Researchers at Brazil's University of São Paulo's Ribeirão Preto Medical School have unveiled a groundbreaking connection between adolescent stress and potential adult psychiatric disorders. The findings, published in the esteemed Translational Psychiatry journal, point to the profound impact of stress on brain gene expression, particularly in genes tied to bioenergy functions.
The Connection Between Stress and Mitochondrial Respiration
The researchers found that excessive stress during adolescence can trigger changes in gene expression profiles, especially those associated with bioenergy functions. These changes can impact mitochondrial respiration, a critical process for neuron functioning and energy production. This alteration could potentially lead to behavioral issues and psychiatric disorders later in life.
Stress and its Behavioral Consequences
The study utilized adolescent rats to exemplify how stress could induce lower expression levels of genes pivotal to mitochondrial respiration in the prefrontal cortex. This brain region is crucial for emotional cognitive control. The stressed rats exhibited anxiety, decreased sociability, and cognitive impairments, signaling the severe effects of stress on behavior and mental health.
Collaboration and Future Directions
Gene expression analysis was conducted in partnership with the Brain Mind Institute at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. The Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) supported the research. The findings underscore the significance of mitochondrial function in stress-related behavioral profiles. The researchers aim to explore how these behavioral profiles might predict stress response and the development of psychiatric disorders in the future. They also intend to investigate potential interventions to address the genetic alterations brought on by stress.
Nimrah Khatoon stands as a passionate journalist known for weaving insightful stories that resonate. With a rich background in media and notable stints at various local news outlets, Nimrah has cultivated a reputation as a reliable and adept correspondent. Her fervor for delivering captivating tales, combined with her dedication to accurate and timely reporting, positions her as an invaluable member of the newsroom. Guided by a vision to instigate constructive change via her reporting, Nimrah approaches each assignment with thoroughness and an astute attention to detail.