Biological cell age is linked to Alzheimer’s disease

Even before the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease appear, serious changes occur in the brain. Cells lose the ability to properly process glucose and obtain energy. However, some people, despite these disturbances, remain lucid for many years.

This may be due to the fact that they retain a high level of bioenergetic activity. This “safety margin” helps the brain to compensate for early disorders and postpones the development of the disease.

Specialists have studied a group of molecules – acycarnitines, which are involved in the breakdown of fats and proteins to obtain energy. Their level in the blood turned out to be associated with cognitive abilities. The higher a person’s bioenergetic age, the more acycarnitines and the faster the progression of Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Using data from a large project studying the disease, scientists determined that people with low levels of these molecules are less likely to experience cognitive impairment. Their mental abilities decline more slowly, by about 0.5 points per year on a standard memory assessment test. This compares to the effect of a new Alzheimer’s drug, lecanemab.

Bioenergetic age is influenced by genetics, but it can be influenced by lifestyle. Physical activity and a plant-based diet help lower acycarnitine levels and slow cell aging.

The researchers also identified a group of people with a high predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease but favorable genes. They especially benefit from changing habits to reduce bioenergetic age and lower the risk of the disease.

In the next step, the scientists plan to find out which dietary and physical activity changes are best at reducing bioenergetic age. For example, how strict does a low-carbohydrate diet have to be to have an effect?

Another important area of focus is the development of an inexpensive and rapid blood test to determine acycarnitine levels. This method is already used to diagnose metabolic disorders in newborns. If it is adapted for adults, it will be possible to detect the risks of Alzheimer’s disease long before symptoms appear and to select prevention on an individual basis.