The Mitochondrial Link to Mental Illness | Ana Andreazza, PhD | The Metabolic Link Ep.63

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Mar 11, 2025

Dr. Ana Andreazza, a Professor at the University of Toronto and an expert in mitochondrial function, discusses the revolutionary connections between mitochondria and mental health. She highlights her pioneering research on mitochondrial dysfunction in psychiatric disorders, particularly bipolar disorder. Delving into innovative models like 3D brain organoids, she reveals how mitochondrial health impacts mood and metabolism. The conversation also covers potential treatments, including mitochondrial transplantation and the role of substances like metformin and C15 fatty acids.

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ANECDOTE

Winemaking and Research

Ana Andreazza's research journey began unexpectedly when her grandfather, a winemaker, was frustrated with his wine's quality.
Inspired by a newspaper article about resveratrol, she approached a researcher, leading her to discover mitochondria and metabolism.

INSIGHT

Lactate as a Biomarker

High lactate levels are a clinically relevant biomarker for metabolic health, particularly in bipolar disorder.
Measuring lactate, along with other metabolic markers, can inform personalized treatment strategies.

INSIGHT

Circulating mtDNA

Circulating mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can be a marker of mitochondrial stress, potentially offering insights into conditions like bipolar disorder.
Measuring mtDNA, combined with advanced modeling like brain organoids, may help pinpoint specific cellular stress responses in patients.

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Mitochondria do more than power our cells—they may hold the key to understanding and treating mental illness.

In this episode of The Metabolic Link, Dr. Dominic D’Agostino sits down with Dr. Ana Andreazza, a leading expert in mitochondrial health at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Andreazza has pioneered research linking mitochondrial dysfunction to psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder, utilizing groundbreaking 3D brain organoid models to study neurotransmission. She also leads research on mitochondrial transplantation, a potential game-changer in regenerative medicine.

Join us as we explore how mitochondria influence mood, metabolism, and overall health—and why optimizing mitochondrial function may be the future of medicine. Listen to the episode on any major podcast player or watch the interview on YouTube.

Learn more about Dr. Andreazza's work here.

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