Narrative review: mitochondrial network dynamics in aging heart, skeletal muscle and nervous system
This narrative review describes how aging is linked to disrupted mitochondrial network dynamics in cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle and the nervous system, and discusses interventions that may partially restore network organization. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The review focuses on cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle and the nervous system and synthesizes evidence on how aging disrupts mitochondrial network integrity. [1]
The review links aging to altered fusion-fission balance, impaired organelle positioning and transport, reduced mitophagy, mtDNA instability and compromised metabolic coupling between cells. [1]
The review states that endurance exercise, caloric restriction or mimetics, fusion-supporting pathways and mitophagy-enhancing strategies can partially restore network organization even later in life. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Narrative review (abstract only)
- Population / context
- Cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle and the nervous system as discussed in a narrative review
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- April 16, 2026
Review scope: heart, skeletal muscle, nervous system
The authors frame mitochondria as dynamic, interconnected networks, not only as cellular powerhouses. Their architecture, quality control and communication between cells are described as influencing cellular and organismal homeostasis. The review focuses on cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle and the nervous system and synthesizes current evidence on how aging disrupts mitochondrial network integrity.
Supporting source [1]
Described aging changes and proposed network-coherence view
According to the review, aging is associated with altered fusion-fission balance, impaired organelle positioning and transport, reduced mitophagy, mtDNA instability and compromised metabolic coupling between cells. These changes are said to limit energetic flexibility, stress resilience and regenerative capacity across tissues. The authors propose a systems-level perspective in which aging is associated with progressive loss of mitochondrial network coherence rather than solely cumulative molecular damage; they present mitochondrial connectivity as an integrative descriptor of cellular resilience.
Supporting source [1]
Interventions described as partially restoring networks
The review states that emerging evidence indicates physiological and pharmacological interventions, including endurance exercise, caloric restriction or mimetics, fusion-supporting pathways and mitophagy-enhancing strategies, can partially restore network organization even later in life. It presents mitochondrial network dynamics as both a mechanistic contributor to aging and a potentially modifiable target for future preventive and therapeutic interventions.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
This is a narrative review; the abstract does not report a systematic search, study selection, sample sizes or effect estimates, and the full text was not reviewed. The proposed systems-level framework is a perspective, not a validated product or clinical recommendation.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Labusca L, Gheorghevici TS, Puha B. · europepmc.org · April 16, 2026