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Updated: Aug 8, 2025

Author Spotlight: Decoding Mitochondrial Aging
Published on: June 30, 2023
Metabolic defects shared by Alzheimer's disease and diabetes: A focus on mitochondria
Cristina Carvalho1, Paula I Moreira2
1CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; IIIUC - Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Abstract:
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are two global epidemics that share several metabolic defects, such as insulin resistance, impaired glucose metabolism, and mitochondrial defects. Importantly, strong evidence demonstrates that T2D significantly increases the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, particularly AD. Here, we provide an overview of the metabolic defects that characterize and link both pathologies putting the focus on mitochondria. The biomarker potential of mitochondrial components and the therapeutic potential of some drugs that target and modulate mitochondria are also briefly discussed.
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