Mitochondrial Link Between Metabolic Syndrome and Pre-Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

There is much evidence to demonstrate that the presence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with an increase in the incidence of pre-Alzheimer's disease. The possible underlying mechanisms linking pre-Alzheimer's disease and MetS are still unclear. This study summarizes and discusses the potential mechanisms involved in pre-Alzheimer's disease under MetS conditions, including an increased brain oxidative stress, brain inflammation, brain mitochondrial dysfunction, hyper-phosphorylated tau protein, and amyloid beta production. This report focuses on brain mitochondrial alterations in cases of pre-Alzheimer's disease where MetS is also extant. The data from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies are included. In addition, potential interventions against pre-Alzheimer's disease in conjunction with MetS are summarized and discussed.