Neuronal and mitochondrial membranes

Neuronal and mitochondrial membranes are complex lipid bilayers that serve as the essential structural and functional boundaries for neurons and their primary energy-producing organelles. The neuronal plasma membrane is responsible for maintaining electrochemical gradients and facilitating synaptic signaling, while the mitochondrial membranes (inner and outer) house the machinery for oxidative phosphorylation and regulate cellular apoptosis (StatPearls, 2023). Damage to these membranes, particularly through lipid peroxidation and loss of integrity, is a central feature of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's (PubMed, PMC4274070). While not a single molecular target, these membranes are the site of action for various neuroprotective and mitochondrial-targeted agents. For instance, elamipretide (SS-31) targets the mitochondrial phospholipid cardiolipin to stabilize the inner membrane and improve ATP production (NCBI, NBK570614). Other agents, such as citicoline, support the synthesis of membrane phospholipids to maintain neuronal structural integrity following injury (PubChem).

Other names

Neuronal plasma membraneMitochondrial inner membraneMitochondrial outer membraneNeuronal lipid bilayerMitochondrial lipid bilayer

Membrane stabilization, binding to specific phospholipids such as cardiolipin, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation to maintain structural integrity and bioenergetic function.