Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Assessing Mitochondrial Function in Sciatic Nerve by High-Resolution Respirometry
Published on: May 5, 2022
Mitochondrial dysfunction: a potential link between neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration?
Maarten E Witte1, Jeroen J G Geurts, Helga E de Vries
1Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.witte@vumc.nl
Abstract:
Dysfunctional mitochondria are thought to play a cardinal role in the pathogenesis of various neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and stroke. In addition, neuroinflammation is a common denominator of these diseases. Both mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammatory processes lead to increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are detrimental to neurons. Therefore, neuroinflammation is increasingly recognized to contribute to processes underlying neurodegeneration. Here we describe the involvement of mitochondrial (dys)function in various neurological disorders and discuss the putative link between mitochondrial function and neuroinflammation.
Related Concept Videos
Mitochondria
Mitochondrial Membranes
Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
Gut-Brain Axis

