Cited by 758Alzheimer's disease research and treatmentsMitochondrial Function and PathologyDementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

A “mitochondrial cascade hypothesis” for sporadic Alzheimer’s disease

Swerdlow, Russell H, Khan, Shaharyar M·2004·Medical Hypotheses

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) includes etiologically heterogeneous disorders characterized by senile or presenile dementia, extracellular amyloid protein aggregations containing an insoluble amyloid precursor protein derivative, and intracytoplasmic tau protein aggregations. Recent studies also show excess neuronal aneuploidy, programmed cell death (PCD), and mitochondrial dysfunction. The leading AD molecular paradigm, the "amyloid cascade hypothesis", is based on studies of rare autosomal dominant variants and does not specify what initiates the common late-onset, sporadic form. We propose for late-onset, sporadic AD a "mitochondrial cascade hypothesis" that comprehensively reconciles seemingly disparate histopathologic and pathophysiologic features. In our model, the inherited, gene-determined make-up of an individual's electron transport chain sets basal rates of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which determines the pace at which acquired mitochondrial damage accumulates. Oxidative mitochondrial DNA, RNA, lipid, and protein damage amplifies ROS production and triggers three events: (1) a reset response in which cells respond to elevated ROS by generating the beta-sheet protein, beta amyloid, which further perturbs mitochondrial function, (2) a removal response in which compromised cells are purged via PCD mechanisms, and (3) a replace response in which neuronal progenitors unsuccessfully attempt to re-enter the cell cycle, with resultant aneuploidy, tau phosphorylation, and neurofibrillary tangle formation. In addition to defining a role for aging in AD pathogenesis, the mitochondrial cascade hypothesis also allows and accounts for histopathologic overlap between the sporadic, late-onset and autosomal dominant, early onset forms of the disease.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.mehy.2003.12.045

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189 of 189 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Age-related mitochondrial decline initiates a downward spiral of energy failure, ROS accumulation, and altered APP metabolism.

    “The mitochondrial cascade hypothesis, first proposed by Swerdlow and Khan [54], posits that age-related mitochondrial decline initiates a downward spiral of energy failure, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and altered APP metabolism.”
  • 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 [147]

  • 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 [147]

  • According to the mitochondrial cascade hypothesis, mitochondrial function constitutes the crucial link between brain aging and AD.

    “According to the mitochondrial cascade hypothesis, mitochondrial function constitutes the crucial link between brain aging and AD.”

    From Brain aging, Alzheimer's disease, and mitochondria (2011) · cites this paper as [147]

  • The mitochondrial cascade hypothesis deviates from the amyloid cascade hypothesis by predicting age-related changes in mitochondrial function, rather than mutations or polymorphisms in APP or Aβ processing genes, primarily account for age-associated brain Aβ changes.

    “It deviates from the amyloid cascade hypothesis by predicting age-related changes in mitochondrial function, rather than mutations or polymorphisms in APP or Aβ processing genes, primarily account for age-associated brain Aβ changes.”

    From Brain aging, Alzheimer's disease, and mitochondria (2011) · cites this paper as [147]

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Authors
Swerdlow, R. H., & Khan, S. M.
Affiliations
University of Virginia Health System (US)
Corresponding author
Swerdlow, Russell H
Venue
Medical Hypotheses
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2004-01
Volume
63
Issue
1
Pages
8-20
ISSN
0306-9877 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2141282621
Cited by
758
References
189
Citations by year
2026: 45 · 2025: 44 · 2024: 51 · 2023: 50 · 2022: 52 · 2021: 57 · 2020: 63 · 2019: 56 · 2018: 37 · 2017: 31 · 2016: 37 · 2015: 31 · 2014: 33 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 21
FWCI
9.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Medical Hypotheses (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
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
sporadic Alzheimer's disease, amyloid hypothesis, late-onset Alzheimer's disease, electron transport chain, reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial DNA damage, amyloid-beta, programmed cell death, tau phosphorylation, neurofibrillary tangles, aging, autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease, mitochondrial dysfunction
MeSH terms
Aging, Alzheimer Disease, Brain, Humans, Mitochondria, Models, Biological, Amyloid beta-Peptides, Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Reactive Oxygen Species, Mitochondrial Proteins, Mitochondrial Diseases

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