Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Bipolar Disorder and Healthy Individuals
Year: 2025
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Background Mitochondria, essential for energy production, can inadvertently produce reactive oxygen species. Measuring mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number provides a window into mitochondrial function. Changes in mtDNA copy number can occur due to genetic mutations, environmental factors, and inflammation, influencing various health outcomes. Dysfunctional mitochondria are linked to increased oxidative stress and inflammation, contributing to diverse diseases. In BD, mitochondrial dysfunction is intricately tied to the disease's pathological manifestations, affecting energy metabolism and intracellular calcium signaling. Alterations in mtDNA copy number have been observed in manic and depressed BD patients. Additionally, childhood trauma has been identified as a major risk factor for BD and has been associated with increased susceptibility to and severity of the disorder, although the specific role of each trauma subtype (emotional, physical, or sexual abuse) remains a topic of debate. Previous research has established that both BD and childhood trauma are independently associated with mitochondrial abnormalities. However, the potential association between childhood trauma, mitochondrial dysfunction, and BD has not been thoroughly investigated. Aims & Objectives Prior research has shown an increased incidence of childhood trauma in individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BD). It has also been independently established that both childhood trauma and mitochondrial dysfunction have connections with BD. Consequently, the aim of this study is to explore whether there might be a link between mitochondrial dysfunction and childhood trauma in people suffering from BD. Method The study involved 60 participants diagnosed with BD and 26 individuals serving as healthy controls. To gather data, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was utilized, and blood samples were collected for the purpose of determining mitochondrial DNA copy number (MCN) from leukocytes. An examination was then conducted to identify any correlation between CTQ scores and MCN. Results Compared to the healthy controls, the BD group exhibited slightly lower MCN, which did not reach significance. However, the CTQ sum scores were significantly higher in the BD group. After controlling age, gender, and BMI, negative correlations were found between CTQ scores, particularly emotional neglect (r = -0.431, p = 0.04), emotional abuse (r = -0.425, p = 0.043), and total scores (r = - 0.513; p = 0.012), and MCN within the healthy control group. Nevertheless, no substantial correlation was observed between CTQ and MCN in the participants with BD. Discussion & Conclusion Childhood traumata have different effects on BD compared to healthy individuals. Therefore, a comprehensive investigation of the complex relationship between childhood trauma, BD, and medication effects is crucial to better understand how trauma impacts individuals living with this psychiatric condition.
Author: *Cheng Ying Wu
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,693
OpenAlex ID: W4407387223