[Mitochondrial dysfunction in bipolar disorder]

Abstract

Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopic studies in bipolar disorder revealed altered brain energy metabolism resembling that of chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO). Mood disorder is one characteristic symptom in several families of CPEO caused by mutations of three genes, ANT1, Twinkle, and POLG. Molecular genetic analysis revealed association of bipolar disorder with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) 10398A polymorphism, 3644C mutation, and FDUFV2. In the postmortem brains, increased levels of mtDNA 4977bp deletion and 3243G mutation, and altered expression of mitochondria-related genes were reported. Mitochondria play an important role in neuroplasticity and apoptotic signaling via regulating intracellular calcium homeostasis. Thus, mitochondrial dysfunction may cause altered calcium homeostasis and neuroplasticity, resulting in bipolar disorder. Most molecular genetic findings in bipolar disorder regarding mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling are common to Parkinson's disease and diabetes mellitus. Thus, it is possible that bipolar disorder is also a disease caused by the progressive loss of some neuronal cells.