Brain cytochrome‐c‐oxidase as a marker of mitochondrial function: A pilot study in major depression using NIRS

Background Brain mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. Brain cytochrome-c-oxidase (COX) activity is associated with the mitochondrial function. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) noninvasively measures oxidized COX (oxCOX) and tissue oxygenation index (TOI) reflecting cerebral blood flow and oxygenation. Methods oxCOX and TOI were assessed in prefrontal cortex (Fp1/2, Brodmann area 10) in patients in a...