Promise and Pitfalls of Mitochondrial Replacement for Prevention and Cure of Heritable Neurodegenerative Diseases Caused by Deleterious Mutations in Mitochondrial DNA (original) (raw)

Mitochondrial mutations are a significant cause of various inherited neurodegenerative diseases, impacting neuronal function due to the crucial role of mitochondria in energy production. Advances in mitochondrial replacement techniques (MRT) may offer therapeutic solutions by replacing dysfunctional mitochondria with healthy ones from donors, potentially providing a curative approach for affected individuals. Despite ethical and technical challenges, MRT shows promise in addressing mitochondrial diseases, with future research and clinical applications focused on improving safety, efficacy, and accessibility.