Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the gradual loss of brain cells and cognitive function. The newly identified mitochondrial plaques appear to form independently of traditional amyloid plaques and may emerge at the earliest stages of the condition. While the findings suggest mitochondrial plaques may emerge before traditional amyloid plaques, Robbins told Newsweek that it is still too early to determine how much earlier they appear. The discovery could eventually have practical implications if future research confirms that mitochondrial plaques form before traditional amyloid plaques. Reference:Xiuli Dan et al, Mitochondrial accumulation and lysosomal dysfunction result in mitochondrial plaques in Alzheimer's disease, Nature Neuroscience (2026).