The stress response of an organism causes changes in oxygen and nutrient metabolism to maintain homeostasis of vital activities, which is accompanied by changes in the mitochondrial energy metabolism system. We are investigating the effects of changes in the neuro-endocrine system during stress environments on subsequent physical and mental alteration and their relationship to pathological conditions, with a focus on mitochondrial function.

Among mental disorders, the incidence of depression is twice as high in women as in men. Although endogenous stress due to hormonal changes and psychogenic stress through life events such as marriage, childbirth, and childcare may be factors in the development of depression, the molecular biological mechanism of depression is fully understood. We would like to clarify the differences in stress responses in male and female mice and the effects of different stress responses on behavioral patterns, and to establish gender-appropriate prevention, diagnosis, and treatment methods.

Iron in the body plays a variety of roles, including oxygen delivery, redox reactions, cell proliferation, and infection defenses. Therefore, living organisms have a system that strictly regulates the amount of iron. When iron metabolism is impaired, it not only causes various symptoms such as anemia, malaise, and fatigue, but also has been reported to be involved in mental disorders. We have been investigating the effects of stress on the regulation of iron metabolism and the relationship between stress-induced pathology and iron metabolism in mice.