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Updated: Oct 21, 2025

Analysis of Brain Mitochondria Using Serial Block-Face Scanning Electron Microscopy
Published on: July 9, 2016
Significance of mitochondrial activity in neurogenesis and neurodegenerative diseases
Serra Ozgen1, Judith Krigman2, Ruohan Zhang3
1Departments of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; College of Medicine, Graduate Research in the Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
Abstract:
Mitochondria play a multidimensional role in the function and the vitality of the neurological system. From the generation of neural stem cells to the maintenance of neurons and their ultimate demise, mitochondria play a critical role in regulating our neural pathways' homeostasis, a task that is critical to our cognitive health and neurological well-being. Mitochondria provide energy via oxidative phosphorylation for the neurotransmission and generation of an action potential along the neuron's axon. This paper will first review and examine the molecular subtleties of the mitochondria's role in neurogenesis and neuron vitality, as well as outlining the impact of defective mitochondria in neural aging. The authors will then summarize neurodegenerative diseases related to either neurogenesis or homeostatic dysfunction. Because of the significant detriment neurodegenerative diseases have on the quality of life, it is essential to understand their etiology and ongoing molecular mechanics. The mitochondrial role in neurogenesis and neuron vitality is essential. Dissecting and understanding this organelle's role in the genesis and homeostasis of neurons should assist in finding pharmaceutical targets for neurodegenerative diseases.
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