Scientists from the Carolina Institute have found that the acceleration of metabolism in mitochondria may signal the development of Alzheimer's disease. The results are published in the journal Nature.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. The disease is characterized by a decline in mental abilities, thinking speed, reaction, and spatial orientation skills.

Researchers have found that an early sign of Alzheimer's disease may be an acceleration of metabolism in mitochondria. Mitochondria are organoids involved in cellular respiration and provide the cell with energy. It turned out that the increase in metabolic rate in the mitochondria of mice was followed by changes characterized by degradation of synapses - places of contact between two neurons or between a neuron and the cell receiving the signal. The researchers suggest that such a biomarker may signal the onset of Alzheimer's disease in humans as well.

Scientists have noted that Alzheimer's disease begins to develop 20 years before symptoms appear. The researchers hope that tracking metabolic changes in mitochondria will become widespread as a method of early diagnosis of this disease. This will allow patients to start treatment in a timely manner.