Build-up of damaged energy parts and recycling problems create harmful clumps in Alzheimer's disease

AD model mice develop large accumulations of acidic and neutral mitochondria forming mitochondrial plaques.

• Dysfunctional mitophagy is linked to the pathology of Alzheimer's disease.
• Mitochondrial plaques (MPs) consist of accumulated mitochondria within neuronal processes.
• The formation of MPs is associated with abnormal mitochondrial buildup and delayed lysosomal recruitment.
• Impaired lysosomal functions lead to incomplete degradation of mitochondria through mitophagy.
• MPs can co-develop with amyloid plaques but may also form independently in early disease stages.
• Mitochondrial plaques were found in both a mouse model and postmortem human Alzheimer's brains.

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