MentalHealthDaily

PINK1 and Parkin Link Parkinson’s Disease to Failed Mitochondrial Cleanup

by GLOOM

MHD featured image for PINK1, parkin, mitophagy, and mitochondrial cleanup in Parkinson's disease.

A 2026 review ties the Parkinson’s disease genes PINK1 and parkin to damaged-mitochondria cleanup, from damage sensing and ubiquitin tagging to autophagy recruitment and lysosomal degradation.1 That shifts “mitochondrial dysfunction” into specific failure points: tagging, extraction, transport, autophagosome recruitment, and degradation. Research Highlights 18 PARK loci frame inherited risk: PARK2 encodes parkin and PARK6 encodes …

PGAM5 Genetics & Depression via ATP Levels in the Prefrontal Cortex (2023 Mouse Study)

by GLOOM

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex and prevalent psychiatric condition that affects millions worldwide, yet its underlying mechanisms remain only partially understood. Recent research sheds light on the critical roles of phosphoglycerate mutase family member 5 (PGAM5) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the brain, offering new insights into how disruptions in energy metabolism can …

Mitophagy & Depression: Mitochondrial Autophagy as an Antidepressant Target?

by GLOOM

Depression is a pervasive mental health issue with complex origins and often inadequate treatment options. Recent studies have suggested that mitophagy, the process of selective mitochondrial autophagy, plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of depression, offering new insights into its pathogenesis and potential treatments. Highlights: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affects millions globally, …