The prevalence of dementia in humans could be the result of a functional adaptation
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University of ChesterPublication Date
2023-08-12Submitted date
2023-02-27
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In this paper we propose that high copy number of the mitochondrial genome in neurons is a functional adaptation. We simulated the proliferation of deletion mutants of the human mitochondrial genome in a virtual mitochondrion and recorded the cell loss rates due to deletions overwhelming the wild-type. Our results showed that cell loss increased with mtDNA copy number. Given that neuron loss equates to cognitive dysfunction, it would seem counterintuitive that there would be a selective pressure for high copy number over low. However, for a low copy number, the onset of cognitive decline, while mild, started early in life. Whereas, for high copy number, it did not start until middle age but progressed rapidly. There could have been an advantage to high copy number in the brain if it delayed the onset of cognitive decline until after reproductive age. The prevalence of dementia in our aged population is a consequence of this functional adaptation. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.]Citation
Holt, A. G., & Davies, A. M. (2023). The prevalence of dementia in humans could be the result of a functional adaptation. Computational Biology and Chemistry, 106, article-number 107939. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2023.107939Publisher
ElsevierType
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This article is not available on ChesterRepISSN
1476-9271EISSN
1476-928Xae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2023.107939