Regional mitochondrial DNA and cell-type changes in post-mortem brains of non-diabetic Alzheimer’s disease are not present in diabetic Alzheimer’s disease

The aims, design and setting of the study

The aim of this cross-sectional lab-based study was to quantify mtDNA in specific regions of post-mortem human brain and to determine if diabetes and AD, separately or in combination, are associated with altered mtDNA levels. We also measured mitochondrial and cell-type specific mRNAs to further elucidate the potential mechanisms.

Ethical approval and informed consent

Project and ethical approval was obtained from the Brains for Dementia Research (BDR) tissue request committee (BDR Reference: TRID_117) and from the London – City and East NRES committee (08/H0704/128 + 5), respectively. Tissue was handled, stored, used and disposed of in accordance with the Human Tissue Act 2004. Informed consent for use of these samples for research was obtained by the relevant brain banks.

The characteristics of participants

The study utilised post-mortem…

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