Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 21, 2026
08:17
Reducing State Anxiety Using Working Memory Maintenance
Published on: July 19, 2017
8.1K
Anxiety and Brain Mitochondria: A Bidirectional Crosstalk.
Michaela D Filiou1, Carmen Sandi2
1Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany; Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
Trends in Neurosciences
|August 1, 2019
Summary
Anxiety is linked to brain mitochondria and metabolism. Targeting these cellular components may offer new ways to treat anxiety disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Growing evidence links brain mitochondria and bioenergetics to psychiatric disorders.
- The interplay between anxiety and mitochondrial function is an emerging research area.
- Alterations in mitochondria and metabolism are observed in anxious individuals and mitochondrial disease patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the bidirectional relationship between anxiety and brain mitochondria/metabolism.
- To highlight the potential of targeting mitochondria for anxiety alleviation.
Main Methods:
- Review of accumulating scientific data.
- Analysis of genetic and pharmacological studies on mitochondrial factors in anxiety.
Main Results:
- Converging evidence supports a role for mitochondria and metabolism in anxiety.
- Specific mitochondrial and metabolic factors are causally involved in anxiety.
Conclusions:
- The relationship between anxiety and brain mitochondria/metabolism is significant.
- Mitochondria-targeted research presents a promising therapeutic avenue for anxiety.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Peroxisomes and Mitochondria
94.5K
Peroxisomes and mitochondria are two important oxygen-utilizing organelles in eukaryotic cells. Mitochondria carry out cellular respiration—the process that converts energy from food into ATP. Peroxisomes carry out a variety of functions, primarily breaking down different substances, such as fatty acids.
The peroxisome is a single membrane-bound cellular organelle that can perform several different functions, including lipid metabolism and chemical detoxification. The enzymes within...
The peroxisome is a single membrane-bound cellular organelle that can perform several different functions, including lipid metabolism and chemical detoxification. The enzymes within...
94.5K
01:18Anxiety: Overview
957
Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
957
01:37Mitochondria
19.7K
Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
19.7K
01:30Generalized Anxiety Disorder
655
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry that persists for at least six months, significantly interfering with daily functioning. Unlike situational anxiety, which arises in response to specific stressors, GAD often occurs without a clear cause. Individuals may experience disproportionate worry about work, health, or relationships. For instance, a person might continuously fear poor health despite normal medical evaluations or...
655
01:28Social Anxiety Disorder
462
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.
462
01:19Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
12.4K
Mitochondrial precursors are translocated to the internal subcompartments via independent mechanisms involving distinct protein machineries called translocases.
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
12.4K