Topic: mitochondrial energy metabolism

Following injury, astrocytes undergo major alterations in morphology and gene expression, leading to the acquisition of distinct “reactivity” states that play important roles in brain tissue repair. Evidence indicates that these cellular states are also marked by rewiring of mitochondrial energy metabolism, i.e. the central hub for cellular energy metabolism and metabolic signaling. However, how such mitochondrial responses are regulated and how they may influence astrocyte reactivity remains unclear. Our prior research unveiled temporal and region-specific morphological changes in astrocytic

Social status is key to mental health and well-being. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) regulates motivated behaviors, including the establishment of social hierarchies. Our recent work underscored NAc mitochondrial energy metabolism as critical for social competition among rodents. However, the exact neurochemical and molecular underpinnings of the differences in NAc energy metabolism and the specific contribution of distinct cell types are yet to be determined. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) allows the study of metabolites related to energy metabolism, neurotransmission, and cellular integr