Mitochondria-mediated damage to dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease

Mitochondria are important organelles in virtually all eukaryotic cells, and are involved in a wide range of physiological and pathophysiological processes. Besides the generation of cellular energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate, mitochondria are also involved in calcium homeostasis, reactive oxygen species production and the activation of the intrinsic cell death pathway, thus determining cell survival and death. Mitochondrial abnormalities have been implicated in a wide range of disorders, including neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson's disease (PD), and considered as a primary cause and central event responsible for the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in PD. Thus, reversion or attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction should alleviate the severity or progression of the disease. The present review systematically summarizes the possible mechanisms associated with mitochondria-mediated dopaminergic neuron damage in PD, in an attempt to elucidate the requirement for further studies for the development of effective PD treatments.