Health and Me

Aarushi Bhadury

Researchers found how a cell’s energy source could affect <span>depression and anxiety</span>. The new study published in JNeurosci, led by Southern Medical University, was done on male mice. Researchers discovered that the adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the cell’s main energy source and a vital chemical messenger that helps communication between neurons, plays a part in depression and <span>anxiety</span>. 

Because good brain cell communication is vital for controlling feelings, the study focused on the hippocampus, a brain area linked to memory, stress, and feeling depressed. 

For years, scientists have looked for reasons behind <span>mental health</span> issues like depression and anxiety. While we may know that mental health disorders are caused due to different reasons, researchers have looked into how depression and anxiety stressors are communicated to the brain.

Mental health disorders do not have a single cause. According to the UK Mind organization, there are many different factors that can cause depression or trigger it. Things like childhood depression, life events, physical health problems, family history. So, understanding how this changes in mood and heightened emotions are communicated to the brain, could help us learn more about the root <span>causes of depression</span> as well. 

<h2>How Does Stress Affect Depression And Anxiety? </h2>

Researchers studied what happened to ATP in the hippocampus when mice were under stress. They found that male mice who became more anxious or depressed after long-term stress also had lower levels of ATP. 

These mice also had less of a key protein called connexin 43 (Cx43). Think of Cx43 as a tiny door that lets ATP out of cells so it can be used for communication. When Cx43 is low, ATP can't be released properly. 

To prove that low ATP release was the problem, researchers did two things: 

 They lowered Cx43 (the "door") in healthy mice that hadn't been stressed. Even without stress, lowering Cx43 caused the mice to act depressed and anxious, and their ATP levels dropped. This showed that just blocking the ATP release was enough to cause mood problems. 

They put Cx43 back (fixed the "door") in the stressed, depressed mice. When they did this, the ATP levels went back up, and the mice's anxious and depressed behaviors got much better. 

<h2>What Causes Depression and Anxiety? </h2>

The lead researcher, Gao, explained that this is the first time scientists have shown that low ATP release in the hippocampus drives both depression and anxiety—suggesting they share one single biological cause. 

This is important because depression and anxiety often happen together and are hard to treat at the same time. The study suggests that future treatments could focus on improving ATP signaling by fixing or opening the Cx43 "door," potentially helping people with both conditions at once. The team plans to study female mice next to see if the same process happens in both sexes. Researchers mentioned how these finding can lead to better treatment options for people who have depression and anxiety. More focused studies will also help reveal how mental health issues are different in men and women, as they expand the research across sexes. 

Health Conditions A-Z

health

Depression And Anxiety

Causes of depression

Anxiety

Brain Signal Drives Depression

Brain Signal

mental health

This Brain Signal Drives Depression And Anxiety, New Study Finds

Missing Your First Mammogram May Raise Risk of Breast Cancer Death, Study Finds

Daily Coffee Consumption May Slow Biological Aging by Five Years, Experts Suggest

Health & Wellness

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

Researchers found how a cell’s energy source could affect depression and anxiety. The new study published in JNeurosci, led by Southern Medical University, was done on male mice. Researchers discovered that the adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the cell’s main energy source and a vital chemical messenger that helps communication between neurons, plays a part in depression and anxiety. Because good brain cell communication is vital for controlling feelings, the study focused on the hippocampus, a brain area linked to memory, stress, and feeling depressed. For years, scientists have looked for reasons behind mental health issues like depression and anxiety. While we may know that mental health disorders are caused due to different reasons, researchers have looked into how depression and anxiety stressors are communicated to the brain.Mental health disorders do not have a single cause. According to the UK Mind organization, there are many different factors that can cause depression or trigger it. Things like childhood depression, life events, physical health problems, family history. So, understanding how this changes in mood and heightened emotions are communicated to the brain, could help us learn more about the root causes of depression as well. How Does Stress Affect Depression And Anxiety? Researchers studied what happened to ATP in the hippocampus when mice were under stress. They found that male mice who became more anxious or depressed after long-term stress also had lower levels of ATP. These mice also had less of a key protein called connexin 43 (Cx43). Think of Cx43 as a tiny door that lets ATP out of cells so it can be used for communication. When Cx43 is low, ATP can't be released properly. To prove that low ATP release was the problem, researchers did two things:  They lowered Cx43 (the "door") in healthy mice that hadn't been stressed. Even without stress, lowering Cx43 caused the mice to act depressed and anxious, and their ATP levels dropped. This showed that just blocking the ATP release was enough to cause mood problems. They put Cx43 back (fixed the "door") in the stressed, depressed mice. When they did this, the ATP levels went back up, and the mice's anxious and depressed behaviors got much better. What Causes Depression and Anxiety? The lead researcher, Gao, explained that this is the first time scientists have shown that low ATP release in the hippocampus drives both depression and anxiety—suggesting they share one single biological cause. This is important because depression and anxiety often happen together and are hard to treat at the same time. The study suggests that future treatments could focus on improving ATP signaling by fixing or opening the Cx43 "door," potentially helping people with both conditions at once. The team plans to study female mice next to see if the same process happens in both sexes. Researchers mentioned how these finding can lead to better treatment options for people who have depression and anxiety. More focused studies will also help reveal how mental health issues are different in men and women, as they expand the research across sexes. 

this brain signal drives depression and anxiety, new study finds

About Us

Contact Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Company

Health and Me is a premium website with content written and curated to function as a handbook for all Health concerns.

This Brain Signal Drives Depression And Anxiety, New Study Finds

Missing Your First Mammogram May Raise Risk of Breast Cancer Death, Study Finds

Are Big Meals Putting Extra Strain On Your Heart? Here’s How To Avoid It

Five Health Myths We Burst This Year For You

Health Conditions A-Z

This Brain Signal Drives Depression And Anxiety, New Study Finds

Missing Your First Mammogram May Raise Risk of Breast Cancer Death, Study Finds

Daily Coffee Consumption May Slow Biological Aging by Five Years, Experts Suggest