Mitochondrial Abnormalities Are Among the Earliest Changes in Alzheimer's Disease ~ Dr. Domenico Pratico' MD, FCPP
- Dr. Domenico Pratico
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
Explore what mitochondria are and their vital function for our brain health. Research indicates that changes or mitochondrial abnormalities are among the earliest indicators of Alzheimer's disease.
Mitochondria are remarkable tiny structures inside our cells, often called the "powerhouses" or the engines of the cell. They play a vital role in our overall health, especially when it comes to the brain and conditions like Alzheimer's disease. So how does mitochondrial health impact brain function and and what are their connection to neurodegenerative diseases?
The Role of Mitochondria in Cellular Function
Mitochondria range from 0.75 to 3 micrometers in size and can be found in nearly every type of human cell. They are essential for producing energy, generating approximately 90% of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) that fuels our cellular activities. Different cells have different numbers of mitochondria reflecting their energy needs. For example, liver cells can contain over 2,000 mitochondria, while mature red blood cells have none.
Neurons, which are the brain's primary cells, have a particularly high demand for energy. They can consume around 20% of the body's total ATP making well-functioning mitochondria crucial for sustaining cognitive functions like memory and learning.
Importance of Mitochondrial DNA
Mitochondria have their own genetic material, known as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The mtDNA is inherited almost exclusively from the mother. The mitochondria from the sperm are usually destroyed during fertilization. Research has shown that mutations in mtDNA can lead to various health issues and has even been linked to illnesses like Alzheimer's. In fact, mitochondrial abnormalities are among the earliest indicators of Alzheimer's disease studies have shown.
Dysfunction in mitochondrial processes and activities compromise neuronal function and viability, contributing to early neuronal death and the onset of Alzheimer symptoms.
Research supports the idea that mitochondrial dysfunction not only contributes to the death of neurons but also accelerates the progression of Alzheimer's symptoms. Read more in our recently published research, in Science Direct.
There are several mechanisms that have been implicated as mechanisms by which mitochondrial dysfunction can result in cell death:
Energy starvation - Mitochondria struggling to produce ATP can result in energy shortages for neurons, significantly impairing their functions.
Increases in the production of reactive oxygen species - When mitochondria malfunction, they generate excess reactive oxygen species. This fact induces oxidative stress which can lead to irreversible harm to cellular components, including important lipids and proteins.
Calcium homeostasis disruption - Mitochondria help maintain calcium levels inside the cells. When calcium regulation is disrupted, it can activate pathways that lead to cell death.
Impaired mitochondrial quality control and cell signaling - Mitochondria are also key players in cellular communication. Dysfunctional mitochondria can disrupt signaling processes, resulting in harmful effects throughout neuronal networks.
These changes can worsen cognitive ability, influence behavior, and lead to significant declines in brain health.
While Alzheimer’s disease is traditionally associated with the buildup of amyloid-beta plaques and deposits of the abnormal tau protein, emerging evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction may play a role in the onset and progression of this devastating neurodegenerative disorder. Studies have revealed that mitochondrial dysfunction precedes Aβ accumulation and tau pathology, suggesting that it represents an early event in Alzheimer's disease development.
The Future of Brain Health
Understanding the connection between mitochondrial dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease opens up new possibilities for treatment. Improving mitochondrial health could potentially slow the progression of this neurodegenerative disease.
Mitochondria are emerging as biomarkers for early detection and the monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease progression. Recent studies have shown that altered mitochondria as well as mtDNA can be detected and measured in blood samples obtained from Alzheimer's patients.
Future research in Alzheimer's disease points to a pathway for the therapeutic targeting of mitochondrial dysfunction. It offers a novel approach to combatting the disease.
In fact, there are recent therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction directly and indirectly by using new and old drugs such as Coenzyme Q10, Mitoquinone mesylate (MitoQ), resveratrol, urolithin A.
As science research continues to probe new and promising solutions, each of us should remember that we should not wait to do what we can to support our own brain health. The best approach we can all take right now to embrace a healthy diet, like the Mediterranean diet (click on the link to read more), consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like fish), antioxidants (such as berries), and B vitamins (found in whole grains) and avoiding ultra-processed foods as much as possible.
Also, engage in regular physical activity which has been shown to boost mitochondrial function and overall brain health. Research indicates that just 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly can improve cognitive functions significantly. Doing these things helps enhance mitochondrial function, brain health, and healthy aging.
Mitochondria are key players in maintaining neuron health. Mitochondrial abnormalities are among the earliest indicators of Alzheimer's disease. By concentrating on the enhancement of mitochondrial function, researchers could unlock new pathways for effective treatments that benefit brain health and cognitive longevity, safeguarding cognitive abilities as we age.
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Domenico Praticò, MD, holds the Scott Richards North Star Charitable Foundation Chair for Alzheimer’s Research and serves as a Professor and the Founding Director of the Alzheimer’s Center at Temple, as well as a Professor of Neural Sciences at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.
For more information on the research conducted by Dr. Domenico Pratico, please visit this link.
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Stay updated with the work happening at Dr. Domenico Pratico's lab by visiting the Pratico Lab website.
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