title: The alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex in neurodegeneration.
abstract: Altered energy metabolism is characteristic of many neurodegenerative disorders. Reductions in the key mitochondrial enzyme complex, the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (KGDHC), occur in a number of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The reductions in KGDHC activity may be responsible for the decreases in brain metabolism, which occur in these disorders. KGDHC can be inactivated by several mechanisms, including the actions of free radicals (Reactive Oxygen Species, ROS). Other studies have associated specific forms of one of the genes encoding KGDHC (namely the DLST gene) with AD, Parkinson's disease, as well as other neurodegenerative diseases. Reductions in KGDHC activity can be plausibly linked to several aspects of brain dysfunction and neuropathology in a number of neurodegenerative diseases. Further studies are needed to assess mechanisms underlying the sensitivity of KGDHC to oxidative stress and the relation of KGDHC deficiency to selective vulnerability in neurodegenerative diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Burke Medical Research Institute, White Plains, NY 10605, USA. ggibson@med.cornell.edu
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Sheu
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Blass
authors.forename: N Y
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Calingasan
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007655:Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D007655:Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex