Lecture about the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in dementias. Mitochondria are the main sources of energy in the brain, but also the major source of free oxygen radicals.
Aging, main risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease and some other dementias are associated with an increasing of oxidative stress, which can cause mitochondrial DNA changes. These changes impair mitochondrial energetic metabolism and increase oxidative damage, and also influence apoptotic processes and synaptic activities.