Posts

Psychosocial Experiences and Human Brain Mitochondrial Biology: Emerging Evidence Linking Mind, Metabolism, and Neural Energy Systems (2024–2025)

Psychosocial Experiences and Human Brain Mitochondrial Biology: Emerging Evidence Linking Mind, Metabolism, and Neural Energy Systems (2024–2025) Author :  KJ Lavan   ⸻ Abstract Recent multidisciplinary research reveals that psychosocial experiences—ranging from chronic stress to purpose, meaning, and positive affect—are biologically embedded in human brain mitochondrial function. Mitochondria, long viewed as mere energy producers, are now recognized as dynamic transducers between psychological states and cellular energy metabolism. The present review synthesizes the most recent evidence, integrating 2024  PNAS  postmortem brain proteomic findings with 2025  Nature Metabolism  and  Psychoneuroendocrinology  stress-reactivity studies. Collectively, these data reveal that psychosocial experiences predict distinct patterns in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) abundance, circulating mitochondrial biomarkers, and stress-sensitive endocri...
By: KJ Lavan The Convergence of Astrocyte Biology, Metabolism, and Neuropsychiatric Health A lready quietly unfolding at the frontiers of neuroscience and precision medicine is the era of  “metabo-neuro” interventions , and astrocytes are a key to unlocking it. 🔬 Why Astrocytes? Astrocytes are no longer seen as just "support cells" in the brain. They are: Metabolic gatekeepers  – regulating glucose and lactate delivery to neurons. Neurotransmitter modulators  – recycling glutamate, shaping synaptic transmission. Neuroimmune mediators  – producing cytokines, responding to systemic inflammation. Circadian regulators  – influencing sleep, feeding, and energy homeostasis. In essence, astrocytes  translate metabolic cues into neural outcomes. 🔁 The Metabo-Neuro Feedback Loop There’s a  bi-directional dialogue  between metabolic health and brain health: Systemic metabolic dysfunction  (e.g., insulin resistance, obesity) → astrocyte inflammation →...