Mitochondrial Dysfunction Is at the Root of Neurodegeneration
- Leslie Vivvian
- May 31
- 1 min read
A review published in Neurotherapeutics further highlights that a single resting cortical neuron consumes 4.7 billion adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules every second, underscoring how energy demands in your brain are immense and ongoing.
I see this as direct evidence of why supporting cellular powerhouses — your mitochondria — is so central to preserving cognitive health. Chronic disruptions in those energy processes impose relentless stress on nerve cells, paving the way for memory problems and other neurological setbacks.
Neurons in neglect video.
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key driver of neurodegeneration, with research showing that a single resting cortical neuron requires 4.7 billion ATP molecules every second for energy
When mitochondria lose their efficient shape, electrons escape and form reactive oxygen species (ROS), triggering cellular damage and stress that particularly affects brain cells
Research shows 42% of adults over 55 develop dementia by age 95, with projected new cases expected to double from 514,000 in 2020 to 1 million by 2060
Mitochondria act as cellular calcium buffers — when this function fails, calcium floods cells and triggers the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, leading to widespread neuron death.
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