Autophagy and mitophagy at the synapse and beyond: implications for learning, memory and neurological disorders.

ABSTRACT: The human brain is one of the most metabolically active tissues in the body, due in large part to the activity of trillions of synaptic connections. Under normal conditions, macroautophagy/autophagy at the synapse plays a crucial role in synaptic pruning and plasticity, which occurs physiologically in the absence of disease- or aging-related stressors. Disruption of autophagy has profound effects on neuron development, structure, function, and survival. Neurons are dependent upon maintaining high-quality mitochondria, and alterations in selective mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy) are heavily implicated in both genetic and environmental etiologies of neurodegenerative diseases. The unique spatial and functional demands of neurons result in differences in the regulation of metabolic, autop

SUBMITTER: Lu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12758295 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature