Figure 1.

Mitochondria play key roles in energy metabolism and Ca²⁺ regulation in various cell types of the brain. In neurons, mitochondria regulate axonal and dendritic development, axonal regeneration, and synaptic function. Glial mitochondria provide metabolites to neurons, and energy metabolism is regulated by mitochondrial morphological dynamics. In neural stem and progenitor cells, cell fate can be determined by mitochondrial fusion–fission and function. Many neurodegenerative diseases are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.