Journal of International Psychiatry

Mental disorder, a series of multifactorial diseases, are influenced by both genetic and environmental risk factors，charactered by abnormal thoughts and behaviors.However the pathogenesis is not clearly defined. It’s generally believed that metabolic disorders and immune dysfunction has played a significant role. Recently, numerous studies confirmed that the lymphocyte mitochondria’s function are abnormal in mental patients. Such as, mitochondrial fission in CD4+ T cells leads to a variety of behavioral abnormalities including anxiety; elevations in calprotectin levels within T-lymphocytes and in circulation of recurrent social defeat animals; lower lymphocyte mitochondria density in schizophrenia compared to healthy controls; In addition, Antioxidant treated mice had reduced Th17 immune responses and oxidative stress parameters. So, The aim of this review was to summarize the current knowledge on lymphocyte mitochondria and common mental illness related research, providing ideas into the pathogenesis study of psychiatric disorders.

Mental disease; Lymphocytes; Mitochondrial function