Aging, a disease of mitochondrial damage

Background: Mitochondria have a number of essential cellular functions. Mitochondrial quality is constantly monitored and damaged mitochondria, showing reduced membrane potential, are removed by mitophagy. It is postulated that aging is caused by accumulation of defective mitochondria either because of increased damage or because of problems with monitoring mitochondrial quality.

Aim: Investigate the evidence for accumulation of damaged mitochondria with aging and describe which markers can be used to assess this in vivo.