dendrites, as well as the synthesis of proteins upon stimulation, add to the neuronal energy usage. In this review, we discuss how this enormous amount of ATP is supplied by the different routes of ATP generation and is altered in disease states.Energy metabolism is mediated by the interplay of cytosolic glycolysis with mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Glucose is the main energy source for the brain and is first imported into the cytoplasm of neurons or astrocytes and converted to pyruvate via glycolysis. Pyruvate is then transported across the mitochondrial membranes and decarboxylated to form acetyl-CoenzymeA (acetyl-CoA). Acetyl-CoA is also the final product of fatty acid β-oxidation, which can occur in mitochondria or peroxisomes alike. Another source of acetyl-CoA is ketone bodies derived from fatty acid oxidation in the liver and secreted into the bloodstream for uptake by extrahepatic tissues. Acetyl-CoA from various sources can then enter the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle to produce the reducing equivalents NADH and FADH, which will finally be fed into the respiratory chain to produce ATP.Although mitochondria are essential for OXPHOS, they are more than just the "powerhouse of the cell," as they also regulate several catabolic processes, such as amino acid or steroid synthesis, influence Ca 2+ and redox equivalent concentrations in the cytosol, and are crucial hubs in the execution of cell death (Figure 1). Thus, it is impossible to review mitochondrial energy metabolism in health and disease without discussing other mitochondrial functions. Therefore, we will briefly describe our current knowledge of mitochondrial function in other catabolic and homeostatic processes. Further, we discuss the cellular responses to mitochondrial dysfunction and how these pathways enhance or deteriorate the pathogenesis of Parkinson's (PD), a neurodegenerative disease that is deeply linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.
ATP Sources in NeuronsUnlike most metabolically demanding tissues such as muscle, neurons do not have significant energy stores in the form of glycogen, lipids, or creatine phosphate. [4] As a result, neuronal energy metabolism is tightly regulated, and even acute interruptions in fuel supply rapidly suppress cognitive function. Below, we discuss some of the important sources of ATP in neurons and their contribution to energetic homeostasis and neuronal survival. Mitochondria are the main suppliers of neuronal adenosine triphosphate and play a critical role in brain energy metabolism. Mitochondria also serve as Ca 2+ sinks and anabolic factories and are therefore essential for neuronal function and survival. Dysregulation of neuronal bioenergetics is increasingly implicated in neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Parkinson's disease. This review describes the role of mitochondria in energy metabolism under resting conditions and during synaptic transmission, and presents evidence for the contribution of neuronal mitochondrial dysfunction to Parkinson's disease.