Insights into how mitochondria regulate the neurodegenerative process

Abstract

Nerve terminal dysfunction is thought to be an early event in neurodegeneration that precedes neuronal death in the brain. Mitochondria are implicated as instigators of nerve terminal dysfunction and subsequent synaptic vulnerability; however, further elucidation of the mechanisms that cause mitochondrial dysfunction is required. This study characterises differences in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) between synaptic mitochondria (SM) and non-synaptic mitochondria (NSM). A 25% inhibition of complex I activity in SM was sufficient to cause an increase in ROS production, whereas in NSM. a 69% complex I inhibition was required before an increase was observed