Since hyperphosphorylation of both ERK and mTOR has been correlated to pro-apoptotic processes, mitochondrial damage, depression, and early life stress (Duman et al., 2012; Bordi et al., 2019; Martin-Sanchez et al., 2022), we can hypothesize that the induction of the anorexic phenotype might drive similar effects, which need further detailed investigation. This evidence concerns the gene MAPK1 and depressive disorder.