Researchers identify early mitochondrial plaques in Alzheimer’s disease, revealing a promising target for future treatments before classic brain plaques appear.
For decades, scientists have focused on beta-amyloid plaques as one of the defining features of Alzheimer’s disease. Now, researchers have uncovered an entirely different type of brain plaque that may appear even earlier in the disease process. The discovery of mitochondrial plaques suggests that some of the earliest changes in Alzheimer’s may begin long before traditional amyloid plaques become visible, offering researchers an exciting new direction for understanding the disease and developing future treatments (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
Mitochondrial accumulation and lysosomal dysfunction result in mitochondrial plaques in Alzheimer’s disease
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A research team from the University of Minnesota identified these newly recognized mitochondrial plaques in both preclinical models of Alzheimer’s disease and human brain tissue. Unlike conventional beta-amyloid plaques, these structures appear to develop independently and contain high levels of amyloid precursor protein (APP), the molecule that later produces beta-amyloid. Their early appearance suggests they could play an important role in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Reference: Dan X, Croteau DL, Liu W, et al. Nature Neuroscience (2026).
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Early Mitochondrial Plaques Could Be the First Sign of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Scientists have long known that two hallmarks of the disease are beta-amyloid (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, which damage and kill brain cells over time.
The researchers identified a newly recognized type of brain plaque, called mitochondrial plaques, in both preclinical models of Alzheimer’s disease and human brain tissue. Mitochondrial plaques appear to form independently of traditional amyloid plaques and may emerge at the earliest stages of the disease, possibly even before beta-amyloid plaques begin to develop.
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How Mitochondrial Plaques May Drive Alzheimer’s Disease Progression
The researchers also found that mitochondrial plaques contain high levels of amyloid precursor protein, which is the molecule that gives rise to beta-amyloid. As the disease progresses, mitochondrial plaques frequently appear alongside traditional amyloid plaques, suggesting they may help drive the formation of those hallmark brain changes.
“This discovery identifies mitochondrial plaques as a previously unrecognized feature of Alzheimer’s disease,” said Paul Robbins, PhD, professor in the University of Minnesota Medical School and associate director of the Masonic Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism. “By understanding how these plaques form and contribute to disease progression, we may be able to develop new strategies to slow or even prevent Alzheimer’s disease.”
“Unlike the amyloid plaques found outside brain cells, these plaques appear to directly affect neurons, which make them a potential new target for Alzheimer’s disease treatments,” said Xiuli Dan, first author and research assistant professor.
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New Alzheimer’s Disease Treatments May Target Mitochondrial Plaques
Next steps include the identification of biomarkers of mitochondrial plaques and screening for drugs that can prevent their accumulation.
The discovery of mitochondrial plaques expands scientists’ understanding of how Alzheimer’s disease develops and opens an important new avenue for future research. By focusing on these early changes in brain cells, researchers hope to create more effective strategies for detecting the disease sooner and developing treatments that could slow its progression, bringing fresh optimism to the fight against one of the world’s most challenging neurological disorders.
Reference:
- Mitochondrial accumulation and lysosomal dysfunction result in mitochondrial plaques in Alzheimer’s disease – (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-026-02390-1)
Source-Medindia