Affiliations: [a] Department of Neuroscience, Neurological Clinic, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy | [b] Department of Human and Environmental Sciences, University of Pisa, Via S. Giuseppe 22, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Michelangelo Mancuso, MD, PhD, Department of Neuroscience, Neurological Clinic, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy. Tel.: +39 050 992440; Fax: +39 050 554808; E-mail: mmancuso@inwind.it.
Note: [**] These authors contributed equally to the paper.
Abstract: Mitochondria play a critical role in several metabolic processes and apoptotic pathways, regulating life cycle from the cradle to the grave. Despite the evidence of morphological, biochemical and molecular abnormalities in mitochondria in various tissues of patients with neurodegenerative disorders, the question “is mitochondrial dysfunction a necessary step in neurodegeneration?” is still unanswered. Moreover, a growing body of evidence seems to indicate that oxidative stress, which is increased in damaged mitochondria, is an earlier event associated with neurodegeneration. Here we examine the current evidences in this field, which indicate a key role of mitochondria and oxidative stress in contributing to the neurodegenerative processes.
