Parkinson's disease involves the loss of a select population of brain cells (neurons). My research, funded by Parkinson Society British Columbia, focuses on the involvement of "mitochondria" in this neurodegeneration.
Mitochondria are microscopic structures found within cells. They are often described as the "powerhouses" of cells, as they provide energy for all cellular processes. Recent studies have revealed that mitochondria are very mobile structures within many cells, including neurons. It is thought that the function of this mitochondrial motility is to deliver energy to regions of neurons that require it. In other words, mitochondria act as microscopic "meals on wheels" within neurons. We hypothesize that as neurons age, this energy delivery process is compromised, making neurons in older brains more susceptible to Parkinson's disease.
Our research is directed toward understanding the processes that control mitochondrial motility and determining the contribution of mitochondria to the Parkinson's disease process.
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