Accelerated Breakdown of Phosphatidylcholine and Phosphatidylethanolamine Is a Predominant Brain Metabolic Defect in Alzheimer's Disease

Numerous studies have demonstrated defects in multiple metabolic pathways in Alzheimer's disease (AD), detected in autopsy brains and in the cerebrospinal fluid in vivo. However, until the advent of techniques capable of measuring thousands of metabolites in a single sample, it has not been possible to rank the relative magnitude of these abnormalities. A recent study provides evidence that the abnormal turnover of the brain's most abundant phospholipids: phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, constitutes a major metabolic pathology in AD. We place this observation in a historical context and discuss the implications of a central role for phospholipid metabolism in AD pathogenesis.

Automated summary

Numerous studies have shown defects in multiple metabolic pathways in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it was not possible to rank the importance of these abnormalities until techniques capable of measuring thousands of metabolites in a single sample were developed. A recent study provides evidence that abnormal turnover of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, the brain's most abundant phospholipids, is a major metabolic pathology in AD. This observation is discussed in a historical context and its implications for AD pathogenesis are considered.