title: May "mitochondrial eve" and mitochondrial haplogroups play a role in neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's disease?
abstract: Mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell, play a critical role in several metabolic processes and apoptotic pathways. Multiple evidences suggest that mitochondria may be crucial in ageing-related neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, mitochondrial haplogroups have been linked to multiple area of medicine, from normal ageing to diseases, including neurodegeneration. Polymorphisms within the mitochondrial genome might lead to impaired energy generation and to increased amount of reactive oxygen species, having either susceptibility or protective role in several diseases. Here, we highlight the role of the mitochondrial haplogroups in the pathogenetic cascade leading to diseases, with special attention to Alzheimer's disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Neurological Clinic, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena Caldarazzo
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Ienco
authors.forename: Costanza
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Simoncini
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Orsucci
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Petrucci
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Filosto
authors.forename: Michelangelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mancuso
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Siciliano