Pathways to mitochondrial dysfunction in ALS pathogenesis

Alterations in the structure and functions of mitochondria are a typical trait of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a prominent degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons. The known gene mutations that are responsible for a small fraction of ALS cases point to a complex interplay between different mechanisms in the disease pathogenesis. Here we will briefly overview the genetic and mechanistic evidence that make dysfunction of mitochondria a candidate major player in this process.