Abstract: In order to understand mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases and to achieve the purpose of diagnosis and therapy, this paper discusses mitochondrial genome and mitochondrial gene transcription, translational and epigenetic regulations; mitochondrial dynamics, fusion, fission, and mitophagy; the transportation of mitochondria at synapses; mitochondrial dysfunction-activating the innate immunity system-causing chronic inflammation-leading to neurodegenerative diseases. These four aspects are elaborated in order to have a deeper understanding of the physiological functions of mitochondria and pathological of neurodegenerative diseases, and lay a background for the diagnosis and therapy of neurodegenerative diseases.

Key words: ageing, neurodegenerative disease, mitochondrial dysfunction, mitochondrial gene transcriptional and epigenetic regulations, mitochondrial fusion, fission and mitophagy