Essay: Is mitochondrial dysfunction a major cause for Parkinson's disease

Devarajan, S (2015) Essay: Is mitochondrial dysfunction a major cause for Parkinson's disease. Master's Thesis / Essay, Biology.

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Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by degeneration of dopamine producing neurons and cytoplasmic inclusions called Lewy bodies. Oxidative stress is said to have a great impact on dopaminergic neuronal death. However, mitochondrial dysfunction has been discussed widely in relation to PD. Mitochondria are vitally crucial organelles involved in various functions. Their most important role is energy metabolism where 90% of cellular energy in the form of ATP is produced through oxidative metabolism. Mitochondria are involved in other processes including regulation of calcium homeostasis, protein quality control and detoxification of reactive species. The direct link between mitochondrial dysfunction and Parkinson’s disease (PD) was established by the Complex I impairment with patients exposed to neurotoxins like MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine). Identification of genes which are involved in the rare familial forms of PD by inhibiting complex I has further augmented the understanding and elevated the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in disease pathogenesis. Complex I inhibition and subsequent mitochondrial dysfunction could occur either as a cause or consequence of PD which is not well studied. This essay discusses about the mitochondrial dysfunction being the initial trigger and an important cause for the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and accumulation of modified proteins

Item Type:	Thesis (Master's Thesis / Essay)
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Master's Thesis / Essay
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	15 Feb 2018 08:02
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2018 08:02
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/12519

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