Study finds potential therapeutic target to combat mitochondrial dysfunction after TBI

By Josh Wu. This article was initially published in the 4/11/24 edition of our Concussion Update newsletter; please consider subscribing.

The journal Neurochemistry International recently published a review that details the role of mitochondria in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Maintaining healthy mitochondria, known as mitostasis, is crucial for brain health due to the brain's high energy demands and reliance on mitochondria for energy production. Authors Hubbard et al. found that TBIs disrupt the natural balance of mitochondria function in the brain, leading to secondary effects like cell damage, lack of neurotransmitters, and overall cognitive decline.

However, this new research into mitochondria has found that mitochondrial uncoupling, a process that decouples ATP production from oxygen consumption, helps regulate the state of mitochondria in response to environmental changes, like TBIs. Mitochondrial uncoupling may reduce the adverse physiological effects of TBIs and induce the elimination of unhealthy mitochondria. While the relationship between mitochondria and TBIs is still being unraveled, mitochondrial uncoupling provides an avenue for future TBI treatments that can improve mitochondrial health - which will enhance overall neurological functioning.