Mitochondrial Permeability Transition: A Pore Intertwines Brain Aging and Alzheimer's Disease

Cells. 2021 Mar 15;10(3):649. doi: 10.3390/cells10030649.

Abstract

Advanced age is the greatest risk factor for aging-related brain disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the detailed mechanisms that mechanistically link aging and AD remain elusive. In recent years, a mitochondrial hypothesis of brain aging and AD has been accentuated. Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) is a mitochondrial response to intramitochondrial and intracellular stresses. mPTP overactivation has been implicated in mitochondrial dysfunction in aging and AD brains. This review summarizes the up-to-date progress in the study of mPTP in aging and AD and attempts to establish a link between brain aging and AD from a perspective of mPTP-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; brain aging; mitochondrial permeability transition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging
  • Alzheimer Disease / physiopathology*
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore / metabolism*

Substances

  • Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore