Mitochondrial homeostasis is crucial for the maintenance of cellular equilibrium. In neurons, which are non-regenerative cells, mitochondrial dysfunction can trigger a cascade of events that ultimately leads to irreversible neuronal damage and cell death. Emerging evidence suggests that mitochondrial impairment may serve as an early biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases. Consequently, the preservation of mitochondrial homeostasis is of paramount importance in the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders.
With recent advancements in mitochondrial transplantation as a therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases, targeting mitochondria has emerged as a promising avenue for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. This special issue aims to review the latest developments in mitochondrial research, providing valuable insights for future investigations in this field.
Topics with a focus on the mitochondria in neurodegeneration in the scope of this section include:
- Alterations in mitochondrial DNA, dynamics, and bioenergetics, as well as their potential as early biomarkers.
- Mitochondrial-driven mechanisms of neuronal damage, identification of novel mitochondrial targets, and development of mitochondria-focused therapeutic strategies.
- Emerging technologies and tools that enable deeper insights into mitochondrial signaling pathways in neural dysfunction.
- Patient-derived cellular models used to study mitochondrial abnormalities in disease-specific contexts.
- In vivo investigations using animal models to explore mitochondrial contributions to neurodegenerative pathology and therapeutic response.
We welcome submissions of the following article types: Original Research, Brief Research Report, Data Report, Data Analysis, Editorial, General Commentary, Hypothesis & Theory, Methods, Mini Review, Perspective, Review, Systematic Review.
Keywords: Mitochondrial dysfunction, Neurodegenerative diseases, Therapeutic strategies
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
