French researchers have established the first direct causal link between mitochondrial dysfunction and memory loss in neurodegenerative diseases, demonstrating that restoring brain energy production can reverse cognitive symptoms within hours.

The study, published August 11 in Nature Neuroscience by scientists from Inserm and the University of Bordeaux, developed a precision tool called mitoDREADD-Gs that successfully restored memory function in multiple dementia mouse models by directly stimulating mitochondrial energy production.

“This work is the first to establish a cause-and-effect link between mitochondrial dysfunction and symptoms related to neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that impaired mitochondrial activity could be at the origin of the onset of neuronal degeneration,” said Marsicano.