Journal of neuroscience research
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Brain mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases. The distribution and efficiency of mitochondria display large heterogeneity throughout the regions of the brain. This may imply that the selective regional susceptibility of neurodegenerative diseases could be mediated through inherent differences in regional mitochondrial function. ⋯ When the complex II-linked substrate succinate was provided, striatal mitochondria exhibited the highest respiration and ATP synthesis rate, whereas hippocampal mitochondria had the lowest. However, the mitochondrial efficiency, determined as ATP produced/O2 consumed, was similar between the three regions. This study reveals inherent differences in regional mitochondrial energetics and may serve as a tool for further investigations of regional mitochondrial function in relation to neurodegenerative diseases.