Dimethyl malonate (CAS 108-59-8) is a competitive inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) an essential enzyme in the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle This compound effectively crosses the blood-brain barrier and is hydrolyzed within brain tissue to yield malonic acid which modulates SDH activity and impairs mitochondrial respiration By altering TCA cycle metabolism dimethyl malonate has been shown to reduce neuronal apoptosis It is frequently employed in studies investigating mitochondrial dysfunction mechanisms of neuronal cell death and the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases serving as a useful tool for establishing disease models and exploring potential therapeutic interventions