European journal of anaesthesiology
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Mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to the etiopathogenesis of postoperative delirium (POD), which severely affects the prognosis of elderly patients undergoing surgery. The methylation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), a new and incompletely described phenomenon that regulates the structure and function of mitochondria, is associated with ageing. However, the relationship between mtDNA methylation and POD has not been established. ⋯ These data support the existence of epigenetic mtDNA regulation in POD; however, further studies are required to explore the specific mechanisms.