Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma Co-activator-1 Alpha as a Novel Target for Bipolar Disorder and other Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1 alpha) is a protein that regulates metabolism and inflammation by activating nuclear receptors, especially the family of Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptors (PPARs). PGC-1 alpha and PPARs also regulate mitochondrial biogenesis, cellular energy production, thermogenesis, and lipid metabolism. Brain energy metabolism may also be, in part, regulated by the interaction between PGC-1 alpha and PPARs. Because neurodegenerative diseases (Huntington ’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and bipolar disorder have been associated with dysregulated mitochondrial and brain energy metabolism, PGC-1 alpha may represent a potential drug target for these conditions.

Source: Biological Psychiatry - January 10, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Andrew A. Nierenberg, Sharmin A. Ghaznavi, Isadora Sande Mathias, Kristen K. Ellard, Jessica A. Janos, Louisa G. Sylvia Tags: Review Source Type: research