Mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases.
Neurodegenerative diseases are a large group of disabling disorders of the nervous system, characterized by the relative selective death of neuronal subtypes. In most cases, there is overwhelming evidence of impaired mitochondrial function as a causative factor in these diseases. More recently, evidence has emerged for impaired mitochondrial dynamics (shape, size, fission-fusion, distribution, movement etc.) in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Here, we provide a concise overview of the major findings in recent years highlighting the importance of healthy mitochondria for a healthy neuron.
Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.
Ashu
A
Johri
M Flint
MF
Beal
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000473:pathology*; D063154:Mitochondrial Dynamics / Q000502:physiology; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology*