Mitochondrial dysfunction within the synapses of substantia nigra neurons in Parkinson's disease.

ABSTRACT: Mitochondrial dysfunction within the cell bodies of substantia nigra neurons is prominent in both ageing and Parkinson's disease. The loss of dopaminergic substantia nigra neurons in Parkinson's disease is associated with loss of synapses within the striatum, and this may precede neuronal loss. We investigated whether mitochondrial changes previously reported within substantia nigra neurons were also seen within the synapses and axons of these neurons. Using high resolution quantitative fluorescence immunohistochemistry we determined mitochondrial density within remaining dopaminergic axons and synapses, and quantified deficiencies of mitochondrial Complex I and Complex IV in these compartments. In Parkinson's disease mitochondrial populations were increased within axons and the mitochondr

SUBMITTER: Reeve AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5979968 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature