Mitochondrial connection to Alzheimer’s disease and heart failure

The brain and heart are intricately linked, with dysfunction in one organ often affecting the other. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), particularly heart failure, impair cerebral blood flow, contributing to cognitive decline and increasing dementia risk. Conversely, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), marked by amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles, impacts cardiac function. A shared mechanism between AD and CVDs is mitochondrial dysfunction, which disrupts energy production and oxidative balance, worsening both neurodegeneration and heart health. This interdependence underscores the potential for mitochondria-targeted therapies to address both conditions. With an aging population facing rising incidences of AD and CVDs, understanding these interconnected pathways and the central role of mitochondria could inform new therapeutic strategies and improve outcomes in both neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. • The review examines the bidirectional relationship between heart and brain dysfunction • Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) impact cerebral blood flow, boosting dementia risk. • Alzheimer's disease (AD) contributes to cardiac dysfunction through shared pathology. • Mitochondrial dysfunction underpins both AD and CVDs, disrupting cellular energy. • Targeting mitochondria could open new treatments for heart and brain health.