Thesis (M.Sc.)--York University, 2008. Graduate Programme in Higher Education. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 91-96). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR38784

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric disorder with alarming rates of morbidity and mortality. Since the pathophysiology of the disease is not well understood, it is difficult to develop treatments or even explain why the current treatments are successful. An increasingly popular hypothesis is that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a role. This paper examines the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and bipolar disorder by examining the following: (i) mitochondrial complex I dysfunction and oxidative damage, (ii) mitochondrial complex I dysfunction, epigenetic modifications, and treatment with lithium, (iii) post-mortem brain studies, (iv) the mtDNA common deletion, (v) calcium, (vi) comorbidity with mitochondrial disorders, (vii) lactate and intracellular pH levels, (viii) phosphocreatine, (ix) apoptosis, and (x) inositol. These studies point to a definitive correlation between the bipolar disorder and mitochondrial dysfunction, but it is too soon to determine causation. Further research is needed.

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Yes / Organelle biogenesis is concomitant to organelle inheritance during cell division. It is necessary that organelles double their size and divide to give rise to two identical daughter cells. Mitochondrial biogenesis occurs by growth and division of pre-existing organelles and is temporally coordinated with cell cycle events [1]. However, mitochondrial biogenesis is not only produced in association with cell division. It can be produced in response to an oxidative stimulus, to an increase in the energy requirements of the cells, to exercise training, to electrical stimulation, to hormones, during development, in certain mitochondrial diseases, etc. [2]. Mitochondrial biogenesis is therefore defined as the process via which cells increase their individual mitochondrial mass [3]. Recent discoveries have raised attention to mitochondrial biogenesis as a potential target to treat diseases which up to date do not have an efficient cure. Mitochondria, as the major ROS producer and the major antioxidant producer exert a crucial role within the cell mediating processes such as apoptosis, detoxification, Ca2+ buffering, etc. This pivotal role makes mitochondria a potential target to treat a great variety of diseases. Mitochondrial biogenesis can be pharmacologically manipulated. This issue tries to cover a number of approaches to treat several diseases through triggering mitochondrial biogenesis. It contains recent discoveries in this novel field, focusing on advanced mitochondrial therapies to chronic and degenerative diseases, mitochondrial diseases, lifespan extension, mitohormesis, intracellular signaling, new pharmacological targets and natural therapies. It contributes to the field by covering and gathering the scarcely reported pharmacological approaches in the novel and promising field of mitochondrial biogenesis.

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