A: We\u2019re getting closer! Because the study found the same ATP patterns in blood cells as they did in brain scans, it opens the door for a diagnostic tool that measures cellular energy. This would help move depression diagnosis from subjective questionnaires to objective, biological data.<\/p>\n
Editorial Notes:This article was edited by a Neuroscience News editor.Journal paper reviewed in full.Additional context added by our staff.About this depression and neuroscience research news<\/p>\n
Author: Pam Frost<\/a>
Source: University of Queensland<\/a>
Contact: Pam Frost \u2013 University of Queensland
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News<\/p>\n