Researchers from the University of Queensland and University of Minnesota have identified a cellular energy imbalance that may help explain major depressive disorder. The study examined levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), known as the “energy currency” molecule, in the brains and blood cells of young adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) compared to those without depression.
The findings mark the first time researchers have detected patterns in fatigue-related molecules in both the brain and bloodstream of young people with MDD. Associate Professor Susannah Tye from UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute said the discovery “suggests that depression symptoms may be rooted in fundamental changes in the way brain and blood cells use energy.” The research involved 18 participants between ages 18 and 25 who had been diagnosed with MDD. Their brain scans and blood samples were compared with samples from individuals without depression.
Unexpected Energy Patterns
The research revealed an unusual pattern in cells from participants with depression. Cells produced higher levels of energy molecules while resting but struggled to boost energy production when under stress. According to researcher Dr. Roger Varela, “This suggests cells may be overworking early in the illness, which could lead to longer-term problems” and that “in the early stages of depression, the mitochondria in the brain and body have a reduced capacity to cope with higher energy demand, which may contribute to low mood, reduced motivation, and slower cognitive function.”
The study was led by the University of Minnesota’s Katie Cullen MD, with imaging methods developed by Professors Xiao Hong Zhu and Wei Chen. The research is published in Translational Psychiatry and could potentially lead to earlier intervention and more targeted treatments for depression. The findings also suggest that not all depression is the same and that each patient has different biology and impacts.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260312020107.htm