Mitochondrial regulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis: Insights into neurological function and neurodevelopmental disorders

Abstract

Mitochondria are essential regulators of cellular energy metabolism and play a crucial role in the maintenance and function of neuronal cells. Studies in the last decade have highlighted the importance of mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergetics in adult neurogenesis, a process that significantly influences cognitive function and brain plasticity. In this review, we examine the mechanisms by which mitochondria regulate adult neurogenesis, focusing on the impact of mitochondrial function on the behavior of neural stem/progenitor cells and the maturation and plasticity of newborn neurons in the adult mouse hippocampus. In addition, we explore the link between mitochondrial dysfunction, adult hippocampal neurogenesis and genes associated with cognitive deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders. In particular, we provide insights into how alterations in the transcriptional regulator NR2F1 affect mitochondrial dynamics and may contribute to the pathophysiology of the emerging neurodevelopmental disorder Bosch-Boonstra-Schaaf optic atrophy syndrome (BBSOAS). Understanding how genes involved in embryonic and adult neurogenesis affect mitochondrial function in neurological diseases might open new directions for therapeutic interventions aimed at boosting mitochondrial function during postnatal life.