Key Points

• A recent review paper by a University of Virginia team addressed mitochondrial transfer for patients with stroke.
• The researchers suggested focused ultrasound might improve delivery and efficacy of mitochondria to brain tissue.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurological Disorders: Exploring Mitochondrial Transplantation

In a recent review paper published in Regenerative Medicine, a multidisciplinary team at the University of Virginia examined mitochondrial pathways that contribute to disease progression and explored new therapeutic approaches to mitochondrial diseases.

Mitochondria are the workhorses of the cell, supplying most of its energy. It is thought that in damaged tissue, an influx of healthy mitochondria can speed healing and improve longterm outcomes, particularly in cases where the tissue’s blood supply was disrupted. Autologous mitochondria, meaning those collected from the patient, are being used to treat patients post-heart attack. In this review, the authors discuss the utilization of mitochondrial transfer for stroke patients and consider how focused ultrasound might improve the delivery and efficacy of mitochondria to brain tissue.

See the open access paper in Regenerative Medicine >