Fig. 2.

Mitochondrial abnormalities in patients with multiple sclerosis and EAE mouse models. Based on current research, we propose that mitochondrial abnormalities are involved in the development and progression of multiple sclerosis, including mitochondrial DNA defects, abnormal mitochondrial gene expression, defective mitochondrial enzyme activities, abnormal or deficient mitochondrial DNA repair mechanisms, and mitochondrial dysfunction. We propose that abnormal mitochondrial dynamics (imbalance in mitochondrial fission and fusion) plays a key role in tissues affected by multiple sclerosis. We also propose that mitochondrial abnormalities and mitochondrial energy failure may impact other cellular pathways including increased demyelination and inflammation in neurons and tissues that are affected by multiple sclerosis.