This review synthesizes evidence on mitochondrial dysfunction across brain cell types (neurons, glia, vascular cells) and regions during aging, covering subcellular compartmentalization, metabolic rewiring, intercellular mitochondrial transfer, mitochondrial transplantation, and recent clinical trials of mitochondria-targeted interventions in older adults.
Mitochondrial impairment in brain aging is not neuron-specific — glial and vascular cells show distinct dysfunction patterns. Intercellular mitochondrial transfer emerges as a form of metabolic cooperation, and mitochondrial transplantation is highlighted as a therapeutic strategy under active clinical investigation.
As a narrative review, it does not provide primary data or meta-analytic pooling; conclusions on clinical trials are limited by the early-stage nature of the evidence summarized; specific trial results and effect sizes are not reported in the abstract.
Clinicians should recognize that brain aging reflects mitochondrial dysfunction across multiple cell types, not just neurons — this broadens potential therapeutic targets. Mitochondria-targeted interventions are now entering clinical trials for age-related cognitive decline and neurodegeneration, warranting close follow-up.
Explore related topics
