Abstract
Growing evidence from neurodegenerative disease research supports an early pathogenic role for mitochondrial dysfunction in affected neurons that precedes morphological and functional deficits. The resulting oxidative stress and respiratory malfunction contribute to neuronal toxicity and may enhance the vulnerability of neurons to continued assault by aggregation-prone proteins. Consequently, targeting mitochondria with antioxidant therapy may be a non-invasive, inexpensive, and viable means of strengthening neuronal health and slowing disease progression, thereby extending quality of life. We review the preclinical and clinical findings available to date of the natural bioactive phenol resveratrol and two synthetic mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants, MitoQ and SkQ.
Highlights
Neurons most vulnerable to neurodegenerative disease tend to be large, highly innervated, highly branched, and highly plastic [1] including hippocampal and cortical pyramidal neurons in Alzheimer’s, striatal spiny neurons in Huntington’s, and cerebellarPurkinje neurons in the Spinocerebellar ataxias
Malondialdehyde and glutathione levels in whole brain tissue were restored to those of the sham-injected rats with resveratrol treatment [18]. These findings support the beneficial properties of resveratrol to inhibit cognitive impairment and oxidative stress induced by streptozotocin
Hippocampal spatial memory was assessed by the Morris water maze (MWM) and motor deficits were assessed by the accelerating rotarod test
Summary
Neurons most vulnerable to neurodegenerative disease tend to be large, highly innervated, highly branched, and highly plastic [1] including hippocampal and cortical pyramidal neurons in Alzheimer’s, striatal spiny neurons in Huntington’s, and cerebellar. Despite the lack of known mitochondrial genetic involvement, decreased electron transport chain activity accompanies the development of Alzheimer’s disease [8], Huntington’s disease [9], and Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 [10,11]. If successful, these small molecule compounds would provide non-specific, non-invasive, and accessible therapies that improve the quality of life by slowing disease progression in patients.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
