Etiology of type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease: Exploring the mitochondria

Type 2 diabetes is a significant risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease later in life, and particular populations have a disproportionate risk because of the high prevalence of type 2 diabetes. There are many overlapping pathologies, and teasing out the primary root cause, if one indeed exists, is very difficult. Here, we review (1) the key facets of mitochondrial biology that are relevant to the two conditions, and (2) the role that mitochondrial dysfunction plays in the shared pathophysiology. We posit that mitochondrial dysfunction lies at the root of the affected processes rather than alongside them as a co-pathology.