Emerging roles of the ciliary-mitochondrial axis in cellular homeostasis and neuroprotection

Abstract Primary cilia and mitochondria, long studied as separate cellular players, are now recognized as a tightly coupled signaling and metabolic hub whose interplay powerfully shapes cell fate. The bidirectional ciliary-mitochondrial axis integrates extracellular sensing, calcium dynamics, bioenergetics, and organelle quality control to drive adaptive responses to stress and sustain neuronal resilience. Recent studies reveal compelling associations that merit further investigation, such as the impact of primary cilium-initiated signaling cascades on mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy, and the effects on cilia of shifting mitochondrial metabolic states. Dysfunction at any node in this axis has potential to trigger neurodegeneration. Framing primary cilia and mitochondria as a coordinated physiologic axis enables reconsideration of neurodegeneration and reveals novel, tractable entry points for therapeutic restoration of brain homeostasis. This review traces the field’s evolution, synthesizes key molecular mechanisms, and highlights exciting translational opportunities to harness the ciliary-mitochondrial axis for neuroprotection.