Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Parkinson ’s Disease: New Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Perspectives

AbstractPurpose of ReviewParkinson ’s disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder, the aetiology of which is still largely unknown. Overwhelming evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction is a central factor in PD pathophysiology. Here we review recent developments around mitochondrial dysfunction in familial and sp oradic PD, with a brief overview of emerging therapies targeting mitochondrial dysfunction.Recent FindingsIncreasing evidence supports the critical role for mitochondrial dysfunction in the development of sporadic PD, while the involvement of familial PD-related genes in the regulation of mitochondrial biology has been expanded by the discovery of new mitochondria-associated disease loci and the identification of their novel functions.SummaryRecent research has expanded knowledge on the mechanistic details underlying mitochondrial dysfunction in PD, with the discovery of new therapeutic targets providing invaluable insights into the essential role of mitochondria in PD pathogenesis and unique opportunities for drug development.
Source: Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research