--- title: "The Scientist Speaks Podcast - Ep. 16: At the Breaking Point: Mitochondrial Deletions and the Brain" image: https://viewonline.the-scientist.com/hubfs/The%20Scientist%20Speaks_1200x630.png --- ![990x120](https://viewonline.the-scientist.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TS%20Podcasts/990x120.jpg?width=990&name=990x120.jpg "990x120") # At the Breaking Point: Mitochondrial Deletions and the Brain The brain requires a lot of energy generated by mitochondria to function properly. Researchers suspect that mutations and deletions in the mitochondrial genome have a bigger effect than previously appreciated, with implications for neurological disorders, such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, and beyond. Niki Spahich from *The Scientist’s* Creative Services team spoke with Brooke Hjelm, assistant professor of clinical translational genomics at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, to learn more. **More on this topic** [Breaking Down Barriers: The Future of Neurodegeneration Research](https://offers.the-scientist.com/breaking-down-barriers-nanotemper-poster) [Single-Cell Secrets](https://offers.the-scientist.com/single-cell-secrets-multisponsored-ebook) [Decoding Smell: Demystifying Human Disease and Behavior](https://viewonline.the-scientist.com/tss-episode_12-landing-0-0) *The Scientist* Speaks is a podcast produced by *The Scientist’s* Creative Services team. Our podcast is by scientists and for scientists. Once a month, we bring you the stories behind news-worthy molecular biology research. Speaker ![BrookeHjelm.jpg](https://viewonline.the-scientist.com/hubfs/downloads/TS/TS_LabTalks/BrookeHjelm.jpg "BrookeHjelm.jpg") Brooke Hjelm, PhD Assistant Professor of Clinical Translational Genomics Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California # Listen Now ### Podcast Information you provide will be held in confidence and will be shared with the sponsoring vendor(s) of this podcast. We may use the information to contact you about your account and to let you know about related programs and products; you may opt-out at any time. This allows *The Scientist* to keep these podcasts free of charge for our readers. The Scientist c/o LabX Media Group 1000 N West Street, Suite 1200, Wilmington, Delaware, United States, 19801 Toll Free: 888.788.0328 | Phone: 705.528.6888 Email: [privacy@the-scientist.com](mailto:privacy@the-scientist.com) [Privacy Policy](https://www.the-scientist.com/privacy-policy) © 1986-2022 [The Scientist](http://the-scientist.com/)   [![The Scientist Logo\_white](https://viewonline.the-scientist.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Scientist%20Logo_white.png?width=702&name=The%20Scientist%20Logo_white.png "The Scientist Logo_white")](https://www.the-scientist.com) The Scientist needs the contact information you provide to us to contact you about our products and services. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For information on how to unsubscribe, as well as our privacy practices and commitment to protecting your privacy, check out our [Privacy Policy.](https://www.the-scientist.com/privacy-policy)