Cited by 206Alzheimer's disease research and treatmentsMitochondrial Function and PathologyDementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

The Alzheimer's disease mitochondrial cascade hypothesis: an update

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Swerdlow, Russell H., Khan, Shaharyar M.·2009·Experimental Neurology

Abstract

In 2004 we proposed the mitochondrial cascade hypothesis of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our hypothesis assumed sporadic and autosomal dominant AD are not etiologically homogeneous, considered evidence that AD pathology is not brain-limited, and incorporated aging theory. The mitochondrial cascade hypothesis asserted: (1) inheritance determines mitochondrial baseline function and durability; (2) mitochondrial durability influences how mitochondria change with age; and (3) when mitochondrial change reaches a threshold, AD histopathology and symptoms ensue. We now review the reasoning used to formulate the hypothesis, discuss pertinent interim data, and update its tenants. Readers are invited to consider the conceptual strengths and weaknesses of this hypothesis.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.expneurol.2009.01.011

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141 of 141 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • In the mitochondrial cascade hypothesis, toxic cascades in AD are not initiated by Aβ, but by mitochondria.

    “In other words, toxic cascades in AD are not initiated by Aβ, but by mitochondria.”

    From Brain aging, Alzheimer's disease, and mitochondria (2011) · cites this paper as [148]

  • If the mitochondrial cascade hypothesis is correct, early-onset, autosomal dominant and late-onset, non-autosomal dominant AD cases do not share a common etiology.

    “If correct, the mitochondrial cascade hypothesis has several inconvenient implications. The main implication is that early-onset, autosomal dominant and late-onset, non-autosomal dominant AD cases do not share a common etiology.”

    From Brain aging, Alzheimer's disease, and mitochondria (2011) · cites this paper as [148]

  • Aβ deposition within an aging brain simply indicates critical age-related changes are occurring.

    “Accordingly, Aβ deposition within an aging brain simply indicates critical age-related changes are occurring.”

    From Brain aging, Alzheimer's disease, and mitochondria (2011) · cites this paper as [148]

  • According to the mitochondrial cascade hypothesis, Aβ is not an upstream biomarker of AD, but is instead a downstream marker of evolving mitochondrial dysfunction.

    “According to the hypothesis Aβ is not an “upstream” biomarker of AD, but is instead a “downstream” marker of evolving mitochondrial dysfunction.”

    From Brain aging, Alzheimer's disease, and mitochondria (2011) · cites this paper as [148]

  • Models based on early-onset, autosomal dominant AD may provide limited insight into late-onset, non-autosomal dominant AD.

    “Models based on early-onset, autosomal dominant AD may therefore provide limited insight into late-onset, non-autosomal dominant AD.”

    From Brain aging, Alzheimer's disease, and mitochondria (2011) · cites this paper as [148]

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  1. Lovestone S Reynolds CH 1997 The phosphorylation of tau: a critical stage in neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative processes Neuroscience 78 309 324 9145789

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Authors
Swerdlow, R. H., & Khan, S. M.
Affiliations
  • University of Kansas (US)
  • Gencia (United States) (US)
Corresponding author
Swerdlow, Russell H.
Venue
Experimental Neurology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2009-08
Volume
218
Issue
2
Pages
308-315
ISSN
0014-4886 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2023154785
Cited by
206
References
141
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 27
FWCI
3.11
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Experimental Neurology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Aging (R01AG022407)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
Keywords
Alzheimer's disease, sporadic Alzheimer's disease, autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease, mitochondrial function, aging, heredity (biology), histopathology, disease threshold
MeSH terms
Aging, Alzheimer Disease, Amyloidosis, Animals, Brain, Cell Cycle, Humans, Mitochondria, Risk Factors, tau Proteins

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