Energy regulation and Parkinson's disease

Abstract Energy homeostasis is vital for cell survival, especially in neurons where sensitivity to energy fluctuation is high and nutrient storage is poor. Notably, recent studies have suggested that dopaminergic neurons affected in Parkinson's disease (PD) are particularly susceptible to energy-related changes or stresses by virtue of the unique and complex characteristics they possess that warrant greater basal energy expenditure. There has since been accumulating evidence supporting the relevance of altered energy metabolism in PD and, accordingly, some therapeutic promise targeting molecular pathways underlying energy regulation, especially with the advent of repurposing diabetic drugs for PD therapy. AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) stands out as a prominent target as a result of its role as a central energy regulator. Despite contradictory findings with regard to its role in PD, emerging evidence suggests that elucidating specific AMPK-related pathways that may be beneficial in PD holds great promise in advancing PD therapeutics.