Neuronal mitochondrial calcium uptake blockage prevents Alzheimer’s disease progression

Alzheimer’s disease is associated with mitochondrial Ca²⁺ (_mCa²⁺) overload and dysfunction.

The researchers in this study evaluated ablation of mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU)‑dependent _mCa²⁺ uptake in Alzheimer’s mouse model.

They demonstrate that neuron‑specific Mcu deletion prevented age‑associated cognitive decline in the mouse model.

Loss of neuronal _mCa²⁺ uptake reduced amyloid‑β accumulation and tau hyperphosphorylation in addition to lowering mitochondrial oxidative stress and preserved synaptic protein expression.

They also show that decreasing _mCa²⁺ overload restored autophagic capacity and protected neurons from amyloid‑induced toxicity.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1038/s44318-026-00809-w

https://sciencemission.com/neuronal-mitochondrial-calcium-uptake