Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress in the Neuromusculoskeletal System

Mitochondria play a central role in cellular energy metabolism, redox homeostasis, and signaling, making them essential for the maintenance of neuromusculoskeletal health. Increasing evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction and excessive oxidative stress are key contributors to the pathogenesis of neurological, muscular, and skeletal disorders, including neurodegeneration, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and neuromuscular diseases. Neurons, muscle fibers, and bone cells are highly energy-dependent and particularly vulnerable to mitochondrial defects, altered dynamics, impaired mitophagy, and redox imbalance. Moreover, emerging studies highlight the importance of inter-organ communication within the neuromusculoskeletal system, where mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress act as shared pathological mechanisms. Understanding how mitochondrial and redox disturbances affect cellular homeostasis and tissue crosstalk is, therefore, critical for identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

The goal of this Research Topic is to advance our understanding of how mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress contribute to the development and progression of neuromusculoskeletal disorders. Despite substantial progress, the molecular mechanisms linking mitochondrial structural abnormalities, redox imbalance, and functional decline across neural, muscular, and skeletal tissues remain incompletely understood. This Research Topic aims to integrate insights from molecular, cellular, tissue, and animal-level studies to elucidate shared and tissue-specific mechanisms. We seek to address how mitochondrial bioenergetics, dynamics, calcium handling, and quality control intersect with oxidative stress signaling to impact the stability of the neuromusculoskeletal system. Furthermore, this Topic encourages the exploration of translational approaches, including mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants, lifestyle interventions, and emerging therapeutic strategies. By bringing together multidisciplinary perspectives, this Research Topic aims to identify convergent pathways and foster innovative approaches for the early prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of neuromusculoskeletal diseases.

This Research Topic welcomes contributions that investigate mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress within the neuromusculoskeletal system under physiological and pathological conditions. Specific themes include, but are not limited to: mitochondrial bioenergetics and dynamics in neurons, muscle, and bone; redox signaling and oxidative damage; mitophagy and mitochondrial quality control; neuro–muscle–bone communication; aging-related neuromusculoskeletal decline; and mitochondrial-targeted therapeutic strategies. We encourage submissions employing in vitro, in vivo, and clinical approaches, as well as omics, imaging, and computational methods. The Topic accepts Original Research articles, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Methods, and Perspectives that provide mechanistic insights or translational relevance to neuromusculoskeletal health and disease.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Mitochondrial dysfunction, Oxidative stress, Neuromusculoskeletal system, Neurodegeneration, Muscle–bone crosstalk

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.