KarunaNews Story

Mitochondria are tiny structures inside our cells that supply the energy our bodies need to survive, and scientists are steadily uncovering more about how they work. A new study in Nature Neuroscience, has for the first time shown a direct cause-and-effect relationship between malfunctioning mitochondria and the cognitive problems linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Using a newly developed, highly specialized tool, the team was able to boost mitochondrial activity in animal models of neurodegenerative disorders. This intervention led to noticeable improvements in memory deficits. Although these findings are preliminary, they point to mitochondria as a promising focus for future therapies. “These results will need to be extended, but they allow us to better understand the important role of mitochondria in the proper functioning of our brain. Ultimately, the tool we developed could help us identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for dementia and facilitate the development of effective therapeutic targets,” explains Étienne Hébert Chatelain, professor at the Université de Moncton and co-senior author of the study.