Mitochondria and Free Radicals in Neurodegenerative Diseases begins with a historical overview of the field presented by one of its distinguished founders. The book goes on to supply detailed information on energy metabolism in normal brain function and to explore the role of oxidative damage - which may be a consequence of mitochondrial dysfunction - in the nervous system. Other early chapters focus on energy dysfunction leading to excitotoxic cell damage, the role of mitochondrial toxins in the pathogenesis of animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, and the role of mitochondria in aging.