Malfunctioning mitochondria may drive Crohn's disease, early study hints

Medical illustration of a mitochondrion against a black background. The outline of the mitochondrion is in fluorescent purple and is undulating. Inside, there are fluorescent orange and yellow blobs and circles, as well as patches of fluorescent green and blue. .

Defective mitochondria may disrupt the gut microbiome, driving the development of Crohn's disease, new research in mice suggests.

If these findings hold true in humans, they could ultimately lead to the development of targeted treatments that get at the root cause of the condition.